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Pediatrics

CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH SHAPING CHILDREN’S HEALTH SHOWCASED AT THE PEDIATRIC ACADEMIC … – PR Newswire

Innovations and expertise take center stage at the world's leading pediatric conference

TORONTO, April 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meetingconnects thousands of leading pediatric researchers and other healthcare providers worldwide united by a common mission: Connecting the global academic pediatric community to advance scientific discovery and promote innovation in child and adolescent health.

More than 7,500 researchers, clinicians, and medical educators, including over 2,100 trainees from around the globe will gather at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, May 2-6 to share research, network, explore new ideas, and collaborate on projects. Research on neonatology,artificial intelligence, adolescent obesity, mental health, infectious diseases, and other health issues will be featured at the PAS 2024 Meeting.

This unique meeting represents over 70 pediatric specialties andincludes more than 350+ sessions, 687 oral abstracts, and 3,300+ posters on general and specialty pediatric health topics, as well as nine Friday pre-conference programs featuring topics on pediatric bioethics, perinatal stroke, kidney health, and more. Attendees can access sessions, posters, and more through the online program guideand the PAS Meeting mobile app.

"This is the premier forum for pediatric researchers and providers to share the latest research on global and public health issues," saidJudith Shaw, PAS program chair. "The knowledge and expertise shared will help the world meet current and future pediatric healthcare challenges and innovations."

Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, MB, BS, PhD,a renowned humanitarian, will deliver the keynote address at the Opening General Session on Friday, May 3. Dr. Bhutta is known for his research and innovation in reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health. He is co-director of SickKids Centre for Global Child Health and founding director of the Centre of Excellence in Women & Child Health and the Institute for Global Health & Development at The Aga Khan University in Pakistan.

Benard P. Dreyer, MD, FAAP,will be honored with the 2024 Joseph W. St. Geme, Jr. Leadership Award on Friday, May 3. The award recognizes Dr. Dreyer's significant contributions to pediatrics, including in health equity, child poverty, child development, and advocacy for minoritized communities. He is the director of developmental-behavioral pediatrics and vice chair for diversity, equity, and inclusion at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and director of pediatrics at Bellevue Hospital Center in New York City.

On-demand content will be available beginning May 7 August 1and will include the opportunity for physicians to claim CME credits.

PAS 2024 is grateful to its sponsors for their support, including Platinum Sponsors Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition and Abbott, and Gold Sponsor Seattle Children's.

Registration:

About the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meetingconnects thousands of leading pediatric researchers, clinicians, and medical educators worldwide united by a common mission: Connecting the global academic pediatric community to advance scientific discovery and promote innovation in child and adolescent health. The PAS Meeting is produced through the partnership of four leading pediatric associations; the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Academic Pediatric Association (APA), the American Pediatric Society (APS), and the Society for Pediatric Research (SPR).For more information, please visitwww.pas-meeting.org. Follow us on X@PASMeetingand like us on FacebookPASMeeting.

CONTACT: Toby Howard, [emailprotected], (571) 201-7409

SOURCE Pediatric Academic Societies

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CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH SHAPING CHILDREN'S HEALTH SHOWCASED AT THE PEDIATRIC ACADEMIC ... - PR Newswire

Pediatrics

New NIAID report on maternal COVID-19 vaccination offers direct evidence of protection for newborns – Contemporary Pediatrics

New NIAID report on maternal COVID-19 vaccination offers direct evidence of protection for newborns | Image Credit: 395077344 - stock.adobe.com.

Vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 virus during pregnancy has been demonstrated in multiple studies to offer a protective effect for both mothers and babies, but a new study led by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) provides further evidence of just how far this protection goes.1

The CDC already recommends vaccination during pregnancy for the protection of expectant mothers, citing data on the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy. CDC guidance also suggests that vaccination during pregnancy can pass valuable protection on to newborns in the first months of lifebefore they are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine themselves.2

Numerous studies have shown that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy can elicit an immune response in infants for months after birth, but these reports have relied on retrospective data. The new NIAID report is the first to provide direct evidence that maternal vaccination during pregnancy can create measurable antibody levels for months after birth, says Cristina Cardemil, MD, MPH. Cardemil is a medical officer in the NIAID Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases and was lead author of the new report, published in Pediatrics in February 2024.

Previous retrospective studies on maternal COVID-19 vaccination lacked direct measurements of antibodies in mother/infant pairs over time to see who was getting sick, she explains. Previous research was also unclear when it came to determining how long protection from maternal vaccines would last.

What we did know 6 months or a year ago is there were studies showing antibodies at delivery in vaccinated mothers, and the suggestion was that the protection could last for some time. But it was more of an open-ended question as to how long it would last, Cardemil explains.

The new study shows that there were high levels of antibodies at birth in infants whose mothers had been vaccinated or received a booster during pregnancy. Specifically, mothers who received 2 or 3 doses of messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy had measurable levels of full-length spike immunoglobulin G, pseudovirus 614D, live virus D614G, and Omicron BA.1 and BA.5 neutralizing antibodies at birth. Those infants were followed throughout 2021 and 2022, and infants born to those boosted mothers were 56% less likely to develop a COVID-19 infection in the first 6 months of life compared with infants of nonboosted mothers.1

The protection can last at least 6 months, according to the report, offering protection until infants can receive their own dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

At this point in the pandemic, millions of pregnant individuals have received COVID-19 vaccines. We have a lot of data to indicate its a very safe and effective vaccine during pregnancy, says Cardemil. We know that moms who are infected during pregnancy are at a real risk for complications both for themselves and their unborn children.

Other new data from the study show how vaccine protection could fluctuate by variant. In this study, researchers tested for 5 different antibodies at birth, some that bind to the virus and others that neutralize the virus. All the antibodies were produced as a result of vaccination with the original COVID-19 vaccines formulas, she says, adding there were no bivalent or updated vaccines available at the time the study cohort was immunized.

This is an especially important finding, Cardemil adds, considering that even those original vaccines were able to offer protection against Omicron and other newer variants that emerged long after the initial maternal vaccination. Cardemil says this finding also indicates that even older versions of COVID-19 vaccines could offer mothers and their babies protection against new and emerging variants that are not technically covered by the vaccine that was administered.

Thats a very strong finding that shows these vaccines that were created against the original variant that has evolved several times still provide protection that we are looking for, she says. It doesnt have to be the perfect match to what is circulating that minute. The vaccines are broad enough to protect against future circulating viruses.

For clinicians, Cardemil says the study helps to demonstrate the importance and benefit of maternal vaccination. Natural immunity from a previous COVID-19 infection can wane over time, and as the years pass since the pandemic it can be easy to lose sight of the toll the virus can take on infants, Cardemil says.

I think from my perspective, now that were several years into the pandemic and we have both prevention and treatment methods, people have lost sight of how COVID-19 can still land you in the hospital, she says.

Infections in older adults and other vulnerable populations often get the most attention when it comes to COVD infections, but Cardemil says that infants under age 1 year have the same rates for hospitalization and death as older adults. That fact that older adults can receive the COVID-19 vaccine while infants younger than 6 months cannot makes the threat of a COVID-19 infection more severe in the newborn group, she says.

The group thats most vulnerable for COVID-19 are potentially unprotected, Cardemil says. For newborns up to 6 months of age, thats a gap in immunity. But now we know we can fill that gap through maternal vaccination.

Click here for more from the April issue of Contemporary Pediatrics.

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New NIAID report on maternal COVID-19 vaccination offers direct evidence of protection for newborns - Contemporary Pediatrics

Pediatrics

Navigating Pediatric Diabetes: A Q&A With Leading Expert David Maahs, MD – Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Blog – Stanford Children’s Health

Diabetes management in pediatric patients has come a long way, with advancements such as continuous glucose monitors and automated insulin delivery systems. In a recent interview, David Maahs, MD, professor of pediatrics and division chief of pediatric endocrinology at Stanford Medicine and Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital Stanford, sheds light on the current state of diabetes care for children and adolescents.

The following Q&A is drawn from Stanford Medcast, Episode 71: Hot Topics Mini Series: Diabetes UnpackedMyths, Facts, and Tips, a podcast hosted by Ruth Adewuya, MD, CHCP, Managing director of the Stanford Center for Continuing Medical Education.

How has diabetes management for pediatric patients evolved, and what advancements are making a significant impact?

David Maahs, MD: Over time, there has been notable progress in diabetes care for children and adolescents. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGMs) have proven highly effective compared to traditional methods, with approximately 70% to 80% of our patients with type 1 diabetes now utilizing CGMs. Additionally, there are now five approved automated insulin delivery systems, providing diverse options for parents. While not everyone may embrace these technologies immediately, the overall landscape is consistently improving.

What are the primary goals in managing diabetes for pediatric patients, and do these goals vary with age or other factors?

The three main goals in pediatric diabetes care are maintaining a low A1C (a measure of your average glucose over the last three months), minimizing hypoglycemia, and prioritizing a good quality of life. Weve adapted to use continuous glucose monitoring metrics, focusing on achieving an average glucose or time in range between 70 and 180. Balancing these goals has become more achievable with the advancements in CGMs.

How do acute and long-term complications factor into pediatric diabetes management, and have there been improvements in addressing these concerns?

Acute concerns such as hypoglycemia have improved significantly with continuous glucose monitors and automated insulin delivery systems. For longer-term complications like damage to the eyes, nerves, kidneys, and heart, reducing A1C levels is crucial. The introduction of these new diabetes technologies and lower A1Cs will reduce these risks over time.

Engaging pediatric patients in their care is vital. How does the multidisciplinary team at Stanford Childrens approach this, and what challenges do you most commonly face?

We are fortunate to have a multidisciplinary team at Stanford Medicine Childrens Health, including certified diabetes care and education specialists, dietitians, social workers, psychologists, an exercise physiologist, and pediatric endocrinologists. Diabetes educators play a vital role in educating families, and the team works closely with patients during regular follow-up appointments. The challenges include the 24/7 nature of diabetes management, but continuous support and periodic monitoring help address these difficulties.

Transitioning from pediatric to adult care is a critical phase. How does Stanford Childrens ensure a seamless transition, and what are the key considerations during this process?

Transitioning from pediatric to adult care poses challenges across various health conditions. Our guided transfer program aims to facilitate this transition by introducing patients to adult care while still in the pediatric clinic, ensuring a warm handoff to the adult diabetes clinic. The approach minimizes the risk of patients getting lost during this crucial life phase.

Reflecting on your experience, what are the most rewarding aspects of working with pediatric patients with diabetes?

One of the joys of pediatrics is getting to know the families. Witnessing the growth of children, often entering their lives during a crisis, and seeing them thrive with the advancements in diabetes care is rewarding. The focus is not only medical management, but also on supporting the general well-being and quality of life of these young patients.

The pediatric endocrinology team at Stanford Medicine Childrens Health is ranked in the top 10 in Diabetes & Endocrinology by U.S. News & World Report and treats children with endocrine disorders at convenient locations throughout the Bay Area.

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Navigating Pediatric Diabetes: A Q&A With Leading Expert David Maahs, MD - Stanford Medicine Children's Health Blog - Stanford Children's Health

Pediatrics

Testing and diagnoses capacity of 2009 influenza and COVID-19 pandemics – Contemporary Pediatrics

Testing and diagnoses capacity of 2009 influenza and COVID-19 pandemics | Image Credit: phonlamaiphoto - phonlamaiphoto - stock.adobe.com.

Investigators of an observational study published in Respiratory Investigation sought to examine factors associated with the testing and diagnostic capacity for the influenza pandemic in 2009 were linked to those during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Insights into testing and diagnoses capacity for children could be valuable in preparing health care systems for future pandemics, wrote the study authors, who created an observational study using data obtained from the Japan Medical Data Center.

In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, few facilities conducted polymerase chain reaction-based (PCR) testing in children, even after the Omicron strain emerged.

The limited testing capacity contrasted from the 2009 influenza pandemic. In this period, approximately 20 million children were diagnosed, while 10,000 required hospitalization.

The study explored organizational factors associated with diagnosis and testing capacity for COVID-19 among children younger than 20 years of age from 2020 to 2021.

To explore the determinants of testing and diagnoses capacity and the association between the pandemics, the investigators used multivariable generalized linear models.

Using a nationally representative administrative database, 4906 medical facilities and 1.7 million infections disease-related visits were used in the study. The majority of medical facilities were clinics (85.6%) with pediatrics (32.3%), or internal medicine departments (54.9%).

The majority of patients (53%) were male and the mean age of the study population was 6.5 years (SD, 4.7).

Compared to clinics, public hospitals (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR], 1.52. 95% CI, 1.26 - 1.82) and university hospitals (aIRR, 1.44. 95% CI, 1.14 - 1.80) were more likely to perform COVID-19 testing among children.

The highest testing rate was demonstrated in the department of internal medicine (aIRR, 1.64; 95%CI, 1.32 2.04). Pediatrics (aIRR, 1.40; 95%CI, 1.10 1.78) and otolaryngology (aIRR, 1.21; 95%CI, 0.89 1.64) followed.

"Compared to the medical facilities in the lowest quartile of testing rate for influenza in 2009, those in the highest quartile were more likely to perform testing for COVID-19 (aIRR, 1.62; 95%CI, 1.431.83)," wrote the study authors.

Insights between the pandemics, with a highlight on the dose-response relationship, "could be valuable in preparing health care systems for future pandemics," concluded the investigators.

Reference:

Okubo Y, Uda K. Structural and organizational determinants of the capacity for COVID-19 testing and diagnoses in children: Insights from the 2009 influenza and COVID-19 pandemics. Respiratory Investigation. Volume 62, Issue 3. 2024. Pages 426-430. ISSN 2212-5345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resinv.2024.03.001.

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Testing and diagnoses capacity of 2009 influenza and COVID-19 pandemics - Contemporary Pediatrics

Pediatrics

Predicting Infection Risk in Childhood Cancer – News Center – Feinberg News Center

A statistical model can accurately predict the risk of bloodstream infections in a subset of children with cancer, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

For children with cancer, fever is a common complication. While guidelines exist for managing fever in children with cancer who have very low white blood cell counts, no such guidelines exist for children with cancer without severely low levels.

Because of this, identifying patients with cancer and fever who are at a higher risk for bloodstream infections can be difficult, said Jenna Rossoff, MD, assistant professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation and a co-author of the study.

While some hospitals may choose to pre-emptively administer antibiotics to a feverish child being treated for cancer, that can lead to other complications such as antibiotic resistance later on, Rossoff said.

In the study, Rossoff and her collaborators sought to test a model developed to predict the risk of bloodstream infections, which can develop into sepsis, in feverish children with cancer.

This model has been designed to delineate bloodstream infection risk in these patients at presentation based on a variety of variables, and the overall goal is to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and also identify patients obviously at high risk for a bloodstream infection, said Rossoff, who is also a member of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.

To test the model, investigators collected data on fever episodes occurring in pediatric cancer patients from 18 academic medical centers. They then compared the models predictions to the seven-day clinical outcomes in each of the 2,500+ cases and found that the model could accurately predict which patients were more likely to experience bloodstream infections, according to the study.

The findings suggest the model accurately identifies high-risk patients and could reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, Rossoff said.

Importantly, the paper showed that in the patients whose predicted risk for bloodstream infections using this model was low, there was a very low rate of true bloodstream infections, Rossoff said. For those few percent of patients who did have a bloodstream infection, there were no severe outcomes.

Moving forward, Rossoff said she would like to see more studies done testing the model in children with cancer who have undergone stem cell transplants and other novel therapies.

Fevers are a pretty frequent complication during treatment and when our kids dont need antibiotics, we should be avoiding them to prevent antibiotic resistance and disruption of the gut microbiome, she said. As much as we can safely safely being the key word decrease antibiotic administration, that would be a great thing overall.

The study was supported by the National Center for Research Resources Grant KL2TR000446.

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Predicting Infection Risk in Childhood Cancer - News Center - Feinberg News Center

Pediatrics

Linaclotide Succeeds for Functional Constipation in Children | GI and Hepatology News – MDedge

Children and adolescents with functional constipation showed significantly greater increases in spontaneous bowel movements with linaclotide compared with placebo, according to data from 330 individuals.

Functional constipation is prevalent in pediatrics and is associated with chronic burdensome symptoms and impaired quality of life with an unmet need for treatment options for this age group, corresponding study author Julie Khlevner, MD, AGAF, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, said in an interview.

Linaclotide has been approved for adults with chronic idiopathic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, but its efficacy and safety in pediatric patients were unknown. Therefore, evaluating its use in this population was crucial to provide evidence-based treatment option, she said.

In a study published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, the researchers randomized 166 pediatric patients with functional constipation to 72 micrograms of linaclotide once daily for 12 weeks and 164 to a placebo. The study was conducted at 64 clinic or hospital sites across 7 countries between October 1, 2019, and March 21, 2022. Approximately half (55%) of the patients were female.

The primary outcome was a change from baseline to 12 weeks in the frequency of spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) per week, with no rescue medication on the day of or before the bowel movement. The secondary endpoint was change in stool consistency from baseline to 12 weeks. The mean frequency for SBMs at baseline was 1.16 per week in patients randomized to linaclotide and 1.28 for those randomized to placebo; these rates increased to 3.41 and 2.29, respectively, over the study period. The linaclotide patients showed a significantly greater improvement over placebo patients based on least-squares mean change from baseline (2.22 vs. 1.05, P = .0001).

In a subgroup analysis by age, the response was stronger in younger patients aged 6-11 years than in those aged 12-17 years, the researchers noted. This difference might stem from different pathophysiological mechanisms between older and younger ages, such as withholding behavior, they added.

Linaclotide was well tolerated overall; the most frequently reported treatment-emergent events were diarrhea (seven linaclotide patients and three placebo patients). In addition, five linaclotide patients and four placebo patients developed COVID-19 during treatment. No deaths occurred during the study, but one serious adverse event involving severe diarrhea, dehydration, and hospitalization, occurred in a 17-year-old female patient, but resolved after administration of intravenous fluids, the researchers noted.

The study findings reflect previous research on linaclotide in adults, Dr. Khlevner said. The significant improvement in spontaneous bowel movements frequency and stool consistency with linaclotide compared to placebo is consistent with its mechanism of action as a guanylate cyclase C agonist, she noted.

In clinical practice, barriers to the use of linaclotide may include lack of awareness of linaclotides safety and efficacy profile, and of its Food and Drug Administration approval for use in children aged 6-17 years with functional constipation, said Dr. Khlevner. Additionally, access to the medication and insurance coverage may be potential barriers for some patients. However, some of these barriers can be overcome through education and training of healthcare providers regarding the appropriate use of linaclotide in pediatric patients with functional constipation, she added.

The findings were limited by several factors including potential measurement bias and selection bias, lack of assessment of lifestyle modifications as confounding factors, and lack of quality-of-life assessment, the researchers noted. Other limitations included the relatively short 12-week treatment duration, which may not fully capture long-term safety and efficacy, and the focus on patients aged 6-17 years, Dr. Khlevner told this news organization.

Future research could address these limitations through longer-term studies with broader age ranges and incorporating patient-reported outcomes in real world situations to assess the overall impact of linaclotide treatment on pediatric patients with functional constipation, she said.

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Pediatrics

Healing the divide: Advancing access to pediatric care – HealthLeaders Media

While a more privileged child may enjoy the luxury of prompt medical attention and preventive care, their counterpart in a poor area faces a labyrinth of obstacles hindering their access to essential healthcare services. Full story Share this: Tagged Under: healthcare access healthcare disparity pediatrics

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Healing the divide: Advancing access to pediatric care - HealthLeaders Media

Pediatrics

McMaster Child Health Research Day charts the future of pediatric health – Brighter World

From left, researcher Briano Di Rezze, keynote speaker and Edmonton MP Mike Lake, chair of Pediatrics Angelo Mikrogianakis, McMaster Children's Hospital President Bruce Squires, pediatrics researcher Gita Wahi, Hamilton MP Lisa Hepfner, Offord Centre director Stelios Georgiades, and CanChild co-director Olaf Kraus de Camargo at this week's McMaster Child Health Research Day event.

BY Cheryl Crocker

March 28, 2024

More than 130 Health Sciences students, patient family members and special guests gathered to celebrate innovative research and compete for awards this week at the McMaster Child Health Research Day.

The March 27 event was developed in collaboration with Hamiltons child health community, including the Department of Pediatrics, the Offord Centre for Child Studies, CanChild, the Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research, McMaster Childrens Hospital, and St. Josephs Healthcare Hamilton.

More than 125 studies were presented, spanning a significant breadth of topics, including artificial intelligence applications in health, basic science, chronic conditions and mental health interventions.

AI is not going anywhere, so we need to find ways to mitigate its effects, especially given the prevalence of online surveys and research, said third-year undergraduate student Samantha Rutherford, whose study explored ways to stop chatbots from interfering with online data collection a challenge she recognizes as universal across research fields.

Researcher Andrea Cross, an assistant professor in the department of Pediatrics, is leading an innovative education program to empower youth and families to engage in health research.

Many people who are graduating from the course are now becoming champions and leaders and embedding meaningful family engagement within their communities and organizations, Cross said.

The quality of research and students passion was impressive, said Hamilton Mountain MP Lisa Hepfner, who served as a guest judge.

McMaster shows once again it is at the forefront of health sciences and that it is invested in improving the lives of young people in Canada and around the world.

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McMaster Child Health Research Day charts the future of pediatric health - Brighter World

Pediatrics

This is serious: The results of a measles outbreak have harmful outcomes – Contemporary Pediatrics

This is Serious: The results from a Measles outbreak have harmful outcomes | Image Credit: Prostock-studio - Prostock-studio - stock.adobe.com.

Homers philosophical quote, When it is out of sight, it is out of mind can be applied to the current measles outbreak in the United States and worldwide. Our patients and all pediatric providers need to know and respect the history of measles and remain steadfast in strongly recommending vaccination.

In 1912, measles became a nationally notifiable disease in the United States, which revealed approximately 6,000 measles-related deaths reported each year.1 Prior to 1963, it was estimated that 3 to 4 million individuals in the United States contracted measles annually and included the majority of children under 15 years old.1 The death rate was estimated to be between 400 and 500 people with approximately 1000 individuals experiencing the adverse outcome of measles encephalitis.1

In 1963, the first measles vaccine became available which significantly reduced the incidence and prevalence of measles outbreaks in the United States and later worldwide.2 Because of this, many individuals today have vaccine induced immunity to measles, and providers rarely have patients presenting with symptoms of measles. In fact, due to the vaccination program, measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000.1 However, since 2020, there have been measles outbreaks in various states in the United States. The article in Contemporary Pediatrics, by senior editor Joshua Fitch, Measles cases are reported in multiple states, discusses the current spread of measles in the United States.2

Out of sight, out of mind

With the success of the MMR vaccine, most parents no longer are aware of measles as a disease nor fear that their children will contract measles. However, this lack of knowledge results in parents being unaware of the potential harmful outcomes from contracting measles, including the adverse outcomes and even the potential for death in their unvaccinated children under the age of 5 years, as well as in children and adults who are immunocompromised. In addition, pediatric nurse practitioners and all pediatric providers need to know how to diagnose measles and to be aware of the possibility of children who contract measles developing a bacterial or viral superinfection, including but not limited to obstructive laryngitis, mastoiditis, hepatitis, encephalitis, and/or pneumonia.3

The MMR Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) given to parents and any individual at the time of vaccination, provides detailed information focusing on the vaccine itself, and includes brief paragraphs about measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) diseases at the top of the VIS.4 Perhaps the VIS and providers need to emphasize the potential for adverse outcomes from contracting the disease especially for those parents who are questioning whether to have their child vaccinated or are vaccine hesitant or vaccine refusers.

Measles disease and death rates

Prior to the availability of the measles vaccine in 1963, the World Health Organization reported that major measles epidemics occurred every 2 to 3years resulting in 2.6 million deaths in each epidemic year.2 The MMR vaccine has reduced worldwide deaths to 128,000 in 2021.2 However, in my opinion, this number of deaths related to contracting measles remains significant worldwide. As pediatric nurse practitioners, lets make 2 statements loud and clear, Vaccinate your babies and children against measles and infection deaths from measles are vaccine preventable!

Click here for the each article from the March issue of Contemporary Pediatrics.

References:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Measles history. November 5, 2020. Accessed March 19, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/history.html#:~:text=It%20is%20estimated%203%20to,of%20the%20brain)%20from%20measles

2. World Health Organization [WHO]. Measles. August, 9, 2023. Accessed March 20, 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/measles

3. Sanderson, S., & Gaylord, N.M. Infectious Diseases. In, Maaks, D.L.G., Starr, N.B., Brady, M.A., Gaylord, N.M., Driessnack, M., & Duderstadt, KG. (2020), Burns pediatric primary care. 7th edition: Elsevier. Pages 479-481.

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccine information statement, MMR vaccine (Measles, mumps, and rubella: What you need to know. 2021. Accessed March 20, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/mmr.pdf

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This is serious: The results of a measles outbreak have harmful outcomes - Contemporary Pediatrics

Pediatrics

Unlocking the Power of Influenza Vaccines for Pediatric Population: A Narrative Review – Cureus

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Unlocking the Power of Influenza Vaccines for Pediatric Population: A Narrative Review - Cureus