Top 5 pediatric health headlines you missed in May 2026

In this monthly recap, Contemporary Pediatrics reviews the most significant developments shaping pediatric practice and public health. Click each title below for full coverage.

1. FDA approves inhaled insulin Afrezza for children and adolescents with diabetes

On May 29, the FDA approved Afrezza for children and adolescents aged 6 years and older with diabetes, making it the first rapid-acting inhaled insulin available for pediatric patients requiring mealtime insulin. The approval was supported by results from the phase 3 INHALE-1 trial, which demonstrated noninferiority to injectable rapid-acting insulin analogs for glycemic control over 26 weeks and showed no clinically meaningful differences in lung function or hypoglycemia rates between treatment groups.

Afrezza provides an alternative to injections and insulin pumps by offering rapid insulin absorption that can be administered at the start of a meal, potentially improving flexibility for children with variable eating patterns and daily schedules. The product carries a boxed warning for acute bronchospasm and is contraindicated in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with spirometry evaluation recommended before treatment initiation.

2. HPV vaccine safety reaffirmed in new systematic review

A comprehensive evidence review conducted by the Vaccine Integrity Project at the University of Minnesota found that human papillomavirus vaccination remains safe and effective for preventing cervical cancer, cervical precancerous lesions, and persistent HPV infection. The review evaluated more than 120 studies published between 2024 and 2026 and integrated findings from two 2025 Cochrane reviews, drawing on over two decades of clinical and observational data. Investigators found no credible evidence linking HPV vaccination to serious adverse events, including neurologic conditions, adverse pregnancy outcomes, or other long-term health risks.

The analysis also identified growing evidence that a single-dose HPV vaccine schedule may provide protection comparable to two- or three-dose regimens against persistent infection and cervical precancers for at least 5 years, supporting ongoing efforts to improve vaccine access and coverage. The findings reinforce the established role of HPV vaccination in preventing HPV-related cancers, which account for an estimated 39,300 cancer cases annually in the United States.

3. a2 Milk Company recalls infant formula batches due to cereulide contamination

The a2 Milk Company voluntarily recalled 3 batches of its a2 Platinum Premium USA infant formula after detecting cereulide, a heat-stable toxin produced by certain strains of Bacillus cereus that can cause rapid-onset nausea and vomiting. Although no illnesses have been reported, the recall affects more than 63,000 units of formula intended for infants aged 0 to 12 months and distributed exclusively in the United States.

The contamination was identified during additional testing prompted by updated guidance from New Zealand food regulators, and the company indicated that an ingredient used in the product was the likely source. Because cereulide is not eliminated through standard formula preparation practices, caregivers are advised to discontinue use of affected products immediately. For pediatric clinicians, the recall highlights the importance of monitoring exposed infants for gastrointestinal symptoms and dehydration, particularly given the increased vulnerability of young infants to fluid losses.

4. AAP updates drowning prevention guidance

The American Academy of Pediatrics released updated guidance on drowning prevention, emphasizing that drowning remains a leading cause of unintentional injury death among children, particularly those aged 1 to 4 years. The revised policy recommends a layered prevention approach that includes close adult supervision, swim lessons beginning after age 1 year, four-sided pool fencing, life jacket use, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training.

The statement also highlights widening racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities in drowning risk, with elevated rates observed among Black and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander children and among children with conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy. In addition to family-focused strategies, the guidance supports community and legislative interventions, including pool fencing requirements, life jacket regulations, and expanded access to affordable swim instruction, to reduce pediatric drowning deaths and improve water safety outcomes.

5. PMOS to be adopted as new name for PCOS after global consensus process

An international consortium of clinicians, researchers, and patient advocacy organizations recommended renaming polycystic ovary syndrome to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) following a global consensus process involving more than 14,000 participants. Published in The Lancet, the recommendation aims to better reflect the condition’s multisystem endocrine and metabolic features and address concerns that the term “polycystic ovary syndrome” inaccurately emphasizes ovarian cysts while overlooking associated reproductive, metabolic, dermatologic, and psychological manifestations.

The proposed terminology highlights the condition’s links to obesity, insulin resistance, dysglycemia, type 2 diabetes, menstrual dysfunction, and hyperandrogenism, which are particularly relevant for adolescent patients who require distinct diagnostic criteria from adults. The consortium plans a 3-year transition period, with integration of the new terminology into clinical guidelines, educational resources, electronic health records, and disease classification systems beginning with the 2028 international guideline update.