Research on the medical care of infants and children. Covers pediatric emergencies, blood-pressure thresholds, infectious disease, kidney injury, and developmental health.
A new study found that abused rural children are younger, more likely to have public insurance, and live in zip codes with lower median household incomes. The study used the 2012 Kids' Inpatient Database and U.S. Census data to analyze rates of child physical abuse hospitalizations across urban-rural categories.
A survey of pediatricians found that delays in receiving influenza vaccine from private and VFC stock pose problems, with 56% delaying vaccinations for patients whose vaccines are out of stock. This highlights the need for systematic changes to address these delays and increase uptake of influenza vaccine among children.
A recent survey of 582 adolescents aged 13-17 found that nearly half reported not being asked about sex by their primary care providers, while only 13% received sexually transmitted infection screening. Meanwhile, 90% of parents reported discussing sex with their adolescents, but only 39% reported the same.
States with stricter firearm laws have lower rates of firearm-related deaths in children, according to a new study. The research found that states requiring universal background checks for firearm purchase had significantly lower median mortality rates compared to those without such laws.
A new study found that almost half of pharmacies in Texas have an age requirement for purchase and over half require consultation prior to buying emergency contraception. The study also revealed inadequate pharmacy staff knowledge about the effective use of levonorgestrel (LNG) 1.5mg oral tablet, a common form of emergency contraception.
Researchers used eye tracking to assess receptive language in typically developing children and those with neurodevelopmental delay. The study found that eye tracking can be a feasible tool for evaluating word comprehension in young children, with significant implications for diagnosing developmental delays.
Research finds that placental ALLO levels increase during pregnancy, especially in preterm births, which may affect fetal brain development. Higher ALLO levels have been linked to improved neurological outcomes in some cases.
A new study examining factors associated with sexual coercion among 10th graders in a rural high school found that sexual coercion was reported by 18 percent of students. The research identified predictors including age, race, ethnicity, prior substance use, and controlling relationship behaviors.
Two new studies reveal increased trends in medical claims by transgender youth and the need for more training among pediatricians. Researchers found that primary care pediatricians have poor knowledge of existing guidelines, but expressed high levels of interest in additional training.
A new study found that longer maternity leave duration increases breastfeeding success throughout the first year of life in military populations. Active duty mothers under a 12-week policy had a significant increase in breastfeeding duration and exclusivity, while no difference was seen with a six-week policy.
A new study found that hospitals caring for seriously ill children rely heavily on public payers like Medicaid and CHIP. The research suggests that reducing federal funding for these programs could destabilize specialty care referral networks, particularly affecting privately-insured children with chronic conditions.
Immune cells called innate lymphoid cells have been found in human breast milk, which may help protect newborns from infection and aid in the development of their own protective immune system. The presence of these cells in breast milk is more evidence of the benefits of breastfeeding.
A recent study found that hepatitis C cases among infants are increasing due to the opioid epidemic, with a significant proportion remaining undiagnosed. The study suggests that improved screening and testing protocols are needed to address this growing public health concern.
Dr. Paul Offit, Director of Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, receives the 2018 Albert B. Sabin Gold Medal for his groundbreaking work on an oral rotavirus vaccine that has saved thousands of children's lives globally. He is recognized for his tireless advocacy for immunization and leadership in promoting...
According to a nationwide analysis, approximately 2.6 million American children and adolescents had diagnosed anxiety and/or depression in 2011-12. This represents about 5.3% of the population, with current anxiety or depression affecting around 65,000 parents about their children aged six to 17 years.
Researchers found variations in immune cells in children from higher vs lower socioeconomic status families. This disparity affects asthma control and suggests a link between socioeconomic factors and immune system dysfunction.
The new American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines have led to an increase in the prevalence of elevated blood pressure among US children. This is largely due to the exclusion of overweight or obese children from normal blood pressure charts and revised diagnostic thresholds aligned with adult definitions.
A smartphone app designed to promote proper child car seat use has been shown to improve safety practices among parents. The app, Safety in Seconds v2.0, was tested in a randomized controlled trial involving over 700 participants and reported significant improvements in several child car seat behaviors.
A recent $5 million NIH grant has funded a research consortium at Michigan Medicine to address firearm-related fatalities among children in the US, known as the second leading cause of death. The five-year effort aims to develop evidence-based solutions through an interdisciplinary group of scientists and stakeholders.
A new study suggests that adolescents and young adults with acute leukemia have a survival advantage when receiving treatment at pediatric cancer centers versus adult centers, particularly those affiliated with the National Cancer Institute. This is due to the more experienced care teams in these settings.
Children's National Hospital is leading a $5 million NIH grant to develop solutions for reducing pediatric firearm-related injuries. The project, called the Firearm-Safety Among Children & Teens Consortium (FACTS), aims to identify effective strategies and policies to lower pediatric deaths and injuries due to firearms.
Researchers worldwide can now access the world's largest public repository of pediatric cancer genomics data via St. Jude Cloud. The platform offers accelerated data mining, analysis, and visualization capabilities, enabling faster progress toward cures for catastrophic diseases of childhood. By harnessing collective power, global rese...
Nina Gummadi, a third-year medical student at Boston University School of Medicine, has received a Fulbright Scholar Award to conduct research on mental health issues in orphaned children in India. Her project aims to characterize barriers to mental health care and develop screening protocols for this at-risk population.
Dr. Judith G. Hall, a pioneering geneticist, has been awarded the David L. Rimoin Lifetime Achievement Award for her groundbreaking research and teaching on human growth and connective tissue disorders. She is recognized for helping establish medical genetics as an accredited clinical specialty.
Researchers found primary care providers and pediatricians are less confident in evaluating irritability than child and adolescent psychiatrists, leading to over-reliance on medication. Increasing education and training may help improve diagnosis and treatment.
Families with elevated psychosocial risks, including parent mental health issues and child behavior problems, are more likely to drop out of weight management treatment. Psychosocial screening early in treatment may improve outcomes for children with obesity.
The St. Baldrick's Foundation has awarded grants to support pediatric cancer research and novel immunotherapies for childhood cancers such as medulloblastoma and osteosarcoma. The funding will enable researchers to study the immune system's response to these tumors and develop targeted immunotherapy techniques.
A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that an expert panel of pediatric injury experts can reliably identify injuries in young children as abuse or accidents. The panel achieved nearly perfect reliability and accuracy, both individually and collectively.
A new cancer drug has proven safe and effective in treating pediatric patients with tumor-specific gene mutations, particularly those with TRK fusions. The study found encouraging anti-tumor activity in all patients with solid TRK fusion-positive tumors, achieving sustained tumor regressions in over 90% of cases.
A clinical trial, TAKE-IT, combines electronic medication monitoring and coaching to encourage adherence behavior in adolescent kidney transplant recipients. The study shows a 66% higher adherence rate among participants who used the digital health medication management solution with coaching.
A global survey found nearly a third of antibiotics prescribed to hospitalized children were for preventive use, contradicting current guidelines. The study highlights the need for improved antibiotic prescribing practices and education for health professionals.
Pediatric cardiovascular disease research highlights modifiable factors predicting mortality after prolonged critical illness following congenital heart surgery. Smaller aortic isthmus size is associated with earlier surgical timing in complete common atrioventricular canal defects, indicating potential for improved outcomes with tailo...
Researchers have created a new tool to help clinicians diagnose appendicitis in children, reducing the use of CT scans and healthcare expenditures. The calculator uses data from ten pediatric emergency departments and independently validated results using data from a single children's hospital.
A new study reveals young patients with type 2 diabetes experience worse blood sugar control and loss to follow-up when transitioning to adult care. Healthcare systems must address these unique needs to support the growing number of youth-onset type 2 diabetes cases globally.
Rick D. Wilkerson, DO is the recipient of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) 2018 Humanitarian Award for his humanitarian efforts abroad. He has made significant contributions to orthopaedic care in countries such as Haiti, Iraq, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, and Uganda.
A study of 1213 Italian adolescents found that nearly half exceeded the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommended daily caffeine intake. Coffee was the main contributor to daily caffeine consumption, highlighting the need for awareness campaigns to reduce caffeine intake among adolescents.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles identified gaps in the US healthcare system that make it inadequately prepared for a surge in pediatric patients during a pandemic. The study proposes a structured and coordinated response with specific protocols addressing children's unique needs.
A new study published in Hospital Pediatrics shows that improved pediatric asthma care can be achieved through the use of personalized inpatient assessments and streamlined patient care decision tools. The study found that clinicians who used these tools had a significant improvement in the accuracy of prescribed medication, with an in...
A review in Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics outlines the severity of opioid use among children and teenagers undergoing surgery, with nearly one-fourth of US high school seniors having exposure to prescription opioids. Strategies for reducing opioid prescribing include education, standardized practices, and legislation to shift presc...
Richard Martin, MD, has received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contributions to neonatal health through basic and translational research. He is recognized as an internationally respected authority in neonatology and a dedicated educator of pediatricians and neonatologists.
A comprehensive genomic analysis of childhood cancer reveals that children and adults have different mutated genes driving their disease, underscoring the need for pediatric-specific precision therapies. The study found that only 45% of the mutated genes 'driving' cancer in children are the same as those in adults.
This special issue of the Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine presents significant contributions from the Third World Congress on Spina Bifida Research and Care, covering topics such as regenerative medicine, genetics, trauma care, and self-management. The goal is to improve healthcare for individuals with spina bifida, includ...
A meta-analysis of 39 studies found that 1 in 7 young people under 18 send sexts, while 1 in 4 receive them. The study aimed to inform policy and future research on sexting among this age group.
A national study of over 86,000 kids with congenital heart disease found that children from low-income neighborhoods had a higher mortality rate and higher hospital costs after heart surgery compared to those from higher-income neighborhoods. The disparity persisted even after accounting for race, insurance, and disease severity.
The use of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) among pediatric patients increased between 2005 and 2015, with a corresponding decrease in mortality rates. The median adjusted cost per admission was $158,740, but increasing off-label use of iNO is associated with decreased mortality, longer hospital stays, and higher costs.
Researchers studying a rare genetic disorder in children have discovered insights into biological mechanisms that drive the disease, including abnormal autophagy. They also identified a urine test as a biomarker for the disorder, which may help monitor response to treatment and develop precision medicine.
A new drug, larotrectinib, has been shown to be effective in treating cancers with specific genetic mutations. The study found that 75% of patients with TRK fusion-positive cancers responded to the treatment, with 13% achieving a complete response.
A study of 348 preschoolers who survived cardiac surgery found hearing loss in 21.6% of children, associated with language and cognitive problems by age four. Researchers recommend early hearing evaluations between 24-30 months to increase timely medical intervention.
A new study has found that safe-sleep recommendations for infants have not reduced sudden deaths in the first month of life. The researchers identified factors that may contribute to the persistent risk of sudden death during the early weeks of life, including suffocation and asphyxiation.
Researchers found that outcomes for alternatives to whole liver transplantation, such as splitting a liver or using a part from a living donor, have improved for pediatric patients. These findings suggest opportunities for an increased organ supply and better use of those organs, potentially saving more lives.
Research reports cases of shingles developing at original vaccination site after chicken pox immunization, highlighting the importance of recognizing vaccine-associated shingles. The condition is rare but may correlate to the vaccination site.
A new, simplified Braden QD Scale better predicts pressure-related skin injuries in pediatric patients. The scale identifies combined immobility- and device-related risks, allowing for more effective prevention strategies.
Researchers at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School developed a two-minute questionnaire to detect autism in toddlers. The Psychological Development Questionnaire (PDQ-1) correctly identified children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from all socioeconomic communities.
Nemours has received a grant of $825,000 from the Toy Foundation to develop trauma-informed patient care and play-based interventions. The project aims to reduce traumatic stress in hospitalized children and their families by emphasizing physical and emotional safety through play.
A study of US insurance claims found that children whose families visited a doctor in the previous year were less likely to experience complications from appendicitis. The research suggests that establishing a relationship with a primary care doctor can lead to prompt emergency care and lower complication rates.
A study of 30,000 patients found that narrow-spectrum antibiotics performed equally well or better than broad-spectrum ones in treating common respiratory infections. Narrow-spectrum antibiotics had fewer adverse events and disruptions to family routines, while treatment failure rates were not significantly different.
Researchers have found that PD-1 inhibitors can be effective in treating supratentorial pediatric ependymoma, a type of brain cancer with poor prognosis. The study identified RELA-fusion as a genetic cause and showed that these tumors express high levels of PD-L1, which can be targeted by PD-1 inhibitors.
A study published in The Journal of Pediatrics reports the use of pyridostigmine to reverse complications from botulinum toxin therapy in pediatric patients. Early treatment with pyridostigmine can alleviate symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or breathing, and patients may regain normal function within days.
Dr. Alex Huang's research aims to understand how macrophages support osteosarcoma growth in lung tissues and develop effective therapeutic options for pulmonary osteosarcoma metastasis.
Researchers at Children's National Hospital have developed T-cells that can resist tumor-induced immune suppression, leading to sustained clinical responses in patients with relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma. The study shows promise for treating other types of immune-evading tumors.