Department of Pediatrics

March 3, 2026

Study led by Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt looks at international cohort with rare cancer

Novel research is paving way for less invasive therapies for gliomas in pediatric patients.

By Jessica Pasley
March 2, 2026

Novel behavioral, mental health care model for pediatrics improves care, gets national recognition 

The changes resulted in significant benefits, including a reduction in behavioral health boarding admissions by 78% and shortened length of stay by more than 50% .

By Jessica Pasley
February 25, 2026

Prevalence of US youth who are overweight or with obesity raises concerns: Study

Childhood obesity, which starts early, contributes to health issues throughout life.

By Jessica Pasley
C. difficile bacteria (image courtesy of CDC/Jennifer Oosthuizen)
February 18, 2026

Vanderbilt research offers new hope for preventing repeated C. diff infections

Treatment options are limited for the more than 500,000 people in the U.S. who are diagnosed annually with C. diff infections, but researchers are working on potential vaccines, therapeutic antibodies and — most recently — nanobodies, to prevent and treat C. diff infections.

By Bill Snyder
(iStock)
February 13, 2026

Anti-Marburg antibody from Vanderbilt Health sent to Ethiopia during outbreak

There currently are no approved treatments or vaccines to protect against the infection, which can cause internal bleeding, organ failure, and in roughly 50% of cases, death.

By Bill Snyder
Clostridium difficile bacterium, 3D illustration
January 28, 2026

Gut microbiome differs according to C. diff symptom status

In a study of children with symptomatic or asymptomatic C. diff, symptom status loomed as the strongest association with differences in gut microbial abundance and diversity.

By Paul Govern
January 22, 2026

A grateful patient says ‘thank you’ to Vanderbilt Medical Laboratories

The infection can result from inhaling spores of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, which grows in soil throughout Middle Tennessee, especially in soil contaminated with bird or bat droppings. Previously, blood samples had to be sent to a reference lab in Utah.
By Bill Snyder
January 20, 2026

From tragedy to triumph: How a 6-year-old beat the odds after a devastating brain injury

A fall from a tree left Mark Ogorodnik fighting for his life. Thanks to faith, family and cutting-edge neurocritical care at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, his story became a testament to resilience and hope.
By Christina Echegaray
January 20, 2026

Following recommended schedule helps keep children safe from vaccine-preventable diseases

Any length of time without immunizations is a time without protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.
By Jessica Pasley
January 16, 2026

Dolly Parton honors milestone birthday by giving back to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

Proceeds from release of new rendition of “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” to benefit Monroe Carell.
By VUMC News and Communications
January 15, 2026

How a summer job sparked Paul Dressler’s career in developmental medicine

The Patient and Family Choice Award recipient shares why developmental medicine is never just about protocols.
By Danny Bonvissuto
January 14, 2026

Research reveals B cells’ more sinister role in progression of Type 1 diabetes

B cells are immune cells thought to drive the immune system’s attack on insulin-producing beta cells by activating anti-islet T cells.
By Jill Clendening
January 7, 2026

Longtime pediatric endocrinology director Bill Russell to focus on research, patient care

He has been succeeded on an interim basis by Jill Simmons, MD, professor of Pediatrics and founding director of the Program for Pediatric Metabolic Bone Disorders at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
By Bill Snyder