A preview of the November/December issue of Contemporary Pediatrics

The 2024 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition was recently held in Orlando, Florida. Contemporary Pediatrics was one of the exhibitors at the meeting, and it was an absolute privilege for me to speak with those of you who came by the booth. It was great to hear your comments and very gratifying to learn that Contemporary Pediatrics provides timely, practical, and useful information that you find helpful in providing care to your patients.

It was also great to speak with international practitioners, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, and pharmacists, who were excited and interested in learning about Contemporary Pediatrics and the information it provides.

Thank you all for your feedback; it was much appreciated. My editorial board and I will continue to provide the latest, most helpful information on issues you face in daily practice.

There are several excellent must-read articles in this month’s double issue.

• The cover story is a Pharmacology section article that reviews the most impactful FDA approvals for pediatrics this year. Three major drugs discussed are a new nasal epinephrine spray (neffy), dupilumab for eosinophilic esophagitis, and roflumilast for treating atopic dermatitis.
• The Infectious Diseases section article is a staff write-up on the recent FDA approval of FluMist, a nasal spray influenza vaccine that will be available next year for self-administration or caregiver administration to children. Using this vaccine in the home setting will require extensive instruction to ensure the patient receives the entire dose.
• The Dermatology section article is an excellent review of Fordyce spots on the lips and includes practical tips on diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatments. Fordyce spots are benign, painless, visible sebaceous glands typically appearing as small white/yellow bumps or spots on the inside of lips or cheeks or on the gums or genitalia. They are common and are present in up to 80% of people.
• The Nutrition section features an interesting and useful article on how nutrition impacts children’s eyesight and recommends the best foods and minerals to include in the diet to promote healthy eyes.
• The Mental Health section features a very practical and timely article that provides tips on how primary care pediatric providers can implement lifestyle medicine into the mental health management of their patients. It also provides information for parents on the benefits.

You all are the heroes, and, as always, thank you for providing outstanding care to your patients. As Lorelai Gilmore said, “Everything’s magical when it snows.” Please take care of yourselves and enjoy the upcoming holiday season. Stay safe and well. As always, I welcome your suggestions, comments, and questions.

With warm regards,

Tina Q. Tan, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS, Editor in Chief