Researchers collected hundreds of cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with Diffuse Midline Glioma, tracking changes in cell-free tumor DNA over time. The findings suggest that this method could provide data about tumors sooner than MRIs alone, allowing clinicians to address aggressive brain cancer more effectively.
Researchers found that sulforaphane inhibits replication of SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-OC43 coronaviruses in cells and mice, reducing viral burden by up to 50%. Sulforaphane also helps control immune response and protects against lung injury.
The ACMG Foundation presented four Next Generation Fellowship Awards to outstanding individuals in medical genetics and genomics. Ibrahim Elsharkawi and Jessica Priestley received the awards for their dedication to biochemical genetics, with support from Bionano Genomics, Spark Therapeutics, Takeda, Sanofi-Genzyme, and Pfizer.
Researchers identified common features of pediatric antiphospholipid syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease causing inflammation and recurring blood clots. Nearly half of children with APS experienced recurrent blood clots despite treatment, highlighting the need for early diagnosis and prevention.
A new study published in Tobacco Control found that cities banning flavored tobacco sales have reduced youth tobacco use, particularly vaping and cigarette smoking. In contrast to a previous study, the new analysis supports a ban on flavored tobacco products as an effective measure to prevent adolescent tobacco use.
A new study found that nearly one in five children with complex medical conditions require out-of-network care for behavioral health treatment, resulting in higher costs and burdens for families. The study highlights the need for improved provider networks and policy solutions to address this issue.
The proportion of US pediatric clinical trials reporting participant race and ethnicity increased from 2011 to 2020, with significant disparities still present according to this analysis. Despite the improvement, underreporting of racial and ethnic diversity remained a concern in published pediatric clinical trials.
The Philadelphia Regional Center for Children's Environmental Health aims to identify and protect vulnerable communities from environmental exposures. The center will focus on four primary research areas: asthma prevention, lead exposure, air pollution, and endocrine disrupting chemicals.
Research led by Adam Green, MD, shows that the youngest patients with brain tumors (ages 0-3 months) have about half the five-year survival rate as children ages 1-19. The study analyzed population-based data for almost 14,500 children and found significantly poorer outcomes among the youngest patients.
A study of over 3,000 mother-child pairs from six European countries found an association between prenatal bisphenol A exposure and increased risk of asthma and wheezing in school-age girls. The study revealed a high prevalence of BPA in maternal urine during pregnancy.
Researchers found that genetic ancestry is associated with differences in biology of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and is an independent factor contributing to treatment outcomes. Children from East Asian and South Asian backgrounds had better survival rates than Caucasian children, with Indian children having the best outcomes.
A UC San Diego study found that excessive neuropeptide secretion by neuroendocrine cells in the lungs can lead to fluid buildup and poor oxygenation in both infant lung disease and COVID-19. Blocking these neuropeptides may be an effective treatment for conditions marked by excess lung fluid.
A new manifestation of COVID-19 has been identified in young children, characterized by croup, a common respiratory illness marked by a distinctive barking cough. The omicron strain's preference for the upper airway may account for the sudden appearance of croup during the surge.
A Johns Hopkins study shows that a higher dose of the antibiotic rifampin may be more effective in treating TB meningitis, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes. The research suggests that high doses of rifampin can kill bacteria faster while minimizing brain inflammation.
A study found that an eight-week mindfulness-based program during pregnancy reduced the risk of health problems in offspring, as measured by autonomic nervous system responses. Infants whose mothers underwent the program had a faster cardiovascular recovery from stressful interactions and more self-soothing behavior.
A CHOP-led study found bortezomib significantly improved overall survival in children and young adults with newly diagnosed T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. The trial also showed that intensifying the chemotherapy regimen allowed for elimination of radiation in nearly all patients, resulting in excellent outcomes.
A new peer-reviewed study confirms MiSight 1 day contact lenses slow eye growth and halt myopia progression in 90% of children, with no loss of effectiveness over time. The longest-running soft contact lens study among children demonstrates sustained efficacy for nearly all children, regardless of age or initial refractive error.
A multicenter study found relatively high interobserver agreement for chronic pancreatitis findings in children using both CT and MRI. However, subjective findings like atrophy showed moderate agreement, emphasizing the need for standardized criteria.
A new study from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that medical-legal partnerships, which connect pediatric patients with advocates from Legal Aid Society, significantly reduce hospital admissions for children. The program, launched in 2008, has resulted in a 38% reduction in hospitalizations among referred cases.
CLABSIs contribute significantly to infant morbidity and mortality in the NICU, leading to prolonged hospitalization and increased healthcare costs. The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America provides practical guidance on preventing CLABSI through implementation of specific strategies.
A new study by Columbia University researchers has identified key differences in immune cells and responses between MIS-C patients and other febrile infection patients. These findings may lead to faster diagnosis and better treatment of MIS-C.
Researchers from the Mitochondrial Medicine Frontier Program at CHOP found that primary developmental delays are a common symptom of Leigh syndrome, occurring even before metabolic stroke and regression. These delays are associated with poor long-term educational outcomes and worse disease progression.
Researchers investigated the association between acute respiratory failure in early childhood and long-term neurocognitive outcomes. The study found that children who experienced severe respiratory distress were more likely to have impaired cognitive function and behavioral problems later in life.
A cost-effectiveness analysis found that adherence promotion programs like MAPS reduce costs and improve outcomes for adolescent kidney transplant recipients. Strategies with similar costs to MAPS can still be cost-effective if they decrease rejection episodes by a small amount.
Research by Robert Sege and Allison Stephens found that emergency department visits, abusive head trauma admissions, and child welfare reports decreased during the pandemic. The authors attribute this decline to increased support for families, including financial assistance, paid parental leave, and other social factors.
Researchers have identified larazotide acetate as a promising treatment for multi-inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a rare but severe condition. The study showed rapid improvement in symptoms and faster resolution of gastrointestinal issues among children treated with the drug, suggesting its potential as an adjuvant therapy.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that the COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in the uptake of childhood immunizations in Scotland. Researchers analyzed data from over 439,000 vaccine invitations and found higher immunization rates during lockdown periods compared to pre-pandemic years.
A study by Brandi Rollins and Lori Francis found that early positive interactions with caregivers can reduce the risk of childhood obesity. The researchers analyzed data from over 1,000 mother-child pairs and discovered that children's early exposures to family psychosocial assets protect against obesity.
Scientists have discovered a new subtype of relapsed pediatric AML characterized by a specific gene mutation called UBTF exon 13 tandem duplication (UBTF-TD), which is associated with poor outcomes and an increased incidence of minimal residual disease. This mutation can be used to identify high-risk patients and guide treatment.
Researchers identified a novel mutation in 9% of relapsed pediatric AML cases, suggesting a new subtype of the disease. The UBTF tandem duplication is associated with poor survival rates and higher likelihood of minimal residual disease positivity.
A new study from Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago found that children from less resourced neighborhoods were at increased odds of presenting with complicated appendicitis. This association persisted despite no significant link between neighborhood opportunity levels and healthcare utilization post-discharge.
A study found that using two cannulas to place newborns in respiratory failure on life-sustaining ECMO increases mortality rates. The safest path is a single cannula in the right internal jugular, which can remove oxygen-poor blood and add oxygen before returning it to the baby.
A new study has discovered that as brains mature, the precise ways in which two key memory regions communicate make us better at forming lasting memories. The findings also suggest how brains learn to multitask with age, with slower oscillations in older participants and faster oscillations in younger ones.
A Wayne State study reveals that communication between two key brain regions determines how we remember experiences. As these regions mature, their precise interactions improve our ability to form lasting memories. The research also found that age-related differences in fast and slow theta oscillations impact memory development.
The Hastings Center Report examines four key considerations for assessing risk-trade-offs in the pandemic, including education, economies, healthcare, travel, social engagement, and medical countermeasures. The report also challenges traditional notions of advance directives in end-of-life care, proposing a new principle of patient aut...
A new study by Dr. Brian Stansfield and Dr. Jessica Gancar found a clear linear relationship between mortality and red blood cell transfusion volume in newborns on ECMO, with a 14% decrease in survival chances for every transfusion. The study suggests that reducing transfusion volumes may improve outcomes.
Paczesny will explore biomarkers and a new type of immune cell to identify and regulate acute lung injury after BMT. She aims to improve understanding of signaling mechanisms in lung injury after BMT, particularly as they relate to idiopathic pneumonia syndrome.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin found that rapid weight gain in pregnant women during the first and final months may lead to higher body mass index measurements, larger waist circumferences, and higher body fat percentages in their daughters by age 14. Researchers connected patterns of weight change in pregnancy to p...
A new study finds that adolescents with frequent suicidal thoughts are at risk for a range of psychological and social issues, including depression, anxiety, attention disorders, and more. Pediatricians can use screening tools to identify teens who need help, regardless of whether they will attempt suicide.
A quality improvement initiative at 10 US children's hospitals has led to an almost 80% reduction in opioid prescribing for children after appendectomy, without harming patient outcomes. The study used a standardized prescribing protocol and ACS NSQIP Pediatric data to minimize opioid prescriptions.
A comprehensive quality-improvement initiative in a NICU reduced death and severe brain bleeding in extremely preterm infants from 27.4% to 15%. The program introduced evidence-based practices, including electronic order sets, improved monitoring of blood carbon dioxide and pH levels, and standardized delivery room practices.
A new study by CUNY SPH researchers estimates that nearly 40% of children living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are undiagnosed, highlighting the urgent need for improved pediatric testing coverage. The study found that only 55% of children on ART had suppressed viral loads, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. David G. Nichols has been recognized with the inaugural APS Health Equity Award for his outstanding contributions to advancing child and adolescent health, well-being, and equity. He will receive the award during the APS Presidential Plenary at the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting in Denver.
Dr. Edward Y. Lee, MD, MPH, receives the highest distinction from North America's first radiological society for his contributions to pediatric thoracic imaging and education. The ARRS Gold Medal honors his tireless efforts to advance radiology globally.
A new study of over 84,000 children found a significant association between screen time at age 1 and the presence or absence of an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis at age 3. The research suggests that early exposure to screens may be a potential risk factor for developing autism.
Researchers have developed a personalized dosing regime for anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) to improve the success of stem cell transplants in children with leukemia. The new approach led to better immune recovery and higher survival rates compared to standard treatment.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia define a 3-tiered molecular classification system for pediatric differentiated thyroid cancer, where fusion oncogenes are associated with more invasive disease and lower remission rates. The study contrasts findings from adults, who have a two-tiered system based on BRAF mutations.
A Yale study found that child masking in child care programs reduced closure rates by 13-14%. Child masking was associated with a lower risk of COVID-19-related closures, keeping children in safe learning environments and allowing parents to remain employed. Masking rates were higher for staff members than children.
A study found that nearly 70% of pediatric patients missed an average of two five-day school weeks post-hospital discharge and half of their primary caregivers missed an average of eight workdays. This highlights the need for interventions to mitigate absenteeism and support families during and after pediatric hospitalization.
A study found frequent rates of respiratory infections and wheezing in young First Nations children due to poor housing conditions, including inadequate ventilation, mold, and wood smoke contaminants. The researchers urge action on improving housing and infrastructure in communities to benefit the overall health of First Nations peoples.
A single genetic test using RNA sequencing has been used for all children with cancer in the Netherlands since 2018, improving diagnosis and treatment in seven cases. The technique picked up 78 fusion genes, 23 of which led to a more accurate diagnosis or possible treatment.
Researchers report successful treatment of two young infants with PROS using breast cancer drug alpelisib, inducing rapid and significant clinical improvement in symptoms. The treatment was well-tolerated and showed promising results, supporting the use of low-dose alpelisib in these patients.
Researchers have developed a novel combination of two drugs delivered in nanoparticles that extend the survival of mice with medulloblastoma. The treatment targets the mTOR pathway and reduces off-target toxicity, making it a potential less toxic alternative to current treatments.
A national survey reveals that over 85% of primary care practices struggle to access pediatric medication advice and evidence-based psychotherapy. Policy changes may be necessary to address these barriers and improve child behavioral health treatment.
A new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that resuming non-contact physical activity 72 hours after a concussion is safe for children and youth. The study, which involved 456 participants, showed that early return to physical activity can reduce symptoms and delayed recovery.
A DNA sequencing study of 50 patients with cerebral palsy found a genetic cause in 26% of cases. The study identified 13 different genes associated with the condition. Genetic findings led to changes in patient care plans and urged clinicians to consider genetic causes for CP without known risk factors.
A national study by Boston Children's Hospital found that primary care practices caring for children reported significant difficulties in obtaining behavioral health services. The study, published in Annals of Family Medicine, highlights the pressing need for mental health support in children and adolescents.
A UC researcher is leading three projects to study the genetic workings of deadly pediatric brain tumors, including DIPG. The goal is to understand how genes regulate blood vessels and develop more effective treatments. Researchers are also exploring a new drug that targets a specific genetic mutation.
A new study reveals that over 85% of primary care practices face difficulties in obtaining evidence-based pediatric behavioral health care, including medication advice and family-based therapy. Policy changes are necessary to address these barriers and ensure comprehensive care for children's growing behavioral health needs.
The CHAMPS program, a multi-year quality improvement initiative in Mississippi, increased breastfeeding rates by 10 percentage points overall, with significant gains among Black mother-baby dyads. Rooming-in practices also improved, leading to reduced infant mortality and morbidity.