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Early life exposure to PFAS associated with common childhood leukemia

Early exposure to PFAS, a group of widely used compounds known as "forever chemicals," was associated with a higher risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common childhood cancer, according to University of California, Irvine Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health researchers.

27 Apr 2026

Delaying hepatitis B birth vaccines increases infant infection risks

Delaying hepatitis B vaccination after birth increases infections among newborns and decreases their survival rates and quality of life, according to a new Cornell University study.

27 Apr 2026

Socio-economic gaps hinder mental health care for children and teens

Children and young people from deprived areas with mental health conditions are less likely to access mental health services, according to a new study led by experts from the University of Nottingham.

27 Apr 2026

Repurposed drugs may provide safer treatments for aggressive childhood leukemia

Three clinically available drugs could pave the way for safer and more effective treatments for one of the most aggressive forms of childhood leukaemia, a new study suggests.

27 Apr 2026

AI tools can predict ADHD risk years before a formal diagnosis

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects millions of children, yet many go years without a diagnosis, missing the chance for early support that can change long-term outcomes even when early signs are present.

27 Apr 2026

Scientists will probe whether processing itself makes ultra-processed foods harmful

A randomized controlled trial protocol will test whether the cardiometabolic risks linked to ultra-processed foods stem from industrial processing, poor nutrient composition, or both. Using four controlled diets, researchers will separate the effects of UPF content from saturated fat, added sugar, and sodium on LDL cholesterol, insulin resistance, and blood pressure.

26 Apr 2026

Pediatric heart transplant demand rises amid severe donor shortage

Advances in pediatric heart care are helping more children survive long enough to receive a transplant-but a critical shortage of donor hearts means too many are still dying while they wait, experts warned today at the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) 46th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions.

25 Apr 2026

Study finds different types of crystalloid fluids are equally effective for pediatric sepsis

A major study, led by researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Nemours Children's Health, and Children's National Hospital and involving an extensive network of medical centers across the United States and abroad, found that different types of crystalloid fluid resuscitation were equally effective for staving off the most serious adverse kidney events after the treatment of pediatric patients with suspected septic shock.

25 Apr 2026

U.S. child mortality rates remain higher than other high-income nations

At every age, children in the United States die at higher rates than peers in other high-income nations, according to a new study from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

25 Apr 2026

Social media ‘sweet spot’ for Aussie teens

YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat – they’re just a few of the banned social media sites for Australian teenagers under 16.

25 Apr 2026

ASDP responds to NDIS reform direction, calls for functional approach and strong developmental supports

The Australasian Society for Developmental Paediatrics (ASDP) has responded to the Australian Government’s proposed reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), following the address by Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler, at the National Press Club this week.

25 Apr 2026

Baby teeth reveal early metal exposure effects on brain

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai report that early-life exposure to common environmental metals may influence brain development and behavioral health more than a decade later.

25 Apr 2026

WHO prequalifies first malaria treatment designed for youngest vulnerable patients

Ahead of World Malaria Day on 25 April, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a significant step forward in the fight against malaria with the prequalification of the first treatment developed specifically for newborns and young infants weighing between two and five kilograms.

24 Apr 2026

The Big Catch-Up reaches millions of children with life-saving vaccines

The Big Catch-Up (BCU), a historic multi-year, multi-country effort to address vaccination declines driven largely by the COVID-19 pandemic, has reached an estimated 18.3 million children aged 1 to 5 across 36 countries with more than 100 million doses of life-saving vaccines, helping to narrow critical immunity gaps, announced Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), WHO, and UNICEF at the start of World Immunization Week.

24 Apr 2026

Type 1 diabetes preserves fitness but alters oxygen use in teens

The study highlights early microvascular impairment in adolescents with type 1 diabetes, emphasizing the importance of monitoring vascular health in this group.

24 Apr 2026

Teens skip sunscreen because they see it as inconvenient

Adolescents' sun safety practices are influenced by social norms and perceived costs, suggesting a need for innovative approaches in skin cancer prevention.

24 Apr 2026

Air quality in infancy may fundamentally shape long-term immune development

Ambient air pollution is associated with respiratory infection burden in the first year of life, according to preliminary findings from the Immune Development in Early Life (IDEaL) Rome Cohort. Findings from the cohort will be presented during the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2026 Meeting, taking place April 24-27 in Boston.

24 Apr 2026

Early childhood interventions may safeguard brain health after maternal stress

Researchers from the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center and Queens College suggest that building strong adaptive skills in early childhood may serve as a buffer against the detrimental effects of prenatal stress on a child's developing brain.

24 Apr 2026

"Domino" heart valves from diseased organs could save thousands of children

A surgical innovation called partial heart transplantation could transform care for children with severe heart valve disease, allowing for thousands of additional valve transplants each year, according to a presentation delivered today by Joseph Turek, MD, PhD, at the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) 46th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions.

24 Apr 2026

Children with multiple chronic conditions show unique antibiotic exposure patterns

A new study from Boston Children's Hospital found that annual prescription rates increased non-linearly as children's underlying level of medical complexity increased. Frequent antibiotic use has associated risks, including increased likelihood of antibiotic-related complications (e.g., C. difficile) as well as the development of antibiotic resistance. Findings from the study will be presented during the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2026 Meeting, taking place April 24-27 in Boston.

24 Apr 2026