Researchers used a new fMRI analysis method to measure cerebrovascular reactivity in 53 adults aged 51-83. They found an unexpected improvement in brain health in postmenopausal female participants, primarily in areas related to movement and memory.
A computerized decision support tool reduced the time children with lung failure spent on ventilation by shortening weaning time and improving respiratory muscle strength. The intervention group had better functional status at ICU discharge than the control group.
The CHLA team has demonstrated the possibility of using genetically engineered pig hearts as a 'bridge' to heart transplant for critically ill babies. Eight baboons have survived with a pig heart, with one living for nearly 21 months.
Researchers have identified signs of neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier dysfunction in patients with Down syndrome Regression Disorder (DSRD). The study, published in Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, reveals a potential immune-related cause for DSRD.
Researchers discovered a novel combination of plasma-based biomarkers that can predict liver fibrosis in Latino adolescents with obesity. The study found that dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were significantly associated with fibrosis, suggesting a potential low-cost, noninvasive screening tool.
Researchers propose a new working definition for CVI, a leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in children. The definition is based on five key elements and includes early detection, neuroplasticity, and functional deficits.
Researchers found a specialized low-salt, fasting-mimicking diet (LS-FMD) slows deterioration of kidney structures and function in rodents with chronic kidney disease. In humans, the diet reduced proteinuria and improved endothelial function in patients with chronic kidney disease.
A recent study by Children's Hospital Los Angeles showed that reprioritizing organ allocation led to better outcomes for children with PALF. The changes resulted in substantially decreased deaths on the pediatric waitlist, increased rates of liver transplant, and improved post-transplant outcomes.
A genomic study uncovers germline ARID1B and mitochondrial variants that may drive pediatric chordoma genesis, a rare and aggressive bone tumor. The study found aberrant indels and haywire mitochondria in 22% of pediatric chordoma samples.
Researchers validated pediatric emergency department guidelines promoting safer CT scan use, finding both predictive rules safe and effective in minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure. The study enrolled thousands of children and adolescents nationwide, showing high accuracy in identifying cases requiring immediate intervention.
Researchers created a proteomics-based imaging mass cytometry marker panel to categorize immune cells at single-cell resolution, identifying unique signatures of active T-cell-mediated rejection. The study aims to find personalized immunosuppression therapies with fewer side effects.
A study published in JCI Insight reveals that an unexpected mechanism is responsible for the loss of kidney cells' ability to filter toxins from blood in primary membranous nephropathy. The researchers found that signaling in the C3a/C3aR pathway plays a critical role in disease progression.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles found significant variation in opioid treatment for critically ill infants across different institutions and geographic regions. The study reports wide variability in opioid prescribing practices, which can impact hospitalization length of stay, healthcare costs, and long-term outcomes.
A study by Children's Hospital Los Angeles found that only about 20% of young children with sickle cell anemia received adequate preventative antibiotics, while about half received annual brain ultrasounds to assess stroke risk. These findings highlight the need for improved care and support for children with this chronic disease.
Children's Hospital Los Angeles will develop innovative stem cell approaches to treat children and adolescents with recurrent solid tumors using CAR T-cell therapy. The new approach targets B7H3, an immune marker on cancer cells, to identify and destroy them.
A CHLA research team found that socio-economic factors like family support, employment status, patient age, race, and language spoken can impact clinical outcomes. Children with limited social support systems and working caregivers have worse outcomes.
A comprehensive report on pediatric long COVID symptoms has been published, revealing clues to risk factors and common symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and musculoskeletal pain. The study found that older age, more severe initial infection, and underlying medical conditions are associated with an increased risk of long COVID.
A new study will compare two treatment regimens: one using non-opioid medication and another with a low-dose opioid to determine the safest and most effective way to treat pain in adolescents and young adults recovering from common outpatient surgeries. The CARES for Kids study aims to generate evidence-based information on this topic.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have developed a novel app called the CHALF score to predict if a child with acute liver failure needs a transplant. The tool assesses liver failure risk on a scale of 5-60 and has been shown to accurately predict patient outcomes.
A new study published in Pediatrics reveals that children from lower opportunity neighborhoods experienced a significantly higher rate of firearm-related injury during the pandemic. The study found that unsafe storage of guns and single-parent households, combined with the stress of an unprecedented international emergency, exacerbated...
A study found that adolescents from low-income families gained more weight during the pandemic, with girls experiencing accelerated weight gain. The researchers tracked over 400 low-income Hispanic families and compared their weight gain to a cohort of wealthier families.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open shows that methadone use following surgery in infants can increase hospital stay and delay recovery. Babies who required methadone needed to stay in the hospital an average of 21 days longer after surgery, as well as more days on ventilators and IV nutrition.
Critically ill children on ventilator support can experience patient-ventilator asynchrony (PVA), which worsens outcomes. Researchers are using machine learning to develop a common set of definitions and measurements for PVA in pediatric patients, aiming to minimize risks and improve clinical outcomes.
A team led by CHLA's Dr. Jesse Berry is conducting an international liquid biopsy retinoblastoma study to investigate the use of liquid biopsies for diagnosis and disease severity determination. The study will provide valuable genetic and chromosomal information, enabling oncologists to diagnose retinoblastoma at a molecular level.
Children's Hospital Los Angeles researchers have identified a disruption in early kidney progenitor cell development linked to the formation of Wilms tumor. The study found that these cells can reproduce the original tumor and are aggressive, drug-resistant, and metastasize like cancer cells.
A new study from Children's Hospital Los Angeles reveals that parents in low-income communities are more likely to discuss COVID-19 preventative behaviors with their kids, reducing stress for both families. Despite higher risk of infection, these communities exhibit lower rates of worry and disease burden.
Abnormalities in brain cells and axons may lead to increased blood flow and more severe symptoms of autism. The study provides insights into the biology of autism spectrum disorder and potential therapeutic targets.
A new center will address individual, familial, societal and environmental factors contributing to health disparities in the Latino/a/x community. The center will support research projects and interventions aimed at reducing obesity and chronic disease risk in Latino/a/x families.
A groundbreaking study will follow 7,500 pregnant women and their infants across the US to understand healthy brain development. The five-year study aims to provide a comprehensive picture of normal variability in brain development and identify factors that pose the greatest risk.
The researchers will develop techniques to analyze the joint growth of the brain and cranium using MRI scans, helping clinicians better assess and diagnose developmental disorders. The project has the potential to provide invaluable insights into healthy child development, enabling early detection and effective treatment.
Children who receive living donor liver tissue for transplants have nearly twice the survival rate and reduced risk of organ rejection compared to those receiving deceased donor livers. Living donation also shortens wait times for pediatric patients.
A multicenter study will evaluate the outcomes of 1,500 children with tracheostomy to provide clinical practice guidelines for preventing, diagnosing, and managing bacterial infections. The study aims to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and cost of care.
A study at Children's Hospital Los Angeles shows that virtual reality can decrease pain and anxiety in children undergoing intravenous catheter placement. The technology works by shifting focus and preventing pain from being registered, leading to a more positive experience for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
A new study at Children's Hospital Los Angeles aims to identify biomarkers of early-life stress using precision medicine. The goal is to improve early screening for adverse childhood experiences, which can increase a child's risk for developmental delays and health challenges later in life.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles report two cases of prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infection in immunocompromised children, highlighting the need for revised infection control policies. The study notes that months-long infections may increase the incidence of viral mutations, which could have significant public health implications.
A new study from Children's Hospital Los Angeles finds a surge of patients presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening complication of type 2 diabetes. Insulin levels in the blood may drop too low for too long due to COVID-19, causing DKA.
A team led by Dr. Bradley Peterson plans a foundational study into treating childhood anxiety, comparing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication. The multi-center study will recruit 404 youth and assess treatment strategies to provide evidence-based guidance for medical professionals and families.
A new study found that patients who followed a diet with reduced calories and increased exercise had 70% fewer detectable cancer cells after one month of chemotherapy. This intervention showed promise in increasing survival rates for youth with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common childhood cancer.
The largest multi-center study of cisplatin-induced hearing loss reveals that permanent hearing loss occurs in 20-90% of patients, with higher doses and vincristine use increasing risk. The study establishes benchmarks for the prevalence of hearing loss and provides insights into how adjusting dosing approaches can minimize side effects.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have developed a new CAR T therapy that targets solid tumors in children, including neuroblastoma. The modified therapy uses a unique protein called synNotch to selectively kill cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
A team of scientists at Children's Hospital Los Angeles conducted the largest pediatric genomic COVID-19 study to date, finding a possible link between specific viral mutations and disease severity. The study analyzed over 100,000 samples and identified a potential correlation between certain mutations and severe symptoms in children.
A new study from Children's Hospital Los Angeles shows that machine learning can accurately identify patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) using subtle facial features. The research uses facial morphology to detect differences in CAH patients and correctly identifies them with greater than 90% accuracy.
A team of healthcare providers and advocates led by Pediatric Surgeon Lorraine Kelley-Quon established the first-ever guidelines for safe opioid prescribing in children. The guidelines acknowledge the risks of opioid misuse and addiction in teens and adolescents, while promoting education and safe storage/disposal practices.
Researchers studying vaping and secondary exposure to e-cigarettes warn that adolescent use is at epidemic proportions. The study aims to uncover health effects of e-cigarettes on younger patients and explore the risks of secondary exposure.
A genomic study by Children's Hospital Los Angeles reveals that early travel restrictions and safety measures significantly limited COVID-19 spread in the US. The study analyzed over 6,000 SARS-CoV-2 samples, identifying hundreds of viral haplotypes that show how the virus behaves and mutates.
A new study by Children's Hospital Los Angeles reveals that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) plays a complex role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with implications for future therapies. Researchers found that TNF signaling and receptor activation developmentally may be more important than simply blocking the molecule.
A recent $3.4 million research grant will study the disparities in vaccine efficacy between rich and poor countries, with a focus on gut microbiota's role. The goal is to identify metabolites that could be used to optimize the existing rotavirus vaccine.
A new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming sugary beverages during breastfeeding can lead to poorer cognitive development in children nearly two years later. Moms who reported greater consumption of these beverages had children with lower cognitive development scores.
Researchers are enrolling 250-325 households to study how SARS-CoV-2 is spread within families, and whether children contribute to transmission. The two-year study aims to provide information for limiting family transmission and optimizing COVID-19 vaccination strategies.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles are investigating cellular damage and repair in chronic kidney disease and Alport syndrome. Their studies aim to identify molecules that trigger injury in kidney cells, with potential applications for medications and treatments.