Diagnostic Accuracy of a Large Language Model in Pediatric Case Studies.

This diagnostic study evaluates the accuracy of a large language model against physician diagnoses in pediatric cases.

Health care provider support and factors associated with breastfeeding beyond infancy: A cross-national study.

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding beyond infancy (12 months) remains atypical in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, and the role of health care providers is unclear. The objective of this study was to compare women's perceptions of provider support and other factors affecting breastfeeding beyond infancy across countries, among women who had each successfully breastfed at least one child that long. METHODS: Women completed an online questionnaire distributed via La Leche League, USA (2013), about sources and ratings of support for breastfeeding for their oldest child who was breastfed at least 12 months and participant demographics. Multivariable log-binomial regression was used to compare ratings of health care provider support and the importance of 13 factors by country. RESULTS: Some similarities and many differences were observed across countries in support received from providers, whereas modest or no differences were observed in the importance women placed on factors like health benefits and enjoyment of breastfeeding. Of 59 581 women, less than half discussed their decision to breastfeed beyond infancy with their child's provider. United Kingdom women rated their comfort in discussing breastfeeding beyond 12 months with their providers and the support received as lower than United States women. Canadian women gave lower ratings than United States women, but inconsistently. Australian women rarely differed from United States women in their responses. Providers' recommendations were not important to the decision to breastfeed beyond infancy, especially for United Kingdom women. DISCUSSION: Rates of breastfeeding beyond infancy are low in these countries; improving provider support may help achieve global breastfeeding goals.

Characteristics of and Sources of Support for Women Who Breastfed Multiples for More than 12 Months.

Background and Objective: Although rates of breastfeeding initiation for multiples may be similar to those of singletons, breastfeeding duration falls short. Evidence-based interventions tailored to families with multiples may help reduce the gap; however, these do not yet exist and will require a stronger knowledge base about factors related to successful breastfeeding of multiples for long durations. To characterize mothers of multiples who breastfed for >12 months and identify support factors that were important. Materials and Methods: Mothers of multiples who breastfed for >12 months completed an online questionnaire about their breastfeeding experiences. Bivariate statistics and log-binomial regression were used to examine associations among maternal characteristics, influential factors, and sources of breastfeeding support. Results: This sample of 1,173 women commonly cited partner support, the nutritional/health benefits of breastfeeding, building a strong bond, and enjoyment of breastfeeding as important influences on their decision to breastfeed for >12 months. Younger women, women with less education, Hispanic or Latina women, and nonwhite women were more likely to indicate that cost was important in their decision to breastfeed for more than 12 months (all chi-square p < 0.02). Women with more children were less likely to discuss their decision with their friends or partner (e.g., women with 5+ versus 2 children, relative risk for partner = 0.65, 95% confidence interval: 0.52-0.81). Conclusion: Interventions to encourage long-term breastfeeding of multiples might consider promoting the cost, health, and relationship building benefits. Mobilizing a variety of supports-including partners and family-could help mothers of multiples sustain breastfeeding.

Pediatric Care Providers, Family, and Friends as Sources of Breastfeeding Support Beyond Infancy.

OBJECTIVE: To examine women's perceptions about support from pediatric primary care providers (PCPs), family, and friends for breastfeeding beyond 12 months, which is an increasing common practice. STUDY DESIGN: Women who breastfed at least one child beyond 12 months completed an online questionnaire distributed via La Leche League USA (2013). Questionnaire content focused on sources of support for breastfeeding beyond 12 months, support ratings, and participant characteristics. Bivariate statistics and multivariable log-binomial regression compared ratings of support across sources, by PCP sex, and with breastfeeding duration. RESULTS: Of 48,379 eligible U.S. women, about half discussed their decision to breastfeed beyond infancy with their child's PCP. In contrast, almost all (91.4%) did so with their spouse, partner, or significant other. Women were consistently more comfortable discussing their decision to breastfeed for more than a year with their family and closest friend than they were with their child's PCP (all p < 0.001). Three-fourths of PCPs were rated as supportive, but 11.1% were somewhat or very unsupportive. Female pediatricians received similar ratings as males (adjusted risk ratio = 1.01, 95% confidence interval: 1.00, 1.03). Thirty-eight percent of women who reported their PCP was unsupportive changed PCPs. CONCLUSION: Family and PCP support is likely to be important for the growing proportion of U.S. mother-child dyads who are breastfeeding beyond 12 months. Many, but not all, women rated their child's PCP as supportive, and lack of support was a reason women reported for changing PCPs. Evidence-based interventions in primary care to support breastfeeding beyond infancy are needed.

Comparison of Support for Breastfeeding Beyond 12 Months of Age from Conventional and Alternative Pediatric Primary Care Providers.

OBJECTIVE: Conventional medicine pediatric care providers (e.g., pediatricians) have been shown to be influential in women's decisions to initiate and sustain breastfeeding. Alternative pediatric care providers (e.g., naturopaths and chiropractors) may also provide breastfeeding support, but this has not been the subject of prior research. Our objective was to compare breastfeeding mothers' perceptions of support from these two provider types in a large sample of women who breastfed for more than 12 months. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 49,091 U.S. women through online questionnaire distributed through peer breastfeeding groups. We used log-binomial regression to compare those who used an alternative pediatric healthcare provider to care for their child to those who used a conventional provider on perceptions of support and key factors influencing the decision to breastfeed for more than 12 months. RESULTS: Those who used an alternative provider were more likely to discuss breastfeeding (Adj RR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.17-1.33), feel comfortable discussing breastfeeding (Adj RR = 1.17; 95% CI 1.15-1.19), and feel supported by the provider (Adj RR = 1.25; 95% CI 1.23-1.28). However, providers' recommendations were not important factors in these women's decision to breastfeed beyond 12 months of age. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers who used an alternative care provider as their child's primary source of healthcare rated the provider's breastfeeding support more favorable than those who used a conventional provider (usually a pediatrician). Improving breastfeeding support may be one way to retain families in conventional pediatric primary care, and thereby, ensure children receive comprehensive, evidence-based care.

Dietary Supplements and Young Teens: Misinformation and Access Provided by Retailers.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Despite the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations against pediatric use of creatine and testosterone boosters, research suggests that many young teenagers take these dietary supplements. Our objective was to determine to what extent health food stores would recommend and/or sell creatine and testosterone boosters to a 15-year-old boy customer. METHODS: Research personnel posing as 15-year-old high school athletes seeking to increase muscle strength contacted 244 health food stores in the United States via telephone. Researchers asked the sales attendant what supplements he/she would recommend. If a sales attendant did not mention creatine or testosterone boosters initially, each of these supplements was then specifically asked about. Supplement recommendations were recorded. Sales attendants were also asked if a 15-year-old could purchase these products on his own in the store. RESULTS: A total of 67.2% (164/244) of sales attendants recommended creatine: 38.5% (94/244) recommended creatine without prompting, and an additional 28.7% (70/244) recommended creatine after being asked specifically about it. A total of 9.8% (24/244) of sales attendants recommended a testosterone booster. Regarding availability for sale, 74.2% (181/244) of sales attendants stated a 15-year-old was allowed to purchase creatine, whereas 41.4% (101/244) stated one could purchase a testosterone booster. CONCLUSIONS: Health food store employees frequently recommend creatine and testosterone boosters for boy high school athletes. In response to these findings, pediatricians should inform their teenage patients, especially athletes, about safe, healthy methods to improve athletic performance and discourage them from using creatine or testosterone boosters. Retailers and state legislatures should also consider banning the sale of these products to minors.

Diagnostic Evaluation of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Clinician Compliance with Published Guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To assess to what extent child neurologists (CNs) and developmental-behavioral pediatricians (DBPs) order diagnostic tests that are not recommended/indicated and/or fail to order tests that are recommended/indicated when evaluating children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHOD: CNs and DBPs in the United States were asked which laboratory tests they would "routinely order" for a preschool child with ASD and IQ = 58 (ASD + Intellectual Disability (ID)), and a preschool child with ASD and IQ = 85 (ASD-ID). Chi-square tests were performed to identify differences (CNs vs DBPs) in laboratory testing. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 267 respondents (127 CN's; 140 DBPs). When evaluating ASD + ID or ASD - ID, inappropriate tests (≥1) were ordered by 76.8% and 76.4% of MDs, respectively. There was no significant difference between specialties in compliance with evaluation guidelines for ASD + ID (CN = 20.5% vs DBP = 16.4%; χ = 0.73). No significant differences were noted (DBP vs CN) regarding the percent ordering inappropriate tests for either clinical case or within each specialty when comparing testing for ASD + ID versus ASD - ID. Relative to DBPs, CNs were more likely to order EEGs and MRIs when evaluating children with ASD + ID or ASD - ID. 10% and 40% of respondents did not order any recommended genetic tests when evaluating ASD + ID and ASD - ID, respectively. CONCLUSION: When evaluating children with ASD, many CNs and DBPs fail to order tests that should be routinely performed and often order tests that are not routinely indicated yet are neither benign nor inexpensive. Recommended molecular genetic tests are often not ordered. Clinical guidelines must be updated and better promulgated.

Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Preschool-Age Children: Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists' Adherence to Clinical Practice Guidelines.

OBJECTIVES: To compare child and adolescent psychiatrists' (CAPs) practices in the treatment of preschool children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (P-ADHD) with published guidelines, and to determine which clinical factors most influence physicians' decisions to initiate pharmacotherapy for P-ADHD. METHODS: We developed and mailed the Preschool ADHD Treatment Questionnaire (PATQ) to a randomly selected national sample of ∼2200 CAPs trained in the management of ADHD. The PATQ asked CAPs about their approach to clinical management of children ages 4-5 years with ADHD-specifically, how often they recommend parent training in behavior management, medication as a first- or second-line treatment, and which medication they typically choose first. CAPs also rated the perceived importance of 19 different clinical factors in their decision to initiate pharmacotherapy. These 19 factors reflected five child-centered areas of concern: ADHD risk factors, education concerns, social issues (SI), emotional stress, and physical safety (PS). The physicians were asked to rate each factor on a 4-point Likert scale from "not important" to "very important." RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 339 board-certified CAPs. When adherence to the Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) guidelines was defined as initial treatment with behavior management (not medication) and pharmacotherapy specifically with methylphenidate as second-line treatment, only 7.4% of CAPs followed clinical guidelines. Most physicians identified PS as an important or very important factor when initiating pharmacotherapy for P-ADHD (93.4%), followed by educational concerns (EC) (79.9%), emotional stress (69.6%), SI (52.8%), and the presence of risk factors for ADHD (32.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The overwhelming majority of CAPs do not follow current AACAP guidelines for treatment of P-ADHD, especially regarding medication initiation and selection. When deciding whether to prescribe medication for P-ADHD, safety and EC were the most important and historical risk factors for ADHD were the least important clinical factors.

Autism spectrum disorders: a pediatric overview and update.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide an updated overview of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), with particular attention to the pediatrician's role in assessing and managing patients with ASDs. RECENT FINDINGS: Clinical perspectives on ASDs continue to evolve. The prevalence of ASDs in the United States continues to rise, and pediatricians are being tasked with the responsibility for universal screening. Further changes in its epidemiology will undoubtedly result from anticipated changes in the diagnostic criteria put forth in the upcoming revision to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (5th edition). Although there have been considerable advances in identifying a genetic cause in many more cases, the cause remains elusive in most cases. Recent studies of concordant twins suggest there is a stronger environmental component than previously believed. Research suggests earlier diagnosis may be feasible in some cases, and a new treatment approach has been shown to be effective in very young children. Although there have not been any large-scale advances in the medical treatment, some isolated successes have been reported and other promising therapies are now being investigated. SUMMARY: Clinical guidelines for ASDs are evolving, with updated diagnostic criteria expected and revised recommendations for evaluation also imminent. This article provides pediatricians with a clinical overview of ASD - with an emphasis on the clinical considerations relating to screening, evaluation, and management.