Children Face Nearly 90-Day Wait for Pediatric Dermatology Appointments Across the US
Children in the U.S. face median waits of nearly 90 days to see pediatric dermatologists, even for common conditions like eczema, acne, and hemangiomas. Limited workforce and uneven geographic distribution contribute to these long delays. Prolonged wait times can worsen disease severity and impact quality of life in children. Teledermatology and e‑consults are suggested strategies to improve access. Clinical implications: Addressing workforce shortages and optimizing referral pathways is crucial to ensure timely care for pediatric skin disorders. Full Access: Medscape
Antibiotic Use and Colorectal Cancer in Olmsted County, Minnesota
The study found not overall statistically significant association between cumulative antibiotic use and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in a population‑based, retrospective case‑control cohort, after adjusting for comorbidities and lifestyle factors. Subgroup analyses revealed that in adults younger than 65 years, low and intermediate antibiotic exposure was linked to lower odds of CRC, though this requires cautious interpretation. Clinical implications: The results suggest routine antibiotic prescribing is unlikely to increase CRC risk overall, but clinicians should continue judicious use of antibiotics and consider further research to clarify age‑specific effects and mechanisms. Full Access: Mayo Clinic
Doctors Warn of a Deadly Complication from Measles Outbreaks
The article highlights rising concerns about subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare but fatal delayed complication of measles that can occur years after infection, especially in children infected before age 5. Recent measles outbreaks in the U.S. due to falling vaccination rates have raised fears that SSPE cases may re-emerge domestically. Clinical implications: Clinicians should be vigilant for neurologic symptoms in patients with a history of measles and advocate strongly for vaccination to avert both acute and long‑term complications. Full Access: Doximity
Impact of Glucocorticoid Therapy on Short- And Long-Term Mortality in Immunocompromised Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia in the ICU: A Retrospective Cohort Study
The retrospective cohort study found that glucocorticoid (GC) therapy was associated with higher 28‑day, 6‑month, and 12‑month mortality in immunocompromised ICU patients with community‑acquired pneumonia compared with those not receiving GC therapy. After propensity score matching, GC recipients had significantly increased short‑ and long‑term mortality, and factors such as delayed initiation (>48 h), prolonged duration (>7 days), and low doses were linked to worse outcomes. The findings challenge the general benefit of GC in this vulnerable group despite guideline recommendations for severe CAP in immunocompetent patients. Clinical implications: This suggests careful patient selection, timing, and dosing are critical, and indiscriminate use of GC in immunocompromised CAP may be harmful. Future prospective studies are needed to define optimal steroid strategies in this high‑risk population. Full Access: BMC