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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
[Current progress in pediatrics: obesity and diagnosis approach to the febrile child]
1Département médico-chirurgical de pédiatrie, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne.
Insights
Obesity is a growing public health concern, particularly in pediatrics. Rapid diagnostic tests for infections and vaccines like the pneumococcal vaccine are crucial for improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare burdens.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Context:
- Obesity presents a significant public health challenge, especially for pediatricians.
- Current laboratory tests for severe infections have limitations.
- The threat of an influenza pandemic necessitates rapid diagnostic capabilities.
Purpose:
- To highlight the importance of rapid virologic tests in diagnosing infections.
- To discuss the impact of the heptavalent pneumococcal vaccine on pediatric care.
- To underscore the challenges and approaches in managing pediatric obesity.
Summary:
- Rapid virologic tests offer improved accuracy in diagnosing infections, potentially reducing hospitalizations and antibiotic use.
- The heptavalent pneumococcal vaccine is poised to alter the management of febrile infants with suspected severe infections.
- While prevention is key for pediatric obesity, treatment options are limited to extreme cases.
Impact:
- Enhanced diagnostic tools can lead to more targeted treatments and reduced antimicrobial resistance.
- Vaccination strategies, like the pneumococcal vaccine, can significantly impact infant healthcare.
- Addressing pediatric obesity requires a multi-faceted public health approach focusing on prevention.
Abstract:
The literature shows that obesity is a public health problem concerning especially the general paediatrician. While prevention has probably more chances of success than treatment, drugs or, in case of failure, the surgical approach are reserved for extreme cases. In the domain of infectiology the different laboratory tests allow only partially to diagnose severe infections. But in the context of a potential influenza pandemic rapid virologic tests become more and more important. They allow a more precise diagnosis and a reduction of hospitalisations and of antibiotic prescriptions. A review of the north American experience with the pneumococal vaccine shows that the heptavalent vaccine will change our approach in infants with fever in whom we suspect a severe infection.
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