News releases and scientific abstracts being presented Sept. 27-Oct. 1, 2024, during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference & Exhibition are now available. 

AAP Public Affairs Contacts:    

  • Lisa Robinson:  lrobinson@aap.org (630-626-6084)
  • Alex Hulvalchick: ahulvalchick@aap.org (630-626-6282)
  • Susan Stevens Martin: ssmartin@aap.org (630-626-6131)
  • Tom McPheron: tmcpheron@aap.org (630-626-6315)
  • AAP Public Affairs: 630-626-6177/ Press office: Orange County Convention Center W208 AB. Phone number: 407-685-5401. 

Media: Journalists covering the conference must be registered as members of the press. Reporters must apply for press credentials in advance of the conference. Attendees can pick up their badge at the Orange County Convention Center registration desk with photo ID. All conference attendees must wear a badge at all times. Masks are optional and are not provided on site. For more information about covering the conference, including how to register, media guidelines and meeting highlights, contact AAP Public Affairs. Information will also be available in the AAP News Room. All attendees must adhere to AAP’s Health & Safety and Code of Conduct policies.

News Releases: Journalists may obtain embargoed news releases on these presentations and selected abstracts by contacting AAP Public Affairs. Embargoed news releases are also posted on www.EurekAlert.org and linked below in this press kit (media log-in required).

Embargos: Research abstracts are embargoed until 12:01 a.m. ET Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. Other news releases are embargoed to the times and dates marked. 

Abstracts

  • Journalists can access abstracts during the embargo period by contacting AAP Public Affairs staff.
  • All abstracts will be posted publicly.

AAP News: The Academy’s member news magazine, has developed a collection of articles describing themes and sessions from the AAP National Conference & Exhibition. See below for articles exploring sessions on school attendance, weight loss medications, RSV and more.

Follow AAP at @AmerAcadPeds on social platforms. 

Helpful meeting links:  

Press office: Orange County Convention Center W208 AB. Phone number: 407-685-5401. 

Hours:

  • Friday: 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. ET
  • Saturday: 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Sunday: 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Monday: 7:30 a.m.- 5 p.m.
  • Tuesday: 7:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided in the press office Saturday to Monday. 

Media Highlights

AAP PRESS CONFERENCE:  Soundbite Session 
Noon- 1 -1:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 28, Orange County Convention Center, Press Office, W208 AB
During a press conference in the Press Office, authors of select abstracts being presented at the conference will offer brief remarks and be available for individual interviews. Attend this session to learn more about newsworthy new research, which is described in news releases below. The embargo on abstracts lifts at 12:01 am ET Friday, Sept. 27. Lunch is provided. 

AAP POLICY STATEMENT:  AAP Announces its First Clinical Practice Guideline for Opioid Prescriptions
2-3 p.m. ET Monday, Sept. 30, Orange County Convention Center, West Building, W312.
Authors will discuss new AAP recommendations during a presentation, “The New AAP Clinical Practice Guideline on Acute Pain Management and Use of Opioids in Outpatient Settings.”

News release: This is the first AAP clinical practice guideline instructing pediatricians on how and when to prescribe opioids for pain while reducing the long-term risk of addiction. The embargo on the clinical practice guideline lifts at 12:01 am ET Monday, Sept. 30.

AAP POLICY STATEMENT: Early Literacy 
10:30 a.m. -noon ET, Orange County Convention Center, West Building, Valencia Ballroom
Authors will discuss an updated AAP policy statement during a Plenary presentation, “Literacy Promotion: An Essential Component of Primary Care Pediatric Practice.” The presentation will also be livestreamed. The embargo on the policy statement lifts at 12:01 am ET Sunday, Sept. 29, when it is published in Pediatrics online. News Release is here. 

AAP POLICY STATEMENT:  Eliminating Suspension, Expulsion, and Other Harsh Discipline Practices in Schools and Early Education
9-10 am ET, Tuesday, Oct. 1, Orange County Convention Center, West Building, W304AB
Exclusionary discipline practices represent some of the most severe consequences schools or early child education centers can impose. Evidence shows that these practices are used disproportionately toward children of color and have significant detrimental impacts on health. This session will discuss how pediatricians can play a key role to help schools change practices. The embargo on the policy statement lifts at 12:01 am ET Oct. 1.
News release is here.

Additional Daily Highlights

FRIDAY Sept. 27  Highlights

Session: “Safety and Efficacy of Herbs and Supplements in Children and Adolescents”
1-2 p.m. ET, Orange County Convention Center, West Building, W312
Integrative medicine includes the use of herbs and supplements in pediatric and adolescent populations for health promotion and as a therapeutic intervention. This session will review evidence-based literature on herb and supplement efficacy in children and adolescents as well as safety, adverse effects, and interactions with drugs. Repeated 7:30-8:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 in same location.

Session: “What’s New in Obesity Management”
2:30-3:30 p.m. E.T. Orange County Convention Center, West Building, W312
Discussion of practical treatment strategies and recommendations from the 2023 AAP clinical practice guideline on the evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with obesity.

Session: “Challenging Cases in Pediatric Infectious Diseases”
2:30-3 p.m. E.T. Orange County Convention Center, West Building, W414CD
Pediatricians encounter a wide variety of infectious diseases and recognition of infections and their management can be complex and time-consuming. The session updates pediatricians on ways infections may present in their practices. Repeats 7:30 a.m. ET Saturday, Sept. 28 in Orange County Convention Center, West Building, W203.

Session: “Using Lessons From the East Palestine Train Derailment to Prepare for Environmental Disasters”
4-5 p.m. E.T. Orange County Convention Center, West Building, W304GH
The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine sponsored a workshop to explore lessons learned from the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, to inform response to environmental disasters. This session will introduce health care providers to relevant resources to use during environmental disasters.

SATURDAY Sept. 28 Highlights 

President’s Address and Keynote Speaker LIVESTREAM
10:30 a.m.-noon ET Saturday, Sept. 28
AAP President Benjamin Hoffman MD, FAAP, discusses the challenges facing children and pediatricians today and reflects on the opportunities ahead for the Academy and child health. Keynote speaker is Seema Yasmin, MD, an award-winning journalist and director of the Stanford Health Communication Initiative who focuses on solutions to stop the spread of health misinformation and disinformation.

Session: “Skills for Speaking to Patients About Media Use”
8:30-10 a.m. E.T. Saturday, Sept. 28
An interactive session using a model that includes primary prevention (guiding families on media balance and planning at well-child encounters), secondary prevention (problem-focused supports), and tertiary prevention (identifying and treating problematic media/internet use).

SUNDAY, Sept. 29 Highlights

Keynote Speaker: ADM Rachel L. Levine, MD, FAAP
10:30 a.m. -noon ET, Orange County Convention Center, West Building, Valencia Ballroom
Admiral Rachel L. Levine, MD, FAAP, serves as assistant secretary for health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is head of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. She is a pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist in academic medicine working to ensure health equity is front and center so all people in our nation can thrive.

Plenary  LIVESTREAM
10:30 a.m. -noon ET, Orange County Convention Center, West Building, Valencia Ballroom
Topics include:

  • New Approaches To Address Social Media and Youth Mental Health
    Jenny Radesky, MD, FAAP & Megan Moreno, MD, FAAP
  • Congenital Syphilis: Responding To a National Epidemic
    William C. Golden, MD

Session: “Food for Thought: Practical Interventions for Picky Eating”
2-3 p.m. ET Orange County Convention Center, West Building, W414AB
Discussion on the differences between picky eaters and children with extreme food selectivity or aversions. Nutritional issues, vitamin deficiencies, and use of meal replacement shakes also will be discussed.

Session: “Suicide and Firearm Violence: What We Know, What We Can Do”
2-3 p.m. ET Orange County Convention Center, West Building, W311E-G
This session will describe how to identify youth at risk for suicide in the clinical setting and determine whether they have access to lethal means, such as firearms. Faculty also will explore evidence-based approaches that reduce or eliminate access to firearms.

Session: “So You Think You Can Dance? Why Parents Trust TikTok More Than Their Pediatrician” 
3:30-4:30 p.m. ET Orange County Convention Center, West Building, W414CD
This session will discuss how complex algorithms and cognitive biases are influencing how parents receive and trust information — and how pediatricians can fight back.

MONDAY, Sept. 30 Highlights

PLENARY LIVESTREAM:
10:30-noon ET, Orange County Convention Center, West Building, Valencia Ballroom
Topics include:

  • New and emerging products containing nicotine marketed to children and teens;
  • The perspective of a single mom with a low income whose pediatrician fostered trust and invited collaboration, leading to care that helped her daughters thrive;
  • How to evaluate the trustworthiness, fairness, and explainability of AI tools;
  • A presentation on trends in the pediatrician workforce revealed by the AAP Pediatrician Life and Career Experience Study

Session: Obesity Prevention in Clinical Settings: How to Promote Healthy, Active Living
3:30-4:30 p.m. Orange County Convention Center, West Building, W204
Based on a revised AAP clinical report, “The Role of the Pediatrician in the Promotion of Healthy, Active Living,” the presentation report provides guidance on how pediatricians can promote health and wellness among infants, children, and adolescents.

Session:  Identification and Management of Ankyloglossia and its Effect on Breastfeeding in Infants
3:30-4:30 pm ET Orange County Convention Center, West Building, W304EF
This presentation will detail the current state of the evidence around ankyloglossia, or tongue-tie, and the challenges faced by pediatricians and families when navigating the often conflicting advice.

TUESDAY Oct. 1 Highlights

Session: Feed the Baby! Essential Advice for Food Introduction and Allergy Prevention 
7:30-8:30 am ET, Orange County Convention Center, West Building, W311E-G
This session will review the most recent infant feeding guidelines and help the pediatrician understand the most important aspects of dietary intervention to prevent the development of food allergies. Repeated 

Session: Ankyloglossia and Other Ties
7:30-8:30 a.m. ET Orange County Convention Center, West Building, W414AB
Presentation is on evidence-based practices to help pediatric providers meet parental expectations; provide high-quality, effective care; develop a differential diagnosis for breastfeeding problems; and prevent unnecessary procedures.

Highlighted Research Abstracts

ABSTRACTS AND NEWS RELEASES BELOW ARE EMBARGOED TO 12:01 A.M. ET FRIDAY, Sept. 27, 2024

Black Infants With Heart Abnormalities More Likely to Die in First Year
While many studies have shown that more babies with congenital heart disease are surviving past their first birthday, this research shows that Black infants with congenital heart disease are 40% more likely to die in the first year of life than white infants with congenital heart disease.

Children in Foster Care With Disabilities Face Significant Challenges
Children with disabilities in foster care are extremely vulnerable, facing risks of maltreatment and removal from their homes and greater need for healthcare services. New research suggests that children with specific disabilities in foster care are less likely to find a permanent home and have a higher risk of mortality while in care compared to those without disabilities. 

Firearm Laws Restricting Large-capacity Magazines Effective in Reducing Child Deaths in Mass Shootings
The only firearm restrictions found to be effective in reducing mass shootings involving children were laws banning the sale of firearms equipped with a large-capacity magazine, according to a new analysis. For the eight states that adopted large capacity magazine bans, the odds of a child dying from a mass shooting was decreased by 91%.

Parents Open to Firearms Counseling From Doctors; Ensuring Secure Storage Remains a Challenge 
Research found that both firearm-owners and non-owners overwhelmingly agree that doctors should discuss secure firearms storage with parents. However, 19% of firearm owning caregivers reported that they were not storing their firearms securely. 
 
Racial Disparities Exist in Emergency Department Treatment of Children With Unintentional Ingestions
Unintentional injuries like falls, drownings and poisonings are the leading cause of death in patients ages 1-4, and a significant portion of these deaths are linked to unintentional ingestions—such as swallowing a drug or poison. New research shows racial and socioeconomic disparities exist in the emergency management of unintentional ingestions in children. 

Dangerous Practice ‘Chroming’ Featured in Videos on Social Media Platform Popular Among Youth
Children’s Emergency Department Visits for Heat-related Illnesses Increased 170% Over Past Decade 
A resurgence of youth seeking a high from “chroming” -- the act of inhaling toxic fumes from household items such as nail polish or permanent markers—could be due to videos featuring the practice on the popular social media platform, TikTok, according to new research.

Children’s Emergency Department Visits for Heat-related Illnesses Increased 170% Over Past Decade 
The number of children who sought treatment at emergency departments for heat-related illnesses increased by 170% from 2012-2023 at two large children’s hospitals, according to research. Summer months with higher peak temperatures were associated with higher heat-related emergency department volume, the abstract states. 

Naloxone Successful in Over Half of Uses in Reversing Signs of Opioid Overdose in the Prehospital Setting
Naloxone can reverse the effects of opioid overdose and is being used in hospitals and by emergency responders outside the hospital to save the lives of young people poisoned by opioids. Naloxone administrations occurred most often in the home or residential setting, researchers found.

Firearm Injuries Lead to More Complications, Greater Risk of Death and Higher Inpatient Costs Than Other Injuries
Children who are injured by firearms require significantly more inpatient care, have higher medical complication rates and face a greater risk of death than children with other forms of trauma, according to research using data provided by the National Inpatient Sample (NIS).

Racial Justice Activism, Advocacy Found to Reduce Depression and Anxiety in Some Teens
Black and LatinX teenagers enrolled in an 8-week racial justice activism program reported fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety. 

Period Poverty Research Finds 1 in 3 Teens Lack Access to Menstruation Products
One in three adolescents who have visited a pediatric emergency department report difficulties in accessing menstruation products, with no differences based on measures of socioeconomic status, such as insurance and community opportunity, or individual differences, such as race and ethnicity. 

Anti-bullying, Sexual Harassment Resources Increase in US Schools but Gaps Remain
While violence prevention education has increased in U.S. schools, only 1 in 10 schools today require violence prevention discussions in class, according to research presented.

Asthma Rates Lower in Children Who Received Only Breast Milk at Birth Hospital
Infants who were exclusively fed human milk during their hospitalization at birth were 22% less likely to develop asthma in early childhood, even after adjusting for maternal race, insurance, infant sex, and length of hospital stay.

Water-absorbing Beads Pose Increasing Hazard for Young Children; Researchers Test Methods on How to Shrink Them
Researchers reveal the results of an experiment in which they grew the beads to different sizes and tested different child-safe liquids to see which ones could shrink the beads after they had expanded. 

Opioid Posioning in Children Increasing Alongside Adult Misuse 
The impacts of the ongoing opioid crisis are trickling down to young children, according to an analysis of the demographic and medical records of 69 children who were assessed by Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect teams in the Philadelphia, PA, area. 
 
Low Vitamin D Levels in Pediatric Patients Linked to Slow Healing Process
Researchers examined 186 extremity fracture cases in children from 2015 to 2022 and found that low levels of Vitamin D correlated with longer healing times. 

Childhood Opioid Prescription Rates Vary by Patient’s Background, Research Finds 
Children from higher  socioeconomic backgrounds are significantly more likely to be prescribed opioids following a childhood broken elbow diagnosis. Black children were 27% less likely to receive an opioid prescription and white patients were also shown to be 10% more likely to be given opioids. 

Social Media Used to Facilitate Sexual Assault in Children, Study Finds 
About 7% of more than 1,000 teens who disclosed sexual abuse at a California hospital reported that social media was used to facilitate the assault,

AAP NEWS: The Academy’s member news magazine, has developed a collection of articles describing themes and sessions at the AAP National Conference & Exhibition: 

Keynote speakers announced for National Conference & Exhibition
The U.S. assistant secretary for health and a journalist committed to debunking misinformation will be the keynote speakers at the 2024 AAP National Conference & Exhibition. The AAP announced Tuesday that Adm. Rachel L. Levine, M.D., FAAP, and Seema Yasmin, M.D., will speak to Academy members gathering next month in Orlando for the annual conference.

Weight loss medications present new options, challenges for pediatric patients
With increased interest in newly approved weight loss drugs, more pediatric clinicians, patients and families are weighing whether the medications may be the right treatment. The AAP’s 2023 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Obesity outlines screening techniques and treatments for children with obesity, including lifestyle therapy, bariatric surgery and pharmacotherapy.

RSV immunization guidance not changing; AAP continues work on logistical hurdles
AAP experts are optimistic the use of nirsevimab (Beyfortus) to protect infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) will be smoother in the upcoming season, although some logistical hurdles remain.

The AAP is continuing to work on the remaining challenges that plagued the rollout of the long-awaited RSV immunization last fall. It also is reminding clinicians to review the clinical guidance, which will remain the same.

Back to school: Pediatricians can play key role in reducing chronic absenteeism
Often defined as a child missing at least 10% (or about 18 days) of the school year for any reason, chronic absenteeism should be seen as a “pediatric vital sign,” according to a pediatrician who took part in a recent White House summit on the subject. Heidi K. Schumacher, M.D., FAAP, who will give a plenary address on school attendance and a presentation on academic recovery.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org