This week on the Contemporary Pediatrics website, we covered topics ranging from the efficacy of fremanezumab-vfrm against pediatric migraines to the benefits of starting HPV vaccination early. Take a look at some of our top stories from the past week (Monday, January 12, to Friday, January 16, 2026) and click on each link to read and watch anything you may have missed.

Andrew Hershey, MD, discusses latest phase 3 results of fremanezumab-vfrm for pediatric episodic migraine

Recent phase 3 data published in The New England Journal of Medicine provide new evidence supporting the use of fremanezumab-vfrm (AJOVY; Teva) for migraine prevention in children and adolescents. In the randomized, placebo-controlled SPACE trial, fremanezumab significantly reduced monthly migraine days and headache days of at least moderate severity compared with placebo in patients aged 6 to 17 years with episodic migraine, with a safety profile consistent with prior adult studies.

The findings supported FDA approval of fremanezumab for preventive treatment in pediatric patients who meet weight criteria, marking an important regulatory and clinical milestone in a population with limited evidence-based preventive options.

To better understand the clinical implications of these results, we spoke with Andrew D. Hershey, MD, PhD, lead study author and director of neurology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Click here for the full discussion.

FDA clears expanded pediatric use of robotic-assisted cochlear implant insertion system

On January 14, 2026, the FDA granted 510(k) clearance for expanded pediatric use of the iotaSOFT Insertion System, allowing use in patients aged 4 years and older. The system, developed by iotaMotion, Inc., is the first FDA-cleared robotic-assisted technology designed to standardize electrode array insertion during cochlear implant surgery, a step associated with risk of intracochlear trauma and loss of residual hearing.

“Receiving FDA clearance for expanded pediatric use marks a significant milestone for iotaMotion and for families navigating cochlear implant decisions,” said Mike Lobinsky, CEO of iotaMotion. “By standardizing one of the most delicate steps in cochlear implant surgery, iotaSOFT helps reduce variability which could provide parents greater confidence as they consider cochlear implantation for their children.”

Click here for the full article.

Robert Hopkins, MD, on CDC vaccine schedule changes raising concerns

Recent changes to US childhood and adolescent immunization recommendations have prompted concern among clinicians about how the revisions were developed and how they may affect vaccine delivery and patient communication, according to Robert Hopkins, MD, professor of internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

Hopkins said the revised guidance diverged from the usual evidence-based process overseen by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which traditionally incorporates epidemiologic review and input from multiple professional societies. He described the absence of that standard review as a key concern for clinicians interpreting the changes.

Jonathan Miller, MD, talks starting HPV vaccination earlier to improve cancer prevention

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination remains a critical tool for cancer prevention, but timing plays a central role in its effectiveness. According to Jonathan Miller, MD, associate chief of primary care at Nemours Children’s Health in the Delaware Valley, the vaccine is most effective when administered before exposure to the virus.

“The HPV vaccine prevents cancers due to human papillomavirus, and it only works if adolescents or children get the vaccine before they're ever exposed to that virus,” Miller said. As children age, the likelihood of exposure increases, underscoring the importance of early vaccination.

Prenatal humid heat linked to long-term child health risks

In a Contemporary Pediatrics video interview, Katie McMahon, PhD student at UC Santa Barbara, and Kathy Baylis, PhD, professor at UC Santa Barbara, discussed research examining the association between prenatal heat exposure and long-term child health, with a particular focus on the role of humidity.

The study found that exposure to hot, humid conditions during pregnancy is substantially more harmful to child health than exposure to high temperatures alone. The third trimester emerged as a particularly sensitive window, with humid heat exposures associated with effects on child growth that were roughly 5 times greater than those observed for dry heat at equivalent temperature levels. According to McMahon, failing to account for humidity leads to a significant underestimation of the true health burden of prenatal heat exposure.