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Isabella J. Tan, is a third-year medical student at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Articles

 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.

5-week-old with blood under the tongue 

. He joined the brand in March of 2023 as an editor before being promoted to senior editor in January 2024. Fitch graduated from Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio in 2020 with a degree in telecommunications and journalism. He started his career as a news and sports videographer before becoming an on-air sports anchor at the NBC-affiliated news station in Youngstown. Fitch briefly worked as a national content writer for a Chicago-based national television station before joining the 

team. He can be reached at: jfitch@mjhlifesciences.com.

A review highlights the benefits and risks of artificial sweeteners in glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and gut microbiota balance.

Artificial sweeteners show mixed effects on diabetes management

Discover the benefits of shea butter-based emollients in diapers, offering effective protection against diaper rash and skin irritation for babies.

Emollients for diapers? Yes! Type? It doesn’t matter!

Tapering adalimumab in inflammatory arthritis reduces flare rates and enhances recovery compared to abrupt discontinuation.

Sudden stop vs tapered adalimumab in IA: Which is best?

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Clinical Focus

Having "the talk" as a teenager is a time-honored tradition. Many experience it with their parents, but a visit with a pediatric clinician is an ideal time to ensure that a teenager knows the correct information, has the opportunity to make certain contraceptive choices, and instill the knowledge that the pediatric office is a safe place to come for help.

in this episode Dr. Helen Wang, an assistant clinical professor at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine facilitates a discussion about adolescent patients and having “the talk” with her colleagues: Dr. Kanani Titchen, an assistant clinical professor of adolescent and young adult medicine also of the UCSD School of Medicine and Dr. Samantha V. Hill an Adolescent Medicine Physician at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

A visit with a pediatric clinician is an ideal time to ensure that a teenager knows the correct information, has the opportunity to make certain contraceptive choices, and instill the knowledge that the pediatric office is a safe place to come for help.

Having "the talk" with teen patients

Universal EHR-based decision support eliminated racial disparities in adolescent chlamydia and gonorrhea testing in pediatric EDs.

Universal testing reduces disparities in adolescent STI screening

FDA accepts priority review of gepotidacin, a first-in-class oral antibiotic, for treating uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhea in patients ≥12 years.

FDA accepts priority review for gepotidacin as oral treatment for gonorrhea

Lenacapavir is the first twice-yearly option available in the US for those who need or want PrEP, according to Gilead Sciences. 

FDA approves twice-yearly lenacapavir as PrEP for HIV in adolescents, adults 

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

USPSTF: Syphilis screening during pregnancy has 'substantial' net benefit

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

Full recap from the 2025 Pediatric Academic Societies meeting

The 7th segment in a video series titled Special Report: Future Directions for STI Diagnosis and Treatment

In the final segment of our 7-part Special Report, the conversation underscores how prevention is family-centered care. Whether it’s syphilis, HIV, or hepatitis B, the ability to detect and intervene early—often before a newborn ever shows signs—can mean the difference between a NICU admission and a healthy baby rooming with their mother.

What excites us most about the future is the possibility of diagnosing earlier, intervening sooner, and ultimately preventing conditions that once carried life-long consequences. Expanded treatment options, more accessible diagnostics, and cross-disciplinary collaboration all serve one purpose: giving children the healthiest possible start in life.

Still, the burden doesn’t end in the delivery room. Adolescents are a vulnerable group, and empowering families to accept screening, understand results, and follow through with care is just as critical as the science itself. Pediatricians are uniquely positioned to act as trusted messengers—bridging evidence-based guidelines with real family concerns and countering misinformation.

The future of sexually transmitted infections (STI) prevention in pediatrics depends on this partnership: providers equipped with better diagnostics, and families empowered with knowledge. If we meet both of those goals, we won’t just reduce infection rates—we will improve the health trajectories of entire generations.

Kylee Johnson, MS, APRN, is a women’s health nurse practitioner at Rocky Mountain Women's Clinic.

Brooke Redmond, MD, is an attending neonatal critical care physician at the Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. She is the creator and director of the 24/7 BABY program. 

Denise Heaney, PhD, is a senior scientific affairs manager in Diagnostics Information Solutions at Roche Diagnostics Corporation in Indianapolis.

Redmond and Johnson have no relevant disclosures to report. Relevant disclosures for Heaney include Roche. 

Hufstetler K, Llata E, Miele K, Quilter LAS. Clinical Updates in Sexually Transmitted Infections, 2024. 

. 2024;33(6):827-837. doi:10.1089/jwh.2024.0367

World Health Organization. Guidelines for the management of asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections. Published 2025. Accessed September 30, 2025. 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK616637/

Videos

Explore how family-centered care and early intervention in STI prevention can transform pediatric health outcomes for future generations.

News

Video Series

Special Report: Future Directions for STI Diagnosis and Treatment

Special Report: Education and Collaboration in STI Management

In part 6 of this 7-part Special Report, panelists drive home a singular focus: guidelines are only as effective as our commitment to follow them consistently. But when we apply this to children and adolescents, vigilance becomes even more critical. Individual risk factors, family history, and community prevalence should all inform how and when we screen—especially as congenital syphilis and other preventable infections rise.

Diagnostic innovations in the past five years have reshaped pediatric practice as well. Point-of-care testing, at-home collection for older adolescents, and faster turnarounds from centralized labs all mean earlier intervention is possible. For neonates, where early signs of congenital infection may be subtle or absent, these tools are life-saving.

But technology alone is not enough. Education—both for providers and parents—is a persistent gap. Pediatricians must act as trusted sources of information to counter misinformation families may encounter online. For parents, the core message is that saying yes to recommended screening protects not just their child, but also future generations.

Panelists emphasize the importance of consistent screening for children and adolescents, highlighting new diagnostic tools and the need for education.

Special Report: Impact of Screening on Congenital Conditions  

In part 5 of this 7-part Special Report, panelists drive home a crucial message: screen early, screen consistently, and engage parents in the process. In pediatrics, sexually transmitted infections (STI) screening may carry additional sensitivities, but early detection and intervention are critical for preventing long-term complications. Providers should normalize conversations around sexual health during adolescent visits, framing them as a routine part of wellness care rather than a marker of behavior.

Parents, meanwhile, should be encouraged to say yes to recommended testing even if it feels uncomfortable. Conditions like congenital syphilis or perinatal HIV don’t always show visible warning signs early on, yet they can have life-altering consequences for infants and children. By trusting evidence-based recommendations, families can ensure their children get the benefit of early diagnosis and timely treatment.

The final reminder for both clinicians and caregivers: be mindful of where they receive health information. In a world saturated with online advice, only evidence-backed guidance ensures that families are making decisions that protect children today and safeguard their health in the future.

Panelists emphasize the importance of early STI screening in pediatrics, encouraging open discussions and parental involvement for better health outcomes.

Special Report: Challenges and Workflow Integration in STI Care

In part 4 of this 7-part Special Report, our panel of subject matter experts explores the importance of access and early detection in protecting maternal-fetal health. Brooke Redmond, MD, explained how increasing access to sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing is especially critical in pediatrics because of its downstream impact on newborns and infants. Many congenital infections—including syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, and chlamydia—may be clinically silent in the early newborn period, yet have life-threatening or lifelong consequences if missed. For pediatric clinicians, this underscores why expanded maternal screening during pregnancy and delivery is so vital.

She noted that pediatric providers frequently depend on information gathered from maternal testing—serologic results and diagnostic assays that obstetric teams conduct throughout pregnancy. These results guide neonatal teams in determining whether prophylaxis, modified delivery planning, or early treatment is needed. Infections like congenital syphilis illustrate how complex this can be: with varying phases and presentations, it requires precise screening and coordination between maternal and neonatal care.

Redmond stressed the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, where the mother’s team and the baby’s team work seamlessly together, sharing critical lab information and anticipating next steps. As testing becomes more accessible, including at-home and point-of-care innovations, pediatric clinicians must be prepared to interpret results, counsel families, and act quickly to prevent transmission or initiate treatment. For pediatrics, the value of diagnostic innovation is clear: it equips providers with the chance to intervene earlier, reduce stigma around testing, and ultimately safeguard child health from the earliest stages of life.

Experts emphasize the critical role of access and early detection in maternal-fetal health, highlighting the need for improved STI testing and collaboration.

Special Report: STI Diagnostic Innovations and At-Home Testing

In part 3 of this 7-part Special Report, the discussion turns to the importance of diagnostic stewardship, with Denise Heaney, PhD, underscoring how US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared assays—ranging from at-home sample collection to point-of-care testing—can make it easier to detect infections accurately and treat in a timely fashion. She noted that lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the need to bring diagnostics closer to patients and reduce barriers to care.

Kylee Johnson, MS, ARNP, highlighted the relevance for adolescents and their families. She explained that, much like self-collection for HPV in adults, young people increasingly seek discreet, convenient, and less invasive testing options. For pediatric clinicians, this may mean adapting workflows to ensure that positive results from at-home or pharmacy-accessed tests are properly followed up, integrated into records, and tied to effective treatment.

The panel also discussed how digital platforms can help reduce the risk of patients being lost to follow-up—a key concern when moving testing outside of traditional clinic walls. Johnson emphasized that adolescents, in particular, are digital natives who often find healthcare information and services online, and they are likely to gravitate toward providers who offer flexible and patient-centered testing solutions. For pediatric providers, the opportunity lies in embracing these tools while maintaining strong education, counseling, and safety nets to ensure continuity of care.

Explore how diagnostic stewardship enhances infection detection and treatment, especially for adolescents seeking convenient testing options.

Special Report: New Frontiers in STI Treatment

In part 2 of this 7-part Special Report, the discussion shifts to the US Food and Drug Administration approval of gepotidacin (Blujepa), an oral therapy for uncomplicated UTIs approved for patients as young as 12. Brooke Redmond, MD, a neonatal and pediatric specialist, emphasized that oral formulations are especially welcomed in pediatric and adolescent care, where both patients and parents often prefer them over injectable options. This could lower barriers to initiating timely treatment and improve adherence in younger populations.

Kylee Johnson, MS, ARNP, added that oral therapy is particularly meaningful for rural or resource-limited communities, where access to injectable treatment can be delayed. The availability of a convenient oral option not only shortens the time to treatment but also facilitates partner therapy, a critical element in preventing reinfection and curbing community spread.

At the same time, Redmond cautioned that adherence must be closely monitored. Unlike an injection, which ensures full delivery, oral regimens depend on patient follow-through. Both panelists agreed that pediatric providers will need to emphasize clear counseling and education to adolescents and families on the importance of completing therapy. Despite this caveat, they concluded that the option represents a valuable step forward in adolescent sexual health care and could reduce sexually transmitted infection burden across age groups.

FDA prioritizes gepotidacin, an oral gonorrhea treatment for adolescents, enhancing access and adherence in sexual health care.

Special Report: Advances in STI Screening and Treatments

To mark Sexual Health Awareness Month, Contemporary Pediatrics partnered with Contemporary OB/GYN for a cross-specialty discussion on advances in sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening and management. The session, moderated by Kylee Johnson, MS, APRN, focused on how updated diagnostic tools and regulatory changes affect both maternal and pediatric care.

Neonatal specialist Brooke Redmond, MD, highlighted the pediatric implications of untreated maternal infections, including congenital syphilis, HIV, and neonatal herpes. She noted that pediatricians play a critical role in early detection, follow-up testing, and multidisciplinary collaboration to safeguard infant outcomes.

Diagnostic scientist Denise Haney, PhD, of Roche Diagnostics, outlined how molecular testing platforms are reshaping STI detection, offering higher sensitivity and expanding into at-home collection kits. For pediatric providers, understanding these diagnostic shifts is vital—both for counseling parents and for coordinating care with obstetric colleagues.

Panelists emphasized that rising congenital STI rates demand vigilance from pediatricians, who are often the first to identify early signs in newborns or to provide ongoing care for infants exposed during pregnancy or delivery.

Explore the latest advancements in STI screening and management, focusing on pediatric care and the critical role of early detection in newborns.

Diane Straub, MD, professor of pediatrics and section head for Adolescent Medicine at the University of Colorado and Children’s Hospital Colorado, discussed current challenges and priorities in adolescent sexual health at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2025 National Conference and Exhibition.

“There has been an increase in all STIs recently in adolescents, except for HIV, which has been relatively stable,” Straub said. “The most common reportable STI is chlamydia. However, there are other STIs, HPV, [and] herpes that also have pretty high burden, that are not reportable illnesses, but are thought to also have pretty high incidence.”

According to Straub, current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for screening have remained consistent. “It’s still recommended to do routine screening in sexually active adolescent females and higher-risk adolescent males,” she said.

Straub emphasized the importance of patient-centered care. “It’s just really important to make sure that you’re doing a confidential history and finding out what sexual and reproductive needs that your patients have, and that can be a difficult thing in a busy practice, so it’s just something to really make sure to prioritize and ensure that it happens.”

Barriers to adolescent sexual health care

Straub noted that access to confidential care remains uneven across the country. “In a lot of places, there are many barriers, and those include a lack of access to comprehensive sexuality education. A lot of young people don’t really have—don’t think this is a salient topic, and don’t recognize their personal risk,” she said.

She added that legal and cultural pressures may further limit adolescent access. “There’s a movement in this country by some folks to really kind of decrease adolescents’ access to confidential care, and confidential care is incredibly important, because young people don’t get that care if they have to talk about it with their parents, or if the parents have to provide consent.”

Balancing confidentiality and parental involvement

Straub encouraged clinicians to navigate the delicate balance between supporting confidentiality and encouraging parental involvement. “We always ask young people about involving their parents and try to do that. I mean, it’s great to have a parent who’s involved and wants to really help the young person to navigate through this somewhat difficult landscape,” she said.

“The reality, though, is that a lot of young people aren’t quite ready to do that, and they still are at risk for STIs and other outcomes from sexual behavior. So it’s just really important to make sure that they have that access and to continue to support them until they might be ready to have that conversation with their parents.”

Diane Straub, MD, addresses STI screening and confidential care in adolescents

Straub D. Sexually Transmitted Infections: What’s Changed? Presentation. Presented at: American Academy of Pediatrics 2025 National Conference & Exhibition. September 26-30, 2025. Denver, Colorado.

Adolescent STIs are rising. Diane Straub, MD, MPH, stressed confidential care, routine screening, and balancing parental involvement at AAP 2025.

 This video series includes clinicians involved in HIV clinical care and research who look to discuss several topics around these infections including diagnosis, clinical management in older adults and multidrug resistance, as well as long-acting injectables and PrEP.

HIV Roundtable: Managing medications after diagnosis

Welcome to the first episode of our 3-episode series; HIV Roundtable, a collaborative project from 

This series discusses several aspects of HIV including clinical management, therapies, vaccines, and multidrug resistance.

In this episode, our panel offers their approaches to care in terms of medications and management when patients are first diagnosed and a discussion around long-acting injectables for HIV management.

MJ Kasten, MD,associate professor of Medicine, consultant, Division of Public Health, Infectious Diseases, and Occupational Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic

Natasha Hoyte, MPH, CPNP-PC, New York-Presbyterian School Based Health Centers

Aimalohi Ahonkhai, MD, MPH, associate physician, medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital, associate director of the Bio-behavioral and Community Science Core and director of the Community Engaged Research Program for the Harvard University Center for AIDS Research

Jessica Castilho, MD, associate professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, associate professor, Dept. of Health Policy, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Expert discussion of several topics including diagnosis, clinical management in older adults, multidrug resistance, and long-acting injectables and PrEP.

Natasha Hoyte, MPH, CPNP-PC, explains how important PrEP and PEP in school health programs can be for youth, and the crucial  role awareness plays.

Incorporating PrEP and PEP into school-based health centers

Natasha Hoyte, MPH, CPNP-PC, explains how important PrEP and PEP in school health programs can be for youth, and the crucial  role awareness plays. 

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

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