Latest news with #American Academy of Pediatrics


Fast Company
a day ago
- Health
- Fast Company
The next frontier for precision medicine: Pediatricians
Many families now have a new reality when they visit their pediatrician's office. Instead of leaving with more questions, they have answers and a real plan. Genomic testing, once reserved for rare or complex cases and ordered by specialists, is rapidly becoming a standard tool in pediatric care. The latest guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), released this year, recommends using exome and genome sequencing as a first-tier test for more children, particularly those with developmental delays and intellectual disabilities. More than one in three children with developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, or autism have an underlying genetic condition that can be found using genetic testing. Given known genetic links to autism, pediatricians can now genomic insights right from the start, moving forward bringing answers and actionable next steps in a child's care journey. This shift is transforming how we diagnose, treat, and support kids with unexplained medical challenges. Invest in science Spun out of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), GeneDx was founded 25 years ago on the belief that genomic science could fundamentally change how we diagnose and treat disease. At the time, this field felt like the frontier, a promising but distant future, more exploration than clinical applications. Today, that vision is a reality. GeneDx has discovered more than 500 links between specific genes and diseases. What once felt futuristic is now central to modern pediatric care. Genomic testing has become faster, more affordable, and more accessible. The updated AAP guidance means genomic testing should be integrated into every family's pediatric office. It should be used to diagnose rare diseases and understand the genetic cause of common conditions like autism and epilepsy with greater speed and precision. It's not just about understanding the root cause, it's about accelerating the path to accurate treatment that can change or save children's lives. This transformation didn't happen overnight. It was the result of decades of scientific investment—our collective bet on the future of healthcare—to one day ensure children live longer and healthier lives. That investment paid off. Genomic testing not only improves outcomes for patients and families, but it also reduces overall healthcare costs through fewer unnecessary tests and procedures, earlier diagnoses, and more targeted interventions and treatments. Continued investments in science and medicine are essential. Advancing access to genomic testing isn't just about what's possible today, it's about building a healthcare system that's smarter, more sustainable, and truly patient-centered. Why genomic testing matters What was once only available to few, is now broadly available. Genomic testing offers immediate and profound benefits for families. For children facing developmental delays or other unexplained health issues, a single test can sometimes reveal the underlying cause in weeks or even days, in critical situations. This means families no longer must endure months or sometimes years of uncertainty—with multiple rounds of inconclusive tests, uninformative specialist visits, or unnecessary medical bills and suffering. Instead, clear answers can arrive quickly, allowing everyone to move forward with personalized treatment plans in confidence. With a genetic diagnosis in hand, doctors can provide truly targeted care, tailoring treatments, therapies, and support to fit the unique needs for a diagnosis and in some cases, even stop disease progression. A confirmed diagnosis also opens doors to early intervention, specialized care teams, clinical trials, and support networks that might otherwise remain out of reach. Exome and genome testing are transforming the path to answers and support for children and their families, and now it's more accessible than ever before. Looking ahead We see the AAP's guidance as a major milestone, bringing genomics into everyday pediatric care. And for the first time, genomics is equipping pediatricians with critical insights to support early diagnosis and intervention. But this is just the beginning. We're still in the early chapters of what genomic science and care can unlock. To fully realize its potential, we must continue investing in innovation and driving progress that elevates the standard of care across every clinical setting. Where a child accesses care should never determine their outcome. Today, we see genomic insights shaping the future in pediatricians' offices. Tomorrow, we envision a world where every baby's genome is sequenced at birth, giving families the power to stop disease before symptoms even start. My career has been dedicated to expanding access to genomic testing, and I commend the AAP for helping pave the way toward a new standard of care, one where genomics plays a central role in improving pediatric health outcomes nationwide. The path to answers—and to hope—has never been more accessible. Bringing genomics into the hands of every pediatrician marks a critical step toward shortening the diagnostic journey for families, enabling earlier intervention, and reducing costs for both patients and the healthcare system. It's a meaningful advancement in pediatric care, and one that brings us closer to a future where children can be diagnosed before symptoms even begin.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Planning water activities for kids? Swim lessons, safety measures are key
With schools out and temperatures surging, we're in the heart of pool season. From a safety perspective, when is a good time to start teaching children to swim? Water is one of the most effective ways to stay cool when the mercury surges. For kids, water activities also offer a chance to mix fun and exercise. However, it's extremely important to protect children around the water. Next to birth defects, drowning is the leading cause of deaths in children ages 1 to 4. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that some children can start swim lessons as early as their first birthday. (No, that's not a typo!) Kids develop at different rates, so not all will be physically and emotionally prepared at 1 year. Still, by age 4, nearly all children are ready for classes that can help them attain water safety skills and confidence in the water. By 5 or 6, most can master basic swim strokes. Especially for young children, there are also many other steps you can and should take to protect them from drowning. One is always having an adult water watcher whose duty — even if there are lifeguards — whose sole job is to pay attention to kids around the water. It's fine, and even advisable, to switch off with other adults because being vigilant is potentially exhausting. But whoever is on duty should avoid other activities. Most importantly, that means putting down your cell phone. If you have a pool, be sure it's surrounded on all sides by a fence that's at least 4 feet high, can't be climbed, and has a gate that closes and latches automatically. More: 8 glasses a day: Does that recommendation hold water? | Bodywork While you might think arm 'floaties' would be a good way to protect kids, the academy recommends against using them, as they offer a false sense of security — both to children and parents. They are not rigorously tested, lifesaving devices; they can't be relied upon to keep a child afloat, and they can deflate or fall off. Kids also become reliant upon floaties. So, when you take them away, children can become fearful of the water, which then hinders their ability to learn to swim. Talk to your local pool about water safety and swim lessons for children. Most kids will be ready by preschool age, and some even sooner. Dr. Hal Scofield is a physician-scientist at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, and he also serves as associate chief of staff for research at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center. Adam Cohen is OMRF's senior vice president and general counsel. Send your health questions to contact@ This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: With water activities for kids, swim lessons, other measures are key