Department of Pediatrics

March 5, 2025

Team finds a better way to identify newborns at risk for opioid withdrawal

By 2017, on the back of the opioid crisis, the rate of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome in the U.S. was estimated to have reached 7.3 per 1000 deliveries. Meanwhile, many newborns exposed to opioids in utero never develop the syndrome and must undergo needless monitoring in the hospital after birth.

By Paul Govern

March 4, 2025

Skin tone may affect accuracy of blood oxygen measurement in children: study

One of two commonly used oximetry devices failed to detect low oxygen levels in 7% of patients with the darkest skin tone.

By Bill Snyder

March 4, 2025

Poll: Parents report challenges accessing care, concerns about influenza and HPV vaccines

Nearly half (47%) of Tennessee children had public health insurance (TennCare or CoverKids) in 2024. This was the same percentage as private insurance (47%) and an increase from previous years of the poll.

By Jake Lowary

February 28, 2025

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt welcomes new facility dog Velour

With only a few months on the job, “Vee Vee” as she is affectionately called, is already in high demand and quickly adapting to her work environment.

By Jessica Pasley

February 27, 2025

VUMC part of new study validating curative therapy for sickle cell disease

Of 38 adults with severe SCD who participated in the study, more than 97% no longer required immunosuppressive therapy one year after the transplant.

By Bill Snyder

February 24, 2025

Bottling a mouse ‘superpower’ may heal lungs damaged by premature birth: study

Watch the video to hear Jennifer Sucre, MD, talk about how this study upends what people are taught about how the lung develops.

Using a four-dimensional microscopy technique, researchers at Vanderbilt have created 3D video images of mouse lung tissue grown in the laboratory.

By Bill Snyder