All articles tagged with #pediatric health
Pediatric experts warn that type 2 diabetes diagnosed in childhood progresses more rapidly than in adults, often with vague early symptoms. Long-term data shows most youth develop complications by their mid-twenties, prompting calls for earlier screening and family-based lifestyle changes.
Prescriptions for GLP-1 weight-loss drugs among children under 12 have surged 310 times since 2019, with over 20,000 young patients receiving these medications. While FDA-approved for ages 12 and older, off-label use is common for younger children. Experts warn that long-term safety data is lacking, and nearly 17% of young users developed nutritional deficiencies within a year. Insurance coverage remains inconsistent, and doctors emphasize screening for eating disorders before prescribing.
A 13-year-old boy from Long Beach, California, is hospitalized at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles with a severe case of West Nile virus that has caused transverse myelitis, resulting in paralysis and loss of bladder control. While most infections are asymptomatic, this rare neuroinvasive case highlights the potential for rapid, debilitating neurological damage. Los Angeles County has recorded a record number of infections this year, prompting health officials and the patient’s family to urge parents to monitor for early symptoms like rashes and balance issues.
A 13-year-old Long Beach boy is bedridden at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles after contracting West Nile virus, which triggered transverse myelitis, a rare spinal cord inflammation. His family has launched a fundraiser as he faces an uncertain recovery, coinciding with a record-breaking surge in infections across Los Angeles County.
The CDC is set to allow states to order updated COVID-19 vaccines for low-income children through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, ending a nearly month-long suspension. This federal program provides free immunizations to approximately 52% of U.S. children, including those on Medicaid or without insurance. While the FDA approved the updated shots in late August, HHS delayed distribution, creating a two-tiered system where only children with private insurance could receive doses. The delay has drawn criticism from public health experts who argue it leaves vulnerable infants exposed to rising infections.
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has not released updated Covid-19 vaccines through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, leaving approximately 52% of US children without free access. While doses are available for privately insured patients, the federal delay creates a two-tiered system that disproportionately affects low-income, uninsured, and Medicaid-eligible families. Officials have not provided a timeline for when VFC doses will be distributed, despite the FDA approving the shots in August 2026.
A new analysis of the UK’s first dedicated pediatric ketamine clinic at Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool reveals that children as young as 13 are suffering from severe, irreversible bladder damage. The clinic, which opened in May 2026, has received over 100 referrals, with the first 60 patients averaging 14 years of age. Most patients are girls living in deprived areas, many with histories of trauma, ADHD, or care system involvement. Symptoms include incontinence, chronic pain, and potential kidney failure, driven by a cycle where users take the drug to relieve the pain it causes.
A new NHS clinic in Liverpool has treated over 100 young patients with severe bladder damage caused by ketamine use. The condition, often described by patients as 'peeing a jellyfish' or 'weeing over broken glass,' results from the drug shedding the bladder's protective lining. While some cases are reversible, others lead to incontinence, kidney failure, or the need for surgical removal of the bladder. The clinic serves a demographic largely composed of girls from deprived areas who often have pre-existing conditions like ADHD or trauma histories.
A new study indicates that approximately 17% of children prescribed GLP-1 medications develop nutritional deficiencies within one year, with vitamin D deficiency being the most common issue. Researchers highlight a significant gap in clinical care, noting that only 5% of pediatric patients received dietary counseling within the first month of treatment. While the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends nutritional support alongside these drugs, current practice often lacks this proactive monitoring, raising concerns about long-term health impacts during critical developmental stages.
A Clyde, N.C., family is raising awareness about Kawasaki disease after their 12-year-old son, Rowan Lowry, suffered delayed diagnosis and subsequent heart complications. The family hopes their story will help other parents recognize early symptoms and seek timely medical care.
As GLP-1 usage among U.S. adults rises to 11 percent, parents face new challenges in discussing these medications with children. Experts advise focusing on health and hunger cues rather than weight loss to protect children's body image and prevent eating disorders.
As fall respiratory season peaks, distinguishing between common colds, flu, RSV, and COVID-19 is critical for managing child health and preventing spread. While symptoms often overlap, specific indicators like gastrointestinal issues or rapid onset can help differentiate infections. Keeping children home when symptomatic protects vulnerable classmates, and vaccination remains the primary defense against severe complications, even though it does not guarantee infection prevention.
New research maps how respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) mutations affect antibody neutralization, while real-world data confirms nirsevimab reduces infant ICU admissions by 97%.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has not yet decided whether to distribute newly approved pediatric COVID vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program, leaving approximately half of American children without free access to the shots. While the Food and Drug Administration approved updated doses nearly three weeks ago, the federal government has not made them available to uninsured, underinsured, or Medicaid-eligible families. Pediatric doses remain accessible only for children with private insurance or those whose parents can pay out of pocket. A spokesperson for the department confirmed the delay on Wednesday, citing a lack of decision on program inclusion. This gap in access occurs despite recent warnings from pediatricians about the risks of vaccine hesitancy and rising hospitalizations in some regions.
An 8-year-old Louisiana girl, Lillian Smart, died after a suspected Naegleria fowleri infection—believed to be contracted from swimming in a northern Louisiana lake. Naegleria fowleri is a rare brain-eating amoeba that enters the brain through the nose and causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis, which is almost always fatal; in the U.S. from 1962–2024, only four of 167 cases survived.