The Link - March 2024
Our March issue features the latest news and updates on pediatric care from Children's Mercy clinicians.
Identifying and Treating Adolescent Depression: Evidence Based Strategies
From assessing development to providing anticipatory guidance, many tasks need to be completed during the adolescent well-child visit. However, one aspect that should always be emphasized is the screening and treatment of adolescent major depressive disorder (MDD).
The prevalence among adolescents of MDD in the past year increased from 8.1% to 15% between 2009 and 2019. Unfortunately, data show that only 50% of adolescents with depression are diagnosed prior to adulthood. Specifically, in primary care, 2 of 3 teenagers with depression are not identified by their primary care provider and, therefore, do not receive treatment.
Lawn Mower Injuries: Outbreaks, Alerts & Hot Topics
Right now, it is early March. Warm weather (for at least a few days!) and greening lawns suggest that this is a good time to discuss lawn mower-related injuries. A review of some of the literature does in fact suggest that this is the perfect time: these types of injuries in the United States appear to rise in April, peak in May, and then gradually decline through the summer until lawns stop growing (or slow down if you live far enough south) come fall.
In Our Healing Era: Supporting and Healing Together in a Time of Trauma: Bioethics
On Valentine’s Day this year our city experienced a familiar gun violence episode seen all too often throughout our country. While individual gun deaths and injury are unfortunately common in our metro area, the recent shooting resulted in a single event that left one person dead and 21 injured – with the entirety of the emotional trauma sequelae remaining to be seen. As health care professionals working with children and families, how can bioethics guide our response and contribute to a healthy and resilient community? How do we ensure that we are appropriately attending to the pain and confusion of others while caring for ourselves?
Vaccine Update: ACIP Recommends Primary Polio Series for All Adults
Polio had been eliminated in the United States in 1979, yet the recent paralytic polio case that occurred in New York in 2022, is a reminder that if polio is not eradicated globally, and anyone that is unvaccinated will continue to be at risk.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recently updated their recommendation for adult Polio Vaccination. The new recommendation is that all adults unvaccinated against polio or with an incomplete or unknown polio vaccination status, complete a primary polio vaccination series with inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). Additionally, adults who are at increased risk for poliovirus exposure can receive a single lifetime booster dose of IPV. Prior recommendation was that only adults at increased risk for poliovirus receive additional polio vaccination.
Talking about Gender: State of the Art Pediatrics
As our understanding of gender rapidly evolves, primary care providers need to be up to date on the latest terminology, evidence and practice guidelines. Recent studies show that more and more patients are experiencing their gender in a different way than do their peers.
The words we use to discuss gender continue to evolve. Using the most up-to-date terminology reduces stigma and can help patients feel more comfortable discussing gender concerns. A patient’s ability to be open about their gender identity could have a profound impact on their mental health. The following definitions are taken from WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) Standard of Care guidelines.