Mental, Behavioral and Development Health

Eye-tracking technology revolutionizes autism diagnosis, enabling earlier detection and intervention for children, enhancing clinical efficiency and accuracy.

FDA accepted centanafadine NDA for priority review, supported by phase 3 trials showing efficacy in children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD.

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

A study of 10 years of data identifies 5 youth suicide profiles, showing nearly half had no prior clinical contact and supporting broader screening.

AnnaLynn M. Williams, PhD; and Kevin Krull, PhD, discuss accelerated biologic aging in childhood cancer survivors.

Researchers identified 5 distinct classifications of youth suicide, revealing that nearly half of cases had no prior clinical contact or documented risk.

Analysis of nearly 900 million hours of monitored infant sleep shows rapid stabilization of sleep patterns in the first year of life.

A large 2026 meta-analysis found no association between prenatal paracetamol (acetaminophen) use and autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability in children.

Cumulative prenatal adversities were linked to higher adolescent mental health risk, highlighting the importance of prenatal history and early clinical monitoring.

Data show that adolescents average more than 1 hour of smartphone use during school hours, raising concerns about attention, learning, and policy enforcement in schools.

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

Young adult and adolescent survivors of childhood cancer exhibit accelerated epigenetic aging associated with worse neurocognitive outcomes.

Multiple adverse prenatal exposures have been linked to lasting behavioral problems and altered brain development through adolescence.

Prenatal exposure to hot, humid conditions was associated with significantly reduced child growth, with effects far greater than heat alone.

Teen use of alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine remained stable in 2025, while daily energy drink use rose and heroin and cocaine use showed small increases.

Following an updated policy from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Joshua Feder, MD, explains why providers should present DRBIs and NDBIs as options for autism care.

Joshua Feder, MD, highlights how interest-based, blended, and ABA strategies can all be effective options when working with a child with autism.

Joshua Feder, MD, explains how AACAP’s revised policy aims to improve access, insurance coverage, and family-centered decision-making for autism care.

The investigational compound centanafadine to treat ADHD in children, adults, and adolescents, is a first-in-class NDSRI.

The CDC website now claims "studies supporting a link [between vaccines and autism] have been ignored by health authorities."

National CPS data from 2012-2023 show declines in confirmed child maltreatment, but disparities remained, particularly among Black and female children.

New research shows an increase in neurodevelopmental disorder risk among children exposed to maternal COVID-19 infection in utero.

Children face increasing eco-anxiety due to climate change, impacting their mental health. Pediatric healthcare providers play a crucial role in supporting their resilience.

The AAP encourages pediatricians to use shared decision-making with families inquiring about leucovorin while providing clear information about available evidence and potential risks.

Donna Hallas, PhD, PPCNP-BC, CPNP, PMHS, FAANP, FAAN, shares her thoughts on a featured article from the October 2025 issue of Contemporary Pediatrics.