Top 5 pediatric health headlines you missed in May 2025

Top 5 pediatric health headlines you missed in May 2025 | Image Credit: © sebra - stock.adobe.com.

May 2025 brought a series of critical developments that continue to shape pediatric care and child health nationwide.
From shifts in vaccine policy to new evidence on mental health and chronic

disease risk, this month’s updates underscore the dynamic and evolving nature of pediatric medicine.

Key highlights include FDA and CDC actions impacting vaccine access, new clinical research on the effects of early antibiotic and social media use, and guidance from leading health agencies aimed at improving child safety and outcomes. The 2025 Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting also delivered a wealth of insight, with new data on obesity risk, cardiovascular disparities, and innovations in neonatal care.

In this monthly recap, Contemporary Pediatrics highlights the most impactful regulatory updates, research findings, and expert commentary from May 2025.

Click on each title below for in-depth coverage of these key stories.

1. Full recap from the 2025 Pediatric Academic Societies meeting

The 2025 Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meeting in Honolulu showcased a broad spectrum of research, guidance, and expert insights shaping the future of pediatric health. Contemporary Pediatrics reported from the ground, covering key studies on topics including childhood obesity risk tied to early antibiotic use, cardiovascular disparities in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, and firearm safety education. Additional highlights included promising biomarker data for neonatal HIE treatment, the benefits of buprenorphine for pregnant women with OUD, and pediatricians' evolving role in STI prevention.

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2. FDA starts review of nutrients in infant formula

As part of “Operation Stork Speed,” the FDA and HHS launched a comprehensive review of infant formula nutrient requirements—the first since 1988. A new request for information invites public input on updating nutrient standards and adding new ones based on current science. Additional initiatives include expanded contaminant testing, clearer labeling, and greater transparency in formula ingredients. The FDA also announced a June expert panel to further guide its strategy. Meanwhile, new product approvals, such as Surgifort for post-surgical infants and Bobbie’s organic whole milk formula, reflect growing innovation in infant nutrition.

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3. CDC pulls COVID-19 vaccine recommendation for healthy children, pregnant individuals

Federal COVID-19 vaccine guidance saw a major shift in May 2025, as the CDC removed its recommendation for routine vaccination in healthy children and pregnant women. The move, announced by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., follows new FDA policies limiting vaccine eligibility to those at risk for severe illness. Experts, including Tina Tan, MD, voiced strong opposition, citing serious health risks for unvaccinated populations. The update raises concerns about insurance coverage, provider guidance, and vaccine access heading into the fall season.

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4. Social media potentially linked to depression in children

New UCSF-led research in JAMA Network Open links rising social media use in early adolescence to later increases in depressive symptoms. Using data from nearly 12,000 youth in the ABCD Study, researchers found that higher social media use preceded worsening mental health, not the other way around. Screen time rose from 7 to 73 minutes daily over 3 years, alongside a 35% spike in depressive symptoms. Related findings tied cyberbullying to suicide risk and substance use. Experts urge early guidance and family-based media plans to support mental wellness in the digital age.

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

The USPSTF has reaffirmed its 2018 “A” recommendation for universal syphilis screening during pregnancy, citing clear benefits in preventing congenital infections and related complications. The May 2025 update, published in JAMA, found no new evidence to change existing guidance, reinforcing that early testing and treatment significantly reduce risks such as stillbirth, preterm birth, and neonatal death. The move comes amid rising syphilis rates among women and a record number of congenital syphilis cases in 2023.

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