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 keep a finger on the pulse of paediatric research.
These are the highlights:
This large cohort study examined COVID‑19 vaccine hesitancy and actual vaccine uptake in England. Researchers identified eight distinct categories of hesitancy, including concerns about effectiveness, safety, mistrust, and perceived low personal risk. Most forms of hesitancy declined over time and were not strongly linked to persistent refusal. However, hesitancy rooted in low trust or general anti‑vaccine sentiment proved more persistent and predicted lower subsequent vaccination rates.
Fremanezumab for Migraine in Childhood
This randomised, placebo‑controlled trial evaluated fremanezumab, a CGRP‑targeting monoclonal antibody, for the prevention of episodic migraines in children aged 6–17 years. The treatment significantly reduced migraine compared with the placebo. Nearly half of the treated participants achieved at least a 50% reduction in migraine days. Injection‑site redness was the most common side effect, but it was generally mild. A longer follow‑up is needed to confirm long‑term safety.
Infancy Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy and Toddler Eating Behaviour
This prospective cohort study compared the eating behaviours of children diagnosed with cow’s milk protein allergy in infancy to those of non‑allergic infants. At age four, children with earlier CMPA showed higher levels of food fussiness and a stronger desire to drink, even after adjusting for early life and demographic factors. Other factors associated with fussiness included cesarean delivery, rural residence, early formula substitution, and family atopy. The results suggest that dietary restriction during infancy may have lasting impacts on eating behaviour.
Social Media Use and Adolescent Well‑Being
This large 3‑year cohort study tracked a large number of Australian students to investigate links between after‑school social media use and well‑being. A U‑shaped pattern emerged: both heavy use and complete non‑use were associated with lower well‑being depending on age and sex. Adolescents with the highest use showed significantly higher odds of low well‑being, particularly in girls in early adolescence. However, older adolescents who avoided social media altogether also had higher odds of low well-being. The study shows that the relationship between social media use and well‑being is complex and not linear.
Parenting Intervention and Child Outcomes
The Smart Beginnings model, combining universal pediatric‑based parenting support and targeted home‑based intervention, was tested in a randomised trial of mother‑infant pairs. By age six, children whose families received the intervention showed better academic outcomes across vocabulary, comprehension, reading, and problem‑solving. These effects were mediated through improved parental cognitive stimulation and stronger pre‑academic skills.
We hope that you enjoy the list!
You will find the list is broken down into four sections:
1.Reviews and opinion articles
McAbee GN, et al. J Child Neurol. 2026 Jan 28:8830738251413826.Â
Laboratory testing in the poisoned patient.
Hoffman RJ, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2026 Jan 27:archdischild-2025-329429.Â
Intrapartum recognition and management of fetal inflammation.
di Pasquo E, Pereira S, Valentini B, Familiari A, Ghi T.Eur J Pediatr. 2026 Jan 15;185(2):81.Â
Ethical considerations for semaglutide use in children.
Ryan N, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2026 Jan 6:archdischild-2025-329747.Â
Paediatric asthma: from acid to inhalers and biologics – a century of change.
Pillai A, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2026 Jan 5:archdischild-2025-329797.Â
Dani C, et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2026 Jan 3;185(1):51.Â
Drugs in focus: Budesonide and its role in paediatric gastrointestinal disorders.
Aziz S, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2026 Jan;82(1):60-69.
2.Original clinical studies
Whitaker M, et al. Lancet. 2026 Jan 24;407(10526):350-362.Â
Fremanezumab in Children and Adolescents with Episodic Migraine.
Hershey AD, et al. N Engl J Med. 2026 Jan 15;394(3):243-252.Â
Universal Base-Edited CAR7 T Cells for T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Chiesa R, et al. N Engl J Med. 2026 Jan 8;394(2):152-165.Â
Bellows BK, et al. JAMA. 2026 Jan 13;335(2):140-153.Â
Shimabukuro W, et al. Pediatr Nephrol. 2026 Jan 29.Â
Pancharoen T, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Jan 29.Â
Chest compression in newborn infants: what anatomical structures are we compressing?
Chua CT, et al. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2026 Jan 16:fetalneonatal-2025-329582.Â
Cornelissen L, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2026 Jan 28.Â
Family Connection in Adolescence and Social Connection in Adulthood.
Whitaker RC, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2026 Jan 26:e255816.Â
National outbreak of pertussis in England (2023-2024) in the context of international resurgence.
Ismail SA, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2026 Jan 21:archdischild-2025-329479.Â
The incidence and complication rate of pediatric battery ingestion in the Netherlands.
Krom H, et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2026 Jan 21;185(2):94.Â
Etiology of Severe Microcephaly in Infants: A Multinational Surveillance Study.
Farrar DS, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jan 21:e2025072700.Â
Nixon GM, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2026 Jan 20:e255717.Â
Repetitive Motor Behaviors in Non-Autistic Toddlers.
Moore Hill M, et al. J Pediatr. 2026 Jan 17:114994.Â
Jardim-Botelho A, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2026 Jan 18.Â
Ravindra VM, et al. J Pediatr. 2026 Jan 16:114985.Â
Dhersin R, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2026 Jan 14:archdischild-2025-329509.Â
Carpay NC, et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2026 Jan 14;185(2):76.Â
van Vreeswijk B, et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2026 Jan 13;185(2):74.Â
Social Media Use and Well-Being Across Adolescent Development.
Singh B, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2026 Jan 12:e255619.Â
Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Among Children With and Without Underlying Conditions.
Hayek H, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jan 9:e2025072184.Â
Improving Pediatric Concussion Management in the Primary Care Setting.
Rea CJ, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jan 7:e2025071049.Â
Improving Emergency Department Boarding Time: Balancing Efficiency and Safety.
Vukovic AA, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jan 1;157(1):e2025072144.Â
Early Parenting Support on Child Development Through Age 6: The Smart Beginnings Model.
Miller EB, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jan 1;157(1):e2025072542.Â
Worth the Investment: Supporting Families Early for Future Success.
Bodrick NI, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jan 1;157(1):e2025074031.Â
Continuity and Change of Delayed Sleep Phase From Adolescence to Early Adulthood.
Jääkallio P, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jan 1;157(1):e2025071832.Â
Smartphone Ownership, Age of Smartphone Acquisition, and Health Outcomes in Early Adolescence.
Barzilay R, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jan 1;157(1):e2025072941.Â
Bjørndal LD, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2026 Jan 1;180(1):45-55.Â
Eid A, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Jan;62(1):90-96.Â
Chandler-Mather N, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Jan;62(1):16-22.Â
Warburton M, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2026 Jan 19;111(2):167-172.Â
Ali S, et al. J Pediatr. 2026 Jan;288:114803.
3.Guidelines and best evidence
Risk factors for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in children: A systematic review.
Nowacki R, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2026 Jan 27.Â
Nama N, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2026 Jan 26:e255858.Â
Therapeutic Hypothermia for Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: Clinical Report.
Zanelli SA, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jan 26:e2025073627.Â
Psychosocial Interventions for Disruptive Behavior in Children and Adolescents: A Meta-analysis.
Selph SS, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jan 13:e2025072476.Â
Promoting Human Milk and Breastfeeding for the Very Low Birth Weight Infant: Clinical Report.
Parker MG, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jan 12:e2025073625.Â
Colchicine prophylaxis in pediatric PFAPA: a systematic review.
Dipasquale RF, et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2026 Jan 7;185(1):57.Â
Szajewska H, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2026 Jan 4.Â
Fractures in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review.
Bentley LA, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jan 1;157(1):e2025072946.Â
Ni Cheallaigh L, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2026 Jan 19;111(2):158-166.
4.Case reports
An Oral Human Papillomavirus Lesion in a Neonate: A Clinical Case Report.
Vieira SS, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Jan 25.Â
Hyperpigmentation in an Infant due to Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Case Report.
Barrantes EV, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Jan 21.Â
Primary Salmonella Osteomyelitis of the Sternum.
Kleinertz A, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Jan 22:e2025073145.Â
Persistent Nasal Congestion in the Newborn-Think Congenital Syphilis: A Case Report.
Silcock R, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Jan 12.Â
Uncovering Meckel’s diverticulum: A case of gastrointestinal bleeding in a young child.
Grdina S, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2026 Jan 11.Â
When the kidneys speak for the brain: a nephrological presentation of a rare neurological disorder.
Boussetta A, et al. Pediatr Nephrol. 2026 Jan 7
An 11-Year-old Boy With a Headache.
Nuez L, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2026 Jan 1;45(1):96-98.Â
Alopecic Patch in a 10-Year-Old.
Abbenante D, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Jan;62(1):146-147.
If we have missed out on something useful or you think other articles are absolutely worth sharing, please add them in the comments!