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Thank you for visiting the Contemporary Pediatrics® website. Take a look at some of our top stories from the week (Monday, July 14, to Friday, July 18, 2025), and click on each link to read and watch anything you may have missed.
Neurodiversity includes a range of brain-based differences such as autism, ADHD, and learning disorders, but many pediatricians receive limited training on how to identify and support these conditions. Short appointment times and clinician shortages further complicate early detection, while parents may hesitate to bring up concerns flagged by teachers or caregivers.
To better support families, pediatricians should foster open conversations, encourage early intervention, and go beyond medication by incorporating therapy and other resources. Improving provider education and clinic infrastructure can help ensure neurodiverse children receive timely, effective care.
A new study in Pediatrics highlights a dramatic 763% rise in unintentional nicotine pouch ingestions among children under 6 between 2020 and 2023. Researchers analyzed over 134,000 nicotine-related ingestion cases from 2010 to 2023 and found that while overall rates declined after 2015, exposures to nicotine pouches—often attractively flavored and packaged—have surged. Children under 2 accounted for most cases, and pouches were linked to more severe outcomes and hospital admissions than other nicotine products.
Despite regulatory advances like child-resistant packaging, the study found that liquid nicotine still led all product categories in ingestion rates by 2023. The authors stress the need for stronger public education, flavor bans, and safe storage practices to prevent exposure. They also urge parents to keep nicotine products out of reach and save the Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222) for emergencies.
Contemporary Pediatrics has launched a new video podcast series, Infectious Insights, focused on delivering the latest developments in pediatric infectious diseases. Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Tina Tan, MD, FIDSA, FPIDS, FAAP, the series is designed for pediatricians seeking timely clinical guidance, emerging research, and expert perspectives to support patient care.
Tan, a professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University and attending physician at Lurie Children’s Hospital, brings deep expertise in vaccine education, antimicrobial stewardship, and infectious disease prevention. As current president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and chair of the AAP Section on Infectious Diseases, she will guide discussions aimed at equipping pediatricians with practical knowledge to improve outcomes and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving field.
Improving modifiable factors—such as parenting practices, peer relationships, and cognitive support—could significantly enhance mental health outcomes for children born preterm, according to new research published in The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. The study, led by researchers at the University of Warwick, analyzed data from over 1500 preterm children in Germany and the UK and found that roughly half demonstrate mental health resilience by age 7 or 8 years.
Key promotive factors linked to better mental health outcomes included strong self-regulation and cognitive skills, supportive parent-child relationships, structured home environments, and reduced bullying. These factors accounted for up to 41% of the variation in resilience across cohorts. The researchers emphasized that these are actionable areas where early interventions could make a meaningful impact, especially for at-risk groups such as boys, who showed fewer promotive factors overall.
As children head back to school, pediatric pulmonologist Richard Wong, DO, of Phoenix Children’s, warns that asthma management becomes more complex outside the home. With increased exposure to triggers like viruses, allergens, exercise, and air pollution, schools often contribute to a seasonal spike in asthma-related emergency department visits—up to 46% in some areas, Wong noted. School routines may also lead to missed maintenance doses, worsening symptom control.
Wong emphasized the importance of asthma action plans, ready access to inhalers, and tailored education by age group. Young children rely on adults for symptom recognition, while middle schoolers may avoid treatment due to stigma. High school students, given more independence, often skip controller meds if they feel well—risking serious flares. Consistent communication among parents, providers, and school staff is key to ensuring safe asthma care throughout the academic year.
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