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Bubble Wrap PLUS – January 2026

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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 keep a finger on the pulse of paediatric research.

Some of this month’s highlights include:-

1. HPV Vaccine: 1 = 2

This large randomised trial evaluated whether a single dose of the HPV vaccine provides protection comparable to the standard two-dose regimen in girls aged 12–16 years. Over 20,000 participants were followed for persistent HPV16/18 infection for up to five years. One vaccine dose was noninferior to two doses, with very small differences in infection rates and vaccine effectiveness of at least 97% across all groups. No safety concerns were identified. This study could lead to a simpler HPV vaccination schedule.

2. Phenotypes of Adolescent Suicide

This cross-sectional study identified distinct phenotypes of U.S. adolescents who died by suicide. Several classes emerged, ranging from youths experiencing acute crises without prior care to those with documented mental health treatment and intent disclosure, as well as groups with few identifiable risk factors. Nearly half of the deaths occurred in adolescents without clinical contact. The findings highlight the need for improved surveillance and preventive approaches beyond the clinical setting.

3. RSV costs before immune therapy …

This population-based case-cohort study assessed RSV-related hospitalisations in Swedish children under five years of age from 2006 to 2022. Most hospitalised children were full-term and previously healthy, with the highest incidence seen in infants aged 1–2 months. RSV accounted for over a quarter of all hospitalisations for acute respiratory infections and led to significant healthcare costs, despite very low mortality. These findings underscore the significant population-level burden of RSV and support universal infant prophylactic immunisation strategies (discussed in the next highlight).

4. … versus the impact of maternal RSV immunisation and nirsevimab

This population-based surveillance study evaluated the real-world effectiveness of maternal RSV vaccination and nirsevimab during the 2024–2025 RSV season in U.S. children under two years of age. Maternal vaccination reduced RSV hospitalisations by approximately 65–70% in infants under six months, while nirsevimab reduced this by over 80%. Both interventions showed sustained protection, and RSV hospitalisations in infants under one year declined by up to 50% compared with pre-intervention seasons. The results provide strong early evidence supporting combined maternal and infant RSV prevention.

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

1.Reviews and opinion articles

Preventing Excess Fat Mass Gain in Severe Pediatric Obesity.

Wabitsch M, et al.  JAMA Pediatr. 2025 Dec 29.

Unexpected deaths in infancy: how understanding of causes and prevention has developed over 100 years.

Pease A, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2025 Dec 24:archdischild-2025-329765. 

AI Chatbots and Youth Mental Health: Practical Recommendations for Clinicians.

Dvir Y, et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2025 Dec 19:S0890-8567(25)02234-8. 

Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: from pathophysiology to long-term outcome-a narrative review.

Abgral M, et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2025 Dec 17;185(1):24. 

The Role and Safety of Aluminum Adjuvants in Childhood Vaccines.

Nirenberg E, et al. Pediatrics. 2025 Dec 3. 

Ethical Framework for Weight Loss Medication Use in Youth.

Sanaka S, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2025 Dec 1;179(12):1263-1264. 

Syphilis: A Review.

Chevalier FJ, et al. JAMA. 2025 Dec 2;334(21):1927-1940.

2.Original clinical studies

Noninferiority of One HPV Vaccine Dose to Two Doses.

Kreimer AR, et al. N Engl J Med. 2025 Dec 18;393(24):2421-2433. 

CAN-ANDA: Multicenter Study of Invasive Candidiasis in Children and Neonates in Andalusia, Spain.

De León NDV, et al. J Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2025 Dec 31. 

Comparative Evaluation of Antimicrobial Use in Neonates at Risk for Early-onset Neonatal Sepsis Using Different Diagnostic Strategies in a Neonatal Care Unit.

Krepi A, et al.  Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2025 Dec 30. 

Healthcare Decision-Making and Evolving Autonomy in Adolescents and Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy.

Anderson CB, et al. J Pediatr. 2025 Dec 11:114953. 

Ultrasonographic predictors of extubation success in children: diaphragmatic, lung, and laryngeal assessment-a prospective pilot cohort study.

Rezk AR, et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2025 Dec 27;185(1):42. 

Typologies and Phenotypes of Youth Suicide Decedents.

Hale EW, et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2025 Dec 23:S0890-8567(25)02239-7. 

Stratified Stepped-Care for Reducing Suicide Attempts and Self-Harm in Youth: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Asarnow JR, et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2025 Dec 23:S0890-8567(25)02238-5. 

Early breastfeeding as protective factor for preschool emotional and behavioral health.

Susana VP, et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2025 Dec 24;185(1):38. 

Clinical outcome of constipation as the presenting symptom in children with celiac disease.

Almallouhi A, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2025 Dec 23. 

Involving Nonspeaking and Speaking Children in Clinical Encounters: An Observational Study of Real-World Clinical Encounters.

Ekberg S, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2025 Dec 23. 

Burden of Hospitalized Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Children in Sweden (BRICS): A Population-based Case-cohort Study (2006-2023).

Silfverdal SA, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2025 Dec 23. 

Comparison of 3 different flow rates of high-flow nasal cannula (1 L/kg/min versus 2 L/kg/min versus 3 L/kg/min) in management of children admitted with bronchiolitis: a randomized controlled trial.

Kaushik M, et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2025 Dec 23;185(1):34. 

Nasal High-Flow Therapy for Infants With Bronchiolitis Across Australia and New Zealand: A PREDICT and CIRCAN Clinician Survey.

Felsinger J, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2025 Dec 20. 

Effectiveness and Impact of Maternal RSV Immunization and Nirsevimab on Medically Attended RSV in US Children.

Moline HL, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2025 Dec 22:e255778. 

Listeria monocytogenes meningitis in immunocompetent children: A retrospective single-centre study.

Gayretli Aydin ZG, et al. Paediatr Child Health. 2025 Aug 14;30(8):690-693. 

“I didn’t know it was an option”: Exploring caregivers’ knowledge of available pain management strategies in the paediatric emergency department.

Kammerer E, et al. Paediatr Child Health. 2025 Sep 10;30(8):674-681. 

A descriptive analysis of autoimmune cytopenias in children with inborn errors of immunity.

Lew J, et al. Paediatr Child Health. 2025 Jul 16;30(8):705-709. 

Prevalence and seasonality of viral pathogens associated with respiratory tract infections in children.

Karabey M, et al. Paediatr Child Health. 2025 Sep 21;30(8):761-768. 

Prediction of Language Development in Neonates Born at Less Than 32 Weeks of Gestation.

Pointner N, et al. J Pediatr. 2025 Dec 17:114959. 

Point-of-care decision rule for antibiotic prescriptions in young children with fever without source: an open cluster randomised trial.

Malorey D, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2025 Dec 17:archdischild-2025-329438. 

Early Antibiotics Usage During Infancy is Associated With High Risk of Celiac Disease Autoimmunity: A Population-based Study.

Cozacov T, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2025 Dec 16. 

Risk of Celiac Disease Before and After Nationwide Infant Rotavirus Vaccination: A Population-Based Study.

Östman M, et al. J Pediatr. 2025 Dec 10:114938. 

The Impact of Prematurity on Self-Reported Quality of Life in Adulthood: A Prospective Swedish National Cohort of Infants Born with Extremely Low Birth Weight.

Heyman M, et al. J Pediatr. 2025 Dec 12:114956. 

Neonatal Multimorbidity is a Poor Predictor of Health and Developmental Outcomes after Preterm Birth.

Litt JS, et al. J Pediatr. 2025 Dec 12:114948

Esophageal mechanical properties in different stages of pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis and based on different therapy interventions.

Al-Mulaabed S, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2025 Dec 9. 

Hydrocortisone in Preterm Infants and School-Age Functional Outcomes: Follow-Up of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

DeMauro SB, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2025 Dec 8:e254801

Retrospective, Observational Study of Recovery in Pediatric Recurrent Concussions.

Ugalde V, et al. J Child Neurol. 2025 Dec 4:8830738251398573. 

Increasingly Frequent Parapneumonic Empyema by Group A Streptococcus Is More Severe Than by Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Boto CM, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2025 Dec 3. 

Frequent, dual and nighttime nicotine use among Dutch adolescents: findings from a school-based survey.

Raad DCJ, et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2025 Dec 3;184(12):816. 

Prenatal Substance Exposure and Child Protection System Involvement to Age 12 Years.

Powell M, et al. Pediatrics. 2025 Dec 1;156(6):e2024070444. 

Decreasing Exposure to Mechanical Ventilation in Extremely Preterm Infants.

Gentle SJ, et al. Pediatrics. 2025 Dec 1;156(6):e2024070239. 

Cannabis and Alcohol Use to Initiate Sleep Among Young Adults.

Patrick ME, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2025 Dec 1;179(12):1357-1359

Antenatal Corticosteroid in Twin-Pregnant Women at Risk of Late Preterm Delivery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Lee SM, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2025 Dec 1;179(12):1275-1282. 

Expanding the Evidence on Late Preterm Steroids to Twin Pregnancies.

Clapp MA, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2025 Dec 1;179(12):1266-1268. 

Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Screening for Adolescents and Young Adults in Emergency Departments.

Reed JL, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2025 Dec 1;179(12):1343-1352.

3.Guidelines and best evidence

Meta-Analysis: Parenting Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Compared to Healthy Controls.

Văidean T, et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2025 Dec 30:S0890-8567(25)02246-4. 

Prolonged Versus Intermittent Beta-Lactam Antibiotic Infusions in Paediatric Critical Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

O’Keefe K, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2025 Dec 27. 

Breast Milk-acquired Cytomegalovirus Infection in Premature or Very Low Birth Weight Infants: A Systematic Review.

Valente Dias J, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2025 Dec 26. 

Nirsevimab Against Hospitalizations and Emergency Department Visits for Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Infants: A Meta-Analysis.

Sumsuzzman DM, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2025 Dec 22:e255280. 

Etiologies of Acute Ataxia in Children: A Systematic Review of 1167 Subjects.

Jones C, et al. J Child Neurol. 2025 Dec 1:8830738251396192. 

Systemic Corticosteroids in Children With Pneumonia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Geropeppa M, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2025 Dec 17. 

High-flow nasal cannula for lower respiratory infections in children under 2 years: a systematic review of indications.

Milani GP, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2025 Dec 4:archdischild-2025-329699.

Disease burden attributable to intimate partner violence against females and sexual violence against children in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023.

GBD 2023 Collaborators. Lancet. 2026 Jan 3;407(10523):31-52.

4.Case reports

Recurrent Nontypeable Pneumococcal Meningitis in a Child With Bilateral Cochlear Implants.

Gülyüz A. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2025 Dec 26. 

Facial Erythema Migrans in a Pediatric Patient.

Sahin A, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2025 Dec 24. 

Vomiting, hypotonia and failure to thrive in a 12-month-old female.

MacDonald BE, et al. Paediatr Child Health. 2025 Nov 18;30(8):660-661. 

An Unusual Cause of Septic Bursitis in an Adolescent.

Cottrell JM, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2025 Dec 17

When Recurrent Otitis Turns Dangerous: Skull Base Osteomyelitis in an Immunocompetent Child.

Karauzum SE, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2025 Dec 17. 

An 11-Year-old Boy With a Headache.

Nuez L, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2026 Jan 1;45(1):96-98. 

Painless but Visible: The Case Report of a Painless Facial Nodule in a Child.

Vieitez-Frade J, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2025 Dec 8.

Post-Streptococcal Myositis: Etiology of Myalgia and Severe Inflammation in a Child.

Pence LJ, et al. Pediatrics. 2025 Dec 1;156(6):e2025070952.

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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