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This Month in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2002;156:965.
The Efficacy of Duct Tape vs Cryotherapy in the Treatment of Verruca
Vulgaris (the Common Wart)
Warts are a very common pediatric issue, for which a wide variety of
treatments have been tried. In this randomized controlled trial, Focht and
colleagues compared standard cryotherapy with the use of duct tape, changed
once per week for 2 months. Warts resolved in 85% of the patients treated
with duct tape, compared with 60% of those treated with freezing (P<.05). The majority of warts responded within the first month of
treatment, and the treatment was well accepted by parents and children.
(SEE ARTICLE)
Economic Analyses of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Immunoprophylaxis
in High-Risk Infants: A Systematic Review
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is associated with high
morbidity and costs estimated at $342 million annually. Immunoprophylaxis
against RSV has been developed and recommended for high-risk infants, but
it is expensive. Kamal-Bahl and colleagues conducted a systematic review of
economic analyses of RSV immunoprophylaxis. They found that estimates from
12 prior studies ranged from cost savings to considerable incremental costs
per hospitalization avoided. Studies with some form of industry funding were
more likely to report the possibility of cost savings of prophylaxis in the
entire high-risk population than studies without industry funding (100% vs
0%, respectively).
(SEE ARTICLE)
A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Mebendazole for Halitosis
Based on an anecdotal experience brought to their attention by a patient's
mother, investigators in Turkey conducted a randomized controlled trial of
treatment with mebendazole in children with chronic halitosis. Approximately
a third of each group had parasites isolated from their stools. Of the children
with parasitic infection, halitosis had resolved in 64% of those treated with
mebendazole, compared with 8% of those treated with placebo. There was no
significant difference in resolution of halitosis in those without parasitic
infection.
(SEE ARTICLE)
Consequences and Correlates of Adolescent Depression
An analysis of the 1997 Commonwealth Fund Survey of 4684 students between
10 and 18 years of age revealed that 9% of girls and 5% of boys were found
to be depressed. Rates of depression were 4-fold higher among girls and boys
from low-income families compared with those from high-income families. Depression
was associated with missing 1 day or more of school per month, and with smoking,
binge drinking, and suicidal ideation. The study emphasizes the need for routine
screening for appropriate treatment of adolescents with depression.
(SEE ARTICLE)
Randomized Trial to Prevent Sensitization to Mite Allergens in Toddlers
and Preschoolers by Allergen Reduction and Education: One-Year Results
The best single predictor of asthma in children in developed countries
is allergic sensitization to dust mite allergens. A randomized controlled
trail was conducted in Germany, Greece, Lithuania, and England to prevent
the sensitization to dust mite allergens in 566 high-risk toddlers and preschoolers.
The environmental intervention in the child's home, combined with education,
reduced dust mite sensitization by half at the 1-year follow-up examination
(3.0% vs 6.5%). Simple, inexpensive measures can be effective in reducing
sensitization and the potential onset of asthma in high-risk children.
(SEE ARTICLE)
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