Joshua Fitch is the senior editor for Contemporary Pediatrics. He joined the brand in March of 2023 as an editor before being promoted to senior editor in January 2024. Fitch graduated from Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio in 2020 with a degree in telecommunications and journalism. He started his career as a news and sports videographer before becoming an on-air sports anchor at the NBC-affiliated news station in Youngstown. Fitch briefly worked as a national content writer for a Chicago-based national television station before joining the Contemporary Pediatrics team. He can be reached at: jfitch@mjhlifesciences.com.
Comparing body composition of preterm infants on human breast milk or cow milk diet
October 3rd 2023Through a randomized, multicenter, open-label, controlled study, investigators determined there were no suggestions of important differences for very preterm infant body composition when comparing an exclusive human milk diet to a diet containing cow milk products.
FDA approves tocilizumab-bavi as biosimilar for PJIA, SJIA in children 2 years and up
October 2nd 2023Tocilizumab-bavi (Tofidence; Biogen) demonstrated a biosimilarity to tocilizumab (Actemra; Genentech) based on multifaceted clinical and non-clinical data for polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (PJIA) and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) in children aged 2 years and up. This makes it the first tocilizumab biosimilar to be FDA-approved in the United States, according to Biogen.
Will FDA approved phentolamine ophthalmic solution 0.75% eye drops impact pediatric care?
September 28th 2023In this Contemporary Pediatrics® interview, Rupa Wong, MD, discusses the recent FDA approval of phentolamine ophthalmic solution 0.75% eye drops to treat pharmacologically-induced mydriasis, and how this could impact the treatment landscape for the pediatric population. [Editor's note: RYZUMVI was previously known as Nyxol, which is referenced in the interview.]
Discussing the upcoming RSV season, new tools, and vaccine hesitancy
September 27th 2023In collaboration with Contemporary Pediatrics, Contemporary OB/GYN, and Contagion, Tina Tan, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS, discusses the benefits of having new tools to fight RSV in infants, potential vaccine hesitancy, and RSV trends currently being observed.
Evaluating pediatric ED readiness and racial, ethnic disparities in mortality
September 27th 2023Peter C. Jenkins, MD, MSc, details his study recently published in Jama Network Open, evaluating associations between pediatric emergency department readiness and mortality, and if children of all races benefited equitably.
CDC recommends Pfizer’s maternal RSV vaccine to protect newborns
September 25th 2023Ahead of the first fall and winter virus seasons in which vaccines are available for COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending Pfizer’s maternal vaccine to protect newborns from severe RSV illness.
Arcutis submits roflumilast 0.15% sNDA for AD in children 6 years and up
September 21st 2023Positive topline results from a pair of identical phase 3 trials support the submission of a supplemental New Drug Application to the FDA for Arcutis Biotherapeutics’ roflumilast cream 0.15%, a once-daily topical to treat mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (AD) in children 6 years or older.
Roflumilast cream 0.05% safe, effective for children aged 2 to 5 years with atopic dermatitis
September 20th 2023Based on recent positive phase 3 results, Arcutis Biotherapeutics,. intends to submit a supplemental New Drug Application with the FDA for roflumilast cream 0.05% to treat mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children aged 2 to 5 years.
FDA issues CRL for neffy nasal spray to treat allergic reactions, requests more research
September 20th 2023The FDA issued the Complete Response Letter (CRL) based on the request for a completed pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study to assess how repeat doses of the epinephrine nasal spray compare to repeat doses of an epinephrine injection product. ARS Pharma is set to file a Formal Dispute Resolution Request to appeal the CRL.
Associations between prenatal metal mixture exposure and negative infant outcomes
September 19th 2023Francheska M. Merced-Nieves, PhD, Assistant professor, Departments of Pediatrics and the Institute for Exposomic Research of Environmental Medicine & Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, explains the associations prenatal exposure to a metal mixture and the potential negative effects for the infant.
Poll: Majority of parents concerned about bad air quality, impact on child's health
September 19th 2023According to a recent C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health, the recent wildfires and extreme weather events that are creating poor or unhealthy air quality are also causing concern for parents in regards to their children's health.
Study: Pediatric type 1 diabetes families prefer virtual care and telehealth
September 14th 2023Surveys collected for a study published in the Canadian Journal of Diabetes revealed that desire for telehealth care amid pediatric diabetes families increased from the early onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, to more than 1 year later.
The current state of transgender reproductive care in the United States
September 14th 2023In this interview originally conducted by our sister publication Contemporary OB/GYN, Marci Bowers, MD, shares the biggest takeaways from her presentation on transgender reproductive care, presented at the 2023 Society of OB/GYN Hospitalists Annual Clinical Meeting in Chicago, Illinois.
Developing biomarkers for gut and neurological, cognitive functioning associations in children
September 7th 2023In this Contemporary Pediatrics interview, Rob Knight, PhD, discusses translating adult studies into children to determine gut microbiome biomarkers, and how they are associated with neurological and cognitive conditions.
CDC issues health advisory alert after increases in RSV activity
September 6th 2023Due to increased RSV activity observed in Southeastern regions of the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an official Health Alert Network Health Advisory. The CDC recommends that clinicians prepare to implement recently FDA-approved prevention methods.
FDA-cleared tool could assist in diagnosing autism
September 6th 2023The EarliPoint Evaluation has demonstrated positive phase 3 trial results, aiding in autism diagnosis and assessment in children aged 16 to 30 months. Warren Jones, PhD, chief scientific officer and cofounder of EarliTec Diagnostics, Inc., discusses the eye-tracking tool, how it is currently being used, and what could be in store for the future.
FDA sends warning letters to infant formula manufacturers after violations
August 31st 2023The FDA inspected each company’s facilities, in which the agency issued inspectional observations and exercised oversight of each firm as recalls were initiated in December 2022, February 2023, and March 2023, respectively, for the removal of products potentially contaminated with Cronobacter sakazakii from the marketplace.
Original mRNA vaccines helped protect children against COVID-19-associated ED visits
August 30th 2023According to a recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the original COVID-19 monovalent and bivalent vaccines helped reduce emergency department or urgent care encounters for children aged 6 months to 5 years.