American Academy Of Pediatrics Research Articles

The Cass report, gender identity, and where to go next

Child and adolescent clinicians in the United States have to be paying attention to what has happened to gender medicine in the United Kingdom. The highly respected service at the Tavistock Clinic has come under intense criticism — confusing as that may be — and in April Hilary Cass released her report to the UK's National Health Service expressing concern for gender medicine, saying it is “built on shaky foundations.” Coupled with recent lawsuits against the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and gender‐affirming care, the standard in the United States, clinicians are left pondering their next steps. An editorial in the British Medical Journal following the release of the Cass Report gives a balanced summation. (For the report, go to Download the Final Report). The editorial is subtitled “an opportunity to unite behind evidence informed care in gender medicine.”

The Cass report, gender identity, and where to go next

Child and adolescent clinicians in the United States have to be paying attention to what has happened to gender medicine in the United Kingdom. The highly respected service at the Tavistock Clinic has come under intense criticism — confusing as that may be — and in April Hilary Cass released her report to the UK's National Health Service expressing concern for gender medicine, saying it is “built on shaky foundations.” Coupled with recent lawsuits against the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and gender‐affirming care, the standard in the United States, clinicians are left pondering their next steps. An editorial in the British Medical Journal following the release of the Cass Report gives a balanced summation. (For the report, go to Download the Final Report). The editorial is subtitled “an opportunity to unite behind evidence informed care in gender medicine.”

Acute Pain and Analgesia in children

Acute pain is a complex process involving activation of nociceptors, chemical mediators and inflammation. All the major children’s hospitals now have dedicated pain services to provide evaluation and immediate treatment of pain in any child. Children experience pain in a similar way to adults. Pain intensity in children depends on the surgical procedure itself but also on numerous other factors such as age, emotional state or the level of anxiety associated with the hospital stay. The perception and communication of the child’s pain depends on his or her intellectual and social development. Expression of pain therefore relies on the child’s ability to understand, quantitate and communicate it. Previous pain experiences or chronic diseases that required many medical procedures may significantly change the pain threshold in paediatric patients. Moreover, genetic predispositions and environmental effects are significant. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Pain Society have reiterated the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in order to eliminate pain in children. In all pediatric settings, an adequate assessment is the initial stage in a proper clinical approach to pain, especially in the emergency departments; therefore, an increasing number of age-related tools have been validated. Systemic opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents and regional analgesics alone or combined with additives are currently used to provide effective postoperative analgesia. These modalities are best utilized when combined as a multimodal approach to treat acute pain in the perioperative setting. The total number of behaviors that are present in the child are used to estimate his/her pain at the time of assessment. Pain assessment is important to facilitate effective postoperative pain management in these vulnerable children. The purpose of this study is to investigate acute pain as well as analgesia and availability of the used analgesic drugs in children. A multimodal approach to preventing and treating pain is usually used.

Improving Guideline-Concordant Care for Febrile Infants Through a Quality Improvement Initiative.

We aimed to examine the impact of a quality improvement (QI) collaborative on adherence to specific recommendations within the American Academy of Pediatrics' Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for well-appearing febrile infants aged 8 to 60 days. Concurrent with CPG release in August 2021, we initiated a QI collaborative involving 103 general and children's hospitals across the United States and Canada. We developed a multifaceted intervention bundle to improve adherence to CPG recommendations for 4 primary measures and 4 secondary measures, while tracking 5 balancing measures. Primary measures focused on guideline recommendations where deimplementation strategies were indicated. We analyzed data using statistical process control (SPC) with baseline and project enrollment from November 2020 to October 2021 and the intervention from November 2021 to October 2022. Within the final analysis, there were 17 708 infants included. SPC demonstrated improvement across primary and secondary measures. Specifically, the primary measures of appropriately not obtaining cerebrospinal fluid in qualifying infants and appropriately not administering antibiotics had the highest adherence at the end of the collaborative (92.4% and 90.0% respectively). Secondary measures on parent engagement for emergency department discharge of infants 22 to 28 days and oral antibiotics for infants 29 to 60 days with positive urinalyses demonstrated the greatest changes with collaborative-wide improvements of 16.0% and 20.4% respectively. Balancing measures showed no change in missed invasive bacterial infections. A QI collaborative with a multifaceted intervention bundle was associated with improvements in adherence to several recommendations from the AAP CPG for febrile infants.

Evaluation of noise levels and noise sources in an Irish neonatal intensive care unit.

This study: (i) quantified the typical noise levels in an Irish neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and compared the values to recommendations by the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) and the European Standards for Care for Newborn Health (EFCNI) and to occupational exposure limit value and exposure action values; and (ii) qualified the perception of noise levels and the sources of noise across the various stakeholders within a typical NICU. A noise survey was conducted in an Irish NICU. Observations identified practices and behaviours in the NICU that potentially had an impact on noise levels. Noise levels were compared to occupational exposure limits and AAP and EFCNI standards. A noise perception survey was conducted to identify noise sources and awareness of noise levels in the NICU. Results were analysed using SPSS Statistics to determine statistical significance. Noise levels recorded were consistent with previous similar studies and in all cases, the average noise levels recorded exceeded the 45 dBA as recommended by the AAP and EFCNI. There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) between noise levels recorded on the day shift compared to the night shift. The perception of noise levels reported by nurses versus parents was found to be statistically significant (P = 0.001). 38.3% of all respondents reported having received no information or training with regard to noise in the NICU. There was a statistically significant difference in the perception of who is most likely to be affected by noise in the NICU, with nurses reporting those most likely to be affected by noise were patients, and parents reporting those most likely to be affected were staff (P = 0.003). This study supports the hypothesis that noise levels within the NICU are of concern and require regular assessment and monitoring. Training and awareness programmes are an important component to ensuring all persons in the NICU recognise their potential impact on noise levels in the NICU and in reducing the risk for patients and staff.

Photos Shared on Facebook in the Context of Safe Sleep Recommendations: Content Analysis of Images.

Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) remains a leading cause of infant mortality; therefore, understanding parental practices of infant sleep at home is essential. Since social media analyses yield invaluable patient perspectives, understanding sleep practices in the context of safe sleep recommendations via a Facebook mothers' group is instrumental for policy makers, health care providers, and researchers. This study aimed to identify photos shared by mothers discussing SUID and safe sleep online and assess their consistency with infant sleep guidelines per the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). We hypothesized the photos would not be consistent with guidelines based on prior research and increasing rates of accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed. Data were extracted from a Facebook mothers' group in May 2019. After trialing various search terms, searching for the term "SIDS" on the selected Facebook group resulted in the most relevant discussions on SUID and safe sleep. The resulting data, including 20 posts and 912 comments among 512 mothers, were extracted and underwent qualitative descriptive content analysis. In completing the extraction and subsequent analysis, 24 shared personal photos were identified among the discussions. Of the photos, 14 pertained to the infant sleep environment. Photos of the infant sleep environment were then assessed for consistency with safe sleep guidelines per the AAP standards by 2 separate reviewers. Of the shared photos relating to the infant sleep environment, 86% (12/14) were not consistent with AAP safe sleep guidelines. Specific inconsistencies included prone sleeping, foreign objects in the sleeping environment, and use of infant sleeping devices. Use of infant monitoring devices was also identified. This study is unique because the photos originated from the home setting, were in the context of SUID and safe sleep, and were obtained without researcher interference. Despite study limitations, the commonality of prone sleeping, foreign objects, and the use of both infant sleep and monitoring devices (ie, overall inconsistency regarding AAP safe sleep guidelines) sets the stage for future investigation regarding parental barriers to practicing safe infant sleep and has implications for policy makers, clinicians, and researchers.

Hip sonography: thirty-four years of experience in Italy

This paper provides a review of the years of experience of hip sonography since the first ultrasound (US) course in Italy in 1987. Clinical and US findings were correlated in 1,000 newborns examined consecutively in a study in 1991. Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) was present even in the absence of clinical signs, including the Ortolani sign. The percentage of US diagnosis of DDH in newborns was 2.8%, while instability according to the Ortolani test was present in 0.75%. After recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics against universal US screening, early diagnosis decreased from 74.4% in the period 1992–2002 (43,418 hips examined) to 52.7% in 2013–2014 (5,598 hips examined). In order to answer the question of whether early treatment of DDH has better outcomes, the acetabulum maturation was studied in 93 type III hips. The statistical analysis showed a strong dependency (P &lt; 0.001) between the alpha-angle gain and the age at which treatment was started. The first 2 weeks of life is the optimum time for early diagnosis and treatment; after 6 weeks of life, treatment is less effective and the results are less predictable. Furthermore, the role of the labrum and its morphological changes was analyzed in 86 unstable dysplastic hips (13 type D, 49 type III and 24 type IV) in patients with an average age of 53 days (range 1–134 days) at DDH diagnosis and the beginning of treatment. The labrum was never inverted and underwent a statistically significant increase in echogenicity and dimensions with a frequency of 97% and 96% respectively, suggesting the labrum’s stabilizing role. Abnormal findings such as in achondroplasia, cleidocranial dysplasia, other rare osteochondrodysplasias and in coxa vara are underlined. Uncommon findings such as incomplete acetabular bony rim and eccentric position of the femoral head nucleus are also described.

Review of United States Car Safety Seat State Laws: Lessons Learned

Car safety seat laws and professional guidance, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Child Passenger Safety recommendations, are essential for parents and health care providers when choosing an appropriate car seat. This project reviewed car safety seat state laws for commonalities, variations, and themes. Car safety seat laws for all 50 states and the District of Columbia (N = 51) were reviewed through electronic sources. Data collection focused on gathering common legislative language in each car safety seat grouping. All car safety seat laws were based on age, height, weight, manufacturer limit, any combination of these, or were not specified. The most common category result was “age only” except for rear-facing car safety seats, which was “not specified.” Variations in clarity, terminology, and completeness were found. Owing to great variance in AAP and state laws, health care providers should use AAP guidelines, know their specific state’s car safety seat laws, and advocate for legislation to meet or exceed AAP guidelines.

Sports participation after craniosynostosis repair: the critical role of post-operative guidance in parental decision-making.

Despite previous research supporting patient safety in sports after craniosynostosis surgery, parental anxiety remains high. This study sought to evaluate the role of healthcare providers in guiding patients and families through the decision-making process. Parents of children with repaired craniosynostosis were asked to assess sports involvement and parental decision-making in children ages 6 and older. Questions were framed primarily on 5-point Likert scales. Sport categorizations were made in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics. Chi-squared, linear regression, and Pearson correlation tests were used to analyze associations between the questions. Forty-three complete parental responses were recorded. Mean ages at surgery and time of sports entry were 7.93 ± 4.73months and 4.76 ± 2.14years, respectively. Eighty-two percent of patients participated in a contact sport. Discussions with the primary surgeon were more impactful on parental decisions about sports participation than those with other healthcare providers (4.04 ± 1.20 vs. 2.69 ± 1.32). Furthermore, children whose parents consulted with the primary surgeon began participating in sports at a younger age (4.0 ± 1.0 vs. 5.8 ± 2.7years, p = 0.034). The mean comfort level with contact sports (2.8 ± 1.4) was lower than that with limited-contact (3.8 ± 1.1, p = 0.0001) or non-contact (4.4 ± 1.3, p < 0.0001) sports. This study underscores the critical role that healthcare professionals, primarily surgeons, have in guiding families through the decision-making process regarding their children's participation in contact sports.

Advocacy for Equitable Recess in Washington State.

Recess in schools is a critical opportunity for children to engage in important behaviors that can promote their health and well-being, and daily recess is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and other national organizations. In Washington state, school recess is not equitably provided, with parents reporting a wide range from as little as 10 minutes to >45 minutes daily. State laws can help promote equitable and high-quality recess, but most states in the United States do not have recess laws. In 2023, a bill (Senate Bill 5257) mandating a minimum of 30 minutes of daily recess for all elementary students with provisions for other recess best practices (including not withholding recess as punishment and encouraging movement breaks for middle/high-schoolers) passed with bipartisan support in the Washington state Legislature and was signed into law. In this case study, we describe the process undertaken and lessons learned by the cross-sector coalition that spearheaded the advocacy efforts, which included pediatricians, parents, educators, community organizations, and youth.

Updated Neonatal Resuscitation Guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association.

Updated Neonatal Resuscitation Guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association.

The Injury Prevention Program to Reduce Early Childhood Injuries: A Cluster Randomized Trial.

The American Academy of Pediatrics designed The Injury Prevention Program (TIPP) in 1983 to help pediatricians prevent unintentional injuries, but TIPP's effectiveness has never been formally evaluated. We sought to evaluate the impact of TIPP on reported injuries in the first 2 years of life. We conducted a stratified, cluster-randomized trial at 4 academic medical centers: 2centers trained their pediatric residents and implemented TIPP screening and counseling materials at all well-child checks (WCCs) for ages 2 to 24 months, and 2 centers implemented obesity prevention. At each WCC, parents reported the number of child injuries since the previous WCC. Proportional odds logistic regression analyses with generalized estimating equation examined the extent to which the number of injuries reported were reduced at TIPP intervention sites compared with control sites, adjusting for baseline child, parent, and household factors. A total of 781 parent-infant dyads (349 TIPP; 432 control) were enrolled and had sufficient data to qualify for analyses: 51% Hispanic, 28% non-Hispanic Black, and 87% insured by Medicaid. Those at TIPP sites had significant reduction in the adjusted odds of reported injuries compared with non-TIPP sites throughout the follow-up (P = .005), with adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) of 0.77 (0.66-0.91), 0.60 (0.44-0.82), 0.32 (0.16-0.62), 0.26 (0.12-0.53), and 0.27 (0.14-0.52) at 4, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. In this cluster-randomized trial with predominantly low-income, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic Black families, TIPP resulted in a significant reduction in parent-reported injuries. Our study provides evidence for implementing the American Academy of Pediatrics' TIPP in routine well-child care.

Effect of intravenous immunoglobulin on the management of Rh- and ABO-mediated hemolytic disease of the newborn

BackgroundRegarding the close association between neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and occurrence of pathological jaundice as a cause of neurotoxicity and kernicterus, the present study aimed to evaluate the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia. MethodsA retrospective case-control study of blood group O mothers and their ABO and Rh newborns was conducted. Medical records that included total serum bilirubin levels of 79 patients with hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) from between 2017 and 2020 were reviewed. Neonates who were eligible to receive immunoglobulin based on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines were classified as cases and the rest were included as the Control Group. ResultsThe mean total bilirubin in relation to hemoglobin levels in IVIG-treated neonates was significantly lower than in non-IVIG-treated neonates (13.98 ± 4.23 mg/dL versus 16.61 ± 2.68 mg/dL; p-value = 0.002). Although females had longer hospitalizations in both IVIG-treated (3.81 ± 1.28 versus 3.54 ± 1.30 days; p-value = 0.509) and non-IVIG-treated (3.43 ± 0.811 versus 3.19 ± 0.75 days; p-value = 0.361) groups compared to males, this difference was not significant between the groups. Although four neonates with ABO incompatibility required packed red blood cells, all infants were managed medically and no deaths occurred during the course of treatment. Moreover, no exchange transfusion or adverse effects of IVIG were observed. ConclusionThe results from the present study revealed that IVIG administration is a useful procedure for the management of bilirubin encephalopathy with greater opportunity to reduce exchange transfusion requirements for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Building a NICU quality & safety infrastructure

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Standards for Levels of Neonatal Care, published in 2023, highlights key components of a Neonatal Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Program (NPSQIP). A comprehensive Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) quality and safety infrastructure (QSI) is based on four foundational domains: quality improvement, quality assurance, safety culture, and clinical guidelines. This paper serves as an operational guide for NICU clinical leaders and quality champions to navigate these domains and develop their local QSI to include the AAP NPSQIP standards.

Parental Education for the Prevention of Plagiocephaly.

The American Academy of Pediatrics Back-to-Sleep Campaign significantly reduced infant mortality from sudden infant death syndrome. As a result of prolonged supine positioning, the incidence of deformational plagiocephaly has also risen 5-fold since its adoption. We aimed to improve the current educational paradigm for new parents with the goal of reducing the incidence of plagiocephaly within the confines of the Back-to-Sleep Campaign. We hypothesized that the early addition of plagiocephaly focused education for parents would reduce cephalic index, the ratio of head width to length, used as an easily measured objective proxy for positional plagiocephaly. Children were screened at their newborn visit. Premature newborns and those diagnosed with craniofacial disorders were excluded. For those enrolled, biparietal and anteroposterior measurements of the head were obtained using manual calipers to obtain cephalic index. Subjects randomly assigned to the intervention group were shown a 2-minute video and given an educational pamphlet on methods to prevent plagiocephaly. Unpaired 2-sample t tests comparing mean differences in intervention and control were performed. Thirty-nine subjects were enrolled as of November 2023 with variable lengths of follow-up completed. The average baseline cephalic index for subjects in the control group was 82.7 and 83.8 for intervention group. Unpaired 2-sample t tests were performed at 2-, 4-, and 6-month time points to analyze the difference between groups. At 4 months, average cephalic index for subjects in the control and treatment group, respectively, was 90.6 and 83.4 (P = 0.02). Parental education at the newborn visit led to decreases in cephalic index, a proxy for positional plagiocephaly, compared with control patients. This simple intervention has the potential to reduce parental stress and healthcare costs associated with the evaluation and treatment of plagiocephaly.

IJCM_139A: Prevalence of Hypertension among the Urban Adolescents: A Prospective Robust Survey

Background: Childhood Blood pressure (BP) is a strong indicator of adult blood pressure (BP), hence, early detection and intervention is important in adolescents. Studies from China and United States have shown BP in adolescents to be variable and has indeed outlined the need to obtain three separate readings before diagnosing hypertension. There is a dearth of this documentation of blood pressure readings at different occasions in adolescents from the Indian settings. Objective: To determine the prevalence of elevated blood pressure and hypertension among 10-18 years school going adolescents. Methodology: This was a prospective longitudinal study conducted across the five urban schools of Bhopal amongst 10-18 years adolescents. Multistage cluster sampling was adopted to cover an estimated sample size of 780 over a one-year period. Those adolescents who were present during the time of survey following their parent’s consent were included. Those who were absent at two occasions during the follow up visit and those who were diagnosed with secondary hypertension were excluded. Those who satisfied the study criteria were given a self-administered WHO STEPS questionnaire initially. The height and weight were obtained followed by measurement of three auscultatory BP readings at an interval of one week apart (American Academy of paediatrics (Updated guidelines 2017) in each student. The R shiny app calculator was used for classifying hypertension in adolescents. The study was funded by AIIMS Bhopal and ethical clearance was obtained from the institute. Results: The overall prevalence of elevated BP/hypertension in adolescents was 1.4% (N=795). There was a positive correlation between BMI and (SBP &amp; DBP). The generalised linear mixed model showed age, BMI and boys to have higher predisposition to elevated BP/HTN. There was a significant difference in the SBP and DBP between the 3 visits stratified by sex. Also, the change in SBP and DBP between the readings were significant by ANOVA. Conclusion: The prevalence of elevated BP/HTN was 1.4% with girls being protective for girls. The study cannot be generalised as it is limited to the Government schools with relatively small sample size.

Type 2 Diabetes: Tips for Healthy Living

Patient Education| 2021 Type 2 Diabetes: Tips for Healthy Living Connected Content Translation: Diabetes tipo 2: consejos para una vida saludable: (Type 2 Diabetes: Tips for Healthy Living) Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Type 2 Diabetes: Tips for Healthy Living. Pediatric Patient Education 2021; 10.1542/peo_document576 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All AAP SitesAll PublicationsPediatric Patient Education Search Advanced Search Topics: blood glucose, diabetes mellitus, type 2, glucose, insulin, physical activity Read on for information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) about managing blood glucose and creating plans for healthy living. Glucose is found in the blood and is the body's main source of energy. The food your child eats is broken down by the body into glucose. Glucose is a type of sugar that gives energy to the cells in the body. The cells need the help of insulin to take the glucose from the blood to the cells. Insulin is made by an organ called the pancreas. In children with type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does not make enough insulin and the cells don't use the insulin very well. Glucose will build up in the blood if it cannot be used by the cells. High blood glucose levels can damage many parts of the body, such as the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and... © 2013 American Academy of Pediatrics You do not currently have access to this content.

Computer-Facilitated Screening and Brief Intervention for Alcohol Use Risk in Adolescent Patients of Pediatric Primary Care Offices: Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Alcohol and other substance use disorders usually begin with substance use in adolescence. Pediatric primary care offices, where most adolescents receive health care, are a promising venue for early identification of substance use and for brief intervention to prevent associated problems and the development of substance use disorder. This study tests the effects of a computer-facilitated screening and brief intervention (cSBI) system (the CRAFFT [Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Family/Friends, Trouble] Interactive System [CRAFFT-IS]) on heavy episodic drinking, riding with a driver who is substance impaired, or driving while substance impaired among adolescents aged 14 to 17 years presenting for a well visit at pediatric primary care practices. We are conducting a cluster randomized controlled trial of the CRAFFT-IS versus usual care and recruiting up to 40 primary care clinicians at up to 20 pediatric primary care practices within the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Pediatric Research in Office Settings network. Clinicians are randomized 1:1 within each practice to implement the CRAFFT-IS or usual care with a target sample size of 1300 adolescent patients aged 14 to 17 years. At study start, intervention clinicians complete web-based modules, trainer-led live sessions, and mock sessions to establish baseline competency with intervention counseling. Adolescents receive mailed recruitment materials that invite adolescents to complete an eligibility survey. Eligible and interested adolescents provide informed assent (parental permission requirement has been waived). Before their visit, enrolled adolescents seeing intervention clinicians complete a self-administered web-based CRAFFT screening questionnaire and view brief psychoeducational content illustrating substance use-associated health risks. During the visit, intervention clinicians access a computerized summary of the patient's screening results and a tailored counseling script to deliver a motivational interviewing-based brief intervention. All participants complete previsit, postvisit, and 12-month follow-up study assessments. Primary outcomes include past 90-day heavy episodic drinking and riding with a driver who is substance impaired at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-ups. Multiple logistic regression modeling with generalized estimating equations and mixed effects modeling will be used in outcomes analyses. Exploratory aims include examining other substance use outcomes (eg, cannabis and nicotine vaping), potential mediators of intervention effect (eg, self-efficacy not to drink), and effect moderation by baseline risk level and sociodemographic characteristics. The AAP Institutional Review Board approved this study. The first practice and clinicians were enrolled in August 2022; as of July 2023, a total of 6 practices (23 clinicians) had enrolled. Recruitment is expected to continue until late 2024 or early 2025. Data collection will be completed in 2025 or 2026. Findings from this study will inform the promotion of high-quality screening and brief intervention efforts in pediatric primary care with the aim of reducing alcohol-related morbidity and mortality during adolescence and beyond. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04450966; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04450966. DERR1-10.2196/55039.

Successes and Lessons Learned in Responding to the Needs of Pediatricians, Children, and Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented tremendous challenges to the United States health care system, as well as to individual physicians, communities, and families. Throughout the pandemic, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has striven to elevate the needs of infants, children, and adolescents, as well as the pediatricians who care for this population. Historically, these communities have often been overlooked and deprioritized in health care systems, and these deficits persisted into the pandemic. To fill this gap, the AAP took on an essential role in leading the national response for pediatrics. This article details the AAP pandemic response and includes the perspectives of multiple AAP leaders involved in the response and details on Academy advocacy with high-level staff and officials at federal agencies and the executive branch. The AAP provided initial guidance to pediatricians that predated the World Health Organization's declaration of a public health emergency. The Academy then developed entirely new approaches to meet the unprecedented needs of its practicing members and families by providing timely, rigorous information endorsed by pediatric experts. When COVID-19 vaccines were developed, the AAP strongly advised the inclusion of those younger than 18 years in vaccine trials and advocated for equitable distribution plans. The AAP provided its members with strategies for combating misinformation. The Academy was at the forefront of advocating for the safe return to in-person schooling, recognizing that social isolation was contributing to the growing mental health crisis among youth. In 2021, the AAP, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Children's Hospital Association declared a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health. In addition, the AAP implemented educational and training opportunities for clinicians and developed resources for youth and their families. Following the end of the public health emergency, AAP members continue to utilize innovations and efficiencies developed as part of their pandemic response. The successes of the AAP pandemic response, alongside lessons learned, help define an important model for responding to future pandemics and public health emergencies in ways that support children, families, and the pediatric workforce.

The Relation of Maternal Psychosocial Risk Factors to Infant Safe Sleep Practices.

Sleep-related infant deaths are a common and preventable cause of infant mortality in the United States. Moreover, infants of color are at a greater risk of sleep-related deaths than are White infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published safe sleep guidelines to minimize the number of sleep-related infant deaths; however, many families face barriers to following these guidelines. Research on the role of psychosocial risk factors (i.e., depression, stress, domestic violence, substance use) in mothers' engagement in safe sleep practices is limited. The present study examined the role of maternal psychosocial risk factors on maternal safe sleep practices and the moderating effects of maternal race on this relationship. Participants in this study were mothers (N = 274) who were recruited from a Midwestern hospital postpartum. Data on the participants' psychosocial risk factors, and safe sleep practices were collected via telephone interview 2-4months following the birth of their infant. Predictive models indicated that depression and stress impacted mothers' engagement in following the safe sleep guidelines. Specifically, higher levels of maternal depression predicted greater likelihood of co-sleeping, regardless of mothers' race. Higher levels of maternal stress also predicted lower engagement in safe sleep behaviors for White mothers only. Early interventions to address stress and depression may help to increase maternal adherence to the AAP's safe sleep guidelines. Additional research on the underlying mechanisms of depression and stress on maternal safe sleep engagement is needed.