Infectious Diseases

In this article, we recap a timeline of recent federal agency changes to routine COVID-19 vaccination intended for the pediatric population.

Federal health agencies have adjusted COVID vaccine guidance, potentially changing eligibility and access for pediatric patients. Experts respond in this article.

New phase 3b durability data revealed nirsevimab reduced RSV hospitalizations in infants by 82.7% through 180 days vs no intervention.

Infants and toddlers with infection history were more likely to have trouble sleeping, while preschool-aged children experienced daytime tiredness.

The approved indication now includes children down to 6 weeks of age to protect against invasive meningococcal disease via serogroups A, C, W, and Y.

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

These findings come as many health care professionals still report limited confidence and inconsistent practices regarding RSV immunization discussions.

NVX-CoV2705 is indicated for individuals aged 12 to 64 years with an underlying condition that poses high risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes.

Severe RSV disease in 2022–2023 was most likely to occur in infants under 6 months and older children with pulmonary or neurologic conditions.

The nearly 4000 cases in 2023 were the highest number reported in over 30 years, the Task Force stated.

"These findings support Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendations for maternal vaccination or nirsevimab to protect against severe RSV disease in infants," wrote the MMWR study investigators.

Current prevention strategies include 2 injectables for infants and young children, namely palivizumab and nirsevimab.

Nirsevimab significantly reduces RSV-related hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and LRTIs in infants, but doesn’t shorten hospital stays, according to a recent study.

In this article, we recap our top stories, expert interviews, and Q+A discussions from the 2025 Pediatric Academic Societies meeting.

Lea Widdice, MD, details her recent presentation at PAS 2025 on OTC STI testing within pediatrics.

Early antibiotic use before age 2 is linked to higher childhood obesity risk, with timing playing a key role in long-term weight outcomes.

Recommendations from the ACIP are forwarded to the director of the CDC, and if adopted, become official CDC policy.

A recent study found IL-6 may help with earlier sepsis detection in pregnant women, children, and newborns, outperforming traditional diagnostic tests.

Editor-in-chief Tina Tan, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS, highlights the April, 2025, issue of Contemporary Pediatrics, with a special focus on pediatric allergy awareness.

A look ahead to 5 key regulatory decisions scheduled to take place during the second quarter of 2025, from a monoclonal antibody to topical psoriasis treatments.

Prior to approval on February 14, 2025, the only FDA approved vaccine for chikungunya protection was indicated for 18 years and up.

Mary Koslap-Petraco highlighted the need to address vaccine hesitancy, catch up on immunizations, and build trust with parents at the 2025 NAPNAP National Conference on Pediatric Health Care.

Mary Koslap-Petraco, DNP, PPCNP-BC, CPNP, FAANP, reacts to the recent cancelations of the ACIP and VRBPAC and comments on the potential down stream effects.

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

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) may worsen necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants, leading to severe intestinal damage.

"The measles outbreak that is currently happening in Texas and New Mexico is occurring in an area of the states that have very high anti-vaccine sentiments," Tan said.

Amin Barakat, MD, FAAP, details meningococcal disease vaccines and highlights the recently FDA-approved MenABCWY vaccine from GSK.

Study findings underscore the effectiveness of a dual approach to RSV prevention.

Nurse practitioner Donna Hallas, PhD, PPCNP-BC, CPNP, PMHS, FAANP, FAAN offers her thoughts on the recent FDA approval of GSK's meningococcal ABCWY vaccine.

The combination vaccine targets 5 groups of the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis (A,B,C,W, AND Y) that cause the most invasive meningococcal disease cases (IMD) globally.