JULY 2009 MEDIA MAILING
AAP Department of Communications Contacts: Debbie Linchesky, 847-434-7084, dlinchesky@aap.org or Susan Stevens Martin, 847-434-7131, ssmartin@aap.org
(Please do not reply directly to this email, as you will not receive a response. Contact Debbie or Susan if you have questions about the content of this mailing.
Information in this mailing is embargoed for release: Monday, June 29, at 12:01 a.m. ET, unless otherwise specified. PLEASE RESPECT EMBARGO.
In this mailing:
The Table of Contents (TOC) from the July 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:
June issue TOC:
http://www.pediatrics.org/current.shtml
July issue TOC:
http://www.pediatrics.org/future.shtml
Also in this mailing:
STUDIES
1. Two-sided conversations help kids learn language skills
2. For many teens, risky behavior is linked to belief they’ll die young
3. Good guys, bad guys, and smoking initiation by teens
4. Using computed tomography (CT) to determine effective chest compression depth in child CPR
5. Specialized transport of critically ill children improves survival
6. Depressed dads more likely to have colicky babies
AAP REPORTS
7. Caring for the mental health of children
8. Counseling families of extreme preemies
9. Other AAP reports and policies
AAP NEWS RELEASES
10. Pediatrics launches new design
11. Fireworks
AAP PARENTING TIPS
12. Travel tips
Below are news releases on articles appearing in the July 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.
Note: Please attribute the source as “the journal, Pediatrics,” when covering information from this mailing. Please note this is the July issue of Pediatrics, which is published online June 29.
STUDIES
1. TWO-SIDED CONVERSATIONS HELP KIDS LEARN LANGUAGE SKILLS
Healthy child language development is closely associated with adult-child conversations, as shown in the study, “Teaching by Listening: The Importance of Adult-Child Conversations to Language Development.” Results of a cross-sectional study of 275 families of children aged 2 to 48 months showed that children with high language scores engaged in a lot of conversation with adults. Each hour of daily television viewing was associated with a 2.68 decrease in the language score. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends no television for babies under 2 years of age because the opportunities for adult-child interactions are limited. Parents can provide speech opportunities to their children by talking to them, telling them stories and reading books, but it is equally important to engage their children in two-sided conversations. More conversations can mean more opportunities for mistakes and corrections, which help children practice newly acquired language skills. The results of this study provide evidence that adult-child conversations are vital to child language development.
2. FOR MANY TEENS, RISKY BEHAVIOR IS LINKED TO BELIEF THEY’LL DIE YOUNG
Many adolescents think it is highly likely that they will die before age 35, and these young people tend to engage in more risky behavior, according to the study “Health Status and Behavioral Outcomes for Youth Who Anticipate a High Likelihood of Early Death.” Researchers looked at more than 20,000 teens in grades 7 through 12 during three separate study years. In the first set of interviews, nearly 15 percent of adolescents predicted they had a 50/50 chance or less of living to age 35. Their perceived risk of dying young was much higher than their actual risk. This fatalistic view varied notably across social groups. Those who engaged in risky behaviors such as illicit drug use, suicide attempts, fighting and unsafe sexual activity in the first year were more likely in subsequent years to believe they would die at a young age. Conversely, those who predicted early death in the first year were more likely in later years to begin engaging in risky behaviors and have poor health outcomes. This contradicts conventional wisdom about adolescents taking risks because they feel invincible. The study authors suggest that perceived risk for early death be incorporated into psychosocial assessments and interviews of adolescents.
3. Good Guys, Bad Guys and Smoking Initiation by Teens
Previous studies have confirmed a link between smoking in movies and initiation of smoking by adolescents. A new study, “Influence of Character Portrayals of Smoking on Adolescent Smoking: Who Matters More, Good Guys or Bad Guys?” went further and examined whether the type of character – “good guy” or “bad guy” – had any impact on teen smoking initiation. In a survey of 6,522 U.S. adolescents, the authors found that viewing smoking by different character types did not impact whether a teen will start smoking. While there was an increased response to “bad guy” smoking, overall there is more exposure to “good guy” smoking, so the net effect is similar. However, they found that teens at low risk to begin smoking (because they are low in sensation-seeking) are more strongly influenced by “bad guy” movie smoking. Because smoking occurs in many movies, parents should limit movie viewing and specifically should restrict access to R-rated movies, which tend to contain more smoking. When teens do view movies that contain smoking, parents should talk with them in an effort to discourage initiation of smoking.
4. USING COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) TO DETERMINE EFFECTIVE CHEST COMPRESSION DEPTH IN CHILD CPR
The American Heart Association (AHA) pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines recommend a compression depth for children that is approximately one-third to one-half the depth of the chest. In the study, “Estimation of Optimal CPR Chest Compression Depth in Children by Using Computer Tomography,” 280 chest CT scans for 14 age divisions between 0 and 8 years were reconstructed and analyzed. The results indicate that simulated chest compression at one-third of the depth of the chest appears to be radiographically appropriate for children aged 3 months to 8 years. Simulated chest compression depth of roughly one-half the chest depth seems radiographically too deep. Additional studies may lead to improved guidelines for appropriate chest compression in children.
Editor’s Note: The July issue of Pediatrics also includes the study, “What is the Correct Depth of Chest Compression for Infants and Children? A Radiological Study.”
5. SPECIALIZED TRANSPORT OF CRITICALLY ILL CHILDREN IMPROVES SURVIVAL
Specialized transport teams have been known to improve survival rates of adults, but few studies have examined the results of using specialized transport teams for infants and children. The study, “Pediatric Specialized Transport Teams Are Associated With Improved Outcomes,” examined the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh transport team between January 2001 and September 2002. A total of 1,085 infants and children were retrieved, with 94 percent transported by a pediatric critical care specialty team, and 6 percent by a non-specialized team. Unplanned events occurred in 55 patients, including cardiopulmonary arrest, loss of critical intravenous access and airway-related issues, and they were more common among patients transported by the non-specialized teams (61 percent vs. 1.5 percent). After adjustment for illness severity, death also occurred more among patients transported by non-specialized teams, (23 percent vs. 9 percent). Based on this study, transport of critically ill children can be conducted more safely with a pediatric critical care specialized team.
Editor’s Note: The July issue of Pediatrics also includes the commentary, “Speed Isn’t Everything in Pediatric Medical Transport,” and the AAP policy statement, “Equipment for Ambulances.”
6. DEPRESSED DADS MORE LIKELY TO HAVE COLICKY BABIES
Excessive infant crying, or colic, is a stressful problem for parents that can ultimately result in child abuse. Early education and support for at-risk parents can help relieve their distress. A known risk factor for excessive infant crying is maternal depression during pregnancy. The study, “Paternal Depressive Symptoms During Pregnancy Are Related to Excessive Infant Crying,” found paternal depression during pregnancy is also a risk factor for excessive infant crying. In a cohort of 7,003 families, depressed fathers were nearly twice as likely to report excessive crying in their 2-month-old infant, compared to fathers who were not depressed. These rates were similar to the rates seen with mothers. The authors suggest several possible reasons for the association, including reduced sensitivity of depressed fathers to their children, the increased stress on a family from a depressed family member, and genetic transmission of irritability.
AAP REPORTS
7. CARING FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN
Many children are going without the mental health services they need. Because of their long-term, trusting relationship with families, pediatric primary care clinicians, including pediatricians, family physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, are positioned to provide these services. In a new policy statement, “The Future of Pediatrics: Mental Health Competencies for the Care of Children and Adolescents in Primary Care Settings,” the American Academy of Pediatrics outlines the skills and knowledge these clinicians need to recognize mental health problems in children and to provide mental health care or partner with the mental health specialists who do. Changes in residency training programs, continuing medical education, and the financing of mental health care will be needed.
8. COUNSELING FAMILIES OF EXTREME PREEMIES
The anticipated delivery of an extremely low gestational age infant raises difficult questions, including whether to begin resuscitation after delivery. In a new clinical report, “Antenatal Counseling Regarding Resuscitation at an Extremely Low Gestational Age,” the American Academy of Pediatrics offers guidance to physicians and hospitals who are counseling families in these situations. The report advises that parents be given accurate information about the prognosis of their infant. Whenever an extremely premature infant is delivered, a qualified individual such as a neonatologist should be present in the delivery room to manage this complex situation. Comfort care should be provided for all infants for whom resuscitation is not initiated or is not successful.
9. OTHER AAP REPORTS AND POLICIES
The July issue of Pediatrics also includes the following AAP policies:
- “Role of the Pediatrician in Youth Violence Prevention” (published online June 11)
- “Using Personal Health Records to Improve the Quality of Health Care for Children” (embargoed until 12:01 a.m. CT Monday, June 29)
- “Expert Witness Participation in Civil and Criminal Proceedings” (embargoed until 12:01 a.m. CT Monday, June 29)
- “Equipment for Ambulances” (embargoed until 12:01 a.m. CT Monday, June 29)
Contact AAP Department of Communications for copies of these reports or to request an interview with the authors.
AAP NEWS RELEASES
10. PEDIATRICS LAUNCHES NEW DESIGN
FOR RELEASE: JUNE 29, 2009
With its July issue, Pediatrics introduces a new design for the print edition that features a fresh look, a vibrant new color palette, updated fonts and new features that make the journal easier to read and navigate. The new design is one of a series of changes planned this year under the leadership of Lewis R. First, M.D., FAAP, who became editor of the journal Jan. 1. The redesign is explained in a commentary, “Pediatrics Print Edition is Redesigned to Better Meet Your Needs” in the July issue.
Color coding on the table of contents and the interior pages will make it easier for subscribers to open the journal to a specific section of interest. New icons alert the reader to additional tables and figures that are available online, and online data supplements will allow the editors to share more information with readers that cannot be accommodated in the print edition. Articles also have a cleaner look and a new three-column format. Each article begins with a page that contains the abstract, information on the contributors, and a box highlighting what is known about the subject and why the research is important to pediatricians.
In late 2009, the journal will launch Pediatrics Digest, which will be located behind each month’s table of contents. It will include summaries of the articles in each month’s issue. Pediatrics Digest will also be available to subscribers on mobile devices.
11. FAMILIES URGED NOT TO PURCHASE FIREWORKS FOR THEIR OWN USE
Each year, about 10,000 people are treated in emergency rooms because of injuries from consumer fireworks. The AAP, with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), is a founding member of the Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks. The Alliance urges families not to purchase fireworks for their own use or their children’s use. Even “sparklers” can become extremely hot and burn children. In addition, according to a newly-released NFPA report, in 2006 fireworks caused an estimated 32,600 reported fires, including 1,700 total structure fires, 600 vehicle fires, and 30,300 outdoor and other fires. A series of video public service announcements featuring people whose lives were tragically changed by consumer fireworks is available at www.nfpa.org/fireworks. An audio file about fireworks safety from the AAP radio series “A Minute for Kids” is available at http://www.aap.org/audio/main.cfm
To interview an injury prevention expert, please contact AAP Communications.
AAP PARENTING TIPS
12. TRAVEL TIPS
The American Academy of Pediatrics offers tips on traveling safely with children, including tips on airplane travel, international travel, and traveling by car. Tips are available in English and Spanish .
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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.
To request copies of AAP news releases, briefs, policy statements or studies from Pediatrics, go to http://www.aap.org/mediamailing/mediarequestform.cfm?cp1=g8tuv8
For more information on children’s health, visit the AAP News Room at: http://www.aap.org/newsroom/
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