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Bubble Wrap PLUS – August 2026

  • , Last updated 05/08/2026

Cite this article as:

. Bubble Wrap PLUS – August 2026, Don't Forget the Bubbles, 2026. Available at: https://doi.org/10.31440/DFTB.68993

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Can’t get enough of Bubble Wrap? The Bubble Wrap Plus is a monthly paediatric Journal Club reading list from Professor Jaan Toelen (University Hospitals Leuven) and Dr Anke Raaijmakers (Sydney Children’s Hospital). 

This comprehensive list is developed from 34 journals, including major and subspecialty paediatric journals. We suggest this list can help you discover relevant or interesting articles for your local journal club or allow you to keep a finger on the pulse of paediatric research.

The COVID19 pandemic had more than one single effect on our society. The Archives of Disease in Childhood published a study on children born during England’s first COVID-19 lockdown. The results show that despite reduced early social exposure, there is a mixed developmental picture at age four: many language and cognitive scores were at or even above pre-pandemic expectations, but caregiver reports show weaker executive functioning, with some gaps in expressive language and motor skills. These early signals suggest that while core abilities may be intact, subtle self-regulation and functional skills could place this cohort at risk of classroom challenges.

JAMA Paediatrics published a study on vitamin K prophylaxis at birth. This Swedish nationwide study found that the small proportion of infants who did not receive intramuscular vitamin K at birth was rising, and those babies had a clearly higher risk of bleeding in infancy, including intracranial haemorrhage. The takeaway is simple but important: vitamin K at birth remains a highly effective safeguard, and the study adds fresh evidence that maintaining high uptake is essential to prevent avoidable, potentially serious bleeding in early life.

A study in the Journal of Pediatrics puts a ‘climate spotlight’ on paediatric endoscopy. Even though most of these procedures are essential and often lifesaving, a two-week audit in paediatric endoscopy found they also generate a sizeable environmental burden, with 3.48 kg (!) of waste per case and an annualised carbon footprint of 108.32 metric tons. The authors’ message and conclusion are simple: small changes like combining procedures and reducing hazardous waste could meaningfully shrink the footprint without compromising care.

A very large US-based study in the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal found (again) no evidence that MMR vaccination before age two causes autism, and the result held up across age-anchored analyses and a negative-control vaccine comparison. In more detail, the authors used linked EHR data from 2.56 million children and found the first MMR dose between 11.5 and 24 months was not associated with increased autism risk (aHR 0.97, 99% CI 0.91–1.03), supporting what many prior studies have already shown: the timing of MMR does not explain autism.

You will find the list is broken down into four sections:

1.Reviews and opinion articles

Reframing the conversation: addressing inequities in vaccine uptake and hesitancy among people of Black African and Caribbean heritage in the UK.

De Aguiar Chaves T, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2026 Jul 9:archdischild-2026-330411. 

Effectiveness of Therapeutic and Educational Interventions for Childhood Separation Anxiety: A Scoping Review.

Qutishat M, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Jul 3. 

Trauma-Informed Principles on Informing Caregivers of Referrals to Child Protective Services.

Hsiung K, et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2026 Jul 3:S0890-8567(26)00293-5. 

Postnatally acquired cytomegalovirus infection in preterm infants: an update on diagnosis, management and outcomes.

Gritsay E, et al. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2026 Jul 2:fetalneonatal-2026-330609. 

To Cool or Not to Cool in Low- and Middle-Income Countries:? A Call for Resources, Training and Shared Knowledge.

Nakwa FL, et al. J Pediatr. 2026 Jul 1:115217. 

Responsible Research Practices in Pediatrics: How Reporting Guidelines Can Be Used to Improve Trial Design and Conduct.

Baba A, et al. J Pediatr. 2026 Jul 1:115218. 

Paediatric readiness assessment tools in emergency care: a scoping review.

Guinness F, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2026 Jul 2:archdischild-2026-330670. 

Using health systems evidence to study and predict long-term outcomes of childhood acute kidney injury.

Milyani A, et al. Pediatr Nephrol. 2026 Jul 29.

2.Original clinical studies

Developmental outcomes in 4-year-old children born in the first COVID-19 lockdown in England: preliminary findings from the Born In COVID Year – Core Lockdown Effects (BICYCLE) study.

Botting N, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2026 Jul 14:archdischild-2025-329529. 

Caregiver Perspectives on Polypharmacy Management in Children With Medical Complexity.

Orth LE, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jul 15:e2025075527. 

Chronic Urinary Tract Infection in Children: An Urgent Need for Recognition and Advocacy.

Pinto D, Sherwin A. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Jul 14. 

Effect of Extended Infusion versus Intermittent Bolus Feedings on Hospital Weight Gain in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants Born at <29 Weeks of Gestation: A Randomized Non-Inferiority Clinical Trial.

Balasubramanian H, et al. J Pediatr. 2026 Jul 13:115235. 

Vitamin K Prophylaxis in Newborns and Bleeding in Infancy.

Simatou E, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2026 Jul 13:e262606. 

Pediatric Care Beyond the Exam Room for Families Using Languages Other Than English.

Furman L, Montgomery N. Pediatrics. 2026 Jul 13:e2026076581. 

Caregiver-Reported Quality of Pediatric Primary Care Language Services.

Yu L, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jul 13:e2025075312. 

Enhancing Physically Active Leisure Participation for Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Sakzewski L, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jul 10:e2025075162. 

Acute and chronic physical risks in avoidant restrictive food intake disorder: findings from a national surveillance study.

James RM, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2026 Jul 8:archdischild-2025-330002. 

Impacts of Paid Family Leave on Perinatal Health: A Nationwide Quasi-Experimental Study.

Lee MM, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jul 9:e2025074791. 

Factors Influencing Pediatrician Life Satisfaction.

Cull WL, et al. J Pediatr. 2026 Jul 8:115230. 

A Randomised Open-Label Comparison of Dexamphetamine and Methylphenidate in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Symptom Response, Adherence and Weight Impact Over 12 Months.

Poulton A, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Jul 7. 

Early Adulthood Outcomes Among Individuals With Neurologic Impairment and Technology Assistance.

Doig J, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jul 8:e2025074784. 

Impact of kidney maturation on aminoglycoside exposure in term-born pediatric patients: an in silico study.

Meigel FJ, et al. Pediatr Nephrol. 2026 Jul 7. 

Video vs Telephone Consultations for Pediatric Quality of Care in Emergency Departments.

Haynes SC, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jul 7:e2025074639. 

Diagnostic accuracy study assessing the ability of paediatric asthma scores to predict admission following initial emergency department bronchodilator therapy: a Clinical Asthma Scoring systems in Paediatric Emergency (CASPER) study.

Gray C, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2026 Jul 2:archdischild-2026-330613. 

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Immunization Disparities in Mothers and Infants at the Birth Hospitalization: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Cheung A, et al. J Pediatr. 2026 Jul 2:115219. 

Association between Salivary Substance P and Aspiration on Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study in Infants and Toddlers.

Duncan DR, et al. J Pediatr. 2026 Jul 1:115212. 

Abdominal pain in pediatric immunoglobulin A vasculitis: Risk factors and severity predictors in a multicenter cohort.

Gomes FHR, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2026 Jul 1. 

The Environmental Impact of Pediatric Endoscopy: Small Feet Have a Disproportionately Large Carbon Footprint.

Barakat MT, et al. J Pediatr. 2026 Jul 20:115248. 

Investigating the Impact of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis on Health, Costs, and Quality of Life in Australia: The IMPACT Study.

Bond DM, et al. J Pediatr. 2026 Jul 20:115246. 

Not Passing Newborn Hearing Screening and Neurodevelopment at 2 Years in Infants Born Extremely Preterm.

Kojima K, et al. J Pediatr. 2026 Jul 20:115251. 

Clesrovimab in Infants at Increased Risk For Severe Disease During 2 RSV Seasons: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Zar HJ, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2026 Jul 20. 

Childhood Factors and Positive Functioning Among Adults Born Very Preterm or With Very Low Birth Weight.

Gönen E, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2026 Jul 20. 

Death and Cardiac Disease in Pediatric Hospitals and the Role of Subspecialty Palliative Care.

Moynihan KM, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jul 17:e2025074622. 

Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial of Motivational Interviewing For Adolescent Drinking in Denmark.

Vallentin-Holbech L, et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2026 Jul 16:S0890-8567(26)00321-7. 

Prophylactic CPAP at Cesarean Birth in Late-Preterm Newborns: A Multicenter RCT.

Shah BA, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jul 16:e2025070998. 

Improving Race and Ethnicity Data Collection in an Academic Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Fraiman YS, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jul 16:e2026075965. 

Eliminating Inappropriate Postoperative Antibiotics: A Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomized Trial.

Newland JG, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jul 16:e2026076092. 

Assessment of professional practise on Helicobacter pylori in paediatrics: A pan-European study.

Tavares M, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2026 Jul 31. 

Screening for Depression at Adolescent Well-Child Visits: Who Is Screened and What Happens Afterwards?

Petranu K, et al. J Pediatr. 2026 Jul 29:115262. 

Association Between First MMR Vaccination Before Age 2 Years and Childhood Autism in a U.S. EHR Cohort of 2.5 Million Children.

Burstain TL, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2026 Jul 28. 

Factors Associated With High Pain Scores During Paediatric Peripherous Intravenous Cannulation Insertion: A Secondary Analysis of a Prospective Cohort Study in Children.

Sweeny AL, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Jul 28. 

Partnered Pharmacist Medication Charting for Children and Young People: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Lloyd G, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Jul 28. 

Incidence and Clinical Significance of Retropharyngeal Edema in Node-first Presentation of Kawasaki Disease.

Yamamoto T, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2026 Jul 28. 

Family-Centered Child Obesity Treatment: The TEAM UP Randomized Clinical Trial.

Staiano AE, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2026 Jul 27:e263067. 

Efficacy of Silver Diamine Fluoride on Young Children With Severe Early Childhood Caries: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Fontana M, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2026 Jul 27:e262567. 

Treatment of Multifood Allergy With Omalizumab or Multiallergen Oral Immunotherapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Wood RA, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2026 Jul 27:e262910. 

A Data-Driven Approach Towards Understanding the Volume and Complexity of Young Adults With Chronic Medical Conditions Transitioning to Adult Healthcare: A Cross-Sectional Study.

White M, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Jul 21.

3.Guidelines and best evidence

Australian Guideline for the Identification and Management of Hypertension in Children and Adolescents.

Larkins NG, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Jul 14. 

Machine Learning to Identify Bacteremia and Meningitis in Febrile Infants: A Systematic Review.

Ferraris G, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jul 9:e2025074576. 

Parent Mental Health Interventions in the NICU: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Niehaus Milligan CE, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2026 Jul 6:e262546. 

Foreign body ingestions in children and adolescents: A position paper of the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) endoscopy special interest group.

Ledder O, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2026 Jul 1. 

Use of subcutaneous epinephrine in addition to standard first-line treatment with short-acting β2-agonist and systemic steroids in children and adolescents with an acute severe asthma exacerbation: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

Mudawi K, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2026 Jul 28:archdischild-2025-329876. 

Association Between Delivery Room Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and Neonatal Outcomes in Late Preterm and Term Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Chin Y, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Jul 28. 

Intravenous rehydration in children with severe malnutrition and severe dehydration: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Dewez JE, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2026 Jul 24:archdischild-2026-330358.

4.Case reports

A 14-Year-old Girl With Neurologic Decline and Unexpected CSF Findings.

Johnston N, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2026 Aug 1;45(8):742-744. 

Pulmonary Embolism in Invasive Salmonella Infection: A Rare Cause of Acute Respiratory Failure in an Adolescent.

Straka K, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2026 Jul 7. 

“Raccoon Eyes”: A Rare Presentation of Paediatric Scrub Typhus.

Raj R, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Jul 1. 

KCNJ16 tubulopathy presenting with recurrent acute flaccid paralysis and sensorineural hearing loss.

Deepthi B, et al. Pediatr Nephrol. 2026 Jul 20. 

Varicella Zoster Virus Meningitis Mimicking Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome in an Immunocompetent Vaccinated Adolescent Without Rash or Meningeal Signs.

Vural Kindan SM, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2026 Jul 30. 

When a Little Wrist Raises big Questions: A Case of Idiopathic Pediatric Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Stavart C, et al. J Child Neurol. 2026 Jul 28:8830738261467627.

If we have missed out on something useful or you think other articles are absolutely worth sharing, please add them in the comments!

Author

  • Anke Raaijmakers is a paediatric nephrologist, currently working as clinician and researcher in Sydney (Sydney Children’s Hospital, Australia). She did her training in Belgium and Australia and previously worked as general paediatrician and paediatric nephrologist in Antwerp (ZNA Jan Palfijn, Belgium).

    She is passionate about education, teaching, and research and has completed a PhD on health outcomes of preterm infants.

    Anke strongly believes in the importance of evidence-based medicine, helping to run journal clubs everywhere she works and the BubbleWrapPlus.

    In her free time, she loves to play hockey and hike with her husband and three kids.

    View all posts

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