January 23, 2026: Winter brings unique health and safety challenges for young children and the programs that care for them. This month’s Staying Safe in Wintertime | Health Trends from the PA Key highlights growing concerns about winter storms, power outages, and extreme cold, and what they mean for early childhood settings. 

Learn how grid reliability issues may affect your community, why children are especially vulnerable to cold-related injuries, and how to prepare both indoors and outdoors for winter conditions. This page provides practical guidance on frostbite and hypothermia prevention, safe outdoor play decisions, power outage preparedness, car seat safety, fire and carbon monoxide prevention, and safe sleep practices, along with trusted resources to help programs and families keep children safe all winter long.

January 7, 2026: The updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans emphasize healthy eating patterns for children from birth through adolescence, focusing on whole, minimally processed foods and limiting added sugars and caffeine. Guidance includes breastfeeding or iron-fortified formula for infants, age-appropriate introduction of nutrient-dense solid foods, and balanced diets with protein, dairy, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats for older children and teens. The guidelines highlight the importance of early nutrition in supporting healthy growth and reducing risks such as obesity and prediabetes.

See more information on the 2026 dietary guidelines here: AAP News

January 7, 2026: U.S. measles cases reached a record high in 2025, with 2,144 confirmed cases—the most since 1991—and experts believe the true number is higher due to underreporting. Cases occurred in 45 jurisdictions with 49 outbreaks, mostly affecting children and teens; 11% of patients were hospitalized and three people died. About 93% of cases were among unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status. Major outbreaks occurred in South Carolina, Arizona, and Utah. Declining vaccination rates tied to misinformation are driving the resurgence, putting the U.S. measles elimination status at risk. The AAP continues to strongly recommend the two-dose MMR vaccine, which is up to 97% effective, and has warned that recent CDC changes to other vaccine recommendations may further undermine public confidence in immunizations. For more information:

• AAP News: Measles Outbreak

• Interactive map from the AAP on state-by-state outbreaks and immunization rates

• See the AAP Fact Checked articles on measles vaccine safety and effectiveness, how vitamin A does not prevent measles and false claims on treating measles

• Information for families from HealthyChildren.org on how to protect children during a measles outbreak

• FAQs from HealthyChildren.org on how to protect babies from a measles outbreak

November 14, 2025: The Pennsylvania Department of Health has issued a Health Alert Network announcement regarding an Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to Infant Formula.

On November 11, 2025, ByHeart, Inc. recalled all lots of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula in response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) ongoing investigation into a recent outbreak of infant botulism. According to the company’s website, ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula was sold through its website, ByHeart.com, as well as through retail stores nationwide, including Amazon, Kroger, Walmart, Whole Foods, Target, Sam's Club, and others.

Infant botulism is a reportable disease in PA; all suspected cases must be reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) at 1-877-PA-HEALTH or their local health department. For additional details, please see the Health Alert Network announcement, Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to Infant Formula.

For more information:

What should I know about recalled baby formula? - HealthyChildren.org 

Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to Infant Formula, November 2025 - CDC

Infant Botulism: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment - Cleveland Clinic

State College, PA - ECELS Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator Amanda McDole and Co-speaker Rebecca Escott, Early Learning/OST Specialist with Better Kid Care will present “Calm in the Chaos: Balancing Effective Drills and Mental Health in ECE Programs” at the Early Childhood Education Summit on Monday October 20, 2025, from 3:00-4:30pm.

In addition to the presentation, ECELS will host an exhibitor table on October 20–21, 2025, providing resources and information to support early care and education programs across Pennsylvania.

Learn more about the 2025 Summit here.

August 22, 2025: A late summer increase in COVID-19 activity in Pennsylvania is occurring. Based on national respiratory virus surveillance, test positivity for COVID-19 in PA has  increased sharply in the past three weeks. Emergency department visits due to COVID-19 recently began to increase, particularly in children under age 5 year and adults over age 64 years. Late summer/early fall waves have occurred in the previous three seasons, peaking in September. 

The Pennsylvania Department of Health encourages people who are eligible to get the COVID vaccine now, especially those at  higher risk, rather than waiting for the updated fall formulation. People should wait at least eight weeks between COVID vaccines and 12 weeks after having COVID infection.

For more detailed health information and resources see the latest PA DOH Health Advisory.

August 19, 2025: As respiratory virus season approaches, the American Academy of Pediatrics has published an evidence-based immunization schedule that includes updated guidance for influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 immunizations for children and adolescents from birth to age 18. The schedule, “Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule: United States, 2025,” was published Aug. 19, 2025 in the AAP Red Book Online , the Academy’s clinical guidebook for infectious diseases prevention and treatment.

See this important announcement from the AAP News Room here.

Additional Resources:

All About the Recommended Immunization Schedules - HealthyChildren.org

How Vaccine Schedules Changed Over Time & Why - HealthyChildren.org

April 14, 2025: The Pennsylvania Key kicks off the monthly resource, Health Trends in Early Childhood, focused on trending health issues related to children from birth to age five and their families and caregivers. Health Trends focuses on what we can do to keep children healthy.

Each month, find information about a recent health trend in early childhood, learn why it is important, discover the impact it has on children, their families and caregivers, and the community, as well as actions we can take to ensure the health and well-being of children in our communities. You can also find reliable resources to learn more about the issue. Feel free to print and share the one-page Health Trend and explore the resources.

November 22, 2024: The CDC has released the Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Age, Recommendations for Ages 6 Years or Younger, United States, for 2025.  Be sure to check out the CDC site for more information:

Vaccine & Immunizations Schedules: Your child needs vaccines as they grow! | Vaccines & Immunizations | CDC

August 9, 2024: Children and adults with life-threatening allergies will have a needle-free treatment for anaphylaxis.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved neffy epinephrine nasal spray from ARS Pharmaceuticals for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis in people weighing at least 66 pounds. It is the first treatment that does not require an injection. Find more information here.

June 1, 2024: Children die in hot vehicles every year. Heatstroke begins when the core body temperature reaches about 104 degrees and the ability to maintain or control body temperature is overwhelmed. Vehicles heat up quickly – even with a window rolled down two inches. If the outside temperature is in the low 80°s Fahrenheit, the temperature inside a vehicle can reach deadly levels in only 10 minutes!

Warning signs of heatstroke include:

• Red, hot, and moist or dry skin

• No sweating, even though the child is warm

• Strong rapid pulse or slow weak pulse

• Throbbing headache

• Dizziness

• Nausea

• Confusion, or acting strangely

The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration provides resources on how to prevent hot car deaths.

May 8, 2024: Water beads can be deadly to babies and small children if ingested, and can lead to choking, internal injuries and even death if left undetected notes the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The CPSC urges parents and caregivers to remove these products from any environment with children. CPSC also urges childcare centers, camps, and schools to avoid these products entirely. If you suspect your child has swallowed a water bead or inserted a water bead into their ear or nose, seek medical treatment right away.

For more information:

Water Beads - CPSC.gov

Water Beads: Harmful if Swallowed, Put in Ears - HealthyChildren.org

Are Water Beads Dangerous? - Poison Control

Report any dangerous product or a product-related injury & experiences with water beads on SaferProducts.gov. You can additionally help to promote awareness with this printable poster from CPSC.