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....
Immunization News | Red Book Online | American Academy of Pediatrics
Advocacy Conference brings AAP members to Capitol Hill to voice support for vaccine access for children · Nearly 400 pediatricians and trainees from across the US attended the 2026 AAP Advocacy Conference to strengthen their advocacy skills ...
Research of the Day
Return to Sport After Pediatric Concussion: Age-Modified Protocols
This multi-site study evaluated age-specific return-to-sport protocols following concussion in 2,500 young athletes ages 8-18. Younger children required longer recovery periods, challenging one-size-fits-all protocols.
Key findings: (1) Median recovery 21 days for ages 8-12 vs 14 days for teens; (2) Early return to sport associated with prolonged symptoms; (3) Symptom-limited activity during recovery improved outcomes.
Use age-appropriate return protocols. Younger athletes need more conservative management. Emphasize symptom-limited activity and complete recovery before returning to full sport.
Popular Beliefs
Cold weather causes colds
What the evidence shows: Colds are caused by viruses, not cold temperatures. The association exists because people spend more time indoors in close proximity during winter, facilitating viral transmission. Additionally, dry indoor air may impair mucosal barriers. Hand hygiene and avoiding sick contacts are the real prevention strategies.
Shaving makes hair grow back thicker and darker
What the evidence shows: Shaving removes hair at the skin surface, leaving a blunt tip that may feel coarser as it grows out. However, it does not affect hair thickness, color, or growth rate. This is an optical illusion from the blunt vs. tapered hair shaft.
Remove ticks with a lit match or petroleum jelly
What the evidence shows: These methods can cause the tick to regurgitate into the wound, increasing disease transmission risk. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and pull upward with steady pressure. Save the tick for identification if possible.
Behaviors
Screen Time and Executive Function in Preschoolers: A Longitudinal Analysis
This prospective cohort study followed 850 children from ages 2 to 5 years, examining the relationship between screen time exposure and executive function development. Researchers used validated parent-report measures and direct assessments of working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility.
Children with more than 2 hours of daily screen time at age 2 showed lower scores on executive function measures at age 5. Notably, the type of screen content mattered—educational programming showed smaller associations than passive entertainment viewing. Joint parent-child viewing partially mitigated negative effects.
These findings support counseling families on the AAP recommendation of less than 1 hour per day of high-quality programming for children 2-5 years. Emphasize co-viewing and educational content when screens are used. Executive function is crucial for school readiness and later academic success.
Genetics
CFTR Modulator Therapy in Young Children: Expansion to Additional Mutations
New clinical trial data supports expanding CFTR modulator therapy to children as young as 1 year with various CFTR mutations. Early treatment initiation shows benefits in lung function preservation and nutritional status, with excellent safety profile.
Key findings: (1) 85% of CF patients now eligible for modulator therapy; (2) Early treatment prevents rather than reverses lung damage; (3) Growth parameters improved in treated toddlers.
Refer CF patients promptly for genetic classification and modulator eligibility assessment. The treatment landscape has transformed—many children can now expect near-normal life expectancy with appropriate therapy.