American Academy of Pediatrics

With more parents refusing the vitamin K shot for newborns, education on why the shot is so important has never been more critical. Babies who don’t receive the vitamin K shot are 81 times more likely to develop Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding, which can be deadly to infants. Pediatricians play an important role in partnering with parents to make the best decisions for their children. A recent Pediatrics article highlights the steps pediatricians can take the educate and inform parents on the importance of vitamin K. Read the piece: https://bit.ly/4d2lXKt

A recent AAP Voices article highlights how the ways pediatricians communicate can shape outcomes for children and their caregivers. Effective communication must be clear, compassionate, and developmentally appropriate, ensuring information is understood and tailored to the needs of a child or their caregiver.      As pediatric care continues to evolve, strengthening communication skills is one of the most impactful ways physicians can improve patient care. Read the full blog to learn more. #MyWhy 

The AAP released a policy statement which shares guidance for pediatric offices to prepare for pediatric emergencies.     The guidance outlines an approach to pediatric emergencies in primary care offices, urgent care centers, and pediatric specialty facilities. This update highlights the essential requirements and settings where expanded care may be needed. The statement includes guidance for behavioral health emergencies, which have become a common cause of emergencies in pediatric offices.    Read more about the policy statement in AAP News: https://lnkd.in/eZqRQyBg

We are devastated by this weekend’s shooting in Louisiana that claimed the lives of eight children. While details continue to emerge, what remains tragically clear is the unacceptable toll that gun violence continues to take on children, families, and communities across the country. Firearm injuries are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States. This is a public health epidemic that is injuring and killing young people at alarming rates, leaving lasting trauma for survivors and unimaginable loss to so many families. Gun violence is a direct threat to the health and safety of children and teens everywhere. The AAP and pediatricians remain committed to advocating for the policies needed to protect children and to end gun violence.

In a special episode of Pediatrics on Call, hosts Dr. Joanna Parga-Belinkie and Dr. David Hill sit down with David's father Dr. John Hill for the first episode in the new series, “Generational Health.” This new series will feature pediatricians and their family members in the same field, providing listeners with unique perspectives and a deeper look at how a shared calling to medicine shapes their lives across generations. Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/eYM78k3w

AAP joined two dozen medical groups in urging federal officials to expedite immigration proceedings for international medical graduates (IMGs) in the United States. In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the groups noted that administrative delays are keeping medical students, resident physicians and practicing physicians from entering the U.S. or remaining in the country during a time when there is a physician shortage. The medical groups asked for expedited visa and immigration processing and improved communication for affected physicians, training programs and hospitals. Read more about the letter in AAP News: https://bit.ly/4tki9tZ

Pediatricians have special listening skills. It’s what makes them uniquely qualified to care for children. And when neurodiverse patients find the doctor’s office overwhelming, pediatricians aren’t afraid to meet them where they are. Dr. Susan Kressly talks about finding her 'My Why' with a little girl at her appointment.

This week, nearly 400 pediatricians from across the nation traveled to Washington, D.C. for the AAP Advocacy Conference. Attendees engaged with leading voices in health policy and discussed urgent priorities such as vaccines, immigration, health care access and more.  The momentum culminated on the final day, when attendees took to Capitol Hill to meet with their lawmakers. On the Hill, they called for modernization of the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program. The bipartisan proposals would expand eligibility, reinforce the program’s impact, and improve access to life-saving vaccines for the approximately 50% of U.S. children who rely on the VFC program.  Thank you to every pediatrician who came to D.C., spoke out, and took action. Your leadership and advocacy are essential to build a healthier future for all children. 

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A new investigative piece by The Guardian highlights how rollbacks to school entry vaccine requirements in Mississippi are harming children and families across the state. The piece shares that since these rollbacks took effect, whooping cough cases have surged, and one infant has died from the illness. The article highlights key players who pushed for these changes framing the policy change as a landmark win to drive their own fundraising initiatives. Meanwhile, doctors in Mississippi continue to emphasize that many vaccine preventable diseases will return without sufficient immunization... if communities lose community immunity, preventable diseases spread. With community immunity, if a child has a weakened immune system or cannot get vaccinated due to a medical condition, they are still protected from diseases because those around them are vaccinated. Read the full piece in The Guardian to learn more: https://bit.ly/4dBjSpG