Brain Abnormalities in Children Exposed Prenatally to the Pesticide Chlorpyrifos
A longitudinal cohort study of approximately 270 children (ages 6–14) in New York City found that higher prenatal exposure to the insecticide chlorpyrifos was dose-dependently linked to widespread brain changes—including thicker cortical regions, reduced white matter volumes, altered microstructural integrity, and lower cerebral blood flow—as well as poorer fine motor and motor programming performance. Full Access: JAMA
Vaccine Integrity Project Presents Reassuring Data on Vaccines for Upcoming Respiratory Virus Season
The Vaccine Integrity Project (VIP), launched by CIDRAP, conducted an extensive evidence review of recent studies on COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccines—especially for children, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immunity. After screening nearly 17,000 abstracts and reviewing 1,406 full-text articles (including 50 randomized controlled trials), the panel found no new safety concerns or drops in effectiveness among these key groups, though a potential risk of preterm birth associated with the RSV vaccine in pregnancy was noted. Full Access: CIDRAP
Study Suggests Probiotics May Suppress Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Preterm Infants
A recent UK study examined very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm infants—some of whom received probiotic supplementation with Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus acidophilus, while others did not. Those given probiotics exhibited notably fewer antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens in their gut, even when exposed to antibiotics. The probiotics appeared to help the gut microbiome resemble that of full-term infants more closely, without increasing horizontal gene transfer risks. Full Access: Nature
Children Living in Socially Vulnerable Areas Have More Asthma ED Visits at Start of School
Children living in neighborhoods with higher social and economic vulnerability experience disproportionately larger spikes in asthma-related emergency department (ED) visits at the start of the school year. The study, conducted across major Texas cities, found that asthma ED visit rates increased by approximately 60 cases per 100,000 person-years in high-SVI (Social Vulnerability Index) areas—three times more than the 20-case increase observed in low-SVI areas. These findings highlight how underlying neighborhood disadvantage elevates the risk of virus-triggered asthma exacerbations during back-to-school periods. Full Access: Helio