AAP Department of Communications Contact: Mindy Weinstein, 847-434-7131 and Debbie Linchesky, 847-434-7084. (Please do not reply directly to this e-mail, as you will not receive a response. Contact Mindy Weinstein at mweinstein@aap.org or Debbie Linchesky at dlinchesky@aap.org if you have questions about the contents of this mailing.)

Information in this mailing is embargoed for release: Monday, February 5, 12:01 am (ET). PLEASE RESPECT THE EMBARGO DATE


In this mailing:

The Table of Contents (TOC) from the February issue of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and Pediatrics electronic pages, the Internet extension of Pediatrics. These are available electronically and can be viewed at:

Current issue TOC:
http://www.pediatrics.org/current.shtml
Future issue TOC:
http://www.pediatrics.org/future.shtml

Also in this mailing:
1. TV Viewing and Physical Activity Not Related
2. Youth Exposure to Online Pornography
3. Pediatric Telephone Call Centers
4. Placement Stability Impact on Foster Care Children’s Well Being
5. Findings From the National Survey of Children’s Health
6. Withdrawal of Intensive Care of High-Risk Newborns
7. Annual Summary of Vital Statistics
8. February is Dental Health Month
9. Think About Your Drink
9. Valentine’s Day -- 14 Ways to Show Love For Your Child This Month

==========================================

Below are news releases and briefs on articles appearing in the February issue of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). To receive the full text of these articles, contact the AAP Department of Communications. The embargo date for all information in this mailing is Monday, February 5, 12:01 am ET.

AAP Contact: Debbie Linchesky, 847-434-7084, dlinchesky@aap.org or Mindy Weinstein, 847-434-7131, mweinstein@aap.org

1. TV VIEWING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITIY NOT RELATED

According to a new study, when adolescents’ sedentary behaviors – like watching TV – change, their physical activity does not. The study, "Longitudinal Relationship Between Television Viewing and Leisure-Time Physical Activity During Adolescence" indicates that watching TV and leisure-time physical activity are separate — and not opposite — activities. The findings suggest that clinical and public health programs should consider reducing television viewing and promoting physical activity as two separate areas of behavior modification when trying to reduce adolescents’ weight gain. The authors studied over 10,000 boys and girls 10- to 15-years old from 1997 to 2001.

2. YOUTH EXPOSURE TO ONLINE PORNOGRAPHY

Millions of children are exposed to online pornography, and the majority of that exposure is unwanted. In the 2005 study, “Unwanted and Wanted Exposure to Online Pornography in a National Sample of Youth Internet Users,” telephone surveys were given to 1,500 Internet users between 10 to 17 years of age. Results found that 42 percent of youth Internet users had been exposed to online pornography in the past year. Of those exposed youth, 66 percent reported only unwanted exposure found by misspelling a Web address or through pop-up advertisements or spam e-mails. Depression, curiosity, and delinquent tendencies fueled wanted exposure. Filtering and blocking software reduced the risk of unwanted exposure.

3. PEDIATRIC TELEPHONE CALL CENTERS

Evidence is accumulating that after-hours telephone care by trained, and pediatrician supervised, nurses at pediatric call centers is safe, satisfying to parents and patients, and results in appropriate care. It also appears to lead to a substantial savings within the health care system. The study, “Pediatric Telephone Call Centers: How Do They Affect Health Care Use and Costs?” asked an open-ended question before triage to callers at an after-hours call center. The question focused on what the caller would have done if they had not been able to contact the call center. Results indicate that of those who reported intent to go to the emergency room, more than two-thirds of those trips would have been unnecessary. In addition, 15 percent of calls from parents who intended to stay home were deemed urgent and required emergency room care. The authors conclude that after-hours call centers are important to providing appropriate, timely treatment while offering a cost-savings aspect to the public health care system.

4. PLACEMENT STABILITY IMPACT ON FOSTER CARE CHILDREN’S WELL BEING

A new study finds that placement stability – especially early on, regardless of a child’s problems at entry into foster care, can positively influence their well being. In the study, “The Impact of Placement Stability on Behavioral Well-being of Children in Foster Care,” those children who experienced multiple foster care moves, were estimated to have a 36 percent to 63 percent increased risk of behavioral problems compared to children who achieved some level in stability in foster care. The authors suggest that one of the best interventions for children in the foster care system is to concentrate on stabilizing them as quickly as possible and help them find healthy, secure attachments.

5. FINDINGS FROM THE NATIONAL SURVEY OF CHILDREN’S HEALTH

A supplement to the February issue of Pediatrics contains summaries, abstracts and discussions on recent studies highlighting the National Survey of Children’s Health. The survey, one of the largest ever conducted on the health of American children, provides estimates at the national and state level for a variety of physical, emotional, and behavioral child health indicators. Information in the supplement, “National and State-Specific Findings From the National Survey of Children’s Health” includes detailed research on topics such as the health and well being of adopted children, association between breastfeeding and young children’s language and motor skill development, and the prevalence of violent disagreements in U.S. families. The supplement is sponsored by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau.

6. WITHDRAWAL OF INTENSIVE CARE FOR HIGH-RISK NEWBORNS

Parents and health care professionals often struggle with difficult treatment options when faced with the care of a severely or terminally ill infant. A new AAP Policy Statement, “Noninitiation or Withdrawal of Intensive Care for High-Risk Newborns,” states that decisions regarding treatment for infants with poor prognosis should be made jointly with the physicians and the infant’s family and should always be in the best interest of the infant. The decision to initiate or continue intensive care should be based on the probability that the infant will benefit from the care, and the parents should be fully informed and active participants in the decision-making process.

7. ANNUAL SUMMARY OF VITAL STATISTICS: 2005

The “Annual Summary of Vital Statistics – 2005,” the yearly report of births, fertility rates, and causes of death revealed some record highs and lows. The birth rates for women 30-years-old and older rose in 2005 to levels not seen in almost 40 years. Childbearing by unmarried women also increased to historic record levels for the United States. The cesarean-delivery rate continued to increase to 30 percent of all births, another record high. The birth rate for teen mothers (aged 15 to 19 years) fell to 40 births per 1000 women, the lowest ever recorded in the 65 years for which there are consistent data. Pronounced differences in infant mortality rates by race and Hispanic origin continue, with non-Hispanic black newborns more than twice as likely as non-Hispanic white and Hispanic infants to die within one year of birth. Suicide rates for children up to 19 years of age increased in 2004. A large proportion of childhood deaths continue to occur as a result of preventable injuries. Life expectancy overall reached a record high of 77.8 years.

8. FEBRUARY IS CHILDREN’S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH

Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, five times more common than asthma. During February — Children's Dental Health Month — the AAP has joined with Oral-B and television personality and author Joan Lunden to raise awareness about the importance of children’s oral health and to remind parents to teach healthy oral care habits. An often overlooked aspect of children’s health, oral health problems continue to be a problem with almost 20 percent of children ages 2-3 having at least one untreated cavity and more than 50 percent of children developing some form of gingivitis. Parents and children can learn more oral-care tips by visiting http://www.aap.org or http://www.oralb.com/stages

9. THINK ABOUT YOUR DRINK

The AAP — along with the American Dietetic Association and the School Nutrition Association — supports the new "Think About Your Drink" campaign messages. The campaign was launched by the nation's milk processors and aims to raise awareness of the important role beverages can plays in the fight against obesity. According to a recent report, beverages supply nearly a quarter of our total calories — with sugar-sweetened beverages such as soft drinks, fruit drinks and presweetened teas as the largest contributor. To help illustrate the impact of what America is drinking, visit http://www.thinkaboutyourdrink.com

===========================================

10. VALENTINE’S TIPS: 14 WAYS TO SHOW LOVE FOR YOUR CHILD

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples, and chocolate certainly isn’t the only way to show your love. Instead of heart-shaped candy on February 14, why not consider some healthy, non-caloric ways to celebrate? The AAP is offering parents 14 ways to show love for children. Tips range from using positive words with your child, to preventing violence by setting good examples, to making a date with your child so you can spend time alone together. The tips can be found in both English and Spanish at http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/febvaltips.htm

=========================================

The FAAP designation following a pediatrician's name stands for Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatricians with a FAAP designation have obtained board certification in pediatrics and made an ongoing commitment to lifelong learning and advocacy for children.

MEDIA REQUEST FORM

To request copies of AAP news releases, digests or briefs, or policy statements and studies from Pediatrics, go to:

http://www.aap.org/mediamailing/mediarequestform.cfm?cp1=42brs2

For more information on children’s health, visit the AAP Press Room at: http://www.aap.org/pressroom

If you choose not to receive this media mailing, send an e-mail message to: aapmediamailing@aap.org with the phrase, “unsubscribe mediamailing” in the text field.