Below are news briefs and news releases on statements appearing in the March issue of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

For Release: March 5, 2007, 12:01 am (ET)

MANY TEENS EXPOSED TO WORK-RELATED HAZARDS

In the national study, “Work-Related Hazards and Workplace Safety of U.S. Adolescents Employed in the Retail and Service Sectors,” 928 teenage workers, 14 to 18 years old, were interviewed by telephone about their work environments. Results indicated that not only are teens exposed to multiple workplace hazards and work long hours during the school week, 52 percent of males and 43 percent of females use dangerous equipment such as box crushers and slicers, or serve and sell alcohol where it is consumed, despite federal child labor laws. In addition, more females than males are involved in cash handling (84 percent vs. 61 percent) leaving them exposed to risks associated with robberies. Helpful information on teen worker rights is available from the federal government, non-profit organizations, and state agencies.

Embargoed until Monday, March 5 at 12:01 am ET.

ACETAMINOPHEN, IBUPROFEN OR CODEINE -- WHICH IS BEST FOR KIDS’ PAIN?

A Canadian study found that ibuprofen provided better and more efficient pain relief than acetaminophen or codeine for children brought in to the emergency department with acute musculoskeletal injuries. From May 2002 to January 2003, researchers working on “A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and Codeine for Acute Pain Relief in Children With Musculoskeletal Trauma,” evaluated 300 children (6 to 17 years) at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario emergency department with pain from an injury (to extremities, neck and back) who were randomly assigned to receive orally acetaminophen, ibuprofen or codeine. Patients that received ibuprofen experienced greater pain relief at 60 minutes after receiving the dose than the other two medications. In addition, patients taking ibuprofen did not need to take additional doses, where as patients taking acetaminophen or codeine did need additional doses in order to achieve adequate pain relief.

Embargoed until Monday, March 5 at 12:01 am ET.

WEIGHT IN YOUNG GIRLS AND THE ONSET OF PUBERTY

A new study provides additional evidence that increased body fat in young girls is associated with earlier onset of puberty. The study, "Weight Status in Young Girls and the Onset of Puberty," included 354 girls from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds in 10 regions of the US. According to the authors, this is the first study to report that a higher body mass index (BMI) score in girls as young as 36 months of age and larger increases in BMI between 36 months of age and first grade are associated with earlier puberty. The authors state that more studies are needed to identify exactly how increased body fat leads to earlier puberty in girls.

Embargoed until Monday, March 5 at 12:01 am ET.

FLU VACCINE EFFECTIVE EVEN IF IT DOESN’T EXACTLY MATCH STRAIN

The study, “Vaccine Effectiveness Against Medically Attended, Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza Among Children Ages 6 to 59 Months, 2003-2004,” reviewed the cases of 290 patients from an Atlanta, Georgia, pediatric practice who had laboratory-confirmed influenza infections during the 2003-2004 influenza season. The authors found that full vaccination provided an approximate 50 percent reduction in laboratory-confirmed influenza among children aged 6 and 59 months. This occurred despite a suboptimal match between the vaccine and circulating influenza strains for the 2003-2004 season. Partial vaccination also provided some protection, but only for children aged 24-59 months. Younger children, ages 6 to 23 months, who were only partially vaccinated, had no reduction in influenza. The authors assert that this study confirms immunization against influenza, even in years with a suboptimal vaccine match, can reduce the impact of this disease.

Embargoed until Monday, March 5 at 12:01 am ET.

LEAD EXPOSURE LINKED TO BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS AND LOWER IQ

Lower IQ scores might not be the only measurable effect resulting from a child’s exposure to lead. The study “Lead Exposure, IQ, and Behavior in Urban 5-to 7-Year-Olds: Does Lead Affect Behavior Only by Lowering IQ?” found that high lead exposure was associated with behavior problems in urban 5-7 year-olds. The researchers analyzed data from 780 children exposed to high levels of lead in four U.S. cities. They examined the associations between blood lead concentrations at different ages, IQ, and behavioral test scores. In 5-year-olds, the blood lead concentrations had no direct effect on behavior. In 7-year-olds, a direct effect between blood level and behavior was found, specifically conduct and school problems. The results of this study suggest that prevention of lead exposure should continue into late childhood.

Embargoed until Monday, March 5 at 12:01 am ET.

PREVENTIVE DENTAL CARE IN THE UNITED STATES

Preventive dental care is a cornerstone of optimal oral health. Researchers in the study “Preventive Dental Care for Children in the United States: A National Perspective,” analyzed data collected from the 2003 - 2004 National Survey of Children’s Health (102,353 children) and found that 72 percent of U.S. children were reported to have had a preventive dental care visit in the previous year. Variables that significantly lowered the likelihood of a preventive dental visit included being under 6 years old, black or multiracial, lower income, being uninsured for dental coverage and lacking a personal doctor. Children in states with State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) dental coverage and broadest income eligibility had a 24 percent higher likelihood of a preventive dental visit when compared with children in states with limited or no (SCHIP) coverage for dental services.

Embargoed until Monday, March 5 at 12:01 am ET.

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.