Researchers from the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) and Albert Einstein College of Medicine will present data from more than 50 studies that explore topics including obesity, asthma and autism at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS). PAS is the largest international meeting focused on original research in children’s health and how it can be applied to clinical practice. This year’s meeting begins April 25 in San Diego. 

“The depth and breadth of research being presented this year by leading physician-scientists from Montefiore and Einstein is testament to the paradigm-changing scientific and clinical work being done at our institutions,” 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. “I am so proud of our faculty and the work they are doing to transform healthcare delivery and health outcomes for children.” 

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

When an Early Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder Resolves, What Remains? - Presented by Lisa Shulman, M.D., 3:45pm, Sunday, April 26. Platform presentation, San Diego Convention Center - 28C

-          It has been documented that some children with an early diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) do not meet criteria for the diagnosis at a later age. It is unclear, however, if deficits remain overtime when ASD symptomatology resolves. This research characterizes the residual learning, cognitive, and emotional/behavioral diagnoses and educational needs of a group of school-age children with a history of an early diagnosis of ASD that resolved. 

A Sexual Risk Reduction Intervention for Young Adolescents – Presented by Laurie J. Bauman, Ph.D., 4:30pm, Sunday, April 26. Platform presentation, San Diego Convention Center - 28B

-          Nearly half of high school students in the US have ever had sexual intercourse and 34% did not use a condom during last sex. African-American and Latino youth are more likely to have had sexual intercourse, to have started before age 13, and are less likely to use condoms. Interventions have been tested to reduce risk, but these have targeted older youth and have had mixed results. This study tests the effects of an intensive theory-driven intervention designed to increase cognitive skills (knowledge, outcome and efficacy expectancies, sexual self-efficacy, condom use intention) and increase resilience in young adolescents. 

Obesity in Hospitalized Children: Physician Attitudes and Perceived Obstacles Versus Parent Desire – Presented by Diana S. Lee, M.D., 4:15 - 7:30pm, Sunday, April 26. Poster presentation #87, San Diego Convention Center - Exhibit Hall EFG

-          Nearly one third of the children in the United States are obese or overweight and parents often misperceive and underreport their child’s weight status. This study investigates parental receptiveness to screening for obesity and overweight status and their preferences regarding the discussion of their children’s weight status in the inpatient setting. The research also investigates inpatient physician attitudes and behaviors regarding screening for obesity and overweight status and assesses perceived barriers to the screening process. 

School-Based Asthma Policies and Teachers’ Confidence and Attitudes About Their Role in Asthma Management – Presented by Marina Reznik, M.D., M.S., 10:00am, Tuesday, April 28. Platform presentation, San Diego Convention Center - 28C

-          The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recommends that schools develop and adopt specific policies on asthma management in order to empower teachers to support their students with asthma. This is particularly pertinent in urban schools where the prevalence of uncontrolled asthma is very high. Little is known about the impact of asthma policies on teacher confidence and attitudes. This study assesses teacher reporting of the presence of an asthma policy in their schools and examines whether teacher reporting of an asthma policy influences confidence in asthma management and attitudes about guideline recommendations. 

Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen Use in Children Hospitalized With Acute Asthma – Presented by Nicole M. Leone, M.D., 4:15 - 7:30pm, Sunday, April 26. Poster presentation #2, San Diego Convention Center - Exhibit Hall EFG

-          Asthma is the most common cause of hospitalization in children. An outpatient study suggested that ibuprofen may prevent emergency room visits and hospitalizations in children with asthma but the clinical effects of ibuprofen on children hospitalized with asthma are not known. This research compares whether the choice of ibuprofen or acetaminophen affected length of stay in children hospitalized with asthma. 

Large Appetite and Maternal Feeding Styles in Low-Income Hispanic Families – Presented by Rachel Gross, M.D., 8:15am, Sunday, April 26. Platform presentation, San Diego Convention Center - 30B

-          Individual differences in infant appetite have been relatively understudied as a potential contributor to obesity, with research often focused on maternal feeding styles and practices. Given that appetite traits such as high food sensitivity and drive to eat are related to obesity in older children, large infant appetite may play a key role in the early obesity development, potentially modifying parental feeding styles. This study aims to determine how large infant appetite is related to maternal feeding styles at age three months in low-income Hispanic families. 

Impact of Feeding Disorders in Parental Stress in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and with Other Developmental Disabilities – Presented by Maria Valicenti-McDermott, M.D., M.S., 4:30pm, Sunday, April 26. Platform presentation, San Diego Convention Center - 28C

-          Feeding difficulties, in particular food selectivity, have been reported in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and eating problems are typically part of the repertoire of symptoms for a child with ASD. There are few comparisons with children with other developmental disabilities (DD) and the impact of such problems in the family dynamics. This study compares feeding disorders in children with ASD vs. those with other DD, and assesses the relationship of feeding problems to parental stress. 

Assessing Psychological Stress Experiences in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A DBPNet Study – Presented by Michele C Laverdiere, M.D., 4:15 – 7:30pm, Monday, April 27. Poster Presentation #330, San Diego Convention Center - Exhibit Hall EFG

-          Psychological stress predisposes children to the development of physical and mental disorders. Underlying impairment in social interaction and communication may alter the experience of psychological stress of those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This study seeks to validate the NIH PROMIS measure of psychological stress in children with ASD, and to test the hypotheses that higher levels of ASD-specific symptom severity, parenting stress, and parental depression are associated with higher levels of psychological stress in children with ASD. 

Late Preterm Newborns Show Immature Autonomic Control During Sleep – Presented by Nina Burtchen, M.D., 4:15 - 7:30pm, Sunday, April 26. Poster presentation #292, San Diego Convention Center - Exhibit Hall EFG

-          Late preterm (LPT) infants are at increased risk for neonatal morbidity and mortality and for a range of neurodevelopmental disorders, as compared to full term. This study examines if immature autonomic control during sleep in late preterm newborns might be contributing to this vulnerability. 

Parent Perceptions of Navigating Mental Health and Primary Care And Co-Locating Services – Presented by Nicole M. Brown, M.D., 4:15 – 7:30pm, Monday, April 27. Poster Presentation #681, San Diego Convention Center - Exhibit Hall EFG

-          Co-locating mental health and primary care services is a strategy to improve outcomes and enhance the overall care experience for children with mental health conditions seen in the primary care setting. However, the ways in which families experience delivery of mental health and primary care services in their communities, and their attitudes and beliefs about co-located services are not well understood. This research examines parental perceptions of: 1) their experiences navigating the pediatric mental health and primary care delivery systems, and 2) co-location of mental health and primary care services. 

CHAM Fellows Lauren J. Becton M.D., and Dina Daswani, M.D., are receiving national awards for their research. Dr. Becton will receive the 2015 American Society of Pediatric Nephrology Trainee Research Award in Basic Science for research entitled “Profile of microRNAs in the Nephrotoxic Serum Model,” which she will present on Monday, April 27, at 2:30pm, San Diego Convention Center, Room 28C. Dr. Daswani will receive the 2015 Society for Pediatric Research Richard D. Rowe Research Award in Clinical Research for her study entitled “Accuracy of Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound for Diagnosis of Acute Chest Syndrome in Pediatric Patients with Sickle Cell Disease and Fever,” which she will present in the Emergency Medicine II Session 2610, on Sunday, April 26, 1:00pm-3:00pm, Room 26AB.