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.
Below are the highlights:
Radiation from Medical Imaging and Childhood Hematologic Cancer
In a cohort of over 3.7 million children the cumulative radiation exposure from medical imaging, particularly CT scans, was linked to a small but statistically significant increase in hematologic cancer risk. Even doses as low as 15–20 mGy (e.g. abdominal CT) were associated with nearly double the risk compared to unexposed children. The study estimates that about 10% of pediatric hematologic cancers could be attributable to medical imaging–related radiation.
Take-home message: While the absolute risk remains low, clinicians should apply strict justification and dose optimization for pediatric imaging.
Reducing Antibiotic Overuse in Acutely Ill Children (ARON Trial)
This large Belgian cluster-randomized trial (n = 6750) found that using a structured clinical decision tool, combining a validated decision tree, CRP point-of-care testing, and safety-netting advice, significantly reduced antibiotic prescriptions (16% vs 22%) without prolonging recovery or increasing complications. No deaths or serious adverse events were linked to the intervention.
Take-home message: Integrating CRP-guided decision tools into ambulatory pediatric care safely curbs unnecessary antibiotic use, supporting antimicrobial stewardship.
Apgar Score and School Performance
A national Dutch cohort of over 1.6 million school-aged children showed a clear graded association between lower 5-minute Apgar scores and poorer educational outcomes. Children with Apgar score of 0–3 were over twice as likely to require special education and less likely to receive a high-track secondary school recommendation than peers with Apgar 10. Even mildly reduced scores (7–9) carried measurable effects.
Take-home message: The 5-minute Apgar score may offer early insight into long-term neurodevelopmental and educational risk, even within the “normal” range.
Nonoperative vs Surgical Management of Pediatric Appendicitis
A 2025 meta-analysis of 7 RCTs (1480 children) found that nonoperative management (e.g. antibiotics) of uncomplicated appendicitis led to higher 1-year failure and complication rates compared to surgery. Although recovery was slightly quicker initially, one in five non-operated cases recurred, and major complications were significantly more frequent.
Take-home message: Despite early appeal, leaving the appendix in situ carries a significantly higher risk of failure and serious complications, underscoring the continued reliability of appendectomy as standard care.
You will find the list is broken down into four sections:
1.Reviews and opinion articles
Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia: past lessons, current practices, and future directions.
Vidavalur R. Eur J Pediatr. 2025 Oct 2;184(10):653.
A Practical Guide to Diagnosing Immunodeficiency.
Soomann M, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2025 Oct 1;44(10):e374-e377.
Enhancing Diagnostic Reasoning in Medical Education Through Patient Stories and Illness Scripts.
Dudas RA, et al. Pediatrics. 2025 Oct 1;156(4):e2025072981.
2.Original clinical studies
Medical Imaging and Pediatric and Adolescent Hematologic Cancer Risk.
Smith-Bindman R, et al. N Engl J Med. 2025 Oct 2;393(13):1269-1278.
Clesrovimab for Prevention of RSV Disease in Healthy Infants.
Zar HJ, et al. N Engl J Med. 2025 Oct 2;393(13):1292-1303.
Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Gene Therapy for Adenosine Deaminase Deficiency.
Booth C, et al. N Engl J Med. 2025 Oct 16;393(15):1486-1497.
Hatter L, et al. Lancet. 2025 Oct 4;406(10511):1473-1483.
Verbakel JY, et al. Lancet. 2025 Oct 11;406(10512):1599-1610.
Ochoa-Urrea M, et al. Lancet. 2025 Oct 4;406(10511):1497-1507.
Intravenous Rehydration for Severe Acute Malnutrition with Gastroenteritis.
Maitland K, et al. N Engl J Med. 2025 Oct 2;393(13):1257-1268.
Safety of Direct Amoxicillin Challenges to Evaluate Penicillin Allergy in Infants and Toddlers.
Tiano R, et al. J Pediatr. 2025 Oct 23:114867.
Hearing Trajectories in Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: A 4-Year Follow-Up Study.
DeLille H, et al. J Pediatr. 2025 Oct 23:114865.
The 5-min Apgar score and primary school performance: a Dutch nationwide cohort study.
Anema F, et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2025 Oct 25;184(11):714.
Wildenbeest JG, et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2025 Oct 25;184(11):716.
Outdoor play and risk in kids: a cross-sectional study.
Armstrong F, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2025 Oct 21:archdischild-2024-328315.
Can fecal calprotectin guide the need for colonoscopy in children with suspected polyps?
Kolobarić A, et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2025 Oct 7;184(11):662.
Vergara Muñoz B, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2025 Oct 22.
Prevalence of Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences in Adolescents, 2016-2023.
Krupa JR, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2025 Oct 20:e253840.
Evaluation of anemia at diagnosis and during follow-up in childhood inflammatory bowel diseases.
Cavusoglu M, et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2025 Oct 18;184(11):700.
Complete blood count reference intervals for extremely preterm neonates.
Wolfsberger CH, et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2025 Oct 18;184(11):699.
Do disposable diapers reduce urination elimination signals in non-toilet-trained children?
Bladt L, et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2025 Oct 16;184(11):693.
Late Antibiotic Use Among Preterm Infants Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Coggins SA, et al. Pediatrics. 2025 Oct 16:e2025071372.
Cerebral fuels within the first week of life in very preterm infants: a cohort study.
Liu GXH, et al. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2025 Oct 13:fetalneonatal-2025-328701.
Acute kidney injury in infants with necrotising enterocolitis: A case-control study.
Wildes D, et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2025 Oct 13;184(11):687.
Kuitunen I, et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2025 Oct 13;184(11):684.
Adanur Saglam K, et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2025 Oct 12;184(11):680.
Genetic evaluation of sudden unexpected death in infants and children.
Pries AM, et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2025 Oct 9;184(11):670.
Diagnostic multiparametric models and antibiotic practices in febrile infants younger than 90 days.
Martino L, et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2025 Oct 9;184(11):669.
McCreary DJ, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2025 Oct 9.
Fabricated or Induced Illness in Children: Experience of a Tertiary Australian Children’s Hospital.
Hanna S, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2025 Oct 8.
Heading in Soccer Players and Neurologic Outcomes.
Mathew RS, et al. J Child Neurol. 2025 Oct 6:8830738251378592.
Gronska A, et al. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2025 Oct 15:fetalneonatal-2025-328992.
Faria I, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2025 Oct 5:e254091.
Management of Uncomplicated Appendicitis-Moving Past the Superiority Debate.
Rangel SJ. JAMA Pediatr. 2025 Oct 5.
Acute mastoiditis-associated cerebral sinus venous thrombosis in children: a retrospective review.
Sellam Y, et al. Eur J Pediatr. 2025 Oct 2;184(11):654.
Changes in Sleep Practices During and After Illness.
Howard MB, et al. Pediatrics. 2025 Oct 1;156(4):e2025071605.
González-Bertolín I, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2025 Oct 1;44(10):1009-1011.
Exploring Challenges With Widespread Use of GLP-1-Based Therapies for Adolescents and Young Adults.
Luo J, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2025 Oct 1;179(10):1061-1063.
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Eligibility Among US Adolescents and Young Adults.
Chetty AK, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2025 Oct 1;179(10):1119-1121.
3.Guidelines and best evidence
Guidelines for Early Food Introduction and Patterns of Food Allergy.
Gabryszewski SJ, et al. Pediatrics. 2025 Oct 20:e2024070516.
Miller B, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2025 Oct 17:archdischild-2025-328953.
Katz TA, et al. Pediatrics. 2025 Oct 14:e2025070741.
Bérard A, et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2025 Oct 6:S0890-8567(25)02106-9.
Screening for Autism in Preterm Children: A Systematic Review.
Thomas KE, et al. Pediatrics. 2025 Oct 1;156(4):e2024069837.
Alsabri M, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2025 Oct;81(4):1000-1009.
4.Case reports
Moving Toes Syndrome in Children and Youth: Case Series of a Rare Disorder.
Doja A, et al. J Child Neurol. 2025 Oct 21:8830738251383179.
Alopecic Patch in a 10-Year-Old.
Abbenante D, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2025 Oct 20.
Case of a Slowly Enlarging Pediatric Rib Mass.
Thornton MN, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2025 Oct 1;44(10):1012-1015.
Mauney E, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2025 Oct;81(4):1118-1119.
Small Beginnings, Big Challenges: The Complexities of a Perinatal Stroke.
Faria SMS, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2025 Oct 11.
If we have missed out on something useful or you think other articles are absolutely worth sharing, please add them in the comments!