In this episode of Pediatrics Now, two experts present from the Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos conference on why children—especially Hispanic and Latino youth—are being left behind in pediatric cancer care. Adam De Smith, PhD, University of Southern California, reviews genetic and ancestral contributors to increased acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) risk in Latino populations, highlighting IKZF1 and polygenic risk patterns, ancient origins of risk alleles, and ongoing efforts to expand genomic studies across Latin America. Jenny Ruiz, MD, University of Pittsburgh, examines how language access and communication gaps affect pediatric cancer experiences and outcomes, presenting qualitative interviews and quantitative analyses showing higher acuity and ICU needs for Spanish-preferred patients, and calling for better interpreter services and multifaceted interventions.

Constipation and Abdominal Pain: What To Do and When To Worry

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This episode explains how to distinguish functional constipation from organic causes in children, outlines the key red flags that require further workup or referral, and reviews evidence-based management including clean-outs, maintenance with polyethylene glycol (Miralax), dietary guidance, and when imaging or tests are appropriate.

Host Holly Wayment and Dr. Anandini Suri also discuss practical advice, toilet-training guidance, how to ensure medication adherence, and nonpharmacologic strategies like breathing and exercise for functional abdominal pain.

Dr. Jeff Temple presents findings from the long-running "Dating It’s Safe" longitudinal study tracking youth relationships, dating violence, mental health, substance use, firearms, and sexting from adolescence into adulthood. The episode highlights key findings such as the high cumulative prevalence of bidirectional dating violence, links between parental IPV and later perpetration, and the association between childhood corporal punishment and future dating violence.

The talk also covers sexting research showing harms mainly when non‑consensual or coerced, the addition of firearm measures after 2013, and the study’s strong retention and diverse sample. Dr. Temple discusses prevention, including the successful Fourth R relationship curriculum that reduced violence and long‑term depression, and the importance of continuing prevention into the 20s and across generations.