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RECENT RESEARCH AND LINKS
Disclaimer:  These pages are not intended to provide medical advice or physician/therapist instruction.  
Information provided should not be used for diagnostic or training purposes.  Consult a therapist or
physician regarding specific diagnoses or medical advice.
Age of Onset of Peanut Allergies
Pediatrics reports that the age of the first initial reaction to peanuts has dropped from 24 months to 18
months of age over the past 10 years.  The researchers report that this may be due to earlier exposure to
peanuts.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children wait until 3 years old to introduce
peanuts if there is a family history of peanut allergy.  This study also indicated that egg and sesame
allergies are common in children who are allergic to peanuts.

Reference:  Todd D. Green, Virginia S. LaBelle, Pamela H. Steele, Edwin H. Kim, Laurie A. Lee, Vaishali S.
Mankad, Larry W. Williams, Kevin J. Anstrom, and A. Wesley Burks.  Clinical Characteristics of
Peanut-Allergic Children: Recent Changes.  Pediatrics, Dec 2007; 120: 1304 - 1310
JANUARY 2008 RECENT RESEARCH:
Newborns with Seizures and Neurological Outcome
Neurology reports that newborns who experience status epilepticus (continous seizure activity for more
than 30 minutes or recurrent seizures for more than 30 minutes) are at high risk for severe neurological
disability and postneonatal epilepsy when assessed at 24 months of age.  

Reference:  Pisani, Francesco, Cerminara, Caterina, Fusco, Carlo, Sisti, Lisa Neonatal status epilepticus
vs recurrent neonatal seizures: Clinical findings and outcome. Neurology 2007 69: 2177-2185
Autism and Fever
Pediatrics reports that children with autism exhibit fewer behaviors during a fever.  The research indicated
that irritability, hyperactivity, stereotypy (repetitive movements) and inappropriate speech decreased when
the children were febrile (body temperature 38.0°C/100.4°F).   More research is needed to determine
whether the decreased behaviors were a result of being sick or some underlying biological issue.

Reference:  Curran, Laura K., Newschaffer, Craig J., Lee, Li-Ching, Crawford, Stephen O., Johnston,
Michael V., Zimmerman, Andrew W. Behaviors Associated With Fever in Children With Autism Spectrum
Disorders Pediatrics 2007 120: e1386-e1392.
Positioning and Reflux in Preterm Infants
Recent research states that placing premature infants in prone or in left lateral position is a simple way to
limit reflux after eating.                            

Reference:  Corvaglia, L, Rotatori, R, Ferlini, M. Aceti, A., Ancora, G and Faldella, G. The Effect of Body
Positioning on Gastroesophageal Reflux in Premature Infants: Evaluation by Combined Impedance and
pH Monitoring.  Journal of Pediatrics 2007 151(6):591-596.e1
Developmental Outcomes for Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants with Major Congenital Anomalies  
Pediatrics reports that extremely low birth weight infants with major congenital anomalies have nearly twice
the risk for neurological problems and increased risk of poor growth when assessed at the corrected age
of 18-22 months when compared to extremely low birth weight infants without congenital anomalies.  The
researchers found increased rates of moderate to sever cerebral palsy and scores at <70 on Bayley Mental
Development Index in this population of children.                        

Reference:  Walden, Rachel V., Taylor, Sarah C., Hansen, Nellie I., Poole, W. Kenneth, Stoll, Barbara J.,
Abuelo, Dianne, Vohr, Betty R., for the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal
Research Network.  Major Congenital Anomalies Place Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants at Higher Risk
for Poor Growth and Developmental Outcomes.  Pediatrics 2007 120: e1512-e1519.
Increased Activity with Balls and Hoops
In a recent study, researchers studied the amount of physical activity for children at child care centers.  It
was reported that children who attend childcare centers have more moderate to vigorous physical activity
per day if the centers utilized portable play equipment such as playground balls, hula hoops and jump
ropes.  In addition, centers who offered more indoor and outdoor play and had trained staff in physical
activities resulted in more moderate to vigorous physical activity levels for children.  Stationary equipment
such as climbers and swings were associated with lower levels of physical activity intensity.

Reference:  Retrieved Kids More Active When Playground Has Balls, Jump Ropes, UNC Study Shows from
the web at   http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/91433.php on December 12, 2007.
Leg Pain and Foot Structure
Researchers in Australia, found no connection between foot structures (navicular height), functional health
and growing pains.  

Reference: Evans, A., Scutter, S. (2007)  Are foot posture and functional health different in children with
growing pains?  Pediatrics International, Volume 49, Number 6, December 2007 , pp. 991-996(6).
ADHD and Iron Supplements
Pediatric Neurology reports that iron supplements (80mg/day) appeared to improve ADHD symptoms in
children who had low iron levels in blood.  This was a small study with 18 children in the treatment group
and 5 in the placebo group.  Larger studies are recommended.  

Reference:  Konofal, E., Lecendreux, M., Deron, J., et. al. (2007) Effects of Iron Supplementation on
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children.  Pediatric Neurology 38 (1):20-26.
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