Department of Pediatrics

Blood syringe/vial
May 23, 2013

Blood test for autism could speed diagnosis

Vanderbilt University is part of a multi-site autism clinical study designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a blood test that aims to screen children for referral for autism spectrum disorder evaluation (ASD) earlier and more accurately.

By Craig Boerner
May 10, 2013

Profiling heart cells

A “profile” of the genes and regulatory networks that govern early heart valve development lay the groundwork for generating valves from a patient’s own cells.

By Leigh MacMillan
May 9, 2013

NIH grants bolster autism research, treatment efforts

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have received grant awards from the National Institutes of Health as part of the Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE) research program. The NIH announced grant awards of $100 million over five years to 11 centers nationwide, three of which feature projects from Vanderbilt Kennedy Center investigators, to further studies on autism treatment and intervention.

By VUMC News and Communications
May 9, 2013

Russell’s diabetes treatment efforts honored

The Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) has awarded Vanderbilt’s William Russell, M.D., professor of Pediatrics and director of the division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, its highest honor — the Living and Giving Award for support of people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

By VUMC News and Communications
April 11, 2013

Therapy helps regenerate child’s undeveloped bones

Janelly Martinez-Amador was born with thin, fragile bones, and by 3, she had no visible bones on X-rays. Initially, doctors weren’t sure she would survive her first birthday.

By Christina Echegaray
April 11, 2013

New clinic links pediatric sarcoma treatment services

J. Carlton Smith noticed severe pain in his knee five years ago during a lacrosse tournament. Smith, then 13 years old, never imagined hearing the diagnosis doctors would give him: osteosarcoma, a cancer of the bone.

By Christina Echegaray
March 29, 2013

Plant compound stops colon cancer cells

Berberine, an herbal remedy for diarrhea and intestinal parasites, may be useful in colon cancer therapy.
By Leigh MacMillan
March 28, 2013

Surveillance network tracks shift in cause of childhood diarrhea

A national vaccine surveillance program that Vanderbilt University is a part of has identified a significant shift in the most common cause of childhood diarrhea.
By VUMC News and Communications
March 28, 2013

Steeplechase strengthens bond with Children’s Hospital

As the Iroquois Steeplechase gears up for its annual spring event, the race this year will honor one of the leaders at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and also support a newly established fund for hospital research efforts.
By Christina Echegaray
March 23, 2013

Humanoid robot helps train children with autism

An interdisciplinary team of mechanical engineers and autism experts at Vanderbilt University have developed an adaptive robotic system and used it to demonstrate that humanoid robots can be powerful tools for enhancing the basic social learning skills of children with autism.
By VUMC News and Communications
March 7, 2013

Warren lands AAIDD early career award

Zachary Warren, Ph.D., has been named to receive the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities' (AAIDD) 2013 Early Career Award.
By VUMC News and Communications
February 14, 2013

Research reveals clues to childhood respiratory virus

New Vanderbilt-led research published in the Feb. 14 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine has identified the relatively unknown human metapneumovirus (MPV) as the second most common cause of severe bronchiolitis in young children.
By VUMC News and Communications
February 7, 2013

Rounds: A message from the Vice Chancellor

On a recent Monday afternoon, the Pediatric Emergency Department at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt moved — within minutes — from the typical hustle and bustle of seeing and admitting patients to an entire children’s hospital on a state of full community alert.
By VUMC News and Communications