American Academy Of Pediatrics

Six leading medical organizations and a pregnant physician filed a lawsuit against HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, challenging his removal of COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women as unlawful and dangerous.

The newly appointed Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted 5-1 to recommend thimerosal-free influenza vaccines for all age groups, despite the preservative being present in only 6% of U.S. flu vaccines.

The U.S. has recorded 216 pediatric influenza deaths this season, the highest number since the 2009 swine flu pandemic, with experts warning the final count will likely increase further.

• Prescriptions for GLP-1 agonists in pediatric obesity have increased dramatically, rising from 3,448 to 24,435 between October 2022 and September 2024. • Clinical trials demonstrate significant BMI reduction in adolescents using liraglutide and semaglutide, with FDA approval granted for children 12 and older. • Healthcare providers emphasize the importance of combining medication with lifestyle interventions, while expressing concerns about long-term effects on bone density and development.

The American Medical Association's House of Delegates discussed a resolution to establish legislation requiring fair reimbursement for time spent on prior authorization processes across Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and commercial plans.

A recent meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials indicates that early ibuprofen treatment for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants does not significantly reduce mortality or bronchopulmonary dysplasia.