This Week in Pediatrics
FDA news in pediatrics: September 2026 | Contemporary Pediatrics
September 2026 brought a dense ... conditions: Sanfilippo syndrome type A, Alexander disease, MCT8 deficiency, and ataxia-telangiectasia each gained their first FDA-approved therapy during the month....
Contemporary Pediatrics – Clinical News & Pediatrician Practice Tips
Get back-to-school pediatric guidance ... watch this year. ... Court fight over CDC 2026 childhood vaccine schedule shifts shots to shared decision-making; experts warn lower uptake for Hep A, B, flu, COVID....
Clinical trial news in pediatrics: September 2026 | Contemporary Pediatrics
September 2026's pediatric clinical trial readouts clustered heavily around growth and metabolic disorders. Three skeletal dysplasia programs — two in achondroplasia and one in hypochondroplasia — reported growth-velocity gains, while two ...
Research of the Day
Probiotics for Infantile Colic: Randomized Controlled Trial of L. reuteri
This double-blind RCT enrolled 400 breastfed infants with colic to evaluate Lactobacillus reuteri supplementation. Infants receiving the probiotic showed significantly reduced crying time compared to placebo, with effects observed within 7 days of treatment initiation.
Key findings: (1) Mean crying time reduced by 51 minutes/day at 21 days; (2) 73% of treatment group had crying <3 hours/day vs 36% placebo; (3) No adverse events reported. Effect was specific to breastfed infants.
L. reuteri may be considered for breastfed infants with colic after excluding other causes. This is one of several evidence-based interventions alongside feeding adjustments, carrying techniques, and parental support.
Popular Beliefs
The flu shot can give you the flu
What the evidence shows: Flu vaccines contain inactivated virus or viral proteins that cannot cause influenza infection. Some people experience mild side effects (sore arm, low-grade fever) that mimic illness. It takes 2 weeks for protection to develop, so some may get infected before the vaccine works.
Eating carrots dramatically improves vision
What the evidence shows: While carrots contain vitamin A important for eye health, eating extra carrots won't improve normal vision or eliminate the need for glasses. Vitamin A deficiency can cause vision problems, but this is rare in developed countries with varied diets.
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
Bedtime Routine Consistency and Child Behavior: Observational Study
This analysis of 5,000 parent surveys examined the relationship between bedtime routine consistency and daytime behavior. Children with consistent, calming bedtime routines had fewer behavioral problems and better emotional regulation.
Key findings: (1) Inconsistent routines associated with 2x behavioral difficulties; (2) Routines including reading showed strongest effects; (3) Benefits seen across all age groups studied (2-10 years).
Bedtime routines matter for more than just sleep—they shape behavior and emotional regulation. Help families develop simple, consistent routines even during busy periods.
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.