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.
Study: COVID-19 diagnosis associated with increased incidence of type 1 diabetes
July 28th 2023Further studies are needed to determine if vaccination should be considered in children at risk for type 1 diabetes (T1D), as a COVID-19 diagnosis among children was associated with an increased incidence of T1D, according to a recent study.
USPSTF issues statement on speech, language disorder screenings for all children up to 5 years
July 26th 2023Due to a lack of evidence, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) did not make a recommendation for or against screening for speech and delay disorder in all children 5 years or younger by primary health care professionals.
Axatilimab meets primary outcome in phase 2 chronic graft versus host disease trial
July 25th 2023Results from a pivotal phase 2 clinical trial revealed axatilimab met the primary outcome in all cohorts for graft versus host disease (GVHD) in pediatric and adult patients. Based on its safety and efficacy profile demonstrated in clinical trials, Syndax and Incyte intend to file a biologics license application (BLA) for axatilimab with the FDA by the end of 2023.
American Indian and Alaska Native children experience high rates of RSV-related hospitalizations
July 24th 2023Results from this active, facility-based surveillance study revealed hospitalization rates for children younger than 5 years were 1.7 to 7.1 times higher among American Indian and Alaska Native children compared to estimates from the methodologically similar US New Vaccine Surveillance Network (NVSN).
Pfizer announces phase 2 data of Group B Streptococcus vaccine candidate
July 20th 2023According to Pfizer, the investigational vaccine to protect against Group B Streptococcus (GBS) generated maternal antibody responses against 6 capsular polysaccharide serotypes and efficiently transferred antibodies to the infants. The announcement of this phase 2 data comes in July, which is International Group B Streptococcus Month.
Prehospital medication dosing deviates from recommended weight-based guidelines
July 20th 2023Lorazepam, diazepam, midazolam, fentanyl, hydromorphone, morphine, ketorolac, epinephrine, diphenhydramine, and methylprednisolone were investigated in the study. Overall, the most common type of deviation was an underdose.
Youth cannabis-related ED visits increased amid COVID-19 pandemic
July 19th 2023Overall, results from the report demonstrated that cannabis-involved emergency department (ED) visits for individuals under 25 years increased during the pandemic. For those aged 10 years or younger, the weekly number of cannabis-involved ED visits during the pandemic far exceeded the number of visits observed prepandemic.
Discussing FDA-approved nirsevimab-alip for RSV prevention
July 18th 2023John Bradley, MD, medical director, infectious disease, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California; professor of pediatrics, UC San Diego School of Medicine, explains how recently FDA-approved nirsevimab-alip will impact the newborn and infant RSV patient population.
Nirsevimab-alip FDA approved to prevent RSV in neonates, infants
July 17th 2023The approval follows a unanimous vote of support from the FDA Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee of nirsevimab-alip’s favorable benefit-risk profile for the prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) in newborns and infants amid their first RSV season.
NOxBOXi Nitric Oxide Delivery System recalled for newborns, neonates
July 14th 2023The FDA has identified NOxBOX Ltd’s recall of NOxBOXi Nitric Oxide Delivery System as a Class I recall. Affected devices to the newborn and neonate patient populations can cause nitric oxide therapy interruptions because of a check valve misalignment. As of July 13, 2023, no injuries or deaths have been reported according to the federal agency.
EPA proposes new lead paint standards for pre-1978 buildings, child facilities
July 13th 2023To better protect children from its several negative effects, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed stricter requirements for lead-based paints in pre-1978 buildings and childcare facilities.
Deep learning models can assist in clinical suspicion of abusive head trauma
July 10th 2023Deep learning models have the potential to assist clinicians in determining suspicion for abusive head trauma (AHT) by screening pediatric head computed tomography (CT) images for retinal hemorrhage, according to a recent study.
Posttraumatic headache phenotype associated with symptom burden, quality of life after concussion
July 7th 2023Study investigators found that children with posttraumatic migraine symptoms after a concussion had higher symptom burden and lower quality of life 3 months after the injury compared to those with nonmigraine headache.
How health care institutions can help fight climate change
July 6th 2023Sandra H. Jee, MD, MPH, professor of pediatrics, director, Center for Community Health and Prevention, Finger Lakes Children’s Environmental Health Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, addresses how health care institutions contribute to the climate crisis. In this Contemporary Pediatrics® interview, Jee provides practical examples health care professionals can use in their offices to better help the environment, which can better help patients in the long term.
How to prevent children from accidental e-liquid exposures
July 5th 2023To combat instances of e-liquid exposure and accidental ingestions among children, the FDA is offering tips for best storage and safety practices for those that regularly use and handle these products, according to a recent press release.
CAP-1002 demonstrates positive phase 2 results to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy
June 30th 2023Improvement in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and statistically significant benefit in the Performance of the Upper Limb (PUL v2.0) scale were observed following 2 years of CAP-1002 treatment in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients.
FDA accepts NDA for givinostat to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy
June 29th 2023According to Italfarmaco Group, a New Drug Application (NDA) for givinostat has been accepted and granted priority review by the FDA to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients, following positive topline phase 3 trial results.
FDA approves somatrogon-ghla to treat pediatric growth hormone deficiency
June 28th 2023Indicated for growth hormone deficiency (GHD) patients aged 3 years and older, somatrogon-ghla is now FDA-approved to treat GHD following positive phase 3 data demonstrating non-inferiority, measured by annual height velocity at 12 months, compared to somatropin.
Prevalence of bariatric surgery among adolescents and teenagers with obesity
June 27th 2023Nicole Peña Sahdala, MD, internist, gastroenterologist specialist in bariatric endoscopy, ABIM certified, discusses the rise in bariatric surgery among youth, and why other forms of care, such as lifestyle changes and education, are essential before any surgery is performed.
How pediatricians can support patients exposed to intimate partner violence
June 26th 2023About 1 in 4 children are exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The AAP has released tips and recommendations for pediatricians to help support these patients and their families.
FDA clears Owlet’s pulse oximetry sock for infants
June 23rd 2023After Owlet’s baby-monitoring Smart Sock was pulled from the market in 2021, the FDA has cleared the company’s BabySat pulse oximetry sock for infants, capable of monitoring and alerting parents of pulse rate and oxygen saturation levels.
Discussing the importance of lipid screenings in the pediatric population
June 21st 2023In this Contemporary Pediatrics® interview, Dave Little, MD, MS, Physician Informaticist at Epic, discusses the importance of lipid screening in the pediatric population, specifically for children aged 9 to 11 years and those aged 2 to 8 years with increased risk of diabetes, obesity, or high blood pressure. Little says awareness of lipid screenings at the provider and parent levels can lead to more screenings overall, which can lead to healthier lifestyles for children.