This Week in Pediatrics
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....
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....
JAMA Pediatrics – The Science of Child and Adolescent Health
Explore the latest in child health including food and nutrition, Kawasaki disease and C difficile, effects of media, and more. Formerly Archives of Pediatrics.
Research of the Day
Iron Deficiency in Infancy and Long-Term Cognitive Outcomes: 10-Year Follow-Up
This prospective cohort followed children with iron deficiency anemia in infancy through age 10, comparing cognitive outcomes to iron-sufficient peers. Despite iron repletion in infancy, children with early anemia showed persistent differences in executive function and spatial memory.
Key findings: (1) Early iron deficiency associated with lower scores on math and reading assessments; (2) Differences in brain structure observed on MRI at age 10; (3) Duration of deficiency correlated with magnitude of effect.
Emphasize prevention through dietary counseling and appropriate screening. Iron-rich complementary foods should be introduced at 6 months. Consider iron supplementation in high-risk populations.
Popular Beliefs
Warm milk helps children sleep
What the evidence shows: While milk contains tryptophan (a sleep-promoting amino acid), the amount is modest. Any sleep benefit likely comes from the comforting ritual and warmth rather than pharmacologic effect. A consistent bedtime routine matters more than any single component.
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.
Behaviors
Media Multitasking and Attention in Adolescents
This study of 600 high school students examined the relationship between media multitasking (using multiple screens simultaneously) and attention abilities. Heavy media multitaskers showed reduced ability to filter irrelevant information.
Key findings: (1) Heavy multitaskers had 15% more attention lapses in class; (2) Greater difficulty switching between tasks effectively; (3) Sleep quality mediated some of the relationship.
Counsel adolescents (and parents) on single-tasking for homework. Having phone notifications off and single-device focus improves learning efficiency and quality.
Genetics
Genetic Risk Screening for Type 1 Diabetes: Prevention Trial Update
Large-scale genetic screening of newborns identifies high-risk children for T1D prevention trials. Early results suggest immune modulation in high-risk children may delay or prevent onset of diabetes.
Key findings: (1) 5% of screened infants fall into high-risk category; (2) Early intervention delayed onset by average 3 years; (3) Screening acceptable to most families when explained appropriately.
T1D prevention is moving from research to clinical reality. Stay updated on trial availability. For families with T1D history, genetic counseling and risk assessment may be appropriate for siblings.