JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting

Postpartum maternal mental health (MMH) symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder (CBPTSD), are known to influence infant sleep trajectories. While previous research has examined their individual and combined associations, the predictive utility of these MMH symptoms for early identification of infant sleep problems through machine learning remains understudied.

Despite progress in childhood vaccination, many children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), including Ethiopia, remain unvaccinated, presenting a significant public health challenge. The Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030) seeks to halve the number of unvaccinated children by identifying at-risk populations, but effective strategies are limited. This study leverages machine learning (ML) to identify Ethiopian children aged 12 to 35 months who are at higher risk of being zero-dose. By analyzing demographic, socio-economic, and healthcare access data, the study developed predictive models using different algorithms. The findings aim to inform targeted interventions, ultimately improving vaccination coverage and health outcomes

In Catalonia, Spain, pediatric primary care is undergoing restructuring, including greater integration of information and communication technologies. The adoption of digital health solutions has increased notably since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In areas with limited availability of healthcare professionals, digital tools are a key strategy for facilitating access to services and ensuring continuity of care.

After hospital discharge, parents of preterm infants need accessible and reliable information to gain confidence and skills in their child-caring abilities and parental autonomy. Parental need for information after hospital discharge includes topics related to prematurity, such as crying, feeding, sleeping, infant care, general health, and neuromotor development. However, parents report difficulty in finding and understanding this information. Mobile apps have the potential to improve information provision.

The 42 days following childbirth are a high-risk period for birthing individuals and newborns. We created two rule-based chatbots – one for birthing individuals and one for newborn caregivers – to deliver information on postpartum and newborn warning signs, follow-up care, and other relevant resources during this high-risk period.

Children and young adults with special health care needs comprise a significant portion of the pediatric population in the United States, where 1 in every 5 children has a complex health care need. These patients are more likely to receive unsafe care and have their needs unmet in part due to lack of accessible information and limited training support. Barriers in communication may contribute to detrimental outcomes for this vulnerable, high-risk population.

Digital parent training programs (DPTs) have emerged as a scalable solution for treating childhood oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), offering remote access and reduced barriers to care. However, there is limited data on their potential to reach untreated populations and their effectiveness during times of crisis, such as war.

Protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) is a leading cause of chronic wet cough in children. Misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment may lead to the progression of diseases.

Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a common musculoskeletal problem in children, characterized by mechanical instability, perceived instability, and recurrent sprains. Inadequate rehabilitation can persist symptoms, increase the risk of re-injury, and negatively impact long-term quality of life. Research on the rehabilitation of children with CAI concerning ankle stability, running speed, and agility has been limited. Therefore, the Jump Step Kids (JSKs) program was developed as a rhythmic, multidirectional jumping program to improve functional movement and agility in children with CAI.

Participants in qualitative interviews designed to optimize the adaptation of a maternal postpartum depression intervention into a novel smartphone app noted that the app could be more useful if were delivered simultaneously to both parents; this calls for additional research on the feasibility and effectiveness of digital dyadic or stand-alone partner interventions to prevent postpartum depression.

An adaptive text messaging intervention to promote adolescent physical activity has demonstrated encouraging feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy in a recent proof-of-concept study. To inform future intervention development, a secondary analysis of the data examined how physical activity is influenced by mood, environment, and physical feelings of energy and

Asthma is one of the most common pediatric conditions affecting millions of US children. Digital health applications may provide children and their caregivers (parents/legal guardians) with ways to manage asthma and improve health and educational outcomes.