11/15
Pediatrics
100 years of insulin
100 years of insulin
On July 27, 1921, Canadian doctors Frederick Banting and Charles Best successfully isolated the hormone insulin, one of the most important breakthroughs in treating diabetes. Experts from around the University share their thoughts on the medical triumph on the 100th anniversary.
A COVID vaccine for kids
A COVID vaccine for kids
Jeff Gerber, who is heading the clinical trial of the Moderna vaccine in kids under 12 at CHOP, speaks with Penn Today about the trial and why getting children vaccinated is so essential.
Five tips for talking to young children about COVID-19 today
Five tips for talking to young children about COVID-19 today
Many vaccinated adults have started going maskless, but most children still cannot. Some states are now fully open. Psychologist Caroline Watts offers parents language they can use to talk openly as a family about this newest phase of the pandemic.
A link between childhood stress and early molars
A link between childhood stress and early molars
Penn researchers discovered that children from lower-income backgrounds and those who go through greater adverse childhood experiences get their first permanent molars sooner.
Scientists say active early learning shapes the adult brain
Scientists say active early learning shapes the adult brain
Through the Abecedarian Project, an early education, randomized controlled trial that has followed children since 1971, Penn and Virginia Tech researchers reveal new discoveries about brain structure decades later.
A mental health checkup for children and adolescents, a year into COVID
A mental health checkup for children and adolescents, a year into COVID
As a whole, this group experienced a significant short-term psychological toll. Though the long-term consequences aren’t yet known, particularly given how the year disproportionately exacerbated adverse childhood experiences, Penn experts remain cautiously optimistic.
WIC Child Nutrition Program saw enrollment grow after switch from paper vouchers
WIC Child Nutrition Program saw enrollment grow after switch from paper vouchers
A Penn Medicine study finds electronic benefit cards are more user-friendly and encourage less stigma than paper vouchers.
Infants experiencing opioid withdrawal more often treated in poorer quality hospitals
Infants experiencing opioid withdrawal more often treated in poorer quality hospitals
The research from the School of Nursing analyzed information from three datasets accounting for 25% of U.S. births annually.
A tool for more inclusive autism screening
A tool for more inclusive autism screening
A new visual screening tool for autism spectrum disorder may reduce disparities in diagnoses, especially when English is not a family’s primary language.
Doulas help families meet breastfeeding goals
Doulas help families meet breastfeeding goals
Research from the School of Nursing shows that these support professionals can be another tool to improve outcomes for newborns and parents.
In the News
Associated Press
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia leader in sickle cell disease elected to National Academy of Medicine
Alexis A. Thompson of the Perelman School of Medicine has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine for her leadership in sickle cell disease treatment and research.
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The Washington Post
Keep forgetting your shingles shot? These sufferers wish they hadn’t
Paul Offit of the Perelman School of Medicine says that shingles is one of the worst pains in medicine, comparable to childbirth and corneal abrasions.
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PBS NewsHour
Trump vows to defund schools requiring vaccines for students if he’s reelected
Paul Offit of the Perelman School of Medicine says that anti-vaccine rhetoric will cause more children to die from infectious diseases like measles.
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NBC News
Lack of sleep linked to high blood pressure in children and teens
A study led by Amy Kogon of the Perelman School of Medicine reveals an association between shorter-than-recommended sleep times and high blood pressure among children and teens.
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KFF Health News
Rural jails turn to community health workers to help the newly released succeed
According to Aditi Vasan of the Leonard Davis Institute and Perelman School of Medicine, evidence is mounting in favor of the model of training community health workers to help their neighbors connect to government and health care services.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Paul Offit looks back on COVID-19, misinformation, and how public health lost the public’s trust in new book
“Tell Me When It’s Over,” a new book by Paul Offit of the Perelman School of Medicine, chronicles the initial years of the COVID-19 pandemic and the mishaps of public health agencies. Recent surveys by the Annenberg Public Policy Center find that mistrust of vaccines has continued to grow through last fall.
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