June 2024

 

Here are three articles that I think conscientious parents will find interesting and useful.

 

1) Treatments for ADHD in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review by Bradley S. Peterson, MD, et al that appeared in PEDIATRICS, vol 153, nu 4, April 2024, pg 58.

 

The authors reported on 312 studies that appeared in 540 publications. They reviewed all the modalities used for therapy. They evaluated medications. Psychosocial interventions, parent support, nutrition, dietary supplements, neurofeedback, neurostimulation, exercise and school interventions. Several of these treatments improved symptoms but medication had the strongest evidence base for improving outcomes.

 

In providing care for ADHD patients, children, teens and adults for the past 68 years I have to agree with these findings.

 

The use of stimulant and, lately, non-stimulant medication in the treatment of properly diagnosed ADHD patients has proved to be the most reliable and consistent form of therapy. The occurrence of mild side effects that were reversible if the medication stopped were minimal. For many students plagued with the diagnosis the institution of medication was truly life changing.

 

2) Jacques Fourgeaud, PharmD, PhD, et al in the article Predictors of the Outcome at 2 Years in Neonates With Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection, appearing in PEDIATRICS, vol 153, pg 54, April 2024

 

Brought up the fact that unilateral hearing loss can be a late onset sequelae in neonates with congenital cytomegalovirus. They found that children with normal hearing at birth, normal platelet counts and normal cranial ultrasound had no risk of neurologic sequelae. But they had a low risk of delayed onset unilateral hearing loss.

 

I find this article gives an explanation for the offspring with late onset hearing loss. Fortunately it is a rare occurrence. But frequently the parents of such a child are frustrated because the cause of the hearing loss seems occult.

 

This reminds me of the association of microcephaly (small brains) and the Pika virus. The uterus is a very safe place for fetal development if certain viruses and human interventions are kept out.

 

The use of stimulant and, lately, non-stimulant medication in the treatment of properly diagnosed ADHD patients has proved to be the most reliable and consistent form of therapy. The occurrence of mild side effects that were reversible if the medication stopped were minimal. For many students plagued with the diagnosis the institution of medication was truly life changing.

 

3) Rate of Urinary Tract Infections, Bacteremia, and Meningitis in Preterm and Term Infants by Thomas Graf, MD, et al in PEDIATRICS, vol. 153, nu 4, pg 41, April 2024

 

is a reassuring article for parents of preterm infants. The article reviewed the cases of 2162 preterm infants. They compared term and preterm neonates. They found that preterm neonates had, in fact, a lower rate of serious bacterial infection than the term infant. This negates the myth that the preterm infant is more susceptible to infection than the term infant.

 

Follow the INFORMED PARENT to be a truly informed parent.