Pediatrics Commons^™

Behind The Screen: The Effect Of Screen Time On The Pediatric Population, Arthi Rameshkumar, Tanvi Shah, Liam Courtney, Talia Hartman, Tanya Kadrmas-Iannuzzi

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

No abstract provided.

Shopping Cart–Related Injuries In Children: Brief Clinical Review And Public Health Implications, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Shopping cart–related injuries represent a common yet underrecognized mechanism of pediatric trauma. National estimates suggest approximately 24,000 children annually are treated in U.S. emergency departments for shopping cart–related injuries, with falls accounting for the majority of cases. Younger children, particularly those under 5 years of age, are disproportionately affected, and head and facial injuries predominate.

Objective:

To provide a concise clinical and public health review of shopping cart–related pediatric injuries, with emphasis on epidemiology, injury patterns, and opportunities for prevention within emergency department practice.

Methods

Narrative review of national injury surveillance data, prior epidemiologic studies, and consumer safety guidance addressing …

Preliminary Results From Assessing Medical Students’ Familiarity With Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces) And Trauma-Informed Care (Tic), Kaylea Shoulders, Portia Tasnim Shaheed, Kartik Kannan, Rachel Silliman Cohen, Beth Cooper, Christine Schroeder, Yahaira Márquez

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are highly prevalent and associated with significant long-term health outcomes1; however, physicians often report feeling underprepared to address trauma in clinical care. While medical education increasingly includes exposure to ACEs and trauma-informed care (TIC), limited research has examined how these topics are integrated and experienced within osteopathic medical education (OME). This project aims to assess medical students’ familiarity with ACEs and TIC at Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine and to potentially help inform curricular improvement efforts. This study adapts and extends prior research2 using an anonymous survey administered via Qualtrics. Recruitment targeted medical students across years …

Bacteriophage Therapy Vs. Standard Antibiotics: A Review Of Treatment Efficacy For Recurrent Pediatric S. Pyogenes (Gas) Infections, Kartik Kannan Oms-I, Karina Malhotra Oms-I, Gabrielle Coccio Oms-I, Janhavi Belwalkar Oms-I, Jason Rienzo Oms-I, Samay Shukla Oms-I, Valerie J. Carabetta Phd

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Antibiotic resistance poses a growing threat to pediatric infectious disease management, particularly in the treatment of Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) infections.¹ While β-lactam antibiotics remain the first-line standard of care, their utility is limited by allergy prevalence and rising resistance among alternative antibiotic agents, such as macrolides, lincosamides, and tetracycline.^2,3 Given these trends, bacteriophage therapy has emerged as a promising adjunctive treatment modality, offering targeted bacterial lysis while sparing commensal microbiota.⁴

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed and Embase (2000–2025) using terms related to antibiotic resistance, Streptococcus pyogenes, bacteriophage therapy, and pediatric populations. …

Effects Of Vaccine Refusal On Adherence To Well-Child Visit Schedule In A Pediatric Population, Arshia Anand, Clare Stephens, Nicole Streeks-Wooden

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Hepatitis B (Hep B) vaccination at birth is a critical strategy for preventing both perinatal and horizontal transmission of the Hep B virus1 . Unfortunately, refusal of the birthdose vaccine has increased and is associated with subsequent vaccine refusal at 18 and 24 months2 . This trend raises significant concerns, that families who refuse the Hep B vaccine at birth may also engage less frequently in preventive pediatric care. However, the impact of this association on adherence to routine well-child (WC) visits remains unclear.

Hypothesis: Refusal, or incomplete uptake of the Hep B vaccine series is associated with decreased …

Examining A Positive Variation Of The Good Behavior Game With Head Start Children At Risk For Child Adversity And Externalizing Behavior Problems., Alexandra Gibson, Courtney P D Goldenberg, Malinda J. Colwell, Amelia E. Talley, Joaquín Borrego, Adam T. Schmidt

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Children participating in the Head Start program in the United States are predominantly from underserved groups, have increased rates of child adversity, and are at risk for externalizing behavior problems in the classroom. The Good Behavior Game (GBG) is an effective classroom management strategy for reducing disruptive and off-task classroom behaviors. However, previous research has not examined the GBG within the Head Start context.

METHODS: The current case-controlled study evaluated the effectiveness of the GBG in six Head Start children aged 3-5. Researchers conducted daily classroom behavioral observations of disruptive behaviors, and teachers completed pre- and post-treatment assessments of …

Improving Emergency Department Throughput: Implementation Of A Nurse-Driven Protocol In Pediatric Fast-Track Patients Presenting With Fever, Kerrigan A. Teeple

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Overcrowding in the emergency department presents significant operational challenges and is associated with adverse patient outcomes (Gottlieb et al., 2020). Despite throughput initiatives, increasing patient acuity and rising census levels continue to strain emergency department efficiency. This quality improvement project evaluated whether implementing a fever-reduction standing order protocol could reduce door-to-provider and door-to-disposition times for pediatric fast-track patients presenting to the emergency department. A review of evidence across 6 databases identified nurse-initiated standing orders as a best-practice strategy to expedite care, improve throughput, and reduce delays in disposition. Guided by this evidence, a standing order protocol for acetaminophen administration was …

Ebp Project In A Primary, Foster Care Medical Home: Implementation Of The Ages & Stages: Social Emotional Screener, Sara Moore

2026

Background: Children in the foster care system have increased diagnoses, mental health concerns, and developmental delays.
Purpose: The pilot used the ASQ-SE to determine if the protocol was feasible and if the screener identified social-emotional difficulties in a primary care clinic that serves children in foster care. 
Method: A pilot was created, and the ASQ-SE was administered to 33 patients during well-child visits (ages 2 months-70 months) over six weeks.
Results: Implementing a social-emotional screener was feasible in the foster care primary care clinic. The infants and toddlers screened (N=33) were grouped by referral status: 57.6 % (19) …

Household Air Pollution Is Associated With Disease Severity In Ugandan Children Hospitalized With Hypoxemic Pneumonia, Ayla Ahmed, Sehaj Sandhu, Sophie Namasopo, Juliet Nabwire, Qaasim Mian, Andrea Conroy, Jackson Amone, Charles Olaro, Robert Opoka, Michael Hawkes

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Background Household air pollution (HAP) due to biomass fuel use is a risk factor for childhood pneumonia, a leading cause of under-five mortality globally. This study examined the relationship between HAP and disease severity in Ugandan children hospitalized with hypoxemic pneumonia.

Methods We conducted a retrospective case-control study across 20 Ugandan hospitals. PM2.5 exposure was estimated using caregiver-reported fuel use, cooking duration, kitchen structure, and ventilation. Pneumonia severity was assessed clinically, and associations were analyzed using non-parametric tests.

Results We included 735 children (median age 9 months, 42% female) hospitalized with hypoxemic pneumonia. Most households used firewood (84%) or charcoal …

Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound Velocity Measurements In Children With Sickle Cell Disease In Kenya, Catherine Mwalimu, Oscar Odhiambo, Elaine Mashisia, Teresa Mwanja, Allan Ade, Maria De Vita, Katherine Oyieke, Pauline Samia, Fenella Kirkham, Samson Gwer

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Background Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited haemoglobinopathy and poses a high public health burden in Sub-Saharan Africa. Children with sickle cell anaemia are at a highrisk of ischemic stroke, and transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography helps identify those at highest risk for primary stroke prevention.

Objective To determine the prevalence of abnormal cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) in children with SCD and describe CBFV in children without SCD.

Methods We conducted a two-component study comprising a retrospective review and a cross-sectional assessment. TCD measurements from 143 children with confirmed SCD aged 2–16 years were reviewed. In a …

Cost Of Health Systems Strengthening For Small And Sick Newborn Care In Four Sub-Saharan African Countries Implemented With Nest360: Incremental Cost Analyses, Alice Tarus, Meghan Kumar, Rebecca Penzias, Rosemary Kamuyu, James Cross, Mbozu Sipalo, Edith Gicheha, Christine Bohne, George Okello, William Macharia

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Background

Methods

Sleep In Children In Foster Care: A Scoping Review, Juan Castellanos, Anna Wani, Jill Mcleigh

Health Status, Outcomes, and Literacy and Healthcare Utilization

Although the focus on sleep disturbances in children who have experienced adversity has increased, little is known about sleep among children in foster care (CFC). This study aimed to review what research tells us about the relationship between foster care experience and sleep disturbances and to identify knowledge gaps.

For questions about this study or others, please email [email protected]

childrens.com/fostercare

Navigating The Nicu Without Words: A Case Study Of A Spanish-Speaking Mother’S Healthcare Experience, Emma Norris

Poster Presentations

Research on NICU experiences largely focuses on majority-language families; non-English-speaking families are understudied (Cleveland, 2008). The Family Integrated Care model promotes parent-infant connection and shared decision-making to improve outcomes (Wreesmann et al., 2020). Language barriers impede parent-provider communication, increasing miscommunication and parental anxiety (Kynoe et al., 2020; Ardal et al., 2011). The purpose of this research is to explore communication experiences and barriers between English-speaking and bilingual NICU nurses and a Spanish-speaking NICU mother.

Pertussis, Children's Mercy Kansas City

Clinical Pathways

No abstract provided.

Digital Ischemia, Children's Mercy Kansas City

Clinical Pathways

No abstract provided.

Piloting A Pediatric Screener For Assessing Emergent Literacy With Preschool Children, Nafia Sarhadi

Poster Presentations

From infancy, children develop literacy knowledge, which provides them with the needed skills for reading in primary school (Castillo-Rabanal &Heitmayer, 2025). Before children start to read, they develop skills that involve increasing their rhyming, alphabet, and vocabulary knowledge. Literacy is considered a social determinant of health as it plays a role in one's physical, social, and emotional maturity (Lesauxet. al, 2007). The Bay Area Women Coalition, (BAWC) Inc. has partnered with the Autism, Pediatric Language & Literacy (APLL) Lab to implement PEEL, following modifications identified by the community. The current pre-to-posttest assessment is unsuitable for community participation. An efficient method …

Population Pharmacokinetics And Dosing Simulations Of Pentobarbital In The Pediatric Population, Victoria Etges Helfer, Lorena Medina-Aymerich, William J. Muller, Marisa Meyer, Amira Al-Uzri, Russell Mcculloh, Chi D. Hornik, Stephen J. Balevic, Rachel G. Greenberg, Daniel K. Benjamin, Sarah G. Anderson, Daniel Gonzalez

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

Pentobarbital is a barbiturate with sedative and anticonvulsant properties, occasionally used in pediatric patients for preoperative sedation, deep sedation during mechanical ventilation, and seizure control. Despite its long-standing clinical use, age-appropriate dosing remains challenging due to variability across studies and limited pediatric pharmacokinetic (PK) data. This study (NCT01431326) aimed to characterize the population pharmacokinetics of pentobarbital in pediatric patients (birth to 21 years) and evaluate dosing strategies using model-based simulations. A two-compartment population PK model, allometrically scaled to total body weight, adequately described pentobarbital plasma concentrations, with no additional covariates identified as significant. Simulations were conducted across four age groups: …

Ai-Powered Insights In Pediatric Nephrology: Current Applications And Future Opportunities., Arwa Nada, Yamen Ahmed, Jieji Hu, Darcy K. Weidemann, Gregory H. Gorman, Eva Glenn Lecea, Ibrahim A. Sandokji, Stephen Cha, Stella Shin, Salar Bani-Hani, Sai Sudha Mannemuddhu, Rebecca L. Ruebner, Aadil Kakajiwala, Rupesh Raina, Roshan George, Rim Elchaki, Michael L. Moritz, The American Society Of Pediatric Nephrology Quality Improvement And Artificial Intelligence (Aspn Qi/Ai) Interest Group

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly emerging as a transformative force in pediatric nephrology, enabling improvements in diagnostic accuracy, therapeutic precision, and operational workflows. By integrating diverse datasets-including patient histories, genomics, imaging, and longitudinal clinical records-AI-driven tools can detect subtle kidney anomalies, predict acute kidney injury, and forecast disease progression. Deep learning models, for instance, have demonstrated the potential to enhance ultrasound interpretations, refine kidney biopsy assessments, and streamline pathology evaluations. Coupled with robust decision support systems, these innovations also optimize medication dosing and dialysis regimens, ultimately improving patient outcomes. AI-powered chatbots hold promise for improving patient engagement and adherence, while …

Accelerated Weaning Of Opioids To Reduce Pharmacologic Exposure For Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial., Abbot R. Laptook, Adam Czynski, Rouba Chahine, Rachel G. Greenberg, P Brian Smith, Erica Oliveira, Jenna Gabrio, Barry Eggleston, Abhik Das, Jeannette Lee, Barry Lester, Dave Clark, Michele Walsh, Helen Ko, Clare Campbell Asher, Hayley Friedman, Samuel Gentle, Karishma Rao, Anup Katheria, Kristen Benninger, Sanket Jani, Mark Cody Smith, Akram Khan, Ajay Talati, Shaina Lodhi, Fernando Mena, Amanda England, Prabhu Parimi, Ranjit Kylat, Heidi Harmon, Javed Mannan, Meghan P. Howell, Tanner Wright, Jessica Snowden, Act Now Collaborative

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVE: To determine if newborns receiving morphine or methadone as the primary pharmacologic treatment for neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) tolerate and receive fewer days of opioid using an accelerated wean protocol (15% decrements) compared with using a slower wean protocol (10% decrements).

STUDY DESIGN: Newborns ≥36 weeks of gestation receiving morphine or methadone for NOWS were enrolled in a pragmatic blinded, randomized multicenter trial. Newborns underwent protocol-driven weaning with decreasing opioid doses of either 15% or 10% decrements. Weaning was encouraged every 24 hours, and if signs of NOWS worsened, the preceding dose was resumed. To maintain blinding, the …

American Epilepsy Society Clinical Practice Guideline: Infantile Epilepsy., Daniel Freedman, Ifeoluwa Babatunde, Rebecca L. Morgan, Renad Abu-Sawwa, Dara Albert, Mandana Behbahani, Kevin Chapman, Erin Day Fecske, William Davis Gaillard, Monika Jones, Mary Anne Meskis, Leah Schust Myers, Kim Nye, Chima Oluigbo, Heidi H. Pfeifer, Reneé A. Shellhaas, Lindsey Thompson, Howard L. Weiner, Courtney J. Wusthoff, Elissa Yozawitz

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

This practice guideline from the American Epilepsy Society provides evidence-based recommendations for pharmacological, dietary, and surgical therapies for epilepsy for infants and children from 1 month of age to < 36 months. The multidisciplinary panel updated an existing systematic review, which was funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and conducted by ECRI (formerly the Emergency Care Research Institute) on behalf of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The updated review used the same search strategy, inclusion/exclusion criteria, and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Education methodology, and added studies from August 2021 through September 2025 that were not in the original systematic review. As with the previous review, West syndrome and infantile spasms were excluded from this guideline, as existing treatment guidance is already available for infantile epileptic spasms. While many of the recommendations are conditional due to low certainty of evidence, the panel made two strong recommendations: (1) hemispherectomy/hemispherotomy surgery is recommended for infants and children < 36 months of age with drug resistant epilepsy secondary to select underlying lesional pathologies, including but not limited to hemimegaloencephaly, Rasmussen's encephalitis, Sturge-Weber syndrome, perinatal stroke, and hemispheric cortical dysplasia; and (2) intralobar, multilobar, or focal resections or posterior disconnections for drug-resistant focal or lesional epilepsy in this same age range. A treatment algorithm was developed based on evidence and expert opinion as part of the guideline to help place pharmacological, dietary, and surgical recommendations in a clinical context. The limited number of studies and low certainty of evidence in this population underscores the need for higher-quality data and etiology-specific treatments. More research is needed to evaluate effective therapies for infants with epilepsy, as well as the impact these therapies have on long-term developmental and mortality outcomes.

Measuring School Anxiety In Pediatric Chronic Pain: Initial Investigation Of The Psychometric Properties Of The School Anxiety Inventory For Chronic Pain (Sai-Cp), Caitlyn Maye, Robert C. Gibler, Kristen E. Jastrowski, Dustin Wallace Phd, Cara M. Hoffart, Jenny Scheurich Phd

Posters

Introduction: School anxiety is common among adolescents with chronic pain and often impacts academic and social functioning. Existing anxiety measures lack specificity for capturing the unique sources and symptoms of school-related anxiety in this population. To address this gap, a bank of new potential measure items (the School Anxiety Inventory for Chronic Pain [SAI-CP]), was developed based on the original School Anxiety Inventory (SAI), qualitative interviews with adolescents with chronic pain, and expert clinician input. The objective of this study was to evaluate the construct validity and internal consistency of the SAI-CP and identify avenues for future measure refinement. Method: …

Recognizing What Matters Most: Using Safety-Critical Tasks To Strengthen Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection (Clabsi) Prevention Rounds, Lacey Bergerhofer, Christian Anthony Schneider, Emily Evans

Posters

Background: Our CLABSI improvement team developed high-risk rounding processes on the Hematology/Oncology unit. Expanding this model to additional Med/Surg units was challenging due to limited staffing and time-intensive tasks required during rounds. Concurrently, CLABSI rates across other Med/Surg units increased, necessitating a scalable approach. Objectives: Apparent Cause Analysis (ACA) review in Med/Surg units identified an opportunity to strengthen surveillance by engaging Vascular Access subject-matter experts. Our proactive high-risk rounds pilot led to CLABSI rate reduction. The objective was to expand service coverage without compromising established high-risk rounding quality standards. Our goal is to assess > 90% of central lines in Med/Surg …

Persistent Wheezing In An Adolescent Patient, Matilda Dervisevic, Stephen Cliff

Posters

No abstract provided.

Natural Maternal Immunity Protects Neonates From Escherichia Coli Sepsis., Raymond E. Diep, Ujjwal Adhikari, Kubra Gokce Tezel, Giang Pham, Allison R. Burrell, Mary A. Staat, Nguyen Thi Khanh Nhu, Minh-Duy Phan, Kate M. Peters, Mark A. Schembri, Scott H. Saunders, David B. Haslam, John J. Erickson, Susana Chavez-Bueno, Sing Sing Way

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Escherichia coli is a leading cause of neonatal sepsis, with infection occurring in approximately one in every 1,000 live births. However, with E. coli colonization beginning soon after birth and defects in neonatal host defence maturation, an alternative consideration is why infection does not occur even more frequently. Here we show that newborn babies with E. coli sepsis have selectively reduced vertically transferred natural antibodies that recognize E. coli, mechanistically explaining their susceptibility to infection. Complementary preclinical studies show that preconceptual intestinal colonization with probiotic E. coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) primes anti-E. coli immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies with broad cross-reactivity …

Promises, Pitfalls, And Paths Forward For The Pediatric Research Equity Act., Alexa L. Pagano, Danielle J. Green, Jennifer Goldman, Anjali Deshmukh

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

IMPORTANCE: Since its enactment in 2003, the Pediatric Research Equity Act (PREA) has significantly increased the number of pediatric drug studies performed and expanded pediatric drug labeling. Despite these advancements, many drugs used in children still lack pediatric-specific US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labeling, even when pediatric studies are required by law. Recent legislative changes strengthened the FDA's enforcement authority over PREA. As these changes are implemented, persistent gaps in pediatric drug development warrant examination. Addressing these gaps may help ensure that children are systematically included in clinical research and that medications used in children are supported by rigorous …

Regional Variation Of Underlying Kidney Diseases In Children Undergoing Chronic Kidney Replacement Therapy Around The Globe., Dagmara Borzych-Dużałka, Marjolein Bonthuis, Uma Ali, Yok-Chin Yap, Michael Manno, Yihui Zhai, Reyner Loza, Seema Hashmi, Naye Choi, Kenza Soulami, Judith Exantus, Mohamed S. Al Riyami, Sameh Mabrouk, Marbella Ma Angeles, Cristina Zelaya-Camacho, Henny Adriani Puspitasari, Syed Saimul Huque, Francisco Cano, Kar Hui Ng, Sevcan A. Bakkaloğlu, Jerome Harambat, Kitty J. Jager, Bradley A. Warady, Franz Schaefer

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: There is a scarcity of information regarding the distribution of the diseases leading to kidney failure (KF) in children living in the emerging world. We used registry data to provide a global overview of the underlying disease spectrum in children commencing kidney replacement therapy (KRT).

METHODS: We analyzed KF causes among 23,620 children and adolescents commencing maintenance KRT in 80 countries, using data from the IPNA Global KRT Registry (including ESPN/ERA Registry), the International Pediatric Dialysis Network (IPDN), the United States Renal Data System (USRDS), and the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ANZDATA). The analysis considered …

The Dietary Management Of Sodium In Children With Kidney Diseases-Clinical Practice Recommendations From The Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce., José Renken-Terhaerdt, An Desloovere, Michiel Js Oosterveld, Nonnie Polderman, Evelien Snauwaert, Stella Stabouli, Johan Vande Walle, Caroline Anderson, Sheridan Collins, Larry A. Greenbaum, Matthew Harmer, Lyndsay Harshman, Christina L. Nelms, Pearl Pugh, Vanessa Shaw, Jetta Tuokkola, Molly R Wong Vega, Bradley A. Warady, Rukshana Shroff, Fabio Paglialonga

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Sodium imbalance is a common concern in children with kidney diseases, presenting as either sodium excess or sodium deficit, each with significant clinical implications. Sodium excess contributes to fluid overload and hypertension, while increased sodium losses, particularly via urine or peritoneal fluid, can predispose patients to hypotension and growth failure. Effective sodium management is thus a critical component of care in pediatric kidney diseases, with dietary sodium intake playing a pivotal role in maintaining homeostasis. The Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce (PRNT) has developed clinical practice recommendations (CPRs) for dietary sodium management in children with kidney diseases, addressing key aspects of …

Clinical Characteristics, Antibiotic Resistance Trends, And Associated Molecular Epidemiology Traits In Escherichia Coli Isolates Producing Neonatal Bacteremia, Keerti Ivaturi, Christine Symes, Mina Farahbakhsh, Sanjula Bhuri, Joshua L Wheatley, Rangaraj Selvarangan, Daniel P. Heruth, Susana Chavez-Bueno

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Escherichia coli is a leading cause of neonatal sepsis. This study's objective was to investigate the clinical characteristics of newborns with E. coli bacteremia, and recent antibiotic resistance trends and molecular epidemiologic features of these invasive strains.

METHODS: Clinical data and blood E. coli isolates collected from 54 neonates with bacteremia were studied. E. coli antibiotic susceptibility trends over time, and whole-genome sequencing data relevant to the genomic relatedness and capsule genotype of the isolates were analyzed.

RESULTS: Thirty percent of bacteremic newborns were preterm. Mortality was 19% in preterm versus 5% in term infants. Cerebrospinal fluid was collected …

Play To Win: A Randomized Controlled Trial To Assess The Effects Of Play-Based Training On Upper Extremity Function In Children With Hemiplegia, Vivian London

Honors Scholar Theses

Hemiplegia, or paralysis of one side of the body, is the primary symptom of unilateral cerebral palsy, a subtype of cerebral palsy, the most common movement disorder in children. Standard of care is regular physical and occupational therapy to improve performance in bimanual activities, but conventional therapy can be expensive and draining for caregivers and children, so a need exists for a novel intervention that can take place at home and that is economical for families while being engaging for children. This thesis reports data from a subset of ten children seen as part of a randomized controlled clinical trial …

Case Series: Joubert Syndrome And Eosinophilic Esophagitis, Jonathon Schening, Stephanie Leon-Paredes, Eric Chiou, Vibha Szafron, Anthony Olive, Sara Anvari

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Joubert syndrome (JS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by developmental abnormalities, particularly in the brainstem and cerebellar vermis, alongside multisystem manifestations such as kidney and liver anomalies, polydactyly, cleft lip or palate, and tongue defects. The underlying ciliopathy causing JS may also contribute to gastrointestinal symptoms and immune dysregulation via Wnt signaling and impaired epithelial maintenance. Dysmotility including Hirschsprung disease has been documented at increased rates in JS and in other ciliopathies. Our case series highlights how JS patients frequently exhibit feeding intolerance, vomiting, and poor growth, which may raise suspicion for an underlying gastrointestinal condition, such as eosinophilic …