Context: This systematic review was conducted to investigate the role of phones (telephone and mobile phone) in interventions designed to control obesity in children under age six and to determine the features and effects of these interventions. Evidence Acquisition: A systematic search was conducted of the electronic databases (until November 2016). Randomized controlled trials that assessed the effects of phone-based interventions to control obesity in children under age six were included. Results: Of the 1920 papers accessed, 38 were relevant based on title and abstract. After review of the full texts, five studies were deemed eligible for inclusion. The results showed that in two studies phone-based interventions succeeded in improving the children's weight and BMI while in three other studies they were not. Among the functionalities of a telephone and mobile phone (e.g. text messaging and smartphone applications), only phone calls were used to communicate with participants. Only one of the included studies had used the phone as its main intervention, in the other studies the phone was used as part of a multicomponent intervention. Most of the included studies used phone calls to encourage and remind the participants about their children's nutritional status and physical activity. Conclusions: Although the numerous functions of phones can be used independently or in combination with other interventions for controlling obesity, so far, only the phone call function has been used for children under age six. Moreover, there is still no strong evidence on their positive effects on obesity control in children under age six.

Background: Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa; NovoSeven® RT, Novo Nordisk, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) is a synthetic pro-coagulation factor derived from hamster kidney cells. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prescribing patterns of recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) at a single, tertiary care pediatric hospital by indication of usage and dose administered. Materials and Methods: Retrospective data was queried from the centralized pharmacy medication computer system. All patients receiving rFVIIa between September 2009 and September 2012 were included in the analysis. Results: Over the three year period 887 doses of rFVIIa were administered to 186 patients. Only 4% of patients received rFVIIa for an FDA approved indication. The most common indication for off-label usage was refactory bleeding either during or following cardiothoracic surgery, accounting for 83% of all doses administered off-label. Despite being only a small portion of all patients receiving rFVIIa, the group receiving rFVIIa for an FDA approved indication received the majority of doses dispensed (72.6% of all doses). A significant difference (P < 0.0001) was noted in the dose administered to patients in the on-label versus off-label groups. Patients in the on-label group received a median dose of 113.6 mcg/kg (IQR 54.5 mcg/kg -172.7 mcg/kg) versus a median dose of 74.4 mcg/kg (IQR 20.0 mcg/kg -128.8 mcg/kg) in the off-label group. Conclusions: Prospective pediatric studies are needed to evaluate rFVIIa efficacy and safety in populations receiving the medication for off-label indications given increasing concerns involving the potential adverse effect profile of the medication as well as to develop evidence based dosing parameters for these indications.