Research on the medical care of infants and children. Covers pediatric emergencies, blood-pressure thresholds, infectious disease, kidney injury, and developmental health.
Children awaiting livers from deceased donors face significant disadvantages due to the scoring system, which significantly underestimates their risk of death compared to adults. The Pediatric End-stage Liver Disease (PELD) score is incompatible with the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score used for adults.
A US children's hospital implemented a first-of-its-kind project to eliminate or reduce pain from elective needle procedures, improving patient satisfaction and staff concerns. The 'Children's Comfort Promise' project introduced four research-proven strategies, which saved time and reduced staff turnover.
The new guidelines standardize a framework for recognizing, treating and managing a child's recovery from mild traumatic brain injury. Key recommendations include screening for risk factors, safe prescribing and education for children and families.
The CDC has published a comprehensive guideline for the diagnosis and management of pediatric mTBI, which covers diagnosis, prognosis, management and treatment for all causes of pediatric mTBI. The guideline includes 19 sets of recommendations for healthcare professionals to take to improve health outcomes.
The UCSF-Stanford Pediatric Device Consortium will develop new medical devices, including a pneumonia detector and appliances for infants with cleft palate. The grant enables collaboration between geniuses to stimulate innovation in the pediatric device market.
A novel technique developed by Hong Chen uses focused ultrasound to target drug delivery to the brainstem, bypassing the blood-brain barrier. This approach has shown promise in treating diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG), a childhood brain cancer with a five-year survival rate of less than three percent.
A new CDC treatment guideline for children with concussions provides guidance on diagnosis, management, and follow-up care. The guideline recommends validated symptom scales for diagnosis and assessing risk factors for prolonged recovery.
Research finds that experiencing homelessness for over six months can cause long-lasting harm to a child's physical and developmental health. The study also reveals that prenatal and postnatal homelessness increase the risk of negative health outcomes.
Researchers identified a gene mutation causing abnormal lymphatic circulation and restored normal vessel architecture using signal inhibitors. The study may lead to a new therapy for patients with central conducting lymphatic anomaly, a complex condition affecting immune function and fat transport.
The European Commission has approved Kymriah, a personalized CAR T-cell gene immunotherapy, for treating pediatric and young adult patients with aggressive blood cancers. The therapy has shown strong and durable response rates, providing a new hope for young cancer patients in Europe.
Researchers have developed a new subcutaneous intrathecal catheter system (SIC) to deliver nusinersen to SMA patients, significantly reducing hospital stays and costs. The SIC method allows for faster and more efficient administration of the drug, with an average hospital stay of less than 55 hours.
Researchers identified vulnerabilities to target in a high-risk pediatric tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, through an integrated analysis of cellular origins and epigenetic changes. The study promotes precision medicine by prioritizing drug development and highlighting the importance of preclinical models in streamlining treatment strategies.
A new analysis found that antibiotic use in children leads to an estimated 69,000 emergency room visits each year for allergic reactions and other side effects. The risk varies by child age and type of antibiotic used, with younger children aged 2 or under being at highest risk.
Researchers tested two commercially available baby monitors, finding that one detected low oxygen levels inconsistently while the other falsely displayed low pulse rates. These alarming results highlight the need for regulation of these products to prevent unnecessary anxiety and medical interventions in healthy infants.
A new roadmap for improving health has been developed by UCLA researchers using software that aggregates data on how to treat conditions of children with complex medical situations. The team identified 10 key health outcome domains, including social integration and family support, to help provide a comprehensive model of care.
A new study shows that a University of Missouri program significantly reduces diagnostic wait times for young children at highest risk for autism. The ECHO Autism program provides hands-on training, virtual discussions and practice to help primary care providers diagnose autism in young children, saving families an average of 172.7 mil...
Challenges facing ID physician scientists include inadequate funding for fellowship opportunities and steep compensation disparities, leading to a decline in trainees pursuing careers as physician researchers. To address this, medical societies recommend expanded mentorship, training opportunities, and workforce diversity measures.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that physicians who showed unburied empathy during care conferences had more effective conversations with families, leading to better patient outcomes. The researchers recommend slowing down, using the 'NURSE' mnemonic, and avoiding transitions like 'but' to improve empathetic communication.
Pediatricians in a telemedicine service face difficulties diagnosing from a distance, managing patients' expectations, and working alone. To overcome these challenges, they use intuition, experience, and protocols, highlighting the need for special skills and training.
Nationwide Children's Hospital has launched an initiative to treat a neighborhood as a patient, targeting 'neighborhood effect syndrome' with housing development and community engagement. The Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families program has seen measurable improvements in housing stock, youth emotional health, academic performance, a...
The Philadelphia Pediatric Medical Device Consortium has awarded seed grants to six companies developing medical devices for children, including an airway clearance system and a vision acuity test. These innovative devices aim to address unmet clinical needs in pediatric care, such as cystic fibrosis and urinary flow disorders.
The Pediatric NEXUS Head Computed Tomography Decision Instrument (DI) reliably guides blunt trauma imaging decisions and may decrease head CT imaging in low-risk pediatric populations. The study found that the decision instrument could significantly reduce head CT utilization by up to 34%.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has published a clinical practice guideline on the use of actigraphy in evaluating adult and pediatric patients with suspected sleep disorders. Actigraphy is recommended as a useful tool for gathering objective data on sleep habits, but not used as a substitute for polysomnography.
A new study by Vanderbilt University found that opioid treatment programs in Appalachian states have limited capacity, with only 50% accepting insurance. Pregnant women are particularly excluded, with shorter wait times only when accepted to treatment programs.
A new study found that young adults with incarcerated parents are more likely to skip healthcare, engage in risky behaviors, and develop physical and mental health conditions. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to mitigate the effects of parental incarceration on youth behavior.
A new study from the University of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences reveals that parents who experienced severe childhood trauma are more likely to have children with behavioral health problems. The study found a strong association between parents' adverse childhood experiences and their children's behavioral health issues, par...
A study by Stanford researchers found that physician burnout is equally, if not more, responsible for medical errors as unsafe work environments. The study suggests that addressing burnout among healthcare providers is crucial to reducing medical errors and improving patient safety.
A new computational strategy using Bayesian analysis and CRISPR/Cas9 screening technology has identified 29 genetic changes contributing to rhabdomyosarcoma, a common childhood cancer. The study suggests potential treatments for the disease and provides a general approach for identifying oncogenic drivers in other cancers.
A therapist-based intervention significantly reduced dating violence perpetration and depression symptoms in teens. The study found a 47% lower rate of self-reported dating violence among participants who received the intervention compared to those without one.
A survey of 1,167 parents of children with Down syndrome found that 49% give or have given supplements to improve their child's health. The most popular supplement categories include antioxidants and vitamins, but some products pose unknown health risks due to lack of regulation.
A study by Sapienza University of Rome found that children of same-sex parents had fewer reported difficulties and normal scores in psychological adjustment compared to children of different-sex parents. Family functioning, particularly for gay fathers, was also better among same-sex parents.
Researchers found that children with multiple allergies are nine times more likely to develop eosinophilic esophagitis. The study suggests a common underlying biological cause among these allergies and implies that early treatment of one allergy may prevent later disorders.
A NIH-funded study of 91 youth ages 10-19 found that neither initial treatment with long-acting insulin followed by metformin, nor metformin alone preserved the body's ability to make insulin. Metformin did show modest improvement in blood glucose levels.
Researchers found exponential growth in pediatric Lyme disease cases from 2003 to 2013 in western Pennsylvania, shifting from rural to non-rural areas. Children with Lyme disease were more likely to be seen by primary care providers for late-stage symptoms such as arthritis.
A study of 829 adolescents found that both short sleep duration and poor sleep efficiency are associated with increased abdominal fat deposition and cardiometabolic risk. In contrast, longer sleep duration and higher efficiency were linked to reduced waist circumference, lower blood pressure, and improved HDL cholesterol levels.
A study has identified genetic variants associated with an increased risk of developing pediatric nephrotic syndrome, a debilitating kidney disease in children. The findings could lead to new diagnostics and treatments.
A new study finds that a fruit and vegetable prescription program can significantly increase shopping at farmers' markets among caregivers of children living in poverty. The program, implemented in Flint, aims to address food insecurity by providing access to fresh produce.
Researchers found that honey and sucralfate significantly reduce morbidity and mortality from highly caustic batteries. Ingesting honey before removing a button battery may protect against serious injuries in small children. The study's findings will inform clinical practice and guidelines for managing button battery ingestions.
A study published in Communications Biology has linked the protein PARP1 to an aggressive form of pediatric liver cancer called hepatoblastoma. Researchers found that inhibiting PARP1 slowed or stopped cancer progression in laboratory tests, providing a potential treatment target for this disease.
A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that US pediatric eye injuries decreased by 26.1% from 2006 to 2014. Most of these injuries had a low risk of causing permanent vision loss. In contrast, sports and household-related injuries increased, while motor vehicle crashes, gun-related incidents, and chemical burns declined.
Dr. Peña has made significant contributions to pediatric surgery, particularly in treating anorectal malformations and other congenital anomalies of the pelvis. His work introduced the posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) procedure, widely adopted by top surgeons worldwide.
According to a new study published in Pediatrics, adolescents with severe obesity should not be excluded from weight loss surgery due to pre-existing psychiatric disorders. The research found no association between pre-operative psychiatric diagnosis and post-surgical weight loss outcomes, suggesting that bariatric surgery can be equal...
A free tax preparation program in pediatric clinics helped over 753 clients receive $1.6 million in federal tax returns, with a significant improvement in tax filings and client knowledge about the EITC. The program also reduced financial stress for low-income families and maximized their tax refunds.
A consensus statement from pediatric and law experts defines abusive head trauma (AHT) as a medical diagnosis, not a legal determination. Key findings include few infants with AHT having isolated injuries without retinal hemorrhages or other signs of abuse.
A new study found that even parked in the shade, vehicles can reach lethal temperatures for a child in under two hours. The research highlights the importance of awareness and prevention measures to prevent pediatric vehicular heatstroke.
A study found that higher local temperatures and population densities are associated with increased antibiotic resistance in common bacterial strains. The findings suggest climate change could be compounding an increase in antibiotic resistance, posing a significant threat to public health.
Infant formulas with fructose or sucrose pose a risk to babies with hereditary fructose intolerance, who may experience acute liver failure if fed these sweeteners. Parents can avoid this risk by switching to formula without fructose and labeling products with explicit warnings.
A new Vanderbilt-led study published in Pediatrics found that hospitalizations for suicidal thoughts or attempts among school-age children have increased by over 100% since 2008. The study, which analyzed data from U.S. children's hospitals, also revealed seasonal trends in encounters, with peaks during the fall and spring months.
A recent study published in Pediatrics found that no single category of intervention was effective in reducing hospital readmission for children with asthma. However, multimodal interventions that combined multiple categories showed promise in reducing the risk of readmission between 30 days and one year after initial discharge.
A new preclinical study finds that early BPA exposure may slow heart rates, cause irregular rhythms and calcium instabilities in developing hearts. The research highlights the need for alternative biomaterials to improve patient safety outcomes.
Researchers found a significant association between oral antibiotic use and an increased risk of developing kidney stones in children and adults. The study suggests that disruptions in the intestinal and urinary microbiome may contribute to the occurrence of kidney stones.
A new study examines how a novel approach to patient safety, Safety II, impacts patient safety in high-performing units. The study identified key domains and behaviors that contribute to low adverse drug event rates, including innovative approaches such as out-of-box thinking.
A review of nearly 500 patient cases shows that surgery can cure virtually all patients with focal congenital hyperinsulinism. Surgery also prevents complications in patients with the diffuse form, where defective insulin-producing cells occur throughout the pancreas.
A study found that children hospitalized for unintentional injuries have a 63% increase in mental health diagnoses and a 155% increase in medications prescribed to treat mental illness. Children under four years old with burns and head injuries are at greatest risk.
A survey of patients with type 1 diabetes on a very-low-carbohydrate diet found exceptional blood-sugar control with few complications, including lower rates of hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis. The researchers call for controlled clinical trials to test the diet's safety and efficacy.
A new study found that increased childhood stress negatively impacts school performance, while strong protective factors lead to better outcomes. The research analyzed over 65,000 children aged six to 17 and discovered a significant correlation between adverse childhood experiences and poor academic performance.
A recent study found that late preterm infants (LPTs) are at a higher risk of morbidities and hospital stays due to their physiological immaturity. The research investigated the role of indications of delivery in determining common neonatal morbidities, with results showing that LPTs experience different outcomes despite experiencing s...
Researchers found that children exposed to SSRIs before birth had better executive functions, even after controlling for mother's mood. The study suggests a potential developmental advantage but also raises concerns about increased anxiety.
A new study examines the effectiveness of the ScreenQ tool in measuring screen-based media use in children. The research found that the ScreenQ demonstrated strong internal consistency and good reliability.
A study found that only a minority of transgender teens and their parents are willing to delay hormone therapy to preserve fertility, with parents being significantly more likely to consider this option. The majority of youth and parents cited wanting more information as a major factor in their decision.