Pediatrics
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In this study we aimed to explore parents' weight perceptions of their children and of unrelated children. ⋯ Parents' perceptions of their own children's weight status are influenced by their children's characteristics and do not seem to correspond with their weight perceptions of unrelated children. Parental recognition of weight issues in their offspring may be impeded by their inability to apply criteria used to ascertain the weight status of unrelated children to their own children.
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The goal was to characterize the phenotype and potential candidate genes responsible for the syndrome of late-onset central hypoventilation with hypothalamic dysfunction. ⋯ We provide a comprehensive description of the clinical spectrum of rapid-onset obesity with hypothalamic dysfunction, hypoventilation, and autonomic dysregulation in terms of timing and scope of symptoms, study of candidate genes, and screening for chromosomal deletions and duplications. Negative PHOX2B sequencing results demonstrate that this entity is distinct from congenital central hypoventilation syndrome.
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Over the past 10 years, the use of hospitalists has grown in both the adult and pediatric setting as a response to pressure to deliver cost-effective, high-quality care. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the variation in the clinical roles, educational responsibilities, work patterns, and employment characteristics of pediatric hospitalists. This lack of information hampers efforts to define the nature of the field and determine whether any formalized, additional training or experience should be required for physicians in this clinical practice domain. ⋯ Hospital medicine is a rapidly growing enterprise. A better understanding of both its participants, as well as those affected by its practice, will enable planning for a future that meets as many needs as possible while ensuring the best possible care for children.
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Decisions regarding end-of-life care in critically ill newborns in The Netherlands have received considerable criticism from the media and from the public. This might be because of a lack of proper information and knowledge. Our purpose was to provide detailed information about how and when the implementation of end-of-life decisions, which are based on quality-of-life considerations, takes place. ⋯ The majority of deaths were attributable to withholding or withdrawing treatment. In most cases, the newborn had no chance to survive and prolonging of treatment could not be justified. In the remaining cases, withholding or withdrawing treatment was based on quality-of-life considerations, mostly the predicted suffering and predicted inability of verbal and nonverbal communication. Potentially life-shortening medication played a minor role as a cause of death.
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This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of dosing trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole on 2 consecutive days per week for the prevention of Pneumocystis carinii (jiroveci) pneumonia in a pediatric leukemia and lymphoma population and to determine whether trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole contributes to neutropenia during maintenance therapy. ⋯ Intermittent dosing of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole on 2 consecutive days per week is an effective alternative prophylactic regimen for P. carinii pneumonia in pediatric patients with leukemia and lymphoma. This analysis does not support a difference in neutropenia during maintenance therapy between patients who are treated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole versus an alternative drug.