This Week in Pediatrics
Best Children's Hospitals 2026-2027 Honor Roll and Overview | U.S. News
15, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. ... The top children's hospitals are identified in 11 specialties, including pediatric cancer, pediatric cardiology and heart surgery, pediatric orthopedics, and pediatric and adolescent behavioral health.
The Honor Roll of U.S. News Best Children's Hospitals 2026-2027 | U.S. News
Best Children's Regional Hospital: Ranked No. 1 (tie) in Pennsylvania and No. 1 (tie) in the Mid-Atlantic region ... Pediatric Diabetes & Endocrinology: No. 3 · Pediatric Pulmonology & Lung Surgery: No. 4 · Pediatric Nephrology: No. 10 · Pediatric Gastroenterology &a...
U.S. News & World Report Marks 20 Years of Pediatric Care Rankings with the 2026-2027 Best Children's Hospitals
90 children's hospitals recognized across 34 states and Washington, D.C., for exceptional pediatric care. 11 pediatric medical specialties evaluated, including the third annual evaluation of pediatric and adolescent behavioral health programs.
Research of the Day
Delayed Epinephrine Administration in Pediatric Anaphylaxis: Multi-Center Analysis
This multi-center retrospective study analyzed 2,800 pediatric anaphylaxis cases across 12 children's hospitals. Delayed epinephrine administration (>15 minutes from symptom onset) occurred in 42% of cases and was associated with increased risk of severe outcomes and biphasic reactions.
Key findings: (1) Delayed epinephrine associated with 3.2x increased odds of hospitalization; (2) Food-induced reactions most likely to have delayed treatment; (3) Many families cited fear of injection or uncertainty about symptoms as reasons for delay.
Reinforce epinephrine-first messaging for anaphylaxis. Ensure families can recognize symptoms and use auto-injectors confidently. Consider demonstration at every visit for patients with prescribed epinephrine.
Popular Beliefs
Wait 30 minutes after eating before swimming
What the evidence shows: There's no evidence that swimming after eating causes cramps or drowning. While digestion diverts some blood flow to the gut, it doesn't impair swimming ability in normal circumstances. Common-sense supervision is always important regardless of meal timing.
Green mucus means bacterial infection requiring antibiotics
What the evidence shows: Mucus color changes naturally during viral infections and does not reliably distinguish viral from bacterial causes. Green/yellow mucus indicates immune cell activity, which occurs in both viral and bacterial infections. Antibiotics should be prescribed based on clinical criteria, not mucus color.
ADD/ADHD is caused by poor parenting or too much sugar
What the evidence shows: ADHD has strong genetic and neurobiological components. While environment can influence symptom severity, poor parenting and diet do not cause ADHD. Evidence-based treatments include behavioral therapy and, when appropriate, medication. Blaming parents is harmful and delays effective intervention.
Behaviors
Growth Mindset and Academic Resilience in Middle School
This school-based intervention taught growth mindset principles to 4,000 middle schoolers. Students who internalized growth mindset showed improved grades, greater persistence, and reduced anxiety around academic challenges.
Key findings: (1) 0.3 GPA improvement in intervention group; (2) 25% reduction in test anxiety; (3) Effects largest for initially low-performing students. Teacher reinforcement of messages enhanced effects.
Praise effort over ability when discussing academics with patients. Encourage families to use growth mindset language. Struggle is part of learning, not a sign of inability.
Genetics
Polygenic Risk Scores and ADHD: Clinical Utility Analysis
Large GWAS analysis demonstrates polygenic risk scores for ADHD have limited current clinical utility for diagnosis but may help identify children at risk for severe or persistent symptoms. Environmental factors remain critically important.
Key findings: (1) Polygenic scores explain ~10% of ADHD variance; (2) Higher scores associated with earlier onset and persistence; (3) Not useful as diagnostic test—clinical evaluation remains gold standard.
Genetics is one piece of the ADHD puzzle but doesn't replace clinical assessment. Avoid overinterpreting direct-to-consumer genetic tests. Family history remains the most useful genetic 'test' for ADHD risk.