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Prematurity Increases Morbidity and Mortality Risk in Preterm Neonates with Down Syndrome in the NICU
 Prematurity Increases Morbidity and Mortality Risk in Preterm Neonates with Down Syndrome in the NICU 1024 624 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
By: JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM

  Premature neonates with Down syndrome who are admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit experience higher rates of health complications and an increased mortality risk.   A retrospective study led by Emily Messick, DO, at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, reported the increased risk of adverse health outcomes in preterm neonates with Down syndrome in the…

Rethinking Routine Kidney Ultrasounds in Children With Mild Anorectal Malformations
 Rethinking Routine Kidney Ultrasounds in Children With Mild Anorectal Malformations 1024 683 Lauren Dembeck
By: Lauren Dembeck
Molly Fuchs, MD

  Annual scans rarely identify new kidney concerns in symptom-free children. Children born with anorectal malformations (ARMs), a group of congenital conditions affecting the anus and rectum, are routinely screened for kidney abnormalities because of the association between ARM and urinary tract anomalies. The likelihood of urologic complications  increases with the complexity of the malformation.…

Challenges in Medication Titration in Children with Heart Failure
 Challenges in Medication Titration in Children with Heart Failure 1024 537 Pam Georgiana
By: Pam Georgiana

Beyond the guidelines: implementing consensus-based care for complex patients. Pediatric heart failure is a complex clinical diagnosis, with a growing body of evidence to suggest there are critical differences between pediatric and adult heart failure. In a recent review published in JHLT Open, Jessie Yester, MD, PhD and Deipanjan Nandi, MD highlight the unique challenges…

Defining Urinary Tract Infection: Why Standardization Matters for Research and Care
 Defining Urinary Tract Infection: Why Standardization Matters for Research and Care 1024 683 Pam Georgiana
By: Pam Georgiana

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections worldwide, affecting an estimated 150 million people annually and costing more than $5 billion in the United States alone. However, despite their prevalence, there is still no universally accepted definition of what constitutes a UTI. This lack of clarity complicates both research and…

Nationwide Children’s Team Builds Award-Winning AI Tool to Drive Mental Health Research
 Nationwide Children’s Team Builds Award-Winning AI Tool to Drive Mental Health Research 1024 502 Abbie Miller
By: Abbie Miller

DREAM project wins the 2025 Gartner Eye on Innovation Mid-Size Enterprise Award in the Americas region. In recognition of its innovative application of technology to address critical health care challenges, the Office of Data Sciences was selected as the winner for the prestigious 2025 Gartner Eye on Innovation Awards, Mid-Size Enterprise, Americas.  This international honor…

Food-Based Tube Feeding: Balancing Parental Demand With Pediatric Nutrition Science
 Food-Based Tube Feeding: Balancing Parental Demand With Pediatric Nutrition Science 1024 575 Pam Georgiana
By: Pam Georgiana
Color image of enteral complete liquid nutritional products of several brands

New research from Nationwide Children’s reveals significant differences in nutrient adequacy across commercial food-based formulas. In the last two decades, enteral nutrition has undergone a significant transformation. Fifteen to 20 years ago, pediatric patients requiring gastrostomy tube feeding had only one option: synthetic, cow milk-based formulas designed to meet caloric and macronutrient needs but containing…

Parents’ Perceptions Highlight Gaps in Supporting Children with Epilepsy in School
 Parents’ Perceptions Highlight Gaps in Supporting Children with Epilepsy in School 1024 579 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
By: JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM

Discussions with parents of children with epilepsy revealed concerning gaps in school-based seizure education and care, underscoring the need for better lines of communication between medical teams, school personnel, and the children’s families.   A qualitative study led by Mary Kay Irwin, EdD, and Anup Patel, MD, FAAN, FAES, FCNS, at Nationwide Children’s Hospital reported…

Closing the Treatment Gap: Opioid Use Disorder Medications in Adolescents and Young Adults
 Closing the Treatment Gap: Opioid Use Disorder Medications in Adolescents and Young Adults 1024 683 Pam Georgiana
By: Pam Georgiana
silhouette girl portrait

Findings from the PROUD trial highlight the need for youth-centered prescription strategies in primary care. Adolescents and young adults are far less likely than older adults to receive evidence-based medications for opioid use disorder (OUD), even though buprenorphine and extended-release naltrexone are recommended treatments. Despite their effectiveness, these therapies remain consistently underutilized in youth. To…

Virtual Reality Training Model Aims to Transform Workplace Safety in Health Care
 Virtual Reality Training Model Aims to Transform Workplace Safety in Health Care 1024 683 Madison Storm
By: Madison Storm

A virtual reality (VR) training module developed at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, called DEFUSE, which stands for De-escalate Effectively, Foster Understanding, Safeguard Environments, is setting a new standard for workplace violence prevention in health care settings. Funded by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, the project equips health care professionals with critical skills in situational awareness,…

Post-Ictal Rhythmic Thalamic Activity in the Central Media Nucleus May Play a Role in Seizure Termination in Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
 Post-Ictal Rhythmic Thalamic Activity in the Central Media Nucleus May Play a Role in Seizure Termination in Drug-Resistant Epilepsy 1024 677 Jessica Nye, PhD
By: Jessica Nye, PhD

Investigators from Nationwide Children’s Hospital are the first to describe post-ictal rhythmic thalamic activity (PIRTA) in the central media nucleus (CMN) during focal onset seizure. “When this paper was published, it was a period where understanding the role of the center of the thalamus and seizures was a novel thing,” says senior author Ammar Shaikhouni,…

Norms, Needs and New Frontiers in Pediatric Mental Health
 Norms, Needs and New Frontiers in Pediatric Mental Health 1024 683 Madison Storm
By: Madison Storm

An interview with Eric Youngstrom, PhD, director of the Institute for Mental and Behavioral Health Research at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.   At Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the Institute for Mental and Behavioral Research (IMBHR) is driving discovery through improved assessments, effective treatments and digging deep to answer the ‘why’ behind…

Enhanced IV Line Clamp: A New Spin on a Classic
 Enhanced IV Line Clamp: A New Spin on a Classic 1024 683 Madison Storm
By: Madison Storm
Close-up of newly designed IV line clamps that improve patient safety and usability in hospitals by providing secure, easy-to-adjust flow control for intravenous therapy.

Revolutionizing patient care through human-centered design The IV line clamp is a long-standing technology used to deliver intravenous medications and fluids. For over 90 years, the simplistic, gravity-based design has remained unchanged, despite the growing complexity of patient care and significant advancements in medical technology. Enter Jenna Merandi, PharmD, MS, CCPS, medication safety officer, and…

How Medical-Legal Partnerships Support Families, Relieve Stress and Improve Health
 How Medical-Legal Partnerships Support Families, Relieve Stress and Improve Health 1024 320 Wendy Margolin
By: Wendy Margolin

With a small team of dedicated attorneys working as part of a medical-legal partnership, Lawyers for Kids is making an outsized impact for families at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. A classic example of a medical-legal partnership case is a child with asthma who frequently visits the emergency room. The parents and doctors know the cause is…

Universal Donor CAR NK Cells: A New Platform Technology for Cancer
 Universal Donor CAR NK Cells: A New Platform Technology for Cancer 1024 559 Abbie Miller
By: Abbie Miller
Intravenous (IV) chemotherapy or Cell therapy treatment bag surrounded by cancer cells, fighting the disease

A first-in-human study of universal donor CAR NK cells for acute myeloid leukemia could pave a path for a new approach to treating cancer If you ask Dean Lee, MD, PhD, the new first-in-human trial to evaluate universal donor chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) natural killer (NK) cells in patients with advanced, high-risk acute myeloid leukemia…

New Study Finds Sharp Increase in Nicotine Pouch Ingestions Among Young Children
 New Study Finds Sharp Increase in Nicotine Pouch Ingestions Among Young Children 1024 683 Laura Dattner
By: Laura Dattner
Close-up of nicotine pouches in a plastic container on a dark background, illustrating smokeless tobacco alternatives and nicotine addiction and poisoning risks.

Experts urge stronger regulations, a ban on flavors for all nicotine products and secure at-home storage to help prevent nicotine ingestions. A new study reveals that ingestions of nicotine pouches by young children in the United States have surged in recent years. Researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital…

From the Operating Room to the Clinic: A New Protocol for Ear Tube Surgery
 From the Operating Room to the Clinic: A New Protocol for Ear Tube Surgery 675 450 Alaina Doklovic
By: Alaina Doklovic
Pediatric patient at a follow-up appointment after in-office ear tube insertion, with a doctor examining the child’s ear while the mother provides support.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the only pediatric hospitals to offer in-office ear tubes as an established choice in their standard of care.  In the United States, bilateral myringotomy/ tympanostomy tube insertion (BTI), also known as ear tube surgery, is the most performed ambulatory pediatric surgery with about 667,000 children needing the procedure every…

Assessing the Clinical Utility of a Fetal Echocardiogram When a Sibling Has Congenital Heart Disease
 Assessing the Clinical Utility of a Fetal Echocardiogram When a Sibling Has Congenital Heart Disease 1024 695 JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
By: JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM
Pregnant woman smiling and holding her belly while awaiting a fetal echocardiogram to check her baby’s heart health during pregnancy.

A fetal echocardiogram when a sibling has congenital heart disease may not be clinically necessary if the fetus has a normal second-trimester level II ultrasound. A retrospective study led by Kacy Taylor, MSAH, RDCS, FASE, concluded that critical congenital heart disease (CHD) was not missed when a level two ultrasound (LII-US) was normal in a…

Beyond the Bedside: Nurses Conducting Research to Transform Pediatric Outcomes
 Beyond the Bedside: Nurses Conducting Research to Transform Pediatric Outcomes 1024 683 Madison Storm
By: Madison Storm
Teenage girl having stomach ache, young woman health care provider examining her.

Nurses are vital to clinical research – supporting and conducting it. At Nationwide Children’s Hospital, nurse scientists are dedicated to advancing prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pediatric health conditions.   Nurses at Nationwide Children’s Hospital have long been recognized for their compassionate care and clinical expertise. These high-performing clinicians consistently collaborate with other teams to ensure…

Mode of Respiratory Support at 36 Weeks Predicts Weaning Timeline for Infants With Severe Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
 Mode of Respiratory Support at 36 Weeks Predicts Weaning Timeline for Infants With Severe Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia 1024 683 Lauren Dembeck
By: Lauren Dembeck
Premature baby receiving respiratory support through a nasal cannula in a neonatal intensive care unit, monitored and cared for by a health care provider.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common complication of preterm birth, and its incidence is rising due to advances in neonatal care that have improved survival for extremely premature infants. Respiratory support is a cornerstone of management for these patients, yet the expected timeline for weaning in those with moderate-to-severe (grade 2/3) BPD is not…

Real-Life Impact of ETI Therapy in Cystic Fibrosis: Insights From a Large Treatment Center
 Real-Life Impact of ETI Therapy in Cystic Fibrosis: Insights From a Large Treatment Center 706 470 Pam Georgiana
By: Pam Georgiana

Greater clinical gains observed in patients with severe lung disease, regardless of genotype. A recent prospective observational study led by Shahid I. Sheikh, MD, pediatric pulmonologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and professor of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, offers insights into the effectiveness of a new medication for adolescents and adults…

Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Shows Promise for Diagnosing Renal Obstruction
 Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Shows Promise for Diagnosing Renal Obstruction 480 320 Pam Georgiana
By: Pam Georgiana

Feasibility study demonstrates DCEUS may be a safer, more accessible alternative to nuclear medicine. In a recent study, Bryan S. Sack, MD, chief of Pediatric Urology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Toledo, and colleagues demonstrated the potential of dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (DCEUS) to diagnose ureteropelvic junction obstruction or blockages where the kidney connects to the…

Comparing Two Diagnostic Tools for Upper Gastroenterology Symptoms
 Comparing Two Diagnostic Tools for Upper Gastroenterology Symptoms 1024 680 Pam Georgiana
By: Pam Georgiana
Close up color photo of little boy holding hands on his belly

A retrospective analysis of the clinical correlation between gastric emptying scintigraphy and antroduodenal manometry in pediatric patients with upper GI symptoms. Children with persistent nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain often undergo extensive testing to evaluate for underlying etiologies such as pediatric intestinal pseudo-obstruction, rumination or gastroparesis. Two primary diagnostic tools, gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES) and…

Predicting Acute Kidney Injury in Neonates Using Machine Learning Algorithms
 Predicting Acute Kidney Injury in Neonates Using Machine Learning Algorithms 480 320 Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES
By: Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES

A new model accurately identifies neonates at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) — and the factors physicians should address to prevent it — offering the first AKI prediction tool specific to this vulnerable population. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common and irreversible, making preventive measures essential to maintaining health. Multiple risk prediction tools exist…

Studying the Clinical Progression of Congenital Hypopituitarism
 Studying the Clinical Progression of Congenital Hypopituitarism 1024 683 Pam Georgiana
By: Pam Georgiana
Black baby smiling up at his mother

New research reveals the clinical progression and evolution of pituitary hormone deficiencies in the first 3 years of life. In a recent retrospective study published in Clinical Endocrinology, Jennifer M. Ladd, MD, MSc, pediatric physician in the Division of Endocrinology and associate program director of the Endocrinology Fellowship Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and colleagues…

Hip Ultrasound Has Clinical Utility in Detecting Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip Among Preterm Infants
 Hip Ultrasound Has Clinical Utility in Detecting Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip Among Preterm Infants 1024 575 Jessica Nye, PhD
By: Jessica Nye, PhD
small baby with nose canula

A positive first hip ultrasound (HUS) is highly predictive of having developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) among preterm infants, according to results of a study published in the American Journal of Perinatology. “In term babies, more is known about the accuracy of ultrasounds for congenital or developmental hip dysplasia. But in preterm babies, there…

Streamlining Autism Diagnosis: How Electronic Health Record Tools Increased Early Identification and Referrals in a Primary Care Network
 Streamlining Autism Diagnosis: How Electronic Health Record Tools Increased Early Identification and Referrals in a Primary Care Network 1024 575 Erin Gregory
By: Erin Gregory
Toddler playing with toys

In their recent publication, Boosting Autism Screening and Referrals with EHR-Integrated Tools at Well-Child Visits, Elizabeth W. Barnhardt, DO, MAEd, developmental-behavioral pediatrician at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and faculty member at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, and her team describe a quality improvement initiative designed to improve the early identification of autism spectrum disorder…

Assessing Sleep Disturbances Across the Lifespan in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1
 Assessing Sleep Disturbances Across the Lifespan in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 1024 683 Pam Georgiana
By: Pam Georgiana
physicians in white coats looking at a tablet

Pilot study supports the use of sleep questionnaires to identify underrecognized symptoms in children and adults with DM1. Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1) is a genetic, multisystemic neuromuscular disorder that affects skeletal muscle, cardiac function, the endocrine system and the central nervous system. In addition to myotonia (the inability to relax muscles) and progressive muscle…

Improving Fertility Discussions and Decision-Making for Adolescent Males With Cancer
 Improving Fertility Discussions and Decision-Making for Adolescent Males With Cancer 1024 683 Pam Georgiana
By: Pam Georgiana

 A pilot study shows promise in enhancing shared decision-making and patient satisfaction through family-centered support. Fertility preservation is a critical yet underutilized aspect of cancer care for adolescent males. Despite being a medically low-risk and effective option, only a minority of young patients attempt sperm banking. Barriers exist at both the system and individual/family levels,…

Transforming the Approach to Cancer Epigenomic Studies
 Transforming the Approach to Cancer Epigenomic Studies 1024 764 Abbie Miller
By: Abbie Miller

Two new publications from the Center for Childhood Cancer Research at Nationwide Children’s offer a new platform technology and proof of concept that illuminates the role of a known gene fusion driving rhabdomyosarcoma.  Synergy is an important part of scientific endeavors, and people, teams and organizations who can harness the energy of ideas and passion…

Meet Our Expert: Albert Isaacs, MD, PhD, Neurosurgeon and Genomic Scientist
 Meet Our Expert: Albert Isaacs, MD, PhD, Neurosurgeon and Genomic Scientist 864 576 Lauren Dembeck
By: Lauren Dembeck

Albert Isaacs, MD, PhD, is a pediatric neurosurgeon at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and an assistant professor of Neurological Surgery at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. His research focuses on uncovering the molecular and immunologic drivers of neonatal hydrocephalus, with the goal of developing preventative treatments for at-risk infants. Dr. Isaacs’ extensive background and…

Understanding Long-Term Outcomes for Children With Anorectal Malformation
 Understanding Long-Term Outcomes for Children With Anorectal Malformation 1024 683 Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES
By: Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES

Researchers finally have high-quality data about the trajectory of continence outcomes — and key predictors for quality of life — across childhood for children with anorectal malformations. For many parents of children with an anorectal malformation (ARM), the primary goal is for the child to be “clean and dry” — able to manage bowel movements…

ACMG Issues Primer on Regulation of Laboratory-Developed Tests
 ACMG Issues Primer on Regulation of Laboratory-Developed Tests 1024 683 Lauren Dembeck
By: Lauren Dembeck

The new statement, co-authored by a Nationwide Children’s laboratory geneticist, outlines how lab-developed tests are regulated and offers patient-centered recommendations for modernizing oversight. Laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) are validated testing protocols developed by certified clinical laboratories for patient care and play an essential role in diagnosing and guiding treatment for many conditions that affect pediatric patients.…

Don’t Oversize Your Tissue-Engineered Vascular Grafts: Insights for the Translation of New Surgical Technologies
 Don’t Oversize Your Tissue-Engineered Vascular Grafts: Insights for the Translation of New Surgical Technologies 1024 683 Abbie Miller
By: Abbie Miller

Study shows that adoption of a tissue engineered vascular graft technology currently in clinical trials would require a shift in surgical approach. Tissue engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) are designed to overcome two important problems associated with synthetic conduits used in surgeries for children with congenital heart disease (CHD): the lack of growth potential and the…

A New Path to Relief: Gastrostomy Tubes Offer Treatment for Children With Autism and Chronic Constipation
 A New Path to Relief: Gastrostomy Tubes Offer Treatment for Children With Autism and Chronic Constipation 1024 680 Pam Georgiana
By: Pam Georgiana
Close up color photo of little boy holding hands on his belly

A groundbreaking study reveals how a low-risk intervention dramatically improves quality of life. Children with autism spectrum disorder often struggle with chronic constipation due to behavioral, sensory and dietary challenges. Uncontrolled constipation can cause poor school functioning, eating challenges and sleeping issues. In many cases, due to oral sensory issues, children with autism cannot reliably…

New Trial Aims to Boost Kids’ Immune Systems to Fight Neuroblastoma
 New Trial Aims to Boost Kids’ Immune Systems to Fight Neuroblastoma 1024 558 Lauren Dembeck
By: Lauren Dembeck

A new cellular therapy approach could improve outcomes and ease the treatment burden for patients and families. Neuroblastoma is rare, with only 700 to 800 new cases diagnosed in the United States each year, but it is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children. Neuroblastoma typically occurs in children younger than 5 years, with…

How Does Modification of RNA Influence the Development of Pediatrics Dilated Cardiomyopathy?
 How Does Modification of RNA Influence the Development of Pediatrics Dilated Cardiomyopathy? 1024 783 Abbie Miller
By: Abbie Miller

New study shows essential role of RNA methlytransferase-mediated m6A modification in regulating heart development. Traditional research to understand the origins of congenital heart disease have focused on understanding how genetic mutations may cause heart problems. Now, a team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is exploring a new way to understand congenital heart disease (CHD). “How the…

Relative Adrenal Insufficiency Observed Among Patients With High-Risk Neuroblastoma During Treatment
 Relative Adrenal Insufficiency Observed Among Patients With High-Risk Neuroblastoma During Treatment 1024 683 Jessica Nye, PhD
By: Jessica Nye, PhD

A subset of patients with high-risk neuroblastoma (NBL) and primary adrenal tumors develop an adrenal insufficiency (AI)-like phenotype during treatment. “We noticed that some of the patients with neuroblastoma had less hypotension when we added hydrocortisone while they were getting dinutuximab therapy. So, we said, I wonder if that has anything to do with the…

Treating Severe Pediatric Kidney Disease with Simultaneous Bilateral Native Nephrectomy
 Treating Severe Pediatric Kidney Disease with Simultaneous Bilateral Native Nephrectomy 480 320 Pam Georgiana
By: Pam Georgiana

A 15-year review of indications, approaches and outcomes. A recent study published in Pediatric Transplantation and led by Christina B. Ching, MD, pediatric urologist in the Department of Pediatric Urology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, offers valuable insights into a very rare clinical procedure: simultaneous bilateral native nephrectomies, or the removal of both kidneys at the…

By the Book: Guiding Teens Through Inpatient Psychiatric Stays
 By the Book: Guiding Teens Through Inpatient Psychiatric Stays 1024 555 Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES
By: Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES

A new patient guidebook provides evidence-based resources to engage adolescents in their recovery throughout and after their hospital stay. Inpatient admissions for child and adolescent psychiatry patients typically occur due to a psychiatric crisis. At Nationwide Children’s Hospital, children stay an average of eight days before transitioning to outpatient care. While in the hospital, they…

Harnessing the Power of Antimicrobial Peptides: A New Frontier in Infection Prevention
 Harnessing the Power of Antimicrobial Peptides: A New Frontier in Infection Prevention 1024 683 Pam Georgiana
By: Pam Georgiana

Research offers promising solutions for urinary tract infection treatment and antibiotic resistance. Urinary tract infections affect millions of people and can contribute to significant morbidity. Research into innate immunity mechanisms has shown great promise for improving urinary tract infection prevention and treatment strategies, especially in populations at high risk, such as patients with insulin resistance.…

Genetic Variation Contributing to Nephrotic Syndrome
 Genetic Variation Contributing to Nephrotic Syndrome 1024 683 Abbie Miller
By: Abbie Miller

Genetic variants in CR1 have significantly different population-specific frequencies and are linked with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) – the leading cause of nephrotic syndrome. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a leading cause of nephrotic syndrome — a kidney disorder that causes proteins to leak into the urine causing a variety of complications. FSGS has an…

Preventing Pediatric Suicide Through Systems-Level Collaboration
 Preventing Pediatric Suicide Through Systems-Level Collaboration 1024 576 Pam Georgiana
By: Pam Georgiana

How primary care, schools and communities are working together to address pediatric suicide rates through early intervention and collaborative care. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth aged 10 to 24 in the United States, and rates have been steadily rising across the country since 2007. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the issue…

Depression is the New Predictor of Diabetes Control in Teens
 Depression is the New Predictor of Diabetes Control in Teens 1024 683 Pam Georgiana
By: Pam Georgiana
Diabetic girl with an insulin pump connected to her leg

A new study reveals that depressive symptoms, not diabetes-specific stress, forecast long-term glycemic outcomes in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Managing type 1 diabetes is challenging at any age, but for adolescents, the burden can be especially overwhelming. Previous cross-sectional studies have shown a link between diabetes-specific emotional distress, or the frustration and stress related…

Novel Viral Vector Manufacturing Approach Could Improve Safety of Gene Therapy
 Novel Viral Vector Manufacturing Approach Could Improve Safety of Gene Therapy 1024 683 Lauren Dembeck
By: Lauren Dembeck

New AAV proviral plasmid for vector manufacturing has potential to increase patient safety and make gene therapies more affordable, researchers say. Gene therapy is one of the most exciting frontiers in modern medicine, offering potential cures for previously devastating or fatal disorders, such as spinal muscular atrophy and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency. Adeno-associated virus…

A Simple Intervention With Great Potential
 A Simple Intervention With Great Potential 1024 585 Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES
By: Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES

If the CORD-CHD Study meets even a single endpoint, it will represent one of the simplest and most accessible improvements in congenital heart disease management in recent history. The concept is elegant in its simplicity: delay clamping the umbilical cord for a minute or two after birth to allow a gentle increase in the baby’s…

Enhancing Pediatric Suicide Risk Detection: Effective Screening, Pathways and Care
 Enhancing Pediatric Suicide Risk Detection: Effective Screening, Pathways and Care 1024 683 Madison Storm
By: Madison Storm

Youth suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. Most youth who die by suicide have no mental illness diagnosis and have visited a health care provider within a year prior to their death. In fact, 40% of those youth visited a health care provider within one month prior.   “The data…

Unique Cellular Trajectories Result in Reduced Cardiomyocyte Proliferation Capacities in Single Ventricle Disease
 Unique Cellular Trajectories Result in Reduced Cardiomyocyte Proliferation Capacities in Single Ventricle Disease 1024 537 Jessica Nye, PhD
By: Jessica Nye, PhD

Cellular trajectories deviate early in hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and hypoplastic right heart syndrome (HRHS) development. Hypoplastic left and right heart syndromes are two rare and distinct single ventricle heart defects which are the most severe subtypes of congenital heart disease, usually requiring prompt surgical intervention after birth. “Clinically, there are large differences between…

Evaluating the Mental Health Impact of a Promising New Treatment for Cystic Fibrosis
 Evaluating the Mental Health Impact of a Promising New Treatment for Cystic Fibrosis 706 470 Pam Georgiana
By: Pam Georgiana

Insights from Nationwide Children’s study on how Trikafta affects children with cystic fibrosis. In response to the promising clinical benefits of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (Trikafta) in adults with cystic fibrosis, a team in Nationwide Children’s Hospital Cystic Fibrosis Clinic recently investigated the effects of the drug in pediatric patients. Kimberly Pasley, PsyD, mental health coordinator in the…

Creation of Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines for Studying Rare Pediatric Genitourinary Disorders
 Creation of Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines for Studying Rare Pediatric Genitourinary Disorders 1024 683 Lauren Dembeck
By: Lauren Dembeck

Nationwide Children’s researchers create first-ever stem cell lines for rare genitourinary conditions. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have revolutionized medical research by providing powerful tools to study disease mechanisms, especially in rare genetic conditions. These versatile cells, derived directly from patients that have the condition, offer unprecedented opportunities to uncover the underlying genetic and cellular…

Understanding Treatment Outcomes in Pediatric Bipolar Disorder
 Understanding Treatment Outcomes in Pediatric Bipolar Disorder 1024 575 Pam Georgiana
By: Pam Georgiana
Teen girl with backpack

New study compares minimally adequate behavioral health treatments and clinical outcomes. Pediatric bipolar disorder, which affects approximately 3.9% of youth globally, is the fourth leading cause of years of life lost due to disability and premature death for young people between the ages of 10 and 24. Effective treatment is critical to reduce these risks and…