A preview of the September Tech issue of Contemporary Pediatrics

The September 2024 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.

Tina Tan, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS:

Greetings, everyone!

I hope you had a wonderful summer and are stepping into the fall prepared for any rising infectious disease. The COVID-19 virus continues to circulate, and with school back in session, we must remember to continue testing patients for COVID-19 when they are presenting to you for fever and respiratory symptoms.

There are several excellent must-read articles in this month’s Technology issue, which covers topics such as digital health programs for childhood obesity, tackling workforce challenges through innovation, and digital therapeutics to help kids build emotional regulation and coping skills.

• Our cover story this month is featured in the Mental Health section. This article looks at the use of digital therapeutics, such as video games and apps, for emotional regulation in children and the improvement in managing pediatric mental health. We all know a pediatrician can never have too many tools in their tool kit.
• The Infectious Diseases section article looks at a recently published study that found a limited effect on the gut microbiota of children taking probiotics during antibiotic treatment.
• The Pharmacology section article provides the latest details from the FDA’s approval of Neffy (epinephrine nasal spray; ARS Pharmaceuticals, Inc) for the treatment of type 1 allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in adult and pediatric patients. The article looks at what this approval means for our patients, as well as what it means for pediatric health care providers.
• The Respiratory Disorders section article is a very timely staff-written piece that outlines the latest data about dupilumab for the treatment of children aged 6 to 11 years who have uncontrolled moderate-to-severe type 2 asthma. Results of the study found dupilumab diminished rates of exacerbation and improved lung function for up to 2 years.
• The Nutrition section features two great articles: one on the use of digital tools such as health apps, texts, and telemedicine showing promise in managing childhood obesity. The other article highlights a recent FDA safety alert of Crecelac Infant Powdered Goat-Milk Infant Formula for Cronobacter contamination.
• The Dermatology section article features an interesting case report on a 17-year-old boy presenting with an 11-day history of diffuse targetoid and bullous lesions on his extremities and trunk, mucositis, and ocular discharge and crusting. Test your knowledge and guess the diagnosis!

As always, thank you for providing outstanding care to your patients. Please make time to take care of yourselves and enjoy the fall and the start of the school year. 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