Recommendations on Complementary Food Introduction Among Pediatric Practitioners.

Importance: The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend waiting 3 to 5 days between the introduction of new complementary foods (solid foods introduced to infants <12 months of age), yet with advances in the understanding of infant food diversity, the guidance that pediatric practitioners are providing to parents is unclear. Objective: To characterize pediatric practitioner recommendations regarding complementary food introduction and waiting periods between introducing new foods. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this survey study, a 23-item electronic survey on complementary food introduction among infants was administered to pediatric health care professionals from February 1 to April 30, 2019. Responses were described among the total sample and compared among subgroups. Survey invitations were emailed to 2215 members of the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the national American Academy of Pediatrics' Council on Early Childhood. Participants were required to be primary medical practitioners, such as physicians, resident physicians, or nurse practitioners, providing pediatric care to infants 12 months or younger. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcome measures were recommendations on age of complementary food introduction and waiting periods between the introduction of new foods. Categorical survey items were reported as numbers (percentages) and 95% CIs. Means (SDs) were used to describe continuous survey items. Results: The survey was sent to 2215 practitioners and completed by 604 (response rate, 27.3%). Of these respondents, 41 were excluded because they did not provide care for infants or pediatric patients. The final analyses included responses from 563 surveys. Of these, 454 pediatricians (80.6%), 85 resident physicians (15.1%), and 20 nurse practitioners (3.6%) completed the survey. Only 217 practitioners (38.6%; 95% CI, 34.1%-44.6%) recommended waiting 3 days or longer between food introduction; 259 practitioners (66.3%; 95% CI, 61.4%-70.8%) recommended waiting that amount of time for infants at risk for food allergy development (P = .02). A total of 264 practitioners (46.9%; 95% CI, 42.8%-51.0%) recommended infant cereal as the first food, and 226 practitioners (40.1%; 95% CI, 36.1%-44.2%) did not recommend a specific order. A total of 268 practitioners (47.6%; 95% CI, 43.5%-51.7%) recommended food introduction at 6 months for exclusively breastfed (EBF) infants, and 193 (34.3%; 95% CI, 30.5%-38.3%) recommended food introduction at 6 months for non-EBF infants (P < .001); 179 practitioners (31.8%; 95% CI, 28.1%-35.8%) recommended food introduction at 4 months for EBF infants, and 239 practitioners (42.5%; 95% CI, 38.4%-46.6%) recommended food introduction at 4 months for non-EBF infants (P < .001). A need for additional training on complementary food introduction was reported by 310 practitioners (55.1%; 95% CI, 50.9%-59.1%). Conclusions and Relevance: In this survey study, most pediatric practitioners did not counsel families to wait 3 days or longer between introducing foods unless infants were at risk for food allergy development. The findings suggest that the current recommendation limits infant food diversity and may delay early peanut introduction. Because the approach to food allergy prevention has changed, a reevaluation of published feeding guidelines may be necessary.

General Pediatricians' Performance of Accreditation Agency's Recommended Procedures: A Complementary Analysis Using Administrative Data and the Knowledge Translation Model.

INTRODUCTION: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education provided guidelines, in 2013, regarding 13 clinical procedures pediatric residents should learn. Previous studies show that, when asked, general pediatricians (GPeds) self-report performing these procedures infrequently. When examined using the knowledge translation model, this low procedural performance frequency, especially by GPeds, may indicate a problem within the primary care landscape. METHODS: This was a descriptive study using the Partners For Kids, an accountable care organization, database to obtain how frequently each of the procedures was performed for a geographically representative sample of GPeds in central Ohio. RESULTS: A total of 296 physicians participated in Partners For Kids. Nearly one-third practiced for more than 15 years (n = 83, 28%) and one-third also lived in a rural region (n = 78, 26.4%). The most commonly billed procedure was administering immunizations (n = 79,292, 92.3%); the least was peripheral intravenous catheter placement (n = 2, 0.002%). Most procedures were completed in the office-based setting. DISCUSSION: General pediatricians in central Ohio do not frequently perform the 13 recommended procedures of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Evaluation of this problem using the knowledge translation model shows that potential barriers could be inadequate training during or after residency or more likely that these procedures are not necessary in GPeds' current scope of practice. The next step should be to see, from the practitioner's perspective, what procedures are important to their daily practice. Adapting this knowledge to the local context will help target continuing medical education/continuing professional development interventions.

Complementary feeding practices in Mexican healthy infants: How close are they to the current guidelines? / Prácticas de alimentación complementaria en lactantes sanos en México: ¿qué tan apegadas se encuentran al consenso actual?

Abstract Background: The foundations for the growth and optimal development of every human being are laid in the first 2 years of life. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) up to 6 months of age and the introduction of complementary feeding (CF) from this age are considered the preventive interventions with the most significant impact on a child's life. The objective of this study was to determine if pediatricians base their recommendations by following the Guidelines for CF in Healthy Infants (GCFHI) and if mothers have any awareness and knowledge of these recommendations. Methods: Surveys based on the GCFHI were conducted in a group of mothers (n = 377) and pediatricians (n = 104) living in Mexico. Results: Not all pediatricians recommended the EBF, and 76% recommended infant formula before 6 months of age. Regarding mothers, 76.9% practiced the EBF for the first 6 months. Vegetables were the leading starting food of CF suggested by pediatricians and mothers (87% and 91%, respectively), contrasting with food sources of iron (44%), which are the foods of choice according to the GCFHI. The practices performed by the mothers were statistically different from the recommendations of the pediatricians. Conclusions: The results reflect a lack of updating regarding CF. It is imperative to reinforce efforts to maintain the EBF for 6 months and to continue it together with the CF, as well as to promote the beginning of CF based on macro- and micro-nutrients.

Resumen Introducción: En los primeros dos años de vida se crean las bases para el crecimiento y desarrollo óptimo de todo ser humano. La lactancia materna exclusiva (LME) hasta los 6 meses de edad y la introducción de alimentación complementaria (AC) a partir de esta edad están consideradas como las intervenciones preventivas de mayor impacto en la vida de un niño. El presente trabajo evalúa en qué medida los pediatras basan sus recomendaciones en el Consenso para las prácticas de alimentación complementaria en lactantes sanos (CALCS) y si las madres están familiarizadas con estas recomendaciones. Métodos: Se realizaron encuestas para madres (n = 377) y pediatras (n = 104) residentes en México basadas en el CALCS. Resultados: Se detectó que no todos los pediatras recomendaron la LME, y el 76% la complementa con sucedáneos de la leche materna antes de los 6 meses. El 76.9% de las madres practicaron la LME por 6 meses. Las verduras fueron el principal alimento de inicio de AC sugerido por pediatras y madres (87% y 91%, respectivamente), lo que contrasta con alimentos fuente de hierro (44%) que según el CALCS son los alimentos de elección. Las prácticas de las madres tuvieron diferencias significativas con las recomendaciones de los pediatras. Conclusiones: Hay una falta de formación y actualización en esta materia. Es imperativo reforzar los esfuerzos para mantener la LME por 6 meses y continuarla junto con la AC, así como promover el inicio de la AC con base en los macro y micronutrientes.

Complementary feeding practices in Mexican healthy infants: How close are they to the current guidelines?

Background: The foundations for the growth and optimal development of every human being are laid in the first 2 years of life. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) up to 6 months of age and the introduction of complementary feeding (CF) from this age are considered the preventive interventions with the most significant impact on a child's life. The objective of this study was to determine if pediatricians base their recommendations by following the Guidelines for CF in Healthy Infants (GCFHI) and if mothers have any awareness and knowledge of these recommendations. Methods: Surveys based on the GCFHI were conducted in a group of mothers (n = 377) and pediatricians (n = 104) living in Mexico. Results: Not all pediatricians recommended the EBF, and 76% recommended infant formula before 6 months of age. Regarding mothers, 76.9% practiced the EBF for the first 6 months. Vegetables were the leading starting food of CF suggested by pediatricians and mothers (87% and 91%, respectively), contrasting with food sources of iron (44%), which are the foods of choice according to the GCFHI. The practices performed by the mothers were statistically different from the recommendations of the pediatricians. Conclusions: The results reflect a lack of updating regarding CF. It is imperative to reinforce efforts to maintain the EBF for 6 months and to continue it together with the CF, as well as to promote the beginning of CF based on macro- and micro-nutrients.

Introducción: En los primeros dos años de vida se crean las bases para el crecimiento y desarrollo óptimo de todo ser humano. La lactancia materna exclusiva (LME) hasta los 6 meses de edad y la introducción de alimentación complementaria (AC) a partir de esta edad están consideradas como las intervenciones preventivas de mayor impacto en la vida de un niño. El presente trabajo evalúa en qué medida los pediatras basan sus recomendaciones en el Consenso para las prácticas de alimentación complementaria en lactantes sanos (CALCS) y si las madres están familiarizadas con estas recomendaciones. Métodos: Se realizaron encuestas para madres (n = 377) y pediatras (n = 104) residentes en México basadas en el CALCS. Resultados: : Se detectó que no todos los pediatras recomendaron la LME, y el 76% la complementa con sucedáneos de la leche materna antes de los 6 meses. El 76.9% de las madres practicaron la LME por 6 meses. Las verduras fueron el principal alimento de inicio de AC sugerido por pediatras y madres (87% y 91%, respectivamente), lo que contrasta con alimentos fuente de hierro (44%) que según el CALCS son los alimentos de elección. Las prácticas de las madres tuvieron diferencias significativas con las recomendaciones de los pediatras. Conclusiones: Hay una falta de formación y actualización en esta materia. Es imperativo reforzar los esfuerzos para mantener la LME por 6 meses y continuarla junto con la AC, así como promover el inicio de la AC con base en los macro y micronutrientes.

Prescription of vitamin D among Swiss pediatricians.

The traditional recommendation that Swiss children receive vitamin D during the first year of life was recently extended to the second and third year of life and during winter for older children. The aim of the study was to identify how Swiss pediatricians prescribe vitamin D. Between December 2016 and March 2017, 795 (52%) of 1530 invited Swiss board-certified pediatricians answered a closed-ended questionnaire. Respondents routinely prescribe vitamin D supplements in infants ≤ 1 year of age, but infrequently in children ≥ 3 years of age. Only a minority of them prescribe vitamin D in children with conditions that predispose to poor vitamin D status. Oily vitamin D preparations are the most popular and are usually prescribed in a once-a-day regimen. In situations like intake of drugs interfering with vitamin D metabolism, intestinal malabsorption, and diabetes mellitus, Swiss pediatricians often seek the advice of a subspecialist. In cases with clinical suspicion of poor vitamin D status, the diagnosis is confirmed by the determination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D.Conclusion: Few pediatricians prescribe a vitamin D supplementation in children ≥ 3 years of age. Collaboration between policymakers and health care professionals is required to fill the gap between guidelines and clinical practice. What is Known: • In Switzerland, vitamin D supplementation is recommended during the first, second, and third year of life as well as during winter for older children. • Both alcoholic and oily preparations are currently available. What is New: • Swiss pediatricians routinely prescribe vitamin D in infants ≤ 1 year of age, but infrequently in children ≥ 3 years of age. • Oily vitamin D preparations are the most popular and are usually prescribed in a once-a-day regimen.

Complementary and integrative medicine attitudes and perceived knowledge in a large pediatric residency program.

OBJECTIVE: There is limited formal complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)/integrative medicine (IM) training in most US pediatric residency programs. Not surprisingly, the AAP Fellows survey #49 demonstrated that pediatricians in residency training and those younger than 42 years old reported less knowledge of CAM than their counterparts. The purpose of this study was to assess pediatric residents' attitudes toward CAM and IM, personal use of CAM, perceived knowledge gaps, and preferred methods of delivery for IM education in a large pediatric residency program. METHODS: A 20-question anonymous, voluntary electronic survey was sent to all categorical and combined program pediatric residents at a pediatric residency program in Texas. RESULTS: Eighty of 177 pediatric residents completed the survey. Eighty-three percent of respondents reported that patients have asked them about complementary and integrative medicine, and 88% reported that they would like to expand their knowledge on CAM/IM. Lack of knowledge was the top barrier to residents' incorporation of complementary and integrative medicine into their practice. Preferred methods of education delivery were reported as exposure to complementary and integrative medicine providers and noon conference lectures. CONCLUSIONS: Residents in this large pediatric residency program recognize their knowledge gaps and wish to improve their understanding of complementary and integrative medicine. A formal IM curriculum could bridge knowledge gaps and help residents feel more comfortable discussing IM with patients and their families.

Provider Perspectives on Use of Medical Marijuana in Children With Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Although medical marijuana (MM) may have utility in the supportive care of children with serious illness, it remains controversial. We investigated interdisciplinary provider perspectives on legal MM use in children with cancer. METHODS: We sent a 32-item, cross-sectional survey to 654 pediatric oncology providers in Illinois, Massachusetts, and Washington characterizing MM practices, knowledge, attitudes, and barriers. Forty-eight percent responded; 44% (n = 288) were included in analyses. Providers were stratified by status as legally eligible to certify (ETC) for MM. We used Fisher's exact and Wilcoxon rank tests and univariate and multivariate logistic regression models for group comparisons. RESULTS: The provider median age was 35 years (range 22-70 years); 33% were ETC (83 physicians; 13 Washington state advance practice providers). Thirty percent of providers received ≥1 request for MM in the previous month. Notably, only 5% of all providers knew state-specific regulations. ETC providers were more likely to know that MM is against federal laws (P < .0001). Whereas most providers (92%) reported willingness to help children with cancer access MM, in adjusted models, ETC providers were less likely to indicate approval of patient MM use by smoking, oral formulations, as cancer-directed therapy, or to manage symptoms (P < .005 for all). Forty-six percent of all providers cited the absence of standards around formulations, potency, or dosing to be the greatest barrier to recommending MM. CONCLUSIONS: Most pediatric oncology providers are willing to consider MM use in children with cancer and receive frequent inquiries. However, ETC providers endorse less favorable attitudes overall. The absence of standards is an important barrier to recommending MM.

Factors Associated With Pediatrician Responses to Alternative Immunization Schedule Requests.

We conducted a cross-sectional online survey among 4 chapters of the American Academy of Pediatrics from July through October 2014 to describe characteristics of pediatricians and practices associated with practice-level responses to alternative immunization schedule requests. Among 374 pediatricians, 58% reported frequent alternative immunization schedule requests and 24% reported feeling comfortable using them. Pediatricians who work in practices that accommodate alternative immunization schedule requests have increased odds of having a high frequency of alternative immunization schedule requests, and beliefs that relationships with families would be negatively affected if they refused requests. Practices that discontinue care to families who request alternative immunization schedules have increased odds of being a private group practice and having a formal office vaccine policy. Pediatricians are frequently asked to use alternative immunization schedules and many are not comfortable using them. Practice-level responses to alternative immunization schedules are associated with characteristics of pediatricians and practices.

Symptoms associated with teething and response to three treatments, including homeopathic medicine: a multicenter prospective observational study among 190 French pediatricians.

BACKGROUND: Primary tooth eruption in infants is associated with a range of local and systemic symptoms although this remains a subject of much debate. In addition, data are limited on the role of physicians in managing infant teething, and on the benefit of homeopathic treatments. METHODS: We conducted an observational, multicenter, prospective survey evaluating teething symptoms, and symptom course following routine medical management by French pediatricians in 597 infants aged from 3 to 24 months. We also examined the response to treatment with routinely prescribed teething medications; the homeopathic agent, Camilia® and topically applied gingival agents (Delabarre® or Dolodent®). RESULTS: Most infants (96.6%) had buccogingival symptoms and 93.3% had at least one general symptom. Fever (≥38 °C) was reported in 15.2% of infants. For teething, 212 infants were prescribed Camilia®, 172 a gingival solution (Delabarre® or Dolodent®) and 213 received Camilia® along with a gingival agent. Infants prescribed both a homeopathic and a gingival treatment had a significantly higher number of symptoms at presentation compared with those prescribed a single agent. There were no significant differences in symptom course across these three treatment groups. Systemic analgesics/antipyretics were prescribed in 68.8% of cases. Parent satisfaction with medical management and prescribed treatments was high. CONCLUSIONS: Teething is frequently associated with transient local and systemic upset in infants and is a significant concern to parents. Camilia® provides a similar benefit to topical therapy, and is frequently used by pediatricians in France.

How should we give vitamin D supplementation? evaluation of the pediatricians' knowledge in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine the knowledge and attitudes of Turkish pediatricians concerning vitamin D supplement. METHODS: The study was planned cross-sectional to be carried out between April-May 2015 in Turkey. A questionnaire form that determined the participants' opinions and practices concerning vitamin D supplement was completed via face-to-face interview. RESULTS: A total of 107 pediatricians (49.3%) and 110 pediatric residents (50.7%) participated in the study. Of the physicians, 85.2% recommended vitamin D supplement for all infants and children regardless of diet, 13.4% recommended for the infants which are solely breastfed. Vitamin D supplement is recommended at a dose of 400 IU/day by 88.8% of pediatricians and by 90% of pediatric residents. Of the pediatricians and pediatric residents, 72% and 68.2%, respectively commence vitamin D supplement when the newborn is 15 days old. The rates of recommending vitamin D supplement until the age of one and two years were higher among pediatricians (48.6% and 41.1%, respectively) than pediatric residents (40.9% and 32.7%, respectively). The rate of starting vitamin D supplement for fontanelle closure was significantly higher among pediatric residents (15.5%) than pediatricians (3.7%) (p = 0.002). It was determined that the rate of prescribing vitamin D supplement until fontanelle closure was higher among pediatric residents (18.2%) than pediatricians (0.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggest that the knowledge of pediatricians about recommendation of vitamin D needs to be enhanced by education programs in addition to free vitamin D supplement provided by the Ministry of Health.

Attitudes of Pediatricians Regarding Prevention and Treatment of Vitamin D Deficiency.

To determine the adherence of pediatricians to the nationwide 'Vitamin D Prophylaxis Program' and to evaluate their attitudes about vitamin D intake. The study was conducted using the Turkish National Pediatrics Association network. The pediatricians were asked to respond to an online questionnaire that included five questions on 'What dose of vitamin D they recommend for supplementation?', 'At what age they start vitamin D supplementation?', 'Supplementation method', 'Clichés and truths about vitamin D', and 'High-dose vitamin D therapy indications'. Responses of 167 pediatricians were evaluated in this study. 75.5% of pediatricians indicated that they recommended vitamin D supplementation in a daily dose of 400 IU. 47.1% started vitamin D supplementation by the end of the 2nd week. 7.83% of pediatricians suggested doubling the daily dose of vitamin D supplementation in infants with delayed tooth eruption, 19.9% suggested immediate cessation of vitamin D supplementation in infants with small anterior fontanels. This study showed that the majority of the pediatricians still prescribe vitamin D prophylaxis late, recommend high doses of vitamin D in cases of delayed tooth eruption, and think that low serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level regardless of alkaline or phosphatase parathyroid hormone measurement is an indication for high-dose vitamin D (stoss) therapy. These results suggest a need for new training programs focusing on vitamin D supplementation.