MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Michael Kogan, Ph.D.
Director of the office of Epidemiology and Research
Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: This was a study led by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau, along with researchers from the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention, Harvard, Drexel, and George Washington Universities. We used the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health, a nationally representative survey of over 50,000 children that examines the health and well-being of US children, to examine the prevalence, treatment, and health care experiences of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
We found that 1 out of 40 children in the US were reported by their parents to have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We also found that children with ASD were significantly less likely to receive services like needed care coordination, referrals to other services, and mental health counseling – even compared to children with other emotional, behavioral or developmental disorders (EBDs). Parents of children with ASD were also significantly more likely to report being usually or always frustrated in their attempts to get services, again compared to families of children with other EBDs. Finally, we looked at treatment patterns for children with ASD and found that 64% had received behavioral therapy in the year before the interview, and 27% had received medications to treat symptoms of irritability.
Eliane Abou-Jaoude, MD
Allergy and Immunology Fellow
Henry Ford Health System
Detroit, Michigan
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Early life exposure to diverse types of microbes is necessary for healthy immune development and may impact the risk for developing allergic disorders.
Theoretically the transfer of parental microbes to their offspring during infancy can influence a child’s developing gut microbiome and subsequent immune response patterns.
We wished to investigate whether parental pacifier cleaning methods, reported at 6-months of age, were associated with altered serum IgE trajectory over the first 18 months of life.
Dr. Quast[/caption]
Troy Quast, PhD
Associate Professor in the University
South Florida College of Public Healt
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: One of the cited repercussions of the opioid epidemic is its effect on families. However, there is considerable variation in opioid misuse across the county. This is the first nation-wide study to investigate the relationship between opioid prescription rates and child removals at the state level.
I found that there are significant differences across states in the relationship between opioid prescription and child removal rates associated with parental substance abuse. In twenty-three states, increases in opioid prescription rates were associated with increases in the child removal rate. For instance, in California a 10% increase in the county average prescription rate was associated with a 28% increase in the child removal rate. By contrast, in fifteen states the association was flipped, where increases in the opioid prescription rate were associated with decreases in the child removal rate. There was no statistically significant relationship in the remaining states. 
Dr. Michael Snape[/caption]
Michael Snape, Ph.D.
Chief executive officer
Chief scientific officer
AMO Pharma
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: This is a further analysis of the Phase II Proof of Concept study that was described in March. We have extended the findings from that study by performing further analyses of the data obtained and also commencing an analysis of the relationship between the levels of AMO-02 involved and the clinical response seen.
The main finding is a confirmation that our previously reported conclusions are supported. The concordant trend analysis revealed a clear dose-response relationship that favored the 1000 mg over 400 mg dose for four of the 10 response variables differed in favor of 1000 mg over 400 mg dose on key clinician and caregiver measures, autism scores and grip strength. 
Sean C. Rose, MD
Pediatric sports neurologist and co-director
Complex Concussion Clinic
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Assistant professor of Pediatrics
The Ohio State University
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: The link between sub-concussive head impacts and declines in neurocognitive function has been reported by some studies, yet refuted by others. There is very little evidence that has been collected in children as they are sustaining these head impacts.
We initiated a multi-year study of youth football players to provide a more in-depth look at the question. We measured head impacts using helmet sensors during the 2016 football season. 112 players age 9-18 completed a battery of neurocognitive tests before and after the football season.
We found that neither the total burden of head impacts nor the intensity of individual impacts were associated with changes in testing performance from pre to post-season.
Dr. Smith[/caption]
Gary A. Smith, MD, DrPH
Director, Center for Injury Research and Policy
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Columbus, OH
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: When residential fires happen at night while people are sleeping, deaths are more likely to occur. Smoke alarms are important for preventing these deaths, yet many young children don’t wake up to traditional high-pitch tone alarms. Children sleep longer and deeper than adults and require louder sounds to awaken than adults. For these reasons, children are less likely to awaken and escape a nighttime home fire. 