Different pediatric research topics be presented at PAS annual meeting

Research on electronic cigarettes, teen texting and driving, bullying, mobile device use, health care of immigrant children and other pediatric topics will be presented April 25-28 at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting at the San Diego Convention Center. More than 7,000 pediatric leaders from around the world are expected to attend the meeting, the largest international conference focused on child health research.

Journalists will have access to hundreds of scientists who are conducting original pediatric research. More than 3,800 scientific papers will be presented on a range of topics, from prematurity and infancy, through adolescence and diseases that carry into adulthood.

"The PAS will provide discussions of a wide variety of hot topics and state-of-the-art updates on the research in pediatrics and pediatric subspecialties presented by internationally renowned clinicians and investigators," said D. Michael Foulds MD, FAAP, chair of the PAS Program Committee. "In addition, investigators from around the world will share the results of their current research in numerous platform and poster sessions throughout the four-day meeting. We are anticipating a record-breaking attendance of researchers, clinicians and trainees from around the world."

Highlights of the 2015 meeting include:

• A session on "Interactive Media and Early Childhood Development: More Screen Time, or Opportunity for Improved Learning?" from 8-10 a.m. PT on Saturday, April 25.
• A session on "Race, Gender, Parenting and Poverty" from 8-10 a.m. PT on Sunday, April 26.
• A session sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics on "Seven Great Achievements in Pediatric Research" at 1:35 p.m. PT on Sunday, April 26.
• A lecture on prematurity from the perspectives of former preemies at 3:15 p.m. PT on Sunday, April 26.
• A session on "The Health and Healthcare of Immigrant Children: Innovative Approaches, Immigration Reform, and the Humanitarian Crisis of Unaccompanied Minors Crossing the Border" from 3:30-5:30 p.m. PT on Sunday, April 26.
• A session on "What is the Impact of the Environment on Children's Health and Development?" from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PT on Monday, April 27.
• A session on "Research to Practice: Mobile Smart Phone Technology for Advancing Teen Pregnancy Prevention" from 12:15-2:15 p.m. PT on Tuesday, April 28.