Energy drink (ED) consumption among Israeli-Arab adolescents is widespread. This study aimed to investigate the acute glycemic and insulin effects of EDs in healthy adolescents. Seventy-one Israeli-Arab adolescents (56% girls, average age 16.04 ± 1.03 years) participated in a non-randomized, case-controlled, open-label study. Participants consumed ED (n = 36) or a volume- and carbohydrate-matched non-caffeinated soft drink (SD, n = 35), followed by a 2 h glucose tolerance test. Blood glucose was measured at baseline and 15, 30, 60, and 120 min post-consumption (T0, T15, T30, T60 and T120, respectively). Serum insulin concentration and caffeine relative intensity were determined 45 min post-consumption (T45). Blood glucose levels peaked significantly at T15 and remained significantly higher at T30 in the ED group compared to the SD group (p = 0.005, p = 0.017, respectively). Insulin concentrations were substantially higher at T45 in the ED group (t [64] = 2.794, p = 0.001). This pattern was especially prominent in heavy ED consumers. A positive correlation emerged between the amount of caffeine consumed (mg/kg), blood glucose levels at T15 and T30, and insulin concentration at T45. This study is the first to demonstrate the glycemic and insulin responses to ED consumption in adolescents, suggesting that regulatory measures limiting ED sales to adolescents could improve their health.

Purpose The second year of life is gaining increased attention in the era of long-acting RSV immunoprophylaxis. This multicenter study, across pre- and post-COVID seasons, aimed to assess the association between specific key risk-factors and severe RSV-related disease among hospitalized children aged 12–23 months. Methods This retrospective study included children aged 12–23 months hospitalized with RSV across 11 medical-centers (2017–2021). We compared outcomes of prolonged hospitalization (> 3 days) and PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) admission for children with risk factors (prematurity < 37 weeks, major congenital heart disease (CHD), chronic lung disease of prematurity (CLD) or Down syndrome (DS)) and those without the respective risk factor, adjusting for demographic variables and COVID-19 pandemic admission. Clinical outcomes were also compared between children with ≥ 1 risk factors and those with none. Results Among 1023 children, 228 (22%) had ≥ 1 risk factor: prematurity (n = 183), CLD (n = 28), CHD (n = 45) or DS (n = 20). In multivariable analysis, prematurity with CLD (aOR 4.7,95%CI:1.97–11.22) or without CLD (aOR 2.26, 95%CI:1.54–3.3), CHD (aOR-3.29, 95%CI:1.6–6.77), DS (aOR-4.14, 95%CI:1.26–13.6) and having ≥ 1 risk (aOR-3.55, 95%CI:2.55–4.96) were independently associated with prolonged hospitalization. DS (aOR 6.7, 95%CI:2.1–22.4), CHD (aOR 3.0,95%CI:1.04–8.66) and having ≥ 1 risk factor (aOR-3.58, 95%CI:1.89–6.80) were also associated with PICU admission. Conclusion Children aged 12–23 months with prematurity, CLD, major CHD or DS had significantly higher rates of prolonged RSV hospitalization. Those with ≥ 1 risk factor, and presumably patients with DS and CHD are at highest risk for severe complications. Preventive strategies for these high-risk populations should be considered in their second-year of life. What is Known: • Children with prematurity, congenital heart disease (CHD), chronic lung disease of prematurity (CLD) or Down syndrome (DS) are at increased risk for severe RSV-related illness in the first year of life. • The second year of life is now relevant for long-acting RSV prevention strategies. What is New: • This multicenter study shows that prematurity, CLD, CHD, and DS remain strong predictors of prolonged RSV hospitalization in children aged 12–23 months. • Those with ≥ 1 risk factor, and presumably those with DS and major CHD, faced the highest risk, with increased likelihood of PICU admission.

Energy drink (ED) consumption among Israeli-Arab adolescents is widespread. This study aimed to investigate the acute glycemic and insulin effects of EDs in healthy adolescents. Seventy-one Israeli-Arab adolescents (56% girls, average age 16.04±1.03 years) participated in a non-randomized, case-controlled, open-label study. Participants consumed ED (n=36) or a volume- and carbohydrate-matched non-caffeinated soft drink (SD, n=35), followed by a 2 h glucose tolerance test. Blood glucose was measured at baseline and 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes post-consumption (T0, T15, T30, T60 and T120, respectively). Serum insulin concentration and caffeine relative intensity were determined 45 minutes post-consumption (T45). Blood glucose levels peaked significantly at T15 and remained significantly higher at T30 in the ED group compared to the SD group (p=0.005, p=0.017, respectively). Insulin concentrations were substantially higher at T45 in the ED group (t[64]=2.794, p=0.001). This pattern was especially prominent in heavy ED consumers. A positive correlation emerged between the amount of caffeine consumed (mg/kg), blood glucose levels at T15 and T30, and insulin concentration at T45. This study is the first to demonstrate the glycemic and insulin responses to ED consumption in adolescents, suggesting that regulatory measures limiting ED sales to adolescents could improve their health.

Preterm infants have a higher risk for low intelligence quotient (IQ) levels, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and verbal memory problems compared to full term infants. However, still there is limited evidence regarding the late preterm group, which accounts for the largest group of prematurely born children. To compare IQ levels, ADHD symptoms, and verbal memory performance between children born late preterm and full-term. A retrospective cohort study with prospective follow-up assessments, included 100 children who are 8-11 years old, 69 were born full term and 31 were born in the late preterm period, each child underwent evaluation by a specialized clinical psychologist, which included an IQ test, assessment for symptoms of ADHD and auditory memory problems. There was no significant difference between the two groups in general IQ scores, including verbal and performance scores (p = 0.13, 0.91, and 0.14 respectively). In the subtest analysis, the preterm group demonstrated lower performance in the Similarities subtest (p = 0.005, OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.37-0.84). There was no significant difference in Rey auditory verbal memory performance, p-value results ranged between 0.08 and 0.91. ADHD assessment questionnaires filled out by the parents and teachers showed no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.96, 0.47 respectively). Our findings suggest that late preterm children have comparable IQ levels, ADHD symptoms, and verbal memory performance to those born at full term.

Candida species are the leading cause of invasive fungal infections in children and are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. We conducted a multicenter retrospective study across nine hospitals in Israel, including all candidemia episodes in patients aged 0–18 years between 2010 and 2022. Clinical, microbiological, and outcome data were collected, and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of 30-day mortality. A total of 498 candidemia episodes were identified in 482 patients. Most episodes occurred in immunocompromised children or those admitted to intensive care units. Non-albicans Candida species predominated (63.3%), although C. albicans remained the single most common species (36.7%). The most frequent non-albicans species were C. parapsilosis (25.5%), C. tropicalis (15.9%), and C. glabrata (9.6%). No cases of C. auris were identified. Fluconazole non-susceptibility was observed in 19.4% of isolates and increased from 15.5% during 2010–2016 to 23.3% during 2017–2022 (OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.45–5.11, p = 0.007). The 30-day mortality rate was 23.4%. Independent predictors of mortality included liver disease, neutropenia, total parenteral nutrition, urinary tract infection, skin lesions, and peritonitis. Pediatric candidemia remains associated with considerable mortality, while increasing fluconazole non-susceptibility among non-albicans Candida species highlights the need for ongoing surveillance and antifungal stewardship.