Mental, Behavioral and Development Health

A recently published study found sharp increase in the use of nicotine pouches among US high school students, with usage nearly doubling from 2023 to 2024.

“These findings provide evidence that social media may be contributing to the development of depressive symptoms,” said Jason M. Nagata, MD, MSc.

Research shows that nearly 80% of foster children have at least 1 significant mental health need.

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

Study finds education from multiple sources increases parent inquiry about firearms.

New data from national survey highlights disparities and need for focused prevention strategies.

Find out how pediatricians play a crucial role in early autism diagnosis and how to advise families post-diagnosis.

Overall, findings revealed that a higher proportion of children with autism had a history of motor milestone delays.

CBD cannabis extract may improve social responsiveness and reduce disruptive behavior in children with autism, with no increase in adverse effects, according to a recent study

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 newly published Swedish study supports other research that suggests screen time displaces sleep in multiple ways.

View our Q1 2025 recap of standout pediatric news from FDA regulatory updates, clinical trial results, and expert commentary.

Research suggests that sex-based differences in the kynurenine pathway may contribute to depression risk in adolescents.

13-year-old female with altered mental status, headache and emesis. What is the diagnosis?

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

Discover mental health screening tools for the pediatric primary care provider.

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

With 1 in 7 adolescents worldwide diagnosed with mental health disorders, emerging research suggests that diet is a powerful yet often overlooked therapeutic tool.

Peter S. Jensen, MD, discusses the risks and benefits of social media use by children, emphasizing the need for parental oversight and national guidelines.

Pediatricians face rising demands in specialty care and mental health, with programs such as REACH helping them manage these challenges.

Early anxiety screening in pediatric primary care improves detection, outcomes, and access to mental health support starting at age 8.

Mike Hennessy Jr, President and CEO of MJH Life Sciences kicks off our March Mental Health issue with a look into the ongoing pediatric mental health crisis.

Results will be included an a final analysis of safety and efficacy data for CTx-1301, which will be included in a NDA submission with the FDA, stated Cingulate Inc.

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

Higher physical activity and lower screen time in childhood were linked to reduced stress and depression in adolescence, according to a Finnish cohort study.

Peter S. Jensen, MD, comments on the challenges primary health care providers may face when it comes to mental health treatment in pediatrics, and provides screening tools to consider to combat these challenges.

"My takeaway is that if medicine is needed, stimulants will be my first choice in this age group, regardless of whether the ADHD coexists with ASD."

Editor-in-chief Tina Tan, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS, highlights the January/February, 2025, issue of Contemporary Pediatrics.

"In aggregation with other robust observational studies, these results can inform the management of asthma and allergic rhinitis in this patient group," wrote the study authors.

Recent research evaluated the association between screen time and autism spectrum disorder by considering socioeconomic factors as instrumental variables.