Pediatrics News

VIDEO: Addressing the effects of armed conflict on children

ORLANDO, Fla. — Therapy putty may not help children and teenagers with ADHD focus or improve their academic performance, according to research presented at the AAP National Conference & Exhibition. However, the tool may be helpful for listening-based activities, researchers said.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The AAP updated its policy on corporal punishment today, emphasizing ways that pediatricians should encourage parents to seek alternatives to spanking.

Group cognitive behavioral therapy was significantly more effective in reducing anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents compared with other psychotherapies, according to data published in JAMA Psychiatry.

Adolescents with more frequent back pain were also more likely to report anxiety and depression, and more likely to smoke and drink alcohol, according to findings recently published in the Journal of Public Health.

ORLANDO, Fla. — In his session presented at Psych Congress, Anthony L. Rostain, MD, professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, talked about how to individualize treatment for children, teenagers and adults with ADHD.

Children with autism spectrum disorder had the highest occurrence of rapid weight gain during the first 6 months of life, putting these children at greater risk for obesity, according to findings recently published in Autism.

Adolescents who sleep fewer than 8 hours on school nights are more likely to engage in several risk-taking behaviors, according to research published in JAMA Pediatrics. However, teens who get fewer than 6 hours of sleep are at significantly higher risk for considering, planning and attempting suicide, researchers said.

Researchers and pediatric specialists are working to find new, innovative ways to use virtual reality to improve patient care.

An analysis of data from a study published in 2016 demonstrated that 71.4% of completed youth suicides occurred at the index attempt. Findings were published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.