'Antibiotics, not surgery, best for child appendicitis' says study
Conclusion
This was a randomised controlled trial (RCT) that compared the removal of the appendix with active observation in children who had previously received non-operative treatment for an appendix mass.
The researchers found that appendectomy could be avoided in many cases.
Perhaps actively keeping an eye on the child's symptoms and only operating on those that develop appendicitis could be an approach worth considering.
This was a well-designed trial and efforts were made to reduce the risk of bias. For example, allocation to groups was concealed at the point of assignment. The trial was also performed at multip...
Source: NHS News Feed - February 10, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Pregnancy/child Medical practice Source Type: news
Emergency Surgery Riskier for Kids in Poorer Countries
Seven times more likely to die within 30 days of abdominal procedures for appendicitis, hernias, study finds
Source: HealthDay
Related MedlinePlus Pages: Children's Health, Health Disparities, Surgery (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)
Source: MedlinePlus Health News - December 13, 2016 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
What Are Some Criteria For Varicocele Evaluation?
Discussion
Varicoceles are caused by high venous back pressure which causes a tortuous dilatation of the testicular veins (pampiniform plexus) of the spermatic cord. They occur more on the left than right because the left renal vein has a higher pressure than the inferior vena cava which drain the left and right gonadal veins respectively. Varicoceles are not very common in young children (3% in < 10 years old) but increase during the adolescent years when the incidence is ~15% which is similar to the adult population. Most varicoceles do not cause problems, but can. The most worrisome problem is male infertility. &quo...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - December 12, 2016 Category: Pediatrics Authors: pediatriceducationmin Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news
Mom Gets Real About 'Ooey Gooey Mess' Of Her Postpartum Body
A mother of four is using Instagram to spread a powerful message about body positivity.
Last week, Brittany Craig posted a throwback photo of her newborn son, Kain, next to her stretch-mark-filled midsection at just one week postpartum.
I'm posting this for 2 reasons! A: because I mean come oooon, look at that baby Somebody please give me a newborn! B: Because I am beyond proud of what my body has endured and accomplished in the last 10 years! I may not be societies idea of "sexy", but I have gained 60lbs in 10 months and lost it in 5, FOUR different times! My body has grown and housed 4 human ...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - December 5, 2016 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: Maximizing Survival
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia occurs when a portion of the fetal diaphragm is absent, allowing abdominal contents to enter the thorax, and is associated with impaired pulmonary development. Although overall mortality is near 30%, a mortality rate less than 15% may be possible by following a standardized multidisciplinary care plan. Fetal diagnosis and evaluation can improve coordination of care, but there is no clear role for fetal intervention. After birth, gentle ventilation with permissive hypercapnia supports the infant while minimizing lung injury. Appropriate cardiovascular support, treatment of pulmonary hypertens...
Source: NeoReviews recent issues - November 30, 2016 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Weems, M. F., Jancelewicz, T., Sandhu, H. S. Tags: Pediatric Drug Labeling Update Articles Source Type: news
Private Parts: Things moms of newborn and toddler boys need to know
For a lot of moms — those who have daughters, or haven’t experienced the nuances of baby boys — caring for a newborn and toddler boy’s “private area” can be a bewildering experience.
What should everything look like? Why is my son’s privates swollen? How do I clean the area?
These are commonly asked questions but topics that are not commonly discussed outside the pediatricians office.
“I remember when my son was born and worrying if everything looked normal,” recalls Elizabeth, mom of an 18-month-old toddler boy. “That area was totally foreign to me and I’m someone who is not...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - November 17, 2016 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Maureen McCarthy Tags: circumcision Department of Urology Erin McNamara Hernia MD Undescended testicle Source Type: news
Case 1: Secondary Structural Cause of Tachypnea Following Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair in a Term Neonate
(Source: NeoReviews recent issues)
Source: NeoReviews recent issues - October 31, 2016 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Ibrahim, J., Sher, I., Coren, C., Amrita, N. Tags: Pediatric Drug Labeling Update Index of Suspicion in the Nursery Source Type: news
Uganda: 100 Children to Get Free Surgery
[Observer] An estimated 100 children below six years old with abdominal defects such as hernia will get free surgery at Soroti regional referral hospital. (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)
Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine - September 28, 2016 Category: African Health Source Type: news
What is a Hydrocoele of the Spermatic Cord?
Discussion
Hydrocoeles are common anatomic variations caused by the incomplete obliteration of the processus vaginalis. The processus vaginalis is a peritoneal remnant that follows the testis and spermatic cord into the scrotum as the testis descends into the scrotum during development. As the processus vaginalis traverses from the testis back to the peritoneum, a hydrocoele can occur at any point along its length. The obliteration of the processus vaginalis occurs with the closure at the internal inguinal ring, followed by closure just above the testes with atresia of the area in between. The closure of the area around th...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - August 22, 2016 Category: Pediatrics Authors: pediatriceducationmin Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news
Fascinating Look At 2 Patients With A Tummy Bulge And Ab Separation (Diastasis)
This article looks at the question "why do some women "bounce back" and others don't when it comes to our abs post baby."
Both of the following people did not have the abs they wanted despite doing abdominal exercises. Let's take a deeper look into what causes a pooch belly and diastasis (ab separation) and why some people easily have the abs they want!
What is a diastasis? Read about it here, including a step by step diastasis check.
Subject #1: "Cameron"
Cameron came in to see me for hip pain and didn't know about an abdominal separation. After hearing a complaint of occasional recurrent low back pain, I decided ...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - July 14, 2016 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
These 2 Boys Were Born The Same Day In The Same Town, But Their Lives Will Be Dramatically Different
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar -- Miranto is 5 years old. He proudly wears his school uniform, a blue smock, along with Mickey Mouse sneakers and a tilted baseball cap. He's been in school for two years, where he's on track and has made dozens of friends.
Sitraka is a head shorter than Miranto and looks about half his age. He's not wearing any shoes, and his tiny T-shirt reads "Special Baby Boy." He's still learning to speak and has trouble sitting or standing still for any length of time, which means he can't go to school and has trouble making new friends.
Both boys were born in the village of Ambohimidasy Itaosy, ab...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - June 29, 2016 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Trouble Having a Baby? It Might Be Male Infertility
Infertility is often viewed as a woman's problem but when a couple has trouble conceiving, there's a good chance it's related to male factors -- in fact, that's the case 40-50 percent of the time. That's why the male partner should be part of any couple's fertility assessment.
Not only is male infertility more common than most people realize, male factors are the sole reason for a couple's inability to have a baby 15 percent to 25 percent of the time. While some reasons for male infertility are well understood, at least 50 percent of problems are due to unknown factors.
Male infertility can occur when men have a less t...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - May 17, 2016 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
What is a Ganglion Cyst?
Discussion
Lumps and bumps in the pediatric age group are most often benign. They can be from unwitnessed/unrecognized trauma (e.g. leg bruise, Osgood-Schlater disease, insect bites), normal pubertal changes (e.g. gynecomastia, testicular enlargement, acne) or normal variants (e.g. prominence of mastoid or occipital process). Some are often uncomplicated but need appropriate treatment (e.g. early abscess formation, inguinal hernia, dermoid cyst). Prominent lymph nodes are a very common reason for parents to come to the physician. Patients and families are often distressed by these masses and seek help because “they ...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - May 16, 2016 Category: Pediatrics Authors: pediatriceducationmin Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news
What Causes Pelvic Pain?
Discussion
Appendicitis results from a closed loop obstruction of a blind-ending tubular structure arising from the cecum. It is a common cause of abdominal pain. It is the most frequent condition leading to emergent abdominal surgery in pediatrics. The combination of obstruction, edema, bacterial overgrowth, increased inflammatory process and increased intraluminal pressure leads to abdominal pain and possibly perforation. Appendicitis occurs in all age groups but is rare in neonates. The peak age is 6-10 years old.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an inflammatory disease of the uterus, fallopian tubes and adjacent p...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - May 9, 2016 Category: Pediatrics Authors: pediatriceducationmin Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news
What Causes Vomiting?
Discussion
Regurgitation is a passive expulsion of ingested material out of the mouth. It is a normal part of digestion for ruminants such as cows and camels. Nausea is an unpleasant abdominal perception that the person may describe as feeling ill to the stomach, or feeling like he/she is going to vomit. Anorexia is frequently observed. Nausea is usually associated with decreased stomach activity and motility in the small intestine. Parasympathetic activity may be increased causing pale skin, sweating, hypersalivation and possible vasovagal syndrome (hypotension and bradycardia). Retching or dry heaves is when there are sp...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - May 2, 2016 Category: Pediatrics Authors: pediatriceducationmin Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news
