Last week, Contemporary Pediatrics covered topics including steps to prevent pediatric nicotine exposure and ways to close the behavioral health screening gap. Take a look at some of our top stories from the past week (March 30-April 3, 2026) and click on each link to read and watch anything you may have missed.

Perry Rosen, BA, discusses steps to prevent pediatric nicotine exposure

This clinical discussion by Perry Rosen, BA, student physician at New York Institute of Technology, explores the shifting landscape of pediatric nicotine exposure, specifically contrasting the risks of e-cigarette inhalation with traditional liquid nicotine ingestion.

From a regulatory standpoint, the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970 was successful in reducing poisonings from refill bottles by requiring child-resistant packaging that 85% of children cannot open within 5 minutes. However, a major loophole remains: There are currently no childproofing restrictions on disposable e-cigarettes, cartridge-based vapes, or nicotine pouches.

Furthermore, disposable vapes often bypass current flavor restrictions and use candy-like colors and designs that are highly appealing to children. Advocacy efforts are currently focused on pushing for device-level safety regulations to address these design accessibility issues and prevent toxic pediatric exposures.

Lara McKenzie, PhD, discusses how to keep children safe from accidental poisoning

In this discussion with Contemporary Pediatrics, Lara McKenzie, PhD, principal investigator at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, highlights the significant risks posed by common household cleaning products to young children, particularly those younger than 5 years.

A central focal point of the conversation revolves around the startling statistic that detergent packets and spray bottles are responsible for over 60% of container-related injuries among this vulnerable demographic. Addressing the urgent need for regulatory adjustments, McKenzie strongly advocates implementing comprehensive child-resistant packaging standards specifically targeted at household spray bottles.

Joseph Rossano, MD, discusses the benefits of mavacamten in HCM patients

In a recent interview with Contemporary Pediatrics, Joseph Rossano, MD, MS, FAAP, FACC, shared groundbreaking results from the SCOUT-HCM trial, a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study evaluating the safety and efficacy of mavacamten (Camzyos; MyoKardia, Inc) in pediatric patients with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The trial specifically targeted adolescents suffering from significant left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction.

The study's primary end point was the reduction of the Valsalva LVOT gradient at 28 weeks. Rossano reported a “dramatic reduction” in obstruction among those treated with mavacamten. Most patients achieved reductions to levels no longer classified as obstructive. Key secondary and exploratory end points—including maximal LVOT gradients, biomarkers of heart injury, and New York Heart Association Functional Classification—also showed significant improvement compared with the placebo group.

Rachel Rosales, MPH, discusses how to close the gap in behavioral health screening

In an interview with Contemporary Pediatrics, Rachel Rosales, MPH, doctoral candidate at Brown University School of Public Health, discussed the significant disparities in behavioral health screening compared with general physical health screenings under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment benefit.

CMS recently shifted adolescent depression screening from voluntary to mandatory. Rosales believes this mandate is a critical “first step” because measurement typically drives behavior among health plans and providers. This shift is expected to do the following:

• Encourage standardization across managed care organizations
• Identify underperforming plans
• Create incentives for providers to prioritize mental health

Nicole Chase, MD, discusses the benefits of no age restriction for epinephrine nasal spray

In a recent discussion with Contemporary Pediatrics, Nicole Chase, MD, an allergist at St Paul Allergy and Asthma, provided comprehensive insights into the evolving landscape of emergency anaphylaxis management following the FDA’s decision to remove age-based criteria for epinephrine nasal spray (neffy; ARS Pharmaceuticals).

This significant regulatory update transitions the emergency treatment from an age-based model to a strictly weight-based protocol, specifically targeting younger pediatric patients weighing between 33 and 66 lb. Chase emphasized that this change effectively standardizes emergency care for children, who are often neglected in terms of specific medical guidance. By focusing on weight rather than age, the medical community can now ensure that every child, from toddlers in day care to older students, receives the most appropriate dose for their physiological size, removing unnecessary caution that previously limited access for younger patients.