MANY FAMILIES NOT STORING GUNS SAFELY

There are between 192 and 200 million privately owned guns in the United States, and over 33 percent of all U.S. homes have at least one gun kept inside the home. The study, “Firearm Ownership and Storage Patterns Among Families With Children Who Receive Well-Child Care in Pediatric Offices,” found that few families reported safe firearm storage in both rural and non-rural areas across the United States. The survey covered 3,745 children aged 2-11 years from across the country, whose parents brought them to routine well-child care visits. Results indicate that 23 percent of families reported firearm ownership, and only one-third of these families reported safe firearm storage. Storage patterns were most influenced by the type of firearm owned, family history of guns in the home, and the age of the child.

ROLLER SHOES CAN BE HAZARDOUS, ESPECIALLY WHILE LEARNING

The orthopedic department of one hospital in Dublin, Ireland, saw 67 children for injuries suffered while using “roller shoes” during the 2006 summer vacation. Roller shoes are a popular type of sneaker with a convertible or removable wheel in the heel. According to the study “Heelys and Street Gliders Injuries: A New Type of Pediatric Injury,” girls were much more likely than boys (56 and 11 respectively) to be injured from using roller shoes. The ages of injured children ranged from 6.2 to 14.9 years, with arms, wrists and shoulders being the most common location of injuries, including fractures and dislocations. More than half of the injuries occurred the first time the child used his or her roller shoes or while learning to use them. None of the children had been using protective gear when injured, and most said they would continue “heeling” or “street gliding” after their injuries healed. The study authors recommend close supervision during the learning curve and use of protective gear at all times.

INFANT SWIMMING MAY RISK FUTURE RESPIRATORY HEALTH

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has long recommended against infant swimming lessons due to the false sense of safety that this practice gives regarding the risk of drowning. Now a new study may add another reason to avoid infant swim lessons. “Infant Swimming Practice, Pulmonary Epithelium Integrity, and Risk of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases Later in Childhood,” examined the role indoor chlorinated pools play in the development of asthma and reduced lung function. The study, conducted in Belgium, found that trichloramine – a chlorine byproduct that gives indoor pools their distinctive “chlorine” smell – is one of the most concentrated air pollutants to which children of developed countries are regularly exposed. The study asserts that this pollutant along with other aerosolized chlorine-based oxidants can be associated with airway changes that predispose children to asthma and recurrent bronchitis later in childhood. They encourage more study and possible regulation of the air quality in the indoor pool environment.

BRACE BETTER THAN CAST FOR MOST MINOR ANKLE FRACTURES

Acute ankle fractures are common in children. Most of these are stable and have a low risk of problems in the future. Even though these fractures are benign, these injures are often placed in a below the knee walking cast. However, this might not be the best form of treatment for these injuries. The study, “A Randomized, Controlled Trial of a Removable Brace Versus Casting in Children with Low-Risk Ankle Fractures,” examined the pros and cons of casting versus bracing minor ankle fractures. Out of 104 children, 54 received a removable brace, while the others received a standard cast. Within four weeks, significantly more children in the brace group had higher activity scores compared to the casted group. In addition, the brace was better tolerated, preferred by most children and cheaper in the long run.

ETHNICITY AND PEDIATRIC HOSPITALIZATION RATES

Numerous studies have shown racial/ethnic disparities in health care, but no such studies exist in pediatric emergency care. In the study, “Differences in Severity-Adjusted Pediatric Hospitalization Rates Are Associated With Race/Ethnicity,” results show that white pediatric patients are over-admitted to the hospital when not severely ill. Prior to the study, the authors were concerned that minority patients were being denied admissions when severely ill, but the results showed that minorities are being admitted at rates expected based on severity. However, white pediatric patients are being admitted at higher than expected rates when they are not very ill. Unnecessarily admitting patients increases health care costs and can be harmful to patients.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.