Researchers from Nemours Children's Health present findings on pediatric mental health, HPV vaccination strategies, primary hypertension in youth, and the effects of social media on pediatric care. The studies aim to improve child well-being and provide innovative approaches to addressing pressing topics.
A new study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that children with supportive environments fared better than those living in neighborhoods with economic hardship. Higher EHI scores were associated with lower cognitive abilities and greater decline after treatment, especially in math skills.
Researchers from UCLA will deliver presentations on innovative approaches to pediatric care, including a trauma-informed care assessment tool and a weight bias curriculum. A mobile phone pilot intervention is also being explored as a potential solution for preventing obesity in Latino preschool children.
A novel genetic disorder has been identified in 21 patients from around the world, characterized by neurodevelopmental and craniofacial symptoms. The disorder is caused by rare variants in the MAP4K4 gene, which is involved in multiple signaling pathways, including the RAS pathway.
Blinatumomab immunotherapy significantly improves the survival rate of babies with aggressive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), from 66% to 93%, while reducing side effects. The treatment is now standard for babies worldwide.
A new study found that integrating mental health services into pediatric primary care at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) can improve access to and engagement in mental health care for Medicaid-enrolled children. The TEAM UP model of integrated behavioral health care was shown to increase mental health-related primary care vi...
Researchers at National Jewish Health found that daily Colchicine treatment improved fevers and symptoms in two adolescent patients with long COVID. Genetic testing revealed a pathogenic mutation in the MEFV gene, which is associated with periodic fever syndromes.
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics reveals that individuals born preterm or large for gestational age have a significantly increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation up to middle-age. In contrast, those born small for gestational age only show an increased risk up to the age of 18.
A study of 7807 children found no increased risk of brain tumours, leukemia, or lymphoma after a single CT scan. However, exposure to 4 or more scans before adulthood significantly increases the risk of intracranial tumours, leukemia, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma
A new Cochrane Review found that stool transplantation can increase the number of people recovering from Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection by 77%, compared to 40% with standard antibiotic treatment. The study also showed a decrease in side effects with stool transplantation.
SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 24, 2023
According to a new joint study, most children diagnosed with Lyme disease (75%) fully recovered within six months of completing antibiotic treatment. However, 22% of children experienced persistent symptoms after treatment, including some classified as post-treatment Lyme disease (PTLD) syndrome.
A Brazilian study found that pediatric ICU workers experienced high levels of burnout, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite high job satisfaction, organizational support can help mitigate psychological distress.
A study of 55,000 Canadian patients with COVID-19 found that vaccination significantly reduced severe outcomes and burden on healthcare systems. The research also highlights the importance of vaccination in reducing mortality rates associated with COVID-19.
A new study reveals that young children diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis are at an increased risk of subsequent wheezing, poor lung function, and reduced height and weight. The study found that children who developed PTB before six months old had more than double the risk of wheezing after 6 months.
Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who live in extreme poverty are at a significantly higher risk of relapse and have difficulty adhering to treatment. The study highlights the need for clinicians and researchers to assess financial hardship and adherence to treatment to improve outcomes.
A new Twitter analysis reveals that medical dramas like New Amsterdam, Chicago Med, and Grey's Anatomy influenced hundreds of people's thoughts on vaping dangers. The study found that nearly half the tweets commented on the realism of the storylines, with some even expressing intention to quit vaping.
A novel technique of three-dimensional (3D) slice-to-volume (SVR) MRI allows for precise delineation and measurement of the fetal optic pathway (FOP). The study found that FOP was visualized in 9 cases in unprocessed fetal MRIs, compared to 55 cases in 3D SVR images.
Infections caused by Group A Streptococcus (GAS) decreased by 80% as COVID-19 lockdown took effect and remained low until March 2022, when they increased 18% a month to surpass pre-COVID levels.
Researchers have identified 145 potential height genes linked to skeletal disorders and growth plate maturation. The study found that genetic changes affecting cartilage cell maturation may strongly influence adult height.
Researchers found that starting early intervention coaching at 18 months old led to greater gains in language, social communication, and daily living skills compared to waiting until 27 months. The study provided high-quality evidence for earlier intervention and highlights the importance of screening for autism at 18 months.
A multi-state study confirms the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA COVID-19 vaccine's effectiveness in children and adolescents against moderate and severe COVID-19 outcomes. The study found that vaccination provided significant protection, but effectiveness decreased during Omicron dominance, with a booster dose increasing protection.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have developed a potential therapeutic for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) using antisense oligonucleotide technology. The treatment has slowed tumor growth, reversed changes in cancer cells, and increased survival rates in mice with DIPG.
A new study found that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a significant increase in weekday screen time among school-aged children, with boosts of up to 1.35 hours per day. This finding suggests that children used screens to fill time previously spent at school or participating in extra-curricular activities.
A new study found that the COVID-19 pandemic led to steeper declines in fertility rates in some US states than others, with factors like income inequality, racial composition, and political leaning playing a significant role. States with stronger social distancing responses and liberal politics experienced larger fertility rate declines.
A new study finds that wireless pacemakers can safely regulate slow heartbeats in select pediatric patients. The leadless pacemaker, a miniature device implanted directly into the heart, has shown stable performance with no reported complications in children aged 4-21.
During the pandemic, children's recreational screen time significantly increased on weekdays compared to weekends. Once schools reopened, weekday screen time decreased but remained higher than pre-pandemic estimates.
A recent study led by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia identifies two different regulatory T cell populations, one related to autoimmunity and the other to protective immunity. The findings could pave the way for new treatments that target the immune system selectively.
A study published by the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston found a historic increase in group A strep infections among young children in Houston. The researchers identified three main types of group A strep diseases and found that emm12 strains were disproportionately represented, compared to emm1 strains.
Researchers analyzed 1.5 million patients with 53 million electronic notes to identify 9,477 distinct phenotypes and demonstrated a high degree of agreement with expert judgment in various clinical fields.
Researchers found that underutilized asset building programs could be a solution to help low income families build wealth. The study showed that incorporating these programs into healthcare may make them more accessible to families in need.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia discovered that viral proteins use phase separation to coordinate the complex process of replicating viral genomes and then encapsulating them in a viral particle. This process allows for the orderly and coordinated formation of infectious viral offspring.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine investigated the protein BVES and its crucial role in muscular dystrophy. They discovered that inhibiting proteasome degradation with Bortezomib can alleviate symptoms of BVES-deficient muscular dystrophy.
Researchers have identified a promising new combination of drugs to treat juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), a rare form of blood cancer affecting children. The combination of 5-azacitidine and MEK inhibitor PD0325901 reduced cancerous stem cells and improved blood cell abnormalities.
A new study published in CMAJ found that privately sponsored refugees were more likely to receive adequate prenatal care than government-assisted refugees in Ontario. The study analyzed data from over 5000 pregnant women and found a significant difference in the use of prenatal care services between the two groups.
A new study reveals that only one affordable prenatal supplement meets nutritional guidelines, but its high cost and complex dosing regimen make it inaccessible to many. The study calls for improved nutritional care during pregnancy and more research on nutrient-dense foods.
Researchers from the University of North Carolina Health Care announce that patients receiving anti-TNF biologic treatments combined with methotrexate had better outcomes than those treated with adalimumab alone. The study, published in Gastroenterology, provides clear results that can immediately impact patient care.
Researchers have shown lorlatinib to be safe and effective in treating high-risk neuroblastoma with ALK gene mutations. The targeted therapy has led to a major amendment in a phase 3 clinical trial, offering new hope for patients with this often lethal cancer.
A new Rutgers study finds that childhood asthma diagnoses decreased by 52% in the US during the first year of the pandemic compared to previous years. Researchers attribute this decline to fewer colds and the practice of wearing masks, which may have reduced the risk of asthma triggers.
A new study found that LGB preteens ages 10-14 reported 10.4 hours of daily recreational screen time, which was nearly four hours more than their straight peers. The researchers argue that parents should regularly talk to their children about screen usage and develop a family media use plan.
A new study suggests that ketamine could be a promising treatment option for children with traumatic brain injuries, particularly in reducing intracranial pressure. The research found that ketamine can lower ICP during crisis situations, which is crucial for preventing long-term neurologic impairment.
High blood pressure in children is a significant health concern, potentially leading to cardiovascular problems in adulthood. The American Heart Association recommends monitoring blood pressure levels and implementing lifestyle modifications such as a healthy diet, regular physical activity, and weight management.
Researchers found that preserving the meniscus with sutures is more effective in protecting cartilage from future damage in younger patients. Meniscectomies, which remove more than half of the meniscus, were more likely to progress cartilage degeneration.
Delattre is being recognized for his seminal genetic insights into the etiology of pediatric solid tumors, which have had substantial clinical implications. He has also been instrumental in identifying genetic alterations in other childhood cancers, including the BCOR-CCNB3 translocation.
A national analysis of pediatric hospitalizations from 2009 to 2019 found a significant increase in mental health diagnoses, with attempted suicide being the leading cause. The study highlights the growing importance of addressing mental health concerns in children and adolescents.
A new research letter highlights how quickly Colorado's children and teenagers can access a loaded gun, increasing the risk of adolescent suicides and firearm injuries. Nearly one-third of middle and high school students report having access to a gun within 24 hours or under 10 minutes.
A new study analyzed 183,780 non-birth related hospitalizations among 130,826 privately insured children covered aged 18 and under from 2017-2019. The average out-of-pocket spending was $1,300, with some families paying over $3,000. High deductibles and co-insurance payments were the main drivers of higher costs.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have discovered that beneficial microbes in infant gut use nitrogen from human milk to support pediatric nutrition and development. The study provides new insights into the molecular underpinnings of these processes, which could lead to improved infant health around the world.
Researchers found that incubators dampen some sounds but also cause a booming effect at low frequencies, raising noise levels by up to 28 decibels. The study highlights the importance of considering sound in NICU design and use to protect premature infants' hearing.
A new national study finds that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth are twice as likely to report trouble falling or staying asleep than their straight peers. This is attributed to greater depression, stress, and family conflict among LGB youth, which can make it harder for them to get a good night's sleep.
The Octapharma USA grant supports the Immunoglobulin National Society's breakfast symposium on PANS/PANDAS, a subset of pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome associated with strep. The program will focus on diagnosis criteria, pathogenic mechanisms, and current treatment options for challenging cases.
Researchers describe a new approach to constructing a nose in two young patients with congenital arhinia, a rare genetic disorder that causes the absence of the nose. The staged technique involves augmenting the underlying bones of the face and creating an external nose using tissue expansion and grafts.
Researchers from CHOP developed a prediction model that determines which newborn babies are likely to experience seizures in the NICU. The model, built using machine learning methods, can predict seizures with over 90% accuracy, particularly in newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
Young children with autism spectrum disorder are less likely to undergo vision screening than their peers, despite a high risk of developing serious eye disorders. A recent study found that only 36.5% of children with ASD had completed vision screenings at well visits, compared to 59.5% for children without ASD.
CHOP researchers found that adolescents with strong relationships with their parents have improved mental and physical health, lower substance use, and higher relationship satisfaction. The study analyzed data from over 15,000 participants and controlled for various factors.
A recent review article highlights the significant impact of cancer on Hispanic patients and their caregivers, citing communication barriers, financial difficulties, and sociocultural issues. The study estimates 126,000 new cancer cases diagnosed yearly in Hispanics, placing a substantial burden on family members and friends.
A Rutgers study found that criteria used to diagnose multiple sclerosis in adults may not be sufficient for pediatric patients, who often go undetected in early stages. The study suggests that diagnostic tools used for adults may need to be re-evaluated for children with abnormal MRI findings.
A quality improvement initiative increased NICU social risk screening rates and connected 98% of requesting families with resources. Early engagement with services and cross-sector partnerships led to positive referral outcomes, improving caregiver presence in the NICU.
Children from low-income neighborhoods are more likely to develop preventable heart disease due to high blood pressure, according to a new study. The research highlights the importance of considering neighborhood-related factors when diagnosing hypertension in youth.
Researchers found that consuming vitamin A or its analogs can help prevent painful pancreas inflammation in children and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) during chemotherapy treatment. The study revealed that only 1.4% of patients developed pancreatitis when taking vitamin A, compared to 3.4% without it.
A Kaiser Permanente study of over 800,000 children aged 3-17 found that youth with higher BMI were at a 26% increased risk of developing hypertension. The study highlights the importance of preventing hypertension in young people to avoid irreversible organ damage.