Contemporary Pediatrics week in review: August 24-28, 2026

Thank you for visiting the Contemporary Pediatrics® website. Take a look at some of our top stories from last week (Monday, August 24 to Friday, August 28, 2026) and click each link to read and watch anything you may have missed.

1.) CDC declares Nara Organics infant botulism outbreak over as genetic testing links it to 2025 ByHeart outbreak

The CDC has declared the multistate infant botulism outbreak linked to Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Powdered Infant Formula over after 4 confirmed cases in California, Pennsylvania, and Washington, with no new cases reported since July 3, 2026. All affected infants were hospitalized and treated with botulism immune globulin intravenous (BabyBIG), and the formula was fully recalled in June.

Whole genome sequencing linked one case from the Nara Organics outbreak to the 2025 ByHeart infant formula outbreak, while investigators identified shared milk and spray-drying suppliers between the implicated products, suggesting a common source of contamination. The FDA has not yet determined whether contamination occurred before or during the drying process, and its root-cause investigation remains ongoing.

Pediatricians should remain alert for signs of infant botulism, including constipation, poor feeding, loss of head control, difficulty swallowing, and respiratory symptoms, and initiate BabyBIG treatment based on clinical suspicion without waiting for laboratory confirmation.

2.) FDA authorizes first dual glucose-ketone monitor for children as young as 2

The FDA has authorized Abbott’s Libre Duo 10 Day Continuous Dual Glucose Ketone Monitoring System for patients with diabetes aged 2 years and older, making it the first US wearable to continuously monitor ketones and the first device globally to combine continuous glucose and ketone monitoring in a single sensor.

The De Novo authorization was supported by 6 clinical studies involving more than 600 participants, with results showing that the device tracked clinically meaningful ketone changes during its 10-day wear period, including elevations preceding diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Unlike traditional blood or urine ketone tests that provide a single measurement, Libre Duo samples interstitial fluid every minute and sends glucose and ketone readings, trends, and alerts to a smartphone.

3.) FDA authorizes Avulux light-filtering lenses for migraine-associated light sensitivity in patients 12 and older

The FDA has granted De Novo marketing authorization to Avulux precision light-filtering lenses to reduce the impact of migraine-associated light sensitivity in patients aged 12 years and older with episodic migraine. Available over the counter and with or without a vision prescription, the lenses selectively block high-blue and red/amber wavelengths associated with light sensitivity while allowing other visible light to pass through.

The authorization was supported by clinical evidence that included randomized controlled trials and real-world use and establishes a new FDA device classification for precision optical filters intended to address migraine-related light sensitivity. With migraine affecting an estimated 11% of children and adolescents and light sensitivity common among patients with migraine, the lenses provide adolescents with a noninvasive option that can be used alongside, rather than as a replacement for, their existing migraine treatments.

4.) FAQ: What does the new AAP iron deficiency guidance mean for your practice?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued updated guidance on preventing, screening, diagnosing, and treating iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in infants, children, and adolescents, replacing its 2010 clinical report. Key changes include nutrition-based screening timelines, adding serum ferritin (SF) to the complete blood cell count for screening, and new diagnostic thresholds of 20 ng/mL or below for young and school-aged children and 30 ng/mL or below for adolescents and menstruating individuals.

Exclusively breastfed infants should be screened at 9 to 12 months, while primarily formula-fed infants should be screened at 15 to 18 months; menstruating adolescents should undergo universal screening at least 1 year after menarche or by age 14. The report also provides updated recommendations for iron supplementation, treatment, and follow-up, emphasizing evaluation of treatment response and further workup or specialist referral when anemia persists or recurs.

5.) What pediatricians should know for the upcoming respiratory virus season

Pediatricians preparing families for the fall respiratory virus season should prioritize vaccine access, preventive counseling, and education about when respiratory illness requires medical evaluation, according to Lori Handy, MD, MSCE, of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. With RSV, influenza, COVID-19, and measles among the potential concerns, Handy emphasized making vaccines readily available and helping families understand that vaccination is intended primarily to reduce severe outcomes rather than prevent every infection.

For many respiratory illnesses, identifying the specific virus is less important than assessing the child’s clinical condition, although influenza testing may guide antiviral treatment in certain high-risk patients. Families should also be counseled on hand hygiene and staying home when sick and taught to recognize warning signs such as increased work of breathing, low oxygen levels, dehydration, altered mental status, reduced urination, and unusual sleepiness. Handy encouraged pediatricians to welcome evaluations when caregivers are uncertain, noting that even reassuring visits can help parents better understand how to monitor their child as an illness progresses.