A preview of the April Allergy Awareness issue of Contemporary Pediatrics

The April 2025 issue of Contemporary Pediatrics is now available in digital form! Below, find a message from our Editor in Chief Tina Tan, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS, who highlights articles featured in this month's issue with a focus on pediatric allergy awareness.

Tina Tan, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS:

Happy Spring!

It is amazing how vaccine hesitancy and anti-public health sentiments have substantially increased over the last several months especially with spread of the measles outbreaks. These issues can impact all the patients that we provide care for and I remain optimistic that we will continue to find ways to provide the best care to our patients.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 – bird flu) continues to rapidly increase with major poultry farms (including chicken and ducks) being seriously affected. Also with disease being seen in cows, swine and the wild avian population around the country, pet dogs and cats are at risk for being infected with some of the pets dying from the infection. This is a virus that continues to be very closely monitored.

This month’s issue has a number of outstanding must read articles with the focus of this issue being Pediatric Allergy Awareness which is a significant issue in the patients that we care for, especially with the Spring season starting.

• The cover story on Pediatric Allergy Awareness has two excellent practical articles. The first is an article that examines new data from a long-term study on the Viaskin Peanut patch that demonstrates sustained treatment benefits through 36 months. This is very encouraging. The second article is an indepth review of the FDA’s recent approval of Neffy (an epinephrine nasal spray) that highlights its potential role in improving emergency anaphylaxis management in children aged 4 years and older who weigh 33 lbs or more.
• The Pediatric Pharmacology section article is a very interesting examination of inhaled corticosteroid options for infants and young children following the withdrawal of Flovent from the market. This article provides very practical insights into alternative treatments and very useful clinical guidance.
• The Infectious Diseases section article provides a comprehensive review of the FDA approval of the GSK pentavalent (ABCWY) meningococcal vaccine and examines its potential impact on reducing the burden of meningococcal disease in the pediatric and adolescent populations.
• The Respiratory Disorders section is a great article that explores the affect that climate change is having on pediatric respiratory health, including the increasing rates of asthma and others respiratory conditions linked to the environmental changes that are occurring. The warmer, longer growing seasons allow plants to produce more pollen causing an extension of the allergy season and exacerbation of asthma and allergic rhinitis.
• The Mental Health article is very practical and outstanding. It explores how increased screen time is linked to higher stress levels and depressive symptoms among adolescents. It provides excellent strategies for health care providers to address this growing and very widespread concern. Please put your phones and tablets away!
• The Nutrition section is a very informative article that reviews the importance of distinguishing between IgE-mediated food allergies (eg: milk, eggs, peanuts & tree nuts, wheat, soy, and shellfish) and non-IgE-mediated intolerances such as lactose intolerance or food-protein induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES). It shows how misdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary dietary restrictions.
• The Dermatology section is a challenging case of a child with a history of dermatitis who presents with uncharacteristic skin findings. Get ready to solve a puzzle!

As always, thank you for providing outstanding care to your patients. As Lady Bird Johnson stated "Where flowers bloom, so does hope.” Please make time to take care of yourselves and enjoy the warmer, sunny weather.

Please stay safe and well. And as always, I welcome your suggestions, comments, and questions.

With warm regards,

Tina Q. Tan, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS, Editor in Chief.