All posts by Clay Jones

Clay Jones, M.D. is a pediatrician and a regular contributor to the Science-Based Medicine blog. He primarily cares for healthy newborns and hospitalized children, and devotes his full time to educating pediatric residents and medical students. Dr. Jones first became aware of and interested in the incursion of pseudoscience into his chosen profession while completing his pediatric residency at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital a decade ago. He has since focused his efforts on teaching the application of critical thinking and scientific skepticism to the practice of pediatric medicine. Dr. Jones has no conflicts of interest to disclose and no ties to the pharmaceutical industry. He can be found on Twitter as @SBMPediatrics and is the co-host of The Prism Podcast with fellow SBM contributor Grant Ritchey. The comments expressed by Dr. Jones are his own and do not represent the views or opinions of Newton-Wellesley Hospital or its administration.

CDC Issues Warning as the Virus Associated with a Rare Polio-Like Illness in Children Returns

After a pandemic related lull, pediatric respiratory infections are roaring back. Unfortunately, this means that there will likely be a spike in cases of a polio-like illness caused by enterovirus D68.

/ September 16, 2022

Young Children are Ingesting Dangerous Batteries at an Alarming Rate

Small children have been ingesting batteries at increasing numbers over the past decade, and many are suffering severe injuries. New rules and regulations may finally be helping, however.

/ September 2, 2022

Chiropractic for Pediatric Seizures: Marketing in the Form of a Case Report

Here we are again with yet another case report full of limitations but making bold claims regarding chiropractic care of children with real medical conditions.

/ August 19, 2022

More False Hope for People with Tourette Syndrome

After a few years off, this is the third and final installment in a long-running series of posts tackling the claims made by proponents of an oral appliance for the treatment of Tourette Syndrome.

/ August 5, 2022

Science-Based Satire: A Powerful and Ancient Practice is Revolutionizing Medical Venipuncture

Are experts in medical dowsing using medical grade rods to locate blood vessels to improve venipuncture success rates? No, they aren't. That's absurd and this is clearly satire. But dowsing for dead bodies might be accepted in a court of law near you, which is also absurd but not made up. Really.

/ July 22, 2022

Recent trends in pediatric chiropractic use: the good, the bad, and the unhelpful

A new study looks into the numbers behind pediatric chiropractic in the United States. There isn't much new here, but it adds a bit of nuance to the discussion. Still, it's clear that we need better data.

/ July 8, 2022

The Shocking Link Between a Popular Toy Company and Preventable Infant Deaths

The 2019 recall of a dangerous infant sleep product helped uncover how corporate greed and poor federal regulations contributed to preventable deaths and helped lead to improvements that will save lives.

/ June 24, 2022

Cleveland Clinic Drops the Ball in an Attempt to Educate Parents on Safe Sleep

Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in. More Cleveland Clinic more problems, this time it's some questionable advice on safe sleep for infants.

/ June 10, 2022

Swearing to Treat Pain: Helpful Approach or Just Another Distraction

Pain is a complicated problem and something that we will all experience in our lives. Is swearing a helpful way to reduce pain, or is it just another distraction? Maybe it's both.

/ May 13, 2022

The CDC and WHO Have Reported an Unusual Cluster of Severe Pediatric Hepatitis Cases

An unusual cluster of severe liver disease in children is being reported around the world. The cause isn't entirely clear, but it may be an uncommon presentation of a common viral infection that isn't COVID-19.

/ April 29, 2022