Joshua Fitch, Senior Editor

Following the FDA approval of beremagene geperpavec (B-VEC) (Vyjuvek; Krystal Biotech) to treat dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) patients aged 6 months and older, Bernard A. Cohen, MD, discusses its safety and efficacy and how it can change the treatment landscape for DEB.

The FDA has approved Krystal Biotech's beremagene geperpavec (B-VEC) (Vyjuvek; Krystal Biotech) to treat the wounds of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) patients aged 6 months and older. B-VEC is the first FDA-approved gene therapy treatment for DEB, according to the agency. In this Contemporary Pediatrics interview, Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, breaks down this much-anticipated FDA approval.

The FDA Advisory Committee recently voted in support of approval for Pfizer's maternal immunization vaccine to help prevent RSV in infants. In this Contemporary Pediatrics® interview, Tina Tan, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS, pediatric infectious diseases attending, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, explains what this means for this patient population ahead of an expected FDA decision in August, 2023.

This formulation of ibuprofen is the only non-opioid product approved to treat pain in infants that is delivered through injection, according to Cumberland Pharmaceuticals.

Thomas R. Young, MD, discusses how important early screening is in children and adolescents with regard to mental health. He believes a reduction in stigma associated with mental health is occurring and that primary care professionals are encouraging youth to discuss what might be bothering them.

The once-daily topical cream for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) has demonstrated positive topline results in 2 phase 3 studies in adults and children aged 2 years and up. According to Dermavant, a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) filed with the FDA is anticipated in Q1 of 2024.

A hybrid closed-loop system can deliver glucose levels in the target range at a higher percentage of time among children aged 2 years to younger than 6 years compared to standard-care, according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Nirsevimab’s efficacy against infant hospitalizations due to respiratory syncytial virus was reinforced after a phase 3b clinical trial, demonstrating an 83% reduction in infant hospitalizations.

Contemporary Pediatrics® Editorial Advisory Board member Andrew Schuman, MD, clinical assistant professor of pediatrics, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth, shares some questions pediatricians can expect from parents as the federal COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) expires.

Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, the American Academy of Pediatrics is offering several tips to help a suspected self-harming child.

Tina Tan, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS, editor-in-chief, Contemporary Pediatrics®, discusses how the cost burden of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) expiration on May 11, 2023, can impact testing and vaccination rates among children.

Erica Gunderson, PhD, MS, MPH, RD, senior research scientist, Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, professor of Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine discusses how cardiometabolic health and childhood obesity are linked to breastfeeding. Gunderson also discusses receiving the 2022-2023 March of Dimes Agnes Higgins Award at the Pediatric Academic Societies meeting in Washington, DC on April 30, 2023.

Hemoglobin A1c improved in youths with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (T1D) when inclusive continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was initiated, irrespective of ethnicity or insurance status. According to a study published in Jama Network Open, universal CGM could play a role in reducing disparities for minoritized racial and ethnic groups.

A recent CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report revealed concerning results for US high school students' dietary and physical activity behaviors in 2021 compared to 2019.

COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency of international concern, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced after its 15th International Health Regulations Emergency Meeting.

According to a recently published study, children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and psychiatric disorders have considerable increased odds for educational underachievement compared to those with T1D alone and healthy students.

Contemporary Pediatrics® Editorial Advisory Board member Andrew Schuman, MD, clinical assistant professor of pediatrics, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth, discusses whether infant sleep systems are needed for a safe sleeping environment.

Autism prevalence has been an increasing trend even before the COVID-19 pandemic, says J. Thomas Megerian, MD, PhD, FAAP, clinical director, Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center, Children's Hospital of Orange County. In this Contemporary Pediatrics® interview, watch as he discusses this trend and speaks to the importance of early autism intervention.

In this Contemporary Pediatrics® interview, Jamie Alan, RPh, PharmD, PhD, associate professor, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, talks about the potential impacts red dye No. 3 has on children, and why an assembly bill in California is trying to eliminate it.

At the 2023 Pediatric Academic Societies meeting, held in Washington, DC, from April 27 to May 1, 2023, the impact that air pollution and climate change has on infants was discussed.

With the recent FDA-approved indication for children aged 2.5 years and older, somapacitan-beco is the first and only once-weekly growth hormone (GH) for children and adults.

Reasons why primary care should incorporate the Rapid Interactive Screen Test for autism spectrum disorder were presented during a session at the 2023 Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting held in Washington, DC. 

According to Pfizer, the company’s pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Prevnar 20 has been approved by the FDA to treat infants and children aged 6 weeks to 17 years for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD).

Rana Hamdy, MD, discusses being co-chair of a diagnostic stewardship symposium at the 2023 Pediatric Academic Societies meeting, held in Washington, DC from April 27 to May 1.

According to a phase 2 study, remission of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) secondary to systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) or adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) was achieved in patients taking emapalumab who failed high-dose glucocorticoids.

Erica Sood, PhD, Nemours Children’s Health pediatric psychologist, discusses her workshop focused on improving the emotional health of children with chronic conditions, which will be presented at the 2023 Pediatric Academic Societies meeting held in Washington, DC from April 27 to May 1.

Colleen Kraft, MD, MBA, FAAP, is attending the 2023 Pediatric Academic Societies meeting taking place in Washington, DC from April 27 to May 1. In this Contemporary Pediatrics® interview, watch Kraft discuss the poster she'll be presenting and what she expects from the meeting overall.

The MiniMed 780G system has been approved for children aged 7 years and up with type 1 diabetes (T1D), according to Medtronic.

Suspected self-poisoning suicide attempts increased 73% for children aged 10 to 12 years and 30% for those aged 10 to 19 years in 2021 compared to 2019, according to a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) from the CDC.

Not forcing affection, using appropriate language, and controlling media exposure are just some of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ tips for teaching children about body boundaries and safety.