The April 2024 issue of Contemporary Pediatrics: Latest updates and clinical pearls

The April 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.

Click here, or on the cover image to read the April issue of Contemporary Pediatrics.

Tina Tan, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS:

Greetings and Happy Spring!

The measles outbreaks occurring across the United States are a stark reminder that measles is an ever-present threat. Since the beginning of this year through March 14, there have been 58 measles cases reported in 17 states. The genesis of the outbreaks is unvaccinated individuals bringing measles into the United States after travel abroad, with the unvaccinated population serving as the nidus for the spread of the infection. With the continued growth of vaccine hesitancy, the unvaccinated population is now considerably larger and continues to grow. This is a reminder to all of us to continue to ensure that our patients are up to date on their measles vaccines.

There are several excellent must-read articles in this month’s issue, including the following:

• The Nutrition section cover article focuses on pediatric irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and contains a thorough review of the symptoms, diagnostics, tips on when the patient should be referred to a gastroenterologist, helpful dietary changes, and current treatment options. It is estimated that 10% to 15% of children experience IBS at some time in their lives.
• The Pediatric Pharmacology section article looks at the latest study results of tapinarof cream 1% for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in patients with skin of color. This topical cream was shown to be safe and highly effective in this patient group. This is great information for all our patients with atopic dermatitis.
• The Respiratory Disorders section is an excellent update and review of the efficacy and significant benefits of maternal COVID-19 vaccination. COVID-19 infection in pregnant women can lead to several severe consequences, including severe respiratory issues, premature birth, stillbirth, pregnancy loss, etc, with the risk increasing if the mother has any underlying comorbidities and is Black or Hispanic. All reasons why it is so important for pregnant women to be vaccinated.
• The Infectious Diseases section article reviews a thought-provoking study that showed a heightened risk of the development of congenital malformations in children born to mothers with asthma that had an exacerbation during the first trimester of pregnancy.
• The Dermatology section is a very interesting case of a tick bite and provides information on the increasing number of cases of different potentially serious diseases that can be transmitted by the lone star tick.
• The Behavioral Health section article was written by editorial board member Candice Jones, MD, and is an excellent discussion of cell phone use in tweens and teens and provides important information on when is the right time to give children access to a cell phone. This is a question that frequently arises.

As always, thank you for providing outstanding care to your patients. As Toni Sorenson stated, “Spring is far more than just a changing of seasons; it’s a rebirth of the spirit.” Please make time to take care of yourselves and enjoy spring.

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