A recent study by Children's Hospital found that African-American parents are twice as likely to distrust medical research as white parents. This mistrust can lead to lower participation rates in clinical trials, exacerbating racial health disparities.
Researchers have effectively repaired damaged heart muscle using a novel population of stem cells derived from human skeletal muscle tissue. The transplanted myoendothelial cells improved heart function and reduced scar tissue, showing promise for regenerative medicine therapies.
A new study published in Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation demonstrates that a reduced-intensity conditioning bone marrow transplant can eliminate symptoms of sickle cell disease in six out of seven patients. This approach eliminates life-threatening side effects associated with traditional bone marrow transplants.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have identified pericytes as a promising source of multipotent adult stem cells. These cells can be extracted easily from blood vessels and grown in culture to produce various types of tissues, including bone, cartilage, and muscle.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have identified T Helper Type 17 (Th17) cells as potential mediators of steroid-resistant asthma. These cells may provide a new target for developing drugs to better control the condition.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh identified a genetic mutation associated with organ rejection in children. The study used a novel combination of genetic technologies to analyze DNA samples from 80 children who received liver transplants and their parents.
A review of Condition Help calls found that communication breakdowns between caregivers and patients were the root cause. The program has improved patient safety, reduced errors, and enhanced healthcare environment for patients, families, and clinicians.
A new vaccine approach using microspheres has prevented and reversed new-onset cases of type 1 diabetes in animal models. The microspheres, developed by the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, reprogram dendritic cells to block the immune system's attack on insulin-producing beta cells.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have identified Forkhead Box O1 (FoxO1) as a potential target for treating hypertriglyceridemia. Inhibiting FoxO1 in the liver curbs triglyceride secretion in obese and diabetic animals.
Cancer researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh are developing novel treatments for gliomas, a common type of brain tumor, through three projects funded by the NIH grant. The goal is to take these approaches from laboratory testing to clinical trials and improve treatment outcomes for patients.
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh is leading the development of external and implantable heart pumps designed specifically for small children with heart failure. The hospital has received a $2.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to complete the development of an external centrifugal pump, known as PediVAS, which will...
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have identified interleukin 22 (IL-22) as a crucial factor in the immune response to bacterial pneumonia. The study, published in Nature Medicine, suggests that stimulating the Th17 arm of the immune system may lead to more efficient treatment and prevention of pneumonia.
A recent study by Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh found that adolescents and young adults with cancer are less likely to be enrolled in clinical trials for cutting-edge treatments. This can lead to lower survival rates compared to younger children, who have seen significant improvements in cure rates over the past 30 years.
Dr. Ian F. Pollack, a neurosurgeon at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, has received a $150,000 grant from the Children's Brain Tumor Foundation to study a category of brain tumors not well understood in children. His research aims to identify molecular features that will enable doctors to tailor specific treatments for patients.
The review highlights the importance of carefully planned medical management to optimize outcomes for liver transplantation. Doctors emphasize the need for careful assessment, optimization, and timing for transplantation, leading to high long-term survival rates.
A team of researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh identified a molecular receptor known as Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) that, when blocked, may help reverse necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants. Blocking the TLR4 signal allowed enterocytes to heal damaged intestinal tissue.
A study published in Pediatrics found that children with peanut allergies are being exposed to peanuts at younger ages than recommended. The median age of first exposure and reaction dropped from 22-24 months to 14-18 months over the last decade, suggesting a potential conflict between guidelines and real-world practices.
The Richard King Mellon Foundation Institute for Pediatric Research will strengthen pediatric research and advance children's health, with a focus on high-risk projects and innovative ideas. The institute aims to build upon Pittsburgh's existing reputation as a leading center for pediatric research.
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh psychiatrist Eva Szigethy has been awarded a prestigious NIH grant to study the interactions between the brain, gut, and immune system in adolescents with chronic disease. Her research aims to improve early identification and treatment of depression in children with IBD.
Scientists at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have identified a plasmid-deficient strain of Chlamydia that fails to cause disease in animal models. This finding represents a major step forward in developing a vaccine against chlamydial disease, with potential to protect against damage to reproductive organs and infertility.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have identified a unique population of adult stem cells derived from human muscle tissue that can be used to treat muscle injuries and diseases. The myoendothelial cells are easily isolated, proliferate rapidly, and can differentiate into muscle, bone, and cartilage cells.
Researchers are conducting a five-year Phase III clinical trial to examine the effectiveness of induced hypothermia as a therapy for brain swelling in children with traumatic brain injuries. The study aims to enroll 340 children and assess outcomes after one year, following cooling therapy.
A study by Pittsburgh scientists found that female stem cells have a greater ability to regenerate skeletal muscle tissue than male cells. The researchers isolated female and male muscle-derived stem cells and tested their regenerative capabilities in dystrophic mice. Female stem cells were more efficient at regenerating skeletal muscl...
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh has been selected by the NIH as a Center of Excellence for training future generations of scientists in pediatric research. The center, led by Dr. David Perlmutter, will provide mentorship and training to up to four junior scientists annually.
A study published at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center found that endoscopic brain surgery is effective in removing life-threatening tumors in children, with minimal complications and no neurological damage. The minimally invasive approach allows for faster recovery times and a shorter hospital stay.
A recent Pittsburgh ear study has found no significant impact of fluid in the middle ear on developmental outcomes in children up to age 11. The study, which tracked over 6,300 children, suggests that most children with fluid can wait without intervention.
Researchers found a strong association between child and parent cardiovascular risk factors, including body mass index, waist circumference, and lipid profiles. Screening children can lead to interventions in both children and their parents to reduce disease risk.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have identified interleukin-23 (IL-23) as the key molecule causing destructive lung inflammation in cystic fibrosis patients. This discovery provides a specific target for developing new therapies to improve quality of life for these patients.
A study at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh aims to predict transplant rejection using genetic factors. The goal is to tailor anti-rejection medications to individual patients, reducing rejection rates and drug-induced side effects.
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh researchers aim to develop more effective treatments for patients with chronic lung diseases, including cystic fibrosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The $12.8 million NIH grant will support the development of new diagnostic methods and therapies.
Scientists at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh found that a category of genes known as pseudogenes serve no function, bolstering the theory of evolution. The study contradicts previous claims made by Intelligent Design proponents and suggests that pseudogenes are evolutionary relics with no function.
Research shows a survival rate of 84% in third year follow-up, greatly reduced infections and lymphoma-like disorders, with improved quality of life for children after transplantation.
A multicenter randomized controlled trial involving 117 premature infants found that laparotomy and bowel resection and peritoneal drainage surgical approaches have essentially the same major outcomes in terms of patient survival. The study ends three decades of speculation and debate over which approach is more effective.
Researchers at Children's Hospital in Pennsylvania have successfully performed liver transplants on patients with maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), a rare genetic disorder that causes amino acid accumulation. The study shows improved metabolic stability and reduced risk of brain swelling, stroke, and learning disabilities.
Pittsburgh researchers found biomarkers in infant blood that can identify possible cases of shaken baby syndrome, a traumatic brain injury often misdiagnosed. The study's findings have significant implications for decreasing morbidity and mortality in infants with SBS.
Researchers developed a vaccine platform offering protection against pneumocystis, influenza, and other pathogens in immunocompromised individuals. The vaccine uses a specific antigen and CD40L molecule to induce an immune response.
The pediatric acute liver study, directed from Children's, will investigate the causes and treatment of acute liver failure in children. The three aspects of the study include developing a registry, therapeutic clinical trials, and basic research into genetic causes of the condition.
The hospital will train four fellows a year in pediatric rheumatology, addressing the shortage of specialists due to limited certification. Dr. Raphael Hirsch's lab is working on finding new targets for therapy and improving diagnosis.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that prompt ear tube insertion does not improve developmental outcomes in healthy children with middle-ear effusion, contrary to previous findings. The study enrolled 6,350 infants and followed them regularly for three years.
Researchers have discovered a highly specific pathway that causes inflammation in lung tissue, which may contribute to lung damage in adult patients with cystic fibrosis. The study identifies interleukin-23 and interleukin-17 as promising targets for neutralization.
Researchers found that induced moderate hypothermia (32–33°C) is a safe therapeutic intervention for children with severe traumatic brain injury, reducing mortality and intracranial hypertension. The treatment protocol also showed potential to improve functional outcomes in young patients.
A national trial has shown that treatment can improve vision in many older children with amblyopia, a condition affecting up to three percent of US children. The study found significant improvement in vision among children aged 7-17 who received glasses, patches, and near activities.