A study published in JAMA Network Open suggested that a clinical decision support tool could improve evidence-based testing for pediatric diarrhea and enhance communication between clinicians and parents about the causes of illness. However, parents were wary about the use of such tools, fearing over-reliance on algorithms and a lack of patient-centered care.

Melatonin has become a popular sleep aid among parents, with nearly 25% reporting its use for their children. Despite its widespread usage, there is limited research supporting its effectiveness and safety for children. Experts recommend consulting with a pediatrician before administering melatonin to ensure it does not interfere with other medications or health conditions.

An investigation by NBC News and Stanford University found that 77% of US counties and jurisdictions have experienced declines in childhood vaccination rates since 2019, with many falling below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity against diseases like measles. Data also showed that vaccine exemptions for school children are rising, with 53% of counties seeing exemption rates more than double since data collection began.

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adolescents in Hawaii experience sexual violence at higher rates than their white and Asian peers, according to a team led by researchers at the University of Hawaii at Manoa's Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health. The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, found that 12.7% of NHPI girls reported being forced to have sex, compared with 11.7% of white girls and 8.4% of Asian girls. Researchers emphasize the need for disaggregated data to better understand and address these disparities.

A study in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice found that children with early-onset atopic dermatitis are at an increased risk of developing moderate to severe asthma. The study evaluated 10,688 children aged 5 to 11 years and found significant associations between early atopic dermatitis and asthma severity, suggesting that early identification and monitoring of atopic dermatitis in children could be crucial for managing asthma risk.

A study in JAMA Network Open found that fewer than half of young Medicaid recipients with sickle cell disease received dental care in 2022, despite the high risk of oral infections associated with the condition. Researchers using Michigan Medicaid claims data found that 42% of patients with sickle cell disease and 44% of those without sickle cell disease received dental care.

The HealthySteps program, part of the nonprofit Zero to Three, embeds specialists in pediatric clinics to support families with children ages 3 and younger, addressing concerns beyond what doctors can cover during regular visits. The program supports low-income families, providing parenting guidance, developmental screenings and help with social determinants of health. HealthySteps serves more than 33,000 children in North Carolina.

The rate of neonatal male circumcision in the US dropped from 54.1% to 49.3% from 2012 to 2022, according to a research letter in JAMA Pediatrics. Circumcision rates remained stable for Black and Hispanic infants but declined for white infants. "These findings align with prior trends and reflect sociodemographic changes and evolving cultural, clinical, and policy landscapes," researchers wrote.

The FDA has granted 510(k) clearance for the Apollo TMS Therapy device to treat major depressive disorder in adolescents. Transcranial magnetic stimulation provides a non-pharmacologic alternative, particularly important as only two oral antidepressants are approved for adolescents, both with significant warnings.

Newly appointed members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will meet this week to discuss COVID-19, hepatitis B and chickenpox vaccines. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed the entire slate of 17 committee members earlier this year and has since appointed 12 new members, including several who have spoken out against the safety of vaccination.