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 draws on 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.
Here are some of the highlights:
In the Journal of Pediatrics, we found an interesting study on the long-term impact of concussion. Could a 30‑second emotional symptom check in the ED tell you which concussed child will struggle months later? In a large, multicentre study, children with more acute emotional symptoms after concussion (not just headache or dizziness) had worse emotional functioning up to six months post‑injury, with higher risks in younger children and in girls. This might help you in your practice: if you assess sadness, irritability, or anxiety in ED, it may predict who needs closer follow‑up or early support.
A study in Pediatrics heralds good news for paediatricians: in a large US cohort followed from 2021 to 2025, burnout has been trending down across the board. Fewer clinicians reported feeling burned out, emotionally exhausted, disconnected or cynical, or that their work lacked worthwhile accomplishments. What seemed to help most? Changing jobs, gaining more control over schedules, and working in less chaotic settings were all linked to lower burnout. Changing jobs, for instance, was associated with roughly 70% lower odds of current burnout. More colleague support, more sleep, and simply having more time with patients also tracked with less burnout and emotional exhaustion.
Could ultra-processed foods be shaping children’s bodies before adolescence? In the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, an Indonesian study examined dietary patterns and body composition in primary school children. Higher ultra-processed food consumption was consistently associated with less favourable body-composition measures (BMI, BMI-for-age and body-fat percentage), while muscle mass was lower. Interestingly, none of the other dietary or lifestyle factors assessed showed a significant association. As this was a cross-sectional study, it cannot establish that ultra-processed foods caused these differences, and dietary intake may be subject to reporting bias. Nevertheless, the findings show the importance of helping families recognise that healthier choices are not simply about reducing calories.
You will find the list is broken down into four sections:
1.Reviews and opinion articles
Partnering Through Uncertainty: A Rare Risk Reveals a Common Need.
Young E, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Sep 3:e2026076577.
How Many Children Are Needed? A Practical Guide to Sample Size Planning in Pediatric Research.
Zhao YD, et al. J Pediatr. 2026 Sep 2:115314.
Bridging the gap between good intentions and action: building healthcare worker competence in supporting LGBTQ+ children and young people.
Baudinet J. Arch Dis Child. 2026 Sep 1:archdischild-2026-331351.
High-Flow Nasal Cannula Use for Respiratory Support Outside the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in Children Over 1 Year: A Narrative Review.
O’Connell E, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Sep 5.
Reframing Research: A Child-Lens Approach to Health Innovation.
Thomas-Turner R, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2026 Sep 10.
AI at the Bedside: An Argument for a Training Wheels Approach.
MacDuffie KE, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Sep 8.
Nutrition and Hydration Decisions in Neonatal Palliative Care.
Trivedi A, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Sep 22.
Leveraging Bioinformatic Strategies to Advance Care of Children With Urinary Tract Infections.
Wang X, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Sep 29.
Interventions delivered in healthcare settings to promote vaping cessation in children and young people (under the age of 18 years): a scoping review.
Hoo Chuin Shen M, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2026 Sep 30.
2.Original clinical studies
A Common Metric for the Emotion Dysregulation Inventory From Early Childhood Through Adolescence.
Kim SY, et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2026 Sep 4:S0890-8567(26)02071-X.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging During Therapeutic Hypothermia Accurately Reflects the Degree of Brain Injury in Neonates with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy.
Dolan F, et al. J Pediatr. 2026 Sep 3:115316.
Acute Emotional Symptoms Predict Emotional Functioning Up to 6 Months After Pediatric Concussion: An A-CAP Study.
Lee MA, et al. J Pediatr. 2026 Sep 3:115311.
Effects of a Parent-Participatory Physical Activity and Psychoeducation Program on Anxiety, Depression, and Social Skills in Children With ADHD.
Kim B, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Sep 3.
Physiological and Cardiac Effects of Weight Loss in Adolescents With Atypical Anorexia Nervosa Versus Those Undergoing Bariatric Surgery: A Retrospective Comparative Study.
Mevorach T, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Sep 2.
Long-Term Outcomes of Paediatric Patients With Unexplained Elevated Total Immunoglobulin E.
Özel ÇT, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Sep 2.
Simple Isolated Skull Fractures in Young Children: Findings From a Hospital-Based Child Protection Team.
Woods A, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Sep 2.
Patient-reported ratings of transfer to adult care among young adults with chronic kidney disease.
Richardson KL, et al. Pediatr Nephrol. 2026 Sep 2.
The Untapped Potential of Organ Donation from the NICU.
Nguyen BV, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Sep 3:e2026076954.
Potential Neonatal Donors in Australia: A National Cohort Study.
Barzegar R, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Sep 3:e2025075110.
Dual biologic therapy in inflammatory bowel disease, a retrospective cohort study of vedolizumab and anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha therapy in children.
O’Donnell JEM, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2026 Sep 1.
Impact of a slow feeding advancement protocol on necrotizing enterocolitis incidence in preterm infants: A before-and-after study.
Caruggi S, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2026 Sep 1.
Effect of brewers’ yeast or beta-glucan derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae on breast milk supply following preterm birth: the BLOOM randomised controlled trial.
Grzeskowiak L, et al. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2026 Sep 1:fetalneonatal-2025-330214.
Program Directors’ Varied Conceptions of Practice Readiness.
Daulton RS, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Sep 2:e2026077198.
Pediatric corrosive ingestion: A retrospective study of 230 children evaluating the role of routine diagnostic esophagoscopy.
Köse ÜNİ, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2026 Sep 1.
Pediatrician Burnout Over Time: 2021-2025.
Frintner MP, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Sep 1:e2026076643.
How Should the Neonatal Retrieval Team Respond to the Neonate Referred With Bilious Vomiting: Mark II.
Nundeekasen S, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Sep 14.
Gastric Electrical Stimulation for Children With Refractory Nausea and Vomiting: A Sham-Controlled Trial.
Hawa K, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2026 Sep 14.
National Outcomes of Sepsis in Publicly Insured Children: 2021-2023.
Michelson KA, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Sep 15.
Reducing Inequities in Restraint Use in the Pediatric Emergency Department.
Adu MR, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Sep 10.
Long-Term Outcomes of Expectant Management Versus Early Ibuprofen for Patent Ductus Arteriosus: 24-Month Follow-Up of the BeNeDuctus Trial.
Apers WMJ, et al. J Pediatr. 2026 Sep 17.
Adolescents’ Experiences of Online Harms by Platform.
Lee AY, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2026 Sep 18.
A Nationwide Multicenter Observational Study on Childhood Scurvy in Japan.
Masuda Y, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2026 Sep 17.
Consensus Definition for Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Children Using a Delphi Approach.
Dutron S, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2026 Sep 17.
Bloodstream Infections in Young Infants: A Cohort Study.
Gibbs AAM, et al. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2026 Sep 16.
A County-Level Collaboration to Reduce Infant Mortality: Cradle Cincinnati.
Feister J, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Sep 17.
Spread and Sustainability of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Initiative Within a Pediatric Network.
Vernacchio L, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Sep 17.
Acute Kidney Injury in Neonates With Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy Treated With Therapeutic Hypothermia: Impact of Diagnostic Criteria and Clinical Predictors.
Santos AC, et al. Pediatr Nephrol. 2026 Sep 16.
The Relationship Between the Gut Microbiome and Executive Function in Adolescents With Overweight and Obesity.
Caldú X, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Sep 16.
The Golden Hour for Infants With Congenital Anomalies: Experience of the Special Delivery Unit.
Wild KT, et al. J Pediatr. 2026 Sep 15.
Disambiguating Maternal versus Fetal Etiological Pathways Linking Perinatal and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes.
Schaffer LS, et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2026 Sep 25.
Trial of a Maternal Diet Rich in Eggs and Peanuts to Reduce Infant Allergy.
Palmer DJ, et al. N Engl J Med. 2026 Sep 17.
Balanced Fluid or 0.9% Saline in Children Treated for Septic Shock.
Balamuth F, et al. N Engl J Med. 2026 Sep 3.
Effectiveness and Safety of Intravenous Iron Formulations in Children with Iron Deficiency.
Raj R, et al. J Pediatr. 2026 Sep 24.
Congenital TORCH Infections and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes.
Sjöqvist H, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2026 Sep 21.
TORCH Infections in Pregnancy and Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Schleiss MR. JAMA Pediatr. 2026 Sep 21.
Patterns of Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Their Associations With Body Composition in Primary School Children in Semarang City, Indonesia.
Sulistiyani S, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Sep 20.
Implementing Congenital CMV Screening in a Large Hospital System.
Tanzo J, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Sep 21.
Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: Do the Eyes Have It?
Demmler-Harrison GJ. Pediatrics. 2026 Sep 21.
Eye Findings Following Congenital Cytomegalovirus Newborn Screening.
Leahy KE, et al. Pediatrics. 2026 Sep 21.
Nasal versus oral intubation in the neonatal intensive care unit: associations with procedural success and safety in a retrospective cohort study from the National Emergency Airway Registry for Neonates (NEAR4NEOS).
Rub DM, et al. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2026 Sep 30.
Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children Born After Fresh Versus Frozen Embryo Transfer.
Chang JC, et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2026 Sep 30.
Intestinal ultrasound versus magnetic resonance enterography for detecting small bowel Crohn’s disease in children.
Vos JMBW, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2026 Sep 29.
Improving early detection of critical congenital heart disease in a high-performing prenatal screening system: the OXYNAT interventional cohort study.
Chabaneix J, et al. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2026 Sep 29.
How do we diagnose dysfunctional breathing (breathing pattern disorder) in children and young people: an eDelphi consensus.
Macleod KA, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2026 Sep 29.
Corticosteroid use in children with community acquired sepsis: a multicentre prospective cohort study.
Long E, et al. Arch Dis Child. 2026 Sep 29.
Inconsistency in Maternal Report of Infant Sleep Characteristics: Results from a National Survey and Implications for Sudden Unexpected Infant Death.
Tor S, et al. J Pediatr. 2026 Sep 29.
3.Guidelines and best evidence
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Risk Factors for Suicide in Youth Psychological Autopsy Studies.
Dobin D, et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2026 Sep 4:S0890-8567(26)02072-1.
Impact of Early Enteral Nutrition on Children With Acute Pancreatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Rao L, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2026 Sep 14.
Vitamin D Supplementation for Pediatric Steatotic Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Taheri E, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2026 Sep 14.
RSV Bivalent Prefusion F Protein Vaccine in Pregnancy and Protection Against RSV-Associated Illness in Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Batool R, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2026 Sep 8.
Pediatric Central Nervous System Infections Due to Group A Streptococcus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Filippatos F, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2026 Sep 17.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Lack of Early Improvement Predicts Inefficacy of Antipsychotics for Schizophrenia in Adolescents.
Farhat LC, et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2026 Sep 15.
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Among Childhood and Young Adult Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Shu C, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2026 Sep 28.
Screen Use and Child and Adolescent Development and Mental Health Outcomes: A Quantitative Umbrella Review.
Al-Jbouri E, et al. JAMA Pediatr. 2026 Sep 28.
4.Case reports
Paediatric Extratesticular Epidermoid Cyst Extending Towards the Perineal Region in a 6-Year-Old Boy: A Case Report.
Issa J, et al. J Paediatr Child Health. 2026 Sep 5.
Oropharyngeal Kingella kingae Detection and Spondylodiscitis in Early Childhood-A Causal or Casual Association?: A Case Report and a Systematic Literature Review.
Campani S, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2026 Sep 2.
Ganciclovir and Intravenous Immunoglobulin for Epstein-Barr Virus Encephalitis in a Child.
Ağrali Eröz N, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2026 Sep 2.
Epitrochlear Lymphadenitis as an Unusual Presentation of Tularemia in an Adolescent.
Yaşar Durmuş S, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2026 Sep 1.
Phthiriasis Palpebrarum: A Diagnosis Requiring Child Protection Assessment.
Moura AC, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2026 Sep 7.
Levofloxacin-induced Ataxia in a Child After Complicated Pneumonia: A Case Report.
D’Elia C, et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2026 Sep 29.
If we have missed out on something useful or you think other articles are absolutely worth sharing, please add them in the comments!