Pediatrics
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Foreign body ingestion is a potentially serious clinical problem in children. We report a case of an 8-month-old infant who developed complete bowel obstruction requiring laparotomy due to ingestion of a superabsorbent polymer ball with advertised growth up to 400 times its original size. ⋯ Other household products and toys on the market use a similar polymer-based water-absorbing technology, thus increasing the risk for accidental ingestion by young children. These rapidly expanding objects can cause significant morbidity, and timely diagnosis and treatment are prudent to improve patient outcomes.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of mortality and morbidity of very low birth weight infants between Canada and Japan.
To compare neonatal outcomes of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants admitted to NICUs participating in the Canadian Neonatal Network and the Neonatal Research Network of Japan. ⋯ Composite outcome of mortality or major morbidity was significantly lower in Japan than Canada for VLBW infants. However, there were significant differences in various individual outcomes identifying areas for improvement for both networks.
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To assess the current status of pediatric residency training on tobacco use and smoke exposure. ⋯ Pediatric residency training programs must do more to prepare residents to address tobacco use and smoke exposure. Given the many competing priorities of residency training, there is a need to explore new ways of integrating tobacco control into the 3-year curriculum.
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Variation in energy intake by weight status at different ages may explain inconsistencies in previous research on energy intake and obesity. Therefore, our objective was to determine the relationship between reported daily energy intake and categorized weight status across childhood. ⋯ In a nationally representative cross-sectional sample, overweight and obese girls older than 7 years and boys older than 10 years reported consuming fewer daily calories than their healthy-weight peers. One explanation for this would be that increased energy intake in early childhood is related to the onset of obesity, but other mechanisms, such as differences in energy expenditure, may contribute more to maintaining obese/overweight status through adolescence.
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Resident work hour changes in children's hospitals: impact on staffing patterns and workforce needs.
Changes to the structure and nature of resident duty hour assignments can create compensatory workforce needs in hospital or outpatient settings to ensure appropriate patient care. The objective of this study was to understand what, if any, adjustments children's hospitals have made in staffing and assignments of specific duties during the past 2 years as a result of residency duty hour changes, and what changes are anticipated in the upcoming 2 years. ⋯ Changes in work hours for pediatric residents appear to have an impact on workforce planning within pediatric hospitals. Decreases in available resident work hours will create an increasing demand, primarily for nonresident physicians, PNPs, and NNPs.