JAMA pediatrics
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Increased use of computed tomography (CT) in pediatrics raises concerns about cancer risk from exposure to ionizing radiation. ⋯ The increased use of CT in pediatrics, combined with the wide variability in radiation doses, has resulted in many children receiving a high-dose examination. Dose-reduction strategies targeted to the highest quartile of doses could dramatically reduce the number of radiation-induced cancers.
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Short sleep duration is common in adolescents and young adults, and short sleep duration is a risk factor for motor vehicle crash. ⋯ Less sleep per night significantly increased the risk for crash for young drivers. Less sleep on weekend nights increased the risk for run-off-road crashes and crashes occurring in the late-night hours. This provides rationale for governments and health care providers to address sleep-related crashes among young drivers.
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An increasing number of states are decriminalizing the use of medical marijuana, and the effect on the pediatric population has not been evaluated. ⋯ We found a new appearance of unintentional marijuana ingestions by young children after modification of drug enforcement laws for marijuana possession in Colorado. The consequences of unintentional marijuana exposure in children should be part of the ongoing debate on legalizing marijuana.