Two important articles recently were published in the New England Journal of Medicine relating to the management of children younger than 6 with viral induced wheezing.
 
In the first study, children - ages 10 to 60 months who had attacks of wheezing induced by an upper respiratory viral infection leading to hospitalization - were randomized to receive either placebo or oral steroids. Interestingly, the group that received steroids did not do any better for any outcome measure than the group receiving placebo. This study raises an important question about how to manage viral induced wheezing in young children. It is very common for hospitalized children to receive oral steroids, but this study calls into question that practice as there may not be any benefit and steroids have negative side effects. View full article.
 
In the second study, children - between ages 1 and 6 who had a history of at least three prior episodes of wheezing (without symptoms between episodes) and at least one course of oral steroids in the last six months - were randomized to receive either placebo or high doses of inhaled fluticasone (750 mcg twice daily) at the first sign of a viral upper respiratory infection. This continued for a maximum of 10 days over a period of 6 to 12 months. In this study, children who received high dose inhaled fluticasone at the first sign of an upper respiratory infection had a significantly lower rate of treatment with rescue systemic corticosteroids than the placebo group. View full article.

The Alliance is pleased to announce the addition of the Wisconsin Special Smiles Program page to the Web site. This page is dedicated to the oral health of children and youth with special health care needs.

In addition, the oral health resources page was updated to incorporate more than 100 new resources - with information on the oral health needs of all children, including those with special health care needs. The new resources page features classroom activities, continuing education for dental and medical professionals, research articles, other oral health tools and much more.

On March 18, nearly 100 community advocates met in Madison for the Spring into Action Day at the Capitol, organized by the Wisconsin Childhood Lead Poisoning Elimination Committee and the Wisconsin Apartment Association. The day focused on educating legislators about the importance of lead-safe homes. Advocates visited more than 50 state legislators to discuss childhood lead poisoning and urge support for a legislative proposal called Rehab Loans for Lead-safe Homes.

This proposed legislation would establish a low-cost housing renovation loan program to help Wisconsin owner-occupants and rental property owners control lead hazards in housing. The fund would be financed by a new 50 cent fee on every gallon of paint sold in Wisconsin.

Advocates also participated in an informational public hearing sponsored by the Senate Public Health, Senior Issues, Long-term Care and Job Creation Committee. Leaders from community-based organizations, rental property owners and parents of lead poisoned children spoke about the devastating impact of lead poisoning and the need for corrective action. Testimony from state and local public health, and housing and community development officials urged support for additional resources to help control lead hazards in older homes.

Additional activities are being planned to urge state legislators to support the Rehab Loans for Lead-safe Homes legislative initiative.

For more information on how you can participate in the campaign to eliminate childhood lead poisoning in Wisconsin, contact George Carns, lead poisoning project manager, at (414) 292-4003.

According to the Infant Death Center of Wisconsin there has been a steady rise in infant deaths related to unsafe sleeping. In the first six months of 2008, 37 Wisconsin infants died from unsafe sleeping arrangements. A caregiver friendly way to teach families about safe sleep is to follow the ABCs. This initiative was developed by the Baltimore City Health Department in partnership with First Candle in order to teach parents about safe sleep for infants. To follow the ABCs of safe sleep, babies younger than 1 should always:

• Sleep ALONE.
• On their BACK.
• In a CRIB.

Learn more about the ABCs of safe sleep, order merchandise and download materials for families.

Several Wisconsin Child Death Review (CDR) teams are working to educate communities about the ABCs of safe sleep. The Waukesha County CDR team was successful in gaining local media coverage of the ABCs of safe sleep. The Outagamie County CDR team produced a public service announcement (PSA) teaching the community about the ABCs of safe sleep. Jim Hendrick, sound engineer at ISP video, volunteered his time to assist the team in producing the PSA. Wisconsin CDR teams strive to prevent future child deaths by examining the risk factors and circumstances surrounding the death of a child. Learn more about the Alliance's CDR program.

Learn more about safe sleep practices.