Emergency visits by children with suicide-related crises increased by 74% in hospitals with lower pediatric volume, often lacking specialized resources. These EDs often struggle to provide timely, effective, and equitable care to children in mental health crises.
Lurie Children's hospital is launching a clinical trial for a new radiation therapy that spares healthy tissue, offering hope to children with brain tumors. The trial will use a novel technology to deliver higher doses of radiation while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
A study by Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago found that cochlear implants can significantly improve hearing and listening skills in children with severe hearing loss, even at younger ages. The study showed that most children experienced meaningful improvements within a year after receiving a cochlear implant.
A national study led by Lurie Children's Hospital finds that doctors may not always agree on common signs of pneumonia, such as crackles and decreased breath sounds, when examining the same child. The study suggests that a physical exam alone may not be enough to confidently diagnose pneumonia in children, highlighting the need for bet...
A new wearable sticker system has been developed to simplify diagnostic sweat testing for cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder affecting digestion and breathing. The innovative technology is reliably accurate and makes the test more accessible beyond specialized centers.
The Lurie Children's Mood, Anxiety, ADHD Collaborative Care (MAACC) program prepares pediatricians to manage mental health conditions on their own. This enables more children to access care despite the shortage of pediatric mental health professionals.
A study published in The Journal of Pediatrics found that nearly half of infants with severe heart defects were born in hospitals without cardiac surgery. Transferring these babies to a cardiac surgical center sooner was associated with shorter hospital stays compared to those transferred later.
A survey of Illinois emergency departments found that many hospitals lack pediatric mental health specialists and struggle with timely access to evaluation by a mental health professional. The study proposes practical solutions, such as investing in mental health staffing, therapeutic activities, and real-time bed tracking to improve c...
Researchers at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago identified a subtype of eosinophilic esophagitis associated with hypermobile joints and autonomic symptoms, including chronic light-headedness. Simple treatments for these symptoms can significantly improve quality of life in affected children.
The hospital achieved a 13-fold improvement in surgical safety after implementing interventions based on high reliability principles. The implementation resulted in 585 days without a single serious safety event, according to the study published in Pediatrics.
A pilot study found that brief videos in the hospital nursery improved first-time fathers' knowledge of safe sleep and infant crying. However, gains were not fully sustained post-discharge, highlighting the need for at-home reinforcement.
A new study from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago found that metabolic and bariatric surgery for teens with severe obesity is a cost-effective option over 10 years. The procedure sends type 2 diabetes into remission, sparing patients years of medication and complications.
A pediatric ophthalmologist is leading a $1 million NIH grant to study the genetics of cataracts in children. The goal is to develop a comprehensive AI-assisted database of genes associated with potential diseases.
A new handheld probe using broadband optical spectroscopy (BOS) reliably identifies early stages of necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants. The noninvasive device measures infrared light reflecting off the intestines and detects color changes indicative of threatened tissue.
A multinational clinical trial found that balanced crystalloid fluid and 0.9% saline are equally safe and effective for treating septic shock in children. The study enrolled over 9,000 children and showed no difference in outcomes between the two IV fluids.
A US-based longitudinal study found that Black fathers have lower all-cause mortality rates by middle age compared to nonfathers. The association was not observed in White fathers, highlighting racial differences in health outcomes of fathers.
A new study identifies five core values shaping COVID-19 vaccination decisions among Black and Hispanic parents, including safety, knowledge, trust, humanity, and autonomy. Understanding these values can inform targeted public health campaigns to reduce racial disparities in childhood vaccination rates.
Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago has successfully eliminated months of postoperative pain for microtia patients through a minimally invasive nerve freezing procedure. The method, which lasts only 20 minutes, allows patients to enjoy natural ear sensation and appearance without prolonged pain or opioid use.
A national study found that over one in 10 children with medical complexity experienced a reported incident, with medication and device errors being the most common types. The study calls for targeted interventions to keep these highly vulnerable children safe.
A study derived 'achievable benchmarks of care' (ABCs) using electronic health record data to set realistic performance goals for pediatric emergency departments. The new benchmarks highlight gaps between typical and top-performing clinician performance, particularly in domains such as pain reduction and asthma management.
A multicenter clinical trial found that implementing ERPs improved outcomes for children undergoing gastrointestinal surgery, with reduced time to regular diet after surgery and decreased opioid use. Hospitals with strong quality improvement culture and commitment to ERPs saw the most success in implementation.
CoFAR's FoodSpace is an online platform that bridges gaps in food allergy research by bringing together protocols, study materials, and data from multiple studies. This initiative aims to drive scientific discovery and foster a global collaborative research environment for conditions affecting 8% of children and 11% of adults in the US.
Researchers estimate sepsis occurs in 1.3% of pediatric hospitalizations, resulting in a 10% mortality rate, and urges the need for immediate recognition and treatment. The study's findings highlight the importance of awareness among families to improve child survival rates.
A simple, low-cost intervention empowers families who speak a language other than English to initiate interpretation services, increasing communication time with medical teams. The study found an average increase of 16 minutes per patient-day in interpreter use.
A new study found that ER triage scores for children's mental or behavioral health were inaccurate in two-thirds of cases, with biases against Black and Hispanic patients. Parents are advised to advocate for their child if they suspect a risk of self-harm or harm to others while waiting.
Phase 1/2a clinical trials demonstrate significant seizure reduction and improvement in symptoms of Dravet syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting cognitive function, motor skills, and behavior. The treatment, zorevunersen, targets the underlying cause of the disease by enhancing the normal SCN1A gene.
A multinational study found that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of preeclampsia. The study suggests that maternal vaccination may influence pathways involved in preeclampsia development, potentially offering protection even in the absence of COVID-19 infection.
A recent clinical trial found that remote telehealth services increased the uptake of genetic counseling and testing in adult survivors of childhood cancers. The study showed a significant impact on reducing morbidity and mortality by driving earlier detection of subsequent cancer.
Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 17 participants to understand parent experiences with in-home medical devices. The study highlights the critical role of device user experience in designing medical devices for children with complex medical needs.
Researchers developed a first-of-its-kind probe to track a fetus's vital signs in utero during surgery. The soft, flexible robotic probe provides accurate and precise measurements of heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and temperature, enabling faster interventions in case complications arise.
A new AI model using deep transfer learning accurately predicted spoken language outcomes in deaf children after cochlear implants. The 'predict-to-prescribe' approach allows for earlier intensified therapy for children forecast to struggle with spoken language.
A new study found that most parents are aware of the importance of introducing peanuts to babies early, but lack clarity on details. Researchers recommend a consistent and timely approach, starting with peanut-containing foods as soon as solids begin, and continued exposure twice a week.
A summer swimming program for Black youth demonstrated significant improvement in swim skills and a high sense of belonging, with 10 children returning for a second summer. The program's inclusive environment fostered confidence and empowerment among participants.
Pediatric behavioral health spending surged to $41.8 billion in 2022, representing 40% of total children's health expenditures, and families faced mounting out-of-pocket costs, increasing at more than twice the rate of other medical expenses.
Researchers have discovered a new gene, ALOX15, that protects against sepsis-induced lung injury in mouse models. The findings suggest that mild lung thrombosis may actually reduce the severity of lung damage from sepsis, offering a potential novel therapeutic strategy.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that more prenatal visits are associated with a lower likelihood of delivery at a cardiac surgical center for babies with mild congenital heart defects. This suggests that families can receive the right level of care closer to home, reducing stress and cost.
Researchers identified a set of biomarkers that can predict blood pressure outcomes five years after adolescents underwent metabolic bariatric surgery. The study found that blood-based biomarkers were more accurate than traditional risk factors, suggesting a potential new approach to predicting long-term blood pressure outcomes.
A study published in the Lancet Child and Adolescent Health journal found that high-risk neuroblastoma survivors experience a high prevalence of hearing loss, growth failure, underweight, and lung disease due to modern therapies. Longer follow-up periods were associated with a higher risk of late effects.
Researchers developed AI models to identify high-risk children for sepsis within 48 hours, enabling early preemptive care. The study used electronic health record data from the Emergency Department and showed robust balance in identifying at-risk children without overidentifying those who are not at risk.
A randomized clinical trial shows that targeted educational and clinical decision-support tools improve pediatrician adherence to prevention guidelines, leading to higher rates of early peanut introduction. The intervention resulted in significantly higher guideline adherence among low-risk infants.
Pertussis in young infants can be life-threatening, with high white blood cell counts and apnea being common symptoms. Vaccination of mothers during pregnancy is critical to protect newborns against this potentially fatal illness.
A large study found that children and adolescents are twice as likely to experience long COVID after catching COVID for the second time compared to their peers with a single previous infection. Long COVID in youth is associated with various conditions, including myocarditis, blood clots, and severe fatigue.
A groundbreaking study aims to improve genetic services for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors by integrating digital tools and chatbot technology. Participants will receive tailored communication, digital education tools, and genetic testing, with the goal of increasing uptake of genetic counseling and testing.
A randomized clinical trial found that parents who received remote motivational counseling and mobile-based support improved their use of appropriate child car seats. The intervention included tailored web content, periodic text messages, and personalized feedback.
A new study finds that prompt administration of opioid pain relief in emergency departments can reduce hospitalization rates for children with sickle cell disease. Children who received timely first-dose administration within 60 minutes and second-dose administration within 30 minutes showed reduced hospitalization odds.
A new clinical trial has shown encouraging results for a muscle-targeting therapy that aims to improve motor function in children and adolescents with spinal muscular atrophy. The treatment, apitegromab, was found to be effective in enhancing muscle strength and function in patients with non-ambulatory type 2 or type 3 SMA.
A new study published in Prevention Science found that preschool children who are expelled from their classrooms often experience academic failure and enter the 'cradle-to-prison pipeline.' However, the study also showed that a collaborative parent-teacher relationship may help reduce the number of preschool expulsions. By fostering bi...
A new study from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago highlights the urgent need for better Medicaid coverage for anorexia care after hospitalization. The research reveals that Medicaid-insured patients with anorexia hospitalized for medical stabilization remain in the hospital longer than peers with private insuran...
A new study found that children living in low-opportunity neighborhoods are up to 20 times more likely to be hospitalized for gun injuries. Unintentional shootings account for most hospitalizations, and the study emphasizes safe storage and firearm safety education as prevention strategies.
A new study published in BMC Public Health found that school connectedness significantly reduces depression symptoms in adolescents who experience peer bullying. The research suggests promoting school connectedness can foster peer support and collaboration among students.