Department of Pediatrics

September 7, 2022

VUMC study will evaluate alternative strategies for administering mpox vaccine

Rarely fatal, the mpox virus — spread by close, often skin-to-skin contact — causes a painful, blistering rash, fever, chills and other symptoms.

By Bill Snyder
William Russell, MD, second from right, is the principal investigator for a study that uses a plasmid-based therapy to try to selectively desensitize the immune system in people with Type 1 diabetes. Shown here are, from left, Lana Howard, RN, CCRP; Brenna Hammel, RN, CPN; study participant Adam Brooks; Russell; and Robin Perkins, RN. Not pictured: Faith Brendle, RN, CPN, CCRP.
September 1, 2022

Trial participant steps up to help advance diabetes research

Vanderbilt is one of 16 North American sites conducting the Tolerance Using Plasmid in People with Type 1 Diabetes (TOPPLE) study, a phase 1 investigation that tests the safety and dosing of a new plasmid therapy.

By Jill Clendening
September 1, 2022

New protocol moves pediatric ED patients to primary care clinic

Vanderbilt has created a pediatric emergency department to primary care clinic transfer protocol as an alternative for using the ED for non-urgent conditions that can be treated in a primary care setting.

By Jessica Pasley
Research by Christopher Peek, PhD, left, Jim Cassat, MD, PhD, and their colleagues reveals how gut inflammation leads to bone loss.
August 25, 2022

Vanderbilt researchers discover how gut inflammation leads to bone loss

Gastrointestinal inflammation, such as occurs in inflammatory bowel disease, triggers the expansion of a population of “bone-eating” cells, leading to bone loss.

By Leigh MacMillan
August 25, 2022

Neurologic complications common in children hospitalized with COVID

Vanderbilt researchers have found another reason to vaccinate children against COVID-19: to help reduce the likelihood of neurologic complications caused by the virus.

By Jessica Pasley
From left, Jennifer Herington, PhD, Jeff Reese, MD, Elaine Shelton, PhD, and Shajila Siricilla, PhD, are studying whether drugs given to premature infants in the NICU contribute to patent ductus arteriosus.
August 18, 2022

Study seeks to explore drug link to fetal vessel defect

Vanderbilt researchers have received a grant to study whether drugs given to premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) contribute to a potentially lethal condition called patent ductus arteriosus.

By Bill Snyder
August 16, 2022

Q&A: Reassurance for parents on mpox risk, spread and symptoms

A pediatric infectious diseases expert answers questions parents might have about the risk of mpox risk to children.
By Jessica Pasley
August 11, 2022

Rise seen in parechovirus cases among children

Doctors at Vanderbilt are seeing an unusually high number of young patients infected with a virus called parechovirus.
By Jessica Pasley
August 4, 2022

Study tracks limited use of influenza antiviral therapy

A Vanderbilt study found that more than half of children diagnosed with influenza and deemed high risk for flu-related complications were given the recommended antiviral treatment.
By Jessica Pasley
July 28, 2022

Study to evaluate nasal flu vaccine for children

Pediatricians with the Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program are looking for healthy infants and children (6 months – 8 years of age) to take part in a nasal influenza vaccine study.
By Craig Boerner
July 21, 2022

Children’s Hospital sees increase in children poisoned by THC in marijuana edibles

They resemble candy. They taste like candy. Some children have ended up in intensive care.
By Jessica Pasley
July 14, 2022

Pediatric ECMO program founder Pietsch retires

John Pietsch, MD, the recently retired founder of the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, didn’t grow up wanting to be a doctor.
By Jessica Pasley
July 13, 2022

Clinic offers ongoing care for pediatric heart patients

Vanderbilt recently launched a new multidisciplinary Fontan Clinic, which will provide an ongoing, coordinated care plan for children and teens, ages 10-19, who have had the Fontan procedure for single ventricle heart disease.
By Christina Echegaray