Josephine S van de Maat, Andrew Redfern, Tigist Bacha, Jeroen Schouten, Esmée Ruizendaal
{"title":"Diagnostic testing and antibiotic stewardship for pneumonia in children worldwide: current developments and next steps.","authors":"Josephine S van de Maat, Andrew Redfern, Tigist Bacha, Jeroen Schouten, Esmée Ruizendaal","doi":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001484","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001484","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Routine diagnostic tests for childhood pneumonia lack the accuracy to identify bacterial pneumonia, leading to inappropriate antibiotic prescription. Novel tests are being developed. Optimizing diagnostic strategies using available diagnostic tools and exploring the role of new tests is essential to improve antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in children. This review provides an overview of advances in diagnostic testing for pediatric pneumonia and discusses how strategies can be optimized in different settings in order to improve AMS.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>All currently available tests for bacterial pneumonia are limited in their diagnostic accuracy. However, in settings with high baseline antibiotic prescription, routine diagnostics such as CRP or PCT-guided prescription can improve antibiotic use. Among the innovative tests, lung ultrasound with computer-aided detection and prediction models combining multiple tests holds most promise for low-resource settings. For high-resource settings, RNA signatures and next-generation sequencing are promising developments. The impact of innovative tests on AMS remains to be evaluated.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Robust diagnostic and contextual research is needed to develop new diagnostic tests and to optimize current strategies for bacterial pneumonia in children. In order to tailor diagnostic approaches to specific settings, broad impact studies and stratification of risk groups are crucial.</p>","PeriodicalId":10985,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"517-526"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12422624/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144324659","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":"Transposition of the great arteries: anatomy, physiology and surgical outcomes today.","authors":"Elizabeth Carter, Lindsay S Rogers","doi":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001495","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001495","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Dextro-transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) is a relatively common form of cyanotic congenital heart disease that is not typically associated with chromosomal abnormalities or extracardiac abnormalities. Most cases of d-TGA are prenatally diagnosed, but there are cases of postnatal diagnosis that may present with cyanosis, acidosis and circulatory collapse. It is important for the general practitioner to be familiar with this patient population, as they require continued monitoring for postsurgical complications following surgical repair.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>The arterial switch operation was introduced in 1975 and is the current surgical treatment for d-TGA. As patients with arterial switch operation reach mid to late adulthood, we continue to explore the best ways to screen for, and treat, coronary insufficiency. Additionally, we are working to understand more about neurodevelopmental outcomes in this population.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Advancements in prenatal diagnosis and surgical management of d-TGA have led to excellent outcomes in pre and postoperative mortality. Patients should be screened after surgical repair for complications related to coronary insufficiency with routine cardiology follow up.</p>","PeriodicalId":10985,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"419-424"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144871893","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":"Catheter-based therapies in congenital heart disease: a focus on neonatal innovations.","authors":"Bryan H Goldstein, Lauren N Carlozzi","doi":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001500","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001500","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Technological advancements and therapeutic innovations have facilitated revolutionary changes in transcatheter management of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). In this review, we highlight the evolution of existing and newer transcatheter therapies for management of neonates with CHD.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Ductus arteriosus stenting (DAS) for patients with ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow has broadly emerged as an alternative to surgical aortopulmonary shunt placement as evidence of therapeutic equivalency, if not superiority, has been demonstrated. The development of pulmonary flow restrictors (PFR) by modification of a commercial device has facilitated percutaneous limitation of pulmonary blood flow in an important subset of higher-risk single- and two-ventricle patients. Lastly, there are challenges to the deployment of stent angioplasty in young children, given the competing demands for a low-profile stent that is later dilatable to adult size. Given limitations to the current repurposing of existing commercial devices designed for other uses, purpose-built device development is underway in an effort to maximize safety, efficacy, and usability.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Over the past decade, there has been substantial growth in the transcatheter management of infants with CHD. With continued technological advancements and multicenter collaborative efforts, it is anticipated that reparative and palliative transcatheter therapies will be increasingly applicable to young patients with CHD.</p>","PeriodicalId":10985,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"425-432"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144871886","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":"The evolving frontiers of pediatric dermatology - from steroid stewardship to targeted therapies.","authors":"Nicole Harter","doi":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001483","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001483","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10985,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in pediatrics","volume":"37 4","pages":"365"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144625567","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":"The changing landscape of adolescent health.","authors":"Areej Hassan, Carly E Guss","doi":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001478","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001478","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10985,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in pediatrics","volume":"37 4","pages":"309-311"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144625566","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}
Jason M Nagata, Christopher M Lee, Jacqueline O Hur, Fiona C Baker
{"title":"What we know about screen time and social media in early adolescence: a review of findings from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study.","authors":"Jason M Nagata, Christopher M Lee, Jacqueline O Hur, Fiona C Baker","doi":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001462","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001462","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>To review recent literature based on Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study data of over 11 000 participants about screen time and social media use in early adolescence, including epidemiology, trends, and associations with mental and physical health outcomes.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Time spent on screens and social media has risen among early adolescents (aged 9-15 years), and these increasing trends have been more pronounced since the COVID-19 pandemic. Both cross-sectional and 1-2-year follow-up data show that higher screen use, particularly social media, video games, video chat, videos, and texting, is associated with a range of mental health symptoms, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity, and disruptive behavior disorders, although effect sizes vary. Screen time is also associated with sleep problems and various cardiometabolic risk factors. Parents' own screen use and restriction of bedroom and mealtime screen use are associated with lower early adolescent screen time and problematic use.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Analyses of current ABCD Study data reveal increasing use of screens and social media across early adolescence, with sociodemographic disparities in screen use as well as numerous associations between screens and adverse mental and physical health effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":10985,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"357-364"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12259366/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143763406","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":"Who may compete in the female category in sport? Chromosomes, genes, hormones, and psychosocial/cultural aspects.","authors":"Natalie J Nokoff, Alan D Rogol","doi":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001456","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001456","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Throughout history, competitive sport has been categorized by sex. Since the 1930s, sporting organizations have implemented various methods of confirming sex for competition in the female category. These policies primarily impact individuals with differences of sex development (DSD), whose biology falls outside the binary of male/female, and individuals who identify as transgender, whose identity differs from their sex at birth. This review will cover the dimensions of biologic sex, the history of sex verification in sport, the role of testosterone, and review data for athletes who have DSD or are transgender.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Several recent studies, reviews, and policy statements demonstrate that testosterone and its rise during masculinizing puberty are key determinants of differences in athletic performance between men and women. Recent studies in adult transgender women who went through a masculinizing puberty show that after 2 years of estradiol and antiandrogen therapy, run times are similar to cisgender women, but they still retrain strength advantages. Data are sparse for individuals who had masculinizing puberty blocked and also for individuals who have a DSD.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Sex is complex and multidimensional, and there are shortcomings with any method of sex verification in sport. Testosterone remains a key determinant of differences in athletic performance by sex.</p>","PeriodicalId":10985,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"398-407"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143763410","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":"Genetics of short stature.","authors":"Ruxandra Nicolae, Ruta Navardauskaite, Youn Hee Jee","doi":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001481","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001481","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review highlights recent genetic discoveries and therapeutic advancements in evaluating and managing children with short stature. With an increasing diagnostic yield from genetic testing and the emergence of genotype-specific treatments, a comprehensive update is necessary for timely application in clinical practice.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>New pathogenic variants have been identified in genes, including FBN1, IHH, NPR2, ACAN, FGFR3, COMP, MATN3, EXT2, and LZTR1, associated with syndromic and nonsyndromic short stature. Their clinical significance is underscored by sequencing studies showing a diagnostic yield of up to 33% in idiopathic short stature. Concurrently, targeted pharmacologic agents, such as vosoritide or infigratinib, are advanced treatment options for genetically defined achondroplasia. In addition, more data is available on growth hormone responses in children with various genetic short statures.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Incorporating genetic testing into the routine investigation of short stature improves diagnostic accuracy, enables early discussion of prognostic outcomes, and facilitates precision therapy. Timely identification of specific gene variants helps avoid ineffective treatments - such as growth hormone in resistant genotypes - and supports the adoption of personalized medicine interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":10985,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in pediatrics","volume":"37 4","pages":"380-385"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144625565","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":"Behavioral interventions for adolescents and young adults with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.","authors":"Ashley S Ko, Ashley A Michel, Lauren E Wisk","doi":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001461","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001461","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Recent trends show an increase in the prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes among youth, adolescents, and young adults (AYA) in the United States, especially among minoritized groups, including American Indians and African Americans. Despite the growing urgency of addressing rising incidence, there is a notable lack of comprehensive intervention programs tailored to address the unique needs of AYA living with or at risk of diabetes, with current efforts largely focused on adult/older populations.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>This review highlights the large gap in research regarding the implementation and efficacy of behavioral and lifestyle interventions targeting AYA with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. Although we identified some studies that were relevant to this largely under-researched area, these studies are often limited by lack of long-term follow-up and highly selected samples lacking diversity.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>The findings of this review underscore the need for more extensive studies on AYA-focused behavioral interventions to address diabetes prevention and management.</p>","PeriodicalId":10985,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"350-356"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12313294/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143763314","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":"Environmental factors trigger pubertal development.","authors":"Sofia Malave-Ortiz, Cameron Grant, Natalie D Shaw","doi":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001451","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MOP.0000000000001451","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>We provide an overview of the secular trend of earlier pubertal development, why there is a growing concern that environmental factors may be to blame, and how these factors may influence the developing reproductive axis.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>We highlight recent work suggesting that, in addition to activating sex steroid receptors, environmental compounds may influence neuropeptide receptors and/or epigenetic regulators. We describe recent studies linking air pollution, metals, endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), short sleep duration, early life adversity, and stress to pubertal timing.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Pubertal timing is tightly controlled by genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. While animal and epidemiological studies have pointed to several potential environmental factors, additional work is necessary to identify the critical levels and developmental windows of exposure as well as the mechanistic underpinnings.</p>","PeriodicalId":10985,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in pediatrics","volume":" ","pages":"386-389"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12259372/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143514989","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}