AAP PRESS ROOM - NOVEMBER 2008 MEDIA MAILING

(Please do not reply directly to this e-mail, as you will not receive a response. Contact 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, November 3, 2008 at 12:01 am ET, unless otherwise specified.

PLEASE RESPECT THE EMBARGO DATE.

The Table of Contents (TOC) from the November 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:

2. AAP policy statement recommends prenatal testing, immediate intervention to prevent mother-child HIV transmission

3. AAP policy statement calls for all children, age 6 months to 18 years, to receive influenza vaccine

Below are news releases and briefs on articles appearing in the November 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.

A revised AAP policy statement provides new and additional information on issues related to when hospital discharge is appropriate for high-risk infants, specific needs for follow-up care, and the process of detailed discharge planning. The statement addresses four high-risk neonate categories: the preterm infant, the infant with special health care needs or dependence on technology, the infant at risk because of family issues, and the infant with anticipated early death. The revised recommendations will aid physicians and health care staff in deciding when discharge is appropriate while ensuring that all necessary care will be available and well coordinated after the child leaves the hospital.

2. AAP POLICY STATEMENT RECOMMENDS PRENATAL TESTING, IMMEDIATE INTERVENTION TO PREVENT MOTHER-CHILD HIV TRANSMISSION

A new AAP policy statement continues to recommend HIV testing of all U.S. pregnant women, and if warranted, the immediate and ongoing administration of antiretroviral drugs to the mother during pregnancy and labor, and to the child immediately after birth, as the most effective steps to reducing the risk of mother-to-child HIV transmission. The new policy, “HIV Testing and Prophylaxis to Prevent Mother-to-Child Transmission in the United States,” also recommends repeat maternal testing in the third trimester in select circumstances and rapid HIV testing at labor and delivery as additional strategies to further reduce the rate of perinatal HIV transmission. The AAP policy recommends that information about HIV infection and transmission should be provided routinely as part of comprehensive maternal health care for women.

3. AAP POLICY STATEMENT CALLS FOR ALL CHILDREN, AGE 6 MONTHS THROUGH 18 YEARS, TO RECEIVE INFLUENZA VACCINE

A new AAP policy statement recommends that all children, 6 months through age 18, receive an annual influenza vaccine. The policy statement, “Prevention of Influenza: Recommendations for Influenza Immunization of Children, 2008-2009,” expands the previous recommendations to include all school-aged children, the population most likely to contract the disease and need influenza-related medical care. The policy statement, which mirrors a similar recommendation earlier this year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), calls for all children to be immunized during the 2008-2009 influenza season. The policy statement also recommends that household contacts and out-of-home care providers of children with high-risk conditions and healthy children younger than age 5, pregnant women, and health care professionals, also receive a flu vaccine each year. Influenza vaccine administration should begin as soon as the vaccine becomes available, and immunization efforts should continue until May 1.

The new AAP Clinical Report, “Prevention of Rickets and Vitamin D Deficiency in Infants, Children and Adolescents,” released on October 13, 2008, will appear in the November issue of Pediatrics.

For the first time, a new study links teen exposure to sexual content on television with pregnancy. In “Does Watching Sex on Television Predict Teen Pregnancy? Findings from a National Longitudinal Survey of Youth,” researchers used data from a national survey of teens, ages 12 to 17, to assess whether exposure to television sexual content predicted subsequent pregnancy (girls), or responsibility for pregnancy (boys) over a three-year period. Teens exposed to high levels of televised sexual content (in the 90th percentile) were twice as likely to experience a pregnancy during the three-year period, compared to teens with lower levels of exposure (10th percentile). Limiting teen exposure to sex in the media and balancing portrayals of sex with information about possible negative consequences might reduce the risk of teen pregnancy, according to the study authors.

A new study found that while a prevailing theme in families with an HIV-infected parent was fears about transmitting HIV in their households, many of the fears were based on misconceptions about how the disease is actually transmitted. In “Fears About HIV Transmission in Families With an HIV-Infected Parent: A Qualitative Analysis,” researchers conducted interviews with 33 HIV-infected parents; 27 minor children, ages 9 to 17; 19 adult children; and 15 caregivers to investigate their fears about HIV transmission. Many parents expressed fears about transmitting HIV to their children and contracting an opportunistic infection while caring for a sick child. Some minor children, adult children and caregivers also feared HIV transmission from the parent. Often, the reported fears – such as shared bathroom use, kissing, and shared food/beverages — were based on incorrect information about how the disease is transmitted. The study authors recommend that pediatricians and other clinicians assist families in understanding how HIV is transmitted, and how it is not, and establishing household practices and rules to prevent transmission.

One in 25 U.S. 9th, 10th, and 11th graders drive at least one hour a week without a driver’s license, according to the new study, “Unlicensed Teenaged Drivers: Who Are They, and How Do They Behave When They Are Behind the Wheel?” Researchers surveyed 5,665 teens on driving behaviors, including whether or not they drive without a license. Unlicensed drivers were less likely to wear seat belts, and more likely to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs and report trips without a purpose. There was no direct correlation between license status and car crashes. However, according to the researcher’s analysis of federal data, unlicensed teens are more likely to be involved in a crash that is fatal. Unlicensed drivers were more likely to live in rural or central city districts and to report lower grades in school. Of the unlicensed drivers, one-fourth (28 percent) had taken a driver’s education class, and one half (50 percent) reported that their parents were helpful in their quest to learn to drive. The study authors recommend additional research to better understand the barriers that prevent teens from successfully completing driver’s license requirements.

Most parents are open to being screened for alcohol problems during routine pediatric visits for their children, according to a new study. In “Parental Alcohol Screening in Pediatric Practices,” parents at three pediatric clinics (one urban, one rural, and one suburban) completed anonymous questionnaires containing demographics, two alcohol-screening tests and items to assess parent preferences as to who should perform the alcohol screening, their acceptance of screening, and preferred intervention strategies if the screening results were positive. A total of 101 out of 879 parents screened positive on the alcohol screening tests. While parents with a negative alcohol screen were more likely to report that they would agree to being asked about their alcohol use, over 75% of parents with problem alcohol use were open to alcohol screening in the pediatric office setting, and intervention recommendations. To treat their patients optimally, pediatricians must acknowledge the potential adverse effects of parental alcohol use on children and address the issue with parents during office visits.

Chronic medication use by children – across all medication categories evaluated – continues to rise each year. In “Trends in the Prevalence of Chronic Medication Use in Children: 2002-2005,” researchers reviewed prescription claims data for more than 3.5 million commercially insured children, ages 5 to 19. During the four-year study period, the prevalence rate for type 2 antidiabetic agents doubled. Asthma medication use jumped 46.5 percent; attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder medication, 40.4 percent; and antihyperlipidemics (used to lower lipids/cholesterol), 15 percent. The study authors recommend additional research on the factors influencing these trends, including growth in chronic disease risk factors, such as obesity, and greater awareness of and screening for chronic disease in children.

Regular child and adolescent violent video game use early in the school year predicted later aggressive behavior in both the U.S. and Japan, according to a new study. In “Longitudinal Effects of Violent Video Games on Aggression in Japan and the United States,” researchers monitored the behavior of more than 1,200 students in Japan, ages 12 to 18, and 364 U.S. students, ages 9 to 12. The study results were similar: habitual violent video game play early in the school year predicted later aggression. The more the children played violent video games, the more physically aggressive they became. The study authors recommend reducing child and teen use of violent video games.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: In a related study, “Linkages Between Internet and Other Media Violence With Seriously Violent Behavior by Youth,” exposure to violence in the media – including games and music – is associated with concurrent reports of serious violent behavior.]

Preterm birth is a serious and costly health problem that affects 1 in 8 babies born each year in the United States, and the rate of preterm birth has increased more than 20 percent since 1990. It is the leading cause of death in the first month of life. During November, the AAP is partnering with the March of Dimes and other organizations to observe Prematurity Awareness Month. On November 12, the 6th Annual Prematurity Awareness Day, the March of Dimes will release the first of what will be an annual state-by-state report card on preterm births, comparing actual rates to the Healthy People 2010 goal. For more information, go to http://www.marchofdimes.com

The holidays are an exciting time of year for kids, and the AAP wants children and their families to enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season. The AAP Holiday Safety Tips cover topics including toy safety, food preparation, fire prevention and safe visiting in others’ homes. The tips can be found in both English and Spanish at: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/novtips.cfm

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.

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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.