Whats up, doc?
October 2024
Let’s take a look at some recent interesting articles in the pediatric medical literature.
Carrie K. Barker, MD, et al wrote THE EVOLUTION of a PEDIATRIC PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS: E-CIGARETTE or VAPING-ASSOCIATED LUNG INJURY in PEDICTRICS, vol 153, nu. 5, May 2024, pg. 33. She related how vaping products and e-cigarettes have evolved into a real health crisis. In the process it showed that these products are associated with lung injury.
As informed parents we should be sure our young people are aware of the fact that “vaping” can cause lung injury. “
Vaping” is not a benign substitute for cigarettes.
COVID-19 and ASTHMA ONSET IN CHILDREN by James P. Senter, MD, MPH, et al, in PEDIATRICS, vol 153, nu. 5, May 2024, pg. 24 showed that there was no association between the SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive test and the onset of new asthma diagnosis.
This is reassuring to parents insofar that a chronic respiratory condition cannot be expected to plague their children who had Covid.
In case you have allowed more than one year between the HPV vaccine for your teen, read the article by Nicola P. Klein, MD, PhD, et al. IMMUNOGENICITY and SAFETY of EXTENDED-INTERVAL 2-DOSE REGIMENS of 9v HPV VACCINE in the August 2024 issue of PEDIATRICS, vol 154, nu 2, pg. 27.
It showed that an interval of 12 to 53 months between the first and second vaccine doses did not affect antibody response or safety profile.
Autism is a much-discussed topic in these current times. We may debate that the true incidence of this condition has increased or that it is simply being diagnosed more often now. But the article by Sally Ozonoff, PhD, et al that appeared in the August 2024 issue of PEDIATRICS, vol 154, nu 2 pg.26 was very revealing.
The familial recurrence rate of autism has not changed appreciably since previous estimates from 2011. We must be aware that younger siblings of autistic children should be closely monitored and evaluated for this condition in order to assure early diagnosis and treatment.
Congenital Cytomegalovirus infection in an article by Megan H. Peach, MD, MS et al may be associated with the diagnosis of autism. AUTISM SPECTRUM DIISORDER DIAGNOSES and CONGENITAL CYTOMEGALOVIRUS, appearing in PEDIATRICS, vol 153, nu 6, June 2024. I must stress MAY be associated with autism. There is already evidence of an association of late onset hearing loss associated with congenital cytomegalovirus.
Let us not forget the association of microcephaly and congenital P1KA virus infection. As informed parents we must remember the fetus is a living organism and subject to the viral infections that may affect them when they enter extrauterine life.
Here is an article that appeared in the AAP NEWS, vol 45, nu 8, August 2024. AAP: WHEN BREASTFEEDING ISSUES ARISE IN INFANT WITH TONGUE-TIE, DON’T JUMP TO SURGERY by Jennifer Thomas, MD, MPH, FAAP. This supports my clinical experience on surgery for tongue-tie. My clinical impression is that the “clipping” of the frenulum under the tongue is done too frequently in order to solve a breastfeeding problem. My experience and this article point out that if the baby’s tongue does not extend beyond the gums the baby may experience problems with nursing.
As a good rule of thumb, if the baby’s tongue can protrude beyond the gums the need for surgery to release the tongue is not indicated. Be an informed parent and do not follow popular trends that may subject your little newborn to unnecessary surgery and discomfort.