Neonatology and Pediatrics

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is becoming an essential tool in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), providing real-time, bedside diagnostic information with minimal disruption to critically ill newborns. This session explores the expanding role of POCUS in evaluating lung pathology, cardiac function, central line placement, intracranial abnormalities, abdominal conditions, and neonatal hemodynamics. Unlike conventional imaging approaches, POCUS delivers immediate clinical information, supporting faster and more informed decision-making in high-acuity neonatal settings. Participants will explore practical bedside applications, skill development, training requirements, and the integration of POCUS into routine NICU workflows. Clinical case examples will demonstrate how bedside ultrasound can reduce diagnostic delays and facilitate safer, timely interventions. The session will also address credentialing, competency assessment, standardized training programs, and emerging AI-assisted technologies that support image acquisition and interpretation. By incorporating POCUS into daily rounds, emergency assessments, and critical care protocols, clinicians can strengthen neonatal diagnostic capabilities while reducing unnecessary transportation and reliance on radiation-based imaging. This approach ultimately promotes safer, faster, and more efficient care for critically ill newborns.

The early identification of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) plays a critical role in improving developmental outcomes by enabling timely assessment and intervention. This session explores current approaches for recognizing early behavioral and developmental indicators of ASD during infancy and toddlerhood, including validated screening tools such as the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) and emerging AI-assisted observational technologies. Particular emphasis will be placed on identifying communication delays, differences in social interaction, repetitive behaviors, restricted interests, and sensory sensitivities during the early years of life. Challenges associated with early diagnosis, particularly among high-risk, culturally diverse, and underrepresented populations, will be discussed alongside advances in tele-assessment, digital screening, and mobile-based developmental monitoring. Multidisciplinary collaboration among pediatricians, developmental specialists, psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals will be highlighted as essential for comprehensive evaluation and individualized care. Participants will also gain insights into parental engagement, culturally responsive assessment, genetic and developmental considerations, and evidence-based early intervention strategies designed to support language, cognitive, behavioral, and social development in children with ASD. Early recognition and coordinated intervention remain fundamental to improving developmental trajectories and enhancing quality of life for children and their families.

Neonatal hypoglycemia is a common but potentially serious metabolic condition that requires timely recognition and appropriate management to prevent adverse neurological and developmental outcomes. This session explores the latest approaches to screening, glucose monitoring, diagnostic thresholds, and treatment strategies for newborns at risk of hypoglycemia. Particular emphasis will be placed on vulnerable populations, including infants of diabetic mothers, preterm infants, small-for-gestational-age (SGA) newborns, and infants with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Participants will examine evidence-based approaches for distinguishing and managing transient and persistent hypoglycemia while avoiding both undertreatment and unnecessary interventions. Emerging technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) will be discussed for their potential to provide continuous glucose assessment and support more individualized neonatal care. Case-based discussions will highlight practical approaches to maintaining stable glucose levels and recognizing infants requiring further investigation. The session will also address early breastfeeding support, parental education, oral glucose gel, nutritional management, and escalation of treatment when required. By strengthening neonatal hypoglycemia protocols and promoting evidence-based care, neonatal teams can reduce preventable complications, support healthy neurodevelopment, and improve outcomes for vulnerable newborns.

Vaccinating preterm and low-birth-weight infants presents unique challenges due to their immature immune systems, underlying medical conditions, and often prolonged hospital stays. However, timely immunization remains essential to protect these vulnerable infants from serious and potentially life-threatening infections. This session explores current recommendations for vaccination of preterm and low-birth-weight infants, including appropriate schedules, timing, catch-up strategies, and considerations for immunization within NICU settings. Participants will examine evidence regarding vaccine immunogenicity, safety, adverse reactions, contraindications, and clinical considerations for medically fragile newborns. Particular attention will be given to vaccines against hepatitis B, pertussis, influenza, rotavirus, and other vaccine-preventable diseases that may pose increased risks to premature infants. Evidence indicates that most preterm infants can develop adequate immune responses to routine vaccines, supporting vaccination according to chronological age rather than delaying immunization solely because of prematurity. Practical strategies for improving vaccine uptake in NICUs, coordinating immunization with discharge planning, and educating parents and caregivers about vaccine safety and benefits will also be discussed. The session aims to strengthen evidence-based immunization practices, reduce missed vaccination opportunities, and promote comprehensive protection for preterm infants during this critical period of development.

Skin-to-skin contact, also known as kangaroo care, is an important evidence-based practice in neonatal care, particularly for premature and low-birth-weight infants. This session explores the physiological and developmental benefits of kangaroo care, including heart rate stabilization, improved oxygenation, temperature regulation, enhanced breastfeeding, and reduced stress in newborns. Beyond these immediate benefits, skin-to-skin contact can support neurodevelopment, sleep regulation, parent-infant bonding, and emotional well-being. Participants will examine practical strategies for implementing kangaroo care in delivery rooms, NICUs, and special care nurseries, including approaches for safely providing skin-to-skin contact to infants receiving respiratory support or other intensive treatments. The session will also address family-centered care, parental involvement, cultural considerations, staffing limitations, infection-control concerns, and systemic barriers that may affect implementation. Case studies and examples from diverse healthcare settings will demonstrate effective approaches for integrating kangaroo care into routine neonatal practice. Healthcare professionals will gain practical insights into developing sustainable protocols, educating families, and advocating for skin-to-skin contact as a fundamental component of high-quality, family-centered neonatal care.

Pediatric medication dosing requires careful consideration of age, weight, developmental stage, and organ maturity. This session explores common dosing errors, including underdosing, overdosing, calculation mistakes, and incorrect formulations. Participants will review weight-based dosing, standardized protocols, high-risk medications, and neonatal dosing considerations. The role of clinical pharmacists, CPOE systems, barcode technology, and clinical decision-support tools in preventing medication errors will also be discussed. Practical strategies such as double-check systems, medication reconciliation, caregiver education, and simulation training will be highlighted to promote safer medication practices across pediatric and neonatal care settings.

Non-pharmacological pain management is increasingly recognized as an essential component of neonatal care, particularly because repeated painful experiences may affect neurodevelopment. This session explores evidence-based approaches including sucrose administration, non-nutritive sucking, facilitated tucking, swaddling, and skin-to-skin contact for reducing procedural pain during routine interventions. Participants will review neonatal pain-assessment tools such as PIPP and NIPS and their application in preterm and term infants. The session will also address integration of pain-management strategies into NICU protocols, staff training, and family-centered care, emphasizing parental involvement in comfort measures. Practical approaches to reducing procedural pain while promoting infant stability, comfort, and positive long-term developmental outcomes will be highlighted.

Telehealth is transforming pediatric follow-up and continuity of care by providing accessible and flexible services for children and families. This session explores the use of digital platforms for developmental monitoring, chronic disease management, mental health support, post-discharge follow-up, and routine pediatric consultations. Participants will examine best practices for teleconsultation, caregiver engagement, data privacy, reimbursement, and the limitations of virtual care. Real-world applications in conditions such as asthma, diabetes, ADHD, and neurodevelopmental disorders will be discussed, along with strategies to address the digital divide and healthcare access disparities. The session highlights how telehealth can strengthen care coordination, reduce travel barriers, and improve the accessibility and continuity of pediatric healthcare.

Breastfeeding support in the NICU is essential for promoting optimal nutrition, immunity, growth, and parent-infant bonding, particularly among preterm and low-birth-weight infants. This session explores practical strategies for initiating and maintaining lactation, including early milk expression, hospital-grade breast pumps, skin-to-skin contact, and lactation consultant support. Participants will examine approaches for transitioning from tube feeding to direct breastfeeding, recognizing infant feeding cues, and addressing challenges such as maternal stress, limited milk supply, medication concerns, and breastfeeding difficulties. The session will also highlight family-centered care, rooming-in, parental involvement, and culturally sensitive breastfeeding education. Evidence-based NICU lactation practices that improve breastfeeding rates and neonatal outcomes will be discussed, providing healthcare professionals with practical tools to empower families and support successful breastfeeding beyond hospital discharge.

Early and accurate identification of neonatal sepsis is essential for reducing morbidity and mortality. This session explores the clinical role of biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), interleukins, and blood cultures in supporting early diagnosis and treatment decisions. Participants will examine the value of serial testing, point-of-care diagnostics, vital-sign monitoring, and risk assessment for identifying at-risk newborns. Emerging biomarkers and AI-based sepsis prediction tools will also be discussed, with emphasis on improving diagnostic accuracy while reducing unnecessary antibiotic exposure and supporting antimicrobial stewardship. The session will highlight appropriate interpretation of biomarkers in early- and late-onset neonatal sepsis and their integration into clinical workflows to promote timely, targeted, and effective care.

Growth chart interpretation is essential for monitoring growth, nutrition, and overall development in children, particularly during the first five years of life. This session explores the appropriate use of WHO and CDC growth standards, including weight-for-age, height-for-age, weight-for-height, head circumference, percentiles, z-scores, and growth velocity. Participants will learn to recognize important growth concerns such as stunting, wasting, underweight, obesity, faltering growth, and crossing of growth percentiles. The session will also address growth assessment in preterm infants and children with genetic or chronic conditions. Integrating growth measurements with developmental milestones, nutritional assessment, and feeding history will be emphasized for comprehensive evaluation. Practical approaches to accurate measurement, interpretation, parental counseling, and individualized care planning will be discussed to support early identification of health concerns and promote optimal childhood growth and development.

Pediatric anemia is a common global health concern, particularly among infants and young children, and may result from nutritional deficiencies, infections, inherited disorders, or chronic diseases. This session explores age-specific hemoglobin assessment, complete blood counts, peripheral blood smears, iron studies, and dietary evaluation to identify underlying causes. Participants will examine different types of anemia, including iron-deficiency anemia, hemolytic anemia, thalassemia, and anemia of chronic disease, with emphasis on distinguishing microcytic, normocytic, and macrocytic patterns. Current management approaches, including iron supplementation, nutritional interventions, treatment of underlying conditions, and appropriate follow-up, will be discussed. The session will also highlight public health strategies such as food fortification and preventive supplementation. Early recognition and effective management are essential for protecting cognitive development, physical growth, immunity, and long-term health in pediatric patients.

Neonatal transport is essential for providing safe and timely transfer of critically ill newborns to specialized care facilities. This session explores pre-transport stabilization, thermoregulation, respiratory support, vascular access, monitoring, and communication between referring and receiving teams. Participants will examine the roles of specialized transport teams, transport incubators, mobile ventilators, and advanced monitoring equipment during emergency and planned transfers. Case-based discussions will address challenges such as hypoglycemia, apnea, respiratory instability, and neonatal sepsis during transport. The session will also highlight simulation-based training, standardized transport protocols, and real-time telemedicine support for improving clinical decision-making. Emphasis will be placed on continuous monitoring, effective teamwork, and maintaining physiological stability throughout transportation to reduce complications and improve outcomes for high-risk newborns.

Screening for congenital heart defects (CHDs) is an essential component of newborn care, supporting early detection and timely management of potentially life-threatening conditions. This session explores pulse oximetry screening within the first 24–48 hours of life, including oxygen saturation interpretation, follow-up echocardiography, and strategies to reduce false-positive results. The role of prenatal screening, family history, physical examination, and fetal echocardiography in high-risk pregnancies will also be discussed. Case-based discussions will highlight common CHDs, including Tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great arteries, and coarctation of the aorta. Emphasis will be placed on early diagnosis, timely surgical or catheter-based intervention, and universal screening approaches to improve neonatal survival and long-term outcomes.

Allergic disorders in infancy, including food allergies, eczema, and allergic rhinitis, are increasingly common and require early recognition and appropriate management. This session explores risk factors such as family history, environmental exposures, and microbiome development and their influence on immune programming and the atopic march. Participants will review evidence-based approaches to early allergen introduction, including peanuts and eggs, along with diagnostic tools such as skin-prick testing, serum IgE, and elimination diets. Management strategies covering breastfeeding, allergen avoidance, emollient therapy, and eczema care will be discussed. Practical guidance on parent education and collaboration with allergy specialists will also be highlighted. Emphasis will be placed on timely, individualized interventions to reduce the risk and severity of allergic disease throughout childhood.

Fever without a source (FWS) in infants and young children presents a diagnostic challenge, requiring careful assessment to identify serious infections while avoiding unnecessary testing and hospitalization. This session reviews age-specific evaluation and risk stratification, with particular focus on febrile infants under 90 days. Participants will explore validated approaches such as the Rochester, Boston, and Philadelphia criteria, along with diagnostic tools including blood cultures, urinalysis, lumbar puncture, procalcitonin, and CRP. The role of rapid viral testing, vaccination status, exposure history, and outpatient management for low-risk infants will also be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on shared decision-making with caregivers and structured clinical assessment to reduce missed serious bacterial infections while supporting efficient, family-centered care.

Proper sleep positioning is essential for reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related infant deaths. This session reviews evidence-based recommendations from “Back to Sleep” and “Safe to Sleep” initiatives, emphasizing placing infants on their backs for every sleep. Participants will explore the importance of firm sleep surfaces, avoiding soft bedding, room-sharing without bed-sharing, and appropriate temperature regulation. The session will also address caregiver misconceptions, cultural practices, and strategies for effective safe-sleep education. Special attention will be given to high-risk infants, including preterm infants and those exposed to prenatal smoking, with guidance on individualized counseling. Public health strategies and pediatric counseling during well-baby visits will be highlighted to promote consistent safe-sleep practices and reduce preventable sleep-related deaths.

Antibiotic stewardship in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is essential for reducing antimicrobial resistance and protecting the effectiveness of life-saving therapies. This session explores evidence-based strategies to minimize unnecessary antibiotic exposure, including risk assessment for early- and late-onset sepsis, antibiotic de-escalation, and timely discontinuation when cultures remain negative. Participants will examine the role of neonatologists, infectious disease specialists, and pharmacists in developing NICU-specific stewardship programs. Diagnostic advances such as rapid multiplex PCR and procalcitonin testing will be discussed to support informed treatment decisions. Real-world examples will highlight outcomes including reduced antimicrobial resistance, fungal infections, and disruption of the neonatal gut microbiome. Emphasis will be placed on balancing effective infection management with judicious antibiotic use to improve neonatal outcomes and address the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance.

End-of-life care in the NICU involves complex emotional, ethical, and clinical challenges for families and healthcare professionals. This session explores compassionate communication, shared decision-making, and psychological support when curative treatment is no longer appropriate. Participants will review approaches to discussing prognosis, treatment options, and comfort-focused care with clarity and empathy. The roles of palliative care teams, bereavement counselors, and spiritual support services will also be highlighted. Key topics include pain management, family presence, memory-making, cultural sensitivity, and maintaining dignity throughout the dying process. Case-based discussions will demonstrate how early, honest communication can build trust and support parental values. Emphasis will be placed on human-centered, family-focused care and ongoing bereavement support during and after neonatal loss.