Research on the medical care of infants and children. Covers pediatric emergencies, blood-pressure thresholds, infectious disease, kidney injury, and developmental health.
A study found that oxcarbazepine, a commonly prescribed anti-seizure medication, is associated with a higher risk of fractures in children with epilepsy. The research team examined the effects of levetiracetam and oxcarbazepine on bone fragility in children between the ages of four and 13.
Researchers assessed diagnostic value of physical symptoms for urinary tract infections in children, finding only circumcision and diaper rash useful for ruling out UTI. They advise against restricting urine sampling to children with unexplained fever or specific features.
Researchers at Boston Medical Center have identified six stages of engagement in ADHD treatment, highlighting the importance of breaking down barriers for racial and ethnic minority families. The study provides a comprehensive framework that can help healthcare systems better match the needs of children with ADHD and their families.
A study published in SLEEP reveals an association between early lower respiratory tract infections and the development of obstructive sleep apnea in children. Children who had a history of severe RSV bronchiolitis during early infancy were found to have a higher risk of developing OSA.
Researchers developed an experimental device to improve blood sugar control in HI patients. The bihormonal bionic pancreas (BHBP) helps maintain stable glucose levels without human error in calculating doses.
A study found that gut microbiome profiles in children from the Democratic Republic of Congo reveal high glucosidase and low rhodanese microbes, which could increase susceptibility to konzo. The researchers plan to further investigate sibling pairs to confirm their findings.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine are studying the impact of antibiotics on breast milk and infant health. The team will investigate how antibiotics alter the composition of breast milk and impact the infant microbiome, metabolome and immune response.
Researchers found that patients with a rare genetic condition may develop chronic inflammatory bone diseases due to an impaired response to interferon gamma. The study suggests that this impairment leads to excessive osteoclast proliferation and increased bone resorption, causing multifocal osteomyelitis.
A randomized clinical trial of 125 young adults with concussions found that restricting screen time for 48 hours significantly reduced symptom duration. The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, suggests that limiting screen time may be a useful strategy to accelerate concussion recovery.
A recent study found that breastfeeding mothers who received Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines experienced temporary symptoms such as pain and swelling at the injection site, chills, muscle/body aches, fever, and vomiting. The study also reported no serious side effects in breastfed infants.
A new study suggests that T cell therapy alone or combined with cancer drug nivolumab is safe and persistent in attacking Hodgkin's lymphoma cells. The treatment showed promising results in patients with relapsed or refractory HL, offering a potential option for those who do not respond to checkpoint inhibitors.
A multinational team of researchers led by UNC principal investigators James Hagood and Richard Boucher aim to better understand how cells lining the nose, mouth, and airways interact to maintain respiratory health or play roles in diseases throughout childhood. The project involves collecting samples from six countries for cutting-edg...
Researchers found no significant DNA changes in stem cells after transplant, but an anti-virus drug called ganciclovir may contribute to cancer development. Further research is needed to investigate this further.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that contact with police is associated with negative health outcomes for Black youth, including poor mental health, substance use, and risky behaviors. The researchers also found that Black youth experience feelings of alienation and hopelessness due to lack of support from social institutions.
A nationally representative survey found that 72% of people with food allergies were unaware of oral immunotherapy as a treatment option. The study highlights the need for more accessible and equitable outreach efforts to ensure all patients can benefit from recent advances in food allergy treatments.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation has identified potential biomarkers for COVID-19 condition in children, known as Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). The researchers hope that these biomarkers can help predict the severity of the disease and inform treatment decisions.
A study of 68 patients found that most had good long-term outcomes with minimal complications, while others faced significant risks. The research provides insights into the potential consequences of COVID-19 multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.
New study finds that rescue breathing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is preferable to compression-only CPR for infants, children, and adolescents in case of cardiac arrest. Rescue breathing CPR was associated with higher odds of favorable neurological outcomes and overall survival compared to compression-only CPR.
A multicenter study will evaluate the outcomes of 1,500 children with tracheostomy to provide clinical practice guidelines for preventing, diagnosing, and managing bacterial infections. The study aims to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and cost of care.
A new project aims to create a cell atlas of the pediatric heart, filling the knowledge gap in molecular mechanisms involved in childhood death causes. Researchers will analyze healthy heart tissue from children using single-cell analysis and gene expression studies.
A new study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia finds that bystander CPR using only chest compression has similar outcomes to not using CPR at all for infants experiencing cardiac arrest. In contrast, children who received CPR with rescue breathing had nearly 1.5 times better neurological outcomes.
Research published in JAMA Network Open found that preterm infants with higher exposure to their mother's breast milk had enhanced cardiac function at one year of age, approaching values seen in healthy full-term infants. Exclusive breast milk consumption was associated with normalization of heart traits and lower lung pressures.
A recent study found that 20% of children with cancer infected with SARS-CoV-2 developed severe infections, compared to 1-6% in general pediatric patients. The Global Registry of COVID-19 and Childhood Cancer also showed that cancer care was disrupted, with 56% of patients having modified treatment and 45% having chemotherapy withheld.
Research highlights six core pillars of learning: active, engaged, meaningful, socially interactive, iterative, and joyful. Experts offer practical advice on transforming everyday spaces into playful learning environments that support children's growth.
A study at Children's Hospital Los Angeles shows that virtual reality can decrease pain and anxiety in children undergoing intravenous catheter placement. The technology works by shifting focus and preventing pain from being registered, leading to a more positive experience for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
A Mount Sinai study found significant inequalities among low-risk births, with Black and Hispanic infants experiencing higher rates of unexpected complications. Hospital quality was identified as a key contributor to these disparities, with lower-quality hospitals serving more Black and Hispanic women.
A new study found that nearly one in five babies in Brazil were born 'small' and at increased risk of mortality. The researchers identified six 'small vulnerable newborn' phenotypes, which showed the highest mortality risk was 62 times greater than full-term babies.
A Swedish study found that 43% of children with new-onset type 1 diabetes did not receive hospital treatment on the same day as primary care contact. Delayed care can lead to life-threatening conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis. Improved awareness and rapid treatment are crucial for preventing complications.
Researchers will track oral health behaviors and caries risk in low-income urban young children over five years, collecting data on caregiver-reported habits, dental plaque scores, and social risk factors. The study aims to understand the impact of community-level factors on individual behaviors.
Obstructive sleep apnea is common in kids and adolescents, affecting 1-6% of all children and 30-60% of obese adolescents. It can raise blood pressure and link to insulin resistance, abnormal lipids, and cardiovascular health issues. The American Heart Association calls for further studies on the topic.
This observational study found no association between prenatal antipsychotic exposure and increased risk of preterm birth, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorder in children. The study's findings suggest that antipsychotics during pregnancy do not pose a significant risk to fetal development.
A study of 6,280 households found that younger children are more likely to transmit SARS-CoV-2 to caregivers and siblings. The study suggests that household transmission is a significant concern for pediatric patients.
A national survey study found that children and teenagers in the US increased their consumption of ultraprocessed foods over two decades. The researchers estimate that the proportion of calories from these foods has risen significantly, posing potential health risks for young people.
Researchers investigated myocarditis cases in adolescents after Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination and found a significant association. The study used comprehensive cardiac imaging and reviewed the results, highlighting the potential risk of myocarditis in this population.
A new study found that depression and anxiety symptoms have doubled in children and adolescents globally during the pandemic. The study recommends prioritizing recovery planning now to mitigate sustained mental health effects.
A new study published in Blood Cancer Discovery reveals that children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who have more DNA changes in their blood stem cells are more likely to survive. The researchers hope that this finding can be used as a tool to identify high-risk patients and improve treatment outcomes.
The new guideline recommends invasive diagnostic tests but acknowledges their potential infeasibility, instead focusing on clinical improvement to transition to oral therapy. It provides thoughtfully reasoned recommendations based on current evidence to help clinicians identify and manage bone infections.
Researchers at the University of Basel developed a breath test to measure treatment success in epilepsy patients. The test provides immediate results without requiring a blood sample, allowing doctors to adjust medication quickly and precisely tailored to individual patients' needs.
Researchers identified two proteins, HMW1 and HMW2, that stimulate protective immunity against diverse NTHi strains. Immunization with these proteins provides protection against bacterial colonization by other strains, highlighting the vaccine potential for a nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae vaccine.
A survey of US and NYC parents found that only 49% planned to vaccinate their youngest child, with vaccine hesitancy linked to education level and income. The study highlights the need for targeted information campaigns to improve vaccination uptake among young children.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital report positive results with risplidam, a small-molecule drug that treats SMA by correcting the root cause: a mutated gene. Infants receiving risplidam showed improvements in motor function and lived longer than expected.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have developed a system that can fine-tune protein expression from gene therapy vectors, addressing the need for controlled dosing. The 'dimmer switch' uses alternative RNA splicing and an orally available small molecule to adjust levels of expression up or down as needed.
A genetic variant in the TCERG1L gene has been identified as a risk factor for cisplatin-induced hearing loss in children with cancer, increasing the risk by three times. The finding could lead to predictive tests to inform treatment decisions and advance pediatric cancer care.
According to Nemours Children's Health, over 21.5% of teen ER patients screened showed symptoms of severe depression, while 7.8% reported suicidal thoughts during the pandemic. This finding underscores the need for increased vigilance and support for adolescent mental health.
A study led by York University found that pediatric neurosurgeons develop meaningful long-term relationships with their patients and families, caring deeply about them. However, these relational bonds also bring challenging emotions, particularly when communicating bad news or witnessing patients' suffering or death.
Research suggests that adolescents with strong future orientation and parental support are less likely to use e-cigarettes. The study found no link between social support or school connectedness and e-cigarette use.
Researchers identified effective strategies for improving referral systems and accessing pediatric mental health care for low-income families. A key finding is that a warm handoff between primary care physicians and mental health providers can build trust and lead to successful outcomes.
A recent study published in Pediatrics found that heart problems in children hospitalized with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) mostly resolved within a few months. The study, which followed 45 patients, showed that most cardiac and immunologic abnormalities returned to normal within weeks after hospital discharge.
A national study found that ED visits for self-harm were nearly 40% higher in rural areas compared to urban settings. Youth from rural areas presenting to the ED for suicidal ideation or self-harm were also more likely to need to be transferred to another hospital due to insufficient mental health resources.
This special issue of the Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine explores the challenges of healthcare disparity and limitations of access in cerebral palsy care. Experts provide practical insights and recommendations to optimize enablement, functioning, and participation for all patients with CP.
Researchers found that general internal medicine and family medicine clinicians spent an average of two hours actively using the EHR each day, while pediatricians spent around one hour and a half. The study suggests improvements in messaging and placing orders could reduce burnout among primary care clinicians.
A study found that male children with Crohn's disease experience worse growth due to factors like infliximab use and poor growth at symptom onset. In contrast, female patients tend to grow better regardless of disease severity or medication interventions.
A new national study found that children in the United States with greater screen time usage at ages 9-10 are more likely to gain weight one year later. Each additional hour spent on screen time is associated with a higher body mass index (BMI) one year later.
A new observational study found that Black and Latino children were significantly affected by COVID-linked multi-system inflammatory syndrome, with cardiac complications more common in critically ill patients. The study also identified distinct cytokine signatures and viral sequencing patterns, shedding light on the disease's demograph...
A recent study published in Pediatrics found that parents of children with the most complex medical conditions are more likely to report poor or fair mental health and struggle to find community help. The study recommends that healthcare systems provide support resources and prioritize mental health for these families.
A new study from Stanford University School of Medicine found that hospitalizations to treat pediatric gun injuries are expensive, with a total of about $109 million spent each year. The cost of hospitalizations rose over time, with more than half paid by Medicaid and uninsured patients accounting for 11% of all hospitalizations.
A study by Stanford University found that pediatric firearm injuries in the US result in a median cost of $12,984 per patient under 18 years old. The authors analyzed data from the national Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database to identify factors contributing to variation in hospital costs.
Researchers found that virtual reality games reduced pain scores in pediatric burn patients, with those playing actively reporting less pain than those who watched or received standard care. The use of smartphone-based VR games could provide an effective and easy-to-use pain relief method for dressing changes at home.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine congratulates Dr. Omonigho Bubu and three others on their 2021 Trainee Investigator Awards for outstanding research presentations at SLEEP 2021. Their studies focus on sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, and its association with Alzheimer's disease.
A Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center study found that a combination of two early reading programs improved kindergarten readiness by 15.4 percentage points over three years. The Reach Out and Read/Imagination Library program boosted preliteracy skills, improving school success.