This Week in Pediatrics
FDA news in pediatrics: June 2026 | Contemporary Pediatrics
Keisha L. Gibson, MD, MPH, discusses the FDA approval of Gazyva for childhood-onset INS and its implications for relapse prevention and pediatric care. ... Topical botanical Cinainu earned FDA Breakthrough Therapy status for AA in patients aged ...
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....
Recommendations for COVID-19 Vaccines in Infants, Children, and Adolescents, 2026–2027: Policy Statement | Pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics
Children 2 through 18 years of age not considered at increased risk of severe COVID-19 whose parent or guardian desires their protection from COVID-19 should be offered a single dose of age-appropriate 2026–2027 COVID-19 vaccine.
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
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.
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.