AAP News

12/12/2025

Pediatricians received the lowest compensation across primary care specialties in 2024, according to Doximity’s 2025 Physician Compensation Report. Pediatric subspecialists’ pay also was substantially lower than adult specialists. Learn more:

A recent report shows pay for pediatricians remains stagnant, need for Medicaid reform and other system changes.

12/11/2025

Federal investigators have determined that 10 cases of infant botulism dating back to December 2023 are linked to ByHeart infant formula, bringing the total case count to 51. All ByHeart products were recalled on November 11. Parents should seek immediate medical care if a child who has consumed the recalled formula develops any of these symptoms: poor feeding, loss of head control, difficulty swallowing or decreased facial expression. Learn more: https://bit.ly/48Qdl6E

Investigators identified 51 cases of infant botulism linked to ByHeart products; no deaths reported.

12/10/2025

Pediatricians are spending more time during exams addressing questions from parents who are hearing misinformation about autism and vaccines in social media and news reports. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4a9BPdn?

A presentation at the National Conference & Exhibition updated pediatricians on the latest information about autism and stressed the strength of research showing no link between autism and acetaminophen.

12/10/2025

A new study in Pediatrics found that hospitals providing only minimal pediatric services rose 137% over two decades, while those providing higher levels of care decreased. The authors suggest several reasons why hospitals have retreated from providing pediatric care, including lower payment rates for children compared to adults and a shortage of pediatric care providers. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4pxzIEZ

12/10/2025

The AAP and dozens of medical groups are speaking out against ACIP's recent withdrawal of the universal hepatitis B birth dose recommendation, saying the decision is not based on science and that ACIP's actions will harm children, their families and pediatric medical professionals.

"American families deserve information grounded in science and clear, consistent guidance – not speculation intended to scare them. We urge the CDC leaders to reject ACIP’s new recommendation and instead retain the current, evidence-based approach,” said 67 medical groups in a statement.

The AAP will continue to recommend that every infant be vaccinated against hepatitis B beginning at birth. Read the full piece to learn more:

The AAP continues to recommend giving newborns a dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth as part of a three-dose series. AAP infectious disease leaders do not recommend blood testing to guide further doses.  

12/10/2025

Current and prospective pre-med and medical students attended a two-and-a-half-day event filled with mentoring, shadowing, hands-on workshops and career panels to show the value of pediatrics and promote them entering the field. The event was part of the Creating a Pathway to Pediatrics through Exposure, Education and Knowledge (PEEK) program. Read more about the event: https://bit.ly/3MqB4mf?

A weekend of educational activities paired with a Chicago neighborhood tour ignited a passion for pediatrics in participants and could be a model for programs across the nation.

12/08/2025

AI is joining the many tools pediatricians use to teach, communicate and organize knowledge. Dr. Mark Simonian and Dr. Joseph Schneider, members of the AAP Council on Clinical Information Technology, share their tips for crafting better prompts for AI: https://bit.ly/48EjUJg

Pediatricians already know how to ask the right kinds of questions. Using these clinical and research questioning skills can make AI a better partner.

12/08/2025

“We continue to speak up for all children, including immigrants, those who belong to the LGBTQ+ community and autistic children. To push back with conviction in the face of overwhelming forces: that’s success.” AAP President Dr. Susan Kressly reflects on her presidency in her final Letter from the President. Read her full remarks:

It is important to reconsider how we define success in the framework of three important pillars: child health, AAP members and the Academy.

12/05/2025

Federal vaccine advisers voted to withdraw the universal birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine, a decision the AAP says will harm children.

Under the new recommendation, infants whose mothers test negative would not be explicitly recommended for vaccination but could get vaccinated if their parents chose to do so after shared clinical decision-making.

“This irresponsible and purposely misleading guidance will lead to more hepatitis B infections in infants and children,” said AAP President Susan J. Kressly.

The AAP continues to recommend giving newborns a dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth with additional doses at 1-2 months and 6-18 months. Learn more:

Federal vaccine advisers voted to withdraw the universal birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine, a decision the AAP said will harm children.

12/05/2025

Pediatric specialties saw an increase in the fill rate of certified positions offered in the 2025 Medicine and Pediatric Specialties Match, with 78.3% of positions filled. Pediatric cardiology (98.5%) and pediatric gastroenterology (96%) saw the highest fill rates. Learn more: https://bit.ly/48Bvy7w

12/05/2025

New research found that opioid prescriptions for adolescents ages 19 and under declined by 36% from 2018-2022, while adolescent overdose deaths from illegally manufactured fentanyl nearly doubled from 2019-2021. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3KlndNr

A study of 92% of all U.S. retail pharmacy dispensations found that opioid prescriptions decreased even as the number of youth opioid overdose deaths increased.

12/05/2025

Federal vaccine advisers on Thursday postponed a vote to delay the universal birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine amid chaos and confusion.

When the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (also known as ACIP) reconvenes Friday, it plans to vote on no longer recommending that infants whose mothers test negative for hepatitis B get vaccinated at birth. It still would allow vaccination of these newborns after a shared clinical decision-making process, but experts say vaccination rates are likely to decrease without a recommendation. Read more about tomorrow's vote in AAP News:
https://bit.ly/4pTtZsN

When the federal vaccine committee reconvenes Friday, it plans to vote on no longer recommending that infants whose mothers test negative for hepatitis B get vaccinated at birth.