American Academy of Pediatrics, Oct. 2-5

The American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference

The annual meeting of the American Academy of Pediatrics was held virtually this year from Oct. 2 to 5 and attracted participants from around the world, including primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, pediatric surgical specialists, and other health care professionals. The conference featured scientific sessions that focused on the latest advances in the care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

In one session, Nathaniel Beers, M.D., of Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., discussed how pediatricians and schools can work together during the COVID-19 pandemic to develop a school resumption plan based on currently available data, which will keep children, educators, and supportive communities safe and healthy.

The session focused on how schools, with the assistance of pediatricians, need to develop a multilayered and multipronged approach. Beers concluded that schools will be able to safely reopen when communities take responsibility for controlling the rate of spread of COVID-19 by wearing face coverings, maintaining physical distancing, and remaining isolated when sick or exposed to COVID-19-positive individuals.

“The AAP recommends face coverings for all children over 2 years old and adults in schools. There must be plans to manage physical distancing, cleaning, and ventilation in schools,” Beers said. “The approach needs to adjust based on the rate of community spread of COVID-19 as well as the developmental age of the students. Students with disabilities will need specific accommodations to ensure they are also able to return to school.”

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In another session, Aparna Bole, M.D., of the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, discussed how pediatricians can advise parents on the effect of chemicals in consumer products on babies and children.

The session focused on common categories of products and practices that pediatricians can cover in “safer chemicals” counseling, including cleaning and disinfection; personal care products (including soaps, cosmetics, hair products, and sunscreen); and food purchasing, preparation, and storage. Bole provided examples of a few practical tips for families in each category and helpful resources such as the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units and the Environmental Working Group websites. Furthermore, Bole noted that chemicals in vaccines are a common source of vaccine hesitancy and pediatricians should be able to answer questions about vaccine ingredients.

“For vaccine-hesitant families concerned about chemical exposures, pediatricians can pivot to evidence-based strategies to avoid exposures to chemicals of concern, which can both empower families and build rapport when counseling about vaccine safety,” Bole added.

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