Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Adds Transformative Gene Therapy and Expands to 10 Treatments, Becoming the Largest Provider of Pediatric Cell and Gene Therapies on the West Coast

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), a national leader in advanced pediatric medical care and innovative cell and gene therapy research and treatment, announced today the addition of its 10th cell and gene therapy treatment, establishing CHLA as the pediatric provider offering the most FDA-approved, state-of-the-art cell and gene therapy treatments on the West Coast.

Medical Ketogenic Diet Helps Lucia Stay Seizure-Free

Not all precision medicines come in pill form. For some children, like 18-month-old Lucia, has been that precision medicine.Before she started the medical ketogenic diet, a then-2-month-old Lucia would have several seizures per week that could last as long as five minutes each and weren’t helped by antiseizure medications. After discovering the rare genetic mutation behind Lucia’s epilepsy, her parents, Rebecca and Gloria, took her to CHLA’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Center for specialty treatment.

Long Covid, Italian scientists discovered the molecular ‘fingerprint’ of the condition in children’s blood

A study by the Università Cattolica, Rome campus – Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS and the Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù IRCCS, published in the Nature Group journal ‘Pediatric Research’, identifies the ‘protein signature’ of the condition in plasma, a group of pro-inflammatory molecules present at high concentrations in young patients with the condition.

Metronomic chemotherapy: a promising approach for pediatric neuroblastoma

Metronomic chemotherapy (MC) is emerging as a groundbreaking treatment for pediatric neuroblastoma, offering a more accessible and manageable option for children with high-risk and relapsed/refractory forms of the disease. This innovative approach could revolutionize care, particularly in low-resource settings where traditional treatments are often out of reach. A recent comprehensive review explores the evolution, clinical applications, and prospects of MC, shedding light on its potential to improve outcomes while reducing toxicity.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Researchers Find Rotavirus Vaccine is Safe for Use in NICU Babies

Researchers found that transmission of rotavirus vaccine strains in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is rare and without clinical consequences, strongly suggesting that giving the rotavirus vaccine to eligible infants during their hospitalization provides immune benefits that outweigh any risks. The findings could serve as the basis for a change in clinical practice.

PCORI Awards UNC Researcher $14.4 Million to Study Emerging Medications for PIBD Patients

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) announced the approval of funding totaling $14.4 million for UNC researcher to study new treatment options for pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases (PIBD). Michael D. Kappelman, MD, MPH, professor of pediatrics and epidemiology at the UNC School of Medicine, will serve as principal investigator.

More physician training proposed in nutrition, food counseling

Poor diets have been linked to seven of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States, from heart disease to diabetes and certain types of cancer. Yet many physicians are not equipped to counsel patients about healthy food choices, and most medical students and trainees do not receive adequate training in this discipline.

Study uncovers first evidence of resistance to standard malaria treatment in African children with severe malaria

An international team of researchers has uncovered evidence of partial resistance to artemisinin derivatives — the primary treatment for malaria — in young children with severe malaria.

New Study Highlights Urgent Need for Targeted Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Support for Sexual and Gender Diverse Youth

Researchers from the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital analyzed six years of multistate child death review data from the United States and found that 81% of sexual and gender diverse youth in the dataset died by suicide, despite many receiving current or prior mental health services.

Saint Louis University Research: High Screen Time Before 2 Years of Age Increases Risk of Autism by Age 12

ST. LOUIS — Ping-I (Daniel) Lin, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, is the paper’s first author. Key takeaways from the study are:  Association Found: The study identified a significant…

Preventing Obesity in Very Young Children Could Be in the Palm of Parents’ Hands

A study co-led by a Johns Hopkins Children’s Center clinician-researcher shows that adding text messaging and other electronic feedback to traditional in-clinic health counseling for parents about feeding habits, playtime and exercise prevents very young children from developing obesity and potentially lifelong obesity-related problems.

Expert Available: Edibles are Not a Treat at Halloween

Over the years, edibles have risen in popularity and have grown to mimic many popular, well-known candy packaging such as Sweet Tartz, Sour Patch Kids, gummy bears and more. The packaging for the THC edibles contain potentially dangerous amounts of…

Cannabis Use During Pregnancy Can Impact Thinking and Learning Skills, Increase Aggression Among Children, Study Shows

As cannabis is legalized and is more accessible in various forms across the country, there is increasing concern among health care providers about potential impact on children. Researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital have new findings to add to the existing evidence that cannabis exposure before birth can negatively impact children.

Shawna Hudson Is Elected to National Academy of Medicine

This week, the Rutgers Health medical sociologist joins the ranks of 100 new members invited to join the National Academy of Medicine. Considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine, membership in the academy recognizes individuals who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care and public health.

The academy selected Shawna Hudson, the vice chancellor for dissemination and implementation science for Rutgers Health and senior associate dean for population health research at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, for her “seminal work to address vital U.S. health system implementation challenges for vulnerable populations.”

The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation Makes Transformational Gift to Establish the Chuck Lorre Pediatric Health Education Institute at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation has made one of the largest gifts in the history of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to establish the Chuck Lorre Pediatric Health Education Institute. A first of its kind in the nation, it will serve as a model for training health professionals including doctors, nurses, clinical care providers, researchers, and students.

Improving Access to Cell and Gene Therapy in Pediatrics

Nearly 30 years ago, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles supported one of the first clinical trials for a pioneering stem cell gene therapy for children with a life-threatening form of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Called ADA-SCID—a type of “bubble boy disease” caused by mutations in the adenosine deaminase (ADA) gene—this rare disorder leaves babies with virtually no immune system.

Ochsner Children’s Hospital named No.1 hospital for kids in Louisiana for fourth consecutive year

For the fourth year running, Ochsner Children’s Hospital upholds its position as the No. 1 hospital for kids in Louisiana according to the 2024-2025 Best Children’s Hospital rankings by U.S. News & World Report.

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Named Among Nation’s Top 10 Children’s Hospitals 16 Years in a Row

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles was recognized among the top 10 pediatric hospitals in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report, which has announced the 2024-25 edition of its annual Best Children’s Hospitals rankings.

اُختير مستشفى لوس أنجلوس للأطفال ليكون ضمن أفضل 10 مستشفيات للأطفال في الولايات المتحدة 16 عامًا متتاليًا

اُختير مستشفى لوس أنجلوس للأطفال ليكون ضمن أفضل 10 مستشفيات للأطفال في الولايات المتحدة
16 عامًا متتاليًا

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Recognized Among Best of the Best

Nationwide Children’s Hospital has been named to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Children’s Hospitals Honor Roll for the 11th consecutive year. The Honor Roll is a top distinction awarded to only 10 children’s hospitals nationwide. Nationwide Children’s also is ranked in the top 10 in seven of the 10 specialties.

Children’s Health and UT Southwestern break ground on new Dallas pediatric campus, announce $100 million donation from The Rees-Jones Foundation

Children’s Health and UT Southwestern Medical Center broke ground today on a $5 billion pediatric health campus to replace the existing Children’s Medical Center Dallas. The new campus will encompass more than 4.7 million square feet of construction, including a new pediatric hospital as its centerpiece.

Alarming Surge: Global Crisis of Childhood Overweight and Obesity

Since 1990, childhood obesity has nearly doubled globally, with the U.S. at the forefront. In Southern Europe, 10-15% of children are obese, while Asia has nearly half of all overweight kids under 5. Nearly 70% of the average U.S. child’s diet consists of ultra-processed foods, which are increasingly consumed by children under 24 months, raising obesity risks and reducing immunological protection. Addressing pediatric obesity requires a multifaceted approach from tackling the influence of social media and advertising on children’s food choices to increasing physical activity.

Tips to help families navigate food allergy policies at school

Every year, Pediatric Allergy and Immunology specialists at UT Southwestern and Children’s Health Dallas field questions from parents who are worried about whether their older kids will be exposed to allergens or whether younger students will make good choices about swapping foods and snacks at school. It takes a community to protect kids with food allergies.

Children’s Research Institute at UT Southwestern scientists discover kidney cancers rely on mitochondrial metabolism to metastasize

Contrary to how tumors operate while still in the kidney, metastatic kidney cancers rely heavily on mitochondrial metabolism, according to new research from Children’s Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern (CRI) published in Nature.

Study Finds Emergency Department Visits by Children Associated with Water Beads More Than Doubled from 2021 to 2022

Researchers from the Center for Injury Research and Policy and Central Ohio Poison Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital have found more than an estimated 8,000 visits to U.S. emergency departments (EDs) associated with water beads from 2007 through 2022, and the number of these visits increased rapidly by more than 130% from 2021 to 2022.

Natural grass may pose greater risk for football concussions

Young football players who sustained a head-to-ground concussion practicing or playing games on natural grass experienced more symptoms – and significantly higher severity – than those who suffered concussions on artificial turf, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found.

Phase 3 Clinical Trial Shows Benefits of a New Treatment for Children With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

When it comes to caring for children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), avoiding the side effects of traditional treatments has long been a challenge. But in a recent phase 3 clinical trial, a new drug called crinecerfont showed safety and efficacy in children with classic CAH, the severe form of this condition.

The National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Save the Children Partner to Support Grieving Children

The National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Save the Children are announcing a strategic partnership, designed to support grieving children throughout the United States.

Socioeconomic status affects survival of children with cancer

Socioeconomic factors can influence the diagnosis and treatment of children in Texas with malignant solid tumors, increasing the risk of the cancer’s spread and lowering the five-year survival rate, according to researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center. The study, published in Journal of the American College of Surgeons, identifies vulnerable populations in an effort to improve outreach and distribution of resources for better health outcomes for pediatric patients.