Web Resources for Pharmacists
American Academy of Pediatrics
Although this site is designed for pediatricians, the information is useful for all health care professionals involved in the care of children. Here, visitors can access the latest statements and recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP); link to articles in Pediatrics and Hospital Pediatrics; and read the latest news on topics such as preparing children to go back to school, coping with natural disasters, car seat safety, and sports injuries. The Web site also has a section that includes articles, educational resources, and audio files devoted to pertinent issues such as ADHD, asthma, autism, breastfeeding, ear infections, obesity, secondhand smoke, and children’s use of social media.
Atopic Eczema
Although this medical reference from the University of Maryland Medical Center offers useful information on the causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, and treatment of atopic eczema, its most valuable offering are the photographs depicting conditions such as keratosis pilaris, atopy, dermatitis (on the arms, face, and legs), hyperlinearity in atopic dermatitis, and eczema. For those who want to be able to access this information on the go, the UMMS iPhone Medical Encyclopedia is available for download.
www.umm.edu/ency/article/000853.htm
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
This Web site from the National Institute of Mental Health covers a range of topics relating to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a common childhood disorder that can continue through adolescence and adulthood. Learn about the symptoms of ADHD, including its 3 subtypes—predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, predominantly inattentive, and combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive; possible causes for ADHD and how it is diagnosed; the medications used to treat ADHD and their side effects; use of psychotherapy; and coexisting conditions. Also available are tips for speaking with parents.
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/complete-index.shtml
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Visitors to this CDC Web site can access information about autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), a group of developmental disabilities that affect an average of 1 in 110 children in the United States. Included is a resource kit containing fact sheets on several developmental disabilities; a milestone checklist for parents, posters, and growth charts; and information on the screening and diagnostic tools used to determine the presence of an ASD. Also available are links to policy statements and guidelines from the AAP, the American Academy of Neurology, and the Child Neurology Society, along with facts about ASDs, treatment information, data and statistics, and research, articles.
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/hcp.html
DiabetesPro
At DiabetesPro—the American Diabetes Association’s site for professionals—visitors can access breaking news on diabetes treatment and research, read journal articles, listen to educational webcasts, learn about live programs and online activities that offer credit, and obtain information about meetings. This ADA site also offers information about clinical practice guidelines and research grants.
http://professional.diabetes.org
Fact Sheet: Pediatric GERD
More than 50% of children aged 3 months or younger experience at least 1 episode of regurgitation a day, and 10% of infants with gastroesophageal reflux develop significant complications. This resource from the American Academy of Otolarygology—Head and Neck Surgery explains the symptoms that are found in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); identifies the different methods used to diagnose GERD; and discusses treatment options for infants and older children.
www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/pediatricGERD.cfm
Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma
Visit this site to download the EPR 3 Guidelines on Asthma, which center on 4 “essential components” of asthma care: assessment and monitoring, patient education, control of factors contributing to asthma severity, and pharmacologic treatment. In the guidelines, the treatment of asthma is divided into 4 categories: general treatment, and treatment specified for children ages 0-4 years and 5-11 years, patients 12 years and older, and children with special situations.
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma
Immunization Action Coalition
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) is an organization that works in concert with the CDC “to increase immunization rates and prevent disease by creating and distributing educational materials for health professionals.” Among the resources offered here are links to recommendations and resources from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, AAP, CDC, FDA, World Health Organization, and state and local public health departments; an Ask the Experts section focused vaccine administration; and indexes of information broken down into specific disease type, including chickenpox, influenza, measles, mumps, pertussis, and tetanus.
