There is no new rigorous and scientifically valid evidence in the published literature that calls into question the 2008 decision by the World Health Organization to endorse the continued use of thimerosal as a safe preservative in multidose vaccines for children in the developing world.

In preparation for a treaty on environmental protection, the United... »

Warmer temperatures in the United States are leading to the earlier presence of mosquitoes and the potential for mosquito-borne illnesses.

There are a number of arboviral diseases that occur in the United States, including St. Louis and La Cross encephalitis. Since its emergence in 1999, clinicians in the United States have been familiar with West Nile... »

The 2011-2012 influenza season is late and likely to be light.

The season only officially began at the end of February, marked by the point at which the third consecutive weekly percent of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza surpassed 10%. This is the latest start to the U.S. flu season in 24 years. According to the Centers for Disease... »

Amidst the many changes surrounding the birth of a child, the family must make an important decision before leaving the hospital regarding the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine. Many infants still aren’t receiving it, and new data shed some light on why that may be.

The birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine (HBV) is recommended by both the American Academy of... »

Nine trends and a wish for New Year blessings for your family and friends!

• Rethinking clindamycin. Many experts have recommended clindamycin as the go-to antibiotic for stable children hospitalized with skin, soft tissue, or musculoskeletal infections, and for complicated community-acquired pneumonia (in the latter, usually in combination with a... »

Universal newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome is being adopted increasingly around the country.

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCIDS) is a syndrome caused by a spectrum of mutations in genes necessary for the normal development and function of T cells, and therefore B cells. Identification of newborns with these mutations... »

Fluoroquinolones continue to play a role in pediatrics, but providers should continue to restrict their use to specific clinical situations and after a careful risk/benefit discussion with parents.

As in the 2006 American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Report on use of systemic and topical fluoroquinolones, the use of parenteral fluoroquinolones is still... »