Research on the medical care of infants and children. Covers pediatric emergencies, blood-pressure thresholds, infectious disease, kidney injury, and developmental health.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 stay higher in people who were infected by the virus and then received protection from mRNA vaccine compared to those who only got vaccinated. A longer interval between virus exposure and first vaccine dose may enhance antibody response.
A new study found that COVID-19 can trigger severe psychiatric symptoms in adolescents, with anti-neural antibodies playing a potential role. Two patients with mild/asymptomatic COVID developed suicidal thoughts and paranoid fears, while another patient without prior psychiatric history recovered fully after treatment.
A nationwide pause of most elective operations led to significant financial losses for hospitals, with one study estimating a 42% loss of net revenue. Hospitals lost $1.53 billion from missed pediatric procedures, with a median time to recovery of one year.
A Rutgers study found that up to 8% of children in certain New Jersey communities have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), significantly higher than the national average. The study also identified disparities in ASD identification, particularly among Hispanic children.
Researchers found a higher burden of infection, more inflammation, and lower diversity of microorganisms in children with cystic fibrosis compared to disease controls. This divergence was noted as early as toddlerhood, suggesting potential for earlier treatment and prevention of severe lung disease.
Pediatricians and public health officials should present a united front against controversial state masking bans for schools, as these policies contradict evidence-based recommendations. The Delta variant overwhelmed pediatric emergency rooms and hospitals, highlighting the need for effective mitigation strategies.
A new study found that people with autism spectrum disorder are at a substantially increased risk of self-injury and suicide, with odds over three times higher than in non-autistic individuals. The study identified 31 studies showing statistically significant positive associations between ASD and self-harm.
A large community-based health care network found most preschool-age children with ADHD or symptoms were not offered evidence-based behavioral treatment. Pediatrician recommendations focus on alternative approaches to address the issue.
Researchers developed a new protein treatment that prevents glaucoma from forming in mice and reduces pressure in the eyes. The study provides new targets for therapies and aims to develop an injectable treatment for patients.
A group of researchers led by Indiana University School of Medicine's Benjamin Gaston will receive a research program project grant to fund the development of personalized therapeutic approaches for severe asthma. The grant will support three key projects focused on S-nitrosylation signaling, airway pH regulation, and androgen signaling.
A UC Davis MIND Institute study suggests telehealth evaluation can help families access care and diagnose autism earlier. The research found that telehealth approaches in the first year of life improved access to care for infants with elevated autism risk, reducing waitlists and parental stress.
New research from WVU suggests that live music can reduce pain and anxiety in pediatric critical-care patients. In a study, babies who heard live music had lower heart rates and slower breathing rates compared to those who listened to recorded music.
A multi-university study found that higher doses of intensive therapy improve upper arm and hand abilities in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy, while a lower dosage produces fewer gains. The therapy can be life-changing for children, increasing their willingness to tackle new activities.
Researchers at UC San Diego will document brain development from birth through early childhood, focusing on environmental factors and mental disorders. The HBCD study aims to optimize brain imaging technologies and predict future behavioral problems.
New research from an international team of scientists found that poor timing of influenza vaccination campaigns in Brazil led to increased premature births, lower birth-weight babies, and the need for more cesarean sections. The study suggests that earlier flu vaccination campaigns could better protect pregnant women and their babies.
A new AI-powered algorithm, GEM, has been developed to quickly identify genetic causes of serious disease in newborns. The technology leverages machine learning and natural language processing to analyze vast amounts of genomic data and clinical records, achieving an accuracy rate of 92% compared to existing tools.
The study analyzed data from 680 patients aged 1-17 who were involved in ATV or dirt bike crashes. Helmeted riders had lower rates of neurosurgical consultation, intracranial injury, moderate or severe traumatic brain injury, and required fewer neurosurgical procedures compared to unhelmeted riders.
A CHOP-led study found that healthy full-term infants born during the COVID-19 pandemic had substantially shorter hospital stays, with a significant increase in early discharge rates. Despite shorter hospital stays, infant rehospitalizations within a week of discharge remained unchanged.
The University of Michigan's Injury Prevention Center has developed a free online course on pediatric injury prevention, which has gained significant popularity. The course offers tailored learning pathways and covers dozens of injury topics, making it accessible to learners worldwide.
Researchers at Keck School of Medicine will collect and analyze imaging data from over 1,300 children nationwide to identify biological markers predicting recovery or persistent symptoms after concussion. The study aims to develop a diagnostic protocol for clinicians caring for pediatric patients with concussion.
A survey of healthcare providers found that technology changes during the pandemic may contribute to burnout, with negative perceptions of telehealth visits increasing the odds of reporting burnout. The study highlights the need for adequate institutional resources to promote provider well-being and combat burnout.
Research shows that staff training programs and gun safety educational materials increase doctor/parent conversations about gun safety, leading to safer storage practices and reduced firearm injuries. Pediatricians who received training and support were more likely to counsel parents on gun safety, resulting in improved firearm screeni...
A new study from UCLA finds that a social companion robot, Robin, provides comfort to young patients during hospital visits. Children and their parents reported significant improvements in positive affect and reductions in negative affect after interacting with Robin compared to tablet-based interactions.
Research found a significant increase in non-accidental child injuries during COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, attributed to economic and emotional stress. The study analyzed data from nine pediatric trauma centers and found that the number of child abuse victims over age 5 tripled during the pandemic period.
A new study is examining the relationship between cytokines in saliva and COVID-19 infection to predict severity in children. Levels of two cytokines were found higher in those with severe COVID-19 compared to those without severe infection.
New research found that family violence-related injuries in youth ages 10-15 significantly increased during the pandemic stay-at-home order, with over half of patients reporting an event involving a family member. The study also revealed that alcohol, illegal drugs, and weapons were involved in more cases during the pandemic period.
A study found that pediatric clinical trials in the US were underrepresented by Black children, Hispanic/Latino children, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, and Native Pacific Islander children. Researchers are calling for improvements to enrollment processes to increase diversity and generalizability of trial results.
Research suggests that baby-wearing products pose a significant risk of injury to young children, with 61% of injuries occurring in children under 5 months old. The study found that 19.3% of these infants required hospitalization due to head injuries, highlighting the need for parent education on proper use and sizing of baby carriers.
A study found that bystander intervention can reduce the risk of drowning child deaths or severe disabilities by 80%. Children submerged under water for less than 5 minutes and rescued by a bystander were more likely to recover. Early rescue can lead to good outcomes in victims of drowning.
A study analyzing TikTok videos under the hashtag #preworkout found that dry scooping, where undiluted powder is put in the mouth followed by liquid, amassed over 8 million views. The study suggests physicians should be aware of pre-workout's dangers, especially among teens.
A Children's Hospital of Philadelphia-led study found that most US obstetric hospitals deliver fewer than 500 babies per year, with approximately 2.5 million infants born at low-volume hospitals between 2010 and 2018. Nearly a fifth of these low-volume hospitals are isolated from other obstetric hospitals, with over half located in rur...
A nationwide study found over 63,000 golf cart injuries in children and adolescents from 2010-2019, with a steady increase each year. The majority of injuries were superficial, but fractures and dislocations also occurred, often in the head and neck region.
A study of 1,236 participants in 310 households found that SARS-CoV-2 infection risks were similar between children and adults, regardless of household contact. The study provides insights into the clinical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection among both age groups.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a marked increase in accidental burns among children, with burn injuries growing significantly between 2019 and 2020. School-aged children accounted for the largest difference in burn injuries, and flame burns increased by 7% during this period.
A Michigan-based study found a dramatic drop in vaccinations across the lifespan during the early pandemic, but a recent rebound has been noted. The researchers emphasize the importance of continued vaccinations to prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases like measles.
Researchers developed a novel machine learning algorithm to identify previously unknown air pollutant mixtures linked to poor asthma outcomes in children. The study found that early exposure to individual and mixed pollutants can lead to longer-term problems with asthma, affecting about seven percent of US children.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine report that children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) have normal T cell responses to the COVID-19 virus, contrary to previous hypotheses. This suggests that MIS-C may not be caused by an abnormal immune response to the virus.
A randomized trial found that a video game with biofeedback can help youth learn to regulate their anger, leading to reduced aggression and oppositional behavior. The game trains kids to stay calm during stressful situations, and its effectiveness was validated in parents' and clinicians' reports.
A new study found that 31% of children with food allergies experience victimization behaviors, including verbal teasing and criticism, compared to 17% when asked a simple yes/no question. Only 12% of parents reported being aware of the issue.
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.
Research finds that at-risk teen girls who have experienced sexual abuse are more likely to be cyberbullied and experience heightened offline sexual activities. Targeted intervention strategies using algorithm-based approaches could help these teens navigate the Internet safely.
The Charles Lazarus Children’s Abilities Center at Mount Sinai offers cutting-edge treatments for children with disabilities, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The center features state-of-the-art equipment and a multidisciplinary team of experts providing comprehensive care to children from birth to age 21.
A prospective study found that liver stiffness measurements obtained by shear-wave elastography decreased significantly after image-guided intervention for chronic Budd-Chiari syndrome in children. Disease recurrence was typically associated with an increase in liver stiffness measurements compared to prior assessments.
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.
Researchers at UIC will evaluate the effectiveness of integrated behavioral health care coordination on mental health outcomes for teens with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The study aims to identify better care coordination models to reduce barriers to access to behavioral health care for this vulnerable population.
Researchers found that parental knowledge and beliefs differ across socioeconomic status, but these beliefs can be changed. Interventions aimed at shifting parental beliefs had measurable effects on child outcomes, particularly in more intensive home visiting programs.
A recent study found that pediatric patients with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) who received initial IVIG plus Infliximab had improved cardiac outcomes, reduced need for additional therapies, and faster resolution of inflammation. The updated care pathway recommends this intensified therapy for all MIS-C patients.
Pediatric transplant recipients have a more robust immune response to COVID-19 vaccines, achieving higher antibody levels after two doses compared to adult counterparts. This study suggests that the standard two-dose regimen may be safe and effective in pediatric transplant recipients.
Researchers at Mount Sinai have developed a novel therapy called MS67 that effectively fights acute myeloid leukemia with mixed lineage leukemia rearrangement. The therapy degrades the WDR5 protein, which drives the proliferation of this type of leukemia and other cancers such as pancreatic cancer.
A massive review of nearly 300 studies found strong associations between greenspaces near homes and schools and improved physical activity and mental health outcomes in kids. Exposure to nature, particularly for disadvantaged populations, offers greater health benefits by counteracting poverty's toxic effects.
Scientists identified a rare genetic condition affecting prenatal development, leading to lifelong disabilities in children. They discovered a potential method to prevent the condition by administering a drug during pregnancy, which boosted Wnt signaling and restored normal growth in mouse embryos.
A global study found that air pollution contributed to almost 6 million premature births and 3 million underweight babies worldwide. Indoor air pollution, mainly from cook stoves, accounted for two-thirds of the measured effects.
A new handheld screening device has been shown to accurately detect amblyopia (lazy eye) in children, with a sensitivity rate of 100% and specificity rate of 85%. Early detection is key to treating the condition, which can affect school performance and lifelong visual acuity.
Researchers have identified a specific gene, RARA, associated with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in children that is sensitive to the treatment tamibarotene. Studies found that AML cells with high levels of RARA are more responsive to tamibarotene, suggesting its potential as a new treatment for pediatric AML.
Scientists at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago discovered a surprising link between growth factor receptor PDGFRA and hypomyelination in mouse models. The study suggests that blocking this receptor could be a novel strategy to treat myelination disorders like multiple sclerosis.
A study at Hiroshima University analyzed 160 pediatric liver cancer cases, identifying molecular markers that help understand treatment outcomes. The research found that ASCL2 and IGF2 production play a crucial role in the disease's development, with 'cell of origin' being a premature hepatoblast.
A Cleveland Clinic-led research team found that statistically overweight children who followed a healthy eating pattern significantly improved weight and reduced various cardiovascular disease risks. The study also showed improvements in blood pressure, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein levels.
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 parent-led therapy for early signs of autism has significantly reduced the likelihood of an autism diagnosis at age three. The iBASIS-VIPP program uses video-feedback to support social development and unique abilities, resulting in increased parental sensitivity and language development.
Children exposed to gun violence within a four-block radius are more likely to experience mental health distress, with symptoms appearing days after the incident. Researchers recommend reducing community violence through safe storage and background check laws, as well as providing preventive support for affected families.