In a groundbreaking development in pediatric cardiology, a recent study has unveiled the positive impact of digoxin prescription on the transplant-free interstage survival of infants with single-ventricle physiology following hybrid stage 1 palliation. The analysis found that for infants with single-ventricle physiology who underwent hybrid stage 1 palliation, the digoxin prescription at hospital discharge is linked to improved transplant-free interstage survival. The research, conducted using data from the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative registry spanning over ..read more

Living at higher altitudes in India is linked to an increased risk of stunted growth, with children living in homes 2000 metres or more above sea level 40% more at risk than those living 1000 metres below, finds research published in the open access journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health. Children living in rural areas seem to be the most vulnerable, prompting the researchers to advocate prioritising nutritional programmes in hilly and mountainous regions of the country. Despite various initiatives, childhood stunting, caused by chronic malnutrition, remains a major public health chall ..read more

New Delhi: The doctors at�Surya Mother and Child Hospital, Pune successfully performed surgery to save the life of a four-year-old boy suffering from Midgut Volvulus, a condition where the intestine becomes twisted. Midgut volvulus is a severe condition that is common among children and infants and often occurs within the first few weeks of life, caused by a congenital anomaly of the intestines -- leaving the child susceptible to sudden twisting of most of the intestines. Symptoms include upper abdominal distension, bilious vomiting, and abdominal tenderness, signalling the need for immediat ..read more

Infants and children who have severe cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) before age 2 are likely to have changes to their lung structure and function that could affect respiratory health later in life. The study is published ahead of print in the American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology and has been chosen as an APSselect article for April. Most children contract RSV, a lower respiratory tract disease, before they are 2 years old. Mild forms of the disease mimic the common cold with symptoms such as coughing, runny nose, congestion and sneezing. Severe form ..read more

A recent retrospective study published in the Journal of American Medical Association unveiled a concerning association between prenatal opioid exposure (POE) and the alterations in the fetal immune system that potentially affect the long-term health of exposed children. This study encompassing health records of a vast cohort of 401,462 children born between 2003 and 2018 in the Western Australia, sheds light on the impacts of opioid exposure during pregnancy. During the study period from August 30, 2022 to February 27, 2023, the study investigated the link between POE and subsequent risks of ..read more

A recent study discovered that pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) may significantly reduce the frequency of acute pancreatitis (AP) episodes in children who were diagnosed with acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP) or chronic pancreatitis (CP) and still have sufficient pancreatic function. The findings of this study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology offer new hope for managing the painful episodes and high hospitalization rates. Acute pancreatitis represents a major challenge in pediatric gastroenterology due to its debilitating pain and potential to progress into c ..read more

Infants and children 5 years old and younger experienced only “modest” delays in developmental milestones due to the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions and restrictions, a study led by Johns Hopkins Children’s Center finds. In a report on the study that will be published April 22 in JAMA Pediatrics, investigators evaluated possible links between pandemic-related disruptions to everyday life and changes in developmental milestone screening scores. The data were from the Comprehensive Health and Decision Information System (CHADIS), a web-based screening platform caregivers use to complete surveys a ..read more

Italy: A recent study published in the European Journal of Pediatrics has shown continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to be a promising tool for individualizing nutritional strategies in preterm infants during the first weeks of birth. The study found that macronutrient intakes influence neonatal glucose profile as described by CGM and might contribute to adjusting nutritional intakes in preterm infants. "Continuous glucose monitoring describes the relationship between the intake of daily parenteral nutrients and time spent in hypo and hyperglycemic ranges," the researchers reported. Preterm i ..read more

When and how mothers drink alcohol during pregnancy has major implications for fetal and child development, according to two new studies in Alcohol: Clinical & Experimental Research. The effects of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) include stillbirth, preterm delivery, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). In US schools, 2–5% of children have FASD, which is linked to impaired growth and development, including cognitive function. Most studies on PAE and FASD involve birthing parents whose alcohol use was chronic and heavy. Much less is known about what lower levels of drinking-a far mo ..read more

Researchers have found in a new study that excess adiposity and dysfunction in adipose tissue during childhood may signal a higher risk of developing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) later in life. The new study has been published in the journal of Pediatrics. This study offers insights into early indicators of PCOS risk, emphasizing the importance of early detection and intervention in pediatric populations. The study was conducted by Rachel C. and colleagues. PCOS is a common endocrine disorder among females, characterized by a range of metabolic and reproductive issues. Early detection of ..read more