{"title":"Pediatric inguinal hernia: open versus laparoscopic approaches to surgical management.","authors":"Marisa Schwab, Faraz Khan, Kathleen Kieran","doi":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001498","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/MOP.0000000000001498","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Inguinal hernia repair remains one of the most common pediatric surgical procedures. Advances in minimally invasive techniques have made laparoscopic herniorrhaphy a safe alternative to open surgery. This review summarizes clinical outcomes in open and laparoscopic pediatric inguinal hernia repair, discusses technical considerations including anesthetic choice, and reviews patient and surgical factors relevant to surgical approach and timing.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Clinical outcomes appear similar in open and laparoscopic pediatric hernia repairs. Open surgery can be performed under regional or general anesthesia and permits direct visualization of the spermatic cord (in men) and high ligation of the hernia sac. The laparoscopic approach requires general anesthesia but permits same-setting visualization of the contralateral inguinal ring and repair of any contralateral hernia. Both techniques effectively manage recurrent hernias. Premature infants undergoing herniorrhaphy after neonatal ICU (NICU) discharge had fewer adverse events and shorter hospital stays than those undergoing surgery while in the NICU.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Both laparoscopic and open pediatric inguinal hernia repairs are generally well tolerated and effective. Surgeons should be skilled in both approaches and knowledgeable about patient characteristics, anesthetic considerations, and anatomic factors that may favor one approach over another.</p>","PeriodicalId":10985,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in pediatrics","volume":"37 5","pages":"482-487"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144991764","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hasan F Jhaveri, Nicklas Sarantos, Audrey Aitelli, Samantha Kaplan, Jonathan C Routh
{"title":"Current clinical and surgical insights in the workup and management of Wilms tumor (nephroblastoma).","authors":"Hasan F Jhaveri, Nicklas Sarantos, Audrey Aitelli, Samantha Kaplan, Jonathan C Routh","doi":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001490","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001490","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Wilms tumor remains the most common renal malignancy in children. The treatment of Wilms tumor has evolved over the past decades improving overall survival while decreasing long-term, treatment-related sequelae. The purpose of this review is to provide a nuanced overview of Wilms tumor diagnosis, staging, and treatment with a particular emphasis on current advances in the field.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Differences and similarities exist between international treatment protocols set forth by the Children's Oncology Group (COG) and the International Society of Pediatric Urology (SIOP). Risk stratification is evolving with the use of molecular and histopathologic markers as outlined by the UMBRELLA protocol. The emphasis on survivorship care and long-term effects of treatment on patients with Wilms tumor remains a shared aim across groups.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Understanding the presentation, workup, management, and posttreatment effects of Wilms tumor is clinically relevant to all providers, as patients require multidisciplinary care beyond the initial oncologic setting.</p>","PeriodicalId":10985,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"488-494"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144871887","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Darius Blanding, Jaime Belkind-Gerson, Alexandra Leigh Kilgore
{"title":"Disorders of gut-brain interaction in children: what is new.","authors":"Darius Blanding, Jaime Belkind-Gerson, Alexandra Leigh Kilgore","doi":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001488","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001488","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review summarizes and expands upon studies published since late 2023 regarding predisposing factors, diagnostic measures, and both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies in the management of pediatric disorder of gut-brain interactions (DGBIs). With up to 30% of children affected by DGBIs, recent advances in diagnostics, therapeutics, and psychosocial insights continue to improve their clinical outcomes.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent literature underscores multifactorial contributors to DGBIs, including in utero SSRI exposure and adverse childhood experiences, as well as the potential benefit of gastric motility studies such as dual-phase gastric emptying and water load testing. Furthermore, this article describes advancements in the treatment of pediatric patients with DGBIs including pharmacologic treatments like linaclotide for pediatric functional constipation and nonpharmacologic therapies like percutaneous nerve field stimulation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and parent-focused interventions for many DGBI conditions.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>The most recent literature regarding pediatric DGBIs has newly identified in utero SSRI exposures in addition to psychosocial dynamics as risk factors for the conditions. Current literature supports the need for a multimodal approach to the treatment of pediatric DGBIs by integrating pharmacologic, behavioral, and neuromodulation. Further studies and expanded FDA approvals could further refine effective strategies for pediatric DGBIs.</p>","PeriodicalId":10985,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"452-456"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144871889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Training pediatric cardiology fellows in the current era of healthcare.","authors":"Ruchika Karnik, Robert W Elder","doi":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001492","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001492","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review explores the modern training of pediatric cardiology fellows, starting from prefellowship residency preparation, highlighting new tools and strategies to support trainees during fellowship, and setting up successful transition to independent practice.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Pediatric cardiology fellows benefit from a variety of newer educational strategies. Most experience a boot camp at the start of fellowship to help exposure to the complex and technical elements of the field. The concept of competency based medical education has evolved to incorporate newer milestones for general practice domains as well as those specific to pediatric cardiology, and the incorporation of entrustable professional activities holds great promise. Fellows may benefit from close mentorship, use of newer technology and tools to augment their education, participation in national curricula, and close counseling by program directors about future careers and growth of the field.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>The field of pediatric cardiology education is adapting to the modern healthcare needs to produce high-quality graduates who are trained in the foundational elements of pediatric cardiology. Felllowship graduates should take advantage of all the opportunities among a variety of learning domains to best prepare themselves for the next stage of their careers.</p>","PeriodicalId":10985,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"441-446"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144871892","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Common arrhythmias and their management in the adolescent with congenital heart disease.","authors":"Cheyenne M Beach, Jeffrey M Vinocur","doi":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001491","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001491","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a relatively common congenital anomaly with a wide range of complexity. Different types of CHD carry specific risks for bradyarrhythmias, tachyarrhythmias, or both. These risks and any symptoms guide testing and monitoring strategies. Novel techniques and devices allow for individualized care incorporating short- and long-term risks and benefits.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Changes to approaches in pacemaker lead placement have improved the treatment of cardiac dyssynchrony and the prevention of pacing-induced cardiomyopathy. Catheter ablation is increasingly a primary strategy for tachyarrhythmia management, due to high success rates and infrequent complications. For example, ablation of vulnerable isthmuses in patients with Tetralogy of Fallot prior to transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement is thought to decrease risk of ventricular tachycardia. New techniques and devices allow for more options for adolescent patients who require device implantation. This review will focus on arrhythmias that occur in adolescents with CHD and current strategies for their diagnosis and treatment.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Adolescents with CHD have unique needs during this time of transition toward healthcare independence. A structured program that addresses arrhythmia and other needs with consideration of long-term benefits and risks can improve quality of life for adolescence and beyond.</p>","PeriodicalId":10985,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"433-440"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144882400","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Resurgence of pertussis: whopping the '100-day cough'.","authors":"Celia D C Christie","doi":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001486","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001486","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Against the WHO's report of 84% diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT) primary vaccination coverage globally, the resurgence of pertussis (whooping cough), contributing factors and measures to control it are described.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>USA and China, with 94-97% primary DPT immunization uptake, reported a 6-fold and 65-fold increase in pertussis between two time periods in 2023 and 2024. The global post-COVID-19 pertussis epidemic is trending towards a shift from infants towards older persons. Macrolide resistance is prevalent in 98% of Bordetella pertussis strains in China and is now reported from other countries. Pertactin-deficient mutant acellular pertussis vaccine-evasive strains are now transmitted in older children and adults. Pertactin-producing B. pertussis is causing fulminant pertussis in newborns whose mothers were not immunized in pregnancy and in under-immunized infants. Circulating epidemic strains of B. pertussis were discordant to those contained in whole-cell (Bp137) pertussis vaccine. The pertussis resurgence maybe explained by increased case ascertainment and reporting, mutant B. pertussis strains with immune escape from acellular and whole cell vaccines, and/or macrolides, waning natural, or vaccine-induced immunity and COVID-19 pandemic factors.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Pertussis maybe curtailed with public education, active clinical and microbiological surveillance, appropriate antimicrobial treatment and prophylaxis, public health reporting, infection control and optimized immunizations to reduce attributable morbidity and mortality.</p>","PeriodicalId":10985,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"508-516"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12422605/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144946061","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The evolving landscape of pediatric hepatology: key updates and future directions.","authors":"Paul Lu, Nadia Ovchinsky, Dana Goldner","doi":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001489","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001489","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>To provide an update of recent advancements in pediatric hepatology, highlighting new diagnostic criteria, emerging therapeutic options, and molecular insights into liver diseases which are reshaping clinical practice and guiding future research.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been redefned as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), reflecting an improved understanding of its underlying pathophysiology. Advances in immunophenotyping have identified activated T-cell hepatitis as a significant contributor to indeterminate pediatric acute liver failure. Additionally, the introduction of ileal bile acid transporter (IBAT) inhibitors marks a transformative shift in the management of pediatric cholestatic diseases including Alagille syndrome and progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC), offering improved growth, quality of life, and native liver survival.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Recent developments in pediatric hepatology are changing how liver diseases are approached in clinical practice. Evolving disease classifications, expanded use of genetic and immunologic profiling, and the introduction of novel therapies mark a shift toward more individualized care. Ongoing research is needed to evaluate long-term outcomes and ensure that these advances translate into durable improvements for children with liver disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":10985,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"457-465"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144871891","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Median arcuate ligament syndrome: challenges, comorbidities, and controversies.","authors":"Shikib Mostamand","doi":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001503","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001503","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is understood to be a condition where compression of the celiac artery by the median arcuate ligament (MAL) may lead to symptoms of postprandial or exercise-induced abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, oral aversion, and weight loss. This review summarizes recent literature on pediatric MALS while highlighting the challenges, comorbidities, and controversies encountered in this condition.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>The pathophysiologic mechanism by which MALS leads to pain is currently unknown. Several overlapping conditions are described in MALS, including mental health comorbidities to autonomic disorders such as orthostatic intolerance, POTS, or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Comorbid gastrointestinal conditions may include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and gastroparesis. This overlap makes it difficult to distinguish the cause of broad symptoms patients may experience. MALS remains a complex and controversial topic with particular challenges in consensus diagnostic criteria, normative values in children, symptom definition or correlation, patient selection, predictive outcomes, or long-term follow-up data.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Patients with MALS deserve a comprehensive multidisciplinary team to address their health. There is also a desperate need for collaborative research including randomized control trials in adults and a multicenter patient registry.</p>","PeriodicalId":10985,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in pediatrics","volume":"37 5","pages":"447-451"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144991686","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Julie Wong, Mandy Rickard, Joana Dos Santos, Armando J Lorenzo
{"title":"Antenatal hydronephrosis: an updated review on postnatal care and management.","authors":"Julie Wong, Mandy Rickard, Joana Dos Santos, Armando J Lorenzo","doi":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001485","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001485","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Antenatal hydronephrosis is the most common prenatally detected fetal anomaly and represents a spectrum of diseases from benign and self-limiting to significant uropathies. This review aims to provide an updated overview of antenatal hydronephrosis, organized by etiology, outlining epidemiology, diagnostic approach, and clinical implications of common and uncommon causes of hydronephrosis. We also explore management strategies, long-term kidney outcomes, and emerging research areas.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Novel research has focused on machine learning models to interpret imaging and predict the natural history of hydronephrosis and urinary tract dilation. Further studies aim to individualize care, reduce the use of antibiotic prophylaxis, and minimize the use of invasive imaging studies.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Categorizing and risk-stratifying the underlying etiology of antenatal hydronephrosis is important to understand the need for further work-up, select appropriate treatment options, and predict outcomes for patients affected by this broad spectrum of disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":10985,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"473-481"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144945993","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Pediatric chronic pancreatitis: current perspectives in diagnosis, risk factors, and management.","authors":"Sagar J Pathak, Amit S Grover","doi":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001497","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001497","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Pediatric chronic pancreatitis is an increasingly recognized condition with devastating impacts on a child's quality of life. This review explores recent developments in the diagnosis and treatment strategies of pediatric chronic pancreatitis, emphasizing the expanded awareness of risk factors, refined imaging techniques, and evolving therapeutic approaches, including pharmacologic, endoscopic, and surgical, interventions.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>The rising incidence of pediatric chronic pancreatitis has been met with increased vigilance and study of how to approach and manage the disease paradigm. Greater understanding and advances in the role of genetics, efforts to standardize and optimize imaging techniques, and the expansion of access, applications, and outcomes of pediatric endoscopic therapy and surgery have all played an integral role in the improvement of care in children with chronic pancreatitis.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>With increased recognition of pediatric chronic pancreatitis, efforts to diagnose and manage the disease have expanded in kind. Though additional needs exist, particularly in the diagnosis of early chronic pancreatitis and prevention of progression, pain management, and continued expansion of therapeutic outcomes and management, we continue to approach the goal of the comprehensive care of children with chronic pancreatitis.</p>","PeriodicalId":10985,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"466-472"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144882402","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}