Pediatrics
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The objective of this study was to determine if children who contracted pertussis infection were more likely to have parents who refused pertussis vaccinations than a similar group of children who did not develop pertussis infection. ⋯ Children of parents who refuse pertussis immunizations are at high risk for pertussis infection relative to vaccinated children. Herd immunity does not seem to completely protect unvaccinated children from pertussis. These findings stress the need to further understand why parents refuse immunizations and to develop strategies for conveying the risks and benefits of immunizations to parents more effectively.
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The aims of this study were to examine mothers' intention to vaccinate their daughters and themselves against human papillomavirus and to determine which demographic, behavioral, and attitudinal factors were associated with intention to vaccinate daughters. ⋯ In this first national study of mothers' attitudes about human papillomavirus vaccines, mothers' intention to vaccinate a daughter <13 years of age was lower than intention to vaccinate an older daughter, contrasting with national recommendations to target 11- to 12-year-old girls for vaccination. Educational interventions designed to affect mothers' willingness to vaccinate daughters should focus on human papillomavirus vaccine efficacy, behavioral impact of vaccination, perceived risk of human papillomavirus, and clinician support for vaccination.
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Our goal was to evaluate the effects of a helium/oxygen mixture (heliox) on pulmonary mechanics and gas exchange in preterm infants during both conventional and noninvasive ventilation. ⋯ Our data show that mechanical ventilation with heliox reduces resistive work of breathing and ventilatory support requirements and improves gas exchange in preterm infants.
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Comparative Study
Behavioral problems and cognitive performance at 5 years of age after very preterm birth: the EPIPAGE Study.
We compared the frequency of behavioral problems in very preterm and term children at 5 years of age. We hypothesized that behavioral problems would be associated with cognitive impairment and environmental factors and that differences between the 2 groups would be reduced but persist after adjusting for cognitive performance and environmental factors. ⋯ Behavioral problems were strongly related to cognitive impairment, but very preterm children were still at higher risk even after adjusting for cognitive performance. Early screening for behavioral problems should be encouraged for all very preterm children, and maternal well-being should also be the focus of special attention.
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Comparative Study
Evaluation of the accuracy of different methods used to estimate weights in the pediatric population.
The purpose of this study was to compare the predictive accuracy of 3 methods (Broselow tape, Leffler formula, and Theron formula) for pediatric weight estimation to identify factors that can influence weight estimation, and to derive alternative models for such estimation if indicated. ⋯ The Broselow tape is accurate for weight estimation in children < or =25 kg, but the Theron formula performs better with patients weighing >40 kg. The Broselow tape was not statistically superior to the Leffler formula in subjects weighing 25.1 to 40 kg. A separate cohort is needed to evaluate the validity of the alternative predictive formulae.