Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a multisystem disease whose symptoms and signs involve the gastrointestinal tract (thus affecting nutritional status), endocrine system, reproductive system and the respiratory tract (nose, sinuses and lungs). Despite new treatments, the median survival for patients with CF is less than optimal, primarily due to complications of obstructive lung disease. Currently there are approximately 60,000-80,000 people worldwide with CF. The clinical manifestations of CF are caused by dysfunction of CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator), a multifunctional cyclic-AMP regulated ion channel protein. Over time, there has been dramatic improvement in CF patient life expectancy, in large part related to earlier diagnosis (newborn screening), better understanding of molecular genetics and underlying pathophysiology, the integrated and highly specialized Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Accredited Care Centers, and development of a wide range of new treatments and therapies, some of which target the basic CFTR defect. This edition of Pediatric Clinics of North America will offer general pediatricians and family physicians, as well as subspecialists, an update of the extraordinary progress made in the understanding and treatment of Cystic Fibrosis.

Pediatricians care for children and families from all walks of life. Some are children known from neighborhoods. Others are children from distant lands. Pediatric focus does not stop with the physical care of children but extends to include their mental and social-emotional health and concern about their families. Pediatricians care about how children are doing at home, at school, and in their communities. In this era, children and their families are impacted by social and political changes in their homes (social media and screen time), in their communities (refugee populations and children requiring palliative supports at school), in their health care networks (EMR in every tertiary pediatric center), and in the larger world (multiple military deployments of fathers and mothers). This issue explores the impact of contemporary public health challenges for pediatric care, promising models for caring for chronically ill children, and state of the art therapies for complex childhood conditions.

This issue will provide a current update on diagnosis, treatment, and management of children with being hematological disorders. Dr. Callaghan has put together a comprehensive issue with clinical reviews written by top experts in the field. Articles are devoted to the following topics: Hemophilia; Sickle cell acute chest; Sickle cell drugs; Sickle cell gene therapy; Sickle cell menses and pain; Pediatric DVT; Atypical HUS; von Willebrand Disease; Female bleeding; Functional platelet disorders; Hemolytic anemia; Advocacy in hematology; ITP; and Acquired aplastic anemia. Readers will come away with the current clinical information they need to improve clinical outcomes.

Almost one out of every three US children is overweight or obese, with minority youth at highest risk. There are limited efficacious pediatric obesity interventions available for clinicians, and successful weight loss trials for minority youth are rare. Even fewer interventions have been shown to significantly improve clinical health outcomes such as adiposity, blood pressure, and cholesterol level, and maintenance of behavior change over the long-term remains a challenge Translation I research in which "bench" findings are applied to the "bedside" is uncommon in the behavioral arena. Thus, advances in our understanding of fundamental human processes such as motivation, emotion, cognition, self-regulation, decision-making, stress, and social networks are not being optimally applied to our most pressing behavioral health problems. This issue of Pediatric Clinics will focus on promising behavioral treatments "in the pipeline" that have been translated from basic behavioral science and are the process of refinement and proof of concept testing.

Pediatricians in the Unites States and around the World continue to face a myriad of global health threats affecting child and adolescent health including: 1) infectious diseases of poverty [e.g. human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases] in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC), especially in sub Saharan Africa; 2) emerging and reemerging infectious diseases (such as Ebola); 3) rise of non-communicable diseases (e.g. common mental disorders); 4) unintentional injuries; and 5) environmental health hazards (e.g. climate change). Despite the promising news about rapid declines in maternal and child mortality in the era of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which originated from the United Nation (UN) Millennium Declaration in 2000, only 20% and 7% of LMIC are currently on track to attain the maternal and child mortality targets. For example, 44% of deaths in children younger than 5 years occur in neonates. Besides discovery of life-saving interventions (e.g. development of new and improved vaccines) for maternal and child health, we also need to do a better job at bridging the knowledge-implementation gap and increase the effectiveness of proven interventions. For example, despite the availability of effective vaccines to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia, rotavirus gastroenteritis, and human papilloma virus-related diseases (e.g. cervical cancer), use of these vaccines remain suboptimal in LMIC. We need to recognize that global health is also local public health. For example, improving access, equity and quality of care for orphans and vulnerable children, immigrant and newly arrived refugee children in the U.S. remains a challenge. Timely access to psychiatric care for children and adolescents with mental illness is a major concern. The explosion of new age technology (such as the internet) also poses a considerable risk to children and adolescents. Pediatricians also need to be aware of diverse socio-cultural determinants of health and ethical issues in global health service and delivery.This issue of Pediatric Clinics of North America aims to address the above crucial global health challenges affecting children and adolescents. As practicing pediatricians, we have the unique opportunity to influence local and global public health. In the post-MDG era (beyond 2015), collaborative partnerships between various disciplines and across research, education and service is vital to reduce health inequities in children worldwide.

In this issue of Pediatric Clinics, Guest Editors Roger W. Apple, Cheryl A. Dickson, and Maria Demma Cabral bring their considerable expertise to the topic of Integrated Behavioral Health in Pediatric Practice. Top experts in the field cover key topics such as the need for IBH in pediatric primary care, IBH in pediatric residency clinics, the past and current role of pediatric psychologists in IBH within medical subspecialties, and more. - Provides concise and comprehensive coverage of the issues physicians face every day. - Presents the latest information on a timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. - Contains 15 relevant, practice-oriented topics including definitions and contexts; history of pediatrics and the development of IBH; common behavioral concerns; BHC roles and responsibilities; and more.

Completely revised new edition of the premier reference on pediatric liver disease. Liver Disease in Children, 3rd Edition provides authoritative coverage of every aspect of liver disease affecting infants, children, and adolescents. The book offers an integrated approach to the science and clinical practice of pediatric hepatology and charts the substantial progress in understanding and treating these diseases. Chapters are written by international experts and address the unique pathophysiology, manifestations, and management of these disorders in the pediatric population. The third edition has been thoroughly updated and features new contributions on liver development, cholestatic and autoimmune disorders, fatty liver disease, and inborn errors of metabolism. With the continued evolution of pediatric hepatology as a discipline, this text remains an essential reference for all physicians involved in the care of children with liver disease.