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.

A Popular Home Remedy Causes Severe Burns in Pediatric Patients

Garlic has been used medicinally for thousands of years, but the evidence for benefit isn't great. And topical use, particularly in young children, can cause severe burns. Stick to using garlic as a recipe ingredient rather than as a remedy.

/ October 28, 2022

Science-Based Satire: Experts are Warning Parents About a New and Highly Potent Synthetic Sugar

Is there an epidemic of extremely potent synthetic sugar sweeping the nation and putting our children, and first responders, at risk of hyperactivity and ruined dinners? No, there isn't. At least not yet. This is satire. Some people are getting pretty ridiculous when it comes to fentanyl though.

/ October 14, 2022

Impressive New Data on the Benefit of Childhood Vaccines

A new study adds compelling evidence that vaccines given to young children prevents disease and saves the lives of people of all ages. It may not be surprising, but it's nice to see. Spread the word.

/ September 30, 2022

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