NAPNAP Daily News

Certain Specialties Still Have Higher-Than-Average Telehealth Use Despite Drop In Overall Use, Data Show

mHealth Intelligence (12/1, Vaidya) reported that “while telehealth use has dropped nearly 25 percentage points from peak usage in 2020, certain specialties, like mental health, infectious disease, and obstetrics, still have higher-than-average telehealth use, according to new data” from Epic Research. Usage of telehealth “skyrocketed during the initial peak early in the pandemic but has since declined, though usage remains higher than pre-pandemic levels.” The data show “telehealth use encompassed less than 1 percent of all visits in the last three quarters of 2019,” but that “figure jumped to 31.2 percent in Q2 2020 before dropping to 5.8 percent in Q3 2023.”

Flu Increasing, RSV Lung Infections May Be Peaking In US, Officials Say

The AP (12/1, Stobbe) reported, “Flu is picking up steam while RSV lung infections that can hit kids and older people hard may be peaking, U.S. health officials said Friday.” But COVID-19 “continues to cause the most hospitalizations and deaths among respiratory illnesses – about 15,000 hospitalizations and about 1,000 deaths every week, said” CDC Director Mandy Cohen, MD, MPH. Separately, the CDC “is also looking into reports of pneumonia outbreaks in children in two states, but Cohen said ‘there is no evidence’ that they are due to anything unusual.”

Youth Baseball May Lead To Elbow Injuries, Study Indicates

HealthDay (12/1, Foster) reported research has found the game of youth baseball “can leave many with elbow pain and injuries.” According to the findings, “throwing a baseball repeatedly stresses the growing bones, joints and muscles of the elbows of players,” with “20% to 40% of youth baseball players between the ages of 9 and 12” complaining of elbow pain at least once during the season. For the study, “the researchers reviewed elbow MRI exams from 130 youth players (18 and younger) being evaluated for elbow pain.” The findings were presented at RSNA 2023.

Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole For Treatment Of Pediatric Acute Osteoarticular Infection Results In Higher Incidence Of Adverse Events, Study Finds

Infectious Disease Advisor (12/1, Kuhns) reported a study found that “although trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is not associated with increased risk for clinical failure, it does result in higher incidence of treatment-related adverse events (AEs) when compared with alternative agents for the treatment of pediatric acute osteoarticular infection.” The researchers said, “TMP–SMX might be considered in cases where alternatives are limited and potential benefits are deemed to outweigh the risks of AEs and outpatient and ED [emergency department] return-to care visits.” The findings were published in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society.

Vitamin D Supplements May Be Less Effective For Children Than Previously Thought, Study Says

Newsweek (12/1, Thompson) reported, “Despite previous assumptions, taking vitamin D doesn’t help children avoid fracturing their bones.” According to research, “even if the child has a vitamin D deficiency, the supplements do not increase bone strength or prevent bone fractures.” The study was published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.

CDC Director Provides Update On Threat Posed By Respiratory Illnesses

NBC News (11/30, Hayes) reports CDC Director Mandy Cohen reassured members of Congress on Thursday that a respiratory illness in China was not the result of “a new or novel pathogen.” Cohen noted that the surge “can instead be attributed to existing virus…

Young Children Have Highest Mortality Rate In HIV Treatment, Study Finds

MedPage Today (11/30, Putka) reports, “Children younger than age 5 years with HIV who received antiretroviral treatment died globally at percentages two to nine times higher than older children, a CDC study found.” Notably, “among children receiving ART f…

Shorter Antibiotic Courses May Be Supported For Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis, Study Finds

Infectious Disease Advisor (11/30) reports that a recent study has found “there are no significant differences between shorter and longer antibiotic courses with respect to outcomes among children with bacterial meningitis, including treatment failure, in…

Study Indicates Acne Prevalence In Adolescents Linked To Puberty, Skin Color, Weight

Healio (11/30, Capaldo) reports, “Higher acne vulgaris prevalence was associated with puberty status, skin of color and weight gain among adolescents, according to a study.” Notably, “of 4,561 children aged approximately 13 years … the visible acne vulg…

Prenatal Vaccination May Protect Infants From COVID-19, Study Finds

Healio (11/30, Weldon) reports, “Prenatal vaccination protects infants from COVID-19 up to age 6 months,” according to a real-world study. Researchers “found that vaccine efficacy was 15.4% for infants born to any mothers vaccinated before pregnancy and i…

Early Skin-To-Skin Contact May Have Health Benefits For Preterm Infants, Study Finds

ABC News (11/30, Jhaveri) reports that early skin-to-skin contact “may have significant health benefits” for babies born prematurely, according to a study. The researchers “found that premature babies who were held close to their mother or father’s skin r…

Study Finds Progression Independent Of Relapse Activity In Pediatric-Onset MS

MedPage Today (11/29, Putka) reports, “Pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis patients showed progression independent of relapse activity even when they were relatively young, a prospective cohort study found.” According to the findings, “confirmed PIRA event…

Risk Of Injury In Juvenile Onset Fibromyalgia May Be Increased By Joint Hypermobility, Study Reports

HCPlive (11/29, Pine) reports, “Patients with juvenile onset fibromyalgia and joint hypermobility exhibited small but noticeable differences in biomechanics compared with those without joint hypermobility while performing a landing and jumping exercise,”…

Sofosbuvir-Based Treatments Effective In Pediatric Patients With HCV, Researchers Find

Healio (11/29, Ghizzone) reports, “Treatment with sofosbuvir-based direct-acting antivirals demonstrated durable sustained virologic response up to 5 years among pediatric patients with hepatitis C virus, according to findings presented at The Liver Meeti…

Study Evaluates Associations Between Prenatal, Postnatal Exposure To PFAs And Childhood Obesity

Endocrinology Advisor (11/29, Wei) reports, “Prenatal exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFA) substances is not associated with pediatric obesity, whereas postnatal exposure to PFA substances is inversely associated with pediatric obesity, ac…

Study Highlights Risk Factors For MSSA Colonization, Infection Among Infants In NICU

Infectious Disease Advisor (11/29, Barowski, RN) reports that a surveillance study “showed that the overall rate of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) colonization and subsequent infection is high among infants in the neonatal intensive…

CPSC Proposes New Safety Requirements For Infant Loungers

NBC News (11/29, Chuck) reports, “The Consumer Product Safety Commission on Wednesday advanced a proposal for the first federal safety requirements for infant loungers, citing dozens of deaths linked to the popular products.” The federal agency “has linke…

Caregiver Non-English Language Preference May Increase Healthcare Use In Children With Asthma, Study Reports

Healio (11/29, Weldon) reports, “Caregiver non-English language preference is associated with increased health care usage by children with asthma.” The study found that “children with asthma were more likely to be hospitalized for asthma-related health is…

COVID-19 Vaccines Prevent Premature Births, Study Shows

HealthDay (11/28, Thompson) reports, “COVID vaccines saved the lives and health of countless babies by preventing their premature births, a…study shows.” According to the study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, “COVID-19…

Number Of COVID-19 Cases Caused By BA.2.86 Variant Has Tripled In Past Two Weeks, CDC Says

HealthDay (11/28, Foster) reports, “The prevalence of a highly mutated COVID variant has tripled in the past two weeks, new government data shows.” Now, nearly 10% of “new COVID cases are fueled by the BA.2.86 variant, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control…

Dasiglucagon Treatment Reduces Hypoglycemia Measures Among Children With Congenital Hyperinsulinism, Study Finds

Endocrinology Advisor (11/28) reports, “Dasiglucagon treatment reduces hypoglycemia measures among children with congenital hyperinsulinism, according to study findings.” The research was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Children Who Have Ulcerative Colitis And Are Undergoing Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis Are At Increased Risk Of Developing Crohn’s Disease, Study Finds

Gastroenterology Advisor (11/28, Khaja) reports that a study indicates that “children diagnosed with ulcerative colitis…and undergoing ileal pouch-anal anastomosis…are at a considerable risk of developing” Crohn’s disease. Investigators found that occ…

Children Of Mothers With Atopic Dermatitis More Prone To Developing AD, Allergic Illnesses, Study Finds

Healio (11/28, Capaldo) reports, “Children born to mothers with atopic dermatitis are more prone to develop atopic dermatitis as well as other allergic illnesses, according to a study.” In the study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Der…

Older Infants With RSV Have Higher Likelihood Of Subsequent Respiratory Issues, Study Finds

Pulmonology Advisor (11/28, Goldberg) reports, “Among young children who contract respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the first 2 years of life, the risk for developing respiratory morbidity later in childhood is greater among children who contract RSV o…

Study Finds School Shootings Often Related To Community Violence, Are Not Mass Killings

CNN (11/27, Muse) reports, “Many Americans think of school shootings as mass casualty events involving an adolescent with an assault-style weapon. But a…study says that most recent school shootings orchestrated by teenagers do not fit that image – and t…

Study Suggests URTIs May Disproportionately Affect Pediatric Patients Who Identify As Black Or Mexican American

Infectious Disease Advisor (11/27, Barowski) reports, “Results of a study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases suggest that upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) may disproportionately affect pediatric patients who identify as Black or Mex…

Study Finds Melatonin Use Becoming “Exceedingly Common” Among Adolescents

The Washington Post (11/27, Searing) reports, “Regular use of melatonin to help kids sleep has become ‘exceedingly common,’ with nearly 1 in 5 adolescents (19 percent) using it, according to research published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics.” Additionally…

Pediatric Patients Recovering From MIS-C Should Receive Cardiology Follow-Up, Study Suggests

Healio (11/27, Weldon) says, “Patients recovering from multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children should receive a cardiology follow-up, study findings reported in Pediatrics suggest.” In the study, out of 153 patients, “69 had one or more follow-ups….

Study Data Indicate Transgender, Gender-Expansive Youth Report Worse QOL Mental Health Scores Compared To General US Population

Healio (11/27, Monostra) says, “Transgender and gender-expansive young people report worse quality of life mental health scores compared with the general U.S. population, according to study data.” In the study published in Transgender Health, over the pas…

Around 20% Of Children Do Not Have Adequate Health Insurance Coverage, Study Finds

The Hill (11/27, Choi) reports, “A new retrospective study of children’s health care coverage found that roughly 1 in 5 children did not have adequate health insurance, meaning coverage that met their needs and was reasonably affordable.” The study, publi…

China Says Surge In Respiratory Illnesses Due To Seasonal Flu, Other Known Pathogens Rather Than Novel Virus

The AP (11/26) reports, “A surge in respiratory illnesses across China that has drawn the attention of the World Health Organization is caused by the flu and other known pathogens and not by a novel virus, the country’s health ministry said Sunday.” Chine…

Study Finds Overdose Deaths Have Soared Among Pregnant People Since 2018

The Washington Post (11/22, Malhi) said, “Drug overdose deaths among pregnant and postpartum people soared significantly between 2018 and 2021, according to a report published Wednesday.” National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) researchers “collected and…

Researchers Create Growth Chart To Track Muscle Mass In Children

Pharmacy Times (11/22, Ferruggia) reported “researchers have developed a growth chart to track muscle mass in growing children, according to research.” The researchers made “an artificial intelligence (AI)-based tool that can track indicators of muscle ma…

Pneumococcal Vaccines Do Not Help Prevent Otitis Media In Children, Study Suggests

Pharmacy Times (11/22, Gallagher) reported that “despite an enhanced mixed pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) schedule, there was still a high prevalence of otitis media among children in early childhood, according to results of a study.” The researcher…

For Preterm Infants Born At 28 To 32 Weeks, Rate Of Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage Or Death Does Not Differ With Umbilical Cord Milking Versus Delayed Cord Clamping, Study Suggests

HealthDay (11/22, Gotkine) reported that “for preterm infants born at 28 to 32 weeks, the rate of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) or death does not differ with umbilical cord milking (UCM) versus delayed cord clamping (DCC), according to a study….

FDA Reports More Cases Of Elevated Lead Levels In Children Who Consumed Recalled Apple Puree Pouches

The AP (11/22, Perrone) reported “more children were apparently sickened by apple puree pouches recently recalled due to dangerous lead contamination, the Food and Drug Administration said.” The FDA “has received 52 reports of elevated lead levels among c…

Insufficient Childhood Vaccinations Leading To Deadly Outbreaks Among Children

The New York Times (11/25, Nolen) reported that large outbreaks “of diseases that primarily kill children are spreading around the world, a grim legacy of disruptions to health systems during the Covid-19 pandemic that have left more than 60 million child…

Some States Experiencing Increases In COVID-19 Deaths Ahead Of Holidays

The Hill (11/21, Choi) reports, “Several states are experiencing increases in deaths related to COVID-19 as the holidays approach and this year’s respiratory viral season sets in.” CDC data show “eight states saw increases in coronavirus deaths based on d…

Children With Crohn’s Disease Have Improved Outcomes At 1 Year When Receiving Treatment With Adalimumab Or Infliximab As Initial Anti-TNF Agents, Study Finds

Gastroenterology Advisor (11/21, Stong) reports, “Children with” Crohn’s disease “have improved outcomes at 1 year when receiving treatment with adalimumab or infliximab as initial anti-TNF agents, according to study results.” The findings were published…

Pediatric Patients With Atopic Dermatitis At Greater Risk Of Developing Multiple Comorbid Conditions, Study Finds

Dermatology Advisor (11/21, Goldberg) reports, “Children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis (AD) face a significant clinical burden and have an increased risk of developing multiple comorbid conditions beyond their atopic disorders, according to study…

Mental Healthcare Via Telehealth Can Eliminate Barriers To Care For Youth Enrolled In Medicaid, But Only If They Have Necessary Digital Resources, Study Finds

mHealth Intelligence (11/21, Vaidya) reports, “Mental healthcare provided via telehealth can eliminate geographic and other barriers to care for youth enrolled in Medicaid, but only if they have the digital resources necessary for virtual care, according…

Teen Boys Who Reported Two Or More Concussions In Past Year Were More Likely To Report A Suicide Attempt, Study Finds

HealthDay (11/21, Miller) says that a study indicated that “teen boys who reported two or more concussions in the past year were two times more likely to report a suicide attempt than those who had one concussion.” Meanwhile, “girls’ odds for suicidal beh…

During First Year Of Pandemic, Patient Visits, Medication Use For JIA Decreased Among Children With Commercial Insurance In The US, Study Finds

Rheumatology Advisor (11/21, Kuhns) reports, “During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, patient visits for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) decreased by 10% to 12% among children with commercial insurance in the United States (US), with decreases…

HHS Says US To Offer More Free COVID-19 Tests

Reuters (11/20, Aboulenein) reports, “The U.S. government on Monday will start taking orders for another round of free COVID-19 tests for delivery across the country, a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) spokesperson said.” Those “households th…

Prophylaxis With Apixaban Did Not Reduce Rate Of VTE In Children With Newly Diagnosed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Or Lymphoma, Study Finds

MedPage Today (11/20, Bassett) reports, “Prophylaxis with apixaban (Eliquis) failed to reduce the rate of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in children with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoma, according to results from the phase III rando…

Pediatric Asthma ED Visits Are Higher Among Young Children With Asthma Who Live In Areas With Lower Economic, Educational Opportunities, Research Finds

Pulmonology Advisor (11/20, Stong) reports, “Pediatric asthma emergency department (ED) visits are higher among young children with asthma who live in areas with lower opportunities, including social/economic and educational neighborhood opportunities, re…

Supplemental DHA For Preterm Infants Did Not Improve Behavioral Functioning At Five Years Of Age, Study Finds

MedPage Today (11/20, Henderson) reports, “Administration of supplemental docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to infants born at less than 29 weeks’ gestation did not improve behavioral functioning at 5 years of age, a follow-up to a randomized trial showed.” Publ…

Children Of Parents With Infertility Had Slightly Higher Autism Spectrum Disorder Risk, Study Finds

MedPage Today (11/20, Monaco) reports, “Children of parents with infertility had a slightly higher rate of autism spectrum disorder, a population-based cohort study of over 1.3 million children found.” Investigators found that “compared with children born…

Reminders To Parents Increased HPV Vaccine Uptake In Tweens, Trial Finds

MedPage Today (11/20, Robertson) reports, “Reminding parents of tweens who were due for a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine increased uptake, especially when combined with auditing healthcare professionals after appointments, a cluster randomized trial s…

Senate Democrats Press AstraZeneca, Sanofi For Answers Regarding RSV Drug Shortage

The Hill (11/17, Weixel) reported, “A group of Senate Democrats are demanding answers about a shortage of a new drug that prevents respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants.” The senators sent a letter Friday in which they “asked manufacturers AstraZen…

Likelihood Of CGM Use Is Lower For Children With T1D Living In Rural Vs Urban Areas, Study Finds

Healio (11/16, Monostra) reported, “Children with type 1 diabetes living in small or isolated rural towns are less likely to use continuous glucose monitoring than those living in urban areas, according to” a study. The findings were published in Diabetes…

Diabetes In Pregnancy Linked To Higher Risk Of Common Neonatal Comorbidities In Babies Born Moderately Or Late-Preterm, Study Finds

Healio (11/17, Weldon) reported, “Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with a higher likelihood of common neonatal comorbidities in babies born moderately or late-preterm, such as a need for respiratory support, according to a study published in Pediatrics…

FDA Screening Cinnamon Imports For Toxic Lead Contamination

The AP (11/17, Aleccia) reported, “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is screening imports of cinnamon from multiple countries for toxic lead contamination after growing reports of children who were sickened after eating pouches of applesauce and apple…

Pregnant Woman’s Mental Health May Affect Mind Of Unborn Child, Research Indicates

HealthDay (11/17, Thompson) reported, “A pregnant woman’s mental health might have profound effects on the mind of her unborn child, a new evidence review warns.” Specifically, “children were more likely to have ADHD symptoms or exhibit aggressive or host…

Flu, RSV Cases On The Rise Across The US, Officials Say

The AP (11/17, Stobbe) reported, “The U.S. flu season is underway, with at least seven states reporting high levels of illnesses and cases rising in other parts of the country, health officials say.” On Friday, the CDC “posted new flu data…showing very…

Global Measles Cases Rose 18%, Deaths Up 40% Between 2021 And 2022, WHO, CDC Say

The New York Times (11/16, Blum) says, “Measles cases worldwide rose 18 percent and deaths increased by more than 40 percent from 2021 to 2022 as countries struggled to get routine vaccinations back on track after the pandemic, according to a…report fro…

US Premature Birth Rate Was 10.4% In 2022, Nonprofit Says

CNN (11/16, Howard) reports, “The rate of premature birth in the United States remains high, especially in the southern region of the country, according to the infant and maternal health nonprofit March of Dimes.” In its annual report card (PDF) released…

US Officials Release Additional Doses Of Nirsevimab

The AP (11/16, Stobbe, Hunter) reports, “RSV infections are rising sharply in some parts of the country, nearly filling hospital emergency departments in Georgia, Texas and some other states.” In response, “federal officials on Thursday announced they wer…

Consumer Advocacy Groups Warn About Surveillance By Smart Toys

ABC News (11/16, Yu) says, “A new report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, a national network of consumer advocacy groups, is raising the alarm about a potential rising threat posed by smart toys for children ahead of the holida…

Survey Responses Identify 12 Research Priorities That Could Help Address Systemic Disparities In Pediatric Emergency Care

Healio (11/16, Weldon) reports, “Survey responses from a panel of experts identified 12 research priorities that could help address systemic disparities in pediatric emergency care, according to results published in JAMA Network Open.” With the survey, “t…

Physicians, FDA Spar Over Giving Probiotics To Infants

The Wall Street Journal (11/16, Whyte, Subscription Publication) reports some physicians are criticizing the FDA’s recent warning against giving probiotics to preterm infants, saying the drugs can save lives. Other physicians support the agency’s move, ar…

CDC Report: Strides In Treating Childhood Cancer Have Stalled For Black, Hispanic Youth

The AP (11/16, Johnson) reports “advances in childhood cancer are a success story in modern medicine.” However, “in the past decade, those strides have stalled for Black and Hispanic youth, opening a gap in death rates, according to a new report” from the…

WHO Launches New Commission On Social Connection To Focus On Addressing Loneliness Epidemic

CNN (11/15, Christensen) reports, “The World Health Organization is making loneliness a global health priority, it said Wednesday, launching a new Commission on Social Connection.” Over “the next three years, the commission will focus on ways to address t…

Mean HbA1c For Children And Adults With T1D Improved From 2016 To 2022, Data Indicate

Healio (11/15, Monostra) reports, “Mean HbA1c for children and adults with type 1 diabetes improved by 0.3 percentage points from 2016 to 2022, according to data from 15 clinics participating in the T1D Exchange Quality Improvement Collaborative.” The res…

Preemies Whose Umbilical Cords Are Clamped Up To Two Minutes After Birth Are Less Likely To Die Before Leaving Hospital, Evidence Indicates

HealthDay (11/15, Thompson) reports, “The timing of a simple, standard part of childbirth could mean the difference between life and death for premature babies, a pair of…evidence reviews have concluded.” In a study published in The Lancet, “preemies wh…

Air Pollution May Alter Early Infant Development, Study Finds

HealthDay (11/15, Thompson, Miller) reports, “Air pollution could be harming the development of children, reaching into the womb to alter their healthy growth, a…study reports.” In the study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, “researchers…

Combination Products Containing Probiotics Combined With Prebiotics Or Lactoferrin Were Linked To Reduction In Morbidity, Mortality In Preterm Infants, Study Finds

Gastroenterology Advisor (11/15) reports, “Combination products containing probiotics combined with prebiotics or lactoferrin were associated with a reduction in morbidity and mortality in preterm infants, according to study results.” The findings were pu…

Study Finds Neighborhood Disadvantages Do Not Influence Minority Children’s High Rate Of ASD

HCP Live (11/15, Derman) reports, “Children of mothers from minority groups in a population with health insurance are associated with having a higher likelihood of receiving an autism spectrum diagnosis (ASD). Yet only children of White mothers had ASD di…

Around 36M Adults, 3.5M Children In US Have Received Updated COVID-19 Vaccine, CDC Says

ABC News (11/14, Benadjaoud, Kekatos) reports, “An estimated 36 million adults in the United States have received the updated COVID-19 vaccine as of Monday, according to…data from the federal government.” Additionally, around “3.5 million children have…

Report Outlines Health Risks Of Climate Change, Particularly Heat-Related Deaths

The New York Times (11/14, Erdenesanaa) says, “Climate change continues to have a worsening effect on health and mortality around the world, according to an exhaustive report published on Tuesday by an international team of 114 researchers.” Published in…

Childhood Obesity May Increase Risk For Infertility Later In Life, Study Finds

Endocrinology Advisor (11/14, Nye) reports, “Childhood obesity may increase risk for infertility later in life, according to study findings published in BMC Endocrine Disorders.” In the systemic review, one study found “a 5.9% reduction in odds of first b…

Serum Bile Acid Independently Predicts Native Liver Survival Among Pediatric Patients With Alagille Syndrome And Neonatal Cholestasis, Analysis Finds

HCP Live (11/14, Kunzmann) reports, “Serum bile acid is an independent predictive risk factor for native liver survival among pediatric patients with Alagille syndrome and neonatal cholestasis, according to a new analysis.” Researchers “observed a positiv…

Video Game Intervention May Improve HIV Testing, Counseling Rates Among Adolescents With HIV Infection, Study Finds

Infectious Disease Advisor (11/14, Wei) reports, “A novel video game intervention may help improve HIV testing and counseling rates among adolescents with HIV infection, according to study results published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.” The study…

North Dakota Judge Denies Request To Temporarily Block State’s Ban On Gender-Affirming Care For Minors

The AP (11/14, Dura) reports, “A North Dakota judge has ruled that he won’t immediately block the state’s ban on gender-affirming health care for minors, delivering an early setback to families who want the new law found unconstitutional.” That law makes…

Majority Of Children With Flu Did Not Receive Antiviral Treatment, Study Finds

HealthDay (11/14, Thompson, Miller) reports, “Children stricken with influenza aren’t receiving the flu-busting antiviral drug Tamiflu [oseltamivir] even though it’s recommended for them, a…study says.” For the study, published in Pediatrics, “researche…

Deaths Due To Cardiac Arrest In College Athletes Have Been Declining Over Last 20 Years, Research Finds

NBC News (11/13, Carroll) reports that researchers have found that “deaths due to cardiac arrest in college athletes have been steadily declining over the last 20 years.” The findings were presented at the AHA Scientific Sessions 2023. The “analysis of da…

Nearly 49M People In US Over Age 12 Had Substance Use Disorder In 2022, HHS Data Indicate

CNN (11/13, McPhillips) reports, “Nearly 49 million people in the US ages 12 and older – more than 1 in 6 – had a substance use disorder in 2022, according to survey data released Monday by the US Department of Health and Human Services.” Broken down, “ab…

Peanut-Allergic Toddlers Who Stayed On Epicutaneous Immunotherapy Skin Patch Reached Higher Levels Of Peanut Tolerance During The Second Year, Trial Finds

MedPage Today (11/13, Dotinga) reports, “Peanut-allergic toddlers who stayed on an investigational, epicutaneous immunotherapy skin patch reached higher levels of peanut tolerance during the second year, according to the open-label extension of the EPITOP…

Physicians Warned To Be On Lookout For Cases Of Lead Poisoning Tied To Tainted Applesauce

The AP (11/13, Aleccia) reports, “U.S. health officials are warning doctors to be on the lookout for possible cases of lead poisoning in children after at least 22 toddlers in 14 states were sickened by lead linked to tainted pouches of cinnamon apple pur…

Lawmaker To Introduce Bill Banning Children’s Toy Some Say Poses Significant Health Risks

CNN (11/13, Rothenberg) reports, “Government officials, public health professionals and concerned parents are calling on Congress to ban water beads, a children’s toy that they say poses significant health risks.” Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) on Monday “anno…

Survey Finds Melatonin Use Common Among Children

MedPage Today (11/13, Henderson) says, “Melatonin use among children ages 1 to 13 years was common, an online survey of parents showed. The prevalence of melatonin consumption in the past 30 days was 5.6% in preschoolers, 18.5% in school-age kids ages 5 t…

RSV Incidence Rates Among Pregnant People, Though Lower Than Those Seen In Older Adults And Young Children, Are Still Significant, Researchers Say

Healio (11/10, Stulpin) reported, “Respiratory syncytial virus incidence rates among pregnant people are lower than those seen in older adults and young children, although researchers say rates are still significant and warrant consideration in vaccine po…

AstraZeneca Prioritizing US Market For RSV Drug Amid Increase In Cases

Reuters (11/10, Wingrove, Fick) reported, “AstraZeneca on Friday said it was prioritizing the U.S. market for additional doses of its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) drug Beyfortus, which was approved in July to prevent the disease in infants and toddle…

Omaha Officials Launch TB Testing Drive After Hundreds Of Children Exposed At Daycare Program

The Washington Post (11/11, McDaniel) reported, “tuberculosis testing for hundreds of children in Omaha began Saturday, after a large group of infants, toddlers and children was potentially exposed to infection through a drop-in day-care program.” Over “5…

CT Scans Linked To Increased Risk Of Blood Cancer In Young People, Study Finds

HealthDay (11/10, Thompson) reported, “CT scans are significantly linked to an increased risk of blood cancers in young people, a major multinational study has found.” The study, published in Nature Medicine, found that “accumulated radiation doses to the…

Secondhand Smoking Is Independent Risk Factor In Pediatric Bronchial Asthma Hospitalizations In Young Children, Study Finds

Pulmonology Advisor (11/10, Stong) reported, “Secondhand smoking…is an independent risk factor in pediatric bronchial asthma hospitalizations in young children, especially among those who had respiratory syncytial virus…infection during infancy, accor…

Food Insecurity, Low Household Income Increase Risk Of NAFLD In Adolescents, Study Finds

HCP Live (11/12, Brooks) reports, “Food insecurity and low household income increase the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)…in adolescents, according to” study findings. Researchers found that “food-insecure adolescents living in lower-inc…

Immunoglobulin Use In Pediatric Patients With RSV-Associated Lower Respiratory Tract Infections Has Little To No Effect On Hospitalization Length, Adverse Event Risk, Study Finds

Infectious Disease Advisor (11/9, Wei) reports, “The use of immunoglobulins in pediatric patients with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-associated lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) has little to no effect on hospitalization length and adverse ev…

Researchers Identify 16 Predictors Of Infant Hospitalization For RSV, Develop Model For Clinicians To Predict Risk

Healio (11/9, Weldon) reports, “Researchers identified 16 predictors of infant hospitalization for respiratory syncytial virus and developed a model that clinicians can use to predict an infant’s risk, according to findings published in The Lancet Digital…

At Least Two Million Children Have Lost Medicaid Insurance This Year

The New York Times (11/9, Weiland) reports that “at least two million low-income children have lost health insurance since the end of a federal policy that guaranteed coverage through Medicaid earlier in the Covid-19 pandemic, according to…analyses by r…

Umbilical Cord Milking Appears To Be Safe Alternative To Delayed Cord Clamping In Very Premature Infants, Trial Finds

MedPage Today (11/9, Henderson) reports, “Umbilical cord milking (UCM) appeared to be a safe alternative to delayed cord clamping in very premature infants, those born at 28 to 32 weeks’ gestation, according to a randomized controlled trial.” In the study…

Percentage Of US Kindergarteners Receiving Vaccine Exemptions Reaches Record High, CDC Says

CNN (11/9, Musa) reports, “The percentage of kindergartners who received their state-required vaccines for measles remained below the federal target last school year, and the rate of vaccine exemptions for children reached the highest level ever reported…

CDC Director Cohen Urges Vaccinations Before Holidays

CBS News (11/8, George, Moniuszko) reports, “In an interview with CBS News, Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said this is the best window to get vaccinated to protect yourself and your family for the holiday.” C…

Around 70% Of US Counties Have Insufficient Maternal Mental Healthcare Access, Assessment Finds

PatientEngagementHIT (11/8, Heath) reports, “Seven in 10 counties in the United States have insufficient maternal mental healthcare access, a problem that exacerbates maternal health outcomes, according to a new assessment from the Policy Center for Mater…

Perinatal/Early-Life Factors May Be Associated With Control Of Asthma In Preschoolers, Study Finds

Pulmonology Advisor (11/8, Goldberg) reports, “Partly controlled or uncontrolled asthma in preschoolers may be linked with children’s early-life exposures and maternal perinatal factors, as well as to environmental factors, according to study findings.” T…

Study Looks Into Impact Of Periconceptional Maternal Diets On Wheeze Trajectories For Children

HCP Live (11/8, Smith) reports a study was conducted “to look into wheeze trajectories for children and to assess links with the quality of periconceptional maternal diets.” In the study published in Allergy, “overall, the research team pointed out 4 uniq…

Seventeen Major Food Manufacturers Earned F Grade For Lack Of Progress In Reducing Pesticides In Products

CNN (11/8, LaMotte) reports, “Seventeen major food manufacturers earned an average grade of F for their lack of progress in reducing pesticides in the products they sell, according to a new analysis by As You Sow, a nonprofit specializing in shareholder a…

Consumer Product Safety Commission Proposes Major Redesign Of Baby Loungers After Infant Deaths

NBC News (11/8, Khimm, Chuck) reports, “Staff at the Consumer Product Safety Commission have proposed a major redesign of most baby loungers and similar infant cushions, citing 79 deaths from 2010 to 2022 – most of which occurred after babies were placed…

Many New Mothers Struggle To Access Good Healthcare, Report Finds

HealthDay (11/7, Foster) reports, “Many new moms, particularly those on Medicaid, struggle to get health care and social support in the year following their baby’s birth…research reveals.” For the study, published in Health Affairs, researchers looked a…

FDA Reports Accord Healthcare Has Resumed Manufacturing Methotrexate

Reuters (11/7, Jain) says, “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported on Tuesday Accord Healthcare has resumed manufacturing of methotrexate, one of the most commonly used cancer drugs, amid ongoing shortages for some cancer drugs in the United…

Dietary Guidelines Committee Examining Science Behind Ultra-Processed Foods

The Washington Post (11/7, O’Connor) reports, “For decades, the federal government’s dietary guidelines have urged people to eat plenty of foods rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein – while warning us to steer clear of foods high in sodium, suga…

Qualitative Studies Of Patients With Juvenile Localized Scleroderma Demonstrate Psychosocial Impact Of Condition That Quantitative Studies Do Not Reveal, Review Finds

Rheumatology Advisor (11/7, Khaja) reports, “A review of quantitative studies including patients with juvenile localized scleroderma (JLS) did not reveal any statistically significant disease-related impairments in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) m…

CDC Warns That Cases Of Congenital Syphilis Are Skyrocketing, Recommends More Testing And Earlier Treatment

The New York Times (11/7, Mandavilli) says, “The rise in sexually transmitted infections in the United States has taken a particularly tragic turn: More than 3,700 cases of congenital syphilis were reported in 2022, roughly 11 times the number recorded a…

CDC To Expand Surveillance Of Traveler Samples To Include Other Pathogens Including Flu, RSV

Reuters (11/6, Satija) reports, “The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Monday it was expanding testing of samples collected from international air travelers beyond COVID-19, to include flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)…

COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts Still Facing Problems

The New York Times (11/6, Sheikh) reports, “The recently authorized Covid vaccines promised to protect the public against an expected uptick of respiratory illness this winter. But getting shots into arms is still proving challenging.” In particular, chil…

More Than 10M Low-Income Americans Have Been Disenrolled From Medicaid Following End Of Pandemic

Healthcare Dive (11/6, Pifer) reports, “More than 10 million low-income Americans have lost Medicaid coverage as states continue checking eligibility for the safety-net program following the pandemic.” As of November 1, a KFF tracker found “35% of the 28…

Childhood Trauma Linked To 48% Higher Chance Of Serious, Recurrent Headaches As Adults, Analysis Finds

The Washington Post (11/6, Searing) reports, “People who experienced trauma as a child or adolescent were found to be 48 percent more likely to have serious and recurrent headaches as an adult than were those who had not experienced trauma in their early…

Analysis Finds That Following Firearm Injuries Among Children, Family Members Experience Sharp Increase In Psychiatric Disorders

The New York Times (11/6, Barry) reports, “With each mass shooting, Americans look to one grim indicator – the number of dead – as a measure of the destructive impact.” However, “damage left behind by gunshot wounds reverberates among survivors and famili…

CDC Unlikely To Change Five-Day Isolation Recommendation Following Positive COVID-19 Test

NBC News (11/4, Edwards, Syal, Miller) reported, “Covid symptoms may change, but the appearance of a pink line on a rapid test means one thing for sure: five days of isolation.” That CDC guidance “has been in place since late 2021. At the moment, the agen…

Number Of Adolescents With HIV PrEP Prescription Increased Over 75% Since Becoming Available To Them In 2018, Study Finds

Healio (11/3, Weldon) reported, “The number of adolescents with a prescription for HIV prevention medication increased by more than 75% during the first 3-plus years the medicine was available to them, according study findings published in Pediatrics.” In…

Pediatric Emergency Department Visits For Firearm Injuries Increased During Pandemic, Study Finds

CNN (11/6, McPhillips) reports, “Pediatric emergency department visits for firearm injuries became twice as common during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to research.” Investigators found that “from 2017 to early 2020, there were about 18 firearm-related…

Patient Navigators Safe, Potentially Useful For Certain Children With CKD, Researchers Say

Healio (11/3, Houck) reported, “The efficacy of patient navigators may not improve the self-rated health of children with chronic kidney disease; however, caregivers gain skills from the program, according to research presented at” Kidney Week 2023. Resea…

Two Studies Investigate Disadvantages For Children With Hearing Loss

Healio (11/3, Weldon) reported, “Children who are deaf or hard of hearing have worse quality of life, and COVID-19 lockdowns had disrupted their exposure to speech during important periods of development, according to a pair of studies published in JAMA N…

Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir Reduces Risk Of Hospitalization, Death In Patients With COVID-19 Who Have Moderate-To-Severe CKD, Real-World Data Suggest

Renal & Urology News (11/2, Persaud) reports, “Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) reduces the risks for hospitalization and death in patients with COVID-19 who have moderate to severe chronic kidney disease (CKD), real-world data suggest. Investigators pre…

Maternal Depressive Symptom Trajectories Remained Stable Throughout Pregnancy And Two Years Postpartum, Researchers Say

Healio (11/1, Welsh) reports, “Maternal depressive symptom trajectories remained stable throughout pregnancy and up to 2 years after childbirth, which suggests focusing not only on postpartum depression but depression throughout pregnancy, researchers rep…

COVID-19 Infection Was Less Severe, Less Frequent Than Other Respiratory Infections In Young Infants During The Pandemic, Study Finds

Pulmonology Advisor (11/2, Goldberg) reports, “COVID-19 infection was less severe and less frequent than other respiratory infections in infants less than 2 months old during the pandemic, according to study findings.” The research was published in Pediat…

Last Season’s Bronchiolitis Hospitalizations Among Children Were Higher Than Pre-Pandemic Rates, Study Finds

Healio (11/2, Hornick) reports, “Compared with the median bronchiolitis admission rate before the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitalizations among children increased during the 2022 to 2023 season, according to” a study. The findings were published in JAMA Netwo…

Survey Shows Declines In Number Of High School Students Who Report Vaping

The New York Times (11/2, Jewett) reports, “The number of high school students who reported using e-cigarettes fell to 10 percent in the spring of this year from 14 percent last year, according to the results of an annual survey released on Thursday by fe…

Race Plays A Role In Anxiety, Depression Among Minority College Students, Study Finds

USA Today (11/1, Martin) reports a “study shows that race may play a role in depression among college students who are minorities at both predominantly white institutions and historically Black universities.” Researchers “found that moderately severe and…

Half Of Children Under 2 With Acute Bronchiolitis Had Follow-Up Interaction Within A Week Of ED Discharge, Study Finds

HCP Live (11/1, Smith) reports that approximately “half of commercially insured children aged less than 2 years with acute bronchiolitis had a follow-up interaction within a week of emergency department (ED) discharge, according to new findings, and their…

Plaintiffs Urge US Supreme Court To Block Tennessee’s Youth Transgender Care Ban

The Washington Post (11/1, Parks) reports “transgender young people, their families and” healthcare professionals “on Wednesday asked the Supreme Court to block a Tennessee law that bans gender transition care for people younger than 18.” If the Supreme C…

Children With Down Syndrome Are At Increased Risk For ALL, Research Finds

HealthDay (11/1, Murez) reports that research finds children with Down syndrome “are at increased risk for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and have higher rates of relapse and treatment-related harm.” The data indicated that “the five-year survival for…

Researchers Say Many Antibiotics Used To Treat Common Childhood Infections Are No Longer Effective Due To Antibiotic Resistance

HealthDay (11/1, Murez) reports, “Many antibiotics long used to treat common childhood infections are no longer effective because of antibiotic resistance.” In a study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia, researchers “say global guide…

FDA Experts Discuss Ways To Make “Candy-Like” Medications Less Appealing To Children

NBC News (10/31, Lovelace) reports, “Since 2019, there’s been a spike in the number of children younger than 4 who were taken to the emergency room for ingesting gummy multivitamins and over-the-counter sleep aids like melatonin.” On Monday, an FDA panel…

Hospitals Prepare For Influx Of RSV Infections Among Children Amid Shortage Of RSV Antibody

The Hill (10/31, Weixel) reports, “A supply shortage means a drug that can prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants won’t have a major immediate impact, children’s hospitals said, and they are preparing for a surge in admissions this respirato…

CDC Releases New Recommendations For HCV Screening Among Perinatally Exposed Infants And Children

MedPage Today (10/31, Robertson) reports, “The CDC released new recommendations for hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening among perinatally exposed infants and children.” The recommendations are: “all perinatally exposed infants should be screened for HCV wit…

Children With ASD Had Worse Sleep, Lower Levels Of Physical Activity Than Peers, Study Finds

Healio (10/31, Weldon) reports, “Children with autism spectrum disorders had worse sleep and lower levels of physical activity than their peers, a study published in JAMA Network Open found.” In the study, researchers found that “compared with peers witho…

Biden Administration Calls For All US Schools To Stock Naloxone To Counteract Opioid Overdoses

The Hill (10/31, Fortinsky) reports, “The Biden administration on Monday called for all U.S. schools to stock naloxone and to train students and faculty to be able to administer the medication in the event of an opioid overdose on their grounds.” In a let…

US Infant Mortality Rate Rose 3% Last Year, CDC Says

The AP (11/1, Stobbe) reports, “The U.S. infant mortality rate rose 3% last year – the largest increase in two decades, according to” a CDC report. The data indicated that “white and Native American infants, infant boys and babies born at 37 weeks or earl…

Report Finds A Quarter Of Aspiring Physicians Are Considering Quitting Medical School

The Hill (10/30, Choi) says a “report on how medical students view the future of their careers has found that a quarter of aspiring physicians in the U.S. say they are considering quitting their studies, with many expressing concerns about their mental he…

Study Finds Link Between Preschool Program Participation And Reduced Risk Of CV Disease In Midlife

Healio (10/30, Weldon) reports, “A study linked participation in preschool programs to cardiovascular health in midlife, according to findings published in JAMA Pediatrics.” Researchers used the American Heart Association’s (AHA’s) Ideal Cardiovascular He…

Metformin Use May Be Linked To Improved Exacerbation Rates In Adolescents, Young Adults With Asthma, Study Indicates

Pulmonology Advisor (10/30, Stong) reports, “Metformin use may be associated with improved exacerbation rates in adolescents and young adults with asthma, according to” a study. The findings were published in Pediatric Pulmonology.

Neonatal Midazolam Exposure Is Linked To Long-Term Impairment Of Hippocampal Growth, Especially Among Boys, Study Finds

Neurology Advisor (10/30, Arini Lopez) reports, “Neonatal midazolam exposure is associated with long-term impairment of hippocampal growth, especially among boys, according to study findings.” The research was published in Neurology.

Antibiotic And Acid Suppressant Exposure During Perinatal Period Was Linked To Development Of EoE Later In Life, Study Finds

MedPage Today (10/30, Short) reports, “Antibiotic and acid suppressant exposure during the perinatal period was linked to the development of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) later in life, a Danish cohort study found.” Investigators found that “infants with…

Traumatic Events During Childhood Are Associated With Higher Likelihood Of Headache Disorders As An Adult, Study Indicates

USA Today (10/30, Rodriguez) reports that researchers have “found that people who experienced one or more traumatic events during childhood were 48% more likely to develop headache disorders as an adult.” Researchers found that “the body holds trauma that…

Federal Government Proposes Rule To Establish Disincentives For Healthcare Professionals Interfering In Access, Exchange, Or Use Of Electronic Health Information

HealthLeaders Media (10/30, Wicklund) reports, “The Health and Human Services Department has released a proposed rule that would establish three specific ‘disincentives’ for healthcare [professionals] found by the HHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG)…

Survey Finds More Than 22% Of US Parents Concerned Their Teens Are Dependent On The Internet

HealthDay (10/30, Murez) reports, “American parents fear their teens’ internet use could expose them to cyberbullying, harmful content and set them up for addiction, a…study shows.” In a survey published in JAMA Network Open, “more than 22% were concern…

Survey Finds Low Uptake Of New COVID-19 Vaccines

The New York Times (10/27, Mandavilli) reported, “Few Americans have opted to be immunized against the coronavirus so far this fall: Just over 7 percent of adults and 2 percent of children had received a Covid-19 vaccine as of Oct. 14, according to a surv…

FDA Approves 40 mg/mL Oral Suspension Of Vamorolone To Treat Patients With DMD

Healio (10/27) reported, “The FDA has approved a 40 mg/mL oral suspension of Agamree” (vamorolone) “to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy in patients aged 2 years and older, according to a release from the manufacturer.” This “approval was based on data fr…

Timing Of Corticosteroid Exposure During Pregnancy Was Not Associated With Delays In Neurodevelopmental Milestones During First 3 Years Of Life, Study Finds

Healio (10/27, Gawel) reported, “The timing of corticosteroid exposure during pregnancy was not associated with any delays in neurodevelopmental milestones during the first 3 years of life, according to a study.” However, “there was an association between…

Treatment Rates For Depression, Anxiety, ADHD Among Children And Adolescents Are Low, International Study Finds

HCP Live (10/27, Derman) reported, “Treatment rates for depression, anxiety, ADHD, and behavior disorders among children and adolescents are low—and rates differ by age, income level, and region, according to a new international study.” Investigators came…

EPA To Bolster Regulations To Lower Lead In Drinking Water

The AP (10/28, Phillis, Stobbe) reported, “Decades after officials banned lead in gasoline for new cars and stopped the sale of lead paint – huge steps toward eliminating significant sources of lead exposure to the public – there are still an estimated 50…

Pediatric Bronchiolitis Hospitalizations Took A Downturn During Pandemic Before Consistently Rising Thereafter, With Seasonal Patterns Still Not Normal, Study Finds

MedPage Today (10/27, Short) reported, “Pediatric bronchiolitis hospitalizations took a brief downturn during the pandemic before consistently rising thereafter, with seasonal patterns yet to return to normal, a nationwide study found.” Investigators foun…

HHS, CISA Release Healthcare Cybersecurity Toolkit

Healthcare IT News (10/26, Fox) reports, “The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services released the Cybersecurity Toolkit for Healthcare and Public Health after a discussion on cybersecurity challeng…

Survey Finds High Costs A Barrier To Healthcare For Many, Regardless Of Insurance Status

PatientEngagementHIT (10/26, Heath) says, “Having health insurance coverage isn’t enough to attenuate high healthcare costs and their impacts on patient access to care, according to a…Commonwealth Fund report.” Between 43 and 57 percent of respondents “…

Treatment With Higher-Exposure Dupilumab Led To Sustained Improvements In Reduction Of Peak Esophageal Intraepithelial Eosinophil Counts Among Children With EoE, Study Finds

MedPage Today (10/26, Susman) reports, “Treatment with higher-exposure dupilumab (Dupixent) led to sustained improvements in the reduction of peak esophageal intraepithelial eosinophil counts among children ages 1 to 11 with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)…

Abbott Will Stop Sales Of Similac Probiotic Product Following FDA Warning

Reuters (10/26, Leo, Mandowara) reports, “Abbott Laboratories will stop sales of its Similac Probiotic Tri-Blend product used for hospitalized preterm infants after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning letter, the health regulator said o…

CDC Recommends New Meningococcal Disease Vaccine For Teens, Young Adults That Covers All Five Serotypes

USA Today (10/26, Rodriguez) reports the CDC advisory panel on Wednesday recommended a new vaccine to protect teens against meningococcal disease, which “can cause hearing loss, severe neurological damage, the loss of limbs, and, in many cases, death.” Pr…

Biden Administration Requests $1.55B From Congress To Address Fentanyl Crisis

NBC News (10/25, Guilfoil) reports, “The White House on Wednesday requested $1.55 billion from Congress to address illicit fentanyl driving overdose deaths across the country as part of a broader funding package.” This money “would be included alongside m…

Teplizumab Helps To Preserve Beta-Cell Function For Children With New-Onset T1D, Study Finds

Healio (10/25, Monostra) reports, “Children with new-onset type 1 diabetes had better preservation of beta-cell function with two 12-day courses of teplizumab compared with those receiving placebo, according to” a study. The findings were published in The…

Children Born To Adolescent, Young Adult Women With Cancer History At Higher Risk Of Birth Defects, Study Finds

Healio (10/25, Southall) reports, “The offspring of adolescent and young adult women with a history of cancer experienced a higher risk for birth defects, according to study results published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.” The study “re…

Child Care Centers Are An Unlikely Source For Spreading COVID-19, Study Finds

The Hill (10/25, Nazzaro) reports, “A new study found child care centers are an unlikely source for spreading COVID-19, leading researchers to suggest the current testing and isolation recommendations can be revised to align with those for other serious r…

Babies Exposed To Common Chemicals While In The Womb May Be At Higher Risk Of Gaining Weight Rapidly During Early Childhood, Study Suggests

NBC News (10/25, Mogg) reports, “Babies exposed to a set of common chemicals while in the womb may be at higher risk of gaining weight rapidly during early childhood, a recent study suggests.” The study, “published last week in the journal Environmental H…

Young Adults In US Experience Anxiety, Depression Twice As Frequently As Teenagers, Survey Indicates

The Washington Post (10/24, Reynolds Lewis) reports, “Young adults in the United States experience anxiety and depression twice as frequently as teenagers, according to a new nationally representative survey.” The survey, from “Making Caring Common, a pro…

Children Of Fathers With Postpartum Depression More Likely To Experience At Least One Adverse Childhood Experience At Age 5, Data Indicate

MedPage Today (10/24, Firth) reports, “Children of fathers with postpartum depression were significantly more likely to experience at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE) at age 5, according to data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing…

Meta Sued By Multiple US States Alleging Social Media Platforms Harmful To Children’s Health

The New York Times (10/24, Kang, Singer) reports, “Meta was sued by more than three dozen states on Tuesday for knowingly using features on Instagram and Facebook to hook children to its platforms, even as the company said its social media sites were safe…

Suicidal Ideation Common Among Transgender And Gender Diverse Youth In ED, Study Indicates

MedPage Today (10/24, Henderson) reports, “A keyword-based search in the electronic medical record (EMR) at an urban emergency department (ED) showed high rates of suicidal ideation among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth, according to a retrospe…

For RSV Antibody In Short Supply, CDC Advises Physicians To Prioritize Babies At Highest Risk Of Disease

The AP (10/24, Stobbe) reports, “A new shot for infants against RSV is in short supply, and U.S. health officials told doctors they should prioritize giving the drug to babies at the highest risk of severe disease.” This includes “infants less than 6 mont…

Many College Kids Are Depressed And Anxious, Particularly When They Are A Minority On Campus Or First In Family To Go To A University, Study Finds

HealthDay (10/23, Reinberg) reports, “Many college kids are depressed and anxious, especially when they are a minority on campus or the first in their family to go to a university, a…study finds.” Investigators also found that “women suffered greater de…

Study Suggests 14% Of Adults And 12% Of Children Addicted To Ultra-Processed Foods

USA Today (10/23, Al-Arshani) reports, “An analysis of 281 studies in 36 countries…found that your inability to put down the ice cream, chips and candy may have less to do with your self-control and more to do with the addictive quality of ultra-process…

Experts Stress Importance Of Vaccination As Respiratory Virus Season Approaches

CNN (10/23, McPhillips) reports, “The first signs of respiratory virus season are just starting to show in the United States, but experts stress the importance of getting vaccinated now to stay healthy through the winter and reduce strain on the health ca…

RSV Antibody In Short Supply, CDC Says

The Hill (10/23, Choi) reports, “The monoclonal antibody for preventing the respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, in infants is in short supply, and federal officials are advising doses be prioritized for those at the highest risk for severe illness,…

Online Distributors Often Sell Delta-8 Cannabinoid Products With Colorful Packaging, Do Not Check Age, Research Finds

MedPage Today (10/23, Firth) reports, “More than half of all delta-8 cannabinoid (D8) online distributors sold products in kid-friendly packaging and many did not ask customers their age, according to preliminary research presented at the” 2023 AAP Nation…

Some 220K Youths In US Have Been Diagnosed With Arthritis, Report Says

The Washington Post (10/23, Searing) reports, “Some 220,000 youths in the United States — children and adolescents younger than 18 — have been diagnosed with arthritis, a disease most commonly associated with older people, according to a report from the”…

Maternal mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy Linked To Lower Risk Of Neonatal Death, Other Poor Outcomes, Study Finds

MedPage Today (10/23, Sullivan) reports, “Maternal mRNA COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy was associated with lower risks of poor neonatal outcomes, including neonatal death, according to a population-based retrospective cohort study from Canada.” Add…

Specialization In A Single Sport At A Young Age Can Lead To Lasting Negative Health Outcomes For Children, Experts Say

MedPage Today (10/20, DePeau-Wilson) reported, “Specialization in a single sport at a young age can lead to lasting negative health outcomes for children, including injury and burnout, said expert panelists during a discussion hosted by the National Athle…

FDA Expands Use Of Achondroplasia Drug To Children Younger Than 5

Reuters (10/20, Jain, Mandowara) reported the US FDA “on Friday approved the expanded use of BioMarin Pharmaceutical’s once-daily injection to treat children under the age of 5 with the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism.” In 2021, Voxzogo (vosorit…

FDA Approves Pentavalent Meningococcal Disease Vaccine

Reuters (10/20, Leo, Mandowara, Santhosh) reported, “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Pfizer’s vaccine Penbraya, making it the first shot to protect against five groups of a deadly bacteria that can cause meningitis and blood poiso…

Researchers Warn About Hazards To Children Posed By Hair Styling Tools, Desk Toy Magnets, Electric Scooters

NBC News (10/20, Bendix) reported that according to research presented at the 2023 AAP National Conference & Exhibition, “children are getting burned by hair styling tools, swallowing tiny magnets found in desk toys and injuring themselves on electric sco…

Babies Discharged From ED For Bronchiolitis Saw Mixed Benefits From Enhanced Nasal Suctioning, Trial Finds

MedPage Today (10/20, Short) reported, “Babies discharged from the emergency department (ED) for bronchiolitis saw mixed benefits from enhanced nasal suctioning, a randomized trial found.” Investigators found that “additional resource use – a composite of…

Exposure To Maternal Diabetes In Utero May Be Associated With Increased Risk Of Depression, Anxiety Among Offspring Later In Life, Research Suggests

HCP Live (10/20, Campbell) reported that research “suggests exposure to maternal diabetes in utero could be linked to an increased risk of depression and anxiety among offspring later in life.” The findings “of the study, which examined all births occurri…

Parents Report Ongoing Issues Finding Pediatric Versions Of Latest COVID-19 Vaccines

NPR (10/19, Fortier) reports, “On September 12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended the next round of COVID shots for everyone 6 months and older.” However, “more than a month later, some parents report ongoing difficulties in findi…

Most Children, Youth Receiving HIV Care At A Specialty Clinic Reported Being Interested In Telehealth Services For HIV Care, Study Suggests

The American Journal of Managed Care (10/19, Bonavitacola) reports, “Most children and youth receiving HIV care at a specialty clinic reported being interested in telehealth services for HIV care, according to” the findings of a 103-child study published…

Children With Mental Health Disorders More Likely To Have Poor Mental And Physical Health In Young Adulthood, Study Indicates

Healio (10/19, Weldon) reports, “Children with mental health issues were more likely to have poor mental and physical health in young adulthood,” according to the findings of a 5,141-participant study published online Sept. 29 in JAMA Network Open.

Compared With Non-LGBTQ Peers, Lesbian, Gay, And Bisexual Teens More Than Twice As Likely To Report Binge Eating, Study Indicates

HealthDay (10/19, Murez) reports, “Stigma can take a toll on lesbian, gay and bisexual teens, leading to high rates of binge-eating disorders, researchers” concluded after analyzing “data from more than 10,000 adolescents aged 10 to 14 years old who were…

Children Exposed To Higher Levels Of Common Chemicals In The Womb More Likely To Have Higher BMI During Childhood, Study Finds

CNN (10/19, LaMotte) reports, “Children exposed to higher levels of pesticides, fungicides and synthetic chemicals while in the womb are more likely to have a higher body mass index during childhood than those exposed to lower levels of such chemicals, a….

Research Finds The Rate Of In-Person Follow-Up Visits Was Low Following Telehealth Visits For Primary Care, But Still Higher Than After In-Person Appointments

mHealth Intelligence (10/18, Vaidya) reports “research shows that the rate of in-person follow-up visits was low following phone and video visits for primary care but still higher than after in-person appointments.” Published in the Annals of Internal Med…

About 8M Americans Have Received Updated COVID-19 Vaccine, Data Show

CNN (10/18, Goodman, Howard) reports that about 8 million Americans, or less than 3% of the US population, have received “an updated COVID-19 vaccine since their approval in mid-September, according to” recent HHS data. That slow uptake “comes at a time w…

Report Shows Injuries Related To Use Of E-Bikes, E-Scooters Jumped 21% In 2022

HealthDay (10/18, Murez) says a Consumer Product Safety Commission report released this week shows that injuries associated with e-bikes, e-scooters, and hoverboards “increased nearly 21% in 2022 alone, compared to 2021.” Based on data from “a nationally…

Brain Changes Seen In Children Exposed To Gestational Diabetes In Utero May Contribute To Increased Risk Of Obesity, Study Indicates

MedPage Today (10/18, Monaco) reports, “Brain changes were seen in kids exposed to gestational diabetes in utero, which may contribute to an increased risk of obesity, according to” data derived from “a cross-sectional study of data from the Adolescent Br…

Teaching Middle Schoolers Bike Riding Skills As Part Of Physical Education Classes May Help Improve Their Mental Health, Researchers Conclude

NPR (10/18, Godoy) reports, “Teaching middle schoolers bike riding skills as part of physical education classes may help improve their mental health,” according to “a new study that looked at the effects of a six- to eight-week cycling class taught in sch…

Children With T1D Appear To Be Entering Into Puberty Earlier Than They Had Been Previously, Researchers Conclude

HCPlive (10/18, Campbell) reports, “Children with type 1 diabetes” (T1D) “are entering puberty earlier than they had been previously,” researchers concluded in “an analysis of more than 13,000 children with type 1 diabetes from the German Diabetes Prospec…

Despite More Vaccines To Protect Pregnant Women From Respiratory Illnesses, Fewer Are Getting Vaccinated

NBC News (10/17, Edwards, Weaver) reports, “As the winter respiratory illness season fast approaches, this is the first year that four vaccines are being recommended during pregnancy.” However, “there are already signs that fewer pregnant women are gettin…

Guidance On Screening Children’s Cholesterol Varies

MedPage Today (10/17, Fiore) reports, “Debate continues as to whether young children should have their cholesterol checked.” The article adds, “Pediatric cardiologists interviewed by MedPage Today acknowledge a dearth of long-term randomized controlled tr…

Rates Of MDD Appear To Vary Among Adolescents By Race, Ethnicity, Data Suggest

HealthDay (10/17, Gotkine) reports, “The rates of major depressive disorder (MDD) vary from 14.5 to 26.5 percent among adolescents by race and ethnicity,” researchers concluded after conducting “a cross-sectional analysis of the nationally representative…

Weak Standards Governing Federally Subsidized School Lunches Illustrate Outsize Influence Of Food Companies On School Lunches

The Washington Post (10/17, Bernstein, Weber, Keating) reports, “Decisions made…in the nation’s capital – choices heavily influenced by the food industry – brought Kraft Heinz’s signature Lunchables to” some “30 million children under the rules of the N…

Asian, Hispanic, And Black Children Much Less Likely Than White Children To See Ear, Nose And Throat Physicians, Researchers Conclude

HealthDay (10/17, Murez) reports, “Which U.S. kids see specialists for ear infections and have tubes placed to drain fluid and improve air flow differs significantly by race,” according to research presented at the annual meeting of the American Society o…

Illinois Public Health Officials Report First Case Of Measles In More Than Four Years

USA Today (10/16, DeLetter) reports, “The Illinois Department of Public Health recently confirmed the first case of measles in the state in over four years.” Officials “reported that a suspected measles case was reported by the Cook County Department of P…

New Video Game Technology May Help Predict What Type Of Driver A Teen Will Be, Researchers Say

According HealthDay (10/16, Mann), “a new video game technology that exposes drivers to the most common serious crash scenarios and sees how they react may help predict what type of driver” a teenager will be and could “also highlight any potential proble…

One-Third Of US Schools Do Not Have A Full-Time Nurse, Survey Says

KFF Health News (10/16, DeGuzman) reports, “More than a third of schools nationwide don’t have a full-time nurse on-site, according to a 2021 survey by the National Association of School Nurses.” The lack of school nurses comes as the US faces “high rates…

Respiratory Diseases Incidence Not Different In Twin Siblings When The First Was Born Vaginally And The Second Was Born Via CD, Results Show

Pulmonology Advisor (10/16, Stong) says, “The incidence of respiratory diseases was not different in twin siblings when the first was born vaginally and the second was born via cesarean delivery (CD),” researchers concluded in an analysis of 184 pairs of…

Substantial Proportion Of Young Children From Low-Income Families Appear To Have Elevated Levels Of Emotional, Behavioral Health Problems Seen In Pediatric Primary Care, Researchers Conclude

MedPage Today (10/16, Henderson) reports, “A substantial proportion of young kids from low-income families had elevated levels of emotional and behavioral health problems seen in pediatric primary care, researchers” concluded in findings published online…

Children Hospitalized For Rotavirus At Higher Risk Of Developing Juvenile-Onset Autoimmune Diseases, Data Indicate

Healio (10/16, Martin) reports, “Children who are hospitalized for rotavirus demonstrate a higher risk for developing juvenile-onset autoimmune diseases, including inflammatory arthritis and vasculitis, according to data published in JAMA Network Open.” T…

Children Receiving mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Who Still Contracted The Disease Were 48% Less Likely To Develop Post-COVID Conditions, Study Finds

MedPage Today (10/15, Sullivan) says, “Children who received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines were up to 48% less likely to develop post-COVID conditions (PCCs) if they did contract the disease, a CDC researcher reported” at IDWeek 2023. The study “was conducted du…

Early Signs Show Spread Of Flu, COVID-19, RSV Nationwide

NBC News (10/13, Edwards) said, “Flu cases are low nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday, but there are early signs that the virus is beginning to spread.” Flu, COVID-19, and RSV “are likely to circulate this winter,”…

Tobacco, Cannabis Use Among US Youth Increased Between 2021 And 2022, Research Shows

MedPage Today (10/13, Short) reported that tobacco and cannabis use increased among US youth from 2021 to 2022, according to CDC data highlighted during the CHEST Annual Meeting 2023. José de Jesús Méndez Castro, MD, reviewed the findings, saying they are…

Breastfeeding Increased Protective Effect Of Maternal Flu Vaccination During Pregnancy For Infants, Study Shows

MedPage Today (10/14, Sullivan) reported, “Breastfeeding boosted the protective effect of maternal flu vaccination during pregnancy for infants, a large retrospective cohort study showed.” Investigators found that “combined, maternal vaccination plus any…

PCR Testing Of Dried Blood Spots Demonstrates High Sensitivity In Identifying Infants With Congenital Cytomegalovirus, Study Shows

Healio (10/13, Weldon) said, “PCR testing of dried blood spots demonstrated a high sensitivity to identify infants with congenital cytomegalovirus in a study conducted in Minnesota, the first state to mandate congenital CMV testing, researchers reported.”…

Internalizing Symptoms Among Latinx Youth During Early Adolescence Relate To Health Behaviors, Outcomes Underlying Cardiometabolic Risk During Middle And Late Adolescence, Survey Study Suggests

HealthDay (10/13, Solomon) reported, “Internalizing symptoms among Latinx youth during early adolescence relate to health behaviors and outcomes underlying cardiometabolic risk during middle and late adolescence,” investigators concluded in the findings o…

Robust Mucosal Immune Response Appears To Prevent Severe COVID-19 Infection In Children Compared To Adults, Study Suggests

USA Today (10/14, Weintraub) reported, “It’s been clear since early in the pandemic that young children…weren’t getting very sick from COVID-19,” and now a “study suggests the answer lies in their noses.” This study “found the immune systems of young ch…

More Than 7M Americans Have Received Updated COVID-19 Vaccines, HHS Data Indicate

Reuters (10/12, Wingrove) reports that a month after their approval, “more than 7 million Americans had rolled up their sleeves for the updated COVID-19 vaccines as of Wednesday, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, despite repor…

Preschool, Primary School Teachers Appear To Respond Differently To Anxiety Behaviors Among Pupils With ASD, Small Study Indicates

HCPlive (10/12, Derman) reports, “For students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who experience clinical anxiety symptoms, preschool and primary school teachers respond differently to anxiety behaviors, according to” the findings of a 139-teacher study…

Severe Inflammation Very Early In Childhood May Hamper Development Of Key Brain Cells, Small Postmortem Study Indicates

HealthDay (10/12, Mundell) reports, “Severe inflammation very early in childhood might hamper the development of key brain cells, perhaps setting the stage for conditions such as autism or schizophrenia,” according to the findings of a 17-child postmortem…

Alcohol And Tobacco Use Both Notably Associated With Suicide Attempts Among Adolescents During The COVID-19 Pandemic, Data Indicate

Healio (10/12, Bascom) reports, “Alcohol and tobacco use were both notably associated with suicide attempts among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to” findings presented at the Osteopathic Medical Education Conference. Data derived “fro…

Federal Judges In Three States Block Laws Impacting Social Media, Minors

The New York Times (10/12, Singer) reports that “last fall, California lawmakers passed a sweeping online children’s privacy law aimed at regulating how some of the most popular social media and video game platforms treat minors.” However, “last month, af…

Higher Initial Glucose Levels, Increasing BMI Over Time May Predict Progression From Prediabetes To T2D Among Children And Adolescents, Study Indicates

Healio (10/12, Monostra) reports, “Higher initial glucose levels and increasing BMI over time could serve as predictors of progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes” (T2D) “for children and adolescents, according to” the findings of a 552-child and…

Experts Worry That Narcan Still Not Widely Accessible Despite Being Available Over The Counter

Kaiser Health News (10/11, Fortiér, Leonard) reports, “Last month, drugstores and pharmacies nationwide began stocking and selling the country’s first over-the-counter version of naloxone, a medication that can stop a potentially fatal overdose from opioi…

Guidance Provides Updates On Determining Brain Death In Adults, Children

MedPage Today (10/11, George) reports a new practice guideline published in Neurology “updated clinicians on how they should determine death by neurologic criteria – also known as brain death – in adults and children.”

Compared With Dexamethasone, Prenatal Use Of Predniso(lo)ne Appears To Have Fewer Side Effects, Poses Minimal Risk For Fetal Adverse Events, Systematic Review Suggests

Endocrinology Advisor (10/11, Nye) reports, “Antenatal use of predniso(lo)ne, compared with dexamethasone,” appears to have fewer side effects and poses “minimal risk for fetal adverse events,” according to the findings of a systematic review published on…

Children From Families With Low Incomes, Families Of Color Exposed To More Neurotoxic Chemicals And Experience Greater Harm, Scoping Review Concludes

HealthDay (10/11, Solomon) reports, “Children from families with low incomes and families of color are exposed to more neurotoxic chemicals and experience greater harm,” investigators concluded in the findings of a 218-study scoping review published onlin…

Cost, Insurance Reimbursement Complicating Rollout Of RSV Antibody

CBS News (10/11, Brand, M. Moniuszko) reports, “The CDC and FDA have approved the Beyfortus antibody shot, from drugmakers AstraZeneca and Sanofi, to prevent respiratory syncytial virus in babies from birth to 8 months old, or in children up to 24 months…

Children Conceived Using ART Appear To Have Slightly Higher Risks Of Congenital Anomalies, Particularly Genitourinary Ones, Research Suggests

MedPage Today (10/10, Robertson) reports, “Kids conceived using assisted reproductive technology (ART) had slightly higher risks of congenital anomalies, particularly genitourinary abnormalities,” investigators concluded in the findings of “an Australian…

Maternal Pertussis Vaccination Tied To Reduced Risk For Infection Among Infants Through Eight Months Of Age, Study Indicates

HealthDay (10/10, Gotkine) reports, “Maternal pertussis vaccination is associated with a reduced risk for infection among infants through eight months of age,” researchers concluded after having “conducted a population-based cohort study of 279,418 mother…

Children, Adolescents With High Polygenic Risk Score For PCOS Tend To Have Higher BMI, More Likely To Develop Obesity, Research Suggests

Healio (10/10, Monostra) reports, “Children and adolescents with a high polygenic risk score for polycystic ovary syndrome” (PCOS) “tend to have a higher BMI and are more likely to develop obesity,” according to findings published in the Journal of Clinic…

Most Adolescents Who Use E-Cigarettes Have Attempted To Quit In Past Year, But Usually Without Seeking Outside Help, Study Indicates

Healio (10/10, Weldon) reports, “Most adolescents who use e-cigarettes have attempted to quit in the past year but usually without seeking outside help,” researchers concluded in findings published online in the journal Pediatrics. The study examined “dat…

Study Suggests New Fathers Should Also Be Screened For Postpartum Depression

HealthDay (10/6, Murez) reported a pilot study “suggests new dads should also be screened for” postpartum depression. For the study published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, “researchers interviewed and screened 24 dads using a tool commonly used for scr…

About 1% Of Children In US Had Long Covid Through 2022, CDC Report Says

The Washington Post (10/9, Searing) reports that “although covid-19 symptoms can linger for weeks, months or years, 1 percent of children in the United States had the condition known as long covid through 2022, according to a report from the” CDC. By the…

Children With Developmental Delays Lack Access To Federal Program

According to the AP (10/8, Savage), a program called “Early Intervention was created in 1986 to address developmental delays in children…as soon as possible.” Approximately “one in six children in the U.S. has at least one developmental disability or ot…

As Many As 1 In 4 Teens With ASD Could Be Undiagnosed, Research Suggests

HealthDay (10/6, Collins) reported, “As many as 1 in 4 teens with autism may be undiagnosed…research suggests.” For the study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, researchers “reviewed school and health records of close to 4,9…

MDD Among Adolescents Rose Sharply During COVID-19 Pandemic, But Fewer Than Half Who Needed Treatment Received It, Researchers Conclude

The New York Times (10/9, Richtel) reports, “Approximately 20 percent of adolescents had symptoms of major depressive disorder” (MDD) “in 2021 – the first full calendar year of the pandemic – but less than half who needed treatment received it,” according…

In Phase 3 Study, Once-Daily Dose Of 72 Mg Linaclotide Tied To Improved Stool Consistency In Pediatric Patients With Functional Constipation, Researchers Conclude

HCPlive (10/5, Kunzmann) reports, “A once-daily dose of 72 mg linaclotide (Linzess) was associated with significant reduction to the frequency of spontaneous bowel movements and improved stool consistency in patients with functional constipation,” investi…

Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Support Use Of Immunosuppressive Therapy To Achieve Native Liver Survival In Children Presenting With Autoimmune Hepatitis In Acute Liver Failure Cases

HCPlive (10/5, Kunzmann) reports, “A new systematic review and meta-analysis” presented at the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition 2023 Annual Meeting “supports the use of immunosuppressive therapy to achieve na…

Children, Adolescents Appear Susceptible To Poor Mental Health Symptoms Based On Varying Understated Geographic And Sociodemographic Factors, Survey Data Suggest

HCPlive (10/5, Derman) reports, “Children and adolescents are susceptible to poor mental health symptoms based on varying understated geographic and sociodemographic factors,” investigators concluded in a study that drew its data from the Household Pulse…

Approximately 220K Children In US Were Diagnosed With Arthritis Between 2017 And 2021, Data Reveal

Healio (10/5, Martin) reports, “Approximately 220,000 children in the United States were diagnosed with arthritis between 2017 and 2021, with a higher prevalence among those aged 12 to 17 years or living in a food-insecure household,” according to finding…

Trends In Pediatric Fatal And Nonfatal Injuries Examined

The New York Times (10/5, Rabin) reports, “The rate of firearm fatalities among children under 18 increased by 87 percent from 2011 through 2021 in the” US, while “the death rate attributable to car accidents fell by almost half, leaving firearm injuries…

Around 4M Americans Received Updated COVID-19 Vaccines In September

Reuters (10/4, Aboulenein, Erman) reports, “Around 4 million Americans received the updated COVID-19 shots in September, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), even as some people have found it difficult to book vaccination a…

Vaping Increased Asthma Risk Among Adolescents With No Other Smoking History, Study Finds

Healio (10/4, Gawel) reports, “Vaping increased the risk for asthma among adolescents in Texas and across the” US “who had never smoked conventional tobacco products, according to a study.” The findings were published in Preventive Medicine.

Antiviral Medications Pleconaril, Ribavirin, When Given Soon After A Child’s Diagnosis Of T1D, May Help Preserve Pancreatic Beta Cells, Researchers Posit

HealthDay (10/4, Mundell) reports, “Recent research has suggested that viruses could play a role in the loss of pancreatic beta cells, which triggers type 1 diabetes” (T1D), but “now, a new trial finds antiviral medications,” in particular, pleconaril and…

Minority Of Families, Clinicians Willing To Have Pediatric ED Conduct Direct Oral Challenge To Delabel Penicillin Allergies In Children, Researchers Say

MedPage Today (10/4, Short) reports, “A minority of families and healthcare providers were willing to have pediatric emergency departments (EDs) conduct a direct oral challenge (DOC) to delabel penicillin allergies in children,” according to the findings…

Fifty Percent Of Adolescents Admitted Into Psychiatric Hospital Screened Positive For Insomnia, Small Mixed-Methods Study Reveals

HCPlive (10/4, Derman) reports, “New data from a” 100-adolescent, mixed-methods study combining results from two studies “suggest sleep problems could be a contributing factor as to why adolescents get admitted to a psychiatric ward.” The data revealed th…

Families, Physicians Express Concerns Over Insurance Coverage Of New RSV Antibody

CNN (10/4, Goodman) reports, “A highly anticipated new shot that can protect newborns from the ravages of respiratory syncytial virus may not be available to some families this season because of uncertainties about insurance coverage.” The FDA approved Be…

FDA Approves Novavax’s Updated COVID-19 Vaccine

The AP (10/3, Neergaard) reports, “U.S. regulators on Tuesday authorized another option for fall COVID-19 vaccination, updated shots made by Novavax.” The FDA approved the “reformulated Novavax shots” for “anyone age 12 and older.” The CDC “already has ur…

Algorithm Appears Promising To Help Reduce The Number Of Unnecessary Oophorectomies In Children, Researchers Find

MedPage Today (10/3, Henderson) reports, “A new algorithm appeared promising to help reduce the number of unnecessary oophorectomies in young patients, researchers found.” Looking at data from “11 children’s hospitals implementing the algorithm, the perce…

Mental Health Services Spending For US Children, Adolescents Has Risen Sharply Since 2020, Researchers Say

According to HealthDay (10/3, Murez), “spending on mental health services for U.S. children and adolescents has risen sharply since 2020,” climbing “26% for youths aged 19 and younger between March 2020 and August 2022,” RAND researchers concluded. After…

Use Of Psychotropic Medications Appears To Have Increased Exponentially In Children, Adolescents With T1D, Data Indicate

HCPlive (10/3, Campbell) reports, “New research of national registries in Europe suggests use of psychotropic medications, such as hypnotics,” attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) “medications, and antidepressants, has increased exponentially…

As New Shots Roll Out, Parents Say They Are Running Into Barriers To Vaccinating Young Children Against COVID-19

CNN (10/3, Goodman) reports, “Parents of young children are scrambling to find still-scarce doses of the updated Covid-19 vaccine, which was recommended in mid-September for everyone ages 6 months and older.” However, even “when they can find it, some say…

Breastfeeding In Infancy May Be Associated With Lower Percentage Of Body Fat Later In Childhood, Study Concludes

According to HealthDay (10/2, Murez), research indicates that nine-year-old children “who had been breast-fed for six months or more had a lower percentage of body fat than their peers who were never breast-fed or received breast milk,” according to findi…

Physicians, Parents Face Challenges In Getting New COVID-19 Vaccine For Children

The Washington Post (10/2, Sun, Nirappil) reports, “The troubled rollout of updated coronavirus vaccines is proving especially challenging for physicians and parents seeking to immunize children – a reflection of distribution delays, shortages at pharmaci…

FDA Warns Hospitals About Using Probiotics In Infants Born Prematurely

CNN (10/2, Viswanathan) reports, “After the death of a preterm baby who was given a probiotic in a hospital, the” FDA “is warning hospitals about using probiotics in infants born prematurely.” The agency, “in a warning letter Friday…cautioned health car…

Childhood Verbal Abuse Can Be As Damaging To Development As Sexual Or Physical Abuse, Research Finds

CNN (10/2, Ronald) reports that research has found that “parents, teachers, coaches and other adults shouting at, denigrating or verbally threatening children can be as damaging to their development as sexual or physical abuse.” The research, “which studi…

Child Diagnosed With ASD At 12-26 Months Of Age May Not Meet Diagnostic Criteria For Autism Years Later, Researchers Say

HCPlive (10/2, Derman) reports, “A child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at 12-26 months of age may not meet the diagnostic criteria for autism years later,” investigators concluded in the findings of a 213-child “cohort study” published onl…

CMS Asks States To Provide A Year Of Continuous Coverage For Children On Medicaid, CHIP Starting January 2024

Healthcare Finance News (10/2, Lagasse) reports, “In a letter to state health officials late last week…the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reiterated that states must provide 12 months of continuous coverage for children under the age of 19 o…

Children, Teens In The US Dying Of Gun-Related Homicides And Suicides In Record Numbers, CDC Data Indicate

CNN (10/2, Choi) reports, “Children and teens in the US are dying of gun-related homicides and suicides in record numbers, according to the most recent data from the” CDC. In 2021, “there were 2,279 firearm homicides in children and teens (ages one to 18)…

WHO Removes Influenza B/Yamagata From Recommendations On Which Influenza Viruses To Target In Vaccines

CNN (9/29, Gumbrecht) reported that when the WHO “recommended on Friday which influenza viruses to target in vaccines for next year, it removed a family of viruses that hasn’t been seen since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.” As COVID-19 started “…

Black Children Have More Severe Asthma Episodes Than White Children But Use Less EMS Transport, Study Finds

Healio (9/29, Gawel) reported, “Black children were more likely to require EMS and receive bronchodilator treatment for an asthma episode than white children, but were less likely to receive EMS transport, according to a study.” Healio added, “These adjus…

Autism Diagnosis In Boys Linked To Mothers’ Diet Soda Consumption During Pregnancy, Study Suggests

The Hill (9/29, Stark) reported “a team of researchers say they have observed a link between autism diagnosis in boys and their mothers drinking at least one diet soda daily or consuming an equivalent amount of the sweetener aspartame during pregnancy or…

Hundreds Of Children Die Each Year Due To Unprepared EDs Across US

The Wall Street Journal (10/1, Whyte, Evans, Subscription Publication) reports on the lack of emergency departments (EDs) in the US that are certified as prepared to treat kids. This leads to hundreds of children dying or leaving the hospital severely inj…

Children With Atopic Dermatitis More Likely To Test Positive For Allergies In Patch Testing, Study Suggests

According to HealthDay (9/29, Murez), “children with atopic dermatitis were more likely to test positive for allergies in patch testing,” researchers concluded in findings published online ahead of print in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatolo…

CDC Director Urges Americans To Get Flu, COVID-19 Shots As Data Show Drop In Vaccination Rates

The Hill (9/28, Weixel) reports, “Vaccination rates for COVID-19 and the flu have declined, and a significant portion of the U.S. population indicated they are not interested in getting either this year, according to a new survey.” The poll conducted by “…

Coffee During Pregnancy Does Not Increase Risk For Premature Birth, But Smoking Does, Research Suggests

HealthDay (9/28, Murez) reports, “Smoking during pregnancy is a significant risk factor for premature births, but drinking coffee is not…research suggests.” Investigators found that people “who smoked during pregnancy were 2.6 times more likely to give…

HRSA Awards $88M To Improve Maternal Health In US

Healio (9/28) reports the US “Health Resources and Services Administration awarded $88 million to improve maternal health across the country, according to a press release.” The awards “support the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health C…

Adolescents With Parents Who Drank Regularly, Binge Drank Are Four Times More Likely To Drink Themselves, Study Finds

CNN (9/28, Holcombe) reports “adolescents whose parents drank regularly or binge drank were four times more likely to drink themselves, according to a study.” The reason behind “that connection could be tied to multiple things like modeling, alcohol acces…

COVID-19 Vaccine During Pregnancy Passes Protection Against Virus To Newborns, CDC Study Finds

CBS News (9/28, Tin) reports “getting a shot of the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy works to pass on protection against the virus to newborns during their most vulnerable early months of life, a new study published by the” CDC reported. The study found…

HHS Receives Commitment From Health Insurance Industry To Cover COVID-19 Vaccines

The Hill (9/27, Choi) reports, “The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) met with representatives from the health insurance industry on Wednesday, receiving commitments that the updated COVID-19 vaccines will be covered after reports arose of som…

FDA Approves Bosutinib For Treatment Of Certain Pediatric Patients With Ph+ CP-CML

OncLive (9/27, Ryan) reports, “The FDA has approved bosutinib (Bosulif) for the treatment of pediatric patients 1 year of age and older with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)–positive, chronic-phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CP-CML) that is newly diagnosed…

Antidepressants Do Not Induce Mania, Hypomania In Pediatric Patients With Unipolar Depression, Research Suggests

HCP Live (9/27, Derman) reports that “research…suggests that antidepressants do not induce mania or hypomania in pediatric patients with unipolar depression.” The findings were published in JAMA Psychiatry.

Nebraska Expands Postpartum Medicaid Coverage For Low-Income Mothers To One Year

The AP (9/27) reports, “Lower-income new mothers will get a full year of Medicaid health care coverage in Nebraska under an order issued Wednesday by Republican Gov. Jim Pillen.” The policy “makes Nebraska the latest in a growing list of Republican-led st…

Montana Judge Temporarily Blocks State Ban On Gender-Affirming Care For Minors

The New York Times (9/27, Londoño) reports, “A state judge in Montana on Wednesday temporarily blocked a law that would have banned transition care for children under 18 starting on Sunday, while a lawsuit filed by patients and medical professionals proce…

Low-Income Children, Children Of Color Disproportionately Impacted By Exposure To Harmful Chemicals, Study Finds

STAT (9/27, Nayak, Subscription Publication) reports, “Children are often exposed to harmful chemicals in air, water, soil, food, food packaging, and plastics,” but “low-income children and children of color are disproportionately impacted by these exposu…

Women With Higher Levels Of Phthalates Had Higher Risk Of Postpartum Depression, Study Finds

HealthDay (9/26, Murez) reports that researchers have “found that women with higher levels of phthalates – especially those found in personal care items and plastic consumer products – had an increased risk of postpartum depression.” The research was publ…

Research Provides Overview Of Motivations, Expectations Of Parents Who Contacted Out-Of-Hours Primary Care For Their Child’s Acute Gastroenteritis

HCP Live (9/26, Brooks) reports, “Results from a qualitative study of parents who contacted out-of-hours primary care for their child’s acute gastroenteritis are providing an overview of parental motivations and expectations for seeking additional medical…

Families Push States To Mandate Coverage Of Hearing Aids For Children

CNN (9/26, Gumbrecht) reports, “Hearing loss affects thousands of children each year and is one of the most common conditions present at birth, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” The NIH “says that about 2 or 3 of every 1,000…

HHS Announces $131.7M To Support Behavioral Health

Healthcare Finance News (9/26, Morse) reports, “The Department of Health and Human Services, through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), has announced $131.7 million in grant programs for behavioral health services.” Ad…

Report Finds Children Are Inundated With Phone Prompts, Including During School Hours

NBC News (9/26, Snow) says, “A…report about kids and their smartphone use may offer other parents a warning: Children…are inundated with hundreds of pings and prompts on their phones all day and all night – even when they should be paying attention in…

CDC Launches PR Campaign To “Reset Expectations” Around Flu Vaccine

CBS News (9/25, Tin) reports the CDC “says it has launched a new public relations campaign this year to ‘reset expectations’ around the influenza vaccine, after the agency’s consumer research found some Americans misunderstand the benefits of the annual s…

Many Online Marijuana Dispensaries Fail To Enforce Age Limits On Purchases, Study Finds

The New York Times (9/25, Richtel) reports “many online marijuana dispensaries do not enforce age limits on purchases, and they have other lax policies that enable minors to buy cannabis on the internet, according to a new study published” in JAMA Pediatr…

Respiratory Infections Occurred More Frequently Among Babies, Toddlers Living In Urban Vs. Rural Areas, Study Finds

Healio (9/25, Hornick) reports, “Respiratory infections occurred more frequently among babies and toddlers living in urban vs. rural areas, according to” research. Healio adds, “Different airway immune profiles at age 4 weeks associated with urban living….

Shortage Of Chemotherapy Drugs For Children Worsens

NBC News (9/25, Lovelace) reports pediatric cancer physicians “are sounding the alarm about a growing shortage of chemotherapy drugs for children.” Reports from children’s hospitals “are pointing to supply problems for two…chemotherapy drugs that are co…

Children Do Better In Elementary School When Fathers Regularly Interact With Them, Study Finds

HealthDay (9/25, Roberts Murez) reports “a new study from the United Kingdom finds that kids do better in elementary school when their fathers regularly spend time interacting with them through reading, playing, telling stories, drawing or singing.” While…

CDC Recommends RSV Vaccine For Pregnant Women To Protect Infants

The Washington Post (9/22, Malhi) reported, “Federal regulators recommended on Friday that expectant mothers get an RSV vaccine to protect their newborns from the potentially deadly respiratory disease.” A CDC advisory panel has recommended the vaccine “f…

For Patients With Pediatric Acute Sinusitis, Treatment Failure With Amoxicillin-Clavulanate Similar Compared To Amoxicillin Alone, Research Finds

MedPage Today (9/22, Short) reported, “Treatment failure with amoxicillin-clavulanate for pediatric acute sinusitis was similar compared with amoxicillin alone, but the broad-spectrum antibiotic may be associated with more adverse events, an examination o…

Beginning Of School Year Linked To Increased ED Visits For Mental Health Conditions Among Children 5 To 17, CDC Report Finds

HealthDay (9/22, Reinberg) said, “While the start of the school year can give kids and teens the chance to reconnect with friends and enjoy school sports and activities, it can also trigger stressors that send many to the emergency [department] for mental…

Intervention Reduces Antibiotic Use In Pediatric Conjunctivitis By Up To 19% Without Increasing Treatment Failure, Study Finds

Healio (9/22, Weldon) reported, “An intervention undertaken by dozens of health centers reduced antibiotic use for pediatric conjunctivitis by up to 19% without increasing treatment failure, according to study findings.” For the study, researchers “implem…

Researchers Find Lower Socioeconomic Status Leads To Poorer Health For Preschoolers

Healio (9/22, Schaffer) reported, “Preschool-aged children of lower socioeconomic status have poorer health and derive less benefit from the same lifestyle interventions delivered to preschoolers of higher socioeconomic status, according to study findings…

New COVID-19 Vaccine Campaign Facing Supply, Insurance Coverage Issues

The Hill (9/21, Choi) says, “The launch of the newly approved COVID-19 vaccines, the first campaign since the federal pandemic emergency ended, is off to a bumpy start. Reports are piling up of insured Americans being stuck with the nearly $200 bill for s…

Cough, Shortness Of Breath Are Frequently Occurring Symptoms Of RSV Infection In Pediatric Patients, Study Finds

Pulmonology Advisor (9/21, Stong) reports, “Cough and shortness of breath are frequently occurring symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in pediatric patients aged 5 years and younger, according to” a study. The findings were published i…

CMS Estimates That Nearly 500K People Were Improperly Removed From Medicaid

The Washington Post (9/21, Goldstein) reports that “nearly half a million children and other individuals in 30 states have been improperly dropped from Medicaid rolls, prompting federal health officials to halt in more than half the country a large portio…

Suicide Ranks As Either The Seventh- Or Eighth-Leading Cause Of Death Among Children Ages Five To 11, CDC Says

KFF Health News (9/21, Weinstock) reports, “Suicide ranks as either the seventh- or eighth-leading cause of death among children ages five to 11, according to the” CDC “and recent studies.” What’s more, “numbers show the rates among younger kids appear to…

Infants Who Demonstrate Microbiome Dysregulation At Higher Risk For JIA, Researchers Say

Healio (9/21, Martin) reports, “Infants who demonstrate microbiome dysregulation may be at a higher risk for juvenile idiopathic arthritis” (JIA), researchers concluded after analyzing “data from the All Babies in Southern Sweden population cohort, which…

New COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Stymied By Insurance Issues, Supply Shortages

CNN (9/20, Goodman, Musa, McPhillips, Tirrell) reports, “It has been just over a week since the US Food and Drug Administration and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave their nods to updated Covid-19 vaccines, which they have urged Ameri…

Biden Administration Revives Program Offering Free COVID-19 Tests

The Washington Post (9/20, Nirappil) reports, “Just as a summer covid wave shows signs of receding, the Biden administration announced Wednesday that it is reviving a program to mail free rapid coronavirus tests to Americans.” Starting September 25, “peop…

Endometriosis Significantly Tied To Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes, Researchers Say

Healio (9/20, Welsh) reports, “Endometriosis was significantly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, ranging from preterm labor and birth to antepartum and postpartum hemorrhage, researchers” concluded in the findings of a 1,251,597-woman study publ…

Adolescents And Young Adults With UC Are Unlikely To Adhere To Maintenance Oral 5-Aminosalicylic Acid During First Year Of Treatment, Study Finds

HCP Live (9/20, Brooks) reports, “Adolescents and young adults with ulcerative colitis (UC) are unlikely to adhere to maintenance oral 5-aminosalicylic acid…during their first year of treatment, putting them at a greater risk of early disease relapse, a…

Number Of Babies Born With Syphilis Increased 10-Fold In Mississippi From 2016-2022, Report Finds

ABC News (9/20, Kekatos) says, “Between 2016 and 2022, congenital syphilis cases rose from 10 to 110” in Mississippi, “marking a 1,000% increase, according to a report from the John D. Bower School of Population Health at University of Mississippi Medical…

TEACH Program Has Potential To Ease Fatigue, Depression, Pain Symptoms In Childhood-Onset SLE, Researchers Say

Healio (9/20, Martin) reports, “A program using cognitive behavioral and mindfulness meditation techniques demonstrated early potential to ease fatigue, depression and pain symptoms in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus” (SLE), researchers concl…

Experts Hopeful More Americans Will Begin Treating COVID-19 Shots As Annual Vaccinations Similar To The Flu

CNN (9/19, Tirrell) reports that CDC data indicate “just fewer than half of all adults and about 58% of kids” receive a seasonal flu vaccine every year. But COVID-19 shots “have a ways to go to catch up. Just 21% of US adults received a bivalent booster,…

Low-Level Red-Light Therapy At Varied Powers Appears To Effectively Control, Reduce Myopia Progression In Children, Research Suggests

Healio (9/19, Young) reports, “Low-level red-light therapy at varied powers effectively controlled and reduced myopia progression in children,” researchers concluded in a study that “enrolled 200 children aged six to 15 years with myopia and astigmatism l…

USPSTF Issues Finalized Recommendation Statement On Expanded Screening For Hypertensive Disorders Of Pregnancy

CNN (9/19, Musa) reports, “Everyone who is pregnant should be screened for disorders such as gestational hypertension and preeclampsia with blood pressure monitoring throughout the pregnancy, the US Preventive Services Task Force” (USPSTF) concluded in a…

FDA Advisers To Discuss Regulations, Ethics Of Artificial Wombs Intended To Help Premature Babies Survive

CNN (9/19, Christensen) reports that FDA advisers will be “meeting this week to discuss the regulations, ethics and possibilities of creating an artificial womb to increase the chances that extremely premature babies would survive — and without long-term…

Parents, Caregivers Underappreciate High Blood Pressure Significance In Children, Research Finds

Healio (9/19, Schaffer) reports, “Data from qualitative interviews show parents and caregivers understand and worry about hypertension as a chronic disease, yet expressed little concern when high BP was noted for their children in the clinic, researchers”…

Experts Say Home Tests Still Work To Detect COVID-19

CNN (9/18, Goodman) reports, “With Covid-19 cases up across the country, many people are once again relying on home tests to guide decisions about going to work and sending their kids to school and other activities.” However, “a lot of those tests will co…

People Across 10 States Have Now Been Infected By COVID-19 Variant BA.2.86

CBS News (9/18, Tin) reports, “People across at least 10 states have now been infected by BA.2.86, a highly mutated variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 that authorities have been closely tracking.” The variant now has been found “in samples from Col…

Transgender And Gender-Diverse Adolescents Report High Menstrual Suppression Effectiveness, Satisfaction In Cross-Sectional Study

Healio (9/18, Welsh) reports, “Transgender and gender-diverse adolescents reported high menstrual suppression effectiveness and satisfaction,” investigators concluded in the findings of a cross-sectional study published in online in the journal Obstetrics…

High Medication Burden Appears To Persist Throughout Adolescence After Pediatric Heart Surgery, Researchers Posit

Healio (9/18, Schaffer) reports, “Children who underwent cardiac surgery had a high medication burden that often persisted throughout adolescence, with medication expenditures often 10-fold higher compared with those who did not have heart surgery,” inves…

Pregnant People Who Received Effective Multidrug-Resistant TB Treatment Regimens Had Positive Outcomes With No Major Negative Impacts On Their Infants, Study Finds

Healio (9/18, Stulpin) reports, “Pregnant women who received effective multidrug-resistant/rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis treatment regimens had positive outcomes with no major negative impacts on their infants, researchers reported.” In the study publ…

Study Reveals Nearly 300% Increase In Annual Frequency Of Cases Of Pediatric Out-Of-Hospital Therapeutic Errors Related To ADHD Medications

HealthDay (9/18, Gotkine) reports, “From 2000 to 2021, there was an almost 300 percent increase in the annual frequency of cases of pediatric out-of-hospital therapeutic errors related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD medications,” resear…

Healthcare Workers Worried New Mask Guidelines Proposed By CDC Advisors Will Leave Them Vulnerable To Airborne Pathogens

NBC News (9/16, Maxmen) reported, “Nurses, researchers and workplace safety officers worry new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention might reduce protection against the coronavirus and other airborne pathogens in hospitals.” An ad…

Fewer Than Half Of Rural Hospitals Now Have Maternity Units

The AP (9/17, Rush, Ungar) reported, “A growing number of rural hospitals have been shuttering their labor and delivery units, forcing pregnant women to travel longer distances for care or face giving birth in an emergency” department. In fact, “fewer tha…

More Children With Asthma Who Were Treated With Dupilumab Met Criteria As Responders In Percent Predicted FEV1 Measurements, Research Finds

Healio (9/15, Gawel) reported, “More children with asthma who were treated with dupilumab than placebo met criteria as responders in percent predicted FEV1 measurements, according to an abstract presented at the European Respiratory Society International…

Nemolizumab Safe, Effective In Improving QOL In Children With Atopic Dermatitis Whose Pruritus Is Not Improved With Topical Treatments, Antihistamines, Phase 3 Study Concludes

Dermatology Advisor (9/15, Kuhns) reported, “Nemolizumab is a safe and effective treatment, improving the quality of life (QOL) in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) whose pruritus is not improved with topical treatments and antihistamines, according to…

Text Messages, Phone Calls Increase COVID-19 Vaccination Among Children With Sickle Cell Disease, Study Finds

Healio (9/15, Weldon) reported, “Outreach efforts in the form of text messages and phone calls succeeded in increasing COVID-19 vaccination among children with sickle cell disease, according to a study published in Pediatrics.” The study “spanned 9 months…

Following Death Of 10-Month-Old Child, Colorful Water-Absorbent Beads Recalled

According to the Washington Post (9/14, Mark), on Sept. 14, the Consumer Product Safety Commission urged “owners of the Chuckle & Roar Ultimate Water Beads Activity Kit by Buffalo Games” to “immediately take them away from their kids…citing the death of…

Study Suggests New Standard Cutoff For Determining UTIs In Febrile Children Undergoing Bladder Catheterization

Healio (9/14, Weldon) reports, “Data from a new study” published online in the journal Pediatrics “suggested a new standard cutoff for determining urinary tract infections” (UTIs) “in febrile children undergoing bladder catheterization.” The 341-child stu…

Peer Victimization Or Bullying, Suicidality Tied To Frequent Recurrent Headaches Among Adolescents, Study Indicates

Neurology Advisor (9/14, Lopez) reports, “Peer victimization, or bullying, and suicidality are associated with frequent recurrent headaches among adolescents,” investigators concluded in the findings of a 2,268,840-participant, “cross-sectional, populatio…

Maternal Omega-3 Supplementation May Contribute To Decreases In Risks For Food Allergy Among Infants, Meta-Analysis Suggests

Healio (9/14, Gawel) reports, “Maternal omega-3 supplementation contributed to decreases in risks for food allergy among infants, including egg and peanut sensitization, according to” the findings of a 12-study meta-analysis published online in the Journa…

Daycare Center Dust Microbiota Profile Of Streptococcus And Lactococcus Raises Risk Of Wheezing Among Children, Study Says

Healio (9/14, Hornick) reports, “Children attending daycare centers with a dust microbiota profile of Streptococcus and Lactococcus faced an increased likelihood for wheezing, according to” researchers who “analyzed 103 daycare center floor dust samples”…

Overdose Deaths Reach New Heights, Latest CDC Data Show

CNN (9/13, McPhillips) reports, “Drug overdose deaths reached another record level in the United States this spring, new data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows, as 2023 is on track to be another devastating year amid the drug ep…

Pharmacies Say COVID-19 Vaccines Could Arrive As Soon As This Week

Reuters (9/13, Santhosh) reports, “Drugstore chains CVS Health and Walgreens Boots Alliance said on Wednesday that updated COVID-19 vaccines would be available at their stores as soon as this week.” The FDA “has approved an updated vaccine made by Pfizer…

Screening Device Appears To Directly Detect Amblyopia, Strabismus With High Sensitivity In Pediatric Patients, Researchers Conclude

Healio (9/13, Young) reports, “The blinq” (Rebion Inc.) “screening device directly detected amblyopia and strabismus with high sensitivity in pediatric patients, according to” the findings of a 267-child study published in the American Journal of Ophthalm…

Air Pollutant Exposure During Pregnancy May Negatively Impact Autophagy In Healthy Newborns, Study Finds

Healio (9/13, Hornick) reports, “Traffic-related pollutant exposure during pregnancy may negatively impact autophagy in healthy newborns, according to” research. The findings were presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress.

Family-Based Residential Treatment Programs For Addiction Often Struggle To Stay Afloat Due To Staffing Shortages, Volatile Funding

KFF Health News (9/13, Saint Louis) reports, “Family-based residential treatment” for addiction “has been recognized by behavioral health professionals as having better outcomes for women and their children,” but these “programs often struggle to stay afl…

Study Suggests Vertical HPV Transmission Likely Occurs Between Parents And Their Offspring

Infectious Disease Advisor (9/13, Kuhns) reports, “Genotype-specific human papillomavirus (HPV) concordance was observed between newborns and their mother and/or father, suggesting that vertical HPV transmission likely occurs between parents and their off…

Parents In China, The US Still Modeling Old-Fashioned Gender Roles Which Children Normalize At Very Young Ages, Researchers Say

HealthDay (9/12, Mann) reports, “Parents in China and the United States are still modeling old-fashioned gender roles such as mom doing the cooking and cleaning and dad working outside of the home, and kids are picking up on this and normalizing it at ver…

ED Pediatric Readiness Tied To Decreased Mortality Among Children With Both Acute Medical Emergencies, Traumatic Injuries, Research Suggests

Healio (9/12, Rhoades) reports, “ED pediatric readiness was associated with decreased mortality among children with both acute medical emergencies and traumatic injuries,” according to findings published online in JAMA Network Open, The 633,536-child stud…

Data Suggest Lead Exposure In 2019 Alone Was Attributable To More Than 5.5 Million CVD Deaths And Loss Of 765 Million IQ Points For Young Children Globally

Healio (9/12, Schaffer) reports, “World Bank data suggest lead exposure in 2019 alone was attributable to more than 5.5 million CVD deaths and the loss of 765 million IQ points for young children globally, with the greatest impact in low- and middle-incom…

Annual Pediatric Hospitalizations Decreased Substantially In The US During Recent 10-Year Span, Data Indicate

Healio (9/12, Weldon) reports, “Annual pediatric hospitalizations decreased substantially in the United States during a recent 10-year span, with the largest decreases seen at rural and urban nonteaching hospitals,” investigators concluded after examining…

CDC Recommends All Americans 6 Months And Older Receive At Least One Dose Of Updated COVID-19 Vaccine

The New York Times (9/12, Mandavilli) reports the CDC “recommended on Tuesday that all Americans 6 months and older receive at least one dose of the latest Covid shots, the last of a trifecta of vaccines intended to prevent another surge in respiratory in…

FDA Approves New Round Of COVID-19 Boosters

The New York Times (9/11, Jewett, Weiland) reports, “The Food and Drug Administration approved a new round of Covid boosters on Monday, that will arrive alongside the seasonal flu vaccine and shots to protect infants and older adults from R.S.V.” On Tuesd…

Living In Racially Segregated Neighborhood Tied To Higher Levels Of Lead Exposure Among Black Children, Research Suggests

Healio (9/11, Weldon) reports, “Living in a racially segregated neighborhood is associated with higher levels of lead exposure among Black children,” investigators concluded after studying “records from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Se…

Infants With More Mature Microbiota Had Less Allergy-Related Wheeze Or Asthma In Early Childhood, Research Finds

Healio (9/11, Gawel) reports, “Infants with more mature microbiota had less allergy-related wheeze or asthma in early childhood, according to” research. The findings were presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress.

MIST Appears Not To Reduce Death In Preterm Infants With Respiratory Distress Syndrome, And Survivors Of ARDS At High Risk Of Readmission IN First Two Months Of Discharge, Studies Indicate

MedPage Today (9/11, Henderson) reports, “A randomized trial” published in JAMA “showed that minimally invasive surfactant therapy (MIST) did not reduce the incidence of death or neurodevelopmental disability among preterm infants with respiratory distres…

Both Victims, Perpetrators Of Cyberbullying Are More Likely Than Other Youths To Experience Eating Disorder Symptoms, Survey Study Suggests

Healio (9/11, Weldon) reports, “Both victims and perpetrators of cyberbullying are more likely than other youths to experience eating disorder symptoms,” researchers concluded after studying “responses from 10,258 adolescents in the U.S. aged 10 to 14 yea…

CPSC Advances Proposal To Create First Federal Requirements For Nursing Pillows

NBC News (9/11, Chuck) reports, “The Consumer Product Safety Commission has advanced a proposal to create the first federal requirements for nursing pillows after dozens of infant deaths in recent years.” CPSC commissioners “voted unanimously on Friday to…

Pediatric Healthcare System Totaled More Than $250K In Antibiotic Waste Over Two Years, Mostly On Discarded Antibiotics, Study Indicates

Healio (9/8, Weldon) reported, “A pediatric healthcare system totaled more than $250,000 in antibiotic waste over the course of two years – most of it on discarded antibiotics,” investigators concluded in findings published online in the journal Infection…

DNA Methylation Among Newborns Was Associated With Asthma Acquisition In Adolescence, Partially Mediated By Pre-Adolescent Atopy, Research Suggests

Healio (9/8, Gawel) reported, “DNA methylation among newborns was associated with asthma acquisition in adolescence, partially mediated by pre-adolescent atopy, according to a letter published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy.” Additionally, “cytosine-p…

Youth With AD/HD May See Mildly Different Growth Trajectories With Certain Popular Medications, Researchers Say

MedPage Today (9/9, Monaco) reported, “Youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder” (AD/HD) “saw mildly different growth trajectories with certain popular medications, researchers reported” in findings presented in a poster at Psych Congress 2023….

Pregnant Women Who Resided Near Forests, Parks Had Reduced Odds For Having Low-Birth Weight Babies, Which May Impact Infant Lung Health, Study Finds

Healio (9/8, Hornick) reported, “Pregnant women who lived near forests and parks had reduced odds for having low-birth weight babies, which may impact infant lung health, according to” research. The findings were presented at the European Respiratory Soci…

Social Media Facing Turning Point As Experts Study Whether Excessive Use May Have Detrimental Effect On Youth Mental Health

ABC News (9/10, Charalambous) reports, “After two decades of radically changing the way we interact with others, social media may be facing a turning point, as experts study whether excessive use may have a detrimental impact” on the mental health of US y…

Experts Remain Optimistic Current COVID-19 Outbreak Will Be Manageable

The New York Times (9/7, Mandavilli) reports that “a steady uptick” of COVID-19 infections since July “and reports of worrisome new variants have fueled concern that the virus is poised to make a comeback this fall and winter.” However, “in interviews, ex…

Parents Who Were Large Babies Appear More Likely To Give Birth To A Large Baby, Research Suggests

HealthDay (9/7, Murez) reports, “New research” published online in the journal Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology suggests that “parents who were large babies are more likely to give birth to a large baby.” Investigators came to this conclusion by comb…

Pediatric Treatment Protocols Outperformed Standard Therapy For AYAs With Philadelphia Chromosome-Negative ALL, Study Shows

MedPage Today (9/7, Bankhead) reports, “Pediatric treatment protocols outperformed standard therapy for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), a retrospective cohort study showed.” Inves…

Pfizer, Valneva Announce Lyme Disease Vaccine Candidate Showed Strong Immune Response In Children, Adolescents After Booster Shot

Reuters (9/7, Goury-Laffont) reports, “Pfizer and French pharmaceutical peer Valneva announced on Thursday that a phase 2 study for its VLA15 Lyme disease vaccine candidate showed a ‘strong immune response’ in both children and adolescents a month after a…

CDC Ad Campaign Aims To Instill Confidence In Seasonal Flu Vaccines

CNN (9/6, Goodman) reports, “Some Americans have given up on flu shots because almost everyone remembers a season when they got one and then got sick anyway.” As a result, the CDC “wants to reset expectations about what these annual vaccines can and can’t…

Biden Administration Commits $100M To Train More Nurses

The Hill (9/6, John) reports, “The Biden administration is committing $100 million to recruit more nurses.” Carole Johnson, Health Resources and Services Administration administrator, said, “It really is an opportunity for us to bring more people into the…

Management Of Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Requires Timely Clinical Response And Life-Saving Procedures, Study Finds

Healio (9/6, Capaldo) reports, “The management of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa – the most severe type of this rare condition – requires a timely clinical response and life-saving procedures, according to a study.” The findings were published in Pediat…

Serum Neurofilament Light Chain Z Scores Were Linked To Higher Effect Size Metrics And More Accurate Estimation Of Persistent Neuroaxonal Damage In Pediatric Populations, Study Finds

Healio (9/6, Herpen) reports that researchers have found that “compared with absolute values, serum neurofilament light chain Z scores were linked to higher effect size metrics and more accurate estimation of persistent neuroaxonal damage in pediatric pop…

Pediatric-Inspired Protocols And Hyper-CVAD Conferred Comparable Survival For Adolescents And Young Adults With Philadelphia Chromosome-Negative Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Research Finds

Healio (9/6, Leiser) reports, “Pediatric-inspired protocols and hyper-CVAD conferred comparable survival for adolescents and young adults with Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia, according to study results.” Investigators found…

Children And Adolescents With Atopic Dermatitis Treated With Long-Term Dupilumab Showed Positive Results, Acceptable Safety, Researchers Find

Healio (9/6, Forand) reports, “Children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis treated with long-term dupilumab showed positive results and acceptable safety, according to a meta-analysis of multiple studies.” The findings were published in Pediatric Derm…

FDA Plans To Approve New COVID-19 Boosters As Soon As Friday, Sources Say

NBC News (9/6, Lovelace, Alba) reports, “The Food and Drug Administration plans to greenlight updated versions of the Covid booster as early as Friday, according to four people familiar with the agency’s plans.” However, “the Friday timeline for authoriza…

FDA Tentatively Approves HIV-1 Drug Combination For Children

Bloomberg Law (9/5, Moon, Subscription Publication) reports the FDA this week tentatively approved a Viatris-developed “drug cocktail for children with HIV-1.” The abacavir-dolutegravir-lamivudine oral suspension “was approved through the President’s Emer…

Follow-Up Data Indicate HPV Vaccination Highly Effective After 10 Years

Healio (9/5, Weldon) reports, “A study of 10-year follow-up data showed no cases of high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and few cases of HPV infection among almost 1,300 boys and girls who received the 9-valent HPV vaccine, according to results published…

Increase In COVID-19 Cases Raising Anxiety Around Possibility That Schools Could Implement Mask Mandates, Close Down

The Hill (9/5, Choi, Lonas) reports, “COVID-19 cases are on the rise and raising anxiety around the possibility that schools could implement mask mandates or close down again,” although “few schools have taken those steps so far, and superintendents conte…

Eye-Tracking Technology May Predict Expert Diagnoses Of ASD With High Specificity, Sensitivity, Research Suggests

NBC News (9/5, Herzberg, Carroll) reports, “A device that follows kids’ eye movements as they watch a video showing a social interaction between two children may help speed up diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder” (ASD), investigators concluded in resear…

Suicides By Americans Aged 10 To 24 Continuing To Climb, Data Indicate

HealthDay (9/5, Mundell) reports, “Suicides by Americans aged 10 to 24 are continuing to climb and guns are increasingly the method of choice in these tragedies,” according to a study that examined “U.S. federal data on all suicide deaths among people age…

CDC Warns About Increase In RSV Cases In Children In Florida, Georgia

NBC News (9/5, Edwards) reports the CDC “alerted doctors Tuesday about a rise in severe cases of RSV among young children in Florida and Georgia.” The rise in cases “appears to suggest that RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is once again falling into a…

Regardless Of Initial Treatment Strategy, Treatment-To-Target Approach Appears Effective In Reducing Pain In Patients With Non-Systemic JIA, Study Indicates

HCPlive (9/1, Pine) reported, “A treatment-to-target approach is effective in reducing pain in patients with non-systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) regardless of the initial treatment strategy,” investigators concluded in findings published onli…

Medication Shortages For ADHD Affecting High School And College Students At Start Of New School Year

CNN (9/4, Bonifield) reported on how medication shortages for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are affecting high school and college students as this year’s school season begins. Currently, 11 pharmaceutical makers “are lis…

Late Preterm Infants Appear At Risk For Learning Problems That Can Be Overcome, Research Suggests

HealthDay (9/1, Murez) reported, “Infants born three to six weeks early – considered late preterm – are at risk for learning problems, but they can be overcome, researchers” concluded in a study that “tracked academic progress for 1,200 late preterm infan…

In-Utero Exposure To Phthalates Found In Plastics Tied To Developmental Issues In Toddler Boys, Research Suggests

HealthDay (9/4, Murez) reported, “Phthalates are commonly used in plastics, and researchers have now tied them to developmental issues in toddler boys who were exposed to the chemical in the womb,” according to a study that “links the chemicals to emotion…

Getting More Hours Of Sleep May Help Reduce Impulsive Behavior In Children, Data Indicate

HealthDay (9/1, Murez) reported, “Getting more hours of slumber could reduce impulsive behavior in” children, investigators concluded after analyzing data on some 11,800 nine- and ten-year-old children who took part in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Devel…

Texas Eliminates Sales Tax On Menstrual, Baby Products

The Hill (9/1, Robertson) reported, “Texas stopped charging sales tax on menstrual and baby products starting Friday, becoming the 24th state to end a practice that women’s rights groups argue are discriminatory.” These products “were previously taxed as…

Some 85,000 Highchairs Under Voluntary Recall Due To Fall Hazard

The New York Times (9/3, Carballo) reported, “More than 85,000 highchairs sold online and at retailers across North America are being recalled after reports of two dozen falls related to the chairs, according to” an announcement made by the US Consumer Pr…

Social Media Trend Of Drinking Borax Is Dangerous, Experts Say

ABC News (8/31, Kindelan) reports, “Borax, a white, powdery substance, has long been a staple in many households as a cleaning agent and laundry detergent booster. Now, the substance is making the rounds on social media with some people promoting it as a…

CDC Reports Overdose Deaths From Fake Prescription Pills Has More Than Doubled In Recent Years

NBC News (8/31, Edwards) reports, “The number of people who have overdosed and died from fake prescription pills has more than doubled in recent years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday.” The report by the CDC, “released to…

Depression Among Children Appears Not To Have Increased Substantially Between 2004 And 2019, Systematic Review Indicates

Healio (8/31, Weldon) reports, “Depression among children did not increase substantially between 2004 and 2019, according to the” findings of a 41-study systematic review and meta-analysis published online Aug. 28 in JAMA Pediatrics.

Data Indicate Teen HPV Vaccine Coverage Did Not Increase In 2022

Healio (8/31, Weldon) reports, “HPV vaccine coverage in U.S. teenagers did not increase in 2022 for the first time in a decade, according to data published in MMWR.” For their research, investigators “examined data on 16,043 adolescents aged between 13 an…

As Student Mental Health Crisis Unfolds, US Schools Face Shortage Of Mental Healthcare Practitioners

According to the Washington Post (8/31, St. George), across the US, a “student mental health crisis is unfolding as the nation’s schools face a shortage of counselors, psychologists, social workers and therapists – each problem amplified by the other, and…

FDA Warns Baby Formula Manufacturers To Correct Production Processes To Better Catch Bacterial Contamination

Reuters (8/30, Leo) reports, “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday issued warnings to three infant formula makers to correct their manufacturing processes to better catch bacterial contamination, but added it does not expect any impact on th…

Researchers Compare Prevalence Of Severe Obesity Among US Children, Adolescents Using Extended Percentiles For BMI Vs CDC’s New Definition Of Severe Obesity

According to Healio (8/30, Weldon), research published online in Pediatrics “compared the prevalence of severe obesity among U.S. children and adolescents using the extended percentiles for BMI vs. the new definition of severe obesity” as issued by the CD…

Glitch Results In Children Getting Wrongly Dropped From Medicaid

The AP (8/30, Lieb) reports, “Children in many states are being wrongly cut off from Medicaid because of a ‘glitch’ in the automated systems being used in a massive eligibility review for the government-run health care program, a top Medicaid official sai…

Prenatal Exposure To SSRIs May Be Linked To Offspring Brain Development Changes, Research Finds

HCPlive (8/30, Kunzmann) reports, “Prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be linked to changes in the development trajectories of emotional regulation in the brain among offspring, according to new research.” The findings…

Fewer Infants With Isolated Cleft Palate Who Had Primary Surgery To Close It At Age Six Months Had Insufficient Closure Between Velum, Pharyngeal Walls Later In Childhood Than Infants Who Had Surgery At 12 Months, Trial Data Indicate

MedPage Today (8/30, Putka) reports, “Fewer infants with isolated cleft palate who had primary surgery to close it at age six months had insufficient closure between their velum and pharyngeal walls later in childhood than infants who had surgery at 12 mo…

In Pregnancies Conceived With Infertility Treatment, Delivery At 39 Weeks’ Gestation Results In The Lowest Perinatal Risk Compared With Delivery At Subsequent Week Of Gestation, Researchers Say

Endocrinology Advisor (8/29, Kuhns) reports, “In pregnancies conceived with infertility treatment, delivery at 39 weeks’ gestation results in the lowest perinatal risk compared with delivery at subsequent week of gestation,” researchers concluded in a stu…

COVID-19 Hospitalizations Continue To Increase In US, CDC Data Show

ABC News (8/29, Benadjaoud, Kekatos) reports, “COVID hospitalizations are continuing to increase in the United States, according to data updated Monday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” Over the past week, US hospitalizations rose “by…

Many Models Of E-Bikes Marketed To Children, Teens Exceed Legal Speed Limits, More Closely Resemble Motor Vehicles

The New York Times (8/29, Richtel) reports, “Safety and law enforcement officials note that many models” of e-bikes “marketed to children and teenagers exceed legal speed limits and more closely resemble motor vehicles, which require” both registration an…

Living In Neighborhoods With High Opportunity In Early Life Was Associated With Lower Childhood Asthma Incidence, Study Finds

MedPage Today (8/29, Short) reports, “Living in neighborhoods with high or very high opportunity in early life was associated with lower childhood asthma incidence compared with living in neighborhoods with low opportunity, according to a nationwide cohor…

Not Enough Evidence Exists To Advocate For Or Against Primary Care Interventions To Prevent Child Maltreatment Before It Takes Place, USPSTF Rules

Healio (8/29, Rhoades) reports, “The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force” (USPSTF) “has ruled that there is not enough evidence to advocate for or against primary care interventions to prevent child maltreatment before it takes place,” an “I-grade recomme…

Problems With Gut Bacteria Could Lie Behind Four Major Childhood Allergies, Study Indicates

According to The Hill (8/29, Elbein), research indicates that “problems with gut bacteria could lie behind four major – and very different – childhood allergies,” that is, “eczema, hay fever, asthma and food allergies.” For the study, investigators “follo…

Public Health Officials Warn About Coming Wave Of COVID-19 Infections

The New York Times (8/28, Bosman) reports COVID-19 “hospitalizations have increased 24 percent in a two-week period ending Aug. 12, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” Additionally, “wastewater monitorin…

Evidence On Efficacy, Safety Of Cannabis Products For Children With Cancer Is Lacking, Researchers Say

Healio (8/28, Shinkle) reports, “Despite increased interest in use of medical cannabis to alleviate cancer symptoms, there is limited rigorous evidence about the efficacy and safety of these products for pediatric patients, a systematic review and meta-an…

Possible Biomarkers Of An Adolescent’s Risk For Developing Mental Health Conditions Include Alterations In Proteins Involved With Immune Responses, Blood Coagulation, And Other Pathways, Small Study Suggests

Healio (8/28, Cooper) reports, “Possible biomarkers of an adolescent’s risk for developing mental health issues include alterations in proteins involved with immune responses, blood coagulation and other pathways,” researchers concluded in a 91-adolescent…

Clinical Report Provides Hearing Assessment Recommendations For Infants, Children, And Adolescents

HealthDay (8/28, Gotkine) reports, “Hearing assessment recommendations for infants, children, and adolescents are discussed in a clinical report” published online in the journal Pediatrics. The clinical report “updated recommendations for hearing assessme…

THC Weight-Based Dose From Edible Cannabis Significant Predictor Of Severe, Prolonged Toxicity In Children Under Six Years, Researchers Conclude

MedPage Today (8/28, Henderson) reports, “The tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) dose of edible cannabis correlated to the degree of toxicity in children under six years,” according to the findings of “a retrospective review” published online in the journal Pedia…

Social Media Having Particularly Pernicious Effect In Communities With High Rates Of Gun Violence

KFF Health News (8/25, Szabo) reported on the problem of social media’s “role in escalating gun violence.” The article interviewed a number of experts who “note that social media can have a particularly pernicious effect in communities with high rates of…

Improved Ventilation In Schools Could Prevent Spread Of COVID-19

The New York Times (8/27, Mandavilli) reports, “Poorly ventilated spaces offer ideal transmission conditions for the coronavirus, and at the height of the pandemic, schools…were a searing point of controversy.” With outdated ventilation systems, “the pa…

US Pharmacies Contending With Industry-Wide Shortage Of Amoxicillin

CBS News (8/25, Cerullo) reported, “Pharmacies across the U.S. are contending with an industry-wide shortage of the amoxicillin drug, commonly prescribed to treat a variety of childhood infections, including ailments like ear infections, strep throat and…

Administering Extended Half-Life RSV Antibodies In Newborn Nursery May Minimize Access Disparities, Ensure Optimal Uptake, Research Suggests

The American Journal of Managed Care (8/25, Bonavitacola) reported, “Administering extended half-life respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antibodies in the newborn nursery would minimize access disparities and ensure optimal uptake,” investigators concluded…

More States Expanding Free School Meals Programs

According to the AP (8/26, Karnowski, Bryan), Minnesota, New Mexico, Colorado, Vermont, Michigan, and Massachusetts plan to make “school breakfasts and lunches permanently free to all students starting this academic year, regardless of family income, foll…

Elevations Of IL-17A Cytokines Uniquely Characteristic Of Kawasaki Disease In Children Vs Other Inflammatory Disorders With Similar Presentations, Researchers Suggest

MedPage Today (8/25, Gever) reported, “Elevations in a single cytokine species were uniquely characteristic of Kawasaki disease in children versus other inflammatory disorders with similar presentations, researchers said” in findings published online in t…

Uptick In COVID-19 Leads Some Entities To Reinstate Mask Mandates

The Hill (8/24, Choi) reports, “The recent upturn in COVID-19 cases in some regions has spurred a handful of entities around the country to reinstate mask mandates, reigniting the debate over what place masking requirements have in an era of living with t…

Three US Counties Account For Nine Percent Of Excess Black Infant Deaths, HRSA Scientist Says

KFF Health News (8/24, West) reports, “Black women are less likely than women from other racial groups to carry a pregnancy to term – and in Harris County,” TX, “when they do, their infants are about twice as likely to die before their first birthday as t…

Emollient Bathing Of Two-Month-Old Infants Tied To Increased Risk Of Developing Atopic Dermatitis By Age Two Years, Researchers Say

Dermatology Advisor (8/24, Goldberg) reports, “Emollient bathing of two-month-old infants was found to be associated with an increased risk of developing of atopic dermatitis…by two years of age, according to” findings published online in the journal Pe…

Birth Weight May Be Associated With Risk Of Certain Pediatric Cancers, Research Finds

Cancer Therapy Advisor (8/24, Lawrence) reports, “Birth weight may be associated with the risk of certain pediatric cancers, according to a study.” Investigators “found associations between high birth weight (being large for gestational age) and an increa…

For First Time Since 2013, Rate At Which American Adolescents Receive HPV Vaccine Has Not Increased

HealthDay (8/24, Mundell) reports, “For the first time in a decade, the rate at which American adolescents received the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has not increased,” according to findings published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Repo…

FDA Warns Six Companies Over Selling Unapproved Products Marketed As Treatments For Molluscum Contagiosum

The Hill (8/23, Sforza) reports that the FDA “has warned six companies…over selling unapproved products marketed as treatments for a skin condition affecting children.” The agency’s “Center for Drug Evaluation and Research sent the six companies — Amazo…

Study Links Sitting Time In Childhood With Heart Damage In Young Adulthood

HealthDay (8/23, Murez) reports, “Children need to get up off the sofa and move more, according to” findings presented at the European Society of Cardiology meeting “that linked childhood sitting time with heart damage in young adulthood,” even “when the…

Study Finds Age An Important Factor To Consider When Assessing Children For COVID-19 Severity

Healio (8/23, Weldon) reports, “A study of more than 30,000 hospitalized children with SARS-CoV-2 infection found that ICU admissions for COVID-19 decreased over the course of the pandemic but ventilatory and oxygen support for the youngest children did n…

CPSC Staffers Recommend First Federal Requirements Intended To Make Nursing Pillows Safer

According to NBC News (8/23, Khimm, Chuck), on Aug. 23, Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff “recommended the first federal requirements” (PDF) “intended to make nursing pillows safer and discourage caregivers from setting babies down on the pi…

Children, Teens Who Receive Social Media Counseling From Trained PCPs Report Reductions In Unsafe Social Media Behaviors, Greater Communication With Parents, Researchers Say

Healio (8/23, Rhoades) reports, “Children and adolescents who received social media counseling from trained primary care physicians” (PCPs) “reported reductions in unsafe social media behaviors and greater communication with parents,” according to finding…

Secondhand Smoke Appears To Be A Source Of Lead Exposure In Children, Researchers Say

According to HealthDay (8/23, Murez), “one source of lead exposure in children” appears to be “secondhand smoke,” according to the findings of a greater than 2,800-child study that “looked at levels of lead and a metabolite of nicotine known as cotinine,”…

About One In Five Women Were Mistreated While Receiving Maternity Care, Survey Study Reveals

The New York Times (8/22, Rabin) reports, “One in five women in the United States said they had been mistreated while receiving maternity care, and almost one in three said they had experienced discrimination because of factors like age, weight or income,…

Some Medical Experts Concerned About Egg-Cracking TikTok Trend

NBC News (8/22, Rosenblatt) reports, “A viral prank in which parents film themselves cracking an egg on their toddlers’ heads is taking over TikTok.” However, “some medical experts say the laughs may not be worth the potential harmful effects the stunt co…

Infants With Cystic Fibrosis Who Received Care At 47 Days Old Had Decreased Weight, Height-For-Age During Infancy Compared With Care At 10 Days Old, Study Finds

Healio (8/22, Hornick) reports, “Infants with cystic fibrosis who received care at 47 days old had decreased weight and height-for-age during infancy compared with infants who received care at 10 days old, according to” a study. The findings were publishe…

Experts Stress Importance Of Sunscreen Use As Children Return To School

ABC News (8/23, Mehta) reports, “While most parents remember to slather their kids with sunscreen at the beach, they might forget to add it to their school backpacks.” However, “according to experts, sunscreen is just as essential during the school year,…

Adhering To Certain Lifestyle Interventions, Including Diets, Tied To Improved Outcomes For Mothers And Their Children, Studies Indicate

MedPage Today (8/22, Robertson) reports, “Adhering to certain lifestyle interventions, including diets like the Mediterranean diet and American Heart Association (AHA) diet, were linked to improved outcomes for mothers and their children,” investigators c…

Device Overuse, Screen Time Top Parental Concerns About Children’s Health, Poll Data Reveal

Healio (8/21, Weldon) reports, “Device overuse and screen time topped a poll of parental concerns about children’s health, followed by concerns about internet safety and mental health, according to results released” Aug. 21 in the “annual University of Mi…

FDA Approves Maternal RSV Vaccine Designed To Protect Infants

Reuters (8/21, Wingrove, Satija) reports, “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved Pfizer’s respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for use in women during the middle of the third trimester of pregnancy to protect their babies.” The go-…

Guns Now Leading Cause Of Death Among US Children, Researchers Say

The Hill (8/21, Sforza) reports, “A record number of U.S. children were killed by firearms in 2021,” researchers concluded in findings published online in the journal Pediatrics. HealthDay (8/21, Mann) reports, “Guns are now the leading cause of death amo…

Benefits Of Gestational Exposure To Vitamin D For Respiratory Health In Children Is Characterized By Specific Alterations To Mother’s Metabolism, Study Finds

Healio (8/21, Gawel) reports, “The benefits of gestational exposure to vitamin D for respiratory health in children is characterized by specific alterations to the mother’s metabolism, according to a study.” The “protective effects were associated with a…

Teaching Children How To Label Food May Trigger Eating Disorders, Research Suggests

According to the Washington Post (8/21, Tenore Tarpley), “it’s still commonplace for schools to teach kids how to label food, even though research has shown that exercises like these can trigger eating disorders.” In fact, “a chart review of young patient…

Federal Judge Blocks Georgia From Enforcing Law Banning Physicians From Starting Hormone Therapy For Transgender Youth

The AP (8/21, Thanawala) reports, “A federal judge has blocked the state of Georgia from enforcing part of a new law that bans” physicians “from starting hormone therapy for transgender people under the age of 18.” In her ruling Sunday, US District Court…

More Screen Time Associated With Delayed Development In Very Young Children, Study Indicates

The New York Times (8/21, Richtel) reports, “One-year-olds exposed to more than four hours of screen time a day experienced developmental delays in communication and problem-solving skills at ages two and four, according to” findings published online in J…

WHO, US CDC Tracking New BA.2.86 Variant Of COVID-19

Reuters (8/18, Beasley) reported the “U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday that it was tracking a new, highly mutated lineage of the virus that causes COVID-19.” The strain “is named BA.2.86, and has been detected in the United…

Pediatric Asthma Decreased In UK, While Exacerbation Rates Increased, Study Finds

Pulmonology Advisor (8/18, Stong) reported, “While the incidence and prevalence of pediatric asthma decreased from 2008 to 2018 in the United Kingdom (UK), especially among younger age groups, pediatric asthma exacerbations increased, according to study f…

Receiving COVID-19 Booster During Pregnancy Improves Immune Response For Mothers, Infants At Delivery, Study Finds

The American Journal of Managed Care (8/18, Munz) reported, “According to a recent study published in Vaccine, getting the COVID-19 booster shot on top of the initial mRNA vaccine leads to a dramatic increase in antibodies – for mothers and infants – at t…

Undergoing Adenotonsillectomy May Improve Dysphagia Outcomes In Children With OSA And Tonsil Hypertrophy Compared With Watchful Waiting With Supportive Care, Study Finds

MedPage Today (8/20, Short) reports, “Undergoing adenotonsillectomy may improve dysphagia outcomes in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and tonsil hypertrophy compared with watchful waiting with supportive care (WWSC), a secondary analysis of th…

Probability Of Receiving Vision Test From Primary Care Physician Appears Low In Youth, May Vary By Insurance Status, Researchers Say

Healio (8/18, Rhoades) reported, “Despite guidelines recommending yearly testing, the probability of receiving a vision test from a primary care physician was low in youth and varied by insurance status,” investigators concluded in the findings of a 89,93…

New Vaccines For COVID-19, RSV Rolling Out This Fall

The Washington Post (8/17, Nirappil, Sun) reports, “Health officials are unveiling a new arsenal of vaccines to protect vulnerable Americans and exhausted health-care workers from an expected wave of [COVID-19], flu and RSV as the fall respiratory virus s…

EDs Treated More Than 2K Pediatric Injuries Caused By Ceiling Fans During Recent Nine-Year Period, Study Finds

Healio (8/17) reports, “Emergency departments in the United States treated more than 2,000 pediatric injuries caused by ceiling fans per year during a recent 9-year period, according to a study, which determined that the injuries were uncommon but prevent…

New Monoclonal Antibody Could Limit RSV Infections Among Babies This Year

CNN (8/17, Christensen) reports, “This year, experts think the timing of the RSV season will be closer to the pre-pandemic normal, but case numbers will probably be anything but – that is, if people embrace newly available tools to prevent RSV.” New treat…

Pandemic Tied To Greater Increases In BMI Over Time In 10- To 12-Year-Olds, Study Finds

HealthDay (8/17, Solomon) reports, “There were significantly greater increases in body mass index (BMI) over time in 10- to 12-year-old youth during the COVID-19 pandemic versus before the pandemic, according to a research letter.” The findings were publi…

Vaping CBD Increasing Among Middle, High School Students, Survey Shows

HealthDay (8/17, Collins) reports, “Vaping CBD (cannabidiol) is on the rise among middle and high school students, according to a national U.S. survey, and health experts warn there can be serious risks involved.” Results from the 2022 National Youth Toba…

FDA Approves Palovarotene For Adults, Children With Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva

Reuters (8/16, Satija, Roy) reports the FDA “on Wednesday approved French drugmaker Ipsen’s drug for a rare bone disorder, making it the first treatment available to patients with the condition that causes abnormal bone growth.” Ipsen “said its drug, Soho…

Waning Immunity To RSV Due To COVID-19-Pandemic May Have Resulted In Unique Pediatric RSV Transmission Pattern In The Netherlands, Study Finds

Pulmonology Advisor (8/16, Stong) reports, “Waning immunity to the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) due to the COVID-19-pandemic may have resulted in a unique pediatric RSV transmission pattern in the Netherlands, where an initial summer 2021 pediatric R…

Children Exposed To Physical Assault Appear At Higher Risk Of A Mental Illness Diagnosis Over Subsequent Years, Study Indicates

MedPage Today (8/16, Firth) reports, “Children exposed to physical assault were at higher risk of a mental illness diagnosis over subsequent years, with the greatest risk seen in the year after the assault,” investigators concluded in a study that “includ…

Research Suggests Links Between Fracking And Asthma Reactions, Lymphoma In Children

The AP (8/16, Levy) reports, “Children who lived closer to natural gas wells in heavily drilled western Pennsylvania were more likely to develop a relatively rare form of cancer, and nearby residents of all ages had an increased chance of severe asthma re…

Brains Of Teens Who Take Up Smoking Appear Different From Those Of Adolescents Who Do Not Take Up The Habit, Imaging Study Finds

CBS News (8/16, Lyons) reports a study published online Aug. 15 in the journal Nature Communications “suggests that the brains of teenagers who take up smoking may be different from those of adolescents who don’t take up the habit – data that could help t…

COVID-19 Hospitalizations Continuing To Increase In US, CDC Says

ABC News (8/15, Benadjaoud, Kekatos) reports, “COVID-19 hospitalizations are continuing to increase in the United States, according to the” CDC. Data show that “for the week ending Aug. 5, COVID hospitalizations increased 14.3% from 9,026 to 10,320 weekly…

ARRIVE Trial Publication Associated With Increased Labor Induction Rates, Reduced Cesarean Births, Research Letter Says

Healio (8/15, Welsh) reports that publication of the ARRIVE study, a randomized trial of “labor induction vs. expectant management in births,” was “linked to a rise in 39-week labor induction rates and a decrease in cesarean birth rates among low-risk nul…

Families Struggling To Find AD/HD Medication As Shortages Add Up

The New York Times (8/15, Caron) reports, “In July, the Food and Drug Administration posted more shortages in” medications for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), and this month, the agency “and the Drug Enforcement Administ…

IV Magnesium Sulfate Prior To Preterm Birth At 30 To 34 Weeks’ Gestation Fails To Improve Survival, Incidence Of Cerebral Palsy Among Infants Up To Two Years Post-Delivery, Research Suggests

MedPage Today (8/15, Henderson) reports, “The use of intravenous magnesium sulfate prior to preterm birth at 30 to 34 weeks’ gestation failed to improve survival and incidence of cerebral palsy among infants up to two years post-delivery,” investigators c…

Peer Victimization, Suicidality Tied To Higher Headache Frequency In Adolescents, Researchers Conclude

Healio (8/15, Herpen) reports, “Peer victimization and suicidality were associated with higher headache frequency in adolescents, while the association between headache and gender diversity weakened after controlling for other factors,” investigators conc…

Majority Of Babies Who Ended Up In ICU With RSV In Late 2022 Were Previously Healthy, Study Indicates

According to NBC News (8/15, Tamkins), “the majority of babies who ended up in the intensive care unit with” respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) “in late 2022 were full term and previously healthy,” according to findings published online in JAMA Network Ope…

Demand For Nurse Practitioners Exceeds Other Specialty Providers, Report Says

Healthcare Dive (8/14, Vogel) reports, “AMN Healthcare, a healthcare staffing company, fielded more searches for nurse practitioners, physician assistants and certified registered nurse anesthetists than for primary care physicians over the past year as p…

National Shortage Of Amoxicillin Led To An Increase In Use Of Alternative Agents To Treat Ear Infections, Researchers Say

Healio (8/14, Weldon) reports, “A national shortage of amoxicillin led to an increase in the use of alternative agents to treat ear infections,” investigators concluded in the findings of a research brief published online in Pediatrics. After the October…

Health Of Latino Children Worse In States With Harsher Laws That Apply To Immigrants And Systemic Prejudice Against Them, Study Finds

CNN (8/15, Bracho-Sanchez) reports, “Latino children who live in states with harsher laws that apply to immigrants and systemic prejudice against them are more likely to experience mental health or chronic physical health conditions, according to a new st…

PARS Remains Effective Tool For Estimating Asthma Risk When Used For Patients Of Varying Backgrounds, Research Suggests

MedPage Today (8/14, Short) reports, “The Pediatric Asthma Risk Score (PARS) remained an effective tool for estimating asthma risk when used for patients of varying backgrounds, a study of 10 cohorts” revealed. Included in those 10 cohorts were 5,634 pati…

Social Media Appears To Be Tied With Fewer Mental Health Issues Among Transgender, Nonbinary Youth, Study Indicates

Healio (8/14, Bascom) reports, “Social media appeared to be associated with fewer mental health issues among transgender and nonbinary youth,” researchers concluded in findings published online in JAMA Network Open. The study “included 1,231 people aged 1…

PPIs Strongly Linked With Serious Infection Risk Among Infants, Young Children In Large Study

MedPage Today (8/14, Minerd) reports, “Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were strongly linked with serious infection risk among infants and young children in a large national study, suggesting caution in prescribing” them, according to findings published onli…

Patients, Healthcare Workers In US Signal Preference For In-Person Care, Survey Finds

mHealth Intelligence (8/11, Vaidya) reported, “Despite the boom in telehealth use during the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans and healthcare workers largely agree that in-person care is higher quality, more efficient, and more affordable than virtual care, a…

Health Systems Opt For Long-Term Strategies To Mitigate Workforce Shortages

According to an annual hospital systems survey by Modern Healthcare (8/11, Kacik, Subscription Publication), health systems are prioritizing long-term strategies to combat persistent workforce shortages and decrease reliance on staffing agencies. Focusing…

Gas Stove Use Was Associated With New-Onset Or Persistent Asthma Among Children, Adolescents In Puerto Rico, Study Finds

Healio (8/11, Gawel) reported, “Persistent use of gas stoves was associated with new-onset or persistent asthma among children and adolescents in Puerto Rico, according to a study.” The “association was independent of secondhand smoke, proximity to a road…

Healthcare Sector Incurs Highest Data Breach Costs, Report Says

Healthcare IT News (8/11, Fox) reported, “New research by the Ponemon Institute and IBM Security revealed that the global average cost of a data breach reached $4.45 million and the costs of avoiding law enforcement after a ransomware attack have increase…

HHS Announces Awards Of Over $88 Million To Develop School-Based Mental Health Programs

According to Bloomberg Law (8/11, Subscription Publication), HHS “has awarded over $88 million to grant programs to develop school-based mental health programs and to increase access to substance use disorder treatments,” the department announced on Aug….

Health Officials Prepare For Rise In Respiratory Illnesses, Encourage Vaccinations

CNN (8/10, Howard) reports, “State and local health officials across the United States are bracing for a rise in respiratory illnesses this fall, and they are making plans to urge everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19, flu and respir…

High Gut Microbiota Diversity Before Allo-HSCT Was Associated With Better Survival Outcomes In Children, Study Finds

MedPage Today (8/10, Bassett) reports, “High gut microbiota diversity before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) was associated with significantly better survival outcomes in children, according to a multicenter study.” In the “…

FDA Approves Somatrogon-ghla For Children Three And Older With Growth Hormone Deficiency

Healio (8/10, Rollet) reports the FDA has approved “a once-weekly human growth hormone analog for children aged 3 years and older with growth hormone deficiency, according to” a drugmaker press release. Regulators approved somatrogon-ghla based on phase 3…

Advocates Urge Mandatory Inclusion Of Sensor Technology To Prevent Child Deaths In Hot Cars

The New York Times (8/10, Levenson) reports that an average of 40 children per year die in the United States from heatstroke after being left unattended in cars, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Child-accessible car sensor…

Administration Unveils New Online Tracking Tool For Heat-Related Illnesses

The Hill (8/9, Weixel) reports, “The Biden Administration on Wednesday launched a new information system to map emergency medical services responses to heat-related illness across the country.” The new “online dashboard is run by the Department of Health…

New COVID-19 Vaccines To Be Available By End Of September

CBS News (8/9, Tin) reports, “The first new COVID-19 vaccines updated for this fall season are now expected to be available by the end of September, once both the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sign off on…

Variant EG.5 Causing 17% Of New COVID-19 Cases In US, CDC Data Show

CNN (8/9, Goodman) reports, “Nationally, EG.5 is causing about 17% of new COVID-19 cases in the country, compared with 16% for the next most common lineage, XBB.1.16, according to the latest estimates from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…

Nurse Home-Visit Program Shows No Benefit For Prenatal Care Uptake, Trial Suggests

MedPage Today (8/9, Firth) reports, “Sending registered nurses out on home visits throughout pregnancy failed to move the needle when it came to improving uptake of prenatal care, a randomized trial involving Medicaid patients found.” The findings were pu…

Children With Asthma Had Similar Reductions In Exacerbations With Omalizumab Regardless Of Race, Study Finds

Healio (8/9, Gawel) reports, “Children with asthma aged 6 years to younger than 12 years had similar reductions in exacerbations with omalizumab regardless of race, according to a study.” The findings were published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical…

Newborns Requiring Methadone After Bowel Infection Surgery Tend To Require Longer Hospital Stays, Research Suggests

HealthDay (8/9, Murez) reports, “About 1 in 5 newborns hospitalized for surgery to treat a life-threatening bowel infection are given opioids for pain relief and some then need methadone to wean off the addictive drugs.” However, “there is wide variabilit…

COVID-19 Hospitalizations In US Rising, But Only Slightly, Data Show

The AP (8/8, Johnson, Neergaard, Stobbe) reports, “COVID-19 hospital admissions have inched upward in the United States since early July in a small-scale echo of the three previous summers.” During “the week ending July 29, COVID-19 hospital admissions we…

HRQOL More Strongly Associated With Sleep Quality Vs OSA In Children With Obesity, Research Finds

Pulmonology Advisor (8/8, Stong) reports, “Among children with obesity, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was more strongly associated with subjective sleep quality compared with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), researchers” found. The research was pub…

FDA Reminds Caregivers To Store E-Cigarette Cartridges Safely To Prevent Children From Exposure

The New York Times (8/8, Pearson) reports that the FDA “is reminding caregivers to store tobacco vaping cartridges safely to prevent children from being poisoned by the liquid inside, noting that e-cigarette exposures have increased sharply over the last…

Infants With Food Allergy Have Greater Risk For Deficits In Lung Function And For Asthma At Age 6, Study Finds

Healio (8/8, Gawel) reports, “Infants with a food allergy experience a greater risk for deficits in lung function and for asthma at age 6 years, according to a study.” The findings were published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.

Pregnant Workers Could Receive New Protections Under Proposed Rules For Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

The Washington Post (8/8, Bogage) reports, “Pregnant workers or those who recently gave birth would be entitled to new on-the-job accommodations – including longer, more frequent breaks, schedule changes, teleworking privileges and temporary job restructu…

COVID-19 Transmission Rate Low In Schools, Study Indicates

Healio (8/8, Weldon) reports, “A study of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in 10 Massachusetts school districts found that the secondary attack rate of SARS-CoV-2 among school contacts was low – between 2% and 3% – and that masking reduced the odds of transmission…

COVID-19 Variant EG.5 Now Dominant, CDC Says

CBS News (8/7, Tin) reports, “The EG.5 variant now makes up the largest proportion of new COVID-19 infections nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated, as multiple parts of the country have been reporting their first upticks of…

Biologic Therapies For Severe Asthma In Pediatric Patients Are Safe, Effective In Improving QOL, Other Related Measures, Research Finds

HCPlive (8/7, Smith) reports, “Biologic therapies for severe asthma in pediatric patients are safe and effective in improving quality of life and other related measures, according to recent findings evaluated through newly-developed standardized core outc…

Genetic Disorders, CCHD Associated With Mortality In Pediatric Patients With Pulmonary Vein Stenosis, Study Finds

Pulmonology Advisor (8/7, Stong) reports, “Among pediatric patients with postoperative pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS), mortality is associated with complex congenital heart disease (CCHD), single ventricle physiology, and a genetic disorder, according to a…

At Least 162 Infant Deaths Linked To Nursing Pillows Since 2007, Analysis Finds

NBC News (8/7, Khimm, Chuck, Martin) reports, “At least 162 babies under a year old have died in incidents involving nursing pillows since 2007, according to a first-of-its-kind analysis based on hundreds of public records as well as internal federal data…

In Small Study, tRNS Appears To Help Ease Symptoms Of AD/HD In Children Without Side Effects Caused By Stimulation Medications

According to HealthDay (8/7, Mann), transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) “may help ease the symptoms of” attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) “in children without some of the side effects stimulant medications can cause,” according to…

Program Promoting Water Drinking In Elementary Schools Prevents Increases In Prevalence Of Students With Overweight, Study Finds

Healio (8/7, Weldon) reports “a program to promote water drinking in elementary schools prevented increases in the prevalence of students with overweight, a study published in Pediatrics found.” Researchers “cluster-randomized 1,249 students from 18 low-i…

Over 90% Of Children In Ohio Measles Outbreak Unvaccinated, Report Says

The Hill (8/4, Nazzaro) wrote a report “from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that more than 90 percent of the children infected in last year’s measles outbreak in Ohio were unvaccinated.” The report “looked at the 85 total confirmed c…

Steroids Prescribed To Pregnant Women At Risk Of Preterm Birth May Have Health Downsides For Infants, Review Suggests

HealthDay (8/4, Thompson) reported, “Steroids are often unnecessarily prescribed to pregnant women thought to be at risk of preterm birth,” an evidence review contends. For this reason, “millions of babies are needlessly exposed to long-term health proble…

As Pandemic Recedes, Many Summer Camps For Children Are Adding Mental Health Support

The New York Times (8/6, Barry, Newman) reports, “As the pandemic recedes, many” summer camps for children “are adding mental supports.” For example, “some have care teams that meet regularly to discuss interpersonal dynamics among bunkmates,” while “many…

Researchers Monitor Neurodevelopment Following Prenatal Exposure To Newer Epilepsy Drugs

MedPage Today (8/4, Lewis) reported, “Children with fetal exposure to newer antiseizure medications showed no difference in neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 3 compared with unexposed children, data from the ongoing MONEAD study showed.” The findings of…

Many Babies In US To Be Eligible For RSV Prevention Shot This Fall

NPR (8/5, Huang) reported that for the first time, “many babies in the U.S. will be eligible to get a shot to fend off RSV” this fall. On Thursday, the CDC “recommended that all infants under 8 months old receive an injection of nirsevimab, a newly approv…

Black Parents, Their Children More Likely To Experience Unfair Treatment When Seeking Medical Care, Study Suggests

CNN (8/3, Gamble) reports, “Black parents and their children are more likely to experience unfair treatment when seeking medical care than others, a new study from the Urban Institute found.” This “study…is based on data from the nonprofit’s Health Refo…

Serum Copeptin, Urinary AQP2 Lower In Children With Nocturnal Enuresis, Research Suggests

HealthDay (8/3, Gotkine) reports, “Serum copeptin and urinary aquaporin-2 levels are significantly lower in children with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis, according to a study.” The findings were published in the International Journal of Urolog…

Physicians Raise Alarm On Rising Trend Of Child Nicotine Poisonings From E-Cigarettes

Kaiser Health News (8/3, Szabo) reports that physicians are seeing an increase in children suffering serious health issues due to liquid nicotine poisoning from e-cigarettes. Despite a 2016 law requiring child-resistant packaging, many e-cigarettes still…

COVID-19 Pandemic May Have Contributed To Rise In Precocious Puberty Among Girls, Research Suggests

HealthDay (8/3, Murez) reports, “More girls started puberty before age 8 during the COVID-19 pandemic, a phenomenon called precocious puberty, researchers say.” Possible “reasons include potential risk factors such as increased screen time and less exerci…

Adverse Childhood Experiences May Contribute To Issues With Daily Tasks In Older Age, Analysis Finds

STAT (8/3, Castillo, Subscription Publication) reports “stressful experiences during childhood could have more far-reaching effects than previously thought, contributing to issues with daily tasks like getting dressed or preparing meals in older age, acco…

CDC Advisory Panel Recommends Use Of Nirsevimab To Prevent RSV In Infants, Toddlers

Reuters (8/3, Dey, Sunny) reports the CDC “said its advisory panel on Thursday recommended use of Sanofi and partner AstraZeneca’s antibody therapy to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants and toddlers.” The Advisory Committee on Immunizati…

Preterm Birth Appears To Be Risk Factor For Developing Asthma, COPD In Adulthood, Research Suggests

Pulmonology Advisor (8/2, Goldberg) reports, “Preterm birth is a risk factor for having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma as an adult, according to study findings.” The results of the population-based register study were published in the Eur…

Multifocal Disease Is Not Linked To Higher Risk Of Recurrence Or Mortality For Children, Adolescents With Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma, Study Finds

Healio (8/2, Monostra) reports, “Multifocal disease is not linked to a greater risk of recurrence or mortality for children and adolescents with papillary thyroid carcinoma, according to a” single-center study. Investigators found that “children with papi…

Food Allergy In Infancy, Even When Transient, Tied To Later Lung Function Deficits, Research Suggests

HealthDay (8/2, Solomon) reports, “Food allergy in infancy, whether it resolves or not, is associated with lung function deficits and asthma at age 6 years, according to a study.” The findings were published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection Does Not Precipitate T1D Diagnosis In Children, Study Suggests

MedPage Today (8/2, Monaco) reports SARS-CoV-2 “infection didn’t appear to precipitate a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in kids, a prospective multinational cohort study suggested.” In the study, “researchers tested more than 4,500 adolescents every few mon…

One In Six US Toddlers Did Not Complete Childhood Vaccination Series In 2019, Study Finds

Healio (8/2, Weldon) reports “one in six toddlers in the United States did not complete the vaccination series for seven recommended childhood vaccines in 2019, the year before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study published in Pediatrics.” Out “of…

Researchers Use EHR Systems To Identify Allergy Patterns Among Children Across US

HealthDay (8/1, Gotkine) reports researchers in a study examined EHR data to describe “pediatric allergy patterns across the United States.” Researchers “found that the allergic disease cumulative incidence was 10.3%, 4.0%, 20.1%, 19.7%, and 0.11% for ato…

Many Parents Remain Anxious About Exposing Infants To Peanuts Between Four And Six Months Of Age To Prevent Peanut Allergies, Researchers Say

The Washington Post (8/1, Camero) reports, “Exposing infants to peanuts between four and six months of age can potentially prevent peanut allergies, yet many parents remain anxious about the prospect and aren’t aware that it’s safe,” according to findings…

Study Reveals Seven Potential Genes Predicted To Increase Risk Of Autism

According to HealthDay (8/1, Murez), after performing “whole genome sequencing in more than 4,550 people from just over 1,000 families with at least two children diagnosed with autism,” a group that “included more than 1,800 children with autism and more…

Most Areas Of The US Lack Facilities Offering Medically Managed Opioid Withdrawal For Patients Under 18, Researchers Say

According to KFF Health News (8/1), teenagers who end up in emergency departments with “an opioid overdose generally receive naloxone to reverse the effects of dangerous drugs in their system and are sent home with a list of places they can go for follow-…

Exposure To Lead In Utero Or In Early Childhood May Be Tied To Increased Risk Of Engaging In Criminal Behavior In Adulthood, Systematic Review Indicates

Nexstar (8/1, Udasin) reports, “Exposure to lead in the womb or in early childhood may be connected to an increased risk of engaging in criminal behavior in adulthood,” according to the findings of a systematic review published online in PLOS Global Publi…

Exposure To Cold Outdoor Air Helps Improve Croup Symptoms In Children, Research Suggests

MedPage Today (8/1, Henderson) reports, “For children with croup, adding cold outdoor air to mainstay treatment proved beneficial for reducing the intensity of symptoms, especially in moderate cases, a randomized controlled trial showed.” Results show tha…

Efficacy, Safety Outcomes In Adolescents Treated With Ritlecitinib For Severe Alopecia Areata Appear Consistent With Adults In The Same Indication, Phase 2b/3 Study Data Reveal

Healio (7/31, Capaldo) reports, “Efficacy and safety outcomes in adolescents treated with ritlecitinib for severe alopecia areata were consistent with adults in the same indication, according to a subgroup analysis of” the phase 2b/3 ALLEGRO study that “e…

Study Finds Children With Leukemia With IKZF₁ Deletion Benefit From Prolonged Maintenance Therapy

HealthDay (7/31, Gotkine) reports, “For children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), cases with IKZF₁ deletion (IKZF₁del) benefit from prolonged maintenance therapy, according to a study.” The findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncolo…

Many Parents Do Not Know Steps That Can Be Taken To Lower Risk Of Child Developing Peanut Allergy, Report Says

USA Today (7/31, Rodriguez) reports “many parents don’t know the steps they can take to reduce the risk of their child developing a peanut allergy, five years after new prevention guidelines emerged, according to a new report.” In 2017, NIH “recommended p…

Breastfeeding Associated With Reduced Risk For Postperinatal Infant Death, Research Suggests

HealthDay (7/31, Gotkine) reports, “Breastfeeding is associated with a reduction in postperinatal infant death during the first year of life, according to a study.” The findings were published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Federal Appeals Court Decides To Let Kentucky Enforce Ban On Gender-Affirming Care For Minors During Litigation

The AP (7/31, Barakat) reports, “A federal appeals court is allowing Kentucky to enforce a recently enacted ban on gender-affirming care for young transgender people while the issue is being litigated.” The judges’ 2-1 decision on “Monday from the Sixth U…

Children With Multiple Comorbidities At Increased Risk For Severe Outcomes After COVID-19 Infection, Research Suggests

Healio (7/31, Weldon) reports, “A large study in the United Kingdom revealed some ‘epidemiologic nuances’ of COVID-19 in children, experts said.” The researchers “found that the risk for severe COVID-19 among children remained low throughout the first 2 y…

CDC Director Says Agency Likely Will Release Guidance Recommending Annual COVID-19 Booster Shots

Fox News (7/28, Musto) reported CDC Director Mandy Cohen “said Thursday that her agency would likely come out with guidance in the fall that Americans should get an annual COVID-19 booster shot.” Cohen said, “We’re just on the precipice of that, so I don’…

Some Signs Of Mild COVID-19 Wave In Late Summer, Experts Say

CNN (7/28, Goodman, McPhillips) reported, “Many signs are pointing to a Covid-19 summer surge – although one that’s far less intense than what emerged the past few summers.” Health “experts say they do not expect that cases will be severe or that the upti…

Too Little Fiber During Pregnancy May Slow Mental Development In Babies, Research Finds

HealthDay (7/28, Reinberg) reported that “too little fiber in Mom’s diet during pregnancy may slow a baby’s mental development, Japanese research suggests.” Research on animals has “found that a low-fiber diet during pregnancy slows brain nerve function i…

Experts Offer Tips On Protecting Children From Extreme Heat While Playing Outside

NPR (7/28, Chappell, Godoy) reported “extreme heat poses health risks to everyone – and it’s a unique challenge for kids who love to be outdoors in summertime.” Small kids “can be especially at risk in the heat, but experts say they can still play safely…

Concern Growing Over Teens’ E-Bike Safety Amid Regulatory Gaps

The New York Times (7/29, Richtel) reported on the growing concern over the safety of e-bikes, especially in the hands of teenagers. The e-bike industry is booming, yet existing laws and regulations have not kept pace with the technological advancements,…

FDA Issues Warnings To Three Companies For Distributing E-Cigarette Products That Appeal To Minors

CNN (7/27, Musa) reports that the FDA “issued warning letters Thursday to several distributors of e-cigarettes for selling and distributing unauthorized e-cigarette products that appeal to minors.” The FDA “says the companies – ABS Distribution, EC Supply…

In 2022, Gun Suicides In The US Reached An All-Time High, Data Indicate

USA Today (7/27, Hauck) reports, “Gun suicides reached an all-time high in the United States in 2022, and the gun suicide rate among Black teens surpassed that of white teens for the first time on record,” according to “newly-released provisional data fro…

Children With Cogan’s Syndrome Should Undergo Thorough Evaluations Upon Presentation, Researchers Say

Healio (7/27, Martin) reports, “Children with Cogan’s syndrome should undergo thorough evaluations upon presentation, including screenings for autoimmune and infectious diseases, as well as echocardiography and brain MRI,” investigators concluded in the f…

Better Reimbursement Could Have Major Impact On Rate Of HPV Vaccine In US Adolescents, Research Indicates

HCPlive (7/27, Campbell) reports, “An analysis of vaccination reimbursement trends suggests improved reimbursement could have a substantial impact on the rate of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in US adolescents.” Analysis results “indicate reimburseme…

Poor Mental, Social Health Linked To Worse Asthma Outcomes In Children, Study Finds

Healio (7/27, Gawel) reports, “Children with poor measures of mental and social health also experienced poor respiratory outcomes following intensive care use for asthma, according to a study.” The findings were published in The Journal of Allergy and Cli…

Low Maternal Fiber Intake During Pregnancy Tied To Increased Risk For Neurodevelopmental Delay In Offspring, Research Suggests

HealthDay (7/27, Gotkine) reports, “Lower maternal fiber intake during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for neurodevelopmental delay in offspring,” investigators concluded in a study that used “data from 76,207 mother-infant pairs” and admin…

Daily Soft Drink Consumption Positively Associated With Prevalence Of Overweight, Obesity In Adolescent Students, Research Suggests

HCPlive (7/27, Iapoce) reports, “The prevalence of daily soft drink consumption had a statistically significant positive association with the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescent-aged students,” investigators concluded in findings published…

AWS Rolling Out Generative AI Tool Focused On Clinical Documentation

Modern Healthcare (7/26, Turner, Subscription Publication) reports Amazon Web Services “is launching a generative artificial intelligence tool focused on clinical documentation.” AWS HealthScribe is going to “allow healthcare software providers to more ea…

COVID-19 Wastewater Data Eventually Ceased Being In Sync With Infection, Hospitalization Rates, Research Indicates

The New York Times (7/26, Anthes) reports, “Early last year, as the United States grappled with a record Covid-19 surge, the levels of coronavirus in a community’s wastewater were closely aligned with two other statistics that measured the toll of virus:…

County-Level Preterm Birth Risk Appears High For Women With More Social Determinants Of Health As Measured By Maternal Vulnerability Index, Study Indicates

Healio (7/26, Welsh) reports, “County-level preterm birth risk was higher among women with more physical, social and health risk factors as measured by” the Maternal Vulnerability Index, “a novel county-level index to quantify maternal vulnerability to ad…

Second Season Of Nirsevimab For RSV Appeared Safe, Effective In Children With CHD Or CLD Who Were Born Preterm, Study Finds

Pulmonology Advisor (7/26, Tong) reports, “A second season of nirsevimab for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) appeared safe and effective in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) or chronic lung disease (CLD) who were born preterm, according to st…

Infant Boys May Have Greater Likelihood Of Resisting In Utero Vertical Transmission Of HIV Than Girls Do, Study Indicates

MedPage Today (7/26, Susman) reports, “Infant boys appeared more likely than girls to be able to resist in utero vertical transmission of HIV, even when their mothers had less than optimal antiretroviral therapy, a longitudinal study showed.” MedPage Toda…

Rotavirus-Associated Hospitalization Linked To Later Autoimmune Disease In Childhood, Study Indicates

MedPage Today (7/26, DeBenedette) reports, “Rotavirus-associated hospitalization was significantly associated with subsequent autoimmune disease during childhood, according to a large population-based cohort study from South Korea.” MedPage Today also say…

Stillbirth Rate Holds Steady In 2021 After Increase In First Year Of Pandemic, Report Shows

CNN (7/26, McPhillips) reports, “Stillbirths have been trending down for decades in the United States. But the rate ticked up in the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, and new” CDC data show “a second year of stalled progress.” The report found that “mo…

Researchers Examine Patterns In Development Of Pediatric Allergies

NBC News (7/25, Sullivan) reports, “Eczema in young babies could be a sign that a child will go on to develop more allergies,” as findings published online in the journal Pediatrics confirm “a phenomenon known as the ‘allergic march,’” that is, “a pattern…

Antibiotic Treatment Appears To Provide “Minimal Benefit” For Children With Acute Sinusitis, Study Suggests

MedPage Today (7/25, Sullivan) reports, “Antibiotic treatment provided ‘minimal’ benefit for children with acute sinusitis and was accompanied by more cases of clinically significant diarrhea, researchers” concluded in the findings published in JAMA. In t…

More Than One In Six Toddlers Not Receiving All Doses Of Most Early Childhood Vaccines, Data Indicate

HealthDay (7/25, Mann) reports, “Most early childhood vaccines require three or four doses for best protection, but more than one in six toddlers aren’t getting them all, leaving them vulnerable to potentially deadly infections,” investigators concluded i…

At Least 20 States Have Enacted Policies Restricting Healthcare For Transgender Youth, Researchers Say

CNN (7/25, McPhillips) reports, “At least 20 states have enacted policies restricting healthcare for transgender youth, and the loss of gender-affirming care clinics in those states has dramatically increased the average travel time to a” clinician, inves…

Not Enough Evidence To Recommend Primary Care Screening For Speech, Language Problems In Asymptomatic Children Five Years And Younger, USPSTF Concludes

MedPage Today (7/25, Henderson) reports, “The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) concluded that there is not enough evidence to make a recommendation on primary care screening for speech and language problems in children five years and younger w…

Average Cost Of Healthcare Data Breach Hits $11M, Report Indicates

HealthIT Security (7/24, McKeon) says “the average cost of a healthcare data breach” has now reached $11 million, “signifying a $1 million increase from last year, according to IBM Security’s 2023 Cost of a Data Breach Report. The global average cost of a…

Use Of Hybrid Care Model Effective For Providing Prenatal Care During Pandemic, Research Indicates

mHealth Intelligence (7/24, Melchionna) reports “research indicated that the use of a hybrid care model for providing prenatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic did not alter rates of preeclampsia or eclampsia, maternal morbidity, cesarean delivery, or pr…

Review Study Supports Efficacy Of Euclid Emerald Orthokeratology Lenses In Slowing Axial Elongation In Children With Myopia

Healio (7/24, Young) reports, “A uniquely extensive body of literature supports the efficacy of Euclid Emerald orthokeratology lenses in slowing axial elongation in children with myopia,” researchers concluded in the findings of a 37-study review publishe…

Children Who Experience LVO Stroke Have Better Clinical Outcomes When Treated With Thrombectomy Rather Than Medical Management Alone, Study Finds

Aunt Minnie (7/24, Morton) reports, “Children who experience large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke have better clinical outcomes when treated with thrombectomy rather than medical management alone, according to a…study.” In the “matched case-control study…

Children Who Read For Pleasure 12 Hours Per Week Perform Better On Cognitive Tests, Have Better Mental Health, Research Suggests

CNBC (7/24, Shrikant) reports, “Kids who read for pleasure 12 hours per week perform better on cognitive tests and have better mental health,” investigators concluded in a study that “analyzed clinical interviews, cognitive tests, mental and behavioral as…

Excessive TV Watching In Childhood Tied To Higher Risk Of Metabolic Syndrome At Age 45, Research Suggests

HealthDay (7/24, Collins) reports, “Excessive TV watching in childhood leads to a higher risk of metabolic syndrome at age 45,” investigators concluded in a study that “looked at more than 1,000 participants born in 1972 or 1973 in New Zealand” whose “wee…

Prevalence Of HCV Infections In Pregnant Women Increased 16-Fold Over A 21-Year Period, Study Finds

MedPage Today (7/21, DeBenedette) reported, “The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in pregnant women increased 16-fold over a 21-year period, with associated higher risks of adverse perinatal outcomes, according to a cross-sectional study.”…

FDA Approves Cantharidin For Treatment Of Molluscum Contagiosum

Reuters (7/21, Roy, Mandowara) reported the FDA “has approved Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc’s treatment of a viral skin infection in adults and children aged 2 years and above, the company said on Friday.” The approval for Ycanth (cantharidin) “makes it the…

Approximately 11% Of Young Adults In US Regularly Use Electronic Cigarettes, Report Says

The Hill (7/22, Robertson) reports, “More than 1 in 10 Americans ages 18-24 are using e-cigarettes regularly, a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)…found.” Approximately “4.5 percent of Americans use vapes overall, CDC report…

Patient, Parental Preferences May Be Strongest Motivating Factors Regarding Decision To Postpone Biologic Therapy Withdrawal In Patients With Clinically Inactive Non-Systemic JIA, Study Indicates

HCPlive (7/21, Pine) reported, “In pediatric patients with clinically inactive non-systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), the preferences of the patient and parents were the strongest motivating factor regarding the decision to postpone biologic th…

Large Proportion Of Rural Children Fed High-Sugar, High-Salt Foods Within First 2 Years Of Life, Study Indicates

Healio (7/23, Weldon) reports, “A large proportion of rural children were fed high-sugar and high-salt foods within the first 2 years of life, according to a study presented at NUTRITION.” Researchers examined “responses to Early Healthy Lifestyles (EHL)…

More Than 16% Of Pediatric Population Experience At Least One Persistent Symptom Months Following COVID-19, Review Indicates

HealthDay (7/21, Gotkine) reported that “16.2 percent of the pediatric population experience one or more persistent symptoms at least three months after COVID-19, according to a review.” Researchers “conducted a systematic review to examine the prevalence…

Women Who Receive Care From Midwives During Pregnancy Have Higher Likelihood Of Postpartum Depression Screening, Study Finds

HCPlive (7/20, Grossi) reports, “A…study found women who received care from midwives during pregnancy had a significantly higher likelihood of being screened for postpartum depression compared with those cared for by obstetricians.” The findings were pu…

Pediatric Patients With ALL In LMICs Likely To Have Lower OS And Disease-Free Survival Rates, Study Says

Hematology Advisor (7/20, Goodman) reports, “Pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) living in low- or middle-income countries (LMICs) are likely to have lower overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival rates than patients living i…

Hospitalizations, ED Visits For Suicide Attempts, Ideation Appear To Have Risen Nationally Among Children, Teens From 2016 To 2021, Research Suggests

NBC News (7/19, Pandey) reported, “Hospitalizations and emergency” department (ED) “visits for suicide attempts and ideation rose nationally among children and teens from 2016 to 2021,” investigators concluded in a study that “focused on a set of more tha…

HHS, FTC Warn Telehealth Providers About Risks Of Online Tracking Software

Bloomberg Law (7/20, Lopez, Subscription Publication) reports that HHS and the FTC “are warning telehealth providers and hospitals about the potential for online tracking software integrated into their websites like Google Analytics or Meta Pixel to be us…

House Committee Advances Bill To Expand Telehealth Access Through Employers

Modern Healthcare (7/20, Berryman, Subscription Publication) reports, “The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the Telehealth Benefit Expansion for Workers Act of 2023 on a 29-20 vote.” The legislation, “sponsored by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), w…

Parents Alarmed By Trend Of Adolescents Using Social Media To Diagnose Themselves With Mental Health Conditions

CNN (7/20, Kelly) reports, “Social media platforms, including TikTok and Instagram, have come under mounting scrutiny in recent years for their potential to lead younger users to harmful content and exacerbate what experts have called a national mental he…

Friendship App “Wizz” Used To Extort Young Teens With Sexually Explicit Material, Watchdog Says

NBC News (7/19, Khogeer) reports, “A Tinder-like app popular among teenagers and young adults has allegedly been used to extort users by tricking them into sending sexually explicit photos, a problem that internet safety watchdogs say is indicative of the…

Researchers Study Airway Disease In Children With Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia

Healio (7/19, Hornick) reports, “On chest CTs, children with primary ciliary dyskinesia and inner dynein arm/microtubular disorganization defects had more mucus plugging than other defects, according to” study results. The findings were published in Annal…

Increased Rate Of T1D, T2D In Pediatric Patients Observed During First Year Of Pandemic Persisted Through 2022, Study Indicates

HCPlive (7/19, Campbell) reports, “An analysis of EHR data recorded from 2018-2022 within Duke University Medical Center-affiliated diabetes care centers suggests the increased rate of new-onset type 1” (T1D) “and type 2 diabetes” (T2D) in pediatric patie…

COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination During Pregnancy Results In Strong Immune Responses For Mothers, Infants, Study Suggests

Healio (7/19, Welsh) reports, “COVID-19 messenger RNA vaccination during pregnancy resulted in a robust immune response without adverse outcomes for both mothers and infants for almost 6 months after birth, according to a cohort study.” The findings were…

CMS Intervenes In Some States’ Eligibility Checks Amid Wave Of Medicaid Coverage Cancellations

Bloomberg Law (7/19, Belloni, Subscription Publication) reports, “Biden Administration officials are increasing their monitoring of states’ Medicaid renewal processes to ensure Americans don’t lose health coverage inappropriately.” CMS “has intervened wit…

Maternal Vaccine Produces Antibodies Against Invasive Group B Streptococcus In Infants, Phase 2 Trial Suggests

MedPage Today (7/19, Hein) reports, “A vaccine given during pregnancy produced antibodies against group B streptococcus that were transferred to infants at IgG thresholds associated with a reduced risk of invasive group B streptococcal disease, a phase 2…

Single Dose Of 9-Valent HPV Vaccine Maintains Immune Response For Up To Two Years, Study Says

Healio (7/18, Weldon) reports, “One dose of the 9-valent HPV vaccine generated a sustained immune response against two prominent cancer-causing types of the virus for up to 2 years, according study findings.” The results were published in Pediatrics.

Antibiotic Change During Treatment For PEx Among Children With CF Is Not Associated With Improved Clinical Outcomes, Study Finds

Pulmonology Advisor (7/18, Stong) reports, “Switching intravenous (IV) antibiotics during treatment for pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) among children with cystic fibrosis (CF) is common and is not associated with improved clinical outcomes, according to st…

Most Transgender Youths Or Children With Central Precocious Puberty Had Sustained Biochemical Response After Using Histrelin Implant For More Than 17 Months, Research Suggests

Healio (7/18, Monostra) reports, “Most transgender youths or children with central precocious puberty had a sustained biochemical response after using a histrelin implant for more than 17 months,” researchers concluded in the findings of a 49-child and ad…

Protein-Induced Food Allergies Impair Growth For Infants, Study Suggests

Healio (7/18, Gawel) reports, “Children with food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis experienced impaired growth during their first year of life, but this resolves as the disease resolves, according to a study.” The findings were published in the Anna…

Lawmakers Urge Government Action On Infant Loungers After Reported Deaths

NBC News (7/18, Khimm) reports, “Two members of Congress are calling on the federal government to take action on pillow-like infant loungers after an NBC News investigation revealed there have been significantly more deaths linked to the products than off…

Insufficient Evidence For Screening For Lipid Disorders In Patients Age 20 And Younger, USPSTF Says

HealthDay (7/18, Gotkine) reports, “The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force concludes that the current evidence is insufficient for assessing the balance of benefits and harms of screening for lipid disorders in children and adolescents aged 20 years or y…

Improvements Seen In Most Domains Of Readiness In US Pediatric Emergency Departments From 2013 To 2021, Research Finds

HealthDay (7/17, Gotkine) reports, “From 2013 to 2021, there was improvement in almost all domains of readiness of U.S. emergency departments to care for children, according to a study.” The findings were published in JAMA Network Open.

FDA Approves Nirsevimab Antibody Injection To Protect Babies And Toddlers From RSV

The AP (7/17, Perrone) reports that the FDA approved nirsevimab injection, developed by Sanofi and AstraZeneca, “for infants and children up to 2 years old who face increased risk of severe RSV.” The drug “is a laboratory-made version of an antibody that…

Patient Portals For Kids Underused, Often Misunderstood, Research Suggests

MedPage Today (7/17, Clasen) says, “Parents reported getting too little information about their child’s electronic health portal in a national survey.” Overall, “41% of all parents said they hadn’t been educated on when to use their children’s patient por…

Short Safety Videos Help Improve Safe Firearm Behavior Among Children, Study Finds

CNN (7/17, Viswanathan) reports on a study exploring “how short safety videos can cause children to behave around firearms.” The research, which included more than 220 children, found that children “who watched a gun safety video were less likely to touch…

No Evidence For Clinically Meaningful Differences In IQ Following Pediatric Concussion, Study Suggests

HealthDay (7/17, Gotkine) reports, “There is no evidence for clinically meaningful differences in IQ scores after pediatric concussion, according to a study.” The findings were published in Pediatrics.

About 4M More Children Received Routine Childhood Vaccinations Globally In 2022 Than In Previous Year, Data Suggest

CNN (7/17, Howard) reports “millions of children around the world missed routine childhood vaccinations against diseases such as measles, diphtheria and tetanus during the Covid-19 pandemic, but new data suggests that this decline may be reversing.” World…

Cybersecurity Threats To Healthcare Organizations Growing Exponentially, Report Says

Modern Healthcare (7/14, Turner, Subscription Publication) wrote, “Cybersecurity threats to healthcare organizations have grown exponentially in the last few years, according [to] a report published Thursday.” Close to “25% of cyberattacks in 2022 targete…

Rhinovirus/Enterovirus, Seasonal Coronaviruses Most Frequent Respiratory Viruses Among Students, Staff At School District, CDC Report Says

The American Journal of Managed Care (7/14, McCormick) reported, “Rhinovirus/enterovirus and seasonal coronaviruses were the respiratory viruses detected most frequently among students and staff members of a Kansas City, Missouri, school district, accordi…

Kentucky Can Enforce Ban On Transgender Youth Care For Now, Federal Judge Rules

Reuters (7/14, Pierson) reported US District Judge David Hale “in Kentucky ruled Friday that the state can enforce its law banning the use of puberty-blocking drugs and hormones for transgender children while it appeals his earlier order blocking the law….

Perinatal HPV Transmission Appears Uncommon, Research Suggests

The American Journal of Managed Care (7/15, Melillo) reported, “Infection with vaginal human papillomavirus is common among pregnant women; however, perinatal transmission to infants is infrequent, new study results suggest.” The research “also showed no…

Indigenous Children Continue To Have High Rates Of RSV-Associated Hospitalization, Study Finds

HealthDay (7/14, Gotkine) reported, “American Indian/Alaska Native children experience high rates of respiratory syncytial virus-associated acute respiratory illness hospitalization, according to a study.” The findings were published in Pediatrics. Healio…

Physicians Remain Unsure Why MIS-C Cases Have Dropped Dramatically Since First Year Of Pandemic

ABC News (7/13, Kekatos) reports that while the number of cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), which was “often seen in children after they” were diagnosed with COVID-19, spiked during the first year of the pandemic, since that…

Treating US Children With Low-Dose Formulation Of Atropine Eye Drops Appears Not To Delay Worsening Of Myopia, Study Indicates

According to MedPage Today (7/13, Clasen), “treating U.S. children with an investigational low-dose (0.01%) formulation of atropine eye drops didn’t delay worsening of nearsightedness,” researchers concluded in findings published online in JAMA Ophthalmol…

Children With Eosinophilic Esophagitis Present Differently Depending On BMI, Research Finds

Pulmonology Advisor (7/13, Goldberg) reports, “Children with eosinophilic esophagitis with obese body mass index are diagnosed at a later age and more often present with abdominal pain than other children with EoE, according to study findings.” The result…

Cannabis-Related ED Visits Rose Among Young People During Pandemic, CDC Data Show

CNN (7/13, Viswanathan) reports, “Over the past few years, marijuana use has been landing more young people in the hospital, according to a new study, by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” Released “on Thursday in the CDC’s Morbidity an…

Non-Drug Approach May Be Better Than Usual Care For Newborns With Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome, Research Suggests

Managed Healthcare Executive (7/13, Sapatkin) reports, “The ‘Eat, Sleep, Console’ approach for newborns with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome reduced average time in the hospital by 45% compared to usual care, which typically includes morphine, accordi…

Children More Likely To Be Diagnosed With Developmental Disabilities During Pandemic Than During Previous Year, CDC Data Reveal

CNN (7/13, McPhillips) reports, “Children were more likely to be diagnosed with developmental disabilities during the Covid-19 pandemic than they were in the year before,” according to findings from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics in NCHS…

Development Of Celiac Disease Not Significantly Correlated With Previous SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Children And Adolescents, Researchers Say

Gastroenterology Advisor (7/12) reports, “The development of celiac disease…is not significantly correlated with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection among children and adolescents,” researchers concluded in the findings of a 4,717-participant study published…

Psychosocial Elements Tied To, Predictive Of Pain Among Children With JIA, Systematic Review Suggests

Rheumatology Advisor (7/12, Khaja) reports, “Psychosocial elements including pain perception, internalization of symptoms, and overall well-being are commonly associated with and may be able to forecast juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) pain,” researche…

Early Air Pollution Exposure Associated With Decreased Sleep Quality In Preschoolers, Research Suggests

Healio (7/12, Hornick) reports, “Preschoolers’ sleep quality was negatively impacted by exposure to fine particulate matter at an early age, according to study results.” The findings were published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care…

Learning Disorders Affect 9% Of US Children, Research Suggests

Healio (7/12, Weldon) reports, “Learning disorders are common among children in the United States, affecting approximately nine out of every 100, according to a study.” The findings were published in JAMA Pediatrics.

EPA Proposes Regulation To Limit Lead-Based Paint Dust Exposure In Young Children

The New York Times (7/12, Davenport) reports that on Wednesday, the Biden Administration “proposed to strengthen requirements for the removal of lead-based paint dust in homes and child care facilities built before 1978.” The Times adds, “If finalized, th…

ED Visits For Mental Health Crises Among Teen Girls Surged During Pandemic, Study Indicates

The New York Times (7/12, Barry) reports, “As the coronavirus pandemic dragged through its second year, an increasing number of American families were so desperate to get help for depressed or suicidal children that they brought them to emergency” departm…

FDA Grants Clearance For Small Insulin Pump For Patients Aged Six Years And Older With Diabetes

Healio (7/11) reports, “The FDA granted clearance for the Tandem Mobi insulin pump for people aged six years and older with diabetes,” according to a July 11 press release from Tandem Diabetes Care, maker of the device. This new device “is less than half…

Researchers Examine Association Of Racial Discrimination With Childhood Obesity

USA Today (7/11, Weintraub) reports, “Racism contributes to childhood obesity, according to” findings published online in JAMA Network Open, revealing that “children as young as nine were more likely to meet the definition of obesity if they faced racism…

Whole Genome Sequencing More Effective At Identifying Genetic Disorders Than Targeted Tests, Study Suggests

HealthDay (7/11, Murez) reports that “researchers compared whole genome sequencing with targeted gene-sequencing” and “found that whole genome sequencing was nearly twice as effective at finding the abnormalities that lead to disorders.” The findings were…

Compared With Peers, School-Age Children With Autism Show More Difficulty Managing Memory Tasks, Study Suggests

HealthDay (7/11, Norton) reports, “Researchers found that compared with their peers, school-age kids with autism showed more difficulty managing memory tasks,” often having difficulty “remembering faces” and “in recalling words and other types of informat…

Parents Suffering From Anxiety, Depression At Roughly Same Rate As Teens, Report Suggests

According to the Washington Post (7/11, Solano), “parents are suffering from anxiety and depression at roughly the same rate as teens,” according to findings from a June 2023 report (PDF) based on surveys conducted late last year by Harvard University res…

US Childhood Cancer Diagnoses Have Trended Up For Over A Decade, Study Finds

CNN (7/11, McPhillips) reports “childhood cancer diagnoses in the US have been trending up for more than a decade, according to a study published” in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. In 2019, “there were 14,381 new childhood cancer diagnoses…

Nearly Half Of Adolescents With Obesity On Semaglutide Achieve Healthy Weight In 17 Months, Study Finds

HealthDay (7/10, Mann) reports on research that found nearly half of adolescents with obesity participating in the study “on semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic) were able to achieve a healthy weight in about 17 months.” The findings were published in Obesity.

Telehealth Use Declined Nationally Across All Four US Regions In April, Data Show

mHealth Intelligence (7/10, Melchionna) reports, “Following a rise in the prior month, the FAIR Health Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker reported that telehealth use decreased across the board, nationally and in all four United States census regions, in…

Board Games Could Help Young Children Develop Math Skills, Study Suggests

HealthDay (7/10, Murez) reports research suggests board games can help young children develop math skills, given that “these number-based games help improve counting, addition and the ability to recognize if a number is higher or lower than another for yo…

Maternal Egg Consumption During Neonatal Period Ineffective In Preventing Egg Allergy, Research Suggests

HCPlive (7/10, Smith) reports, “The eventual development of egg allergy and sensitization to egg whites in infants is unaffected by maternal consumption of eggs during the early neonatal period, according to recent findings.” The results were published in…

Lower Socioeconomic Status Tied To Children’s White Matter Microstructure, Research Suggests

HealthDay (7/10, Gotkine) reports, “Lower socioeconomic status…is associated with children’s white matter microstructure,” researchers concluded in the findings of an 8,842-child study published online in JAMA Network Open. The study revealed that “grea…

Children, Adolescents Diagnosed With Anxiety, Depression Or Both Had Greater Headache-Related Disability Compared With Those Without, Researchers Say

Healio (7/10, Herpen) reports, “Children and adolescents diagnosed with anxiety, depression or both had greater headache-related disability compared with those without,” investigators concluded in a study that “included more than 8,000 individuals aged si…

Weight-Based Medication Dosing Varies From National Guidelines For Children In Prehospital Settings, Research Suggests

HealthDay (7/10, Shah) reports, “For pediatric patients in the prehospital setting, weight-based dosing often varies from national guidelines, according to a study.” The findings were published in Pediatrics. Healio (7/10, Weldon) reports that researchers…

Children With Mitochondrial Disorders May Have Weaker Immune Response To Viral Infections, Study Suggests

Healio (7/7, Weldon) reported, “Children with mitochondrial disorders have altered B cell function, which weakens their immune response to viral infections, according to study results.” The findings were published in Frontiers in Immunology.

Kidney Stone Incidence Rising Among Kids And Teens, Research Finds

NBC News (7/8, Camero) reported, “Kidney stones…are now occurring in younger people, particularly among teenage girls, emerging data shows.” Physicians and “experts aren’t sure why more children and teens are developing the condition, but they speculate…

Drowning Remains Leading Cause Of Death Among Young Children, CDC Analysis Finds

The New York Times (7/8, Baumgaertner) reported, “Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4, according to” an analysis by the CDC. Moreover, “deaths are likely to surge this month, as they do every July.” Despite pleas “from the Unit…

Use Of Antipsychotic Medication In Children Continuing To Plummet, Data Suggest

HealthDay (7/7, Murez) reported, “The use of antipsychotic medication in children is continuing to plummet, likely because of better policies and education,” investigators concluded after examining “Medicaid claims data between 2008 and 2016, looking at t…

Sixth Circuit Grants Emergency Appeal From Tennessee To Allow Ban On Transgender Care For Minors

The AP (7/8, Barakat) reported, “Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth can go into effect – at least for now – after a federal appeals court on Saturday temporarily reversed a lower court ruling.” While “last month, a district cou…

Diabetes Rates In Children, Teens Increased During Onset Of Pandemic, Research Suggests

Managed Healthcare Executive (7/7, Contreras) reported, “Increased rates of type 1 diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis in children and teens during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond were found in a recent study.” Results show that “in the first year of the…

One Third Of College Students Use E-Cigarettes, With Use More Frequent During Pandemic, Research Finds

Pulmonology Advisor (7/6, Stong) reports, “About one-third of college students use electronic nicotine delivery systems, and about half of the students increased their vaping during the COVID-19 lockdowns, according to study findings.” The results were pu…

Intracerebral Polio-Rhinovirus Immunotherapy Feasible In Children With Pretreated, High-Grade Malignant Glioma, Data Suggest

Medwire News (7/6, Nimley) reports, “Intracerebral recombinant polio–rhinovirus immunotherapy is feasible in children and young people with heavily pretreated, high-grade malignant glioma, suggest phase 1b trial findings.” The results were published in Th…

Several Noninvasive Ventilation Modes Appear Beneficial For Extremely Preterm Newborns, Research Suggests

MedPage Today (7/6, Short) reports, “The known advantages of certain noninvasive respiratory support techniques prevailed for extremely preterm newborns following extubation and for those with more severe respiratory failure, subgroup analyses of the NASO…

Review Study Examines Efficacy Of Oral Immunotherapy In Desensitization, Even Remission In People With Allergies To Hen’s Egg, Peanuts, And Milk

HCPlive (7/6, Smith) reports, “Oral immunotherapy…for hen’s egg, peanut, and milk can be effective in desensitization and even for remission in some cases,” investigators concluded in a review study that “sought to synthesize current evidence from rando…

Studies Examine Negative Impact Wildfire Smoke May Have On Mental Health

The Washington Post (7/6, Zaraska) details a number of recent studies that tie “air pollution with poor mental health, from depression and anxiety to psychotic breakdowns and, in” children, symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Many of the…

Infectious Disease Experts In US Concerned Amid Reports Of Deadly Viral Sepsis In Babies In Europe

NBC News (7/6, Edwards) writes, “Reports of more than a dozen cases of dangerous and often deadly viral sepsis in babies in Europe – along with increasing circulation of similar viruses that typically spike in the summer and early fall – have pediatric in…

Drinking Water From Nearly Half Of US Faucets Likely Contains PFAS, Study Indicates

The AP (7/5, Flesher) reports, “Drinking water from nearly half of U.S. faucets likely contains ‘forever chemicals’ that may cause cancer and other health problems, according to a government study released Wednesday.” The US Geological Survey report “was…

Global Average Temperatures Set Unofficial Record For Hottest Day In Over Four Decades, Data Suggest

The AP (7/5, Walling, Borenstein) reports, “The planet’s temperature spiked on Tuesday to its hottest day in at least 44 years and likely much longer, and Wednesday could become the third straight day Earth unofficially marks a record-breaking high, the l…

FDA Warns Six Companies About Illegal Sales Of “Copycat” Edibles Containing Delta-8 THC

Healio (7/5, Weldon) reports, “The FDA said Wednesday that it has warned six companies about illegally selling what it called ‘copycat’ edibles containing delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol” (delta-8 THC), “a psychoactive and intoxicating substance found in can…

Study Suggests PND Of 14 Days Or More Increases Risk Of ROP In Infants Born In Sweden

The American Journal of Managed Care (7/5, Bonavitacola) reports, “Parenteral nutrition duration (PND) of 14 days or more was found to increase the risk of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in infants born in Sweden,” investigators concluded in findings of…

Study Examines Depression Rates For Minority, Sexual Minority Youth In States With Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation

HealthDay (7/5, Murez) reports, “Youth who are both LGBTQ+ and either Black or Hispanic and live in U.S. states that have discriminatory policies are more likely to have depression than their counterparts in states that are more affirming to gender and se…

CDC Reduces Funding To States For Child Vaccination Programs

Kaiser Health News (7/5, Miller) reports the CDC “is reducing funding to states for child vaccination programs, according to an agency email obtained by KFF Health News.” The “cut ‘is a significant change to your budget,’ said the email to immunization ma…

For Children With AD/HD, Use Of Prescription Stimulant Medication To Manage Symptoms Not Tied To Later Substance Use, Research Suggests

According to MedPage Today (7/5, DePeau-Wilson), for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), “use of prescription stimulant medication to manage their symptoms was not associated with later substance use,” investigators concluded i…

US Maternal Mortality Rates More Than Doubled From 1999 To 2019, Research Finds

Reuters (7/3, Lapid) reported, “The number of U.S. women who died within a year after pregnancy more than doubled between 1999 and 2019, with the highest deaths among Black women.” The number rose from 505 in 1999 to 1,210 in 2019, with the greatest incre…

More Teens Globally Underestimating Their Weight, Research Finds

HealthDay (7/3, Murez) reported, “Fewer teens consider themselves overweight and more underestimate what they weigh, a perception concerning to experts worried about childhood obesity,” according to research. Such “trends could reduce the effectiveness of…

Federal Judges Block Enforcement Of State Laws Barring Puberty Blockers, Hormone Treatments For Minors

Reuters (7/3, Trotta, Pierson) reported that federal judges are preventing enforcement of state laws prohibiting “medical procedures for transgender youth” in “six states – Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee – finding that they in…

Youth With Autism Three Times As Likely To Have Co-Occurring Diagnosis Of Gender Dysphoria Than Peers Without Autism, Study Indicates

Healio (7/3, Weldon) reported, “Youth with autism are three times as likely to have a co-occurring diagnosis of gender dysphoria than peers who do not have autism,” investigators concluded in “findings from a study of more than 900,000 adolescents publish…

Medical Spending Higher For Children Outside Healthy Weight Limits, Research Finds

MedPage Today (7/3, Henderson) reported, “Medical expenditures were higher for children and adolescents who did not have a healthy body mass index, a cross-sectional study showed.” Data show that “among over 200,000 youths ages 2 to 19 years, differences…

Treatment With IV Ketamine Reduces Pain By 50% In Pediatric Patients With Refractory Headache, Study Finds

Healio (6/29, Herpen) reported, “Treatment with IV ketamine for pediatric refractory headache resulted in a 50% reduction in pain at discharge, with nearly two-thirds of patients not requiring rescue care within one month,” researchers concluded after con…

Researchers Observe Improved Long-Term Language, Quality Of Life Outcomes In Teens With Cochlear Implants

HealthDay (6/30, Gotkine) reported, “Adolescents with cochlear implants have better outcomes in terms of language, academic performance, and quality of life, according to a study.” The findings were published in JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery.

Youth With T2D, Younger Age, Shorter Duration Of Diabetes May Experience Lower Prevalence Of Diabetic Retinal Disease, Researchers Say

HCPlive (6/30, Iapoce) reported that new results presented at ADA 2023 “show youth with type 2 diabetes (T2D) with younger age and shorter duration of diabetes experience a lower prevalence of diabetic retinal disease, including diabetic retinopathy.”

Risk For Bacteremia Very Low Among Children With Sickle Cell Disease Presenting With Fever At ED, Research Finds

Healio (6/30, Weldon) reported, “The risk for bacteremia was low – just over 1% – among children and young adults with sickle cell disease who presented at the emergency department with a fever, according to the results of a large study.” The findings of…

Parents Of Transgender Children File Lawsuit To Block Georgia’s Ban On Gender-Affirming Care

The AP (6/30, Brumback) reported, “Parents of four transgender children have filed a lawsuit challenging a Georgia law set to take effect Saturday that bans most gender-affirming surgeries and hormone replacement therapies for transgender people under 18….

Greater Arsenic Exposure Tied To Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease In Children, Research Suggests

MedPage Today (6/30, Lou) reported, “Greater arsenic exposure was linked to children harboring subclinical cardiovascular disease as early as age 9, based on data from Syracuse, New York.” Results show that “in this upstate community with a history of ind…

CDC To Start Formally Tracking Cronobacter Infections That Helped Fuel Infant Formula Shortage

The AP (6/29, Aleccia) reports, “U.S. health officials will start formally tracking infections caused by the rare but potentially deadly germ that sickened babies and triggered a nationwide shortage of infant formula last year.” A CDC advisory group “agre…

Candesartan May Lead To Significant Reduction In Mean Monthly Headache Days, Headache Intensity In Adolescents With High Baseline Migraine Frequency, Study Concludes

Healio (6/29, Herpen) reports, “Treatment with candesartan led to significant reduction in mean monthly headache days and headache intensity in adolescents with high baseline migraine frequency,” investigators concluded after conducting “a retrospective d…

FDA Approves Drugmaker’s Treatment For Growth Hormone Deficiency In Children

Reuters (6/28, Leo) reported that the US FDA “has approved Pfizer Inc … and partner OPKO Health Inc’s … treatment for growth hormone deficiency in children, the companies said on Wednesday.” The injectable hormone treatment, “to be sold under brand na…

Childhood Asthma Demonstrates Four Long-Term Trajectories Depending On Exacerbations, Medication, Research Finds

Pulmonology Advisor (6/29, Tong) reports, “Childhood asthma has 4 longitudinal asthma trajectories, which are defined based on frequency of asthma exacerbations and asthma medication ranks, according to study findings.” The results were published in the A…

Childhood TB May Be Associated With Future Wheezing, Poor Lung Function, Low Weight And Height, Research Finds

Healio (6/29, Hornick) reports, “Early-life TB was related to future wheezing, weak lung function and low measures of weight and height at 5 years old, according to study results.” The findings were published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Cri…

Higher Levels Of Glycemia During Childhood May Be Tied To Increased Risk Of Retinopathy, Study Suggests

HealthDay (6/29, Gotkine) reports, “Higher levels of glycemia during childhood are associated with increased risk of retinopathy,” investigators concluded in findings presented at ADA 2023. The study “used data from a longitudinal observational study of d…

Over 80M People Under Air Quality Alerts As Canadian Wildfire Smoke Moves Across US

CBS News (6/28, King) reports, “More than 80 million people from the Midwest to the East Coast are under air quality alerts as smoke from Canadian wildfires sweeps across parts of the US, prompting beach closures, warnings of reduced visibility, and calls…

Reading For Pleasure Can Help Children Grow Into Better-Adjusted Teens, Study Suggests

HealthDay (6/28, Norton) reports, “Young children may be fascinated by electronic devices, but a…study suggests that old-fashioned reading may help them grow into better adjusted middle schoolers.” The findings were published in Psychological Medicine….

Increased Use Of CGM, Hybrid Closed-Loop Therapy Associated With Lower HbA1c In Pediatric T1D, Study Suggests

Healio (6/28, Monostra) reports, “The use of continuous glucose monitoring” (CGM) “and hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery systems increased among youths with type 1 diabetes” (T1D) “from 2016-2017 to 2020-2021 and may have helped reduce HbA1c, according…

Experts Discuss Strategies To Help Limit Teens’ Social Media Use

The New York Times (6/29, Pearson) reports, “Recently, the warnings around teens’ social media use have grown particularly loud, as both the U.S. surgeon general and the American Psychological Association have issued reports about the risk of harm to adol…

Families Concerned Over Possible End Of Medicaid Caregiver Payments

The AP (6/28, Murphy, Seitz) reports families are dealing with the possible end of a Medicaid caregiver payment program, which was expanded during the pandemic. According to a KFF survey last summer, “39 states, with the help of the federal government, ei…

Pediatric Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa May Be More Than Four Times More Likely To Have Crohn’s Disease, Researchers Say

Healio (6/28, Capaldo) reports, “Pediatric patients with hidradenitis suppurativa” (HS) “are more than four times more likely to have Crohn’s disease compared with those without hidradenitis suppurativa,” researchers concluded in findings published online…

Wildfire Smoke Could Lead To Over 9,000 Premature Deaths In US Each Year, Research Suggests

HealthDay (6/27, Mann) reports, “Smoke particulates from wildfires could cause 4,000 to 9,200 premature deaths and may cost between $36 billion and $82 billion each year in the United States, according to” a study. Researchers “developed a model to estima…

Sales Of Unauthorized Vapes Surge In US Despite FDA Marketing Restrictions

The AP (6/27, Perrone) reports, “The number of different electronic cigarette devices sold in the U.S. has nearly tripled to over 9,000 since 2020, driven almost entirely by a wave of unauthorized disposable vapes from China, according to tightly controll…

Iron Deficiency Appears Common Among Girls, Young Women, Research Finds

Healio (6/27, Southall) reports, “Iron deficiency appeared common among a cohort of U.S. females aged 12 years to 21 years, with an overall prevalence of nearly 40%, according to study results.” The findings were published in a research letter in JAMA. HC…

Levels Of Some Heavy Metals In Baby Food Appear To Have Fallen Over Past Five Years, Analysis Suggests

ABC News (6/27) says an “analysis from Consumer Reports found that some heavy metals in baby food have been on the decline but the report argues more can be done to make baby food safer overall.” By testing “random testing of baby food products, Consumer…

New Federal Law Aims To Ensure Reasonable Accommodations For Pregnant Women In Workplace

The New York Times (6/27, Gupta) reports, “On Tuesday, a new federal law that requires employers to provide ‘reasonable accommodations’ for pregnant and postpartum workers went into effect, expanding protections for millions of people.” The new “law, call…

Mean Age Of Gender Dysphoria Diagnosis Appears To Be Decreasing, Researchers Conclude

HealthDay (6/27, Mann) reports, “Growing numbers of young people are expressing a sense of a ‘mismatch’ between the gender on their birth certificate and the one that they ‘feel’ inside, particularly those assigned female at birth,” investigators conclude…

AI’s Role In Healthcare Expected To Be First Oriented To Mundane Tasks Like Transcription

The New York Times (6/26, Lohr) reports, “ChatGPT-style artificial intelligence is coming to health care, and the grand vision of what it could bring is inspiring. Every doctor, enthusiasts predict, will have a superintelligent sidekick, dispensing sugges…

CDC Warning Physicians, Public Health Officials About Locally Acquired Cases Of Malaria

CNN (6/26, Christensen) reports, “The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning doctors and public health officials about a handful of locally acquired cases of malaria.” There has not “been a case of malaria caught locally in the US in 20…

Children’s Hospital Reduces MRSA Rates In ICUs By Implementing Decolonization Protocols, Research Finds

Healio (6/26, Weldon) reports, “A children’s hospital used decolonization protocols to drive down rates of MRSA in three intensive care units by more than 40%, according to data.” The findings were presented at APIC 2023.

OCD Associated With Adverse Pregnancy And Neonatal Outcomes, Research Finds

Medscape (6/26, Rak, Subscription Publication) reports, “Mothers with obsessive-compulsive disorder are more likely to have adverse pregnancy, delivery, and neonatal outcomes than those without the disorder, according to…research.” The findings of the o…

Medical Provider Industry Makes Push To Make Permanent Pandemic Telehealth Provisions

Bloomberg Law (6/26, Belloni, Subscription Publication) reports, “Medical providers are pushing Congress to help them make permanent telehealth provisions they came to rely on during the Covid-19 pandemic.” Legislation “backed by dozens of lawmakers aim t…

Shorter Antibiotic Course Not As Effective For Children With UTIs, Study Suggests

MedPage Today (6/26, Henderson) reports, “Abbreviated antibiotic treatment didn’t measure up for children with urinary tract infection,” the “SCOUT trial found.” Results show that “stopping antibiotics when symptoms improved after an initial 5-day course…

FDA Approves Drug To Treat Hair Loss In Patients With Severe Alopecia Areata

Reuters (6/23, Mandowara, Satija) reported that the FDA approved Pfizer’s Litfulo (ritlecitinib) to treat hair loss in “people aged 12 years and older suffering from severe alopecia areata.” The agency’s “decision makes Litfulo the first to be allowed for…

CDC Advisors Support Use Of 20-Valent Pneumococcal Vaccine For Children

Healio (6/23, Gallagher, Weldon) reported, “CDC advisors on Thursday unanimously supported the addition of Pfizer’s 20-valent pneumococcal vaccine as an option for children in the United States.” The CDC “committee also recommended that healthy children a…

Data Indicate Importance Of Early Glycemic Screening In High-Risk Children To Prevent Long-Term Complications From T2D

According to HCPlive (6/23, Iapoce), “new research indicates the importance of early glycemic screening in high-risk children in order to prevent future long-term complications from type 2 diabetes (T2D).” Investigators utilized “data from a longitudinal…

Research Supports COVID-19 Vaccination In Children With Cystic Fibrosis

HCPlive (6/23, Grossi) reported, “In a…study, COVID-19 vaccination in” children “with cystic fibrosis appeared to induce antibody responses comparable with those observed in the general population.” These results “supported vaccination in this populatio…

Study Characterizes Accidental Firearm Fatalities Among US Children

CNN (6/26, Viswanathan) reports, “Most children in the US who die from an accidental shooting are playing around with guns at home or mistaking them for toys, according to a” study that “suggests that over 90% of guns used in such shooting deaths were lef…

COVID-19 Vaccination Safe In Children With Prior Reactions, Pre-Existing Conditions, Research Suggests

Healio (6/23, Gawel) reported, “Children with a history of allergy to COVID-19 vaccines or pre-existing conditions that put them at higher risk for a reaction safely tolerated testing and challenges, according to a letter.” The findings were published in…

In-Hospital Delivery-Related Maternal Mortality Declining, But Severe Maternal Morbidity Increasing, Study Finds

CNN (6/22, Howard) reports, “The rate of pregnant women dying of delivery-related causes in the hospital appears to have declined significantly – by more than 50% – across the United States in recent years, a…study suggests.” This “decline, seen among m…

FDA Grants Accelerated Approval To First Gene Therapy For Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

MedPage Today (6/22, George) reports, “The FDA granted accelerated approval to delandistrogene moxeparvovec (Elevidys), the first gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy” (DMD), “the agency announced” in a June 22 news release on its website. This “a…

Risk For Alcohol-Related Hospitalization Significantly Higher In Children Of Parents With Alcohol-Related Liver Disease, Researchers Say

Healio (6/22, Burba) reports, “Children of parents with alcohol-related liver disease had up to a more than fourfold increased risk for alcohol-related hospitalization, despite a low absolute risk for developing alcohol-related liver disease,” according t…

Screening Newborns For Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Increases Survival Rates, Researchers Say

HealthDay (6/22, Murez) reports, “Screening newborns for severe combined immunodeficiency – SCID, sometimes referred to as ‘bubble boy disease’ – significantly increases survival rates, researchers say.” The team “found that widespread screening increased…

Even “Safe” Levels Of Air Pollution Can Cause Changes In Child Brain Development, Research Finds

The Hill (6/22, Udasin) reports, “Levels of certain air pollutants previously considered safe can potentially harm a child’s developing brain, a…study has found.” This research “involved the largest-ever nationwide survey of youth brain health – and ult…

Sales Of E-Cigarettes Tapered Off Last Year Following Surge Among Teens, CDC Analysis Finds

The New York Times (6/22, Jewett) reports, “Sales of e-cigarettes rose by nearly 47 percent from January 2020, just before the pandemic hit the United States, to December 2022, according to an analysis released on Thursday by the Centers for Disease Contr…

HHS Warns Industry About Resurfaced Ransomware Group Following Cyberattack On Cancer Center

Healthcare Dive (6/21, Olsen) reports, “The HHS is alerting healthcare providers about the resurgence of a ransomware group after an attack on an unnamed U.S. cancer center ‘significantly reduced’ treatment capability, shut down digital services and threa…

CDC Warns Americans To Protect Themselves From Measles While Traveling

NBC News (6/21, Edwards) reports, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning Americans to make sure they’re fully protected against the measles before traveling internationally this summer.” The CDC “issued a health advisory Wednesday urgi…

State Medicaid Spending Fell Below Pre-Pandemic Levels Despite Increased Enrollment, Analysis Finds

Healthcare Dive (6/21, Olsen) reports, “State spending on Medicaid fell below pre-pandemic levels even as enrollment in the public health insurance program soared during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an analysis by KFF.” Enrollment in Medicaid “coul…

FDA To Test Out Nutrition Labels On Front Of Food Packaging

CNN (6/21, Holcombe) reports that the FDA “will test out labels on the front of food packages in the hope of giving shoppers better access to nutrition information.” The agency’s “goal is to address diet-related chronic disease by ‘empowering consumers wi…

Addressing Alcohol Consumption In Late Teen Years May Help Reduce The Risk Of Developing Depression In Young Adulthood, Researchers Posit

HCPlive (6/21, Walter) reports, “Addressing alcohol consumption in late teen years could help reduce the risk of developing depression in young adulthood,” investigators concluded in a 3,902-adolescent study that examined “whether alcohol dependence, but…

FDA Approves Two New Drugs To Treat Children With Type 2 Diabetes

Bloomberg Law (6/20, Moffat, Subscription Publication) reports that the FDA approved “Boehringer Ingelheim’s medications Jardiance (empagliflozin) and Synjardy (empagliflozin/metformin) to treat type 2 diabetes in children 10 and older.”

Children With T1D Using Closed-Loop Insulin Delivery Systems May Spend More Time In Range Than Those Receiving Insulin Injections Or Using Sensor-Augmented Pump Or CGM, Meta-Analysis Indicates

Healio (6/20, Monostra) reports, “Children with type 1 diabetes” (T1D) “using closed-loop insulin delivery systems spend more time in range than those receiving insulin injections or using a sensor-augmented pump or continuous glucose monitor” (CGM), inve…

Reducing Social Media Time Each Day Can Help Improve Mental Health Of College Students, Research Suggests

HealthDay (6/20, Murez) reports, “Cutting back social media to a spare 30 minutes per day could be the key to reducing anxiety, depression, loneliness and feelings of fear of missing out” among college students, researchers say. The findings were publishe…

In Survey Study, Most Parents, Caregivers Say They Support Mental Health Screening For Their Children In Primary Care Settings

MedPage Today (6/20, Henderson) reports, “Most parents and caregivers said they supported mental health screening for their children in primary care settings, according to” the findings of “a multinational survey” published online June 20 in JAMA Network…

Federal Judge Strikes Down Arkansas Ban On Gender-Affirming Care For Transgender Minors

The AP (6/20, DeMillo) reports that US District Judge Jay Moody “struck down Arkansas’ first-in-the-nation ban on gender-affirming care for children as unconstitutional Tuesday, the first ruling to overturn such a prohibition as a growing number of Republ…

Increase In Pediatric T2D Cases That Began During COVID-19 Pandemic-Related School Closures Has Not Returned To Baseline, Researchers Say

MedPage Today (6/20, Susman) reports, “An increase in pediatric type 2 diabetes” (T2D) “cases that began during school closures amid the COVID-19 pandemic has not returned to baseline,” investigators concluded in findings presented at ENDO 2023. The study…

Next COVID-19 Vaccines To Provide Protection Against Recent Omicron Strain, FDA Says

The AP (6/16, Stobbe) reported the FDA on Friday said the coming round of vaccines for COVID-19 will target one of the more recent omicron strains, XBB.1.5. Until now, the bivalent vaccines for COVID-19 “include the original coronavirus and an earlier ver…

Researchers Report Significant Improvement In Children Who Have Follow-Up Visits To A Headache Clinic, Although Racial And Economic Disparities Remain, Study Suggests

Healio (6/16, Forand) reported, “Significant improvement was reported in children who have follow-up visits to a headache clinic, although Black patients and patients on Medicaid were less likely to complete these visits,” researchers concluded after cond…

Federal Judge Issues Temporary Injunction Against Indiana Ban On Gender-Affirming Care For Minors

The New York Times (6/16, Smith) reported that on Friday, US Judge James Patrick Hanlon with the US District Court for the Southern District of Indiana “largely blocked that state’s ban on transition care for youth from taking effect on July 1, the latest…

Many Parents Unsure If Child’s Abdominal Pain Is Serious, Poll Indicates

HealthDay (6/19, Murez) reports, “About 1 in 6 parents said their child has tummy pain at least monthly, according to” a poll, and “one-third of the parents said that they were very confident they could identify whether the belly pain was serious.” The Un…

NAPNAP Launches New Tool To Strengthen Mental Healthcare For Young Patients

HealthLeaders Media (6/16, Davis) reported, “The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners is launching NAPNAP Cares, with online continuing education courses designed to support pediatric-focused NPs and advanced practice RNs as they respond…

Pfizer Alerts Physicians To Impending Shortage Of Long-Acting Penicillin For Children

CNN (6/15, Goodman) reports, “Pfizer, the manufacturer of Bicillin (benzylpenicillin) – a long-acting injectable form of the antibiotic penicillin – is warning doctors that it expects to run out of its formulations for children by the end of June. Formula…

FDA Advisers Recommend Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Targeting XBB Variant For The Fall

The New York Times (6/15, Jewett) reports, “Vaccine makers should target the XBB variant of the coronavirus in a shot to be available in the fall, moving away from the existing formula that protected against the Omicron variant and an early form of the vi…

Lung Function Worsens With P. Aeruginosa Infection Stage In Pediatric Patients With Cystic Fibrosis, Research Suggests

Pulmonology Advisor (6/15, Stong) reports, “Annual forced expiratory volume in 1 second decline is significantly worse with each Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) infection stage among children with cystic fibrosis, according to study findings.” The…

Obesity Tied To Greater Need For Mechanical Ventilation In Pediatric Patients With Status Asthmaticus, Data Suggest

Healio (6/15, Gawel) reports, “Obesity was associated with a greater need for mechanical ventilation among children and adolescents with status asthmaticus, according to data.” The findings were presented at the American Thoracic Society International Con…

Study Examines Effect Of Paternal Participation On Breastfeeding, Safe Sleep Practices For Infants

CNN (6/16, Wattles) reports a “study – a rare effort that focuses solely on the father’s involvement in an infant’s life – shows a striking link between the support that dads offer and better infant outcomes.” The study, published in Pediatrics, “sought t…

Supreme Court Upholds Indian Child Welfare Act’s Rules On Adoption

The New York Times (6/15, VanSickle) reports that on Thursday, the Supreme Court “upheld a 1978 law aimed at keeping Native American adoptees with their tribes and traditions, handing a victory to tribes that had argued that a blow to the law would upend…

Emergency Visits For Unsupervised Pediatric Medication Exposures Decline In US, Research Finds

Healio (6/15, Weldon) writes, “The number of emergency department visits for unsupervised pediatric medication exposures decreased by nearly half between 2009 and 2020, CDC researchers reported.” The findings were published in the American Journal of Prev…

US Healthcare Spending Tracking To Surpass $7 Trillion By 2031

Bloomberg (6/14, Griffin, Subscription Publication) reports, “Annual US healthcare spending will reach nearly $7.2 trillion in 2031, growing faster than the country’s economy through the start of the next decade, according to a government estimate.” The o…

Larger Healthcare Organizations Utilize AI Solutions More Than Smaller Ones, Report Says

Health IT Analytics (6/14, Melchionna) writes, “A report from the Center for Connected Medicine and KLAS provided data surrounding the growth of the artificial intelligence market along with the high frequency associated with using this technology for dis…

Effective Mitigation Strategies Needed For Children With Healthcare-Associated RSV, Research Suggests

Infectious Disease Advisor (6/14, Nye) reports that a study suggests further research “is needed to identify effective mitigation strategies for sporadic health care-associated respiratory syncytial virus infection among children, as the need for respirat…

Researchers Identify Association Between Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Crohn’s Disease In Pediatric Patients

HCPlive (6/14, Smith) reports, “there is an association between higher rates of Crohn’s disease in pediatric patients with hidradenitis suppurativa compared to those without HS, according to…[study] findings, although Crohn’s disease is still known to b…

Earlier Bedtime Can Improve Sleep Duration Among Adolescents, Study Suggests

Healio (6/14, Weldon) reports, “Adolescents can overcome circadian phase delay and boost their sleep duration with an earlier bedtime, according to a study.” The findings were published in Pediatrics.

Suicide, Homicide Rates For Children, Young Adults In US At Highest They’ve Been In Decades, CDC Report Finds

CNN (6/15, McPhillips) reports, “In 2021, suicide and homicide rates for children and young adults ages 10 to 24 in the US were the highest they’ve been in decades, according to a new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” The rep…

Higher Risk Of Incident Diagnosed Asthma In Adolescents Tied To Exclusive Cigarette Use, Research Suggests

The American Journal of Managed Care (6/14, Bonavitacola) reports, “Adolescents had a higher incidence of incident diagnosed asthma in a 5-year follow-up period, according to a study published in Journal of Adolescent Health.” At the same time, “however,…

Family-Based Treatment Approach In Primary Care Settings Tied To Improved Weight Outcomes For Children With Overweight And Obesity, Trial Indicates

MedPage Today (6/13, Clasen) reports, “Family-based treatment (FBT) in primary care settings prevented children with overweight and obesity from gaining more excess weight over time, the randomized PLAN trial found.” In children “ages 6 to 12 years, the c…

Childhood Vaccination Rates Show Signs Of Recovery Following Pandemic Setbacks, Gavi Says

Reuters (6/13, Rigby) reports, “Childhood immunization rates began to recover last year in the world’s poorest countries after being badly hit by COVID-19 disruptions, according to the global vaccine alliance Gavi.” Data show that “last year, 80% of child…

About One In Every Seven American Kids Aged Five To 17 Underwent Some Form Of Mental Health Treatment In 2021, CDC Research Suggests

HealthDay (6/13, Mundell) reports, “About one in every seven American kids aged five to 17 underwent some form of mental health treatment in 2021, the latest year for which statistics are available,” according to CDC research that “pegs the percentage of…

Only One In Four Residential Treatment Centers For Teens May Offer Buprenorphine For Opioid Addiction, Research Suggests

The AP (6/13, Johnson) reports, “Only one in four residential treatment centers for teens offers a recommended medicine for opioid addiction,” investigators concluded. For the study, investigators posed “as an aunt or uncle seeking help for a fictitious 1…

Adolescents, Young Adults With Obesity Who Undergo Sleeve Gastrectomy See Bone Loss In Subsequent Years, Research Finds

MedPage Today (6/13, Monaco) writes, “Adolescents and young adults with obesity who underwent sleeve gastrectomy experienced bone loss in the following years, researchers reported.” Although “no change was observed among those on diet and exercise alone,…

FDA Approves Linaclotide For Pediatric Patients With Functional Constipation

HCPlive (6/12, Walter) reports that the FDA “approved linaclotide (Linzess) capsules for the treatment of pediatric patients aged 6-17 years with functional constipation.” This “treatment, developed by Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, represents the first treatm…

Study Indicates Higher Relapse Rate After COVID-19 Infection In Pediatric Patients With Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases

Rheumatology Advisor (6/12, Rao) reports, “Pediatric patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases were found to have higher relapse rates after COVID-19 infection compared with after vaccination,” researchers concluded in the findings of a 115-patient stud…

Antibiotics Losing Effectiveness Against Sepsis Infections In Hospitalized Newborns, Research Finds

HealthDay (6/12, Murez) writes, “Babies around the world are dying because the antibiotics used to treat sepsis infections in hospitals are losing their effectiveness, a…report warns.” The study was conducted “from 2018 to 2020 in 11 countries: Banglade…

Higher Impulsivity, Shorter Sleep Duration May Be Predictive For Increased Mature-Rated Video Gaming, Movie Watching After One Year In Early Adolescents, Research Suggests

Healio (6/12, Herpen) reports, “Higher impulsivity and shorter sleep duration were predictive for increased mature-rated video gaming and movie watching after one year in early adolescents,” investigators concluded in research that “sought to examine whet…

Administration Urges States To Slow Down On Dropping People From Medicaid After Redeterminations

The AP (6/12, Lieb) reports, “The Biden administration on Monday urged states to slow down their purge of Medicaid rolls, citing concerns that large numbers of lower-income people are losing health care coverage due to administrative reasons.” In several…

Parents Of Kids In Palliative Care Place Highest Value On Quality Of Life, Study Finds

MedPage Today (6/12, Henderson) reports, “Parents of children in palliative care placed the highest value on the child’s quality of life (QoL), but with considerable individual-level variation and substantial change over time, researchers found.” Data fro…

RSV Outbreak In Chile Puts Strain On Pediatric ICU Capacity

Reuters (6/9, Garrido, Vega) reported, “Chile has been hit by its most severe respiratory syncytial virus outbreak in years, killing four infants and putting strain on pediatric intensive care unit capacity.” Information “from Chile’s Health Ministry on F…

FDA Seeking New Suppliers To Ease Shortages Of Cancer Drug Methotrexate

Reuters (6/9, Steenhuysen, Erman) reported the FDA “said on Friday it is seeking new suppliers to ease shortages of methotrexate, one of the most commonly used cancer drugs, building on its push to shore up two other scarce chemotherapy medicines.” An age…

Regimen That Reduces Use Of Both Cranial Radiotherapy And HSCT Appears To Yield Promising Outcomes Among Pediatric And Young Adult Patients With ALL-T11, Research Finds

Hematology Advisor (6/9, Goodman) reported, “A new treatment paradigm that reduces the use of both cranial radiotherapy and hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) appears to yield promising outcomes among pediatric and young adult patients with T-…

Children Of Mothers Who Used Antibiotics During Pregnancy May Have Slightly Higher, Dose-Related Risk Of Developing Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis, Research Suggests

Dermatology Advisor (6/9, Nye) reported, “Children of mothers who used antibiotics during pregnancy, especially during the second and third trimesters, had a slightly higher, dose-related risk of developing pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD),” investigators…

School-Based, Trauma-Informed Group Intervention Appears Beneficial For Alleviating Trauma-Related Mental Health Harms Among Girls In High School, Researchers Say

HealthDay (6/9, Gotkine) reported, “A school-based, trauma-informed group intervention is beneficial for alleviating trauma-related mental health harms among girls in high school,” researchers concluded after conducting “a randomized trial involving 3,749…

Children With Asthma Appear To Have Lower Amounts Of Sphingolipids In Nasal Fluid, Researchers Say

Healio (6/9, Gawel) reported, “Airway sphingolipids were detected in small volumes of nasal fluid taken from children with asthma, according to a presentation at the American Thoracic Society International Conference.” Investigators “collected approximate…

FDA Advisory Panel Recommends Approval Of Sanofi-AstraZeneca Shot For Preventing RSV In Infants

The New York Times (6/8, Jewett) reports, “A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel recommended approval of a monoclonal antibody shot aimed at preventing a potentially lethal pathogen, respiratory syncytial virus, or R.S.V., in infants and vulnerabl…

Millions In US See Another Day Of Smoky Air

The AP (6/8, Peltz) reports, “Officials warned residents to stay inside and limit outdoor activities Thursday as a thick, hazardous haze of wildfire smoke loomed over daily life for millions of people across the U.S. and Canada for a third day and was exp…

Anal Ulceration Appears Common In Setting Of Pediatric-Onset Crohn’s Disease, Study Indicates

Gastroenterology Advisor (6/8, Nye) reports, “Anal ulceration is common in the setting of pediatric-onset Crohn’s disease (CD),” investigators concluded in a study that sourced data from the EPIMAD registry on “patients (N=1,005) diagnosed with CD at 17 y…

Children With Severe Uncontrolled Asthma Commonly Have Eosinophilic Airway Inflammation, Data Indicate

Healio (6/8, Gawel) reports, “Children with severe uncontrolled asthma commonly have eosinophilic airway inflammation, according to data.” The “researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of children with severe uncontrolled asthma who had bronchoscopy…

Nearly 400 Children Die Each Year From Drowning In Pools And Spas, Report Finds

CBS News (6/8, George, Moniuszko) reports, “Nearly 400 children die every year from drowning in pools and spas, according to” a June 7 report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission that “also shows racial disparities, noting Black children make up 21…

Louisiana Legislators Pass Bill That Would Require Parental Consent For Children’s Online Services

The New York Times (6/8, Singer) reports Louisiana legislators have approved a bill that “would prohibit online services – including social networks, multiplayer games and video-sharing apps – from allowing people under 18 to sign up for accounts without…

COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines Are Safe In Children As Young As Six Months, Study Finds

TIME (6/8, Weiss) reports that research has found that “multiple doses of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are safe in children as young as six months.” The findings were published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Women Exposed To Higher Levels Of PFAS During Pregnancy May Be More Likely To Have Children With Higher BMI Z Scores, Researchers Say

Healio (6/7, Monostra) reports, “Women exposed to higher concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances” (PFAS) “during pregnancy have children with higher BMI z scores and greater risks for overweight or obesity at age two to five years,” research…

Greater Relative Humidity In Classrooms Tied To Increased Upper Respiratory Infection Risk Among Elementary School Children With Asthma, Research Indicates

Healio (6/7, Hornick) reports, “In elementary school children with asthma, greater relative humidity in classrooms heightened the risk for upper respiratory infections, according to research.” Researchers “evaluated 236 elementary school children…with m…

If Children, Teenagers Receive Help For An Anxiety Disorder, It’s Usually Medication, Not Counseling, Data Indicate

NBC News (6/7, Edwards) reports, “If children and teenagers receive any help for an anxiety disorder, it’s usually medication, not counseling,” according to findings published online June 7 in the journal Pediatrics. After examining “data representing 46….

Missouri Governor Signs Legislation Banning Transgender Minors, Some Adults From Accessing Gender-Affirming Care

The AP (6/7, Ballentine) reports, “Transgender minors and some adults in Missouri will soon be banned from accessing puberty blockers, hormones and gender-affirming surgeries under a bill signed Wednesday by” Gov. Mike Parson (R). The ban will take effect…

Louisiana Lawmakers Advance Legislation To Prevent Transgender Minors From Having Access To Gender-Transition Care

The New York Times (6/7, Rojas) reports, “Louisiana lawmakers have voted to make the state the latest to prevent transgender minors from having access to gender-transition care, advancing legislation that would ban hormone treatments, puberty blockers and…

Early Implementation Of Kangaroo Mother Care Appears To Greatly Improve Survival For Preterm Infants, Research Indicates

The Washington Post (6/7, Malhi) reports, “Early implementation of a type of skin-to-skin contact called kangaroo mother care appears to significantly improve the odds of survival for preterm or low-birth-weight babies, according to a sweeping scientific…

US Gun Deaths Reached All-Time High In 2021 For Second Year In A Row, Report Finds

NPR (6/6, Neuman) reports, “Gun deaths in the United States reached an all-time high in 2021 for the second year in a row, with firearms violence the single leading cause of death for children and young adults, according to” findings (PDF) from research “…

Sanofi-AstraZeneca RSV Prevention Antibody Appears Safe, Effective In Infants, FDA Reviewers Say

Reuters (6/6, Mahobe, Sunny) reports the FDA’s “staff reviewers said on Tuesday Sanofi and partner AstraZeneca’s experimental therapy to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in infants appeared safe and effective.” The “RSV prevention anti…

Two Additional Infant Deaths Connected To Recalled Infant Lounger

USA Today (6/6, Nadolny) reports, “Two more infants have died since the Boppy Newborn Lounger was recalled in 2021, bringing the total number of known deaths linked to the baby pillow to 10.” On Tuesday, “federal safety regulators at the U.S. Consumer Pro…

Children With Poor Impulse Control May Be At Higher Risk For Health, Social, And Criminal Problems As Adults, Research Suggests

According to HealthDay (6/6, Reinberg), children “with poor impulse control – a common characteristic of” attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder – “may be at higher risk for health, social and criminal problems as adults,” researchers concluded in a stu…

Federal Judge Partially Blocks Florida Ban On Gender-Affirming Care For Minors

The New York Times (6/6, Rojas, Ghorayshi) reports US District Court for the Northern District of Florida Judge Robert Hinkle “issued a scathing assessment on Tuesday of the state’s ban on gender transition care for minors” and “issued a preliminary injun…

Newborns With Greater Hair Cortisol Levels More Likely To Experience Delayed Sleep Onset At Seven Months, Preliminary Research Indicates

Healio (6/6, Herpen) reports, “Newborns with higher levels of hair cortisol, a measure of fetal cortisol in the last trimester of pregnancy, were more likely to have delayed sleep onset at age 7 months, according to preliminary research.” Results show tha…

Sequencing Of Genetic Info At Birth May Have Benefits For Mothers As Well As Children, Study Indicates

USA Today (6/5, Weintraub) says the original BabySeq study “showed that out of 159 seemingly healthy babies whose genetic information was sequenced at birth, 17 were found to have ‘actionable’ mutations – their genes predicted or increased the likelihood…

New Index May Help Identify Preterm Birth Risk, Study Indicates

Healio (6/5, Weldon) reports, “A new index that takes neighborhood and community conditions into consideration could be a useful measure for identifying preterm birth risk, a study” determined. The Maternal Vulnerability Index (MVI) “is a county-level ind…

Small Study Addresses Developmental Changes In Sleep Patterns During Adolescence, Their Associations With Psychiatric And Behavioral Disorders

According to HCPlive (6/5, Grossi), the findings of a 150-patient study presented at SLEEP 2023 “addressed the developmental changes in sleep patterns during adolescence and their associations with psychiatric and behavioral disorders.” After focusing “on…

Among Children On Medicaid, Only 37% Of Pediatric Gunshot Survivors Receive Mental Healthcare Within Six Months Of These Traumatic Incidents, Data Indicate

According to HealthDay (6/5, Murez), despite the fact that “U.S. gun deaths and injuries in children have risen at astronomical rates,” research indicates that “among kids on Medicaid, only about two of every five children who get shot receive mental heal…

Food Safety Advocates Raise Concern Over FDA’s Limit On Inorganic Arsenic In Apple Juice

Bloomberg Law (6/5, Castronuovo, Subscription Publication) reports, “The FDA’s finalized limit on inorganic arsenic in apple juice is too high and marks a missed opportunity to force [the] industry to more diligently work to lower early childhood exposure…

Only 28% Of All Mental Health Facilities In The US Appeared To Offer LGBTQ-Specific Mental Health Services In 2020, Survey Data Suggest

MedPage Today (6/5, Putka) reports, “Of all mental health facilities that serve youth in the U.S., only 28% offered LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer)-specific mental health services in 2020, a small increase from 25% in 2014, accordin…

Play Therapy Improves Children’s MRI Exam Experience, Research Finds

Aunt Minnie (6/4, Madden Yee) reports, “Play therapy improves children’s MRI exam experience and makes it possible for them to remain awake during imaging, according to research.” The research was presented at the International Society of MRI Radiographer…

Infants Hospitalized With RSV With LRTI Have Increased Respiratory Symptoms, Lung Function Abnormalities Up Until At Least Age 2, Research Suggests

Pulmonology Advisor (6/2, Stong) reported, “Infants hospitalized for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) have increased respiratory symptoms and lung function abnormalities up until at least age 2 years, researc…

Telepsychiatry May Be Safe, Effective For Treating Bipolar Disorder In Adolescents And Adults, Researchers Say

Healio (6/2, Herpen) reported, “Telepsychiatry may be a safe and effective tool to treat bipolar disorder in adolescents and adults, but deeper research is needed, according to a poster at the American Society of Psychopharmacology annual meeting.” The “l…

Texas Bans Gender-Affirming Care For Minors

The AP (6/3) reported Texas “has become the most populous state to ban gender-affirming care for minors after Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation on Friday.” The state has “joined at least 18 other states that have enacted similar bans.”

Some States Reportedly Moving Toward Gambling Education In Public Schools

The AP (6/2, Parry) reported that some “states are moving toward gambling education in public schools.” However, “the effort is in its infancy, and the details of what would be taught are still to be determined.” The AP added, “According to the National C…

Survey Of US Mayors Says Demand For Mental Health Services Is Increasing

Bloomberg (6/3, Yee, Subscription Publication) reported, “An ‘unprecedented’ mental health crisis is overwhelming US cities, which lack adequate resources to address growing challenges, according to a new report released…by the US Conference of Mayors.”…

Rate Of Pregnant Women In US With Diabetes Continues To Rise, CDC Report Finds

HealthDay (6/1, Reinberg) says, “The number of American women who have diabetes when they become pregnant has increased dramatically over five years, health officials reported Wednesday.” According to a CDC report (PDF), data show that “between 2016 and 2…

Cost For Hypothetical American Family Of Four Covered By Average Employer-Sponsored PPO Plan Is Now $31,000, Report Says

RevCycle Intelligence (6/1, LaPointe) reports, “Healthcare costs for Americans are climbing higher once again following slower growth and even a rare decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the latest Milliman Medical Index…report.” The arti…

Adding Lactobacillus Reuteri To Treatment Plan Helps Reduce Symptoms In Children With Diarrhea, Study Finds

Gastroenterology Advisor (6/1, Nye) reports, “For children with diarrhea, adding Lactobacillus reuteri (L reuteri) to the treatment plan significantly reduces early symptoms but has no effect on preventing diarrhea, according to study results.” The findin…

Multiple Factors May Lead To Prescription Stimulant Misuse Among Pediatric Patients With AD/HD, Research Indicates

HCPlive (6/1, Walter) reports that research indicates that “there may be multiple factors that lead to prescription stimulant misuse among pediatric patients with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), including psychosocial factors and non-sti…

More States Seek Federal Approval To Extend Postpartum Medicaid Coverage Beyond Two Months

Kaiser Health News (6/1, Volz) reports, “At least eight states this year have decided to seek federal approval to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage, leaving just a handful that have opted not to guarantee at least a year of health care for women during…

Increase In Pediatric Intracranial Infections Coincided With Increase In Respiratory Viruses, CDC Data Show

CNN (6/1, Goodman) reports, “The United States saw a 200% increase in brain abscesses in children in December 2022 following a surge in respiratory infections over the winter.” However, “even with the increase, abscesses continue to be extremely rare, acc…

Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor Safe, Well Tolerated In Pediatric Patients With Cystic Fibrosis, Research Suggests

Pulmonology Advisor (5/31, Stong) says, “Elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor was generally safe and well tolerated among children with cystic fibrosis aged 6 to 11 years old who have at least 1 F508del allele, researchers reported.” The findings were publish…

Oscillometry Successful Measure Of Lung Function In Children With Asthma In ED, Researchers Say

Healio (5/31, Gawel) reports, “Oscillometry was a successful objective measure of lung function among children presenting to the ED with acute asthma, according to data.” Additionally, “worse lung function at presentation may correspond with a need to esc…

Cash Grants Made To Poor Families Or Individuals Led To Fewer Deaths Among Women, Young Children, Analysis Finds

The New York Times (5/31, Mandavilli) reports, “Cash grants made directly to poor families or individuals have led to fewer deaths among women and young children, according to a new analysis of more than 7 million people in 37 countries.” Investigators fo…

Newborns Of Mothers With Alopecia Areata Appear To Experience Significantly Greater Risk For Developing Alopecia And Accompanying Comorbidities, Study Indicates

Healio (5/31, Capaldo) reports, “Newborns of mothers with alopecia areata” (AA) “experienced a significantly greater risk for developing alopecia and accompanying comorbidities,” investigators concluded in a study that “included 67,364 newborns (51.8% boy…

Male Infants Make More Vocalizations During First Year Compared To Female Infants, Research Finds

HealthDay (5/31, Murez) reports, “Girls have long been thought to have a language advantage over boys as infants,” but “research finds that boys make more vocalization sounds than girls do in the early months of life.” Specifically, “the study found that…

US Births Were Flat In 2022, CDC Says

The AP (6/1, Stobbe) reports, “U.S. births were flat last year, as the nation saw fewer babies born than it did before the pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.” The data indicated that “births to moms 35 and older continued t…

Midwives, Birth Centers Can Help Improve Maternal Health Outcomes Among Medicaid Recipients, HHS Says

HealthPayerIntelligence (5/30, Bailey) reports, “Midwives and birth centers have been associated with improved maternal health outcomes at lower costs to Medicaid, but payment policies and other challenges pose barriers to expanding access to these servic…

Solar, Geomagnetic Activity Can Have Positive Impact On Urban Children With Asthma, Research Suggests

Healio (5/30, Gawel) reports, “Solar and geomagnetic activity may improve symptoms and lung function among urban children with asthma, according to data.” Children with “asthma but who do not have any allergic sensitivities may particularly benefit,” rese…

Routine Immunologic Testing May Benefit Children With Severe Bacterial Infections, Research Suggests

Infectious Disease Advisor (5/30, Nye) reports, “Children with severe bacterial infections may benefit from routine immunologic testing following recovery, as early identification of immune abnormalities may inform preventive measures against reinfection….

Family-Oriented Sedation Protocol Helps Kids With ASD Manage Routine Healthcare, Study Finds

MedPage Today (5/30, Henderson) reports, “A family-centered, integrated behavioral and sedation protocol proved successful for common medical procedures among children with autism spectrum disorder or developmental delay.” The study’s “drug regimen was pe…

CMS Urges States To Limit Medicaid Losses During Redetermination Process

Modern Healthcare (5/30, Turner, Subscription Publication) reports, “States must take better care not to expel eligible Medicaid enrollees from the program during the redeterminations process, a senior Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services official s…

Weight-Loss Surgeries Among Adolescents Increased Substantially In Recent Years, Study Indicates

Bloomberg (5/30, Peng, Court, Subscription Publication) reports, “Weight-loss surgeries among adolescents increased substantially in recent years, part of an overall rise in obesity treatments in the US,” investigators concluded in findings published onli…

Compared With Rest, Early Return To Social, Physical Activity After A Concussion In Youth May Improve Concussion Symptoms, Meta-Analysis Suggests

Neurology Advisor (5/26, Nguyen) reported, “Early return to social and physical activity after a concussion in youth can improve concussion symptoms when compared with rest, according to” the findings of a 24-study meta-analysis published online in the jo…

Human Metapneumovirus Cases Spiked During Spring, CDC Data Show

CNN (5/29, Goodman) reports, “Cases of human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, spiked this spring, according to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s respiratory virus surveillance systems.” Infections from this virus “filled hospital intensive care uni…

Limited Headers In Soccer May Be Safe For Teen Players, Study Suggests

HealthDay (5/29, Murez) reports, “Limited ‘heading’ of a soccer ball in youth sports may not cause irreversible harm, as long as players are properly trained, a…study finds.” Researchers “found that having a small number of repeated soccer headers equiv…

Cardiorespiratory Monitoring Data May Provide Prognostic Information On Clinical Outcomes In Extremely Preterm Infants, Research Suggests

MedPage Today (5/26, Short) reported, “Physiologic data from cardiorespiratory monitoring may provide prognostic information about the clinical outcomes of extremely preterm infants, the Prematurity-Related Ventilatory Control (Pre-Vent) study found.” The…

High School-Aged Teens Experiencing Depression Or Suicidal Ideation Appear To Have Increased Perceived Access To Firearms Compared With Their Peers, Research Suggests

Healio (5/26, Weldon) reported, “High school-aged teens experiencing depression or suicidal ideation have increased perceived access to firearms compared with their peers,” which “is especially concerning, the researchers said, because easy firearm access…

Many People Losing Medicaid Coverage Amid Redeterminations For Procedural Reasons

The New York Times (5/26, A1, Weiland) reported, “Hundreds of thousands of low-income Americans have lost Medicaid coverage in recent weeks as part of a sprawling unwinding of a pandemic-era policy that prohibited states from removing people from the prog…

Children’s Outdoor Activity Levels Decrease In High Heat, Research Finds

The Austin (TX) American Statesman (5/27, Villalpando, Subscription Publication) reported research suggests that children spent “less time doing moderate to vigorous physical activity at 95 degrees than at 72 degrees.” Results show that “at 72 degrees, 27…

Researchers Identify 12 Key Symptoms To Better Define Long COVID

The Washington Post (5/25, Morris) reports that a “study has identified 12 key symptoms that best define the debilitating condition known as long covid.” The results, published in JAMA, are based on data involving “9,764 participants in a study called the…

Nirsevimab Safe For Infants With RSV, Significantly Reduces Hospitalization Incidence, Research Finds

Infectious Disease Advisor (5/25, Alvarez) reports, “Nirsevimab can reduce hospitalizations by 83.21% in infants younger than 12 months with respiratory syncytial virus-related lower respiratory tract infection, according to a press release published by S…

Infant Loungers Tied To More Deaths Than US Officials Previously Reported

NBC News (5/25, Chuck) has discovered “that at least five babies have died in incidents linked to infant loungers since late September 2021, based on CPSC records and reports made to the agency.” Along with “those five deaths, NBC News determined that at…

Secondhand Smoke Exposure Associated With Reduced Lung Function In Children With Cystic Fibrosis, Study Suggests

Pulmonology Advisor (5/25, Stong) reports, “Secondhand smoke exposure is associated with a decrease in pulmonary function in children with cystic fibrosis, according to a study.” The findings were published in the Journal of Cystic Fibrosis.

Inability To Control Hunger In Adolescents With Obesity Associated With Body Insecurity, Researchers Say

Healio (5/25, Monostra) reports, “Adolescents with obesity whose inability to control their hunger is a barrier to weight loss have a more negative perception about their body than adolescents who say inability to control hunger is not a barrier, accordin…

Over One-Quarter Of Americans Say High Costs Preventing Access To Patient Care, Report Finds

PatientEngagementHIT (5/24, Heath) writes, “A new report from the Federal Reserve paints a devastating picture of how healthcare costs impact patient care access.” Data show that “in 2022, 28 percent of adults went without some kind of medical care becaus…

Sarepta Therapeutics Says FDA Could Limit Approval Of Gene Therapy For Muscle Wasting Disorder To Smaller Population

Reuters (5/24, Samal, Leo) reports that Sarepta Therapeutics said the FDA “could initially approve its gene therapy for a muscle wasting disorder for a smaller patient group after the agency deferred an accelerated approval decision.” The drugmaker “said…

High Proportion Of Pediatric Patients With IBD Experience Long-Term Treatment Failure With Anti-TNF Therapy, Research Finds

Gastroenterology Advisor (5/24, Nguyen) reports, “A large proportion of pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease initiated on anti-TNF agents experience long-term treatment failure, according to study findings.” The results of the retrospective…

Food Insecurity In Teens Tied To Emotional Eating, Consumption Of Less Nutritious Foods, Study Suggests

CNN (5/24, Holcombe) reports a “study has shown food insecurity may…be associated with emotional eating and consumption of less nutritious foods in teens.” The findings were published in PLOS One.

FTC Launches Probe Into Baby-Formula Makers Over Alleged Collusion On Government Contract Bids

The Washington Post (5/24, Mark) reports, “The Federal Trade Commission is investigating whether Abbott Laboratories and other baby-formula makers,” including Nestlé and Reckitt Benckiser, “engaged in collusion while bidding on government contracts.” Over…

Many Areas In US Lack Free Parks, Playgrounds For Kids To Get Physical Activity, Study Finds

HealthDay (5/24, Norton) reports a study “found that in many areas of the country – particularly the South – families have few safe, free parks and playgrounds for their kids to enjoy.” This is “a problem, experts said, because when kids lack those opport…

Children With Newly Diagnosed Celiac Disease Who Receive Multispecies Probiotic May Have Greater, Faster Increase In Their BMI, Compared With Placebo, Research Suggests

Gastroenterology Advisor (5/23, Nye) reports, “Children with newly diagnosed celiac disease (CeD) who receive a multispecies probiotic have a greater and faster increase in their BMI, compared with placebo,” according to a “prospective, double-blind, rand…

During COVID-19 Pandemic, Vitamin D Deficiency Appears To Have Significantly Increased In Pediatric Patients With MDD, Researchers Say

Medscape (5/23, Anderson, Subscription Publication) reports, “During the pandemic, there was a significant increase in vitamin D deficiency in pediatric patients with major depressive disorder” (MDD), investigators concluded in a 599-patient study suggest…

Children Randomized To Foster Care After Institutionalization In Infancy May Have Significantly Better Cognitive, Physical Outcomes, Less Severe Symptoms Of Psychopathology Than Peers Who Remain In Institutional Care, Small Study Suggests

Medscape (5/23, Anderson, Subscription Publication) reports, “Children randomly assigned to foster care after being institutionalized in infancy have significantly better cognitive and physical outcomes and less severe symptoms of psychopathology than the…

Trends In Prevalence Of Mental Health Diagnoses Among Youths Appear To Have Differed By Age And Sex During The COVID-19 Pandemic, Data Reveal

MedPage Today (5/23, Firth) reports, “Trends in prevalence of mental health diagnoses among youths differed by age and sex during the COVID-19 pandemic, with female adolescents representing ‘the most vulnerable population,’” investigators concluded after…

Bipartisan Senators Reintroduce Bill Aimed At Improving Maternal Care Through Telehealth

mHealth Intelligence (5/23, Melchionna) reports Sens. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) “have reintroduced bipartisan legislation known as the Tech to Save Moms Act, which aims to leverage telehealth and digital health technology to promote mate…

US Surgeon General Issues Public Warning About Risks Of Social Media To Young People

The New York Times (5/23, Pearson, Richtel, Levenson) reports that on Tuesday, US surgeon general Dr. Vivek Murthy “issued an extraordinary public warning…about the risks of social media to young people, urging a push to fully understand the possible ‘h…

Researchers See High CMR Rates With Nivolumab Plus Brentuximab Vedotin In CAYA Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma

Hematology Advisor (5/22, Blevins Primeau) reports that researchers have found that “the combination of nivolumab plus brentuximab vedotin (BV) with risk-adapted intensification of BV plus bendamustine resulted in high complete metabolic response (CMR) ra…

Young People Who Commit Suicide Using A Gun May Be Often Introduced To Guns Through Family Traditions And Use The Family Gun To Commit Suicide, Small Study Indicates

Medscape (5/22, Brooks, Subscription Publication) reports, “Young people who commit suicide using a gun are often introduced to guns through family traditions and use the family gun to commit suicide,” researchers concluded after conducting “11 ‘psycholog…

AAP Establishes National Standards For Levels Of Neonatal Care

HealthDay (5/22, Gotkine) reports, “In a policy statement published online May 22 in Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatrics has established national standards for specific levels of neonatal care.” Experts created the “Standards for Levels of Neon…

COVID-19 During Pregnancy May Predict Worse Birth Outcomes, Research Suggests

Healio (5/22, T. Welsh) writes, “COVID-19 infection during pregnancy predicted worse birth outcomes, including preterm delivery, low birthweight and longer hospital stay, researchers reported.” The findings were presented at the ACOG Annual Clinical & Sci…

Perinatal HPV Transmission Occurs Infrequently And Resolves Within Six Months Of Birth, Study Finds

MedPage Today (5/22, Henderson) reports, “Though vaginal human papillomavirus was often detected in pregnant women, perinatal transmission was infrequent, and no infection at birth persisted half a year later, a prospective cohort study showed.” Data show…

Research Finds Large Gap Between Deaths Of Black And White Babies Over Past Two Decades

Kaiser Health News (5/22, Sausser) reports a study “found that over two decades Black people in the US experienced more than 1.6 million excess deaths and 80 million years of life lost because of increased mortality risk relative to white Americans.” This…

Report Indicates Commercial Payors Often Take Longer Than Medicare To Pay Inpatient Claims

According to Health Exec (5/19, Murphy), a “new Crowe report, ‘Time for a Commercial Break,’” indicated that “it took commercial payors three months or longer to pay 31% of inpatient claims submitted in the first quarter of 2023; this was the case for jus…

Adolescents Of A Sexual Minority Appear To Report Fewer Hours Of Sleep Per Night, Longer Sleep Latency, And More Sleep Disturbances, Research Suggests

Healio (5/21, Hornick) reported, “Adolescents of a sexual minority reported fewer hours of sleep per night, longer sleep latency and more sleep disturbances,” investigators concluded in findings presented at the American Thoracic Society International Con…

Vitamin D Supplementation During Pregnancy, Infancy Tied To Reduced Risk Of Asthma, Wheezing By Age Three, Researchers Say

Healio (5/21, Gawel) reports, “Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and sufficient exposure to vitamin D at age 12 months were associated with less asthma and recurrent wheeze by age 3 years, according to data.” Researchers “said these findings indi…

Violence, Maltreatment Tied To Increased Risk For Asthma, Researchers Say

Healio (5/21, Gawel) reports, “Violence and maltreatment in childhood were linked to greater risk for asthma among patients with positive biomarkers of high Th2 immunity, according to data.” The findings were presented at the American Thoracic Society Int…

Well-Funded Anti-Poverty Programs May Be Beneficial To Brains Of Children, Study Suggests

Medscape (5/19, Swift Yasgur, Subscription Publication) reports, “Growing up in a low-income household is associated with smaller hippocampal volume and more negative mental health symptoms in children, but new research suggests these effects can be offse…

Elevated Proportion Of Children, Adolescents Around The World Experience Disordered Eating, Research Indicates

Medscape (5/19, Barros, Subscription Publication) reports, “A multicenter study indicates that an elevated proportion of children and adolescents around the world, particularly girls or those with high body mass index (BMI), experience disordered eating.”…

Women In US Require More Maternity Leave, Better Access To Pregnancy Care, Survey Indicates

HealthDay (5/18, Thompson) reports, “Pregnancy is a difficult and potentially dangerous time in a woman’s life, and US women say they aren’t getting the support they need…a new…poll has found.” Results show “nearly 2 in 5 women who are pregnant or hav…

Children With Idiopathic Pediatric GH Deficiency May Have Increase In Annualized Height Velocity After Six Months Of Receiving Daily Oral Ibutamoren, Interim Data From Phase 2 Study Indicates

Healio (5/17, Monostra) reports, “Children with idiopathic pediatric growth hormone” (GH) “deficiency had an increase in annualized height velocity after six months of receiving a daily oral GH therapy,” researchers concluded in “interim data from the pha…

Vaping Could Increase Teens’ Likelihood Of Cannabis Use, Binge Drinking, Study Suggests

HealthDay (5/18, Murez) reports, “Teens who use electronic cigarettes are significantly more likely than non-vapers to binge-drink and use cannabis, new research finds.” Surveys of teens between the ages of 13 and 18 indicate “that vapers were 20 times mo…

Study Examines Effect Of Obesity Telephone Intervention On Dietary Behaviors, Activity Recommendations In Children

Endocrinology Advisor (5/18, Maitlall) reports, “An obesity telephone intervention consisting of a series of phone calls and short messages may improve dietary behaviors and encourage children to meet appropriate activity recommendations, according to” fi…

Study Reveals Elevated Rates Of Sleep Disturbance In Children With Autism

HCPlive (5/18, Grossi) reports, “A comprehensive study on sleep problems in” 2,838 “children with autism revealed elevated rates of sleep disturbance within this population.” The findings were published online in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Healt…

FDA Advisory Panel Recommends Maternal RSV Vaccine To Protect Young Infants

The New York Times (5/18, Jewett) reports a FDA advisory panel voted on Thursday in favor of approving a vaccine by Pfizer given to pregnant women to prevent RSV infection in infants. All 14 of the “agency advisers unanimously agreed that the vaccine was…

Depression More Widespread Than Ever In The US, Survey Data Reveal

CNN (5/17, McPhillips) reports, “Depression is more widespread than ever in the United States, according to” new survey data from Gallup that indicated that “about 18% of adults – more than one in six – say they are depressed or receiving treatment for de…

Children Falling Behind Adults In Treatment And Testing For HIV, Study Finds

Healio (5/17, Weldon) reports, “Children are falling far behind adults when it comes to testing and treatment for HIV, according to a new study.” Based on the “study, although children account for just 5% of all people living with HIV, they make up 15% of…

Childhood Asthma Not Linked To Total Consumption Of Fruits And Vegetables, Study Suggests

Pulmonology Advisor (5/17, Stong) reports, “Total consumption of fruits and vegetables is not associated with the risk of asthma in children by age 5 years, according to a study.” The findings of the analysis of data from the Type 1 Diabetes Prediction an…

Roughly One-Quarter Of Teens With Obesity Receiving Semaglutide Return To Normal Weight, Trial Data Show

MedPage Today (5/17, Monaco) reports, “Far more teens with obesity treated with 2.4 mg semaglutide (Wegovy) returned to normal weight or dropped below the obesity threshold compared with placebo-treated patient, a secondary analysis of the phase 3a STEP T…

HHS Allocates $200M In Funding To States, Territories, Tribes For 988 Suicide Lifeline

Bloomberg Law (5/17, Subscription Publication) reports that HHS “has allocated $200 million in funding for states, territories, and tribes to build local capacity for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and related crisis services.” Now, “states and US terr…

Heart Health Organizations Urge Schools, Parents To Educate Children On Emergency Life-Saving Skills

CNN (5/17, Howard) reports, “Leading heart health organizations are urging schools and parents to teach young children life-saving skills such as how to call 911 and how to administer CPR.” To this end, “the American Heart Association, the European Resusc…

FDA Staff Says Safety Data For Pfizer’s RSV Vaccine In Pregnant Women “Generally Favorable”

Reuters (5/16, Mahobe, E Sunny) reports that safety data for Pfizer’s experimental RSV vaccine in pregnant women were “generally favorable,” FDA staff reviewers said. Although “a higher number of pre-term births occurred among participants taking Pfizer’s…

Moving Into Low-Poverty Communities Tied To Improvement In Asthma Symptoms In Children, Study Suggests

MedPage Today (5/16, Short) reports, “Moving into a low-poverty neighborhood was linked with a significant improvement in asthma symptoms and exacerbations among children, a cohort study out of Baltimore showed.” The findings were published in JAMA.

Language Exposure From Parents May Help Shape Brain Development In Toddlers, Research Finds

HealthDay (5/16, Norton) reports, “When parents talk to their toddlers, they are not only teaching them words, but may be shaping their developing brains, too, a…study suggests.” Investigators “found that toddlers whose parents spent a lot of time talki…

Growth Rate During First Six Months Of Life May Be Tied To Risk For Obesity In Early And Late Childhood, Study Indicates

Endocrinology Advisor (5/16, Maitlall) reports, “Growth rate during the first six months of life is linked to risk for obesity in early and late childhood,” researchers concluded after conducting “a secondary analysis using data from two studies that were…

Cannabis Can Affect Fetal Development, Even When Used Early In Pregnancy, Research Finds

HealthDay (5/16, Murez) reports, “As recreational marijuana use rises, some dispensaries are recommending it as a remedy for morning sickness, but…research warns that using it during pregnancy may significantly affect fetal growth.” Although “fetal expo…

Undertriage In Pediatric Emergency Department More Likely For Non-English Speakers, Research Suggests

HealthDay (5/16, Gotkine) reports, “For patients presenting to the pediatric emergency department, those accompanied by caregivers preferring languages other than English are more likely to be undertriaged, according to a study.” The research “found that…

Remote Work May Impact Mental Health Of Some Parents, Research Suggests

USA Today (5/15, Jones) reports, “Though the rise of remote work has been praised for providing greater work/life balance, many parents are finding that being away from the office can also have serious drawbacks.” About “four in 10 parents say that when t…

Opioid Crisis, Poliovirus Spread Remain Top Public Health Threats As COVID-19 PHE Ends

CNN (5/15, McPhillips) reports, “The Covid-19 pandemic hit a major milestone this month as public health emergency declarations were ended by both the United States government and the World Health Organization.” CNN says that while that “doesn’t mean Covi…

Frequent Antibiotic Use, Sugary Diet, Urban Living Tied To Increased Risk Of IBD In Children, Data Suggest

Healio (5/15, Stonehill) reports, “A diet rich in sweetened candy or drinks, exposure to antibiotics during early childhood and urban living were among risk factors for developing pediatric inflammatory bowel disease, according to data.” The findings were…

Vibrating Crib Mattress Helps Ease Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome, Trial Finds

MedPage Today (5/15, Henderson) reports, “A crib mattress designed to vibrate gently for tactile sensory stimulation eased neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, reducing need for pharmacologic treatment, a randomized clinical trial showed.” While “this low…

Federally Funded Program Aims To Reduce Maternity Care Deserts In Rural Areas

Kaiser Health News (5/15, Tribble) reports on efforts by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, “part of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to launch the Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies Program.” This program has “t…

Social Needs Linked To Poor Asthma Control Among Under-Resourced Children, Study Finds

Healio (5/15, Gawel) reports, “Individual and aggregate social needs were associated with poor asthma control among a population of predominantly under-resourced children, according to a study.” The findings were published in The Journal of Allergy and Cl…

CDC Extensively Updates Indoor Ventilation Guidance

CNN (5/12, Goodman) reported the CDC “has extensively updated its ventilation guidance on helping prevent indoor transmission of the virus that causes Covid-19.” The agency “had advised people to ventilate indoor air before, but this if the first time a f…

FDA Advisers Recommend Epinephrine Nasal Spray

The Hill (5/12, Gans) reported, “A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel has approved an epinephrine nasal spray, clearing a hurdle for the product designed to help those with severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reactions.” The agency’s Pu…

WHO Says New Weight Loss Drugs Are No “Silver Bullet” Amid Its Review Of Obesity Management Guidelines

Reuters (5/12, Rigby) reported, “New highly-effective weight loss drugs such as Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy are not a ‘silver bullet’ for addressing the rapid rise in global obesity rates, the World Health Organization’s nutrition chief told Reuters, as the age…

Probiotic Use In NICUs Tied To Lower Risk Of Some Issues In Newborns With Very Low Birth Weight, Research Finds

MedPage Today (5/12, DeBenedette) reported, “Routine use of probiotics among newborns with very low birth weight in U.S. neonatal intensive care units was associated with a lower risk of necrotizing enterocolitis, but not sepsis or mortality, according to…

Bacterial Infections Less Common Among Infants Testing Positive For SARS-CoV-2, Research Finds

Healio (5/12, Weldon) reported, “A study of more than 14,000 febrile infants found that UTIs, bacteremia and bacterial meningitis were less common among those who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 than those who did not, according to findings.” The results w…

Among US Youth Ages 13 And 14 Years, Suicide Rates More Than Doubled From 2008 To 2018, Death Certificate Data Indicate

HealthDay (5/12, Solomon) reported, “Among U.S. youth ages 13 and 14 years, suicide rates more than doubled from 2008 to 2018,” researchers concluded in a study that “used death certificate data collected by the” CDC “to explore trends in suicide by sex,…

WHO Declares End Of Mpox Global Health Emergency

The AP (5/11, Cheng) reports, “The World Health Organization said Thursday that the global outbreak of mpox, which initially baffled experts when the smallpox-related disease spread to more than 100 countries last year, is no longer an international emerg…

Experimental Skin Patch To Treat Toddlers Highly Allergic To Peanuts Shows Promise, Research Suggests

The AP (5/10, Neergaard) reported, “An experimental skin patch is showing promise to treat toddlers who are highly allergic to peanuts – training their bodies to handle an accidental bite.” The patch, which is named Viaskin, “aims to deliver that kind of…

Increased Physical Activity May Help Stave Off Progression To T1D In Children With Multiple Autoantibodies, Study Indicates

HCPlive (5/11, Campbell) reports, “Although more recognized for its association with decreased risk of type 2 diabetes, new research suggests increased physical activity could help stave off progression to type 1 diabetes” (T1D) “in children with multiple…

Exposure To Secondhand Smoke Associated With Myopia In Children, Research Suggests

MedPage Today (5/11, Short) reports, “Secondhand smoke exposure was associated with myopia in kids, according to a cross-sectional study from Hong Kong.” After “after adjusting for several factors including age, sex, and parental myopia, exposure to secon…

Adolescent ED Visits Related To Mental Health Decreased Between 2021 And 2022, Data Indicate

Reuters (5/11, Roy) reports, “U.S. adolescents made fewer weekly emergency department (ED) visits for mental health conditions in Fall 2022 compared to a year earlier, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on” May 11…

COVID-19 Tests No Longer Free For Most People In US After PHE Ends

NBC News (5/10, Bendix) reports that after the COVID-19 public health emergency ends this week, “people with employer-based private health insurance could start paying for at-home Covid tests as well as rapid or lab tests at a doctor’s office or clinic.”…

Children Born By Caesarean Section May Have Increased Risk For Developing Atopic Dermatitis Before Age Five Years Compared With Children Born By Vaginal Delivery, Researchers Say

Healio (5/10, Gawel) reports, “Children born by caesarean section had an increased risk for developing atopic dermatitis before age five years compared with children born by vaginal delivery,” investigators concluded in a “register-based cohort study invo…

Young Adolescents With Genetic Skin Conditions May Encounter Worse Transition Readiness Compared With Their Healthy Counterparts And Others With Chronic Conditions, Study Indicates

Healio (5/10, Capaldo) reports, “Young adolescents with genetic skin conditions encountered worse transition readiness compared with their healthy counterparts and others with chronic conditions,” investigators concluded in a study that “measured the leve…

Salmonellosis Causes Substantial Infant Mortality In US, Researchers Say

HealthDay (5/10, Gotkine) reports, “Salmonellosis causes substantial infant morbidity and mortality, according to a study.” Researchers “analyzed national surveillance data and active, sentinel surveillance data during 1996 to 2015 for culture-confirmed S…

Missouri Lawmakers Pass Legislation To Ban Gender Transition Care For Minors

The New York Times (5/10, Smith) reports, “In the waning days of their legislative session, Missouri lawmakers passed a bill on Wednesday that would ban transition care for transgender youth.” This “legislation, which had stalled for weeks in the Republic…

Adolescents Who Casually Use Cannabis May Have Two To Four Times Greater Odds Of Negative Psychosocial Events, Research Suggests

Healio (5/10, Rhoades) reports, “Adolescents who casually used cannabis had two to four times greater odds of negative psychosocial events, including depression and suicidal thoughts, than those who did not use cannabis,” researchers concluded after condu…

CDC, Hospitals To No Longer Report Data As COVID-19 PHE Ends

The Washington Post (5/9, Sun) reports, “When the covid public health emergency ends May 11, laboratories across the United States will no longer be required to report coronavirus test results to the” CDC. Also, “hospitals and state health departments, to…

US Government To Invest In New COVID-19 Vaccines After PHE Ends, Jha Says

Bloomberg Law (5/9, Rozen, Subscription Publication) reports, “The US government will invest in developing Covid-19 vaccines and treatments to tackle new variants of the virus after its pandemic emergency powers end, the White House’s coronavirus coordina…

Researchers Examine Longitudinal Dynamics, Characteristics Of Toxigenic Clostridioides Difficile In Infants

The American Journal of Managed Care (5/9, Melillo) reports, “Results of a large longitudinal cohort study revealed a high prevalence of toxigenic Clostridioides difficile carrier state in children.” Data show that “colonization was also not linked with s…

Rates Of Suicidal Behavior Ideation Has Increased Among High School Girls, Data Suggest

Healio (5/9, VanDewater) reports, “Rates of suicidal behavior and ideation increased among high school girls,” investigators from the CDC concluded after analyzing “data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey…collected in 2019 and 2021.” The study revealed…

DEA Extends Telemedicine Option Allowing Physicians To Prescribe Certain Controlled Medications

The Washington Post (5/9, Beard) reports that the DEA “will allow doctors to keep using telemedicine to prescribe certain medications for anxiety, pain and opioid addiction, extending for six months emergency flexibilities established during the coronavir…

Health Officials May Ask States To Report Cases Of Infants With Serious Infections Caused By Cronobacter Sakazakii

CNN (5/9, Goodman, McPhillips) reports, “US health officials may soon ask states to notify them of any cases of infants with serious infections caused by Cronobacter sakazakii, bacteria that can contaminate infant formula.” Such “infections are thought to…

Oil, Gas Production-Related Air Pollution Contributed To Thousands Of Asthma Cases In US In 2016, Research Finds

Healio (5/8, Gawel) reports, “Air pollution from oil and gas production contributed to 7,500 excess deaths, 410,000 asthma attacks and 2,200 new cases of childhood asthma across the nation in 2016, according to a study.” Results suggest oil and gas produc…

Fast-Acting Insulin Aspart Delivered Through Hybrid Closed-Loop Insulin Delivery System Appears To Provide Similar Glycemic Outcomes As Standard Insulin Aspart For Young Children With T1D, Research Suggests

Healio (5/8, Monostra) reports, “Fast-acting insulin aspart delivered through a hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery system provided similar glycemic outcomes as standard insulin aspart for young children with type 1 diabetes” (T1D), according to findings…

E-Cigarette Use Among Adolescents May Have Low Impact On Subsequent Cigarette Smoking, Study Suggests

Pulmonology Advisor (5/8, Goldberg) reports, “Vaping behavior has little effect on whether adolescents in the US who have never smoked cigarettes will begin smoking cigarettes, or whether adolescents who do begin smoking cigarettes continue to smoke, acco…

Child Deaths From Fentanyl In US Increased 30-Fold Between 2013 And 2021, Study Finds

HealthDay (5/8, Reinberg) reports, “The synthetic opioid fentanyl is killing increasing numbers of U.S. kids, emulating the chilling trends seen among adults, a…study finds.” Data show “pediatric deaths from fentanyl increased more than 30-fold between…

Infants Born To Mothers With Opioid Use Disorder Have Higher Risk Of Postneonatal Infant Mortality, Study Finds

MedPage Today (5/8, Henderson) reports, “Infants born to individuals with opioid use disorder or with a neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome diagnosis had a higher risk of postneonatal infant mortality compared with infants who didn’t have these exposures,…

CDC Data Show Roughly 5% Rise In TB Cases In 2022, Especially Among Young Children

The Washington Post (5/8, Searing) says, “In 2022, 8,300 cases of tuberculosis were identified in the United States, marking a 5 percent increase from the year before, according to a report from the” CDC. This “rebound in TB cases included a 26 percent in…

FDA Recalls More Than 500K COVID-19 Tests From SD Biosensor

The Hill (5/5, Gans) reported the FDA “recalled more than 500,000 COVID-19 tests over concerns of them being contaminated with bacteria.” In a statement on Thursday, the agency said people should throw out recalled tests from SD Biosensor, Inc., which mak…

WHO Declares End To COVID-19 Global Health Emergency

The New York Times (5/5, Nolen) reported that on Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced “that it was ending the emergency it declared for Covid-19 more than three years ago,” although “WHO officials warned that the decision to lift the emer…

Sons Of Mothers With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome May Have Increased Risk Of Obesity, Research Suggests

The Washington Post (5/7, Blakemore) reports, “Research suggests that the sons of women with polycystic ovary syndrome are up to twice as likely to develop obesity as their peers.” Results show that “about 2 in 100 Swedish boys who were born to mothers wi…

Consumer Product Safety Commission Announces Voluntary Recall Of Children’s Bunk Beds Due To Fall Risk

ABC News (5/5, Kindelan) reported, “The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall Thursday of twin bunk beds made by Walker Edison Furniture.” These beds’ supporting wooden slats can “break while in use, posing fall and impact hazards,” accord…

Treating Gestational Diabetes Early In Second Trimester Tied To Better Neonatal Outcomes, Research Finds

MedPage Today (5/6, Phend) reported, “Treating gestational diabetes early in pregnancy without waiting for confirmation of a repeat oral glucose-tolerance test improved neonatal outcomes, the TOBOGM randomized trial showed.” The findings were published in…

States Looking To Later School Start Times As Way To Address Mental Health Crisis Affecting US Teenagers

The AP (5/7, Schultz) reports, “The idea of later school start times, pushed by many over the years as a way to help adolescents get more sleep, is getting a new look as a way to address the mental health crisis affecting” US teenagers. Currently, “at lea…

Telehealth Use Declined 6.8% Nationally In February, Data Show

mHealth Intelligence (5/4, Melchionna) reports, “Following a consecutive three-month growth period, telehealth use experienced a decline in February across all US regions and nationally, along with a slight drop in its share of medical claim lines, accord…

COVID-19 Deaths Declined 47% Between 2021 And 2022, CDC Data Indicate

The Washington Post (5/4, Achenbach) reports, “The waning of the pandemic led to fewer deaths in America in 2022 than in 2021, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” However, “heart disease and cancer deaths ro…

Phase 3 ECZTRA 6 Trial Reveals Efficacy, Safety Of Tralokinumab In Adolescents With Moderate To Severe Atopic Dermatitis

Healio (5/4, Volansky) reports, “Tralokinumab at doses of 150 mg or 300 mg was associated with improvements over placebo in a number of efficacy outcomes at 16 weeks and 52 weeks in adolescents with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis,” researchers concl…

Physicians Successfully Perform Novel Fetal Surgery For Rare Brain Condition

CNN (5/4, Kounang, Sealy) reports, “A team of doctors in Boston successfully performed a novel fetal surgery to treat a rare brain condition known as vein of Galen malformation.” Even though in utero surgery “has been used for other conditions, this ultra…

Maternal RA Associated With Increased Risk Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Children, Study Suggests

HCPlive (5/4, Pine) reports, “In a cohort of Swedish mothers, a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis before delivery was linked to an increased risk of offspring” developing “Autism Spectrum Disorder, according to a study.” Results suggest “the association betw…

Mother’s Mental Health May Play Role In Risk Of T1D Among Offspring, Data Indicate

HCPlive (5/4, Campbell) reports, “New data from an analysis of more than 1.8 million children suggest a mother’s mental health could play a role in risk of type 1 diabetes (T1D) among offspring,” according to findings published online in the journal BMJ O…

Leapfrog Group’s Safety Grades Report Shows Hospital Safety Worsened During Pandemic Peaks

Modern Healthcare (5/3, Devereaux, Subscription Publication) reports, “Rates of infection and hospital performance on safety measures continued to worsen during peak periods of the pandemic in late 2021 and 2022, according to data released Wednesday by th…

Half Of Parents In US Believe Social Media Is Harming Their Kids, Survey Indicates

HealthDay (5/3, Murez) reports, “Half of U.S. parents think social media is bad for their kids’ mental health, a…survey reveals.” These findings highlight “growing concerns about how these platforms affect children’s and adolescents’ well-being, accordi…

DEA Looks To Temporarily Extend Virtual Prescribing For Controlled Substances

The Washington Post (5/3, Beard) reports, “The Drug Enforcement Administration is seeking to temporarily extend telehealth flexibilities, which would otherwise expire along with the coronavirus public health emergency on May 11, according to a request fil…

Sleep Problems In Children Tied To Psychopathological Symptoms Such As Emotional And Behavioral Issues During Childhood And Into Adolescence, Researchers Posit

Healio (5/3, VanDewater) reports, “Sleep problems in children were associated with psychopathological symptoms such as emotional and behavioral issues during childhood and into adolescence,” investigators concluded after analyzing “data collected from par…

Girls With Autism More Likely To Experience Anxiety Than Boys With Autism, Small Scan Study Indicates

HealthDay (5/3, Mann) reports, “Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls are, but girls may be more likely to experience anxiety alongside the disorder than boys,” researchers concluded in a study in which 112 children “with…

Strained Finances, Material Hardships Among Psychosocial Stressors Facing African American Parents Of Children With Cancer, Study Finds

Healio (5/2, Southall) reports, “Strained finances and material hardships are among significant psychosocial stressors facing African American parents of children with cancer, according to study results.” The findings were presented at Oncology Nursing So…

Low Household Income May Be Predictor For Prolonged Hospital Stay In Children With SLE, Researchers Conclude

Rheumatology Advisor (5/2, Pond) reports, “Low household income was found to be a predictor for prolonged hospital stay in children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),” investigators concluded in a study that included data from 3,136 hospitalizations…

Early Childhood Pneumonia/LRTI May Lead To Future Restrictive Spirometry Pattern Later In Life, Study Suggests

Pulmonology Advisor (5/2, Stong) reports, “Individuals who had pneumonia or a lower respiratory tract infection during early childhood may exhibit reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity later in childhood or during adulthoo…

Lack Of Social Connection In The US Having Profound Effects On Mental And Physical Health, Surgeon General Says

The New York Times (5/2, Caron) reports, “Americans have become increasingly lonely and isolated, and this lack of social connection is having profound effects on our mental and physical health,” US Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy “warned in an advisory”…

HHS-OIG Releases Toolkit To Help Healthcare Stakeholders Assess Telehealth Billing Risks

mHealth Intelligence (5/2, Vaidya) reports, “A newly released federal toolkit aims to help healthcare stakeholders analyze their telehealth claims data to assess program integrity risks.” The toolkit, “released last week by the US Department of Health and…

Children Living In Poverty In States With More Generous Welfare Programs Found To Have Improved Brain Development, Mental Health, Researchers Say

The Hill (5/2, de Visé) reports, “Children in poverty tend to have healthier brains and fewer mental health problems if they live in states with more generous welfare programs, according to a…study supported by the National Institutes of Health.” These…

Teens Engaged In Toxic Dating Relationships At Higher Risk For Lasting Health Problems, Study Suggests

NBC News (5/1, Edwards) reports, “Teenagers engaged in toxic, controlling dating relationships may be at risk for a variety of problems as they enter adulthood, including drug use, as well as mental and physical health struggles…research [suggests].” Th…

Better Cardiorespiratory Endurance Tied To Lower Risk Of IBD Among Children And Adolescents, Researchers Say

MedPage Today (5/1, Henderson) reports, “Better cardiorespiratory endurance was associated with a lower risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) among children and adolescents,” researchers concluded in “a nationwide cohort study from Taiwan.” The study r…

Heat And Cold Exposure In Newborn Girls May Be Tied To Changes In Lung Function, Research Finds

Pulmonology Advisor (5/1, Goldberg) reports, “In female newborns, prenatal/postnatal exposure to heat and cold may be associated with lung function changes, including decreased functional residual capacity, increased respiratory rate, and lower tidal volu…

Babies Born To Asian, Black Mothers More Likely To Experience Hypothermia, Study Indicates

Healio (5/1, Weldon) reports, “Babies born to Asian and Black mothers are more likely to experience hypothermia, according to a study.” The findings were presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting.

Mental Health-Related Visits To EDs By Young People Soared From 2011 To 2020, Research Suggests

The New York Times (5/1, Richtel) reports, “Mental health-related visits to emergency” departments (EDs) “by children, teenagers and young adults soared from 2011 to 2020, according to a” research published in JAMA. The study also revealed that “the sharp…

Researchers Identify Four Distinct Profiles Of Psychiatric Comorbidities Predicting Risk For Self-Harm Events Among Children

HealthDay (5/1, Gotkine) reports, “Four distinct profiles of psychiatric comorbidities can identify risk for a self-harm event among children, according to a study.” The findings were published in Pediatrics.

Almost 1 In 3 LGBTQ Youth Say Anti-LGBTQ Laws Have Had Negative Impact On Their Mental Health Over The Past Year, Report Finds

The Hill (5/1, Migdon) reports, “Close to a third of LGBTQ youth say laws and policies that target LGBTQ people have had a substantial and negative impact on their mental health over the past year, according to an annual report published…by The Trevor P…

FDA Authorizes Extra Doses Of Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccine For Immunocompromised Young Children

MedPage Today (4/28, Ingram) reported, “The FDA has authorized additional doses of Pfizer/BioNTech’s bivalent COVID-19 vaccine for young immunocompromised children.” Now, “in kids ages 6 months to 4 years with certain types of immunocompromising condition…

FDA Approves Pfizer’s Next-Generation Pneumococcal Vaccine In Children

Reuters (4/28, Roy) reported that the FDA has approved Pfizer’s “next-generation vaccine to prevent pneumococcal disease in children aged six weeks to 17 years.” Pfizer’s “vaccine, Prevnar 20, offers more protection against the disease versus the company’…

Clinician Reminders In EHRs Improve Pediatric Asthma Care, Researchers Say

Healio (4/28, Gawel) reported, “Reminders included in electronic health records improved the use of preventive medication and reduced health care utilization for asthma, according to a study.” Such “reminders also eased caregiver concerns about these medi…

Experts Concerned About Unexplained Increase In Life-Threatening Brain Infections Among Children

NBC News (4/28, Bendix) reported, “After seeing an unusually high number of children with life-threatening brain infections last year,” physicians “are calling attention to the puzzling trend.” During “a presentation Thursday, researchers at the Southern…

Researchers Suggest Reframing HPV Shot As Cancer Vaccine To Improve Uptake Among Nine-Year-Olds

Healio (4/29, Weldon) reported, “Experts at the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting suggested reframing conversations about HPV to encourage parents to get children vaccinated starting at age 9 years.” Researchers “said uptake in HPV vaccination in their…

Eating Disorders Remain At All-Time High Among Teens, Experts Warn

NBC News (4/29, Hopkins) reported, “Hospitalizations for eating disorders spiked during the pandemic, doubling among adolescent girls, according to” data published online Feb. 25, 2022, in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. And even though “…

Many Children With AD/HD May Not Be Getting Needed Treatment, Study Indicates

According to MedPage Today (4/28, Monaco), many children experiencing symptoms associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) “may not be getting the treatment they need,” investigators concluded. The study revealed that “of 1,206 childr…

FDA Approves Expanded Use Of Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ Therapy For Young Children With Cystic Fibrosis

Healio (4/27, Dowd) reports, “The FDA has expanded use of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (Trikafta) for children aged 2 to 5 years with cystic fibrosis with certain mutations, according to a press release from Vertex Pharmaceuticals.” The agency’s “appr…

Nearly 20% Of High School Students Have Witnessed Community Violence, Report Says

According to CNN (4/27, Howard), a report from the CDC indicates that approximately “1 in 5 high school students in the United States has seen violence first-hand among people who are not related, including homicides involving guns.” CNN adds, “In 2021, t…

Dysfunctional Breathing Frequent Comorbidity Among Children With Asthma, Research Finds

Healio (4/27, Gawel) reports, “Dysfunctional breathing was a frequent comorbidity among children and adolescents with asthma, with correlations with perceived poorer asthma control, according to a study.” The findings were published in Pediatric Allergy a…

Repeated Low-Level Red Light Therapy May Help Prevent Myopia In Children, But Safety Concerns Remain, Research Suggests

MedPage Today (4/27, Short) reports, “Repeated low-level red light may be a successful preventive treatment to stave off nearsightedness in children, but questions about safety and potential implementation remain.” Data from “a randomized trial of schoolc…

Rising Percentage Of US Teen Girls Seriously Consider Attempting Suicide, CDC Data Show

ABC News (4/27, Kekatos, Benadjaoud) reports, “The percentage of high school female students who seriously considered attempting suicide rose from 24.1% to about one-third, or 30%, between 2019 and 2021, according to the latest results of the Youth Risk B…

Medicaid Could Lose Between 8M To More Than 24M Enrollees After Redeterminations, Report Says

HealthPayerIntelligence (4/27, Waddill) reports, “Depending on the Medicaid disenrollment rate after the public health emergency, the public payer program could lose anywhere from 8 million to over 24 million Medicaid enrollees, a Kaiser Family Foundation…

US Achieved Perinatal HIV Elimination Goals In 2019, Researchers Say

Healio (4/27, Weldon) reports, “The United States met perinatal HIV elimination goals for the first time in 2019, according to a study led by CDC researchers.” Roughly 11 years ago, “the CDC published ‘A Framework for Elimination of Perinatal Transmission…

Addition Of Blinatumomab To Interfant-06 Chemotherapy Appeared Safe For Infants With Newly Diagnosed KMT2A-Rearranged ALL, Study Finds

Healio (4/26, Shinkle) reports, “The addition of blinatumomab to Interfant-06 chemotherapy appeared safe for infants with newly diagnosed KMT2A-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia, according to” study data. Additionally, “the combination of the immuno…

Study Finds Early Bronchiolitis Is Linked To Pediatric Asthma Risk

Pulmonology Advisor (4/26, Stong) reports that researchers in Spain “conducted a population-based, retrospective cohort study, using the Valencia Health System Integrated Database, to assess the association between RW/asthma and previous bronchiolitis in…

Study Finds Melatonin May Reduce Risk For Self-Harm In Youth, But Experts Recommend Conducting Sleep Assessments Prior To Initiation

Healio (4/26, Rhoades) reports, “A…study found that melatonin may reduce the risk for self-harm in youth, but experts recommend conducting comprehensive sleep assessments before initiation.” Investigators “conducted a population-based cohort study of 25…

Suicidality, Self-Harm Ideation Among LGBTQ+ Youth Increase With External And Internal Identity-Related Stressors, Study Finds

Healio (4/26, VanDewater) reports, “On days when youth in the LGBTQ+ community reported more external and internal identity-related stressors, they also reported more intense thoughts of suicide and non-suicidal self-injury, data showed.” The study includ…

Millions Of Children Could Lose Medicaid Coverage As COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Ends

The Stateline (4/26, Vestal) reports that this year, “all 50 states are undertaking the biggest reshuffling of health insurance coverage since the Affordable Care Act took effect in 2010.” With the COVID-19 public health emergency ending, experts “warn th…

Bipartisan Bill Would Ban Children Under 13 From Social Media Use

NBC News (4/26, Brown-Kaiser) reports that on Wednesday, a bipartisan group of senators introduced the Protecting Kids on Social Media Act, which “aims to protect children from any harmful effects posed by using social media.” The new legislation “would s…

Wastewater Surveillance Provides Useful Data On Circulation Of RSV, Influenza, Other Respiratory Viruses, Research Suggests

Pulmonology Advisor (4/25, Stong) reports that research suggests “wastewater surveillance performed during the COVID-19 pandemic yielded useful information on respiratory viruses circulating in the community, including RSV, influenza, rhinovirus, and seas…

Healthcare Organizations Appear More Reactive Than Proactive In Terms Of Cybersecurity, Survey Indicates

HealthIT Security (4/25, McKeon) reports, “KLAS, the American Hospital Association and healthcare risk management solutions company Censinet released the much-anticipated first wave of results of its Healthcare Cybersecurity Benchmarking Study,” which is…

Many Melatonin Gummies Contained Different Amounts Of The Hormone Than What Was Listed On Label, Study Finds

The Washington Post (4/25, Amenabar) reports that research shows that “the chewy melatonin gummies that many people take before bedtime to promote sleep may contain far more of the hormone than what’s printed on the label.” The New York Times (4/25, Blum)…

American Samoa Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Measles Outbreak

ABC News (4/25, Kekatos) reports, “American Samoa has issued a public health emergency after an outbreak of measles has spread across the U.S. territory.” As of this week, “there has been one laboratory-confirmed case among an 8-year-old and 31 suspected…

Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation Can Help Children With IBS Better Manage Symptoms, Study Suggests

HCPlive (4/25, Walter) reports research suggests that “electrical nerve field stimulation can help pediatric patients with irritable bowel syndrome better manage symptoms such as pain, disability, and catastrophizing and restore the gut microbiota.” The f…

Children With ENT Problems More Likely To Be Diagnosed With Autism, Study Suggests

HealthDay (4/25, Murez) reports, “A…study from the United Kingdom…[suggests] that young children with ear, nose and throat problems were more commonly diagnosed with autism later.” The findings were published in BMJ Open.

Experts Concerned End Of COVID-19 Data Sharing, PHE May Make Control Efforts More Difficult

KFF Health News (4/24, Whitehead) reports that the formal end of the federal government’s COVID-19 public health emergency means “the federal government will lose access to key metrics as a skeptical Congress seems unlikely to grant agencies additional po…

FDA Approves MiniMed 780G System For T1D

MedPage Today (4/24, Monaco) reports, “The FDA approved Medtronic’s latest MiniMed insulin pump system, the company announced” in an April 21 press release. The MiniMed 780G system, which is “indicated for individuals with type 1 diabetes” (T1D) “ages sev…

Compared With Adults, Upadacitinib Exhibited Similar Efficacy, Safety Results In Adolescents Aged 12 To 17 Years In Treatment Of Moderate To Severe Atopic Dermatitis, Research Suggests

Healio (4/24, Capaldo) reports, “Compared with adults, upadacitinib exhibited similar efficacy and safety results in adolescents aged 12 to 17 years in the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis,” investigators concluded in a study that used “d…

WHO, Gates Foundation Partner To Reverse Falling Childhood Vaccination Rates

Reuters (4/24, Roy) reports, “The World Health Organization is working with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other not-for profit organizations and agencies to reverse a pandemic-driven decline in routine childhood vaccinations.” The new “initiativ…

Walnuts Associated With Improved Attention, Better Cognitive Development In Teens, Study Suggests

Medscape (4/24, Swift Yasgur, Subscription Publication) reports, “Walnuts have been associated with better cognitive development and psychological maturation in teens, new research shows.” The findings were published in eClinicalMedicine.

Adverse Birth Outcomes May Be Tied To A Child’s Increased Risk Of Afib Developing Later In Life Or In Adulthood, Data Indicate

MedPage Today (4/24, Henderson) reports, “Adverse birth outcomes were linked to a child’s increased risk of atrial fibrillation (Afib) developing later in life or in adulthood,” researchers concluded in findings published online in JAMA Pediatrics. The st…

Physicians Concerned Pinkeye May Be Associated With New COVID-19 Subvariant

The Washington Post (4/21, Bever) reported physicians are concerned that pinkeye “may also be associated with a new coronavirus subvariant.” While “health experts say they have not conclusively linked the condition…to the subvariant Arcturus…anecdotal…

Biosimilar Ranibizumab Appears Safe, Effective In Treatment Of Infants With ROP, Study Indicates

HCPlive (4/22, Iapoce) reported, “A biosimilar ranibizumab (Razumab) appeared safe and effective in the treatment of infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), with similar results to the innovator ranibizumab,” researchers concluded in a “retrospecti…

Sedentary Adolescents May Have Greater Increases In Left Ventricular Mass Than Those Who Are Physically Active, Study Concludes

Healio (4/21, Swain) reported, “Adolescents who were sedentary had greater increases in left ventricular mass than those who were physically active,” investigators concluded in findings published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports…

Researchers Observe Increased Rates Of Resistant Streptococcus Pneumoniae Infection Among Children In US

Infectious Disease Advisor (4/21, Barowski) reported, “Despite vaccine-attributable disease reductions, high rates of antimicrobial-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates were found among children with invasive and noninvasive pneumococcal disease wi…

Administration Preparing To Unveil EPA Proposal To Eliminate Power Plant Emissions By 2040

The Washington Post (4/22, A1, Puko) reported the Administration is preparing to unveil a proposal that would “require power plants to nearly eliminate their greenhouse-gas emissions by 2040.” If implemented, the Environmental Protection Agency would “set…

Children Increasingly Ingested Illicit Substances After Start Of Pandemic, Study Suggests

CNN (4/21, Holcombe) reported, “The outbreak of Covid-19 presented many dangers for children, and a new study suggests increased illicit substance ingestions were among them.” CNN said, “In the first month of the pandemic in 2020, a 25% increase in overal…

Nearly 13 Million Children In Africa Missed Vaccinations During Pandemic, UNICEF Says

The AP (4/20, Stobbe) writes, “Nearly 13 million children missed one or more vaccinations in Africa between 2019 and 2021 because of the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving the continent vulnerable to even more outbreaks of disease and fac…

One-Third Of US Households Used Government’s Free COVID-19 Test Website, CDC Says

ABC News (4/20, Kekatos) reports, “About one-third of American households used tests from the free at-home COVID-19 test site launched by the Biden administration, new federal data shows.” The CDC’s report “said more than 70 million test kits were shipped…

Adalimumab, Methotrexate Combination Reduces Treatment Failure In Children With Crohn’s Disease, Research Suggests

Healio (4/20, Burba) reports, “Combination therapy with adalimumab plus low-dose methotrexate induced a two-fold reduction of treatment failure among pediatric patients with Crohn’s disease, according to research.” The findings were published in Gastroent…

Processed Food In Childhood Associated With Lower Lung Function In Adolescence, Study Suggests

Pulmonology Advisor (4/20, Goldberg) reports, “A diet high in processed food at age 7 is associated with lower lung function at age 15, whereas a health-conscious diet is associated with higher lung function, according to study findings.” The results were…

Rate Of Suspected Suicides, Suicide Attempts By Poisoning Among Young People Rose Sharply During Pandemic, Research Suggests

CNN (4/20, Christensen) reports, “The rate of suspected suicides and suicide attempts by poisoning among young people rose sharply during the Covid-19 pandemic,” with the rate increasing 73% “from 2019 to 2021” in “children 10 to 12 years old,” according…

RSV Infection In Infancy Associated With Later Asthma Development, Study Suggests

MedPage Today (4/20, Short) reports, “Children who do not contract respiratory syncytial virus in their first year of life may be less likely to develop asthma later on, the prospective U.S.-based INSPIRE study showed.” The findings were published in The…

Nearly 120 Million People In US Lived In A Place With Unhealthy Levels Of Air Pollution, Report Says

NBC News (4/19, Bendix) reports, “Fewer people in the U.S. are breathing unhealthy air now than a few years ago, but California and other Western states are seeing more dramatic short-term spikes in air pollution, according to a report” from the American…

Confidence In Childhood Vaccines Declined Internationally During COVID-19 Pandemic, Report Says

The Hill (4/19, Gans) reports, “Confidence in childhood vaccines dropped internationally during the COVID-19 pandemic, falling by as much as 44 percentage points in some countries, according to a report from UNICEF.” This “report…found that confidence d…

Sleeve Gastrectomy Reduces Strength, Bone Mineral Density Of Lumbar Spine In Teens, Study Finds

HealthDay (4/19, Gotkine) reports, “For adolescents, sleeve gastrectomy reduces strength and volumetric bone mineral density of the lumbar spine, according to a study.” The findings were published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. MedPage Today…

More Children Getting Bariatric Surgery To Lose Weight Amid Rising Rates Of Obesity

The Wall Street Journal (4/19, Toy, Subscription Publication) reports that more kids are undergoing bariatric surgery to assist in weight loss, as physicians are increasingly recommending the approach to address rising rates of youth obesity.

Treatment Guided By Cerebral Oximetry Monitoring For First 72 Hours After Birth Did Not Improve Survival For Extremely Preterm Infants, Trial Finds

MedPage Today (4/19, Short) reports, “Treatment guided by cerebral oximetry monitoring for the first 72 hours after birth failed to improve survival for extremely preterm infants, the SafeBoosC-III trial found.” Investigators found that “at 36 weeks postm…

Rate Of “Profound” Autism Cases Rising, Albeit Far More Slowly Than Milder Autism Cases, Report Concludes

The AP (4/19, Sherman) reports, “As autism diagnoses become increasingly common, health officials have wondered how many” children in the US “have relatively mild symptoms and how many have more serious symptoms, such as very low IQ and inability to speak…

FDA Clears Second Bivalent COVID-19 Booster In Older Adults, Immunocompromised Patients

The Washington Post (4/18, McGinley, Sun) reports that the FDA “cleared the way for people who are at least 65 years old or immune-compromised to receive a second updated booster shot against the coronavirus, an option designed to bolster protection for t…

Lumacaftor, Ivacaftor Combination Therapy Tied To Improvements In Children With Cystic Fibrosis, Research Finds

Healio (4/18, Hornick) reports, “Lumacaftor/ivacaftor showed various improvements in kids aged 2 to 5 years homozygous for F508del-CFTR over 48 weeks, according to study results.” The findings were published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society….

Taking Additional Time For Dinner May Help Children Eat More Healthy Food, Study Suggests

The Washington Post (4/18, Cimons) reports, “When families took about 10 minutes longer to eat dinner, children ate ‘significantly’ more fruits and vegetables, amounting to an additional seven pieces of fruits and vegetables – one extra portion – a new st…

E-Cigarette Use During Early Adolescence May Increase Likelihood Of Any Smoking, More Frequent Tobacco Cigarette Use In Later Adolescence, Research Finds

MedPage Today (4/18, Short) reports, “Use of electronic cigarettes during early adolescence appeared to increase the odds of any smoking and more frequent tobacco cigarette use in later adolescence, according to longitudinal data from two large-scale coho…

More Students From Middle School To High School Misusing Medications Prescribed For AD/HD, Research Suggests

NBC News (4/18, Lovelace) reports, “More students from middle school to high school are misusing” medications prescribed for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), “amid an increasing number of children being diagnosed with the condition in the…

Rates Of Asthma With Recurrent Exacerbations In Children Differ By Race, Age, Ethnicity, Region, Study Finds

Healio (4/17, Gawel) reports, “Incidence rates of asthma with recurrent exacerbations vary with time of surveillance, decade of birth, age, race, ethnicity and census region, according to a study.” The findings were published in The Journal of Allergy and…

Pandemic’s Impact On Birth Rates Varies Significantly By State, Study Finds

USA Today (4/17, Rodriguez) reports, “The COVID-19 pandemic led to the biggest one-year drop in U.S. births in nearly 50 years,” but one “new study shows not every state was equally affected.” Investigators “discovered fluctuating fertility rates in some…

Approximately 30% Of Patients With JIA Develop TMJ Involvement Before Transitioning To Adult Care, Researchers Say

Healio (4/14, Martin) reports, “Approximately 30% of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis” (JIA) “develop temporomandibular joint” (TMJ) “involvement before transitioning to adult care,” while “nearly 21% of the JIA cohort demonstrated JIA-related…

Soy-Based Infant Formula May Provide Improvements In Bone Metabolism In Early Life, Research Suggests

Healio (4/17, Bascom) reports, “Urinary markers indicated that infants who were fed soy-based formulas had better bone metabolism at 6 months than those fed breast milk or dairy-based infant formula, according to research.” Still, “these effects were tran…

Children With Mothers Who Received HIV Antiretrovirals During Pregnancy May Have Higher Risk For Developmental Delays, Study Suggests

HealthDay (4/17, Murez) reports, “Children whose mothers took antiretroviral medication for HIV while pregnant may have higher risks for developmental delays at age 5, according to new research.” Nevertheless, “researchers said it’s important for women wi…

Experts Concerned About Maternity Care Deserts In US

ABC News (4/17, Abubey, See, Moll-Ramírez, Weintraub) reports on the negative impact of a lack of maternity care in many places in the US. The article says, “Over a third of all U.S. counties are what’s known as maternity care deserts, which translates to…

Teen Girls Disproportionately Affected By Mental Health Issues

The AP (4/17, Tanner, Wang) says, “A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report showed almost 60% of US girls reported persistent sadness and hopelessness.” While “rates are up in boys, too,” there are “about half as many…affected.” To und…

Pregnant Women With COVID-19 At Delivery Had Higher Adverse Outcomes, Research Finds

Healio (4/14, T. Welsh) wrote, “Pregnant women with COVID-19 infection at delivery in the U.S. experienced substantial adverse outcomes early during the pandemic, researchers reported.” Data show that “over time, the COVID-19 case-fatality rate decreased…

College Students May Frequently Report IBS, Gastrointestinal Distress Tied To Sports Performance Anxiety, Fear Of Food

Healio (4/14, VanDewater) reported, “College athletes frequently reported irritable bowel syndrome” (IBS) “and gastrointestinal distress, which were linked to sports performance anxiety and fear of food,” researchers concluded in a study that included “14…

In Last Three Months, 10 States Have Limited “Gender-Affirming Care” For Children

The New York Times (4/15, Paris) reported that in the last three months, 10 states have enacted laws that “ban or significantly limit the use of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and transition surgery for people under 18.” Besides the 10 states that…

Some Physicians Concerned About Body Dysmorphia In Boys, Men Driven By Social Media, Supplements Industry

The Washington Post (4/14, McMahan) reported on growing concern among physicians about body dysmorphia in boys and men being “fueled by the rise of social media and a lucrative, unregulated supplements industry.” Exercise or food choices for adolescents a…

Older Children With Newly Diagnosed T1D Who Receive Intensive Diabetes Management With Automated Insulin Delivery May Have No Difference In Pancreatic C-Peptide Levels Compared With Standard Care, Researchers Say

Healio (4/14, Monostra) reported, “Older children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes” (T1D) “who received intensive diabetes management with automated insulin delivery had no difference in pancreatic C-peptide levels compared with standard care,” invest…

Ghana Approves Experimental Malaria Vaccine For Young Children

The AP (4/13, Borenstein) reports, “Ghana on Thursday became the first country to approve a new malaria vaccine for young children, one that officials hope will offer better protection against the disease that kills hundreds of thousands every year.” Alth…

Genetic Testing Can Be Used To Confirm A Congenital Hypothyroidism Diagnosis For Children, Research Suggests

Healio (4/13, Monostra) reports, “Genetic testing can be used to confirm a congenital hypothyroidism diagnosis for children,” investigators concluded in a study that “recruited 48 children diagnosed with primary congenital hypothyroidism shortly after bir…

Maternal, Newborn Exposures To Hot, Cold Temperatures Tied To Worse Infant Lung Function, Study Finds

Healio (4/13, Hornick) reports, “Maternal and newborn exposures to long-term hot and cold temperatures are linked to worse lung capacity in babies, specifically in girls, according to study results.” The findings were published in JAMA Network Open.

California, New York Lawmakers Propose Bills To Ban Common Food Additives Tied To Health Concerns

The New York Times (4/13, Smith) reports, “Newly proposed bills in California and New York are putting food additives…under the microscope.” State lawmakers “are seeking to prohibit the manufacturing and sale of products containing additives that have b…

Study Finds No Differences In Psychological Well-Being Of Children Born Via Third-Party Assisted Reproduction

HealthDay (4/13, Mann) reports on “a new study by British researchers that found no real differences in the psychological well-being of kids who were born via sperm/egg donation or surrogacy and those born naturally by the time they reached the age of 20….

Biden Announces Expanded Access To Medicaid, ACA Exchanges For DACA Participants

The AP (4/13, Miller) reports President Biden “announced Thursday that hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children will now be able to apply for Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges.” His deci…

Pandemic Disrupted Timing Of RSV Seasonality, Research Suggests

Infectious Disease Advisor (4/12, Media) reports, “The typical timing of seasonal respiratory syncytial virus epidemics (October to April) was disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to research published in the April 7 issue of the U.S. Centers…

Administration Labels Fentanyl Laced With Xylazine As “Emerging Threat”

USA Today (4/12, Alltucker) reports, “The Biden administration’s drug czar on Wednesday announced that illicit fentanyl spiked with the animal tranquilizer xylazine is an ‘emerging threat,’ a designation that will allow the federal government to marshal r…

Serum Concentrations Of Etanercept In JIA May Not Be Affected By Concomitant Use Of Methotrexate, Researchers Say

Rheumatology Advisor (4/12, Nye) reports, “Serum concentrations of etanercept in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) may not affected by concomitant use of methotrexate,” investigators concluded in the findings of a 180-patient study published online in t…

Improving Parental Mental Health, Preschool Attendance Of Disadvantaged Children May Help Reduce Mental Health Inequities, Study Finds

Healio (4/12, Weldon) reports, “Improving the parental mental health and preschool attendance of disadvantaged children reduced socioeconomic differences in their mental health compared with nondisadvantaged peers, an Australian study found.” Nevertheless…

Personalized Outreach Can Boost ACA Enrollment Among Low-Income Households, Study Finds

HealthPayerIntelligence (4/11, Waddill) reports, “Personalized outreach could improve enrollment in the lowest-cost Affordable Care Act plans among low-income households, a study…found.” The findings were published in Health Affairs.

Mild, Asymptomatic COVID-19 In Pregnancy Does Not Affect Neurodevelopment In Infants, Study Suggests

HealthDay (4/12, Mann) reports new research suggests that mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 during pregnancy is not associated with damage to infants’ brains. The research “took place between March 2021 and June 2022, when the pandemic was at its height,” and…

Americans Will Lose Free Access To COVID-19 Tests After Public Health Emergency Ends In May

The AP (4/11, Wiseman, Hussein) reports, “When the COVID-19 public health emergency ends in the U.S. next month,” people will “still have access to a multitude of tests but…for the first time, you may have to pick up some or all of the costs, depending…

Many US Families Affected By Gun-Related Violence, Survey Indicates

CNN (4/11, McPhillips) reports on a Kaiser Family Foundation survey that found nearly one in five US “adults has had a family member killed by a gun, including in homicide and suicide.” In separate coverage of the same survey, NPR (4/11, Simmons-Duffin) r…

Combination Therapy With Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor For Children With Cystic Fibrosis Appears Safe, Tolerated Up To Four Years, Research Finds

Healio (4/11, Hornick) reports, “Combination therapy with tezacaftor/ivacaftor was safe and well tolerated for up to 216 weeks in children aged 12 years or older, according to results of an extension study.” The findings were published in the Journal of C…

Children Who Undergo Implantation Of Transcatheter Leadless Pacemaker May Experience Implant Success, Good Electrical Performance, And Low Level Of Major Complications During Short-Term Follow-Up, Real-World Data Suggest

Healio (4/11, Schaffer) reports, “Children who underwent implantation of a transcatheter leadless pacemaker experienced implant success, good electrical performance and a low level of major complications during short-term follow-up,” researchers concluded…

Food Manufacturers Reportedly Adding Sesame Flour To Products To Avoid Challenges With New Sesame Allergy Law

The Washington Post (4/11, Weese) reports on the real world implications of a new law mandating that food manufacturers conduct careful “cleaning to prevent cross-contact between food products with and without sesame.” In an outcome “few would have expect…

School Districts Upgrading To “Greener” Bus Fleets Have Higher Attendance Rates, Study Suggests

HealthDay (4/11, Thompson) says, “School districts that upgrade to a ‘greener’ bus fleet have higher attendance rates than those with older, dirtier-running buses,” researchers concluded after evaluating “attendance rates at 383 districts that received” E…

Amoxicillin Shortages Remain As Strep Infections Reach Higher Than Usual Numbers

NPR (4/10, Lupkin) reports that “after two years of record low cases of invasive strep during the height of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, cases are higher than usual this season, according to the CDC.” And “regardless of what kind of strep someone has, s…

Data Show Rise In Juvenile Fatalities Linked To Firearms From 2019 To 2021

The Hill (4/10, Sforza) reports firearm-related fatalities among US “children increased from 1,732 in 2019 to 2,590 in 2021,” and the rate of these fatalities “rose from 2.4 deaths per 100,000 children under 18 years old in 2019 to 3.5 per 100,000 in 2021…

Researchers Identify Risks For Venous Thromboembolism In Pediatric Patients With Acute Hematogenous Musculoskeletal Infections

Hematology Advisor (4/10, Cho) reports, “Children hospitalized with acute hematogenous musculoskeletal infections have a slight risk of experiencing venous thromboembolic events, according to study results.” However, this outcome’s prevalence was reported…

Pediatric Wearable Device Use Varies Based On Patient Demographics, SDOH, Study Suggests

mHealth Intelligence (4/10, Melchionna) reports, “New research…found that consumer-grade wearable device use was inconsistent based on social determinants of health, specifically patient demographics and socioeconomic factors.” The findings were publish…

Early Prostacyclin Treatment Tied To Reduced Need For Extracorporeal Life Support In Newborns With Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, Research Suggests

MedPage Today (4/10, Henderson) reports, “For newborns with pulmonary hypertension associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, early prostacyclin was associated with reduced need for extracorporeal life support, researchers found based on a registry….

Study Finds 16.7% Drop In Mortality Rate Of Infants Of Teens From 1996 To 2019

HealthDay (4/10, Gotkine) reports a study published in Pediatrics found “the mortality rate of infants of teens decreased 16.7 percent from 1996 to 2019, with a significant decline across racial and ethnic and urbanization subgroups.” Researchers also fou…

Autism Rates Among Girls Have Steadily Risen In Recent Years, Analysis Reveals

The New York Times (4/10, Ghorayshi) reports, “In 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that boys were 4.7 times as likely as girls to receive an autism diagnosis,” but “by 2018, the ratio had dipped to 4.2 to 1.” A March 24 analy…

UK Government To Launch Enforcement Squads To Curtail Vape Sales To Children

Bloomberg (4/9, Leon) reports the UK on Tuesday is expected to “unveil plans for combating the illegal sale of vapes to children.” Health minister Neil O’Brien is due to “announce a new ‘illicit vapes enforcement squad’ backed by £3 million ($3.7 million)…

Healthcare Employment Up Year-Over-Year, But Hiring Growth Slows, Data Show

Modern Healthcare (4/7, Hudson, Subscription Publication) reported, “More people are working in healthcare than a year ago, but recent layoffs among health systems raise questions about what comes next for the industry.” Preliminary data released Friday b…

Household Spread Of COVID-19 Tied To Presence Of SARS-CoV-2 On Hands, Other Surfaces, Study Says

HealthDay (4/7, Murez) reported results published in The Lancet Microbe suggest “the spread of COVID-19 in households is linked to the presence of the virus on hands and surfaces, not just in the air.” Researchers analyzed “COVID-19 transmission in 279 Lo…

Gay, Lesbian, And Bisexual Youths May Be At Far Greater Risk Of Sleep Problems Than Their Straight Counterparts, Study Indicates

NBC News (4/9, Avery) reports, “Gay, lesbian and bisexual youths are at far greater risk of sleep problems than their straight counterparts,” investigators concluded in a study that “analyzed data on more than 8,500 young people ages 10 to 14.” The study…

SARS-CoV-2 Infection In Infants Born To Mothers Infected During Pregnancy More Likely During Omicron Period, Study Finds

Healio (4/7, Weldon) reported, “Infants born to people infected with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy were five times as likely to test positive for the virus from age 0 to 6 months during the omicron period than previous waves, according to research.” The fin…

In Utero COVID-19 Exposure Tied To Lower Birth Weight, Increased Weight Gain During Infancy, Research Finds

HealthDay (4/7, Gotkine) reported, “Infants with in utero exposure to COVID-19 have lower birth weight and increased weight gain in the first year of life, according to a study.” The findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metab…

Half Of Meningococcal Vaccination Appointments Delayed Or Canceled During Pandemic, Survey Indicates

Drug Topics (4/6, Fitch) reports, “According to a multi-country survey conducted by Ipsos Healthcare, 50% of scheduled meningitis vaccination appointments were canceled or delayed amid the pandemic.” The survey revealed “that 83% of parents felt it was im…

RSV Cases In US Show Indicators Of Returning To Pre-Pandemic Seasonality Patterns, CDC Says

Reuters (4/6, Mandowara) reports, “Respiratory syncytial virus circulation is showing signs of return to pre-pandemic seasonality in the U.S. after two years of irregular onsets and peaks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday.”…

UK To Offer COVID-19 Vaccines For Young Children With Underlying Medical Conditions

Reuters (4/6, Mitra) reports, “Children aged between six months to four years with underlying medical conditions will be offered COVID-19 shots, Britain’s vaccine advisers said on Thursday.” Specifically, “the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisati…

Children With Newly Diagnosed PAH May Experience Poor Disease Outcomes, Research Suggests

Rare Disease Advisor (4/6, Nikolic) reports, “Children with newly diagnosed pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) may have high early mortality rates and changes in etiology and hemodynamics, and World Health Organization functional class (WHO-FC) may pre…

Introduction Of Eggs, Peanuts In Infancy Tied To Lower Risk Of Developing Associated Allergies, Review Suggests

Healio (4/6, Bascom) reports, “A systematic review and meta-analysis showed that earlier introduction of multiple allergenic foods from 2 to 12 months of age was associated with reduced IgE-mediated allergy to any food.” However, investigators “identified…

Positive Parenting, Family Factors Tied To Lower Risk Of Disordered Eating Behaviors, Research Finds

HealthDay (4/6, Solomon) reports, “Positive parenting and family factors are associated with a reduced risk for disordered eating behaviors (DEB) but do not fully overcome the influence of weight-stigmatizing experiences on disordered eating in young peop…

COVID-19 May Have Caused Brain Damage In Two Infants Infected During Pregnancy, Study Says

Reuters (4/6, Steenhuysen) says, “Researchers at the University of Miami reported on Thursday what they believe are the first two confirmed cases in which the SARS-CoV-2 virus crossed a mother’s placenta and caused brain damage in the infants they were ca…

Vaccine Candidate Prevented RSV-Associated Lower Respiratory Tract Illness And Acute Respiratory Illness, Results Show

CNN (4/5, Christensen) reports an investigational respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine “prevented RSV-associated lower respiratory tract illness – which includes acute bronchitis and pneumonia – and prevented RSV-associated acute respiratory illness,…

Type 1 Diabetes Incidence, Severity Rose Among Children Early In Pandemic In Finland, Research Finds

Medscape (4/5, Tucker, Subscription Publication) reports that new research suggests “both the incidence of type 1 diabetes and the severity at presentation rose among children and adolescents in Finland during the first 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic….

State Public Health Committees, Lawmakers Increasingly Debating Mandated CMV Screenings

STAT (4/5, Chen, Subscription Publication) reports that while “experts say there is little public awareness about” cytomegalovirus (CMV), “that is starting to change, as state public health committees and legislatures begin to debate whether to mandate do…

Study Highlights Importance Of Good Sleep For Adolescents’ Mental Well-Being

MedPage Today (4/5, DePeau-Wilson) reports, “Sleep problems throughout the transition from childhood to early adolescence were associated with psychopathology symptoms, highlighting the importance of good sleep for adolescents’ mental well-being,” investi…

Study Identifies Metabolic Subtypes In Pregnant Women That May Help Better Assess Obesity Risk In Offspring

STAT (4/5, Chen, Subscription Publication) reports, “Obesity and diabetes in mothers have traditionally been considered risk factors for the child to also develop obesity,” but a study now “suggests that more narrow measures of health during pregnancy cou…

US Continues To Have Higher Excess Death Rates Compared To High-Income European Nations, Research Finds

Healio (4/4, Bascom) reports, “The United States continues to have significantly higher excess death rates compared with similarly high-income European countries, and this gap widened during the pandemic, according to study results.” The findings were pub…

Lack Of Funding Could Delay Late-Stage Trials For New TB Vaccine, Gates Warns

Reuters (4/4, Rigby) reports, “A lack of funding could delay late-stage trials of the first new vaccine against tuberculosis for more than a century, warned Bill Gates, whose foundation is backing the development of the shot.” Gates explained in an interv…

Ozone Exposure Raises Risk Of Gestational Hypertension During First Trimester, Study Finds

Healio (4/4, Welsh) reports, “Ozone exposure was associated with an increased risk for gestational hypertension during the first trimester of pregnancy, according to a cohort study.” The findings were published in JAMA Network Open.

Research Suggests nbUVB Is Effective, Well-Tolerated In Pediatric Patients With Vitiligo

Dermatology Advisor (4/4, Stong) reports, “Narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy (nbUVB) is well-tolerated and effective in pediatric patients with vitiligo,” investigators concluded in the findings of a 324-patient, “retrospective charge review of pediat…

Endogenous Ghrelin May Be Tied To Weight Gain In Women, Girls With Anorexia Nervosa, Small Study Indicates

Healio (4/4, VanDewater) reports, “Among girls and women with anorexia nervosa, endogenous ghrelin was associated with weight gain,” investigators concluded in the findings of a 68-participant study published online March 24 in JAMA Network Open.

ACA Benchmark Plan Premiums Increased 3.4% In 2023, Research Finds

Medical Economics (4/4, Bendix) reports, “Premiums for benchmark plans purchased on Affordable Care Act Marketplaces increased in 2023 while the number of new companies offering plans slowed somewhat compared to earlier years, according to a new study,” w…

Pediatric Asthma Diagnoses Decreased By Over 50% During First Year Of Pandemic, Study Finds

Healio (4/4, Weldon) reports, “Pediatric asthma diagnoses decreased by more than 50% during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to” a study. The findings were published in Respiratory Research.

Over One Quarter Of US Adults Suffer From Seasonal Allergies, Report Shows

The Washington Post (4/3, Searing) says, “More than 1 in 4 adults – 26 percent – has seasonal allergies, the most prevalent allergic condition afflicting U.S. residents, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” A compani…

Verapamil May Help Preserve Beta Cell Function In Children, Adolescents With Newly Diagnosed T1D, Research Suggests

HCPlive (4/3, Campbell) reports, “Use of verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, could help preserve beta cell function in children and adolescents with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (T1D),” investigators concluded in the findings of the 88-patient “CLVer…

State Officials Begin Removing Ineligible People From Medicaid After Pandemic Protections Expire

The New York Times (4/3, Weiland) reports, “As of Saturday, state officials around the country could begin removing people from Medicaid who no longer qualify – something they had been prohibited from doing under a provision in a coronavirus relief packag…

Longer Family Mealtimes Tied To Healthier Meals For Children, Research Finds

MedPage Today (4/3, Monaco) reports, “Longer family mealtimes may be one strategy to get kids to eat healthier, according to a randomized clinical trial that found an improvement in the balance of foods eaten at the table.” Results show that “on average,…

Maternal Prenatal Exposure To Lithium In Local Drinking Water May Increase Risk For Autism Spectrum Disorder In Offspring, Research Finds

MedPage Today (4/3, Henderson) reports, “Lithium naturally occurring in drinking water appeared to be a potential environmental risk factor for autism spectrum disorder, according to a population-based, case-control study from Denmark.” According to the f…

Hepatitis C Diagnoses Increasing Among Pregnant Women In US, Research Finds

Healio (3/31, T. Welsh) reported, “Hepatitis C virus among the U.S. obstetric population rose nearly 10-fold over 20 years, which might reflect an increase in screening or prevalence, according to researchers.” The findings were published in Obstetrics &…

Patients With JIA May Have Lower Cardiorespiratory, Neuromuscular Fitness And May Be Less Physically Active When Compared With Same Aged Controls With No JIA Diagnosis, Researchers Say

HCPlive (3/31, Pine) reported, “Patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) had lower cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular fitness and were less physically active when compared with same aged controls with no JIA diagnosis,” researchers concluded in…

Higher Doses Of Vitamin D Supplementation In Infants Not Tied To Increased Bone Health, Research Suggests

Endocrinology Advisor (3/31, Maitlall) reported, “Higher doses of vitamin D supplementation in infants was not associated with increased bone health,” investigators concluded in the findings of a 139-infant study published online in JAMA Pediatrics.

Harsh Parenting Can Increase Chance Children Develop Lasting Mental Health Issues, Study Finds

HealthDay (3/31, Norton) reported, “Parents who harshly discipline their young children may be putting them on a path toward lasting mental health symptoms, a new study suggests.” Investigators “found that among 7,500 children followed from age 3 to 9, ab…

Millions Set To Lose Health Insurance As States Begin Unwinding Pandemic-Era Protections On Medicaid Rolls

ABC News (4/1, Haslett, Schulze) reported, “Millions of people will begin to lose their health insurance on Saturday, as five states begin the unwinding of a pandemic-era protection that kept people from being removed from the Medicaid rosters.” HHS “esti…

Spike In Babies Born With Syphilis In US Fuels Concerns Of Health Inequities

The Washington Post (4/1, Nirappil) reported on a spike in the number of babies born with syphilis, “a phenomenon that is underscoring deep inequities in the nation’s health-care system and reviving concerns about a disease easily controlled with routine…

Report Examines Social Media Platform Use By Adolescent Girls

The Washington Post (3/30, St. George) reports, “Nearly half of adolescent girls on TikTok feel addicted to it or use the platform for longer than they intend,” according to findings of a report (PDF) released earlier this week by Common Sense Media. The…

Permanent Supportive Housing May Help Support Dental Benefits For Children, Study Suggests

Healio (3/30, Weldon) reports, “Children placed in permanent supportive housing were more likely to attend dental visits than peers in a matched cohort, according to a [new] study.” The findings were published in Pediatrics.

US Health Officials Streamline Children’s Research Review Process Across Departments

Bloomberg Law (3/30, Baumann, Subscription Publication) reports, “US health officials are looking to streamline processes for a high-level, national review on children’s research when ethics boards can’t approve those studies on their own.” To this end, t…

Researchers Identify Potential Connection Between Common Viruses And Rare Hepatitis Cases In Children

The New York Times (3/30, Anthes) reports, “A small new study of American children adds to the evidence that” a recent string of hepatitis cases in children, “which remained extremely rare, may have been caused by a simultaneous infection with multiple co…

Primary Hypertension Now Leading Type Of Pediatric Hypertension, Particularly In Adolescents, Raising Their Subsequent Risk For CV Events In Adulthood, Scientific Statement Says

Healio (3/30, Schaffer) reports, “Primary hypertension is now the leading type of pediatric hypertension, especially in adolescents, raising their subsequent risk for CV events in adulthood, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart…

FDA Approves Nasal Spray That Reverses Opioid Overdoses To Be Sold Over The Counter

The New York Times (3/29, Hoffman) reports Narcan (naloxone), “a prescription nasal spray that reverses opioid overdoses, can now be sold over the counter, the Food and Drug Administration said on Wednesday.” And “by late summer, over-the-counter Narcan i…

Imaging Tests May Miss Early Signs Of MS In Children Having No Symptoms Of The Disease, Researchers Say

Medscape (3/29, Subscription Publication) reports, “Imaging tests may miss early signs of multiple sclerosis (MS) in children who have no symptoms of the disease,” investigators concluded after reviewing “the MRI scans of 38 children aged seven to 17 year…

Children Living With Pet Cats, Dogs During Infancy May Be Less Likely To Develop Food Allergies, Study Suggests

CNN (3/29, Chavez) reports, “Children who live with cats or dogs during fetal development and early infancy may be less likely than other kids to develop food allergies, according to a new study.” The research analyzing “data from over 65,000 children fro…

COVID-19 Vaccination Tied To Lower Rates Of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes, Research Suggests

Healio (3/29, Welsh) reports pregnant women who were “vaccinated against COVID-19 had lower rates of perinatal death, preterm delivery, neonates with very low birth weight and NICU admission than unvaccinated women, researchers” found in a new study. The…

Children’s Screen Use May Be Altering Their Developing Brains As They Enter Adolescence And Increasing Their Risk For Mood Disorders, Scan Study Indicates

HealthDay (3/29, Thompson) reports, “Children’s screen use could be altering their developing brains as they enter adolescence and increasing their risk for mood disorders,” researchers concluded in the findings of a 5,166-child study involving brain imag…

Prenatal Exposure To COVID-19 May Be Tied To Higher Risk Of Childhood Obesity, Study Suggests

HealthDay (3/29, Roberts Murez) reports, “The consequences of COVID-19 during pregnancy are still unfolding, but a new study delivers sobering news: Prenatal exposure to the virus may be linked to childhood obesity.” Examining “nearly 280 infants, researc…

WHO Adjusts COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations

Reuters (3/28, Rigby, Satija) reports, “The World Health Organization has tailored its COVID-19 vaccination recommendations for a new phase of the pandemic, suggesting that healthy children and adolescents may not necessarily need a shot but older, high-r…

Elevated Umbilical Cord Blood Insulin Concentration Measured Early After Birth May Be Tied To High BP During Childhood And Adolescence, Especially In Children Born Preterm, Research Suggests

Healio (3/28, Buzby) reports, “Elevated umbilical cord blood insulin concentration measured early after birth could be tied to high BP during childhood and adolescence, especially in children born preterm,” investigators concluded in findings published on…

HHS, EPA Ask States To Allocate Federal Funding Toward Reducing Lead In Drinking Water

Bloomberg Law (3/28, Subscription Publication) reports, “HHS and the EPA issued a joint letter requesting that state and local government put federal funding toward reducing and removing lead in drinking water in early care and education settings, accordi…

Advanced Hybrid Closed-Loop Therapy May Reduce HbA1c, Improve Time In Range Among Adolescents And Young Adults With T1D, Research Suggests

Healio (3/28, Monostra) reports, “Advanced hybrid closed-loop therapy reduces HbA1c and improves time in range among adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes” (T1D), “with few serious adverse events,” investigators concluded after examining “data…

Hospitals See More Admissions Of Children With History Of Self-Harming Behavior, Study Finds

The New York Times (3/28, Barry) reports, “The portion of American hospital beds occupied by children with suicidal or self-harming behavior has soared over the course of a decade, a large study of admissions to acute care hospitals shows.” According to “…

Patients With JIA With Family History Of AITD, As Well As ANA-Positive Status, May Be More Likely To Develop AITD, Researchers Conclude

Rheumatology Advisor (3/27, Khaja) reports, “Patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) with a family history of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), as well as an antinuclear antibody (ANA)-positive status, are more likely to develop AITD,” investig…