Symptomatic atlantoaxial instability in an adolescent with trisomy 21 (Down's syndrome).

Atlantoaxial instability (AAI) occurs in 15% of children with Trisomy 21. Health supervision guidelines were revised by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2011 to reflect advances in care for children with special health care needs (CSHCN). Previous guidelines recommended cervical spine radiological screenings in preschool years to evaluate for atlantoaxial instability.

Folate absorption in women with a history of neural tube defect-affected pregnancy.

Background: The risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) is significantly reduced by supplemental folic acid. NTD risk may be associated with impaired absorption of polyglutamyl folate, the primary form of naturally occurring food folate, and of folic acid in supplements or fortified food. Stable-isotope methods provide the specificity needed to test this hypothesis.

Discharging ventilator-dependent children: a continuing challenge.

Preparation of ventilator-dependent children, their families, the health care system, and communities for community-based care has presented many challenges over the past two decades. This article reviews some of the challenges that have been resolved by interdisciplinary discharge planning, discharge protocols, case management approaches, and collaborative care. Unresolved challenges continue to prevent children with special health care needs (CSHCN) from being served adequately by the health care system, the legal system and the community in this era of cost containment.

The team approach to pediatric asthma education.

An interdisciplinary pediatric pulmonary team of nurses, pharmacists, and social workers developed an asthma education program for presentation to children with asthma, ages 7-11, in a camp setting. Sound educational principles provide the foundation for this program, which includes a variety of teaching methods including puppet shows, games, crafts, and song. Informal evaluation methods of observation and feedback indicated that children's knowledge of asthma and asthma management increased.