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 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.

Researchers have created the first standardized tool to identify developmental delays in infants aged as young as 16 days.

Tool accurately assesses infant development from 16 days of birth

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

Weekly review: New AAP guidance, FDA COVID vaccine updates, and more

Adolescents from socioeconomically deprived families reported more eating disorder symptoms, highlighting disparities in risk and diagnosis.

Family socioeconomic position linked to eating disorder symptoms in adolescence

Piero F. Mejia, MD, is a pediatric pulmonary fellow at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

CPAP/bilevel PAP in the home setting

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Clinical Focus

The news is full of stories about monkeypox, the recent changes to COVID-19 guidance, and the return of polio cases. What do clinicians need to know?



 sat down with its editor-in-chief, Tina Q. Tan, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS, to discuss the what families can do to prevent polio, the most current information on monkeypox in pediatrics, and the new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on COVID-19.

The news is full of stories about monkeypox, the recent changes to COVID-19 guidance, and the return of polio cases. What do clinicians need to know?

What's going on with polio, monkeypox, and COVID-19

Scott Kober sits down with Dr. Joseph Domachowske, Professor of Pediatrics, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, and Director of the Global Maternal-Child and Pediatric Health Program at the SUNY Upstate Medical University.

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RSV in Infants and Young Children. Available at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/high-risk/infants-young-children.html

2. Leader S, Kohlhase K. Recent trends in severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among US infants, 1997 to 2000. 

. 2003;143(5):127-132. doi:10.1067/s0022-3476(03)00510-9

3. Rose EB, Wheatley A, Langley G, Gerber S, Haynes A. Respiratory Syncytial Virus Seasonality - United States, 2014-2017. M

4. Arriola C, Kim L. Estimated Burden of Community-Onset Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Associated Hospitalizations Among Children Aged <2 Years in the United States 2014-15. 

5. Rainisch G, Adhikari B, Meltzer MI, Langley G. Estimating the impact of multiple immunization products on medically-attended respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in infants. 

. 2020;38(2):251-257. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.10.023

6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS). RSV National Trends. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). . Available from: 

https://www.cdc.gov/surveillance/nrevss/rsv/natl-trend.html. Accessed March 2022

7. Cohen R, et al. Pediatric Infectious Disease Group (GPIP) position paper on the immune debt of the COVID-19 pandemic in childhood, how can we fill the immunity gap? 

. 2021; 51:418-423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idnow.2021.05.004

8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Increased Interseasonal Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Activity in Parts of the Southern United States. Available from: 

https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2021/han00443.asp

9. NSW Health. COVID-19 WEEKLY SURVEILLANCE IN NSW. Available from: 

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Documents/covid-19-surveillance-report-20220120.pdf

10. Public Health England. Weekly national Influenza and COVID-19 surveillance report Week 3 report (up to week 2 data). Available from: 

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1048531/Weekly_Flu_and_COVID-19_report_w3.pdf

11. Zheng Z, Pitzer VE, Shapiro ED, Bont LJ, Weinberger DM. Estimation of the Timing and Intensity of Reemergence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Following the COVID-19 Pandemic in the US. 

. 2021;4(12):e2141779. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.41779.

12. Karron RA. Plotkin’s Vaccines. Seventh edition. Chapter 51, Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines. Elsevier Inc. 2018.

13. Hall CB. The burgeoning burden of respiratory syncytial virus among children. 

14. Heylen E, Neyts J, Jochmans D. Drug candidates and model systems in respiratory syncytial virus antiviral drug discovery. 

15. Piedimonte G, Perez MK. Respiratory syncytial virus infection and bronchiolitis. 

16. Krilov LR, Fergie J, Goldstein M, Brannman L. Impact of the 2014 American Academy of Pediatrics Immunoprophylaxis Policy on the Rate, Severity, and Cost of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Hospitalizations among Preterm Infants. A

. 2020;37(2):174-183. doi:10.1055/s-0039-1694008

17. Zhou H, Thompson WW, Viboud CG, et al. Hospitalizations associated with influenza and respiratory syncytial virus in the United States, 1993-2008. 

. 2012;54(10):1427-1436. doi:10.1093/cid/cis211

18. Domachowske J, Halczyn J, Bonville C. Preventing Pediatric Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection. 

. 2018;47(9). doi:10.3928/19382359-20180816-01

19. Viguria N, Martínez-Baz I, Moreno-Galarraga L, Sierrasesúmaga L, Salcedo B, et al. (2018) Respiratory syncytial virus hospitalization in children in northern Spain. 

 13(11): e0206474. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0206474

20. Ostransky, D., & Blais, F. X. (1991). Postviral bronchial hyperreactivity syndrome: recognizing asthma's great mimic. 

21. Fauroux B, Simões EAF, Checchia PA, et al. The Burden and Long-term Respiratory Morbidity Associated with Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Early Childhood. 

. 2017;6(2):173-197. doi:10.1007/s40121-017-0151-4

22. Wenzel, SE. Gibbs, RL, Lehr, MV, Simoes, EAF. Respiratory outcomes in high-risk children 7 to 10 years after prophylaxis with respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin.  

. 2002; (112) 8: P627-633. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9343(02)01095-1

23. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV):

https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/transmission.html

24. Assaker R, Colas A-E, Julien-Marsollier F, et al. Presenting Symptoms of COVID-19 in Children: A Meta-Analysis of Published Studies. 

. 2020;125(3):e330-e332. doi:10.1016/j.bja.2020.05.026external icon.

The Role of the Healthcare Provider Community in Increasing Public Awareness of RSV in All Infants

The return of cooler temperatures means that the fall/winter respiratory season is nearly here. Last year there was a concerted effort to get the flu shot administered to as many people as possible, what might happen this flu season?

In this episode, 

 sits down with Dr. Donna Hallas, a clinical professor at the New York University Meyers College of Nursing and also a pediatric nurse practitioner, about the upcoming flu season and keeping families safe.

Contemporary Pediatrics sits down with Dr. Donna Hallas, a clinical professor at the New York University Meyers College of Nursing and also a pediatric nurse practitioner, about the upcoming flu season and keeping families safe.

Managing the 2021-2022 flu season

Dr Anna Mandalakas, professor of pediatrics and tropical medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, looks at the 2 screening methods available for latent tuberculosis in children, what the preferred tests have been according to the American Academy of Pediatrics Red Book, and a new study that takes a look at both testing methodologies, to compare efficacy.

Diagnostic Update in Tuberculosis Testing for Children

Low-dose methylprednisolone is as effective as high-dose for severe pediatric MPP and has fewer side effects, supporting safer treatment strategies.

Low-dose steroid effective for severe pediatric Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia

Brensocatib was granted FDA priority review in February 2025 for the small molecule, oral, reversible inhibitor.

FDA approves brensocatib to treat adolescents with non–cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

Pediatric experts emphasize the importance of asthma action plans, medication readiness, and school-based support to help children with asthma stay healthy and active during the academic year.

Planning and communication: Keys to helping children with asthma in school

23-month-old female with cough, rhinorrhea, and increased work of breathing 

Richard J. Wong, DO, and Tyra Bryant-Stephens, MD, outline strategies for controlling asthma as kids head back to school.

Tyra Bryant-Stephens, MD, Richard Wong, DO, break down asthma in the classroom

Asthma remains one of the leading causes of school absenteeism and a top chronic illness among children in the United States, according to the CDC.

 As the school year begins, pediatricians can play a crucial role in preparing families to manage asthma in the classroom and beyond. 

“Children at school face several challenges in making sure that their asthma stays under good control as compared with being at home,” said Richard J. Wong, DO, pediatric pulmonologist at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Limited access to rescue therapies, lack of an asthma action plan, or even stigma can contribute to flare-ups.

Transitions from summer to school can also affect medication adherence. “A common challenge we see is that getting ready for a busy school day can make it difficult for families to remember to give the morning dose of medication,” said Tyra Bryant-Stephens, MD, medical director of the Community Asthma Prevention Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Age can influence management. Younger children rely on school staff to recognize symptoms, whereas adolescents may underreport symptoms and skip controller medications. “This can lead to an overreliance on short-acting β agonists,” Wong noted. 

Bryant-Stephens recommended that at the start of the year, pediatricians review an asthma action plan, ensure children have inhalers and spacers for both home and school, and verify insurance coverage for extra supplies. She outlined 5 key steps: discuss triggers, review provider needs, complete the school checklist, use control medications consistently, and ensure medication refills are available.

School nurses can be valuable partners in care, though availability varies. “We need to consider them part of the health care team,” said Bryant-Stephens. “They are allies in keeping children in school.”

Pediatricians can also share practical tips directly with children, such as pacing before and after exercise and restarting allergy medications before the school year to reduce triggers. “It is important to make sure enough refills are always present…and to encourage the use of spacers,” Wong added.

With clear communication, preparation, and collaboration between families, schools, and providers, children with asthma can start the school year ready to learn and breathe more easily.

Managing asthma in schools. CDC. August 13, 2024. Accessed August 8, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/school-health-conditions/chronic/asthma.html

Videos

Richard J. Wong, DO; and Tyra Bryant-Stephens, MD, outline strategies for controlling asthma as kids head back to school. 

News

Tyra Bryant-Stephens, MD; and Richard Wong, DO, break down asthma in the classroom

Tyra Bryant-Stephens encourages families to revisit asthma triggers, refill medications, and manage allergies to prevent avoidable complications.

Tyra Bryant-Stephens, MD talks asthma reminders ahead of school year

The summer months offer an ideal opportunity for families of children with asthma to take proactive steps ahead of the school year, according to Tyra Bryant-Stephens, MD, chief health equity officer at the Center for Health Equity and medical director of the Asthma Prevention Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. 

“When we talk about the school physical or asthma checkup, there are 5 things to review with parents,” Bryant-Stephens said. “The child’s asthma triggers, what they need from their doctor, talking to the school, making sure they are taking control medication, and making sure they have refills.” 

In addition to asthma-specific medications and planning, Bryant-Stephens highlighted the role that allergy management plays in maintaining good control, especially during the back-to-school season. 

“September is a bad time for allergies, so making sure allergies are controlled as well as asthma is important,” she said. “I often tell parents that if they take a vacation from allergy medications in July, they should restart them at the end of August so the child is less likely to have allergic symptoms that can trigger asthma.”

Although respiratory viruses are difficult to avoid once children return to crowded school settings, Bryant-Stephens said that managing known triggers, such as allergens and environmental factors, can still help minimize flares. 

Practical strategies for children also make a difference. “I often tell children to pace before and after exercise,” she said. “We talk about a slow warm-up and slow cool-down. An abrupt start or finish can trigger symptoms.” 

She emphasized that children can grasp the importance of building up to physical activity and gradually cooling down. “Children can understand the idea of slowly working up to vigorous activity for 5 minutes and then slowly winding down instead of stopping abruptly,” she added. 

Environmental factors within the classroom also matter. Bryant-Stephens encouraged caution around dust accumulation from books that have not been used over the summer and dander exposure from classroom pets. “Be careful if books have sat on a bookshelf all summer; you do not want to be the first one to pull a book from the shelf unless the teacher has been able to clean,” she said. “Children need to wash their hands before and after handling the classroom pet.” 

Tyra Bryant-Stephens, MD, encourages families to revisit asthma triggers, refill medications, and manage allergies to prevent avoidable complications. 

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