What to expect in the August/September 2026 issue of Contemporary Pediatrics

As children head back to school, pediatricians are navigating timely questions about vaccinations, infectious diseases, mental health, and other health concerns that can affect students throughout the academic year. This issue provides practical guidance on back-to-school vaccine recommendations and emerging immunization updates, while also addressing screen time, nutrition, and other clinical considerations for the year ahead. Some of the featured articles include the following:

• The Pediatric Pharmacology section provides an update on the pediatric medication and immunization landscape, covering recent schedule changes, new developments, and what clinicians should have on their radar.
• The Infectious Disease section prepares pediatricians for back-to-school vaccination conversations with an update on current recommendations and answers to frequently asked questions from families.
• The Respiratory Disorders section examines new data on MMRV coverage among children eligible for the Vaccines for Children program and the potential impact of recent changes by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
• The Mental Health section explores the relationship between screen time and poor mental health as children navigate school in an increasingly digital environment.
• The Nutrition section answers key questions about the new faltering weight guideline and what its recommendations mean for pediatricians in everyday practice.
• The Dermatology section features a case of disseminated plantar warts, with a review of the presentation and considerations for diagnosis and management.
• The Puzzler section presents a case of Brugada syndrome in an adolescent with influenza, challenging clinicians to consider the cardiac implications of acute illness.

As always, thank you for providing outstanding care to your patients. Please make time to take care of yourselves. Please stay safe and well. And as always, I welcome your suggestions, comments, and questions.

With warm regards,

Tina Q. Tan, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS

Editor in chief