Bile acid sequestrants show potential in children with familial hypercholesterolemia
May 13th 2011The lipid-lowering efficacy and tolerability of bile acid sequestrants suggest that these agents have potential in pediatric patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, according to a recent literature review from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine.
Coadministration of flu, pneumococcal vaccine increases febrile seizure risk
March 11th 2011Children aged 6 to 23 months who receive trivalent inactivated flu vaccine concurrently with the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine are at increased risk of febrile seizures, according to researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta and Harvard Medical School in Boston.
Corticosteroids' safety affirmed in treatment of childhood asthma
March 4th 2011Children being treated with a short course of oral corticosteroids for an acute asthma attack may experience a brief and transient depression of their immune response, according to a recent study conducted by Université de Montréal.
Pediatric dosing can be tricky; more awareness needed here and in developing countries
November 12th 2010When it comes to pediatric therapy, children ?are not just small adults.? This was one of the dominant messages emerging from the recent National Institutes of Health, Division of AIDS, Forum to Promote TRIUMPH ? TB Research in Underserved Maternal and Pediatric Populations with HIV.
Children's consumption of chronic medications on the rise, new research shows
June 11th 2010In 2009, the drug trend for children, a measure of prescription spending growth, increased 10.8%, driven by a 5% increase in drug utilization and higher medication costs, according to the Medco 2010 Drug Trend Report.
Researchers say benefits of antidepressants among pediatric patients outweigh risk of suicide
September 1st 2007In response to the recent FDA warnings about an increased risk of suicidal ideation/suicide attempt among children and adolescents using antidepressants, investigators performed a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and risk associated with antidepressants among pediatric patients.
Use of broad-spectrum antibiotics during infancy associated with increased risk of pediatric asthma
September 1st 2007Children who receive broad-spectrum antibiotics during their first year of life are at increased risk of developing childhood asthma.That was the conclusion of researchers who conducted a large, longitudinal, case-control study.
Ibuprofen demonstrated to be superior pain relief for pediatric musculoskeletal injuries
June 1st 2007A single dose of ibuprofen provides better pain relief than acetaminophen or codeine for children requiring emergency treatment for musculoskeletal trauma, results of a randomized, controlled trial demonstrate.
Conflicting reports of drug-eluting stent safety add to growing controversy
November 13th 2006A series of analyses offers no consensus on the safety of drug-eluting stents (DES) compared with bare metal stents. Depending on the study, DES either result in an increase in major adverse coronary events (MACE) or a decrease in subsequent need for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and repeat percutaneous coronary intervention without an excess of adverse clinical events.
Levalbuterol no more efficacious than racemic albuterol in treatment of pediatric asthma
November 1st 2005Children suffering from acute exacerbation of asthma can expect levalbuterol (Xopenex, Sepracor) (LEV) to produce results that are no better-yet are more costly-than racemic albuterol (RAC), according to a study published in Pediatric Emergency Care.
Wyeth reports off-label use of venlafaxine associated with pediatric risks
October 1st 2003A recent "Dear Healthcare Professional" letter issued by Wyeth outlines the potential risks associated with the company's antidepressant venlafaxine (Effexor and Effexor XR) when the drug is administered in the pediatric population. The letter, dated August 22, 2003, cites data from clinical studies in pediatric patients (aged 617 y) and details changes that have been made to the labeling for venlafaxine. Venlafaxine has been prescribed off-label in the pediatric population despite never being approved by FDA for use in children or adolescents.