Pediatrics

Children who are overweight or obese have 3 times as much risk of high blood pressure as children of normal weight have, reported a study published recently in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Annual flu vaccines are the best way to protect children from life-threatening pneumonia, according to new guidelines from the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society and the Infectious Disease Society of America.

Only one-fifth of children in Ohio who are prescribed antidepressants complete the recommended mimimum six-month course of drugs to treat depression, a new study reported.

FDA has approved 2 new strengths (11.25 mg and 30 mg) for 3-month administration of leuprolide acetate for depot suspension (Lupron Depot-PED, Abbott) for the treatment of children with central precocious puberty.

FDA approved the use of meningococcal (A, C, Y, W-135) polysaccharide diphtheria toxoid conjugate vaccine (Menactra, Sanofi Pasteur) in children aged as young as 9 months for the prevention of invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135.

The American College of Rheumatology has developed new guidelines for starting and monitoring treatments for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

SmartTots, a partnership between the International Anesthesia Research Society and FDA, is gathering more research on safe anesthesia for children under 4 years old.

The American College of Emergency Physicians and the American Association of Poison Control Centers are raising awareness about the dangers of drug poisoning as part of Poison Prevention Week, which is taking place March 20 to 26.

Children 6 to 23 months of age who receive trivalent inactivated flu vaccine concurrently with the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine are at increased risk of febrile seizures, according to researchers at the CDC and Harvard Medical School.

FDA notified healthcare professionals of serious health risks that have been reported in premature babies receiving lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra, Abbott) oral solution. Lopinavir/ritonavir oral solution contains the ingredients alcohol and propylene glycol.

Children being treated with a short course of oral corticosteroids for an acute asthma attack may experience a brief and transient depression of their immune response, according to a recent study conducted by Université de Montréal.

FDA approved spinosad (Natroba, ParaPRO LLC) Topical Suspension 0.9% for the treatment of head lice infestation in patients aged 4 years and older. Natroba is a topical drug product and should be applied only to the child's scalp or hair.

As pharmacists search for ways to serve patients more effectively, technology is becoming increasingly important.

Pharmacy and Therapeutics committees around the country are taking a second look at what they're using for pediatric rehydration and how much they're willing to pay.

The American Heart Association issues new recommendations for treatment of pediatric stroke.

It has been 22 years since the Food and Drug Administration approved a new prescription drug treatment for head lice, but now several new remedies are on the horizon.

National Lipid Association issued a statement regarding new cholesterol guidelines for children.

WellPoint announced that effective immediately it will cover the Rotarix vaccine.

A pharmacist has written a book for moms who are struggling with colicky babies.

Boehringer Ingelheim's Aptivus can now be used to treat HIV-infected pediatric patients.

Doing an ECG first before kids get ADHD drugs is the preferred course of treatment, say AAP and AHA.

Eli Lilly's ADHD drug Strattera is now indicated for long-term use.

Wal-Mart and Playtex announce they are removing baby bottles containing bisphenol A (BPA) from store shelves.

The Joint Commission has issued some specific recommendations to hospitals in an effort to protect kids from drug errors.

The recent FDA voluntary withdrawal of cough and cold OTCs for infants has created a void that pharmacists should fill with patient counseling.