Micro-dystrophin: A Small Gene With Big Promise

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Beyond the Wow Factor: Artificial Intelligence in Pediatrics

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Advancing Genomics-Driven Precision Medicine in the NICU

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Ask A Specialist: What Running Distances Are Safe for Children?
 Ask A Specialist: What Running Distances Are Safe for Children? 1024 895 Gabriella Gonzales, MD and James MacDonald, MD, MPH
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Sports Medicine experts offer advice for pediatricians about what age it is appropriate for children to run and train for races such as the 5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon. Running is a great activity! It requires very little equipment and can be done…

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Targeted Muscle Reinnervation Prevents Neuroma and Phantom Limb Pain in Children After Amputation
 Targeted Muscle Reinnervation Prevents Neuroma and Phantom Limb Pain in Children After Amputation 1024 684 Lauren Dembeck
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In certain cases, such as limb traumas and sarcomas, amputation may be chosen to optimize patients’ physical function. Persistent postamputation residual limb or “stump” pain and phantom limb pain can be debilitating and has been associated with prosthetic abandonment in patients who have undergone…

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Is Growth Hormone Replacement Safe Following Central Nervous System Tumors?
 Is Growth Hormone Replacement Safe Following Central Nervous System Tumors? 1024 683 Mary Bates, PhD
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Research suggests the benefits of growth hormone therapy outweigh the risks for pediatric cancer survivors. In a new review paper, researchers from Nationwide Children’s Hospital evaluated the risks and benefits associated with administering growth hormone to pediatric patients after diagnosis of a central nervous…

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Does Etiology Impact Outcomes After Hemispherectomy?
 Does Etiology Impact Outcomes After Hemispherectomy? 1024 575 Jessica Nye, PhD
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Patients with cerebral palsy (CP) who have comorbid medically intractable epilepsy (MIE) had similar quantitative functional and seizure outcomes following functional hemispherotomy (FH) or anatomic hemispherectomy (AH), regardless of vascular or dysplastic MIE etiologies.   Early onset seizures are a common comorbidity in CP,…

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Baby in NICU
An Alternative Method for Diagnosing Central Adrenal Insufficiency in Newborns
 An Alternative Method for Diagnosing Central Adrenal Insufficiency in Newborns 1024 683 Mary Bates, PhD
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Researchers evaluate the utility of random cortisol levels to diagnose adrenal insufficiency. In infants with central adrenal insufficiency, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) fails to signal to the adrenal gland, leading to decreased cortisol levels. It is a potentially life-threatening condition requiring urgent diagnosis and treatment.…

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conceptual art of DNA
Chaotic Genomes in Childhood Bone Tumors Are Not Always Unstable
 Chaotic Genomes in Childhood Bone Tumors Are Not Always Unstable 1024 575 Jessica Nye, PhD
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The structural genomic complexity that characterizes most osteosarcoma tumors in children was not evidence of an unstable genome and a driver of cell-to-cell variations in gene expression within each tumor. “We’ve been trying to understand how tumor cells change as they become resistant to…

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Understanding and Implementing the Latest Recommendations for Asthma Management
 Understanding and Implementing the Latest Recommendations for Asthma Management 770 513 Emily Siebenmorgen
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New guidelines for the care and treatment of asthma in children were released in 2020, but implementation has been slowed by the pandemic and need for education. An estimated 8% of children had asthma in 2020, and it continues to have a significant impact…

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Featured Researcher — Jeff Bridge, PhD
 Featured Researcher — Jeff Bridge, PhD 150 150 Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES
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Jeff Bridge, PhD, director of the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research in the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, has been actively working to prevent suicide among at-risk youth since he was 19. Although he started as a volunteer, his career…

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ADHD Diagnosis and Management: What Pediatric Providers Need to Know
 ADHD Diagnosis and Management: What Pediatric Providers Need to Know 150 150 Emily Siebenmorgen
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In a recent episode of PediaCast CME, host Mike Patrick, MD, reviews ADHD diagnosis and management. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), previously known as attention deficit disorder (ADD), is a relatively common neurodevelopmental disorder. While boys are at least two times more likely to…

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5 Questions with Adolfo Etchegaray, MD
 5 Questions with Adolfo Etchegaray, MD 1024 683 Emily Siebenmorgen
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Meet Adolfo Etchegaray, MD, chief of fetal medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Learn more about Dr. Etchegaray’s expertise and path to leadership at The Fetal Center, and what lies ahead for this global destination program. Q: What drew you to a career in fetal…

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Nurse caring for infant in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Kidney Support for Babies: Building a Comprehensive and Integrated Neonatal Kidney Support Therapy Program
 Kidney Support for Babies: Building a Comprehensive and Integrated Neonatal Kidney Support Therapy Program 1024 575 Lauren Dembeck
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Kidney support therapy (KST), commonly referred to as dialysis, is a life-saving procedure used to manage complications associated with acute kidney injury and kidney failure, such as fluid overload and electrolyte imbalances, or to remove toxins, such as those in patients with inborn errors…

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Close up color photo of little boy holding hands on his belly
Evaluating Chronic Constipation and Abnormal Colonic Motility in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
 Evaluating Chronic Constipation and Abnormal Colonic Motility in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder 1024 680 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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In children with chronic constipation, rates of abnormal colonic motility are similar between children with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For children with ASD, symptom duration and soiling due to fecal retention are risk factors for abnormal colonic motility.   Treating constipation in…

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1 Year In, the Molecular Characterization Initiative Has Analyzed Samples From Over 1,000 Patients
 1 Year In, the Molecular Characterization Initiative Has Analyzed Samples From Over 1,000 Patients 1024 614 Abbie Miller
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Data from the analysis helps clinicians confirm diagnoses and identify targeted treatments. The data also support new pediatric cancer research through the National Cancer Institute’s Childhood Cancer Data Initiative.   The CCDI Molecular Characterization Initiative (MCI) is a project that aims to collect, analyze…

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Fetus in utero receiving valvuloplasty
Tissue Engineering and Fetal Medicine: A New Frontier for Congenital Heart Disease
 Tissue Engineering and Fetal Medicine: A New Frontier for Congenital Heart Disease 1024 575 Abbie Miller
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Procedures that utilize cardiac catheterization to improve fetal heart development are often successful, but they are not without risk. And even if they can successfully prevent the development of single ventricle disease, there is always ongoing heart valve disease (HVD). HVD may not be…

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Susceptibility to and Use of E-cigarettes and Marijuana Is Common Among Adolescents With Congenital Heart Disease
 Susceptibility to and Use of E-cigarettes and Marijuana Is Common Among Adolescents With Congenital Heart Disease 1024 575 Lauren Dembeck
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Adolescents with congenital heart disease (CHD) are subject to disease-related stressors, such as attending medical appointments and undergoing medical procedures. They have elevated risk for cardiovascular and cognitive complications, which may be exacerbated by the use of e-cigarettes and marijuana. To inform prevention strategies…

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What Pediatricians Need to Know About Lymphedema in Pediatrics
 What Pediatricians Need to Know About Lymphedema in Pediatrics 150 150 Abbie Miller
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Lymphedema is chronic, progressive swelling caused by maldevelopment or disruption of the lymphatic system. Typically, patients present with an asymmetric swelling of an arm or leg that progressively worsens. Min-Jeong Cho, MD, a microsurgeon and assistant professor at The Ohio State University and Nationwide…

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Toddler playing with toys
Investigating Caregiver Disclosure of Pediatric Urologic Surgery
 Investigating Caregiver Disclosure of Pediatric Urologic Surgery 1024 575 Mary Bates, PhD
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A survey reveals most caregivers plan to disclose urologic surgery to their child but would like more guidance from providers. Some pediatric urologic surgeries are performed early in childhood and with short-term follow-up. When children have surgery before the age of memory formation, it…

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Evolution of the Youth Crisis Stabilization Unit
 Evolution of the Youth Crisis Stabilization Unit 1024 538 Mary Bates, PhD
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An alternative to inpatient hospitalization for youth experiencing a mental health crisis and their families sees success at Nationwide Children’s.   The Youth Crisis Stabilization Unit (YCSU) is an inpatient psychiatric setting at Nationwide Children’s for children and adolescents experiencing a mental health crisis.…

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Deep Brain Stimulation Ameliorates Symptoms of Genetic Movement Disorder
 Deep Brain Stimulation Ameliorates Symptoms of Genetic Movement Disorder 150 150 Mary Bates, PhD
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First report of DBS for management of tremor in a treatment-resistant AIFM1-related disorder.   In a new case series, researchers from Nationwide Children’s report using deep brain stimulation (DBS) to help manage tremor due to a genetic movement disorder in two brothers. The report,…

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Social Needs Associated with Postpartum Depression
 Social Needs Associated with Postpartum Depression 1024 683 Mary Bates, PhD
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Screening for social needs at pediatric well-checks may help identify vulnerable mothers. In a new study, researchers from Nationwide Children’s found a significant relationship between self-reported social needs and postpartum depression symptoms of mothers screened in pediatric primary care clinics. The findings suggest that…

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Comprehensive Care Model and Integrated Sickle Cell Disease-Pulmonary Clinic Improves Access and Outcomes
 Comprehensive Care Model and Integrated Sickle Cell Disease-Pulmonary Clinic Improves Access and Outcomes 1024 683 Jessica Nye, PhD
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A comprehensive care model which incorporates pulmonology services in the sickle cell disease (SCD) clinic aims to reduce access barriers and improve outcomes.   “Our sickle cell clinic at Nationwide Children’s Hospital used to see patients just for their comprehensive [sickle cell] care. One…

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Featured Researcher — Meisam Naeimi Kararoudi, DVM, PhD
 Featured Researcher — Meisam Naeimi Kararoudi, DVM, PhD 150 150 Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES
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Meisam Naeimi Kararoudi, DVM, PhD, director of the CRISPR/Gene Editing Core and principal investigator in the Center for Childhood Cancer Research at Nationwide Children’s, has taken a winding, international road to his current role at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. From his native Iran to Italy,…

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Shorter Course of Antibiotics for Early Onset Sepsis as Safe as Longer Course
 Shorter Course of Antibiotics for Early Onset Sepsis as Safe as Longer Course 150 150 Jessica Nye, PhD
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Discontinuing empirical antibiotic therapy for early-onset sepsis (EOS) at 24 hours had a similar safety profile as the standard 48-hour treatment course. “In the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), we have data to show that each additional day of unnecessary antibiotics leads to adverse…

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More Than a Building: Why Our Expanded Research Facilities Matter for Kids Everywhere
 More Than a Building: Why Our Expanded Research Facilities Matter for Kids Everywhere 1024 624 Dennis Durbin, MD, MSCE
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At Nationwide Children’s Hospital, we proudly acknowledge the significant role research has in improving patient care and overall child heath. The integration of research and clinical care is at the heart of the hospital’s strategic plan — a $3.3 billion investment over the next…

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How Language-Processing Technology Could Transform Medical Practice, Research and Patient Participation
 How Language-Processing Technology Could Transform Medical Practice, Research and Patient Participation 150 150 Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES
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Recent revolutions in researchers’ ability to process natural language sources, such as clinic visit notes, transcripts or medical diaries, could dramatically expand opportunities to improve health care and prevention health outreach.   Natural Language Processing (NLP) is a subfield of computer science and artificial…

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Advancing Genomics-Driven Precision Medicine in the NICU
 Advancing Genomics-Driven Precision Medicine in the NICU 1024 683 Natalie Wilson
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According to the Children’s Hospitals Neonatal Consortium, as many as half of newborns hospitalized in level IV neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) due to critical illness have an underlying genetic condition. Most don’t get their diagnosis for months or even years. However, clinical assays,…

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Beyond the Wow Factor: Artificial Intelligence in Pediatrics
 Beyond the Wow Factor: Artificial Intelligence in Pediatrics 1024 576 Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES
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What promise do AI and machine learning hold for pediatrics, and how can their potential flourish while still safeguarding children’s health and privacy? Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) have exploded across the worlds of marketing and commerce in recent years. Streaming services…

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Going Viral: The AAV Approach to Curing Cancer
 Going Viral: The AAV Approach to Curing Cancer 1024 256 Emily Siebenmorgen
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According to Timothy Cripe, MD, PhD, chief of the Division of Hematology and Oncology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, it’s an incredible time to be working on cancer treatment – and now, targeted cancer prevention. “There’s so much going on in the cancer world these…

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Placing Value on a Pediatric Surgeon’s Academic Work
 Placing Value on a Pediatric Surgeon’s Academic Work 1024 683 Mary Bates, PhD
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The addition of an academic RVU system to an existing work RVU-based incentivization plan boosted academic productivity in the Department of Pediatric Surgery at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. At many institutions, physicians and surgeons are compensated using a productivity formula based on work relative value…

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Role of Myeoloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Septic Shock Immunoparalysis
 Role of Myeoloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Septic Shock Immunoparalysis 1024 683 Mary Bates, PhD
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New study is the first to describe increased myeloid-derived suppressors cells in children with septic shock. In children with septic shock, the immune system initiates a systemic inflammatory response and a nearly concurrent compensatory anti-inflammatory response. When severe, this anti-inflammatory response is termed “immunoparalysis”…

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Micro-dystrophin: A Small Gene With Big Promise
 Micro-dystrophin: A Small Gene With Big Promise 1024 632 Abbie Miller
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SRP-9001 for Duchenne muscular dystrophy supplies a functional dystrophin gene via AAVrh74 gene therapy. In 1969, Jerry Mendell, MD, was working at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) when he saw his first patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DMD, a…

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Implementation of a COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Program
 Implementation of a COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Program 150 150 Lauren Dembeck
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Researchers provide guidance on risk stratification and offer subspecialists and community practitioners a streamlined approach to treating patients at greater risk for severe COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the development of therapeutic approaches to combat the SAR-CoV-2 virus. In late 2020, monoclonal antibody therapies…

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Preterm Birth Increases Health Vulnerabilities of Babies With Down Syndrome
 Preterm Birth Increases Health Vulnerabilities of Babies With Down Syndrome 1024 624 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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Babies with Down syndrome who are born preterm have higher prenatal morbidity and mortality rates than those in babies with Down syndrome born at term, suggesting pediatricians can lower their risk threshold for certain screenings or interventions. Compared with age-matched neonates without Down syndrome,…

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Improving the Diagnosis and Treatment of Iron Deficiency and Anemia in Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
 Improving the Diagnosis and Treatment of Iron Deficiency and Anemia in Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease 150 150 Lauren Dembeck
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Iron deficiency with and without anemia is under-recognized and under-treated in children with inflammatory bowel disease.   Anemia is the most common extr-aintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and iron deficiency is the…

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Intraoperative Evaluation of Penile Blood Flow During Bladder Exstrophy
 Intraoperative Evaluation of Penile Blood Flow During Bladder Exstrophy 150 150 Mary Bates, PhD
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Laser angiography technology allows for real-time measurements of penile perfusion during exstrophy repair operations. In a new pilot study, researchers from the Pediatric Urology Midwest Alliance (PUMA) demonstrated that intraoperative laser angiography is a safe and easy method to evaluate penile perfusion during bladder…

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Ask a Specialist: When Should Primary Care Providers Refer Dental Injuries to the Emergency Department?
 Ask a Specialist: When Should Primary Care Providers Refer Dental Injuries to the Emergency Department? 150 150 Ehsan N. Azadani, DDS, MS
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An expert reveals the most common red flag dental injuries that should be referred to the ED and what precautions PCPs can take before sending the child.   The most time-sensitive dental injury is the avulsion of a permanent tooth; that is, when the…

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physicians in white coats looking at a tablet
Using Machine Learning in the Electronic Medical Record to Save Lives
 Using Machine Learning in the Electronic Medical Record to Save Lives 1024 683 Abbie Miller
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The deterioration risk index identifies patients at risk for deterioration and poor outcomes, triggering the care team to act before a crisis happens. In a report published in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, a team from Nationwide Children’s Hospital describes a machine learning tool for…

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Toddler playing with toys
Improving Outcomes for Infants and Children With Congenital Hypothyroidism
 Improving Outcomes for Infants and Children With Congenital Hypothyroidism 1024 575 Mary Bates, PhD
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A quality improvement project identifies high-risk patients and ensures they receive necessary care.   Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is one of the most common preventable causes of intellectual disability. In the United States and many other countries, newborns are tested a 24-72 hours after birth…

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conceptual art of DNA
High-Risk Genotype Impacts Kidney Disease Trajectory
 High-Risk Genotype Impacts Kidney Disease Trajectory 1024 575 Mary Bates, PhD
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Patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis that possess two variations in the APOL1 gene experience more rapid progression of kidney disease. In a new study, researchers from Nationwide Children’s and other institutions quantified the relationship between a high-risk genotype and kidney disease progression in patients…

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Youth Suicide and Attempted Suicide Reported to Poison Control Centers Increased During the COVID-19 Pandemic
 Youth Suicide and Attempted Suicide Reported to Poison Control Centers Increased During the COVID-19 Pandemic 150 150 Laura Dattner
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A recent study evaluated trends of suspected suicides and suicide attempts among children 6-19 years old reported to United States poison centers. A recent study published in Journal of Medical Toxicology from the Center for Injury Research and Policy and Central Ohio Poison Center…

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smiling baby being held up by an adult
Reducing Opioid Prescriptions for Common Pediatric Urologic Procedures
 Reducing Opioid Prescriptions for Common Pediatric Urologic Procedures 1024 682 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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To address the national opioid epidemic, clinician-scientists developed a quality improvement initiative to achieve significant, long-term reductions in opioid prescriptions after common pediatric urologic procedures.   Opioids are commonly prescribed for pediatric urologic procedures. However, studies have reported a troubling practice of overprescribing opioids…

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Nephrology Education Ripe With Opportunities to Improve Health Equity
 Nephrology Education Ripe With Opportunities to Improve Health Equity 1024 575 Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES
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The Health Care Justice Committee of the American Society of Nephrology has released recommendations for incorporating anti-racism and social justice concepts into education and mentoring with the goal of improving health equity.   In 2020, leaders in the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) reached…

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Multidisciplinary Treatment for Is Effective for Patients With Rumination Syndrome
 Multidisciplinary Treatment for Is Effective for Patients With Rumination Syndrome 150 150 Jessica Nye, PhD
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Tiered, multidisciplinary behavioral treatment is effective at improving symptoms of rumination syndrome (RS) among children and adolescents, even in the outpatient setting.   Children with RS present with repeated, effortless regurgitation of undigested food. Although limited data about treatment are available, previous studies have…

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Featured Researcher — Eric Nelson, PhD
 Featured Researcher — Eric Nelson, PhD 150 150 Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES
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Eric Nelson, PhD, is a principal investigator in the Center for Biobehavioral Health in the Abigail Wexner Research Institute (AWRI) at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. His work centers around how the brain develops, particularly during adolescence, as well as how it changes (or doesn’t) during…

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Pediatric Obesity Can Be Treated Safely and Effectively
 Pediatric Obesity Can Be Treated Safely and Effectively 1024 575 Abbie Miller
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New guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasize evidence for safe, effective treatment of pediatric obesity for long-term benefit of children and adolescents.   More than 14.4 million U.S. children and adolescents have obesity, making it one of the most common chronic conditions…

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Addressing the Clinical Challenges of Caring for Children with Cystic Fibrosis and Autism Spectrum Disorder
 Addressing the Clinical Challenges of Caring for Children with Cystic Fibrosis and Autism Spectrum Disorder 150 150 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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A recent study sheds light on the unique clinical challenges faced by children with cystic fibrosis and autism spectrum disorder and offers potential solutions to these challenges.   Cystic fibrosis (CF) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) pose significant clinical and emotional burdens to patients and…

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5 Things Neonatologists Should Know About Vitamin K Deficiency
 5 Things Neonatologists Should Know About Vitamin K Deficiency 1024 683 Mary Bates, PhD
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Vitamin K prophylaxis is safe and effective. Why are more parents refusing it, and what can be done? In a new perspective paper in the Journal of Perinatology, researchers from Nationwide Children’s say that vitamin K prophylaxis is an essential component of newborn care…

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Proteins as Antibiotic Alternatives for Urinary Tract Infections
 Proteins as Antibiotic Alternatives for Urinary Tract Infections 1024 682 Emily Siebenmorgen
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Antibiotic-resistant bacteria have made treating common infections challenging. In a new study from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, researchers demonstrate a way to boost the body’s production of antimicrobial peptides, which may provide an alternative to antibiotic use. With the rise of in antibiotic resistant infections,…

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Cancer-Causing Gene and Treatment Target for Ultra-Rare Rhabdomyosarcoma Confirmed Via Multiple Models
 Cancer-Causing Gene and Treatment Target for Ultra-Rare Rhabdomyosarcoma Confirmed Via Multiple Models 1024 764 Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES
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An international team has validated a cancer-causing gene fusion — and therapeutic targets — for an unusual presentation of muscle cancer in infants. In 2016, researchers first identified a novel gene mutation and fusion in rare cases of infants with rhabdomyosarcoma, a type of…

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The Role of a Children’s Hospital in Central Ohio’s Biotech Boom
 The Role of a Children’s Hospital in Central Ohio’s Biotech Boom 480 346 Lauren Dembeck and Natalie Wilson
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Nationwide Children’s Hospital is at the front of the pack among top National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded children’s hospitals when it comes to developing novel gene therapies and commercializing intellectual property. Achieving this level of commercial activity is a testament to the organization’s…

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Re-evaluating GI Medication Regimens in People With Cystic Fibrosis
 Re-evaluating GI Medication Regimens in People With Cystic Fibrosis 1024 681 Emily Siebenmorgen
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After widespread adoption of highly effective modulator therapy (HEMT), a new study evaluated the GI medication regimens of people with cystic fibrosis (CF). The study, published in Pediatric Pulmonolgy, found patient-initiated decreases in dosing and withdrawal from common GI medications is already occurring, yet…

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Understanding the Cellular Mechanisms to Drive New Therapies for Neurodevelopmental Disorder with Regression, Abnormal Movements, Loss of Speech and Seizures (NEDAMSS)
 Understanding the Cellular Mechanisms to Drive New Therapies for Neurodevelopmental Disorder with Regression, Abnormal Movements, Loss of Speech and Seizures (NEDAMSS) 1024 577 Jessica Nye, PhD
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Derived cells from patients with NEDAMSS exhibit perturbed cellular respiration and poor neuronal survival, both of which can be improved with CuATSM treatment. NEDAMSS (neurodevelopmental disorder with regression, abnormal movements, loss of speech, and seizures) is a rare neurological disorder discovered in 2018 with…

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The PROMISE Program Reduces Cardiac Arrests in High-Risk Patients
 The PROMISE Program Reduces Cardiac Arrests in High-Risk Patients 600 400 Mary Bates, PhD
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This proactive quality improvement initiative improved outcomes for high-risk pediatric cardiology patients undergoing cardiac intervention. Faculty within The Heart Center at Nationwide Children’s recently initiated proactive risk mitigation strategies to reduce post-procedural cardiac arrests in high-risk congenital heart patients. In a new paper, the…

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Using 3D Motion Capture Technology to Improve Outcomes
 Using 3D Motion Capture Technology to Improve Outcomes 150 150 Mary Bates, PhD
By:

  Kirsten Tulchin-Francis, PhD Kirsten Tulchin-Francis, PhD, joined Nationwide Children’s in March 2022 as director of orthopedic research and director of the Honda Center for Gait Analysis and Mobility Enhancement. In a Q&A, she discusses how she uses motion capture technology to improve outcomes…

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teen boy with back to camera reading a book
Youth Suicide Rates in the U.S. Increased During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Especially Among Particular Subgroups
 Youth Suicide Rates in the U.S. Increased During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Especially Among Particular Subgroups 1024 691 Jessica Nye, PhD
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In the United States, youth suicides increased during COVID-19, with significantly more suicides than expected among males, non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaskan Native and Black youth.   Suicide is the second leading cause of death for individuals aged 5-24 years in the United States, and a…

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Mason’s Story: A Less Invasive Solution for Achalasia
 Mason’s Story: A Less Invasive Solution for Achalasia 1024 683 Emily Siebenmorgen
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A 9-year-old boy with life-long difficulty eating and keeping down food underwent a new procedure being performed in children from Muhammad Khan, MD, MPH, FASGE, pediatric gastroenterologist and the director of interventional and diagnostic endoscopy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Achalasia is a progressive swallowing…

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Proof-of-Concept Study Shows Promise of Exon-Skipping Gene Therapy Approach in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
 Proof-of-Concept Study Shows Promise of Exon-Skipping Gene Therapy Approach in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy 1024 575 Lauren Dembeck
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Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating progressive muscle-wasting disease that leads to loss of motor and cardiorespiratory function. The disease is caused by mutations in the DMD gene that result in the loss of expression of the dystrophin protein, which plays a critical…

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Nurse caring for infant in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Substantial Variation in Fluid Balance Among Preterm Neonates
 Substantial Variation in Fluid Balance Among Preterm Neonates 1024 575 Lauren Dembeck
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In neonates, approximately 75 to 90% of the body weight consists of body fluid. The amount varies with gestational age, with higher total body fluid percentages in extremely preterm infants, those born at 22 to 28 weeks of gestation. These extremely preterm infants have…

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toddler brushing teeth
Quality Improvement in Primary Care Improves Dental Utilization and Oral Health Outcomes in Children
 Quality Improvement in Primary Care Improves Dental Utilization and Oral Health Outcomes in Children 1024 680 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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Quality improvement provides an effective, standardized approach to increasing pediatric dental utilization and improving oral health outcomes in primary care settings. According to a recent study by pediatric dentist David Danesh, DMD, MPH, MS, and his research team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, children receiving…

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Featured Researcher — Linda Baker, MD
 Featured Researcher — Linda Baker, MD 150 150 Natalie Wilson
By:

Linda Baker, MD, a renowned expert in prune belly syndrome (PBS), joined Nationwide Children’s as a research director and principal investigator in the Kidney and Urinary Tract Center and The Ohio State University as a clinical professor of Urology at the end of 2022.…

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Linda Baker, MD
5 Things to Know About Prune Belly Syndrome
 5 Things to Know About Prune Belly Syndrome 1024 683 Abbie Miller
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Linda Baker, MD, urologist, principal investigator, and one of the world’s foremost experts on prune belly syndrome, recently joined Nationwide Children’s Hospital as the co-director of the Kidney and Urinary Tract Center. She shares some important things to know about this rare disease. 1.…

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Collage of health technology tools
Adding Telehealth Solutions to the Autism Toolbox: What Really Works?
 Adding Telehealth Solutions to the Autism Toolbox: What Really Works? 1024 535 Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES
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The COVID-19 pandemic forced autism diagnostics and follow-up care to digital, remote platforms. Now that telehealth is no longer required, what’s worth keeping as a digital service option?   It may be hard to imagine successfully observing a child over video — or even…

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Myopericarditis After COVID-19 Vaccination
 Myopericarditis After COVID-19 Vaccination 1024 683 Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES
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A meta-analysis of international studies offers more detailed insight into the severity and outcomes of vaccine-related myopericarditis in the adolescent and young adult population. Concerns over myopericarditis and other cardiovascular complications in teens and young adults have gained considerable media attention. While myopericarditis-related data…

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Young child with Cerebral Palsy
New Guidelines for Care of Children With Cerebral Palsy
 New Guidelines for Care of Children With Cerebral Palsy 1024 683 Abbie Miller
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Guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine highlight advances in diagnosis, care and outcomes for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. In late 2022, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy for…

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Black couple with newborn
Virtual Support for Educating Parents of Newborns with Sickle Cell Trait
 Virtual Support for Educating Parents of Newborns with Sickle Cell Trait 1024 681 Mary Bates, PhD
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A supplementary videoconferencing program engages parents and reduces worry about sickle cell trait status. Nearly 3 million people in the U.S. have sickle cell trait (SCT), in which they inherit one sickle cell gene and one normal gene. Individuals with SCT are usually asymptomatic;…

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Fertility-Related Care for Girls With Turner Syndrome
 Fertility-Related Care for Girls With Turner Syndrome 150 150 Mary Bates, PhD
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Recent survey of providers shows fertility counseling and referrals are delivered inconsistently in this population. Researchers from Nationwide Children’s recently assessed practices surrounding fertility-related care among clinical providers who treat girls with Turner syndrome. They found that fertility counseling and referral rates remain inconsistent…

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New Insights into the Role of the NOTCH1 Gene in Congenital Heart Defects
 New Insights into the Role of the NOTCH1 Gene in Congenital Heart Defects 150 150 Mary Bates, PhD
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Experiments in human cells identify how mutations in the NOTCH1 gene impact cardiac cell differentiation and proliferation. A new study published in Circulation Research provides novel insights into how mutations in the NOTCH1 gene may lead to abnormal differentiation and proliferation of cardiomyocytes and…

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Featured Researcher — Jonathan Slaughter, MD, MPH
 Featured Researcher — Jonathan Slaughter, MD, MPH 150 150 Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES
By:

Jonathan Slaughter, MD, MPH, neonatologist and principal investigator in the Center for Perinatal Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, works to identify best practices and reduce treatment variation to improve neonatal clinical care and outcomes. His career took off when, after casually observing practice variation…

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abstract art of magnifying glass over DNA strand
Genomic Medicine Translational Protocols – What Do They Mean for Patients Everywhere?
 Genomic Medicine Translational Protocols – What Do They Mean for Patients Everywhere? 1024 614 Elizabeth Varga
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As part of the Journey to Best Outcomes, Nationwide Children’s Hospital has dedicated significant resources to genomic medicine, named as a key accelerator in the 2017-2021 strategic plan and as one of the three pillars that will be utilized to integrate research and clinical…

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Study Identifies Multiple Cell Signaling Pathways for Calcification in Aortic Valve Disease Regulated by Nitric Oxide
 Study Identifies Multiple Cell Signaling Pathways for Calcification in Aortic Valve Disease Regulated by Nitric Oxide 1024 753 Lauren Dembeck
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Exploring novel signaling mediators in calcific aortic valve disease may pave the way for the development of pharmacotherapies to treat this intractable condition during early stages of its progression.   Calcific aortic valve disease is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by progressive fibrosis and…

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Preventing Pregnancies for Patients on Teratogenic Medications
 Preventing Pregnancies for Patients on Teratogenic Medications 1024 575 Emily Siebenmorgen
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In a recent study from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, researchers increased the time between pregnancies for patients on teratogenic medications from an average of 52 days to over 900 days through quality improvement (QI) and behavioral economics. Teratogenic medications such as methotrexate and mycophenolate are…

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Exploring the Complex Immune Microenvironment of Rasmussen Encephalitis
 Exploring the Complex Immune Microenvironment of Rasmussen Encephalitis 1024 587 Lauren Dembeck
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Researchers used a multi-omics approach to gain a deeper understanding of aberrant cellular signaling leading to progression of a rare childhood neurological disease.   Rasmussen encephalitis is a very rare childhood neurological disease characterized by chronic progressive inflammation of one hemisphere of the brain,…

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Low-Resource Screening Tool Demonstrates Superior Predictive Value for Cerebral Palsy in Infants
 Low-Resource Screening Tool Demonstrates Superior Predictive Value for Cerebral Palsy in Infants 1024 683 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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The use of lower-resource screening tools for cerebral palsy in infants can help increase early detection of the condition and promote access to early interventions.   A recent study reported that the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE), when compared with the Test of Infant…

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Molly Fuchs, MD
Real-World Urinary Management and Outcomes in Cloacal Exstrophy Among Children and Adults
 Real-World Urinary Management and Outcomes in Cloacal Exstrophy Among Children and Adults 1024 683 Jessica Nye, PhD
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Most (94%) older children and adults with cloacal exstrophy are managed by incontinent diversion or clean intermittent catheterization. “The published literature about cloacal exstrophy can be misleading, and there is an impression that with surgical bladder reconstruction, normal bladder function and voiding can be…

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Supplementation With Omega 3-6 Improves a Marker of Inflammation Among Children Newly Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder
 Supplementation With Omega 3-6 Improves a Marker of Inflammation Among Children Newly Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder 1024 681 Jessica Nye, PhD
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Fatty acid supplementation may be a treatment route for addressing some underlying causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among children.   One potential mechanism affecting autism-related behaviors is inflammation. In general, ASD severity has been associated with inflammatory cytokine levels and externalizing behaviors with…

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CFTR Modulation Therapy Improves Markers of Inflammation and Lung Function in Cystic Fibrosis
 CFTR Modulation Therapy Improves Markers of Inflammation and Lung Function in Cystic Fibrosis 1024 575 Jessica Nye, PhD
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Six months of elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor (ETI) therapy significantly reduced proinflammatory cytokines, increased immune cell composition, and improved clinical outcomes in cystic fibrosis (CF).   “Cystic fibrosis is a progressive lung disease that carries significant morbidity,” says Shahid Sheikh, MD, of the Pulmonary Medicine and Allergy/Immunology…

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Predicting Risk of Nosocomial Infection in Pediatric Burn Patients: Can Measures of Adaptive Immune Function Help?
 Predicting Risk of Nosocomial Infection in Pediatric Burn Patients: Can Measures of Adaptive Immune Function Help? 150 150 Abbie Miller
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Pediatric burn injuries affect 1 million children each year in the United States. While burn care improvements have decreased mortality, infection-related complications remain a significant problem. According to the National Burn Repository, four of the top five complications of pediatric burns are infection related.…

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Intrauterine Devices are a First-Line Option for Adolescents with Bleeding Disorders
 Intrauterine Devices are a First-Line Option for Adolescents with Bleeding Disorders 150 150 Mary Bates, PhD
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Among adolescents with heavy menstrual bleeding, study shows no difference in IUD expulsion rate between adolescents with bleeding disorders and those without. In a new study, researchers from Nationwide Children’s evaluated the use of intrauterine devices (IUDs) in two young women’s hematology clinics. They…

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New Guidelines Offer a Clear Path for Expandable Endoprosthesis Use in Post-Sarcoma Limb Reconstruction
 New Guidelines Offer a Clear Path for Expandable Endoprosthesis Use in Post-Sarcoma Limb Reconstruction 150 150 Abbie Miller
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Limb salvage operation is the standard of care for pediatric extremity bone sarcomas. These tumors often occur during the second decade of life, when children are growing rapidly. Reconstructive surgeries must account for anticipated remaining growth and the potential for resulting limb inequity. Osteosarcoma…

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Robotic Approach to Rare Case Leads to Best Possible Outcome
 Robotic Approach to Rare Case Leads to Best Possible Outcome 1024 683 Emily Siebenmorgen
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A rare tumor in a child from Greece is resolved by robotic spleen-sparing distal pancreatectomy. Hospital visits can feel like a foreign experience for anyone, especially so when your hospital is actually in another country. But eight-year-old Evangelia felt especially at home after traveling…

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Biofilms In Respiratory Infections and Beyond: A Review
 Biofilms In Respiratory Infections and Beyond: A Review 150 150 Emily Siebenmorgen
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Researchers from Nationwide Children’s recently published a landmark piece in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology reviewing everything known about biofilm aggregates and their role in respiratory tract infections to date. Biofilms create sticky situations for several diseases. These microbial communities are formed when…

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Featured Researcher — Motao (Matt) Zhu, MS, MD, PhD
 Featured Researcher — Motao (Matt) Zhu, MS, MD, PhD 150 150 Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES
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Motao (Matt) Zhu, MS, MD, PhD, serves as a principal investigator in the Center for Injury Research and Policy at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. After starting off his epidemiology studies in reproductive health, Dr. Zhu transitioned into injury research…

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The Impact and Implications of Interferons Against RSV
 The Impact and Implications of Interferons Against RSV 1024 575 Emily Siebenmorgen
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Specific cytokines play a key role in minimizing disease severity Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) shares many symptoms with other respiratory viruses like the common cold or the flu, but it represents the number one cause of hospitalization in infants worldwide. Despite being a large…

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How Quality Improvement Can Expand Insulin Pump Use and More
 How Quality Improvement Can Expand Insulin Pump Use and More 150 150 Mary Bates, PhD
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A Q&A with Don Buckingham about the T1D Exchange Quality Improvement Collaborative Don Buckingham, MBOE, CPHQ, CSSBB, joined Nationwide Children’s Center for Clinical Excellence as a quality strategist eight years ago. In a Q&A, he shares how he leveraged his background in industry and…

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Using Hormone Therapy First Drives Earlier Remission From Infantile Epileptic Spasms Syndrome
 Using Hormone Therapy First Drives Earlier Remission From Infantile Epileptic Spasms Syndrome 1024 575 Natalie Wilson
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Recent research conducted at Nationwide Children’s Hospital demonstrated standardizing hormone therapy as the first treatment for infantile spasms improved rates of early remission. Infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS) is an uncommon epilepsy syndrome characterized by seizures called infantile spasms that begin between 1 and…

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New Nomogram Helps Optimize 3-D Rotational Angiography for Congenital Cardiac Catheterization
 New Nomogram Helps Optimize 3-D Rotational Angiography for Congenital Cardiac Catheterization 1024 775 Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES
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Clinician-researchers studied a large number of 3-D rotational angiography (3DRA) cases to identify patient and practice factors that produce the highest quality images. In an effort to aid in the successful application of 3-D rotational angiography (3DRA) in cardiac catheterization labs worldwide, a team…

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Bowel Management Program Improves Urinary Symptoms Associated with Pediatric Functional Constipation
 Bowel Management Program Improves Urinary Symptoms Associated with Pediatric Functional Constipation 150 150 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
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A one-week bowel management program can significantly improve urinary symptoms in children with functional constipation, possibly eliminating the need for extensive urologic testing. Molly Fuchs, MD, a urologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and her research team recently demonstrated that a bowel management program (BMP)…

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Development of Acute Kidney Injury as a Potential Biomarker of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants
 Development of Acute Kidney Injury as a Potential Biomarker of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants 1024 683 Mary Bates, PhD
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Regular measurement of serum creatinine levels could help identify necrotizing enterocolitis sooner. Researchers at Nationwide Children’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) evaluated serum creatinine levels and the development of acute kidney injury as a potential biomarker of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. The retrospective…

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Study Suggests Survivors of Pediatric Brain Tumors Have Altered Connectivity of Key Brain Regions
 Study Suggests Survivors of Pediatric Brain Tumors Have Altered Connectivity of Key Brain Regions 1024 575 Lauren Dembeck
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The findings contribute to a scant body of literature on the changes in functional connection within the brain and neurocognitive outcomes in survivors of pediatric brain tumors. Pediatric brain tumors are the most common solid tumor diagnosis among children in the United States. With…

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Clearing Up Confusion On Cleft Lip and Palate
 Clearing Up Confusion On Cleft Lip and Palate 600 400 Emily Siebenmorgen
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There’s a common misconception that cleft lip and cleft palate is a third-world disease. The truth is: it’s very common in the United States. In fact, it’s the most common birth defect after congenital heart disease, occurring in one in 700 births. That’s around…

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Understanding Eosinophilic Esophagitis
 Understanding Eosinophilic Esophagitis 150 150 Emily Siebenmorgen
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Recent PediaCast CME episode from Mike Patrick, MD, shares important information about diagnosing and treating eosinophilic esophagitis. Eosinophilic esophagitis, or EOE, may not be the first condition providers think of when a patient presents with upper abdominal pain or dysphagia. EOE incidence has increased…

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How Can We Ensure Use of Artificial Intelligence in Pediatric Medicine Is Ethical?
 How Can We Ensure Use of Artificial Intelligence in Pediatric Medicine Is Ethical? 915 341 Jessica Nye, PhD
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Team diversity, data contextual factors, and transparency are key factors for the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) in pediatric medicine. AI has been increasingly used in medicine to help clinicians predict patient risk and make treatment decisions. A discussion about the ethical translation…

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Reducing Surgery and Its Associated Risks Through Advanced Interventional Endoscopy
 Reducing Surgery and Its Associated Risks Through Advanced Interventional Endoscopy 150 150 Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES
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Specially trained pediatric endoscopists can perform a range of diagnostic, interventional and therapeutic procedures for children, allowing them to avoid referral to adult endoscopists or even open surgery.   Muhammad Khan, MD, MPH, FASGE, the new director of interventional and diagnostic endoscopy at Nationwide…

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Featured Researcher — Brenda Lilly, PhD
 Featured Researcher — Brenda Lilly, PhD 150 150 Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES
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Brenda Lilly, PhD, a principal investigator in the Center for Cardiovascular Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, examines the interactions between endothelial cells, which line the inside of blood vessels, and smooth muscle cells. Blood vessels play a critical role in a wide variety of…

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Celebrating More Than 100 Heart Transplants — And a Host of Other Heart Program Achievements
 Celebrating More Than 100 Heart Transplants — And a Host of Other Heart Program Achievements 1024 746 Deipanjan Nandi, MD, MSc
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Deipanjan Nandi, MD, MSc, shares an update about treating heart failure at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. From transplant to ventricular assist devices and pharmaceutical options, the patient-centered care offers innovative options for patients with heart failure.

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cube made of ball magnets in the palm of a hand
Do Warning Labels on High-Powered Magnets Prevent Child Injury?
 Do Warning Labels on High-Powered Magnets Prevent Child Injury? 1024 521 Laura Dattner
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A recent study suggests parents often don’t notice or read warning labels on high powered magnets. They also perceive these products as children’s toys, despite FDA rules against marketing them to children under age 14 years. High-powered magnet products are made of rare-earth metals,…

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