Academic pediatrics
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The 2000 Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health included a limited discussion of the condition known as early childhood caries. Because of its high prevalence, its impact on young children's quality of life and potential for increasing their risk of caries in the permanent dentition, early childhood caries is arguably one of the most serious and costly health conditions among young children. A necessary first step in preventing dental caries in preschool children is understanding and evaluating the child's caries risk factors. ⋯ Caries preventive strategies in preschool children include fluoride therapy, such as supervised tooth brushing with a fluoridated dentifrice, systemic fluoride supplement to children who live in a nonfluoridated area and who are at risk for caries, and professional topical fluoride with fluoride varnish. There is emerging evidence that intensive patient counseling or motivational interviews with parents to change specific behaviors may reduce caries prevalence in their children. Findings regarding antimicrobial interventions, efforts to modify diets, and traditional dental health education are less consistent.
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Academic pediatrics · Sep 2009
Electronic media use and adolescent health and well-being: cross-sectional community study.
To describe time adolescents spend using electronic media (television, computer, video games, and telephone); and to examine associations between self-reported health/well-being and daily time spent using electronic media overall and each type of electronic media. ⋯ Despite television's associations with obesity, time spent in other forms of media use appear more strongly related to adolescent health and well-being. This study supports efforts to reduce high video game use and further exploration of the role of computers in health enhancement.
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Academic pediatrics · Sep 2009
Prevalence and clinical significance of medication discrepancies at pediatric hospital admission.
To quantify admission medication discrepancies in a tertiary-care, general pediatric population, to describe their clinical importance and associated factors, and to assess a screening approach to pharmacist involvement. ⋯ Admission medication errors are common in this tertiary-care, general pediatric population, and nearly a third represent potential adverse events. The use of a medication reconciliation form by physicians without pharmacist involvement does not appear to reduce errors. A cutoff of > or =4 prescription medications is highly sensitive for identifying patients at risk of clinically important discrepancies.
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Academic pediatrics · Jul 2009
Racial and ethnic disparities in indicators of a primary care medical home for children.
Racial/ethnic disparities in access to care across a broad range of health services have been well established. In adults, having a medical home has been shown to reduce disparities. The objective of this study was to assess the extent to which children of different race/ethnicities receive primary care consistent with a medical home. ⋯ Minority children experienced multiple disparities compared with white children in having a medical home. Study of individual medical home components has the potential to identify specific areas to improve disparities.