Pediatrics | Penn Today

Young child with autism plays with a large beach ball.

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.

Close up head shot of a smiling young person wearing a black V-neck shirt.

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.

Immune response in some children may influence COVID treatments for adults

A joint study from researchers at Penn and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia shows that T cell activation in children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome is more similar to adults with severe COVID-19.

Young person sitting at a table, leaning chin on crossed arms, wearing a mask. There are books, colored pencils, an abacus, a notepad and more scattered around.

Children, the pandemic, and long-term mental health consequences

New work from Penn Nursing and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia describes the importance of recognizing COVID-19’s psychological effects on young people and the pivotal role pediatric nurses in all settings can play.

Pregnant person sits on a seat on public transit wearing a face mask.

Pregnant mothers’ antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 transfer to their fetuses

Antibodies to coronavirus in pregnant women cross the placenta efficiently, and are found at similar concentrations in their newborns, according to a large study from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine.

Adolescent child holding a teddy bear having their blood pressure taken by a nurse.

Racial disparities in pediatric diabetes treatment

Despite similar outpatient appointment attendance rates, significant disparities in continuous glucose monitoring and insulin pump use were observed in non-Hispanic Black children over 20 years.

Sequence of 8 MRI images showing treated versus untreated brains from 16 to 52 weeks

Progress toward a treatment for Krabbe disease

The inherited disease, which typically kills children before their second birthday, has no cure, but a School of Veterinary Medicine study in a canine model offers hope for an effective gene therapy with lasting results.

Illustration of brain with DNA double helix

Getting gene therapy to the brain

Using a large animal model of genetic brain disease, researchers led by John H. Wolfe of the School of Veterinary Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia delivered an effective treatment across the blood-brain barrier to correct the whole brain.

A young baby in only a diaper being held over another person's shoulder, which is bare.

For babies with congenital heart disease, skin-to-skin contact proves safe and beneficial

Research from Penn Nursing and CHOP argues that for this population, “kangaroo care” can and should become routine.

A clinic worker stands at the gantry of the Roberts Proton Therapy center machine.

Two studies highlight proton therapy for pediatric brain cancer

A pair of new studies done at Penn and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia add to the growing body of research showing the potential benefits of proton therapy.

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