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 Data Reveals Frustrating Infant Death Statistics

Since the significant decrease in the rates of sudden unexpected infant deaths in the 90s, we have hit a bit of a wall and there is much we don't know about this complicated problem. A new study analyzing CDC data is a step in the right direction.

/ May 14, 2021

Epidural Labor Analgesia Not Linked to Autism Says New and Improved Study

A new and improved study investigating a potential link between epidural analgesia during labor and autism found no connection. That's great news for mothers and babies.

/ April 30, 2021

Adverse Events Linked to Pediatric “Alternative Medicine” in the Netherlands

A study out of the Netherlands documented pediatric adverse events associated with complementary and alternative medicine over three years. Thankfully there weren't a lot of kids harmed, but when there is no potential benefit from an intervention, even one is way too many.

/ April 16, 2021

More Data Supports Delayed Antibiotic Prescribing for Kids with respiratory infections

Overuse of antibiotics is a big problem. New data supports delaying that prescription for kids with respiratory infections.

/ April 2, 2021

Ear Acupuncture for Procedural Pain in Neonates: More Randomized Controlled Nonsense

A recently published multicenter randomized and placebo controlled study attempted to answer the question of whether or not magnetic acupuncture beads stuck on premature baby ears reduced pain during a common screening exam. They don't. And they might have made things worse for these babies.

/ March 19, 2021

Nonsense for Elephants: The Houston Zoo Promotes Kinesiology Tape

The Houston Zoo is promoting a bogus therapy as a treatment for aging elephants.

/ March 5, 2021

Science-Based Satire: Portland Compounding Pharmacy Introduces Line of Bespoke Artisinal Parenteral Nutrition

Are compounding pharmacies working with naturopathic integrative functional medicine doctors to make bespoke artisanal IV nutrition that looks like soup in a mason jar? No. Stop it. You know this isn't true. It's satire.

/ February 19, 2021

Yes, You Can Swaddle Your Baby…But a Sleep Sack is Probably the Safest Option

Taking care of a baby can be scary, and there is a lot of conflicting advice out there. This is especially true when it comes to recommendations on the safety of swaddling. While not completely risk free, swaddling can be done safely and the benefits likely outweigh the risk. But you can always just use a sleep sack.

/ February 5, 2021

Science-Based Satire: Implantable Desubluxators Revolutionize Chiropractic Care

Have chiropractic scientists developed an implantable device that will detect and treat subluxations? Are there companies that monitor these devices in order to alert patients and to arrange for 24-7 emergency adjustments? No. There absolutely are not. This is satire.

/ January 22, 2021

Topical Barley Flour for the Management of Newborn Jaundice: A Real Study Done by Actual Pediatricians

Ever heard of coating a newborn in barley flour as a treatment for jaundice? Me neither...but here we are. And there's a study! This is not satire.

/ January 8, 2021