Contemporary Pediatrics - September 2008 - (Page 36)

News Updates Universal HPV vaccine coverage would be cost-effective Universal vaccine coverage against human papillomavirus (HPV) for young adolescent girls would increase the cost-effectiveness of administering the vaccine, according to a study in the August 21 New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers used computer models and epidemiologic, clinical, and demographic information to predict health and economic outcomes of HPV vaccination of 12-year-old girls, as well as catch-up vaccination over a five-year-period for girls and women. Results showed that vaccination against HPV16 and HPV-18 would lead to lower cervical cancer rates and be cost-effective if high coverage could be achieved for 12-year-old girls, and if vaccine protection against infection lasted for at least 20 years. The models predicted that if most 12-year-old girls were vaccinated, their future cervical cancer screening could begin later than currently recommended and be conducted every three to five years. In addition, a catch-up program for girls ages 13 to 18 would appear to be beneficial and reasonably cost-effective compared to other vaccine programs in the US. Early-life antibiotics linked to wheezing Infants who are given antibiotics in the first 3 months of life may wheeze at 15 months, likely due to the presence of chest infections, as reported in the August Clinical and Experimental Allergy. Investigators studied 1,000 babies at birth and contacted the parents at 3 months, 15 months, and then yearly until age 4. Results showed that by the time the children had reached 15 months, 72% had been given antibiotics. In addition, 12% had asthma, 40% had eczema, and 21% had a recurring itchy scaly rash. However, when the researchers adjusted their results for the effects of chest infections, the association between antibiotics and wheezing was greatly reduced. They stated that data strongly suggest some of the young children were given antibiotics because the symptoms of chest infections can be confused with those that signal the start of asthma at an early age. However, the results still allow the possibility that antibiotics may affect the development of eczema and itchy skin by age 4, and allergic hypersensitivity by 15 >> p.39 months, the researchers stated. Childhood neuroblastoma gene identified Gene mutations that are the main cause of the inherited version of the childhood cancer neuroblastoma have been discovered, reported researchers in the August 24 Nature. These mutations also play a significant role in high-risk forms of non-inherited neuroblastoma, the investigators reported. The findings will lead to the first genetic tests to families affected by the inherited form of the disease, as well as enable drug testing for children with neuroblastoma. < > 36 www.contemporarypediatrics.com Vol. 25, No. 9 IMAGE: GETTY IMAGES, STOCKBYTE, MELANIE ISAACSON http://www.contemporarypediatrics.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Contemporary Pediatrics - September 2008

Contemporary Pediatrics - September 2008 Contents Editorial Your Voice Clinical Tip News Updates Eye on Washington Puzzler Dermatology: What’s your Dx? Behavior Cover Story: ECC Epidemic Parent Guides Discipline Techniques: The 12-Month-Old Exercise-induced Bronchospasm: Keeping Our Patients Active Food Safety Parent Guide CPR--Food Safety Malnutrition Links Surgeon General Links Hospice Links Childhood Cancer Links Rx for a Healthy Practice Rx for a Healthy Practice New Products Author Guidelines Journal Club Events Calendar Classifieds Index of Advertisers Postscript

Contemporary Pediatrics - September 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.