Hip Pain in Preschool-Age Children

Evidence is lacking on the most common causes of hip pain in children because most data come from cohort studies and include referred patients. Based on these studies, transient synovitis is the most common cause of hip pain in preschool-age children, accounting for more than 80 percent of cases. (Strength of Recommendation [SOR] = B, based on fair-quality cohort studies performed in referred populations). Septic arthritis, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, and trauma are important but less common causes of hip pain in this age group. (SOR = B, based on fair- quality cohort studies performed in referred populations)

What is appropriate management of iron deficiency for young children?

Infants and toddlers with suspected irondeficiency anemia (IDA) should begin treatment with oral ferrous sulfate (3 mg/kg/d of elemental iron). A rise in hemoglobin >1 g/dL after 4 weeks supports the diagnosis of iron deficiency, and supplementation should continue for 2 additional months to replenish iron stores. Recheck hemoglobin at the end of treatment and again 6 months later (strength of recommendation [SOR]: C, based on expert opinion). For primary prevention, counsel parents on the use of iron-fortified formula for non-breastfed infants until the age 12 months (SOR: B, based on randomized controlled study), and introduce iron-rich foods between 4 and 6 months to breastfed babies (SOR: C, based on expert opinion)