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.
FDA approves palovarotene capsules to treat fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva
August 17th 2023Palovarotene is now the first and only treatment for the ultra-rare bone disease fibrodysplasia ossificans progressive (FOP), which impacts approximately 400 people in the United States and 900 globally.
Potential links between neurological, cognitive conditions and gut microbiomes of children
August 17th 2023Watch as Rob Knight, PhD, Wolfe Endowed Chair in Microbiome Science at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego, professor of pediatrics, UCSD, talks the gut microbiome and the potential associations with cognitive and neurological conditions in children, and why the topic is gaining interest and momentum.
Rotavirus-associated hospitalizations linked to subsequent autoimmune diseases in children
August 16th 2023Investigators concluded that clinicians should be aware, for individuals with a prior rotavirus-associated hospitalization, of an elevated susceptibility to autoimmune disease in these patients.
AAP recommends all infants receive nirsevimab to fight RSV
August 15th 2023The recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) follows the unanimous recommendation by the CDC advisory group for routine use of nirsevimab in newborns and infants younger than 8 months born into or entering their first RSV season.
Chikungunya vaccine effective in adolescents after phase 3 trial
August 14th 2023Basis for a Biologics License Application submission to the FDA is being built for PXVX0317, following topline results demonstrated in a pair of phase 3 trials, including 1 trial featuring adolescents and adults aged 12 to 64 years.
Hybrid, AI stethoscope effective for detecting cardiac and respiratory disease
August 14th 2023Study authors stated that several past studies have put focus on training an independent model separately for lung or heart sound diagnosis but note that having a model that can “simultaneously detect abnormal lung and heart sounds,” is essential.
Lower IQ scores associated with diabetic ketoacidosis in young type 1 diabetes patients
August 11th 2023Results of the randomized, multi-site study demonstrated the importance of early diabetes detection, as a single episode of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in young children with type 1 diabetes was associated with lower IQ scores soon after exposure.
FDA issues complete response letter to remestemcel-L for graft-versus-host disease treatment
August 10th 2023The resubmission, which included new long-term follow-up data and a post-hoc propensity match study, was issued a complete response letter by the federal agency, which requires “more data to support marketing approval,” according to a press release from Mesoblast Limited.
What is new regarding pediatric orthopedic surgery?
August 9th 2023Jeanne Franzone, MD, orthopedic surgeon, surgical director, Osteogenesis Imperfecta Clinic, co-director, Prosthesis Clinic, Nemours Children’s Health, Delaware Valley, discusses recent technology, recommendations, and interactions with general health care providers in this Contemporary Pediatrics® interview.
Does asthma predispose higher risk of severe COVID-19?
August 7th 2023In this Contemporary Pediatrics® interview, Samir Gautam, MD, (Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine), Yale School of Medicine, senior author of a recently published study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, reviews key findings of the study and explains how they relate to the pediatric population. Watch the full interview below.
Nirsevimab-alip unanimously recommended by CDC advisory group to prevent RSV
August 3rd 2023The ACIP voted in unanimous fashion, 10 to 0, to recommend routine use of nirsevimab-alip for newborns and infants younger than 8 months, born during or entering the first RSV season according to a press release from Sanofi.
Combination test for COVID-19, influenza A/B, RSV receives FDA 510(k) clearance
August 3rd 2023Previously available under an Emergency Use Authorization, the combination test can detect and distinguish COVID-19, influenza A/B, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The clearance comes ahead of respiratory season, which, according to BD, could result in another “tripledemic” threat.
FDA, DEA address public on prescription stimulant medication shortages
August 1st 2023In a letter addressed to the public, the FDA and Drug Enforcement Agency stated that prescription stimulant drug shortages are impacting patients and their families The agencies are taking a multifaceted approach to mitigate these shortages and find potential solutions.
American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidance for organ donation and transplantation
August 1st 2023Updated guidance for pediatricians that interact with children and their families, who need a potentially life-saving organ donation or transplantation, has been released by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Contemporary Pediatrics most-viewed articles from April to July, 2023
August 1st 2023In this review article, take a look back at the top-performing stories from Contemporary Pediatrics from April to August 2023. With each article highlighted below, you’ll find updated news and notes along with a quick recap and direct link to our most-viewed articles.
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.