Infectious Diseases

Our editor-in-chief Tina Tan, MD, reacts to a new FDA COVID-19 framework that will limit eligibility for seasonal vaccination in pediatrics.

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.

"We've updated our internal clinical pathways to recommend 5 days for kids hospitalized with uncomplicated pneumonia," Cotter noted.

Shorter antibiotic courses for AOM and CAP in children proved effective across a pediatric health system, according to data presented by Elysha Pifko, MD.

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.

Danielle Van Damme, DNP, CPNP-AC, discussed key updates from the 2024 IDSA guideline on diagnosing complicated intra-abdominal infections, emphasizing ultrasound as the preferred imaging modality.

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

Karen Y. Capusan, DNP, CPNP-PC, explored RSV’s shifting epidemiology, seasonal trends, and new vaccines’ role in reducing hospitalizations at the 2025 NAPNAP National Conference.

Donna Hallas, PhD, PPCNP-BC, CPNP, PMHS, FAANP, FAAN, comments on the ongoing measles outbreaks and encourages advocation for vaccines and accurate information.

Mary Koslap-Petraco, DNP, PPCNP-BC, CPNP, FAANP, highlighted key updates on influenza, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines at the 2025 NAPNAP National Conference.

Tina Tan, MD, FIDSA, FPIDS, FAAP, comments on the FDA's recent selection of the 2025-2026 influenza vaccine compositions, without the CDC's ACIP meeting and FDA's VRBPAC meeting.

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.