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A randomized controlled trial was conducted to determine whether a simple educational intervention targeting parents of young infants could have an impact on the consumption of juice and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in early childhood and decrease overweight and obesity rates. Parents of 2- to 4-month-old infants were randomized into intervention (n = 67) and control (n = 77) groups. Parents completed questionnaires about juice and SSB consumption and knowledge at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Intervention parents received informational handouts and watched videos about the health effects of juice and SSBs. Knowledge about juice increased significantly in the intervention group compared with control (P <.01) and was significantly higher in black/African American parents (P <.05) and those with some college education (P <.05). The intervention had a significant impact on the knowledge gained by parents about the health effects of juice and SSBs but did not decrease the consumption of sugary drinks or change children's weight status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that pediatricians screen mothers for postpartum depression (PPD) at the infant's 1, 2, 4, and 6-month well child (WC) visits. Despite these recommendations, less than 50% of mothers are screened nationally. We evaluated the impact of a statewide quality improvement initiative that implemented routine screening for PPD utilizing the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) at AAP recommended WC visits. A total of 224 patients were included. Screening rates increased significantly at all four WC visits (P <.01). A higher prevalence of positive EPDS screens was detected in mothers with a history of a mental health condition (P =.009) and in mothers who reported recent food or housing insecurity (P =.02). EPDS screening was successfully implemented through a statewide initiative in a busy hospital-based pediatric clinic. Pediatricians play an important role in identifying mothers with PPD and referring them to adequate treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses a study which evaluated the effectiveness of a simple, inexpensive literacy-promoting intervention delivered by community-based pediatric primary care providers to Hispanic children with reading difficulties. Characteristics of the study participants; Number of children's books at home; Children's overall language scores.

The article provides information on Pediatric primary care and Integrated behavioral health. Topics discussed include Identification of behavioral problems early, prior to the development of more severe mental disease; Understanding differences between adult and pediatric behavioral health care; and introduction on post-partum depression screening for adolescent substance use.

BACKGROUND: Children with COVID-19 usually present with mild symptoms. We characterize visits with respect to symptoms and testing in the outpatient setting. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of sick visits in a pediatric academic primary care clinic April-August 2020. We included possible COVID-19 cases, or "persons under investigation" (PUIs), recording symptoms, positive contacts, and COVID-19 testing. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests for comparisons were used. RESULTS: 32% (476/1,474) of sick visits were PUIs; 20% were telehealth. Symptoms most commonly reported were fever, congestion/rhinorrhea and cough. 76% of PUIs were tested for COVID-19. Only presence of COVID-19 contacts and loss of taste/smell were significantly associated with positive tests (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Nearly a third of sick visits in an academic pediatric practice were seen for possible COVID-19 symptoms and most were tested. The majority with and without COVID-19 had fever, congestion and/or cough. Our findings suggest low thresholds for testing in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Assess caregivers' knowledge about juice and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and identify factors that contribute to their early introduction. Methods: One hundred forty-four parents of young infants completed a 45-item questionnaire focused on infant nutrition. Results: Seventy-two percent of parents plan to give juice to their babies starting in the first year of life; only 16% plan to introduce SSBs. Parents with some college education or more were significantly less likely to report an intention to introduce juice (P <.0001) and SSBs (P <.001) in their children's diets. Education level was significantly associated with knowledge about juice and SSBs (P <.001). Parents with higher knowledge were significantly less likely to plan on introducing juice (P <.001) and SSBs (P <.001). Conclusion: Parents of young infants lack enough knowledge about the detrimental effects of juice and sugary drinks. These knowledge gaps give pediatric providers a unique opportunity to provide anticipatory guidance starting in early infancy on the adverse health effects of juice and SSBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]