In an analysis of 12,764 child/mother pairs in the US, maternal depression and exposure to violence were associated with the use of smacking as a means of punishment.  Here. more…

A survey of paediatric cardiology services shows that there is significant variation across the UK.  Here. more…

In a questionaire study of 58 children and young people with Down’s syndrome, sleep problems were virtually ubiquitous.  Here.

A prospective study over 15 months of a telecardilogy service delivered to four district general hospitals in the UK describes the use of this service.  Here.

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Comparing a questionnaire with accelerometry measurements in 130 children aged 6 or 7 showed that the questionnaire significantly overestimated the level of activity, suggesting it is a poor tool to describe exercise levels.  Here.

In a series of children aged 8 to 12 who stuttered, bilingualism was more highly represented than in controls, and was associated with a lower chance of recovery.  Here.

In a series of 18 patients referred to a tertiary neurosurgical centre with non-accidental head injury, eight had subdural collections identified on MRI of the spine.  Here.

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In this systematic review of constipation therapy the authors can find no evidence that laxative is better than placebo, although PEG was associated with higher treatment success than other laxatives.  Here.

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In a randomised trial comparing two different bacterial nasal spray infusions with placebo in 60 children who had longstanding secretory otitis media, 7 of 19 given Streptococcus sanguinis had clinical improvement.  Here.

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In a randomised controlled trial of children with language delay at 2 years comparing a parental led intervention with watchful waiting for one year, the intervention group had a significant improvement after one year.  Here.