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. 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 

team. He can be reached at: jfitch@mjhlifesciences.com.

Articles

 and joined the MJH Life Sciences team in December 2019. She graduated from Youngstown State University in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in journalism and a minor in political science. Prior to graduating, Morgan worked as the editor-in-chief of her college newspaper. She went on to work as an assignment editor at a broadcast news station in Youngstown, Ohio before joining 

 You can reach her at mpetronelli@mjhlifesciences.com.

Prompt opioid dosing in emergency care may reduce hospital stays for children with sickle cell disease pain, new research revealed.

Timing of opioids and hospitalizations for sickle cell disease pain

Phuong Tran,medical student at Northeastern Ohio Medical University.

A recently immigrated mother from India presents in preterm labor at 32 6/7 weeks and delivers a vigorous baby whose initial blood culture result is positive at 18 hours of life with gram-negative rods. 

Can you diagnose this infant with neonatal respiratory distress?

Get caught up with Contemporary Pediatrics! This list helps you navigate our top stories from the week, all in one place.

Weekly review: Florida vaccine eliminations, AI scribes, and more

Dr Farber is a pediatrician in Woodbridge, Virginia.

Parents may ask your expert advice on whether to use an SBE or PBE diaper, or a regular one with manual application of ointment, for the treatment/prevention of minor diaper rashes. 

Emollients for diapers? Yes! Type? It doesn’t matter!

Contemporary Pediatrics connects pediatricians with peer-reviewed articles, guideline updates, and practice strategies for real-world clinical application.

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Authors

**Editor's Note** Please note that starting January 1, 2025, we will be switching to an online-exclusive publication process. This will allow us to publish case submissions quicker without having to deal with the variables that come along with print publication. All cases will still be eligible for print publication consideration, but publication in our print magazine is not guaranteed and will be up to the editor's discretion. 

Do you have a puzzling pediatric case that you’d like to share with the readers of 

We are looking for intriguing diagnoses that have stumped the experts—a diagnostic “Puzzler”—to help our physicians enhance their day-to-day practices. If you have such a story to tell, tell us.

Here’s what to do: Before you begin, we suggest that first you review the Puzzler 

https://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/case-studies

. Please note the specific style required for writing Puzzler manuscripts.

Next, prepare a draft of your case, including a summary of the presenting symptoms, a case overview, a 

table of the differential diagnosis (MANDATORY)

, and the special aspects of your case that qualify it as a Puzzler, and send it to us. Please note that the differential diagnosis table should also be discussed in the body text. We’ll review your draft and let you know what you need to add or revise before we send the manuscript to peer review for evaluation.

Puzzlers vary in length, and we suggest a minimum of 1,200 words up to a maximum of 2,000 words, but that is because of the complexity of some cases and whether some patients returned for many assessments before their diagnoses were determined. Also, some authors describe the pathophysiology of the differentials in great detail. Please also note no more than 3 authors are allowed per article.

What's most important is to show us the process that you used to analyze the case, including:

Why you decided to order certain tests and why you did not order others.

Peer consultations or why you elected to contact other specialists.

Lab values including vital signs or blood tests.

Labs and values if your patient was attended to in the emergency department or other hospital departments such as radiology or neurology.

Discussion related to the possible diagnoses.

Final diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and follow-up.

Remember to indicate numbered citations within the body of the text and include a complete list of corresponding literature/references at the end of the manuscript. (Do not use any citation management programs or unlink them.) 

Limit references to 25. No references (unless it is a seminal study) can be older than 10 years.

We prefer primary research as references, but some cases are so obscure that authors will need to pull from a variety of sources. However, 

. Be advised that peer reviewers are adamant that the disease/disorder you describe was actually diagnosed and not determined by index of suspicion on the basis of ruling out various differentials. We use AMA11 as our publication style, which uses superscript citation numbers and a corresponding numbered reference list. Please create your citations and references in this style.  Check this recent article posted online at 

https://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/view/the-rx-of-adhd

 for examples of reference style. IMPORTANT NOTE WITH AMA 11TH EDITION: PLEASE PUT DOI OR WEBSITES/URLS AT THE END OF THE REFERENCE LINE.

When you send your draft manuscript, also 

. These image files must be high-resolution jpg or tiff files (minimum of 300 dpi) and as large in size as possible. We suggest a minimum of 7 horizontal inches. The images must be original photos with clear permissions to use, not images from copyrighted sources. Send as separate attachments with your e-mail submission; do not embed images into your manuscript document.

After we receive your manuscript, our editors and peer reviewers will review your draft and let you know if we accept your submission for publication. 

Puzzler is one of the departments for which we receive the most submissions, so it may be several months after submission before you receive feedback from us.

If we do accept your submission for publication, we will contact you with further instructions.

Send your submissions in Microsoft Word format to 

, via e-mail to mpetronelli@mjhlifesciences.com

Guidelines for PUZZLER, Contemporary Pediatrics

The FDA has expanded the indication for recombinant von Willebrand factor (VWF), marketed as Vonvendi, to now include children with von Willebrand disease (VWD) for both the treatment of acute bleeding episodes and use in surgical procedures.

Announced on September 5, 2025, the decision establishes recombinant VWF as the first non–plasma-derived therapy available for pediatric patients with VWD in the United States. This significantly broadens its reach beyond prior approvals, which were restricted to adults—initially for on-demand treatment of bleeding, later for perioperative use, and most recently for routine prophylaxis in adults with type 3 VWD.

“This approval highlights the FDA’s commitment to advancing treatment options for rare disorders, including for pediatric patients,” said Vinay Prasad, MD, MPH, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER). “When we see the combination of a strong biologic rationale, sound pharmacology, and meaningful clinical evidence, we are able to act quickly, even when studies involve smaller patient groups.”

Before the September 2025 update, recombinant VWF had received 3 separate FDA approvals over the past decade. Its original authorization came in December 2015, when it was cleared for treating bleeding episodes in adults with VWD based on findings from 2 trials that enrolled 69 patients. In 2018, the approval expanded to cover perioperative bleeding management in adults following a multicenter, phase 3 study that evaluated its use with or without recombinant FVIII during elective procedures. A further milestone came in 2022, when prophylactic use was approved for adults with severe type 3 VWD receiving on-demand therapy.

According to Takeda Pharmaceuticals, the pediatric approval is backed by findings from 3 clinical studies, including a phase 3 trial specifically enrolling children and a phase 3b continuation study that included both children and adults. Real-world evidence was also used to support the expanded indication. Trial results showed that most nonsurgical bleeds in pediatric patients were effectively managed with a single infusion, with a reported half-life of 14.3 hours in children compared with 22.6 hours in adults.

“Making recombinant VWF available for children marks an important step forward in caring for young patients with VWD,” said Vijay Kumar, MD, acting director of the CBER Office of Therapeutic Products. “This approval is a result of collaborative work between FDA review teams and developers to ensure innovative therapies can reach children alongside adult populations.”

For pediatric hematologists, this approval introduces a recombinant alternative to plasma-derived VWF products, offering more consistent pharmacokinetics and eliminating risks inherent to plasma-based therapies. Although prophylaxis remains an option only for adults at this time, children with VWD now have access to a recombinant therapy for acute management and surgical settings—an advance expected to improve care and ease treatment burdens for patients and families alike.

1. FDA approves expanded use of Vonvendi for von Willebrand disease, including for certain uses for children. News release. FDA. September 5, 2025. Accessed September 5, 2025. 

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-expanded-use-vonvendi-von-willebrand-disease-including-certain-uses-children

2. U.S. FDA approves expanded indication for VONVENDI [von Willebrand factor (recombinant)] for adults and children with von Willebrand disease. News release. Takeda. September 5, 2025. Accessed September 5, 2025. 

https://www.takeda.com/newsroom/newsreleases/2025/expanded-indication-vonvendi

The FDA approves recombinant VWF for pediatric von Willebrand disease, enhancing treatment options for children during bleeding episodes and surgeries.

News

FDA approves first recombinant VWF for pediatric von Willebrand disease

Bite injuries are a significant problem in the United States. Discriminating between human and animal bites and identifying those associated with child maltreatment is essential. Approximately 250,000 human bites and several million animal bites occur annually.

 There was also a reported increase in animal bite injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 Despite their frequency, it can be challenging to distinguish between types of bites. There are also few detailed images and descriptions of cutaneous findings of human and animal bites in the literature. 

Additionally, though such injuries occur in various ways, pediatric providers must consider the possibility of child maltreatment. In the COVID-19 pandemic, there was also a documented increase in child abuse–related injuries.

 Though bite wounds are a less common cutaneous finding in child abuse,

 both human and animal bites may result from nonaccidental trauma or neglect. 

In the poll below, try to identify what caused this bite mark on the palm of a 16-year-old boy

Thank you for taking this Contemporary Pediatrics puzzler poll

Visit ContemporaryPediatrics.com on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET or later for many more bite examples in the pediatric population and how to distinguish between common animal bites and human bites.

"This [case] was prompted by the increases in child abuse and animal bite injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the need to add to the limited descriptions of cutaneous findings of bites in the literature," wrote the authors of this case.

Bula-Rudas FJ, Olcott JL. Human and animal bites. 

. 2018;39(10):490-500. doi:10.1542/pir.2017-0212

Dixon CA, Mistry RD. Dog bites in children surge during coronavirus disease-2019: a case for enhanced prevention. 

. 2020;225:231-232. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.06.071

Kovler ML, Ziegfeld S, Ryan LM, et al. Increased proportion of physical child abuse injuries at a level I pediatric trauma center during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

. 2021;116(Pt 2):104756. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104756

Kos L, Shwayder T. Cutaneous manifestations of child abuse. 

. 2006;23(4):311-320. doi:10.1111/j.1525-1470.2006.00266.x

Despite their frequency, it can be challenging to distinguish between types of bites. Can you identify the source of this bite mark? 

Case Studies

Puzzler poll: Can you identify this bite? 

 poll. Take a look at the following case below. After reading through the description, choose a multiple-choice answer and try to guess the correct patient diagnosis.

Then visit our website on August 20 at 12:00 PM EST or later for the full case presentation, differential diagnosis, and correct patient diagnosis.

This case was provided by Andrew Faniku, MD, pediatric hospitalist at Scott & White Healthcare.

A 21-year-old primigravida female presented to the hospital in preterm labor, with an otherwise uneventful pregnancy except for a febrile illness after exposure to family members with measles a week prior.

She reported having fever, cough, conjunctivitis, and a rash that started on her face and spread to her trunk, consistent with measles. Her fever and symptoms had mostly resolved, except for her lingering rash that began six days earlier. In the delivery room, she still had fresh excoriation marks on her arms. She had not received any MMR vaccines.

Six hours after admission, the patient delivered a female infant via spontaneous vaginal delivery at 35 weeks’ gestation. The baby weighed 2410 grams, which was approximately the 50

 percentile for her gestational age. The baby had mild respiratory distress after delivery and briefly required supplemental oxygen via blow by during transitioning. Apgar’s of 8 at 1 minute and 9 at 5 minutes was given at delivery. The baby subsequently improved and was allowed to room in with mother without the need for NICU admission. Nursing staff noticed a rash on the baby’s back. 

Below, take your best guess at diagnosing this patient

 website on Wednesday, August 20 at 12:00 PM EST or later for the full case presentation, differential diagnosis, and correct patient diagnosis.

Can you diagnose this rash in a newborn?

This case was presented by Giridhar Guntreddi, MD, FAAP, FAPHM; Achuth Jayasankar Kondoor; Taylor Boske; Neelima P. Theella, MD; and Jayasree Vasudevan Nair, MD, MPH, FAAP. 

A healthy 12-month-old girl presented with one small skin lesion over the right heel (

) for one month. On examination, her right lateral heel showed a round, white, pearl-like, hard, tiny lesion with a smooth appearance without any redness or itching. The patient's mother denied any pain, swelling, itching, or fever. No significant travel, bites, or heel-stick injuries were reported in the history. No systemic symptoms suggested any underlying systemic diseases. The infant is closely monitored at subsequent well visits and rechecked. After 3 months, the child showed full resolution of the skin lesion over the heel area (

Below, take your best guess at diagnosing this patient.

click here for the full case presentation, differential diagnosis, and correct patient diagnosis. 

Can you diagnose this patient? Take our poll and find out! Then check back for the full case, differential diagnosis, and correct diagnosis.

Diagnose this infant with an asymptomatic pearl-like nodule on the heel

“It’s not just about screen time—it’s about context,” says Richard A. Bermudes, MD, on guiding conversations in pediatric well care visits.

Phuong Tran

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