Research on the medical care of infants and children. Covers pediatric emergencies, blood-pressure thresholds, infectious disease, kidney injury, and developmental health.
The American Pediatric Society (APS) has elected its 2027 class of new members, including recognized child health leaders who work together to strengthen academic pediatrics. These individuals have made significant contributions to the field through their work as educators, researchers, clinicians, advocates, and policymakers.
A new study found that families who don't speak English are less likely to introduce peanut foods to their infants, leading to a higher risk of peanut allergy. This gap in access to essential nutrition and allergy guidance persists even after controlling for other factors, highlighting the need for language-accessible resources.
A national survey of school nurses found that stock epinephrine improves student safety, but many families are still required to supply their own epinephrine devices. Schools without stock epinephrine are more likely to run out of working devices in emergencies.
A study analyzing 71,000 children's surgical outcomes found that those traveling more than 60 miles for common procedures had higher odds of complications, longer hospital stays, and higher hospital charges. The study suggests strengthening partnerships between hospitals to improve pediatric surgical access and support for families.
The study found that Black children and teenagers have the lowest cancer survival rates, while certain leukemias and bone/soft tissue cancers have improved less than others. Advances in precision diagnostics and immunotherapies have improved survival among young patients, but disparities persist.
A study by the University of Exeter found that children who visit parks at least once a week have better mental health and social development. The study, which looked at 4,219 participants, suggests that parks can be a practical way to support children's emotional wellbeing and social skills.
A study published in Nature Mental Health identified three distinct brain biotypes in children with ADHD and anxiety, characterized by malfunctions in specific brain circuits. These biotypes may help clarify the overlap between ADHD and anxiety and provide new therapeutic targets.
A quality improvement initiative increased chlamydia and gonorrhea screening rates among adolescents in primary care practices. Screening rates increased from 25% to 75% among sexually active females and from 20% to 75% among sexually active males.
Shriners Children's is launching a recruitment effort to build a diverse scientific team across multiple research areas, including tissue engineering, artificial intelligence, and motion analysis. The new research institute will serve as a hub for innovative pediatric research, bringing together advanced capabilities in various fields.
A new study found that virtual reality (VR) significantly reduced self-reported distress and fear, heart rate, and blood pressure in children before surgery. The immersive experience, which included interactive environments, showed promise as a non-pharmacological alternative to manage pre-surgery anxiety.
A large-scale study has found that vitamin K deficiency has tripled and vitamin-K-deficient bleeding has quadrupled in infants since 2017, highlighting the need for improved uptake of vitamin K administration for newborns. The study's findings suggest that refusal of vitamin K injections is linked to increased risks of bleeding and tha...
Children with severe acute lung injury placed in prone position require longer mechanical ventilation, while high-frequency oscillatory ventilation also fails to reduce ventilation duration. The study suggests alternative ventilation strategies may be needed in pediatric patients.
A study of 13,307 US pediatric patients found e-bike and e-scooter injuries among youth increased exponentially, with severe injuries 2-8 times more common than nonmotorized vehicle injuries. The study highlights the need for stricter policies to prevent e-bike and e-scooter-related injuries.
Dr. Abman's pioneering work transformed the understanding of neonatal lung disease, and his discoveries helped establish inhaled nitric oxide as a life-saving therapy for newborns. He has also advanced pediatric research, education, and clinical care through his leadership of the Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Network.
A new study reveals that premature birth affects brain development, with the cerebellum growing and developing differently than in full-term infants. The findings provide a biological explanation for the challenges premature infants face with movement, language, and learning.
Researchers have engineered CAR-T cells that target brain tissue, allowing them to selectively destroy tumor cells in pediatric brain cancer DMG. The new therapy, B-SYNC CAR-T, has shown promise in laboratory tests, with the cells persisting and fighting cancer for over 70 days.
A new study led by UC Davis researchers finds that narrower surgical margins than previously thought can achieve cancer control in pediatric patients with non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas. The study, which evaluated 266 patients, found that close surgical margins as little as a millimeter can preserve precious healthy tissue a...
A new 'Female Life Stage' framework outlines four distinct stages based on female biology, offering windows of opportunity to prevent heart disease and stroke. The framework allows for earlier recognition of risk, earlier prevention, and better continuity of care beginning in childhood.
Children who consume more ultra-processed foods show stronger brain responses to appetizing foods, linked to increased body fat. Stronger responses in the brain's reward network are associated with greater increases in body fat over one year.
A study published in Hospital Pediatrics found that targeted education on common medical devices can strengthen aspects of physician-family communication. Pediatric residents who received hands-on training with medical devices showed significant improvements in communication skills, including explaining care plans and encouraging quest...
A free online program, Mindful Mood Balance for Moms, has been shown to reduce depression relapse among new moms and moms-to-be. The program, which includes audio-guided practices, videos, and advice from peers and professionals, has been found to lower the risk of depression relapse by 26% among participants. The study, published in t...
Ochsner Children's NICU is part of an international research network dedicated to improving outcomes for infants born at or before 23 weeks' gestation. The collaboration aims to advance research, identify best practices, and support families of extremely premature infants.
Researchers will enroll 1,500 children, ages 0-24 months, and study biological and environmental factors linked to recovery, severe illness, and long-term lung health. The goal is to identify patterns that explain why children follow different paths after an early viral infection.
A national poll found that four in five parents struggle financially to raise young children, with many supporting policies like paid leave, formula subsidies, and free childcare to alleviate these burdens. Parents are finding creative ways to make ends meet, but many want to help but are unsure where to start.
Charles W.M. Roberts, MD, Ph.D., was elected to the National Academy of Medicine for his groundbreaking research on cancer epigenetics and its impact on developing novel therapies for children with cancer. As St. Jude president and CEO-elect, Roberts will continue to advance the field of pediatric oncology.
A modeling study suggests that delayed or shared decision-making approaches to hepatitis B vaccination could lead to a 19-83% increase in chronic infections among US children. The current universal birth-dose strategy remains the most effective strategy for preventing childhood infections.
Research using the ABCD Study data found regional differences in brain volume and diffusion tensor imaging among late preterm birth children compared to full-term birth children. DTI measures showed group effects in selected white matter and cortical regions, with longitudinal differences in brain development.
Researchers developed a framework to detect abnormal lung sounds in children using smartphones, achieving high accuracy and outperforming traditional methods. The framework can provide an assistive tool for home-based respiratory screening, improving remote clinic consultations and community healthcare.
A new UVA study finds that Black children are more likely to develop severe asthma due to harmful inflammation, regardless of environmental factors. The research suggests tailored treatments for Black children with severe symptoms, and testing for high levels of T2 inflammation in all children with difficult-to-treat asthma.
Dr. Francis Sessions Cole, III, has made significant contributions to neonatal health through basic and translational research, expanding understanding of surfactant dysfunction and congenital disease. His work has advanced the use of genomic medicine to diagnose complex pediatric conditions, earning him national and international reco...
Dr. LaBelle leads the pediatric cancer and blood diseases program at the Chicagoland Children's Health Alliance and UChicago Medicine, expanding clinical trials and integration of services. He brings expertise in stem cell transplant, cellular therapies, and cancer immunology to improve outcomes for children with cancer and sickle cell...
Scientists discover aberrant antibodies in children with cancer, targeting DNA repair proteins, which may hinder normal repair and lead to cancer. The findings suggest a potential mechanism for pediatric cancer development and may lead to early screening and prevention.
A study by Semmelweis University researchers found that adolescents with functional abdominal pain disorders experience multisite pain and report stress, anxiety, and social struggles. These symptoms can persist for years and impact daily life, highlighting the need for further investigation and support.
The Safe Social Media Act aims to protect children's physical and mental health through digital safety rules and a regulator. The proposed act includes a Digital Safety and Data Protection Commission and temporarily restricts accounts for children under 16 until platforms meet enforceable standards.
Families of children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) experience substantial and lasting challenges, including household employment changes and marital status changes, beginning early after diagnosis. These challenges persist throughout treatment and have significant financial, social, and emotional impacts on families.
A recent study found that 57% of girls who started their periods at age 9-10 reported painful periods, with those experiencing more physical puberty symptoms more likely to report pain. Sleep disturbances were associated with the amount of pain that interfered with daily life, but were not predictive of future period pain.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia identified a genetic variant in the MAP2K4 gene associated with neurodevelopmental disorder symptoms such as developmental delay and epilepsy. The study revealed impaired JNK signaling in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons, providing a potential therapeutic target for furthe...
A global survey found that most laboratories testing children for cardiac troponin rely on adult reference intervals, leading to inconsistent and unreliable results. The lack of child-specific reference intervals is a major obstacle to providing accurate heart care for children, who require tailored benchmarks for specific conditions.
Dr. Veress leads research strategy and infrastructure in the Department of Pediatrics, aiming to bring innovative ideas from lab and clinical settings to treatments. She will also oversee pediatric pulmonology across the Mount Sinai Health System, expanding care for children with complex respiratory conditions.
Researchers at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt have successfully adapted a novel heart recovery technique, REUP, for pediatric patients, enabling the transplantation of 10 donor hearts in children and potentially expanding access to lifesaving heart transplants.
A multicentre study found patients with a rare inherited form of lupus may continue to accumulate organ damage even when disease activity appears to have declined. Long-term monitoring and more sensitive biomarkers are needed to detect ongoing subclinical inflammation and organ injury.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine discovered that blocking protein PIK3C3/VPS34 raises levels of GD2 on the surface of tumor cells, making them easier to detect and more vulnerable to treatment. This increase also creates a hostile environment for cancer growth.
Ochsner Children's has been recognized as a National Pancreas Foundation Center of Excellence for its comprehensive care of children with pancreatitis. The institution's pediatric gastroenterology program offers multidisciplinary care, advanced endoscopy, and coordinated management to improve outcomes and quality of life.
Lukas Chavez and his team at Sanford Burnham Prebys will develop an AI-powered system called Leitstern to help clinicians analyze complex data from children with cancer and identify personalized treatment options more quickly
The American Academy of Pediatrics has published guidance on the safe use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in pediatric clinical care. The policy statement emphasizes the importance of prioritizing data relevant to children's care, addressing bias, and ensuring strong data privacy and security safeguards. This framework aims ...
The AAP 2026 National Conference & Exhibition media kit is now available, featuring news releases and scientific abstracts on various child health topics. The conference will cover topics such as immigrant care, mental health, and adolescence, and will include expert discussions on long COVID and respiratory dysfunction in youth athletes.
A study found a nearly four-fold increase in e-bike and e-scooter injuries among children and teens, with e-bike injuries being more severe but less common than e-scooter injuries. Children injured on e-bikes were more likely to experience concussions, fractures, and hospitalizations.
Research analyzing 20 years of NEISS data reveals that children and teens riding e-bikes are more likely to suffer head injuries and fractures compared to pedal-assist and gas-powered bike riders. The study's findings highlight the need for regulation to prevent harm and reduce the risk of trauma and death among pediatric e-bike users.
Researchers found that increases in patient-canceled and no-show rates were significantly higher in Latine vs. non-Latine patients, as well as in Spanish-speaking vs. non-Spanish-speaking patients and families. More than 1,258 missed appointments were identified among the Latine group alone following the immigration enforcement crackdown.
The new NCCN Guidelines for Pediatric Bone Sarcoma focus on Ewing sarcoma and other undifferentiated round cell sarcomas, aiming to provide clear medical roadmaps for patients and their families. With a 5-year survival rate of 81% for early-stage diagnosis, these guidelines can help ensure teenagers receive optimal treatment and support.
A new clinical practice guideline aims to standardize the identification and management of infants at increased risk for cerebral visual impairment (CVI). The guideline recommends comprehensive ophthalmologic evaluation and referral to developmental services within the first six months of life to access interventions as early as possible.
A $3 million gift from Randy Kendrick establishes the Kelly Tarantello Chair in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at USC, supporting research into genetically engineered pig hearts as a potential bridge to heart transplant. The gift aims to save the lives and improve the health of infants with severe congenital heart disease.
University of Houston researcher Mingfu Wu has received a $3.1 million NIH grant to investigate left ventricular noncompaction, a serious heart condition that can lead to heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. The study aims to uncover a common mechanism behind different genetic causes of LVNC and potentially identify new targets fo...
A new study found substantial increases in reported intentional substance exposures at US schools among elementary- and middle-school-aged children, with high school-age teens experiencing the highest rates of serious medical outcomes and hospital admissions. Pharmaceutical exposures in this age group were associated with substantially...
A study in pediatric critical care found adopting permissive blood pressure targets resulted in no significant difference in mortality and duration of invasive ventilation at 30 days compared to usual care. The study suggests that a more permissive approach to blood pressure management may be safe for pediatric patients in critical care.
A nasal spray treatment has shown to provide rapid and effective pain relief for children in emergency departments, with 86.2% of children experiencing reduced pain 30 minutes after treatment. The treatment was well-tolerated with mild side effects, offering a simple and effective option for treating children in the emergency department.
A blood test that compares two molecules in the blood can accurately distinguish between bacterial and viral infections in newborn babies with fever. The test showed a high sensitivity and specificity, and could potentially improve treatment and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.
Rutgers researchers have found that combining literacy promotion with community-based support programs improves developmental outcomes for Latino children from birth to 18 months of age. The study, published in Pediatrics, found that aligning these supports resulted in more responsive parent-child interactions and better social-emotion...
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that dietary interventions can significantly alter outcomes in Hirschsprung disease, suggesting previously unknown mechanisms to improve care for children. The study discovered that a standard diet can induce microscopic and cellular changes in the colons of animal models, leadin...
A UCF researcher and her team used AI to screen existing FDA-approved drugs for potential treatments of schwannoma tumors in children with Neurofibromatosis type 2. The research identified 10 promising candidates, with the most favorable targets stopping tumor cell growth by impacting different cellular mechanisms.