Leading experts in child health from the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) and Albert Einstein College of Medicine will present data from almost 70 studies across the field of pediatric academic medicine, exploring topics including autism, asthma and reproductive health at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS). This year’s conference, which represents the largest international meeting focused on original research in children’s health, will take place April 30 – May 3 in Baltimore.

“The faculty at Montefiore and Einstein are dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research that leads to enhanced delivery of healthcare services and improved outcomes for our patients,” said Judy Aschner, M.D., physician-in-chief, the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, professor and Michael I. Cohen, M.D., University Chair of Pediatrics at Einstein. “Our presence at PAS has been growing annually, reflecting the depth and breadth of research conducted by our faculty and our trainees in pediatrics. I am thrilled that so much of our innovative scientific work is being showcased this year and am proud of the recognition for our efforts in advancing child health.”

Studies presented at PAS by Montefiore-Einstein researchers will include:

Sexual and Reproductive Health Presentations:

Pediatricians Contraceptive Counseling Rates Following a Pilot Intervention
Sylvia Lim, M.D. Saturday, April 30, 1.30 pm. Poster Session #349. Baltimore Convention Center - Exhibit Hall F

Pediatricians are well positioned to provide contraceptive counseling to adolescents to prevent unintended pregnancies, yet there is a paucity of data about their contraceptive counseling patterns. This pilot intervention targeted to pediatricians was designed to see if the likelihood that contraception is discussed at a routine visit is increased; and whether the intervention increases the adolescents' reports of receiving contraceptive counseling from their pediatricians.

Reproductive Coercion in High School Aged Girls: Associations with Unprotected Sex and Violence
Jennifer Northridge, M.D. Monday, May 2, 9am. Platform Presentation. Baltimore Convention Center – Room 343

Reproductive coercion, i.e. contraceptive sabotage and/or pregnancy pressure by male partners, is reported by 10-20% of adult women and is associated with unintended pregnancy and intimate partner violence, but little is known about prevalence among adolescent girls. The objective of our study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of reproductive coercion in a sample of 14 to 17 year old girls.

Health Literacy Initiative to Improve Provider-Parent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Communication
Rosy Chhabra, PsyD. Monday, May 2, 5.45pm. Poster Session #32. Baltimore Convention Center - Exhibit Hall F

Parent misconceptions regarding HPV and suboptimal provider-parent communication contribute to the low rate of HPV vaccination in the US. Only 60% of eligible girls, and 42% of boys have had even one dose of the vaccine; few have received all three, despite the vaccine’s efficacy and proven safety record. In low income, minority and immigrant populations, a group at high-risk for cervical cancer, vaccine rates are also low. Our research examined provider and parent perspectives regarding facilitators and barriers to HPV vaccination.

STI Risk Perceptions Among Adolescent Minority Women Who Have Sex With Women (WSW): A Qualitative Study
Rosy Chhabra, PsyD. Monday, May 2, 5.45pm. Poster Session #708. Baltimore Convention Center - Exhibit Hall F

Women who have sex with women (WSW) are a sexual minority often ignored in STI research, as they are often perceived to be at low risk, however these women have similar STI rates as heterosexual women, since many have a history of sex with men and women. Studies of STI risk perception have mostly been conducted with white adult WSW. Therefore, little is known about risk perception among minority adolescent WSW. This study sought to understand how adolescent girls who have same-sex experiences perceive their risk of acquiring STIs and their sources of sexual health information.

Hospital Medicine Presentations:

Ibuprofen Therapy in Children Hospitalized with Pneumonia
Talia Roth, M.D. Saturday, April 30, 1.30 pm. Poster Session, #295, Baltimore Convention Center - Exhibit Hall F

Ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), commonly used as an anti-pyretic and analgesic, may affect the inflammatory response to acute infection with bacterial pneumonia. In our study, we sought to investigate the association of ibuprofen use and clinical outcomes in children hospitalized with pneumonia.

Clinical Burden of Psychiatric Visits on the Pediatric Emergency Department
Daniel Fein, M.D. and Ariella Nadler M.D. Sunday, May 1, 5:45 pm. Poster Session #21. Baltimore Convention Center - Exhibit Hall F

The increasing mental health epidemic in pediatrics has had a significant impact on the healthcare system, with increasing resources spent on children with psychiatric complaints, particularly in the Pediatric Emergency Department (PED). The objective of our study was to describe the change in clinical burden of emergency psychiatric evaluations in the PED over a 10 year period.

Minority Health Presentations:

Age of Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in an Ethnically Diverse Population Before and After the 2007 AAP Recommendation for Universal Screening
Maria Valicenti-McDermott, M.D., M.S. Sunday, May 1, 5:45 pm. Poster Session, #289, Baltimore Convention Center - Exhibit Hall F

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) benefit from early diagnosis and early intervention services. However not all children are able to access such services with similar ease. Demographic factors, such as race and ethnicity have been implicated in late diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to examine the age at initial ASD diagnosis in an ethnically diverse population before and after the AAP recommendations for universal screening.

Accelerometer-Determined Physical Activity in Schoolchildren with Asthma
Marina Reznik, M.S., M.D. Tuesday, May 3, 7.30am. Poster Session #371. Baltimore Convention Center - Exhibit Hall F

Regular physical activity is associated with improved clinical and functional outcomes in children with asthma. However, physical activity levels are low in urban school-age youth due to limited physical activity opportunities and may be even lower in children with asthma. We assessed physical activity levels during school in urban children with asthma and examined if physical activity levels varied by age, gender, in-school scheduled physical activity, BMI status, and asthma severity.

Two renowned faculty members from Montefiore and Einstein, Frederick Kaskel, M.D., and Robert Marion, M.D., will be honored during the CHAM reception on Saturday, April 30 at the Hilton Baltimore Hotel, Holiday Ballroom, for their contributions to advancing children’s health and research. Dr. Kaskel and Dr. Marion will be acknowledged by current and past associates for their many years of service and leadership at both institutions. Dr. Kaskel will also be honored by the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology (ASPN), with the 2016 ASPN Founders' Award on April 30.

Researchers for each of the above studies as well as other Montefiore and Einstein faculty are available to speak with media.

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About Montefiore Health System
Montefiore Health System is one of New York’s premier academic health systems and is a recognized leader in providing exceptional quality and personalized, accountable care to approximately three million people in communities across the Bronx, Westchester and the Hudson Valley. It is comprised of 10 hospitals, including the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and close to 200 outpatient care sites. The advanced clinical and translational research at its’ medical school, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, directly informs patient care and improves outcomes. From the Montefiore-Einstein Centers of Excellence in cancer, cardiology and vascular care, pediatrics, and transplantation, to its’ preeminent school-based health program, Montefiore is a fully integrated healthcare delivery system providing coordinated, comprehensive care to patients and their families. For more information please visit www.montefiore.org. Follow us on Twitter and view us on Facebook and YouTube.

About Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Albert Einstein College of Medicine is one of the nation’s premier centers for research, medical education and clinical investigation. During the 2015-2016 academic year, Einstein is home to 731 M.D. students, 193 Ph.D.students, 106 students in the combined M.D./Ph.D. program, and 278 postdoctoral research fellows. The College of Medicine has more than 1,900 full-time faculty members located on the main campus and at its clinical affiliates. In 2015, Einstein received $148 million in awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This includes the funding of major research centers at Einstein in aging, intellectual development disorders, diabetes, cancer, clinical and translational research, liver disease, and AIDS. Other areas where the College of Medicine is concentrating its efforts include developmental brain research, neuroscience, cardiac disease, and initiatives to reduce and eliminate ethnic and racial health disparities. Its partnership with Montefiore Medical Center, the University Hospital and academic medical center for Einstein, advances clinical and translational research to accelerate the pace at which new discoveries become the treatments and therapies that benefit patients. Through its extensive affiliation network involving Montefiore, Jacobi Medical Center—Einstein’s founding hospital, and three other hospital systems in the Bronx, Brooklyn and on Long Island, Einstein runs one of the largest residency and fellowship training programs in the medical and dental professions in the United States. For more information, please visit www.einsteinmed.edu, read our blog, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and view us on YouTube.