Vagus Nerve Stimulator Use in Children

Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS) as it is commonly known as, is the only device approved by US-FDA for  adjunctive treatment of intractable seizures in patients older than 12 years.
VNS typically has a generator implanted usually in the chest, and a lead electrode surgically hooked on to left vagus. It also comes with a magnet to abolish, diminish or terminate an ongoing seizure.
VNS occurs at specific intervals (30 seconds on , 5 minutes off).
There is an increased likelihood of improved seizure control with magnet stimulation in VNS.
Side effect profile of VNS varies from Obstructive Sleep Apnea(OSA) to deep surgical infection & breakage of the lead.

BOTTOMLINE: VNS approved for treatment of intractable seizures in more than 12 year old & also for treatment of chronic or recurrent depression in patients older than 18 years.

This is an outline for the article Morris GL 3rd, Gloss D, Buchhalter J, Mack KJ, Nickels K, Harden C. Evidence-based guideline update: vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of epilepsy: report of the Guideline Development Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 2013;81:1453-1459.

Image courtesy : shockmd.com 

Soda vs Behaviour changes in 5 year olds

Sodas are universally available for all ages, and it's a profitable institution. Most of us tend to be more drawn towards them, one of the reasons being commercialization of it. It goes without saying, the deleterious effects sodas have on the adult human body.
It's no different with kids. According to a recent study by Shakira F. Suglia et al. ,  an association was noted between soda consumption & aggressive behavior among 5-year-olds. The possible reason, though not certain, is being attributed to caffeine, sugar, etc. which are the active ingredients in most of the sodas.
Research to pin point the causative ingredient is to be furthered.

In response to the study, the American Beverage Association issued the following statement: "It is a leap to suggest that drinking soda causes these or any other behavioral issue. The science does not support that conclusion.Importantly, our member companies do not promote or market the consumption of soft drinks to children in the age group examined in this study."

This is an outline of the article published in J Pediatr. Published online August 15, 2013

http://www.jpeds.com/webfiles/images/journals/ympd/JPEDSSuglia.pdf

BOTTOM LINE: IT IS ADVISABLE TO AVOID SODAS IN YOUNG CHILDREN, HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES BEING WATER. 

New Guidelines for Celiac disease Management

Celiac disease is an  immune disorder, associated with Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-DQ2 & DQ8 haplotypes. Clinical manifestations range from flatulence, persistent diarrhea, abdominal distention, faltering growth, short stature, unexplained anemia,delayed menarche,weakness,etc.
Such manifestations are seen due to gluten and associated prolamines in genetically susceptible individuals.
There are new set of guidelines laid down by British Society of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition in colloboration with Coeliac UK.
You can browse through the guidelines here.
                                                               In symptomatic patients:

In asymptomatic patients:

This article was published by Arch Dis Child. 2013;98(10):806-811. © 2013 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd & Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

Efficacy of Dimeticone vs Permethrin in ridding head lice

Head lice! Just the thought of it, gives you a sense of displeasure. The constant itch usually associated with Pediculosis isn't a pleasant sight either. There have been various treatment modalities to tackle these bugs. Treatment for these bugs have issues too, with insecticide resistance causing cure even more uncertain.
Most of the time, these pediculicides have to be combined to achieve efficacy.
According to a study conducted by Burgess et al, on UK populace ranging between 2-45 yrs, it was found that a single application of 4% Dimeticone liquid gel had better efficacy to 2 applications of Permethrin in eliminating head lice.
Bottom line: DIMETICONE IS MORE EFFICACIOUS THAN PERMETHRIN IN THE TREATMENT OF HEAD LICE.
This is an outline of the article published in The Journal of Pediatrics Volume 163, Issue 5 ,
 Pages 1528-1532, November 2013.