Lifetime Growth and Blood Pressure in Adolescence: Hong Kong's "Children of 1997" Birth Cohort
Most observational studies from Western populations suggest that blood pressure is positively associated with low birth weight and faster infant growth; however, it is unclear whether these associations are biologically based or contextually specific.
In a developed non-Western setting with relatively little socioeconomic patterning of size or growth, birth weight and infant growth had relatively limited impacts on early adolescent blood pressure, which was more strongly related to recent growth and current size.
Near-Infrared Imaging in Intravenous Cannulation in Children: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial
Gaining intravenous access in children can be difficult. Recently, several near-infrared devices have been introduced attempting to support intravenous cannulation by visualizing veins underneath skin. Only one of those devices has been evaluated systemically thus far and results are inconclusive.
Although it was possible to visualize veins with near-infrared in most patients, the VascuLuminator did not improve the success of cannulation. An explanation is that the main problem is probably not localization of the vein but insertion of the cannula.
Adolescent ADHD and Adult Physical and Mental Health, Work Performance, and Financial Stress
There are a few longitudinal studies that suggest that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adolescence is associated with later psychiatric disorders, substance use disorders, and impaired work performance.
Adolescent ADHD is associated with a variety of internal and external stresses in adulthood. Consequently, it is essential to focus intervention efforts on adolescents with ADHD to prevent or alleviate adult difficulties in functioning.
A Randomized Trial of Stylets for Intubating Newborn Infants
Endotracheal intubation of newborn infants is a common procedure. Competency in this skill is mandatory for many pediatric training programs. The safety and benefits of using a stylet for intubating newborn infants are unknown.
Pediatric trainees are commonly unsuccessful at performing endotracheal intubation. Adverse events of using a stylet are uncommon. The use of a stylet does not increase success rates.
Cerebral edema (CE) occurs frequently during treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children. Severe, life-threatening CE occurs rarely, but subclinical CE is common. Whether the rate of infusion of intravenous fluids influences the occurrence or severity of CE is unknown.
This study demonstrates that the rate of fluid infusion in children with DKA does not substantially affect MRI measures of CE. Studies assessing measures other than edema formation are necessary to determine whether fluid infusion rates influence DKA-related brain injury.
In Utero Exposure to Ischemic-Hypoxic Conditions and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Although previous studies indicate that perinatal factors are associated with altered neurodevelopment, data on the association between ischemic-hypoxic conditions and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children are sparse.
This study demonstrates that preeclampsia, birth asphyxia, and respiratory distress syndrome are independently associated with increased risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in a large population-based study.
Longitudinal Associations Between Teen Dating Violence Victimization and Adverse Health Outcomes
Although a number of cross-sectional studies have documented associations between teen dating violence victimization and adverse health outcomes, including sexual risk behaviors, suicidality, substance use, and depression, longitudinal work examining the relationship between victimization and outcomes is limited.
This study is the first to demonstrate the longitudinal associations between teen dating violence victimization and multiple young adult health outcomes in a nationally representative sample. Findings emphasize the need for screening and intervention for both male and female victims.
Preventability of Early Readmissions at a Children's Hospital
There is widespread belief that many hospital readmissions in adults are avoidable by improvements in care and discharge planning processes, resulting in significant cost savings; however, current studies have not examined the preventability of such readmissions in children’s hospitals.
The overall rate of pediatric 15-day readmissions considered to be preventable was low, less than 2% of total hospital admissions. Pediatric readmissions are unlikely to serve as a highly productive focus for cost savings or quality measurement.
Maternal Prepregnancy BMI and Child Cognition: A Longitudinal Cohort Study
Maternal obesity is an increasingly important public health concern and may adversely affect central nervous system development in offspring. However, few studies have explored the relationship between maternal prepregnancy BMI and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children, with conflicting results.
Using data from a large and contemporary UK birth cohort, we found that maternal prepregnancy BMI is negatively associated with children’s cognitive performance. The relationship appears to become stronger as children get older, although the overall effect size is modest.
Medical Home Quality and Readmission Risk for Children Hospitalized With Asthma Exacerbations
The medical home likely plays a positive role in outpatient health outcomes. Asthma is a common and frequent reason for pediatric hospitalization. It is unknown whether having a quality medical home can prevent readmission in children hospitalized for asthma exacerbations.
Poor access to a medical home was associated with increased readmission for asthma, whereas other measured aspects of medical home were not. Children with private insurance and good access to care had the lowest rates of readmission within a year.
Effects of Iron Supplementation of LBW Infants on Cognition and Behavior at 3 Years
Low birth weight (LBW) infants (less than 2500 g) are at risk for cognitive and behavioral problems later in life. During infancy, they are also at risk for iron deficiency, which has been associated with impaired neurodevelopment in other high-risk groups.
Iron supplementation during the first 6 months of life to LBW infants reduces the risk of behavioral problems at 3.5 years. Mild iron deficiency in infancy may be an important, preventable contributor to behavioral problems in children born with LBW.
Dietary Salt Intake, Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption, and Obesity Risk
Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is associated with childhood obesity risk. Because dietary salt intake is a determinant of fluid consumption in adults, a high-salt diet may predict greater consumption of SSBs and therefore increase obesity risk.
In Australian children, the amount of salt consumed was positively associated with fluid consumption, and predicted the amount of SSB consumed. In addition, SSB consumption was associated with obesity risk, indicating a potential link between salt intake and childhood obesity.
Growth in Children With Congenital Heart Disease
Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at increased risk for poor growth. Several factors may play a role in poor growth, including feeding difficulties, increased caloric requirements, and the effects of cardiac lesions on growth regulation.
In children with CHD, impaired growth as measured by weight, length, and head circumference occurs simultaneously rather than sequentially, supporting the theory that altered growth regulation likely plays an important role in the poor growth of children with CHD.