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FDA approves first heart valve designed to grow with children; PICU trial tests permissive blood pressure targets; U.S. measles cases reach 3,887
THE SHORT READ
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Oct. 1 approved the Autus Size-Adjustable Valve, the first heart valve designed to be expanded after surgery to keep pace with a child's growth. In JAMA, the PRESSURE trial found no significant difference in 30-day mortality and ventilation duration with a permissive pediatric intensive care blood pressure target, which cut norepinephrine-equivalent dose 37.5%. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) counted 3,887 measles cases this year as of Oct. 1, and the FDA approved the first treatment for MCT8 deficiency.
THE DETAILS
- FDA Oct 1, 2026Edwards Lifesciences received approval for the valve, developed by Autus Valve Technologies, for pediatric patients with congenital pulmonary valve disease, the Food and Drug Administration said Oct. 1. It can be implanted as small as about 13 millimeters and later widened with a balloon catheter to up to 22 millimeters. In a study of 62 patients at 12 U.S. sites, there were no deaths or clot-related complications; three patients had valve frame fractures and two had reduced leaflet movement, without symptoms, and performance deteriorated in two who began to outgrow the valve. Approval came through the premarket approval pathway.Source: FDA
- Research Sept 28, 2026The trial randomized 1,900 critically ill children receiving invasive ventilation and vasoactive drugs in 23 pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in three countries to a mean arterial pressure target above the fifth percentile for age or usual care, according to results published Sept. 28 in JAMA. The primary outcome, a composite of mortality and duration of invasive ventilation at 30 days, did not differ significantly (probabilistic index 0.52; 95% CI 0.49 to 0.54). The permissive target reduced median norepinephrine-equivalent total dose 37.5%, and survivors' median PICU stay was 159 hours versus 166 with usual care.
- Public health Oct 2, 2026As of Oct. 1, 3,887 confirmed measles cases had been reported in the U.S. in 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in an update dated Oct. 2. Cases were reported by 47 jurisdictions, plus 18 among international visitors, and 95% of confirmed cases (3,700 of 3,887) were outbreak-associated, with 42 new outbreaks this year.Source: CDC
- FDA Sept 28, 2026The Food and Drug Administration approved Emcitate (tiratricol) tablets for oral suspension from Egetis Therapeutics to treat peripheral thyrotoxicosis in patients with MCT8 deficiency, a rare genetic disorder that primarily affects males, the agency said Sept. 28. Two studies in patients ranging from infants to adults, including a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, showed reductions in excess thyroid hormone levels and improvements in cardiovascular and metabolic symptoms. The most common side effects were diarrhea, vomiting, rash and excessive sweating.Sources: FDA, FDA novel drug approvals 2026
- Research Sept 28, 2026A systematic review of 31 studies, 20 of them in the quantitative meta-analysis, found a pooled diagnostic yield of genetic testing of 0.19 (95% CI 0.11 to 0.32) in unselected cerebral palsy cohorts and 0.44 (95% CI 0.37 to 0.50) in cryptogenic cerebral palsy, according to the study published Sept. 28 in JAMA Pediatrics. Yields were higher in patients with normal brain MRI findings (25% to 80%), facial dysmorphism (66% to 71%) and congenital anomalies (85%).Sources: JAMA Pediatrics, PubMed
- Research Sept 28, 2026An umbrella review of 23 meta-analyses representing 2,817,252 children from 64 countries found screen-based media exposure was associated with lower academic achievement (r = -0.15; 95% CI -0.23 to -0.07) and language skills (r = -0.14; 95% CI -0.18 to -0.10) and with higher internalizing behavior (r = 0.10), according to the study published Sept. 28 in JAMA Pediatrics. The authors described the findings as associations from population-based studies.Sources: JAMA Pediatrics, PubMed