Pediatric AnnalsPub Date : 2026-07-01DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20260317-03
Emilee Flynn, Megan S McHenry, Barnabas Kigen, Dana Kapeller-Libermann, Jessica De Curtis Fernandez, Amy R L Rule
{"title":"Action for Access: Equity for Children With Disabilities in Lowand Middle-Income Countries.","authors":"Emilee Flynn, Megan S McHenry, Barnabas Kigen, Dana Kapeller-Libermann, Jessica De Curtis Fernandez, Amy R L Rule","doi":"10.3928/19382359-20260317-03","DOIUrl":"10.3928/19382359-20260317-03","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sixteen percent of the world's population experiences significant disability. This is likely an underestimation, as there is not a uniformly accepted definition of disability and there are limited validated tools to support clinicians in their diagnoses, especially in low- and middle-income nations. Even when a diagnosis is made, access to specialized health care and community resources is limited, with increased travel distances and high cost of services presenting additional challenges for patients and families. The World Health Organization and the United Nations have provided additional frameworks for supporting physical access and social inclusion for people living with disabilities. However, these frameworks remain inequitably applied with individuals living in low- and middle-income countries experiencing both the largest burden of disease and the fewest resources. Pediatricians can take action to ensure adequate access to health care, education, assistive technology, psychosocial support, and policy action for children with disabilities around the world.</p>","PeriodicalId":54633,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Annals","volume":"55 7","pages":"e269-e275"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148392329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pediatric AnnalsPub Date : 2026-07-01DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20260318-03
Shruthi Venkataraman, Mytien Nguyen, Zoie C Sheets, Jennifer Arnold, Lisa M Meeks
{"title":"Neurodivergence in Medical Education: Current Landscape and Inclusive Future for Pediatrics.","authors":"Shruthi Venkataraman, Mytien Nguyen, Zoie C Sheets, Jennifer Arnold, Lisa M Meeks","doi":"10.3928/19382359-20260318-03","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3928/19382359-20260318-03","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Learners who are neurodivergent, including individuals with autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, and related cognitive variations, remain underrecognized and insufficiently supported within medical education. Despite increasing representation, training environments continue to privilege rigid cognitive norms rooted in ableist assumptions and the ideal-physician archetype, reinforcing conformity, endurance, and neurotypical professionalism. This article synthesizes emerging literature on neurodivergence in medical education, highlighting persistent structural gaps in policy implementation, learning environments, and faculty evaluation practices. It examines the consequences of structural ableism, including masking, burnout, mental health strain, and attrition among trainees who are neurodivergent. It further reviews growing physician-led advocacy, mentorship networks, and institutional shifts toward neuroinclusive practices. Pediatrics is uniquely positioned to lead transformation, given its grounding in developmental variability, family-centered care, and communication across cognitive differences. Embracing neurodiversity in pediatric training offers a pathway to more inclusive educational cultures, improved patient care, and a physician workforce that reflects the populations it serves.</p>","PeriodicalId":54633,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Annals","volume":"55 7","pages":"e276-e285"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148392337","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pediatric AnnalsPub Date : 2026-06-01DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20260429-02
Emma Office
{"title":"Language Development in Bilingual Children: A Pediatrician's Guide.","authors":"Emma Office","doi":"10.3928/19382359-20260429-02","DOIUrl":"10.3928/19382359-20260429-02","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Speech and language development are critical areas of a child's health and are monitored by primary care pediatricians at all routine visits. Given the prevalence of bilingual children and families in the United States, pediatric clinicians must be able to provide appropriate anticipatory guidance regarding bilingual language development in children. Pediatric clinicians must also be able to recognize signs of speech/language delays or disorders in bilingual children to provide appropriate evaluation and resources. This column aims to provide a foundation for pediatric clinicians in principles of bilingual language development and to address several common questions or misconceptions regarding bilingual language development that may be held by families, clinicians, and/or educators.</p>","PeriodicalId":54633,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Annals","volume":"55 6","pages":"e203-e206"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148220881","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pediatric AnnalsPub Date : 2026-06-01DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20260223-04
Lacie Taylor, Catherine Hercules
{"title":"Management of Menstrual Disorders in Adolescents of All Abilities.","authors":"Lacie Taylor, Catherine Hercules","doi":"10.3928/19382359-20260223-04","DOIUrl":"10.3928/19382359-20260223-04","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Menstrual health is a key indicator of adolescent health and should be evaluated at routine visits using a patient-centered approach. It is important to understand normal menstrual patterns in order to better recognize when a presentation may be abnormal or concerning. Clinicians may frequently encounter challenges, particularly when caring for adolescents with disabilities. In this article, we review typical menstrual development and evaluation and management of abnormal uterine bleeding including amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and heavy menstrual bleeding. We also highlight special considerations for adolescents who are differently abled.</p>","PeriodicalId":54633,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Annals","volume":"55 6","pages":"e234-e239"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148220862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pediatric AnnalsPub Date : 2026-06-01DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20260223-01
Jessica Kerns
{"title":"Outpatient Strategies for Managing Eating Disorders: When Is Outpatient Care Not Enough?","authors":"Jessica Kerns","doi":"10.3928/19382359-20260223-01","DOIUrl":"10.3928/19382359-20260223-01","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Eating disorders (EDs) are prevalent in the adolescent and young adult populations, and there is a significant burden of disease with high morbidity and mortality. Many patients do not initially seek ED subspecialty care, and primary care clinicians must identify and treat these patients with the help of a multidisciplinary team of ED-specialized dietitians, therapists, and psychiatrists. The primary care clinician must also be able to monitor for and identify medical instability or failure of outpatient treatment and recommend a higher level of care if necessary. Higher levels of care include medical inpatient treatment, psychiatric inpatient treatment, residential programs, partial hospital programs, and intensive outpatient programs. For optimal treatment outcomes, it is critical to select the appropriate level of care for each patient and step down as indicated.</p>","PeriodicalId":54633,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Annals","volume":"55 6","pages":"e209-e215"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148220919","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pediatric AnnalsPub Date : 2026-06-01DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20260223-06
Jennifer Shook
{"title":"Recognizing and Responding to Complexity in the Medical Care of Adolescents.","authors":"Jennifer Shook","doi":"10.3928/19382359-20260223-06","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3928/19382359-20260223-06","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":54633,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Annals","volume":"55 6","pages":"e207-e208"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148220884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pediatric AnnalsPub Date : 2026-06-01DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20260223-05
Victoria Zhao, Gail Gutman
{"title":"Navigating Identification and Management of Substance Use in Adolescents.","authors":"Victoria Zhao, Gail Gutman","doi":"10.3928/19382359-20260223-05","DOIUrl":"10.3928/19382359-20260223-05","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Substance use in adolescents is an important public health topic. It can affect cognitive development and is associated with negative outcomes, such as school truancy, low graduation rates, and increased high-risk behaviors (eg, unprotected sex, dangerous driving), as well as high rates of suicide, substance abuse, dependence in adulthood, and death by overdose. Substance use among adolescents declined during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic and has continued to do so, resulting in the lowest rates of substance use in decades. Despite this decrease, physicians and nonphysician practitioners still need to be prepared to navigate this issue in teenagers and young adults. The role of primary care physicians and other practitioners includes promotion of abstinence from substances, using validated screening questionnaires, and treatment through motivational interviewing and harm reduction, as well as referring to specialists, higher levels of care, and rehabilitation centers as needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":54633,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Annals","volume":"55 6","pages":"e229-e233"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148220833","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pediatric AnnalsPub Date : 2026-06-01DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20260223-02
Suzanna E Sellars, Rashi Kabra
{"title":"Risks and Benefits of Social Media on Adolescent Health.","authors":"Suzanna E Sellars, Rashi Kabra","doi":"10.3928/19382359-20260223-02","DOIUrl":"10.3928/19382359-20260223-02","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Adolescents increasingly construct aspects of their identity and form relationships by interacting on social media; yet, clinical frameworks lag behind technological change. This review synthesizes recent evidence on how platform design, usage patterns, and individual differences influence both benefits and harms. Problematic use is associated with sleep disturbance, mood and attention disorders, body image concerns, cyberbul-lying, and exposure to self-harm content, with disproportionate burdens for female patients and youth who are marginalized. Meanwhile, online communities can foster connection, coping, and help seeking, particularly for adolescents facing stigma or isolation. We propose a structured, developmentally informed workflow incorporating brief screening, targeted use of validated tools, and collaborative family media planning. Rather than centering total screen time, we emphasize function-focused, harm-reduction approaches to harness digital platforms as a tool for adolescent health.</p>","PeriodicalId":54633,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Annals","volume":"55 6","pages":"e222-e228"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148220872","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pediatric AnnalsPub Date : 2026-06-01DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20260223-03
Caroline Shank, Nadia Saldanha
{"title":"The Intersection of Weight Management and Eating Disorders.","authors":"Caroline Shank, Nadia Saldanha","doi":"10.3928/19382359-20260223-03","DOIUrl":"10.3928/19382359-20260223-03","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Current obesity guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics include earlier treatment with pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery, when indicated, rather than the staged approaches used in the past. However, it is important to consider the implications this may have on adolescent patients at high risk of developing an eating disorder (ED). Therefore, clinicians treating patients with obesity encounter a challenge to broach the topic of obesity treatment tactfully to avoid inciting or exacerbating an underlying ED, while also following evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of obesity. This review will highlight the current treatments for overweight and obesity; review the importance of screening before, during, and after treatment; review weight stigma; help guide the clinician in assessing for EDs; and discuss areas for future research.</p>","PeriodicalId":54633,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Annals","volume":"55 6","pages":"e216-e221"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148220929","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pediatric AnnalsPub Date : 2026-06-01DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20260505-02
Tyler K Smith
{"title":"Update to the Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule.","authors":"Tyler K Smith","doi":"10.3928/19382359-20260505-02","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3928/19382359-20260505-02","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":54633,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Annals","volume":"55 6","pages":"e201-e202"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148220900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}