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.
Nirsevimab doses for 2024-2025 RSV season can be reserved with new program
February 2nd 2024Nirsevimab was approved by the FDA on July 17, 2023, ahead of the traditional RSV season, though in October, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended it be prioritized for the highest-risk infants amid limited availability.
Quiz: Recommendations for influenza control in children from the American Academy of Pediatrics
February 1st 2024Take this quiz and test your knowledge of the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations for routine use of influenza vaccines, medications for the prevention and treatment of pediatric influenza.
Ibuprofen not linked to lower mortality, bronchopulmonary dysplasia risk in infants
January 30th 2024There are reports that prophylaxis with ibuprofen in the first 12 to 24 hours of life can reduce the risk of severe intraventricular hemorrhage and pulmonary hemorrhage. However, it has not been found to increase survival without neurosensory impairment at 18 months.
Paxlovid EUA revised, emergency use still authorized in pediatric patients
January 29th 2024Though revisions have been made to the emergency use authorization (EUA), the FDA stated in a press release that the EUA will continue to authorize emergency use in children aged 12 years and older who are at high risk of severe COVID-19.
Recent reports of measles in multiple states
January 25th 2024Tina Tan, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS, tells Contemporary Pediatrics, “This is not new and demonstrates what is known, in that if vaccination rates do not stay at a level that is protective, outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases will occur.”
Decline in cannabis use observed for students in county of Washington state
January 24th 2024In 2021, current-use prevalence of cannabis was lower among male students compared to female students for the first time. This led investigators to conclude that developing interventions that consider protective factors by sex or gender could lead to equity in cannabis reduction strategies among youth.
How could NexoBrid change the pediatric thermal burn treatment landscape?
January 24th 2024“In pediatric patients, we know that there will be increased scar tissue formation, so it is even more necessary to prevent and reduce the residual burn scars,” Stan Monstrey, former secretary general, president, European Association of Plastic Surgeons, told Contemporary Pediatrics.
Increased servings of 100% fruit juice per day associated with BMI gain in children
January 19th 2024Though the association of BMI gain and 100% fruit juice in children was “small,” authors concluded their findings support public health guidance to limit consumption of the beverage to prevent overweight and obesity.
Goat milk-based infant formula: Benefits, data, and misconceptions
January 18th 2024In this Contemporary Pediatrics interview, Ari Brown, MD, FAAP, details the benefits of goat milk-based infant formula, discusses FDA authorized Kabrita goat milk-based infant formula, and highlights misconceptions associated with goat milk-based formula.
BNT162b2 COVID vaccine effective in children amid Delta, Omicron periods
January 17th 2024Investigators of a study published in Annals of Internal Medicine concluded that the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated efficacy against the Delta and Omicron variants of COVID-19 in children and adolescents, offering new, extended follow-up period data.
Discussing unintentional firearm injuries among children, and how preventable they can be
January 17th 2024In this Contemporary Pediatrics interview, Steven Selbst, MD, talks about how preventable unintentional firearm injuries in children can be, as he references an uptick in these cases in his emergency department.
Roflumilast cream 0.15% for atopic dermatitis demonstrates strong individual patient response data
January 16th 2024According to new pooled individual patient responses, roflumilast cream 0.15% treatment led nearly 92% of individuals to achieve a measurable improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index.
CDC: Unlocked, loaded firearms significantly contribute to accidental firearm deaths in children
January 15th 2024“I think these injuries in particular are tragic, these unintentional ones, because they are preventable,” said Steven Selbst, MD. “If parents would lock the gun or keep the gun stored without the ammunition, it would be preventable, but parents don't do that.”
Roflumilast foam, 0.3% effective in seb patients with intolerance to steroids
January 15th 2024Seborrheic dermatitis patients with an inadequate response or intolerance to steroids were 3.5 times more likely to achieve Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) success with roflumilast foam 0.3% compared to vehicle, new data from the 2024 Winter Clinical Dermatology Conference revealed.
New topline phase 3 data for tapinarof cream 1% to treat AD in children
January 11th 2024New interim data from the on-going, long-term extension ADORING 3 study and from an integrated analysis of the entire ADORING development program revealed efficacy and safety using tapinarof cream 1% continued beyond 8 weeks of treatment.