The Journal of school nursing : the official publication of the National Association of School Nurses
-
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a serious and widespread problem in this country. Positioned within the community with links to children, families, and healthcare systems, school nurses are a critical element in the prevention and treatment of those affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. ⋯ This article summarizes the most recent information about FASD and recently published guidelines on diagnostic criteria for FAS. Also outlined are primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention activities school nurses can take to help assure that children, families, and communities work to prevent the problem and to treat the children affected by it.
-
Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Better Bones Buddies: an osteoporosis prevention program.
Although osteoporosis typically surfaces in later life, peak bone mass attained before age 20 is a key factor in its prevention. However, most American children's diets lack sufficient calcium during the critical growth periods of preadolescence and adolescence to achieve peak bone mass. ⋯ Posttest results (N = 900) indicate participants improved in their knowledge of osteoporosis, and half reported modifications in their dietary habits to increase calcium consumption. Implications of the Better Bones Buddies program are discussed, with recommendations for future use of this program to increase children's knowledge about bone growth and osteoporosis.
-
Food allergies affect 11 million Americans, including 6-8% of children. The rate of peanut allergies in children doubled from 1997 to 2002. There is no cure; therefore, strict avoidance of the allergen is the only way to avoid a reaction. ⋯ Severe reactions, called anaphylaxis, have occurred in schools. In a nationwide telephone survey of 400 elementary school nurses, 44% reported an increase in children with food allergies in their schools over the last 5 years; more than one third had 10 or more students with food allergies; 78% did staff training as a preventive strategy, with 74% developing their own training guidelines; and 90% stated students' epinephrine was stored in the nurse's office. Standardized training in food allergies as well as timely access to epinephrine is needed to respond appropriately to an anaphylactic reaction in the school setting.