The Child's Doctor articles
The Child's Doctor, Journal of Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago
The Child's Doctor is published by Children's Memorial Hospital twice a year for community-based physicians. The journal offers continuing medical education (CME) through articles authored by Children's Memorial's physicians. It also includes news articles on research at Children's Memorial. Read the latest issue of The Child's Doctor here.
Articles on topics in pediatric allergies:
Food Allergies in Children by Ruchi S. Gupta, MD, MPH Published Spring 2010
With food allergies on the rise, primary care pediatricians increasingly are faced with the challenges of recognition and care of children with this life-threatening condition. Since diagnostic testing for food allergies can be confusing, families would benefit from a clear explanation from their pediatrician about what to expect and what the results mean for their children. After food allergens are identified, avoidance of these allergens and prompt response to the signs of accidental exposure are the only means to defend against the potentially fatal food-induced anaphylaxis. By providing critical guidance on preventing exposure and the correct use of epinephrine, pediatricians play a key role in helping families effectively protect children with food allergies.
Children's Memorial Food Allergy Study: Addressing major questions about food allergies in children by Xiaobin Wang, MD, MPH, ScD and Jacqueline A. Pongracic, MD Published Fall/Winter 2009
We launched the ongoing Children's Memorial Food Allergy Study in 2005 to discover the causes of food allergy by studying 3 different populations enrolled in Chicago, Boston and China. Data gathered from these populations already have resulted in important discoveries about the development of allergy and related conditions. We review our major findings to-date that are beginning to shed light on some of the most salient questions about food allergy in children.
Controlling Childhood Asthma: Applying the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Guidelines by Rachel E. Story, MD, MPH Published Fall/Winter 2009
Asthma is a serious health problem for children in the United States. It is among the most common chronic diseases of childhood. In 2006, 5.6 million children had asthma and 3.1 million had an attack within the previous year. Many children have uncontrolled asthma leading to missed school, emergency room (ER) visits, hospital admissions and death. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) National Asthma Education and Prevention Program developed guidelines to assist clinicians in the assessment and treatment of asthma.
Allergy Shots: Who, What, Where, Why, and How? by Jennifer Kim, MD Published Spring 2008
Immunotherapy (IT) has has been proven to be clinically effective for the management of allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, and stinging insect hypersensitivity. Benefits typically persist after an appropriate length of therapy. In addition, aeroallergen IT may prevent asthma from developing in individuals with allergic rhinitis, particularly in children. There are limited data indicating that IT can be effective for atopic dermatitis when associated with aeroallergen sensitivity. However, IT is not indicated for food hypersensitivity or chronic urticaria.
Research News: Children's Asthma Differs by Neighborhood in Chicago by Vita Lerman Published Spring 2008
Urban neighborhoods, even when they are next to each other, can have drastically different rates of childhood asthma prevalence. This unexpected finding was documented for the first time in a study led by Children's Memorial's Ruchi S. Gupta, MD, MPH, published in the March 2008 issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Wheezing in Infants and Preschool Children by Jennifer Kim, MD Published Spring 2005
Wheezing in infants and young children is a common problem that pediatricians face, and it presents specific diagnostic difficulties. The prevalence may be as high as 34%,which is likely due to the pathophysiologic properties that predispose infantile lungs to wheeze. Wheezing specific to this age group is most commonly due to respiratory viruses and early asthma, which may be difficult to distinguish initially, complicating management. The following discussion will focus on the epidemiology of wheezing in this age group, the distinction between typical and atypical wheezing, and review of the diagnosis and management of asthma in the preschool-aged child.
Ask the Experts: Food Allergies in Infants by Jacqueline Pongracic, MD Published Fall 2004
What symptoms may signal food allergies in infants and which tests should be performed?
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