In Brief

Supporting Optimal Developmental Outcomes After Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome
Supporting Optimal Developmental Outcomes After Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome 1024 575 Abbie Miller
Toddler playing with toys

Children with prenatal opioid exposure have a higher risk for developmental and behavioral concerns. Prenatal opioid exposure is still far too common. Experts estimate that one infant who has been exposed to opioids is born every 15 minutes in the United States.  While standard diagnostic criteria for neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) were recently proposed,…

Scalable Delivery of Universal Suicide Prevention in Schools
Scalable Delivery of Universal Suicide Prevention in Schools 1024 657 Pam Georgiana

Implementing the Signs of Suicide (SOS) Prevention and Screening Program   Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among youth ages 10 to 19 years, and data indicate no sign of it decreasing as a major public health issue. While acute care and crisis intervention are critical efforts to reduce adolescent suicide rates, there is…

Infliximab Biosimilars Improve Growth Outcomes in Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Infliximab Biosimilars Improve Growth Outcomes in Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease 1024 683 Mary Bates, PhD

Treatment with either the infliximab originator or a biosimilar improves clinical and growth outcomes. In a new study, researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital report that children with inflammatory bowel disease showed similar growth and clinical outcomes whether they were treated with the infliximab originator or a biosimilar agent. The results add to the growing literature…

New Approach to Understanding Slow Oscillations in the Sleeping Brain
New Approach to Understanding Slow Oscillations in the Sleeping Brain 150 150 Jessica Nye, PhD

Investigators have proposed a novel model-based approach that leverages data generated during sleep to mimic global slow oscillations in the sleeping brain with closed-loop (cl) Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS). “We’re really interested in the sleeping brain because as we develop, the brain is changing. During sleep, we process information that we learn during the…

Integrating PCOS Research and Clinical Care for Adolescents
Integrating PCOS Research and Clinical Care for Adolescents 1024 575 Pam Georgiana
Black and white image of teen girl posing outside

Researchers at Nationwide Children’s are participating in building the first-ever national registry of adolescent Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) patient data through a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded research grant. The grant will collect patient data from more than 12 multidisciplinary PCOS clinics, including Nationwide Children’s. PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that can cause irregular menstrual…

How Are Insulin Pumps Being Utilized for Patients with Type 1 Diabetes?
How Are Insulin Pumps Being Utilized for Patients with Type 1 Diabetes? 1024 683 Pam Georgiana

A multicenter observational study of 22,000 children and adults shows improving quality of life for patients with type 1 diabetes.    Type 1 diabetes diagnoses are increasing among children, particularly those in racial/ethnic minority groups. New technology, specifically insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, may improve quality of life and long-term outcomes. However,…

Spinal Anesthesia – an Alternative for Infants Undergoing Surgery
Spinal Anesthesia – an Alternative for Infants Undergoing Surgery 1024 683 Pam Georgiana

A new study highlights the safety and efficacy of more than 1,000 surgeries using spinal anesthesia. Nationwide Children’s Infant Spinal Anesthesia Program, headed by Grant J. Heydinger, MD, a pediatric attending anesthesiologist in the Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, recently published the results of a multiyear study of spinal anesthesia for infants undergoing surgery…

Improving UTI Detection in Neonates: Antimicrobial Peptides and Cotton Balls
Improving UTI Detection in Neonates: Antimicrobial Peptides and Cotton Balls 1024 683 Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES

New research sets the stage for less-invasive urinary tract infection identification in neonates 22-37 weeks gestational age. A team of researchers driving the revolution in urinary tract infection (UTI) identification using antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) has now expanded their focus from adults and children to newborns – including those born prematurely. Their latest study, published in…

Novel Immunotherapy Approach Enhances Immune Surveillance in Gliomas
Novel Immunotherapy Approach Enhances Immune Surveillance in Gliomas 1024 575 Lauren Dembeck

Genetically engineered myeloid cells release interleukin-2, which helps the immune system overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in gliomas.   Gliomas — tumors originating from the neuronal support (glial) cells of the central nervous system — are one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in adolescents and young adults. Approximately two-thirds of gliomas in these…

Modulator Therapy Improves Chronic Sinus Disease in Individuals with Cystic Fibrosis
Modulator Therapy Improves Chronic Sinus Disease in Individuals with Cystic Fibrosis 1024 683 Mary Bates, PhD

Following 1 year of therapy, patients showed improved sinus CT metrics and clinical outcomes. Over the last decade, the development of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator drugs has revolutionized the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF). The most widely used modulator is the triple combination elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor (ETI), which is approved for people with CF…

What Pulmonologists Need to Know About Respiratory Insufficiency in Neuromuscular Disease
What Pulmonologists Need to Know About Respiratory Insufficiency in Neuromuscular Disease 600 400 Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES

The RIND Study Group has released new consensus criteria to proactively identify hypoventilation in children with neuromuscular diseases. Recently released consensus criteria from an expert panel of pediatric pulmonologists and sleep specialists define and provide diagnosis guidance surrounding respiratory insufficiency in neuromuscular disease (RIND). The results from the 15-member RIND Study Group’s Delphi study, published…

Clinical Trial Shows Promising Results for AAV Gene Therapy for LGMD 2E/R4
Clinical Trial Shows Promising Results for AAV Gene Therapy for LGMD 2E/R4 1024 783 Abbie Miller

Recently published in Nature Medicine, interim results from a Phase 1/2 trial offer promising results.   Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) 2E/R4 is a rare, progressive neuromuscular disorder caused by mutations in the β-sarcoglycan (SGCB) gene. These mutations lead to SGCB protein deficiency, ultimately resulting in muscle loss. Progressive, debilitating weakness and wasting begin in the…

Magnetically Controlled Limb Lengthening Devices Safe for Patients With Programmable Implantable Devices, Study Shows
Magnetically Controlled Limb Lengthening Devices Safe for Patients With Programmable Implantable Devices, Study Shows 1024 683 Erin Gregory
Dr. Iobst with patient

Recent study evaluated the safety and efficacy of using magnetically controlled intramedullary nails in patients with programmable implantable devices, shedding light on a previously unexplored area of orthopedic surgery. In a pivotal study published in the Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction, led by Christopher A. Iobst, MD, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Nationwide Children’s…

Addressing Gastrointestinal Disorders to Improve Quality of Life for Individuals With Down Syndrome
Addressing Gastrointestinal Disorders to Improve Quality of Life for Individuals With Down Syndrome 1024 661 Erin Gregory

Down syndrome (DS) affects approximately 1 in 700 children born in the United States, presenting with intellectual disability and distinct physical features. Alongside these challenges, individuals with DS often contend with various medical issues that impact their quality of life (QoL), including gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Recent research published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics,…

Stem Cell Study Opens Door to Understanding Development of Rare Form of Congenital Heart Disease
Stem Cell Study Opens Door to Understanding Development of Rare Form of Congenital Heart Disease 150 150 Pam Georgiana

Researchers use induced pluripotent stem cell technology and single-cell genomics to pinpoint abnormal cell development in hypoplastic right heart syndrome. A rare form of hypoplastic right heart syndrome (HRHS), pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA-IVS), occurs when the structures on the right side of the heart are malformed. Specifically, in PA-IVS, the pulmonary valve…

Higher Respiratory Severity Scores Associated with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia-Associated Pulmonary Hypertension Risk
Higher Respiratory Severity Scores Associated with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia-Associated Pulmonary Hypertension Risk 1024 683 Mary Bates, PhD

The RSS score is noninvasive and may be clinically useful for risk stratification in extremely preterm infants. Researchers at Nationwide Children’s report that elevations in the respiratory severity score were correlated with an increased risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia-associated pulmonary hypertension in preterm infants. This study identifies a pragmatic clinical risk score that can be measured…

Adolescents With Concussion May Benefit from More Cognitive Activity as Early as the First Week After Injury
Adolescents With Concussion May Benefit from More Cognitive Activity as Early as the First Week After Injury 1024 575 Laura Dattner

A new study shows limiting screen time and returning to school early following a concussion may hasten recovery timelines. In a study published in British Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers with the Center for Injury Research and Policy, Division of Sports Medicine, Center for Biobehavioral Health, and Division of Emergency Medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital evaluated…

Neurorehabilitation for Children With Batten Disease
Neurorehabilitation for Children With Batten Disease 1024 683 Lauren Dembeck

Therapy should be tailored to each child’s needs. Batten disease comprises a rare group of related genetic disorders characterized by progressive neurodegeneration. The disease primarily presents in childhood as seizures, vision loss, and developmental regression. Neurorehabilitation services, including physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and speech-language pathology therapy (SLP), can delay loss of function and…

Hear Me Read: Novel Technology Approach to Reading Skills for Children with Impaired Hearing
Hear Me Read: Novel Technology Approach to Reading Skills for Children with Impaired Hearing 1024 683 Madison Storm

For children who are deaf or have impaired hearing, access to sound through tools like hearing aids, cochlear implants and/or intensive speech therapy is critical for developing speech and literacy. “The challenges faced are not the same as those an adult faces,” says Prashant Malhotra, MD, surgeon in the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology and Hearing…

Meet Daphne©, a ChatBot for Pediatric Health Care
Meet Daphne©, a ChatBot for Pediatric Health Care 150 150 Madison Storm

Machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI)have exploded across the worlds of marketing and commerce in recent years. At Nationwide Children’s, clinicians and researchers are focusing on how AI and related technologies can be used to reduce clinician workloads and improve patient outcomes. Emre Sezgin, PhD, principal investigator in the Center for Biobehavioral Health at Nationwide…

RSV in Infants and High-Risk Children: A Commentary on the Roll-out of a New Preventive Medication
RSV in Infants and High-Risk Children: A Commentary on the Roll-out of a New Preventive Medication 1024 575 Pam Georgiana

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes more than 2 million outpatient visits, as many as 80,000 hospitalizations, and 100 to 300 deaths in children under 5 years old annually. Infants under 6 months of age are at the most significant risk of hospitalization. Although the highest…

Acute Kidney Injury After Comprehensive Stage Two Palliation in Infants With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
Acute Kidney Injury After Comprehensive Stage Two Palliation in Infants With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome 150 150 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM

Infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who undergo the Hybrid pathway palliation commonly develop acute kidney injury after the comprehensive stage 2 procedure and may require advanced medical therapy.   In a recent Cardiology in the Young publication, Andrew Yates, MD, associate medical director for the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and…

Innovations in Pediatric Nephrology and Urology: Spotlight on Congenital Urinary Tract Obstruction
Innovations in Pediatric Nephrology and Urology: Spotlight on Congenital Urinary Tract Obstruction 150 150 Erin Gregory

Congenital urinary tract obstruction poses significant challenges for pediatric patients, compelling innovative approaches in urology. Nationwide Children’s Hospital pioneers research in this field, focusing on understanding the complexities of urinary tract conditions. Two labs within the Kidney and Urinary Tract Center at Nationwide Children’s are spearheading efforts to unravel the intricacies of urinary tract obstruction,…

Legislation Associated With Reduction in Amount of Opioids Prescribed at Discharge
Legislation Associated With Reduction in Amount of Opioids Prescribed at Discharge 1024 681 Laura Dattner

Study shows a decrease after the 2017 Ohio Prescription Opioid Cap Law went into effect. The Ohio Opioid Cap Law, enacted on August 31, 2017, limited the total dose and duration of opioids that could be prescribed for minors. The anticipated benefit of cap laws in preventing opioid overdose, death and addiction was counterbalanced by fears…

Novel Treatment Ameliorates Proteinuria and Dyslipidemia in a Model of Noninflammatory Glomerular Disease
Novel Treatment Ameliorates Proteinuria and Dyslipidemia in a Model of Noninflammatory Glomerular Disease 150 150 Lauren Dembeck

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome — characterized by proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, dyslipidemia, and edema — is one of the most common pediatric glomerular diseases. Glucocorticoids are first-line treatment, followed by calcineurin inhibitors for steroid-resistant disease; however, currently available calcineurin inhibitors can have numerous side effects, including dyslipidemia, and require frequent monitoring of drug levels in the blood. Since…

The Endocrinologists’ Role in Caring for TPIAT Patients
The Endocrinologists’ Role in Caring for TPIAT Patients 1024 500 Lauren Dembeck
illustrated cross section of islets from pancreas

Children with recurrent acute or chronic pancreatitis often suffer debilitating pain and may endure an impaired quality of life. They may be frequently admitted to the hospital, disrupting their daily routines and activities. Patients may undergo medical and endoscopic interventions for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes and may be offered surgical interventions. Total pancreatectomy with…

Increasing the Donor Pool for Young Children Waiting for Heart Transplants
Increasing the Donor Pool for Young Children Waiting for Heart Transplants 150 150 Pam Georgiana

The one-year survival rate following a pediatric heart transplant is over 90%, However, waitlist mortality in the United States for children remains high at 17%. Young and highly sensitized children typically experience longer waitlist times for a heart transplant, which increases their waitlist mortality. In response, doctors utilize various strategies to potentially increase the number…

Implanted Hemodynamic Monitoring in Patients With Fontan Circulation
Implanted Hemodynamic Monitoring in Patients With Fontan Circulation 150 150 Mary Bates, PhD

Pulmonary artery pressures obtained with the CardioMEMSTM system may be clinically useful. In a new study, researchers from The Ohio State University and Nationwide Children’s Hospital report on the use of invasive implanted hemodynamic monitoring (IHM) in patients with Fontan circulation. The findings suggest that IHM pressures in these patients are more closely associated with…

Researchers Create Public Database of Nearly 40,000 Control Samples for Genetic Association Studies
Researchers Create Public Database of Nearly 40,000 Control Samples for Genetic Association Studies 1024 575 Lauren Dembeck
conceptual art of DNA

Genetic association studies provide powerful means of discovering relationships between genetic variants and disease risk. However, these studies require enrolling very large numbers of individuals with the disease (cases) and healthy individuals (controls) as well as collecting genetic data for all of those participants — a time-consuming and expensive endeavor. “Sequencing DNA for a healthy…

New Zebrafish Pipeline Enables Functional Evaluation of Novel, Rare, Fusion-Oncogenes in vivo
New Zebrafish Pipeline Enables Functional Evaluation of Novel, Rare, Fusion-Oncogenes in vivo 1024 683 Jessica Nye, PhD

An innovative method that uses a zebrafish model to rapidly study novel fusion-oncogenes in vivo has been developed by investigators at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.   Fusion oncogenes are frequently observed in pediatric cancers. These fusion oncogenes are typically caused by a chromosomal translocation that produces gain-of-function chimeric gene activity. Although there has been experimental work…

Interactions Between Invading Tumor and Lung Cells Permit Metastatic Lung Colonization of Osteosarcoma
Interactions Between Invading Tumor and Lung Cells Permit Metastatic Lung Colonization of Osteosarcoma 150 150 Lauren Dembeck

Survival signals elicited by lung tissue interactions promote osteosarcoma metastasis and represent a promising target for clinical trials in both human and canine patients.   Osteosarcoma, the most common primary tumor of bone, occurs predominantly in children, teens and young adults. Patient survival largely depends upon the presence or absence of metastasis. Within five years…

Transforming Treatment for Paratesticular Rhabdomyosarcoma in Adolescents through Robotics
Transforming Treatment for Paratesticular Rhabdomyosarcoma in Adolescents through Robotics 1024 683 Erin Gregory

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) has been a crucial component of treating testicular and paratesticular cancers for over a century. Recent advancements in minimally invasive techniques, such as robotic-assisted methods, have expanded the applicability of RPLND, offering reduced morbidity and faster recovery. However, concerns persist regarding the equivalence of oncological outcomes compared to traditional open…

What Are the Risk Factors for Recurrent Wheezing in Late Preterm Infants?
What Are the Risk Factors for Recurrent Wheezing in Late Preterm Infants? 1024 683 Pam Georgiana

A collaboration between a pulmonary medicine fellow and allergy and immunology expert identifies four risk factors associated with recurrent wheezing in these patients.   When Brooke R. Gustafson, MD, a member of the Section of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine at Nationwide Children’s and an assistant professor of pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine,…

GERD Less Likely Cause of Irritability and Back Arching in Infants
GERD Less Likely Cause of Irritability and Back Arching in Infants 1024 683 Lauren Dembeck

In infants, frequent irritability and arching of the back can be concerning to parents and providers. These symptoms are often attributed to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a disease in which the lower esophageal sphincter does not close or opens at the wrong time. As a result, food and stomach acid can come back up into…

Ensuring All Children Have Access to Behavioral Health Care
Ensuring All Children Have Access to Behavioral Health Care 531 213 Pam Georgiana

New study reports the results of integrating psychologists into primary care clinics. Cody A. Hostutler, PhD, a psychologist in the Department of Pediatric Psychology and Neuropsychology at Nationwide Children’s, is concerned about the mental health of the children and adolescents visiting primary care centers. “There is a mental health crisis for kids happening right now.…

Researchers Create a Stem Cell Line to Study Alagille Syndrome
Researchers Create a Stem Cell Line to Study Alagille Syndrome 1024 683 Mary Bates, PhD

The patient-derived iPSCs have a mutation affecting the Notch signaling pathway. Researchers at Nationwide Children’s have developed an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line derived from a patient with Alagille syndrome, a multisystem genetic disease. Like the majority of patients with Alagille syndrome, the stem cells have a pathogenic mutation in the JAG1 gene, part…

Frequency of Pediatric Encounters Predicts Timely Transfer to Adult Care for Youth With Autism
Frequency of Pediatric Encounters Predicts Timely Transfer to Adult Care for Youth With Autism 1024 683 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM

For adolescents and young adults with autism, the total number of pediatric appointments is strongly correlated with a timely transfer to adult care, while the reason for this correlation remains to be elucidated.   In a recent study, Laura Hart, MD, a pediatrician at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and her research team reported a strong correlation…

Rural-Urban Differences in Social and Emotional Protective Factors
Rural-Urban Differences in Social and Emotional Protective Factors 1024 683 Mary Bates, PhD

Efforts to improve child health and flourishing should consider communities’ unique sources of support. Children living in rural areas experience well-documented health and health care disparities compared to those living in urban areas. Protective factors, such as social connectedness and social engagement, also vary by geography, yet their contribution to differences in child health is…

Long-Term Outcomes and Quality of Life for Children Treated With Antegrade Continence Enemas
Long-Term Outcomes and Quality of Life for Children Treated With Antegrade Continence Enemas 1024 601 Pam Georgiana

ACE treatment can lead to long-term clinical and quality-of-life improvement in children with defecation disorders.   For about 10-15% of the children who experience chronic constipation or other defecation disorders, the usual behavioral modification treatments and oral medications don’t help. These disorders can significantly impact their quality of life, yet other treatment options are limited.…

What Treatment is Best for Preventing Kidney Complications in STEC Infections?
What Treatment is Best for Preventing Kidney Complications in STEC Infections? 150 150 Mary Bates, PhD

Nationwide Children’s Hospital is participating in a multicenter trial to determine the optimal way to treat children with high-risk STEC infections. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections can lead to systemic disease affecting multiple organ systems, including the kidneys. Up to 20% of children infected by high-risk STEC develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a devastating…

Is Dextranomer/Hyaluronic Acid an Effective Bladder Neck Bulking Agent for Patients with Persistent Incontinence Following Bladder Neck Reconstruction?
Is Dextranomer/Hyaluronic Acid an Effective Bladder Neck Bulking Agent for Patients with Persistent Incontinence Following Bladder Neck Reconstruction? 1024 575 Pam Georgiana
Dr. Jayanthi standing in OR

Urinary incontinence caused by bladder neck incompetence is common in children diagnosed with neurogenic bladder. Many patients undergo surgery to increase bladder outlet resistance to incontinence, but some still experience it even after surgery. Endoscopic injection of bulking agents has previously been utilized and studied for use in the bladder neck as follow-up treatment for…

Modulator Therapy Improves Lives of Patients With Cystic Fibrosis With Severe Lung Disease
Modulator Therapy Improves Lives of Patients With Cystic Fibrosis With Severe Lung Disease 150 150 Mary Bates, PhD

Patients receiving ETI on a compassionate use basis experienced substantial clinical improvement. The development of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator drugs, most recently elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI), has transformed the treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis. A new study from researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital shows that ETI therapy has the potential to change even…

Outcomes After Surgical Interventions for Abusive Head Trauma
Outcomes After Surgical Interventions for Abusive Head Trauma 1024 683 Mary Bates, PhD

Study suggests that most children can make clinically meaningful recoveries after neurosurgical intervention. Abusive head trauma (AHT) is a leading cause of injury and death in children under 5 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), yet the scientific literature on neurosurgical intervention for this population is mixed. Given the range…

Expanding Access to Genomic Testing in Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Units
Expanding Access to Genomic Testing in Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Units 1024 575 Pam Georgiana
conceptual art of DNA

Recent study identifies variations in availability and highlights opportunities to improve access to genomic testing in the United States and Canada. In the Nationwide Children’s Hospital neonatal intensive care unit, patients needing rapid genome sequencing can get it on demand without administrative approval. However, that is not the case in all level IV neonatal intensive…

Congenital Heart Disease and Extracardiac Phenotypes Associated With Novel Pathogenic Variant in GATA6
Congenital Heart Disease and Extracardiac Phenotypes Associated With Novel Pathogenic Variant in GATA6 1024 575 Jessica Nye, PhD

A study published in Pediatric Research describes a novel pathogenic variant in the gene GATA binding protein 6 (GATA6) associated with congenital heart disease (CHD), diabetes mellitus and necrotizing enterocolitis.   GATA is a family of transcription factors that encode zinc finger DNA binding proteins which are critical regulators during organogenesis. Pathogenic variants in three…

Enhancing Intestinal Rehabilitation Workflow with Disease-Specific Documentation Tools
Enhancing Intestinal Rehabilitation Workflow with Disease-Specific Documentation Tools 150 150 Erin Gregory

Structured data entry not only reduces the amount of time physicians are spending in the electronic health record but also opens the door for new research. A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics by Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Ethan Mezoff, MD, Jennifer Lee, MD, and team has shed light on a promising solution to improve the…

Treating Pediatric Melanoma: Ultrasound Surveillance vs. Completion Lymph Node Dissection for Sentinel Node Positive Patients
Treating Pediatric Melanoma: Ultrasound Surveillance vs. Completion Lymph Node Dissection for Sentinel Node Positive Patients 1024 683 Pam Georgiana

Treatments for pediatric melanoma are usually based on adult studies, but increasing recognition of the differences between pediatric and adult melanoma could change that. Pediatric melanoma is rare in the United States. The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that about 400 children under 20 years old are diagnosed with melanoma each year in the United States.…

Novel Cause of Brain Mosaicism and Focal Epilepsy Identified
Novel Cause of Brain Mosaicism and Focal Epilepsy Identified 1024 575 Abbie Miller

In Nature Genetics, researchers report a novel mechanism for the origin of brain chromosomal mosaicism and link brain mosaic chromosome 1q gain to a distinct clinical phenotype.   In most people, every cell in their body contains the same genetic information. However, sometimes people can have two or more genetically different sets of cells. This…

Probiotics Delivered in Biofilm State Protect the Intestines and Brain in NEC Model
Probiotics Delivered in Biofilm State Protect the Intestines and Brain in NEC Model 898 504 Abbie Miller

Biofilm formulation of Limosilactobacillus reuteri protects against necrotizing enterocolitis in piglet model.  Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a debilitating and deadly condition affecting infants born preterm. In NEC cases, intestinal tissues become inflamed, and in severe cases, there is ischemia and death of the involved intestines. Treatment for NEC often involves surgery to remove the dying…

Increasing Same-Day Amoxicillin Graded Dose Challenges
Increasing Same-Day Amoxicillin Graded Dose Challenges 1024 683 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM

A quality improvement initiative overcomes several barriers to de-labeling penicillin allergies. In a study published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, a research team led by Margaret Redmond, MD, a pediatric allergist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, reported on a quality improvement (QI) initiative that sustainably increased rates of same-day amoxicillin graded…