Health — Children & Kids — April 12th, 2024

AI program can help identify signs of childbirth-related PTSD NewsGuard 100/100 Score
Researchers have adapted an artificial intelligence (AI) program to identify signs of childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder (CB-PTSD) by evaluating short narrative statements of patients who have given birth. The program successfully identified a large proportion of participants likely to have the disorder, and with further refinements-;such as details from medical records and birth experience data from diverse populations-;the model could potentially identify a large percentage of those at risk. The study, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health, appears in Scientific Reports.
April 12th, 2024 — Source

Choosing sugary drinks over fruit juice for toddlers linked to risk of adult obesity
Consuming sugar-sweetened drinks in the first few years of childhood can be linked to poor diet patterns that increase the risk of obesity in later life, according to a new study by the School of Psychology at Swansea University.
April 12th, 2024 — Source

First clinical trial of vosoritide for children with hypochondroplasia shows increased growth
Vosoritide's first global Phase II study showed an average increased growth rate of 1.8 cm per year in children with hypochondroplasia, a genetic cause of short stature in children, according to researchers from Children's National Hospital.
April 12th, 2024 — Source

Parents can ease their teens' stress around standardized tests
Standardized tests put a lot of pressure on teenagers who want to secure their future and make their parents and teachers proud.
April 12th, 2024 — Source

Researchers find no link between COVID-19 virus and development of asthma in children
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many families worried about the long-term effects posed by the SARS-COV-2 virus. Now, researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) found that a SARS-COV-2 infection likely does not increase the risk of asthma development in pediatric patients. The findings were published in the journal Pediatrics.
April 12th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — April 11th, 2024

A small robot car can reduce children's stress before surgery
Undergoing medical treatment, having surgery or simply being admitted to hospital are situations that make children fearful and anxious, especially during early childhood. And in addition to having a short-term impact, their subsequent psychological, social and educational development may also be affected.
April 11th, 2024 — Source

AI model has potential to detect risk of childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder
NIH-funded study suggests model could identify large percentage of those at risk.
April 11th, 2024 — Source or Source

Arkansas Led the Nation in Measuring Obesity in Kids. Did It Help?
Sixth-grade boys were lining up to be measured in the Mann Arts and Science Magnet Middle School library. As they took off their shoes and emptied their pockets, they joked about being the tallest.
April 11th, 2024 — Source

Depression in young people being driven by internet addiction, say researchers
Spending excessive time online is causing daytime sleepiness and symptoms of depression in adolescents, a major international study led by researchers at the University of Derby has found.
April 11th, 2024 — Source

Engineering students' device could make intubation safer for young babies
TinyTrach, a team of interdisciplinary engineering students from Rice University, has created an innovative pediatric endotracheal tube (ETT) integrated with a camera and anchoring system that could make intubation procedures safer for babies 1 month and older by ensuring precise placement, stable anchoring and visibility access for up to 14 days.
April 11th, 2024 — Source

New study validates prediction rules for pediatric intra-abdominal and traumatic brain injuries
Delivering high-quality emergency care for kids may mean fewer CT scans, according to a new study from UC Davis Health's Department of Emergency Medicine.
April 11th, 2024 — Source

Study supports use of cystic fibrosis drug in infants from four weeks of age
A cystic fibrosis drug targeting the basic defect that causes the condition has been shown to be safe and effective in newborns aged four weeks and above, new research involving RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Children's Health Ireland has found.
April 11th, 2024 — Source

Study unpicks why childhood maltreatment continues to impact on mental and physical health into adulthood
Individuals who experienced maltreatment in childhood—such as emotional, physical, and sexual abuse or emotional and physical neglect—are more likely to develop mental illness throughout their entire lives, but it is not yet well understood why this risk persists. Many decades after maltreatment first took place.
April 11th, 2024 — Source

Young people are getting unhappier: Lack of childhood freedom and independence may be partly to blame
Experts often highlight social media and harsh economic times as key reasons why young people are getting unhappier. And while those factors are important, I would like to emphasize another.
April 11th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — April 10th, 2024

Baby Bottles With No Detected BPA, Lead, or Phthalates
We didn't find the dangerous chemicals in any of the nine bottles we tested. Still, some concerns remain. Here's how to keep your baby safe.
April 10th, 2024 — Source

New AI tool creates virtual model of the infant microbiome and predicts neurodevelopmental deficits
The gut microbiome has a profound impact on the health and development of infants. Research shows that dysbiosis—or imbalances in the microbial community—is associated with gastrointestinal diseases and neurodevelopmental deficits. Understanding how gut bacteria interact, and how these interactions may lead to some of these problems, however, is difficult and time consuming through traditional laboratory experiments.
April 10th, 2024 — Source

On teens, nutrition, and exercise: How to encourage healthy habits
Ask a teenager whether they're eating healthy or getting enough exercise, and you might get a blank look.
April 10th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — April 6th, 2024

Waist-to-height ratio bests BMI for predicting fat mass in children
Waist circumference-to-height ratio (WHtR) is an inexpensive alternative to body mass index (BMI) for predicting fat mass (FM) in pediatric patients, according to a study published online March 5 in Pediatric Research.
April 6th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — April 5th, 2024

Exploring pandemic effects on mental health of parents juggling unemployment and having children in remote school
Family dynamics are critical to mental well-being, and this role became more prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic as families were bound to stay together longer than usual. A recent study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that parents who had work disruptions, unemployment or children in remote school saw an increase in depressive symptoms.
April 5th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — April 4th, 2024

One in five school-aged children in England experience cyberbullying
New research carried out by Kent's Center for Health Services Studies as part of the Health Behavior of School Age Children Survey (HBSC) for England has found that cyberbullying among school-aged children has risen, with 1 in 5 adolescents reporting being victims. The HBSC is part of an international program led by the World Health Organization (WHO).
April 4th, 2024 — Source

Online child safety laws could help or hurt—two pediatricians explain what's likely to work and what isn't
Society has a complicated relationship with adolescents. We want to protect them as children and yet launch them into adulthood. Adolescents face risks from testing out independence, navigating peer relationships, developing an identity and making mistakes in these processes.
April 4th, 2024 — Source

Pediatric study sheds light on new tool for identifying infants with tongue tie requiring frenotomy
The World Health Organization and several national health organizations recommend exclusive breastfeeding for infants, at least for the first six months of their life to protect the health of infants and mothers. Among breastfeeding infants, however, variations in the thickness of the membrane underlying their tongues (also known as lingual frenulum), are known to result in a condition known as tongue tie (or TT).
April 4th, 2024 — Source

Study discovers how chronic lung conditions affect children's immune system
Researchers have made a breakthrough into how two chronic respiratory diseases in childhood affect the immune system, paving the way for better treatments.
April 4th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — April 2nd, 2024

Early detection of language disorders helps children obtain right interventions, researchers find
New screening tools in child health care are effective in identifying early language and communication difficulties in children. This is shown by two studies based on more than 6,000 children carried out by researchers at Uppsala University in cooperation with Region Gotland.
April 2nd, 2024 — Source

Infant gut microbes have their own circadian rhythm: Study finds diet has little impact on how the microbiome assembles
Infant gut microbiomes oscillate with a circadian rhythm, even when they are cultivated outside of the body. Researchers report in the journal Cell Host & Microbe that the rhythm is detectable as early as two weeks after birth but becomes more pronounced with age.
April 2nd, 2024 — Source

Irregular sleep and late bedtimes associated with worse grades for high school students
NIH-funded study also links later bed and wake times with school conduct problems.
April 2nd, 2024 — Source or Source

New study finds mental health emergencies in kids were more severe during the pandemic
A new study has found that during the pandemic pediatric emergency departments (EDs) saw more children and adolescents who needed a psychiatric admission, as well as an increase in severe conditions, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and substance use disorders.
April 2nd, 2024 — Source

Teen behavior, as explained by a neuroscientist
Teenagers are known for their sometimes-unpredictable behavior. One moment they're mature and clear-thinking, and the next they're irrational or engaging in risky behavior. Neurologically speaking, they can't help it, though that's probably of little comfort to parents' frayed nerves. Still, it might help to understand that scientists theorize that three interconnected processes of adolescent brain development are the culprit.
April 2nd, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — March 29th, 2024

How to Choose a Bike Helmet for a Child
The best helmet is one they'll actually wear. Here's how to pick one and make sure it fits correctly.
March 29th, 2024 — Source

Researchers discover skin biomarkers in infants that predict early development of food allergies
Food allergies occur often in childhood and can be severe or even fatal. Researchers at National Jewish Health are working to develop a program to prevent food allergies and have now identified early predictors of the condition.
March 29th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — March 28th, 2024

Study shows obesity in childhood associated with more than double the risk of developing multiple sclerosis
New research to be presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity held in Venice, Italy (12–15 May), shows that having obesity in childhood is associated with more than double the risk of later developing multiple sclerosis. The study is by Professor Claude Marcus and Associate Professor Emilia Hagman, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, and colleagues.
March 28th, 2024 — Source

Study: The language spoken by others conditions our ability to predict their actions from a very early age
A recent neuroscientific study carried out at UPF examining this cognitive ability in 6-month-old babies has shown that humans predict the behavior of people with the same mother tongue and do not do so if they have heard them speaking a foreign language.
March 28th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — March 27th, 2024

Almost one child in six is cyberbullied: WHO Europe
Some 16 percent of children aged 11 to 15 were cyberbullied in 2022, up from 13 percent four years ago, a WHO Europe report covering 44 countries said on Wednesday.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

Colistin resistant bacteria found in mothers and newborn babies in Nigeria
Researchers from the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research (IOI) and Cardiff University have found evidence that bacteria resistant to colistin, a last-resort antibiotic, were present in mothers and babies under a week old in Nigeria in 2016, despite limited clinical use of colistin at that time in the country.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

Could sudden infant death syndrome be caused by unrecognized brain infections?
Some infants who pass away from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) are known to have had acute minor infections. Could these have played a role in their death? Using next-generation molecular tools, a new study provides evidence that undiagnosed inflammation and occult infection can contribute to SIDS and the brainstem pathology seen in some infants.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

Dog-training program helps increase physical activity among kids with disabilities
By engaging regularly with their family dog and teaching it a series of tricks and commands, children with developmental disabilities experienced a significant increase in their daily physical activity, a new study from Oregon State University researchers has found.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

Independent guardians impact young survivors of child trafficking
Independent guardians who support young survivors of child trafficking are crucial to their protection, safety and recovery in an increasingly difficult environment, analysis shows.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

Study uncovers the hidden dangers of secondhand vape exposure to children
In homes across America, an invisible threat may be lurking—one that could affect the health of our youngest and most vulnerable. Recent findings presented this month at the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners conference in Denver shed light on the often-overlooked danger of secondhand e-cigarette vapor, particularly its impact on children.
March 27th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — March 25th, 2024

Online dashboard to help fight to save children from deadly diarrheal diseases
University of Virginia researchers are developing a flexible online tool for navigating information used in the fight to save children from deadly diarrheal diseases by identifying transmission hotspots and accelerating the deployment of treatments and new vaccines.
March 25th, 2024 — Source

Overweight and obesity in 3- and 4-year-olds has decreased after the pandemic NewsGuard 100/100 Score
The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the group of 3- and 4-year-olds in Sweden has decreased after the pandemic. The increase during the pandemic thus appears to have been temporary. These are the findings of a study conducted at the University of Gothenburg and Uppsala University.
March 25th, 2024 — Source

Parental dilemmas: Deciding when to keep a child home from school
Many parents struggle deciding whether their middle or high school-aged child should stay home from school if they don't feel well, a new national poll suggests.
March 25th, 2024 — Source

Parents who believe their children can have a better future are more likely to read and play with them
Every day, a small group of women make their way through the community of Sweetwaters, near the South African city of Pietermaritzburg, with bags of toys and books. They work as home mentors supporting families who signed up for an early childhood development intervention. They swap puzzles and stories and provide resourceful activities for children and caregivers. Even the older siblings often sit and join the stories and games.
March 25th, 2024 — Source

Study finds boys' mental health more impacted by COVID-19 pandemic than girls'
The COVID-19 pandemic had a greater impact on boys' mental health than girls, contrary to the findings of other studies, according to new research led by scientists at University of Liverpool, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Reading, and King's College London.
March 25th, 2024 — Source

Study finds less obesity in 3- and 4-year-olds after the pandemic
The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the group of three- and four-year-olds in Sweden has decreased after the pandemic. The increase during the pandemic thus appears to have been temporary. These are the findings of a study conducted at the University of Gothenburg and Uppsala University.
March 25th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — March 22nd, 2024

Empathy travels across generations and empathetic teens become good parents
In the first finding of its kind, University of Virginia researchers have discovered that empathy is passed from one generation to the next. And it all starts with moms.
March 22nd, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — March 20th, 2024

AI technology helps identify cerebral palsy in babies
Cutting-edge technology that analyzes clips of babies' movements can help speed up detection of cerebral palsy, according to a new study.
March 20th, 2024 — Source

One in 10 U.S. school-age kids have ADHD report finds
About 1 in every 10 U.S. children ages 5 to 17 has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to the latest government statistics.
March 20th, 2024 — Source

Report: Canada should ban all unhealthy food marketing that may be seen by children
Canada should ban the marketing of unhealthy foods wherever children may be exposed, whether on TV, social media, or billboards. This is one of the main conclusions of a Canada-wide study involving more than fifty food and nutrition experts made public today by a team from Universite Laval's Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences.
March 20th, 2024 — Source

Studies presented at dermatology meeting highlight recent advances in diagnosis and management
The annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology was held from March 8 to 12 in San Diego and attracted participants from around the world, including clinicians, academicians, allied health professionals, and others interested in dermatology. The conference highlighted recent advances in the diagnosis and management of dermatological conditions.
March 20th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — March 18th, 2024

Antipsychotic use during pregnancy not linked to childhood neurodevelopmental disorders or learning difficulties
The use of antipsychotics during pregnancy isn't linked to childhood neurodevelopmental disorders or learning difficulties, UNSW Sydney-led study shows -- giving assurance to those concerned about continuing their medications during pregnancy.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Difficult teens can benefit from sport
A new study has found that high levels of physical activity in early adolescence can reduce depressive symptoms in young people who have difficult temperaments, come from low-income families or are exposed to family dysfunction.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Everything You Don't Know About Breast Pumping
Quick tips: Find a pump with 60-plus settings; try a different flange size (it could make all the difference); and breast pumping in the middle of the night—even if baby is sleeping—is crucial.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Household foods get less healthy as babies age into toddlers
Over the first few years of a child's life, foods found in a family's fridge and cupboards tends to get less healthy, new research shows.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Overweight primary school girls more likely to seek doctor's help for musculoskeletal problems
Primary school girls between the ages of 4 and 11 with a body mass index (BMI) considered overweight or obese are more likely to see a family doctor (GP) at least once about musculoskeletal problems than their healthy weight peers, suggests research, focused on one area of London and published online in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Pediatrician explains why co-viewing is important
Most parents I meet these days worry about what their kids do online. After all, it can be hard to know what they're absorbing from their media interactions.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Study examines prevalence of birth defects following direct potable reuse water system implementation
Direct potable reuse (DPR) water systems add purified wastewater directly to a water distribution system, instead of first passing water through an environmental buffer such as a lake or reservoir. These systems are being considered in some water-stressed regions across the U.S. to address water shortages.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Study finds coping behaviors improved mental well-being in adversity-exposed teens during pandemic
In-person schooling and coping behaviors were associated with higher positive affect (PA) during the COVID-19 pandemic among adolescents with high adverse childhood experiences (ACEs; at least four), according to a study published online March 13 in JAMA Network Open.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Study shows that 'transcendent' thinking may grow teens' brains over time
Scientists at the USC Rossier School of Education's Center for Affective Neuroscience, Development, Learning, and Education (CANDLE) have shown for the first time that a type of thinking that has been described for over a century as a developmental milestone of adolescence may grow teenagers' brains over time.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Why is toddler milk so popular? Follow the money
Toddler milk is popular and becoming more so. Just over a third of Australian toddlers drink it. Parents spend hundreds of millions of dollars on it globally. Around the world, toddler milk makes up nearly half of total formula milk sales, with a 200% growth since 2005. Growth is expected to continue.
March 18th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — March 15th, 2024

117 cases of multisystem inflammation syndrome in children identified during 2023
In 2023, 117 cases of multisystem inflammation syndrome in children (MIS-C) were reported, with 26 percent of patients having onset during August to October, according to research published in the March 14 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Abnormal brain structure identified in children with developmental language problems
A rigorous analysis of numerous studies concludes that a part of the brain traditionally associated with movement is abnormal in children with developmental language impairments, according to Georgetown University Medical Center neuroscientists. The discovery has the potential to improve both the diagnosis and treatment of the language difficulties.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Common viruses trigger most cases of intussusception in children
Viral infections trigger more cases of intussusception, the common cause of bowel blockages in young children, than previously thought, according to a new study.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Exploring why some newborns develop severe infections
Compared to adults, newborns are highly susceptible to infections and these infections can cause serious health complications and even death.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Eating cruciferous vegetables while breastfeeding may give infants a healthy start
Researchers from Texas A&M Health have found that breastfeeding mothers who eat vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage could pass along health benefits to their nursing infants.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

How to help your child get enough healthy, brain-boosting sleep
Anyone who has raised kids knows that managing their sleep can be one of the most challenging aspects of parenting. But not everyone understands just how vital that sleep is.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Newborns with improper kidney development face lifelong challenges: New study offers potential solution
Some infants are born with too few nephrons, the filtering units in kidneys that help the body remove waste and excess fluid. Whether due to low birth weight, maternal diabetes, inadequate nutrition or genetic mutations, babies born with improper kidney development are more likely to face a lifetime of challenges such as high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — March 14th, 2024

How home food availability affects young children's nutrient intake
Early childhood is an important time for learning about nutrition and establishing healthy eating behaviors. Young children rely on parents to provide food options, and the availability of food in the home affects their dietary choices. A new study looks at changes in home food availability and nutrient intake for children from 2 to 4 years old.
March 14th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — March 11th, 2024

Early childhood health interventions have 'big, multigeneration impacts,' research finds
It was the late '90s, and Tania Barham, future associate professor of economics at the University of Colorado Boulder, was in Yemen, working as an economist for the World Bank, which had teamed up with UNICEF to improve that country's health, education and water.
March 11th, 2024 — Source

Medical costs for kids' mental health jumped 31% in five years, study finds
The cost to American families of caring for a child with a mental health condition rose by almost a third between 2017 and 2021, a new report finds, to an average of $4,361 per year.
March 11th, 2024 — Source

Most teens report feeling happy or peaceful when they go without smartphones, Pew survey finds
Nearly three-quarters of U.S. teens say they feel happy or peaceful when they don't have their phones with them, according to a new report from the Pew Research Center.
March 11th, 2024 — Source

Teen use of disposable e-cigarettes linked to persistent use patterns
Among adolescents and young adults (AYAs), the use of disposable electronic cigarette devices is associated with increased risks for persistent e-cigarette use patterns, according to a study published online on March 11 in Pediatrics.
March 11th, 2024 — Source

Trauma screening may improve mental health service recommendations for children
Each year between 200,000 and 270,000 children and youth enter foster care placements with child welfare services, and many more children receive child welfare services while remaining in their parent's care, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
March 11th, 2024 — Source or Source

Health — Children & Kids — March 8th, 2024

A number of teens meet criteria for metabolic, bariatric surgery: Study
A large percentage of adolescents meet eligibility criteria for metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS), according to a study published online Feb. 27 in Pediatrics.
March 8th, 2024 — Source

Children with 'lazy eye' are at increased risk of serious disease in adulthood
Adults who had amblyopia ('lazy eye') in childhood are more likely to experience hypertension, obesity, and metabolic syndrome in adulthood, as well as an increased risk of heart attack, finds a new study.
March 8th, 2024 — Source

Finding ways to reduce the financial and social costs of children's pacemakers
As the number of complex heart operations has increased over the years, so have cases of postoperative heart block, a form of arrhythmia that often requires a pacemaker and more surgery. Heart block occurs when unseen conduction tissue—the cells and electrical signals that control the beating of a heart—is injured.
March 8th, 2024 — Source

Socially prescribed creative play found to boost parents' and children's well-being
Socially prescribed creative play helps children and their parents develop new skills and promotes well-being, a new study has found.
March 8th, 2024 — Source

Teenagers often experience mental health challenges if they know parents are having money problems, finds study
When parents try to shield their kids from financial hardship, they may be doing them a favor: Teens' views about their families' economic challenges are connected to their mental health and behavior.
March 8th, 2024 — Source

Topical solution halts tooth decay in children
NIH-funded study finds non-invasive application of silver diamine fluoride superior to placebo.
March 8th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — March 6th, 2024

AI Tool Boosts Diagnosis Accuracy of Ear Infections in Children, Study Finds
In a recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics, researchers developed and validated an automated classifier for diagnosing acute otitis media (AOM) in children.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

Augmentation cystoplasty safe for children with neurogenic bladder
For children with neurogenic bladder, augmentation cystoplasty (AC) is safe and effective, with low surgical and metabolic complication rates, according to a study published online Feb. 20 in Scientific Reports.Living near leafy trees doesn't always protect kids from asthma
March 6th, 2024 — Source

Children surpass a year of HIV remission after treatment pause
NIH-funded trial shows promising outcomes with treatment started promptly after birth.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

Living near leafy trees doesn't always protect kids from asthma
Trees play a big role in how children in cities develop asthma. But it's not as simple as "more trees equals less asthma." It depends on the season: trees decrease the risk of developing asthma during the leafy season but increase the risk during the pollen season.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

Microvillus inclusion disease: From organoids to new treatments
Microvillus inclusion disease (MVID) is a rare type of congenital enteropathy in infants that causes devastating diarrhea and an inability to absorb food. Infants can lose liters of fluid a day, become severely dehydrated, and stop growing. There is no specific treatment.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

New study may broaden the picture of the consequences of childhood adversity
A research team has examined the link between adverse childhood experiences and the risk of mental health problems later in life, according to a study in JAMA Psychiatry. The researchers from Karolinska Institutet and University of Iceland have found that the risk of suffering from mental illness later in life among those experiencing significant adversity in childhood can be partly explained by factors shared by family members, such as genetics and environment.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

Study quantifies dramatic rise in school shootings and related fatalities since 1970
The incidence of school shootings more than quadrupled over the past 53 years, according to a new study analyzing data from the Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS). To curtail the trend and help prevent future school shootings, researchers offered five key steps to address the problem through a public health approach.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

Study takes wider view at household size, children's development
Researchers from The University of Texas at Dallas' School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS) are taking a more detailed look at how children's language development is influenced by the number of people in their households.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

Trends and outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament injury treatments in children
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries have increased in recent decades among children. Because re-injuries after ACL reconstruction are higher in children compared with adults, anterolateral augmentation procedures may reduce re-injury rates after ACL reconstruction in youth.
March 6th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — March 4th, 2024

Breastfeeding 101: Tips for new moms
There's a host of studies supporting the numerous ways breastfeeding helps baby's development—and the health of mothers, too.
March 4th, 2024 — Source

Pediatrician suggests household chores that are appropriate for children and teens
Age-appropriate chores and responsibilities are an important part of a child's development.
March 4th, 2024 — Source

Study shows differences in how patients with impulse control disorder process consequences
Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder that affects movement and muscle control. One characteristic of the disease is the deficiency of dopamine, a neurotransmitter or brain chemical that plays a role in movement and can impact how people think and feel.
March 4th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — March 1st, 2024

BPA exposure linked to gut microbiota, childhood obesity in new study
A synthetic chemical called Bisphenol A, or BPA, is widely used in the production of durable plastic products including eyewear, water bottles and epoxy resins. But it's also an endocrine disruptor, which means that it can interfere with normal hormone functions in the body. Studies suggest that high levels of exposure may be detrimental to human health in a variety of ways; it may also alter the gut microbiome.
March 1st, 2024 — Source or Source

Could messages from social media influencers stop young people vaping? A look at the government's new campaign
Vaping is on the rise among young Australians. Recent figures from the National Drug Strategy Household Survey show current use of e‑cigarettes among teenagers aged 14--17 increased five-fold from 1.8% in 2019 to 9.7% in 2022--2023. For young adults aged 18--24, use quadrupled from 5.3% to 21% over the same time period.
March 1st, 2024 — Source

Pediatricians feel less prepared to care for teens' opioid use disorder
Primary care pediatricians feel less prepared to manage adolescents' opioid use disorder (OUD) compared with other substances, according to a research letter published online in JAMA Pediatrics.
March 1st, 2024 — Source

Young people at the center of the toxic drug crisis
Vancouver may be considered by many as the "best place" to live, but many young people living in the city are facing unprecedented challenges that are making their futures more precarious than ever. Hundreds of youth who call Vancouver home are standing at the intersection of a housing affordability crisis and a toxic drug poisoning public health emergency.
March 1st, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — February 28th, 2024

A simple eye reflex test may be able to assess autism in children
Scientists at UC San Francisco may have discovered a new way to test for autism by measuring how children's eyes move when they turn their heads. They found that kids who carry a variant of a gene that is associated with severe autism are hypersensitive to this motion.
February 28th, 2024 — Source

Are slushies really bad for young children's health?
Recently there have been concerning reports in the news of a three-year-old boy who collapsed and was admitted to hospital after drinking a slushy drink. Fortunately, after a few days, the child recovered completely.
February 28th, 2024 — Source

Breaking detrimental oral habits in young kids
It's very common for babies and young children to have what dentists call "non-nutritive sucking" behaviors in which they regularly suck on a pacifier, thumb, finger(s) or other objects.
February 28th, 2024 — Source

Children get arthritis too, with life-changing effects—but exercise can help
Arthritis is usually associated with older people, but kids can suffer too. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common type of arthritis in children. It affects about 1 in 1,000 kids under 16 in the UK (roughly 15,000 children), and causes joint pain and inflammation in the hands, knees, ankles, elbows, and wrists—although it can affect other body parts, too.
February 28th, 2024 — Source

Exposure to neighborhood violence linked to unmet health needs and increased care utilization in children
A new collaborative study between Boston Medical Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia finds exposure to neighborhood violence among children was associated with unmet health needs and increased acute care utilization.
February 28th, 2024 — Source

Social media and adolescent mental health: Consensus report
In an editorial, Sandro Galea and Gillian Buckley summarize the findings of a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine consensus study report on social media and adolescent mental health.
February 28th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — February 27th, 2024

How to calm your child after a nightmare
Most parents have experienced it: Your young child wakes up distraught, sure that the nightmare they've just suffered through is real.
February 27th, 2024 — Source

Lawsuits claim South Carolina kids underwent unnecessary genital exams during abuse investigations
Warning: Some readers may find graphic details in this article to be offensive or disturbing.
February 27th, 2024 — Source

Neighborhood poverty in childhood increases risk of death by unnatural causes, study finds
The degree of neighborhood poverty in early childhood is significantly associated with death by unnatural causes in early adulthood, according to a study published online Feb. 23 in JAMA Network Open.
February 27th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — February 26th, 2024

Australian study reveals associations between excess heat exposure and preterm births
In the face of increasing temperatures globally, a new Monash-led study of 1.2 million births in Sydney over two decades has shown a strong association between the risk of pre-term birth and exposure to extreme hot temperatures in the third trimester of pregnancy. The data suggested that this association with extreme temperature might be reduced by the level of greenery in a pregnant person's residential surroundings.
February 26th, 2024 — Source

Birth outcomes improve in states that extend driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants, research finds
In 2023, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Minnesota joined a growing list of states that allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses if an applicant can provide certain documentation, such as a foreign birth certificate or passport and evidence of current residency in the state.
February 26th, 2024 — Source

Feds eye Texas as cases of syphilis surge in newborns
Syphilis is on the rise in Texas and nationally, causing serious medical complications, especially for newborn babies who contract the disease during pregnancy.
February 26th, 2024 — Source

How parents can set safe and healthy media limits
As a parent, you can talk with your child about media use, setting healthy limits and being responsible citizens online. But how can you reinforce healthy digital habits when they're not with you? Parental media controls can be a great option to help keep children's media time happy and safe.
February 26th, 2024 — Source

Making the moral of the story stick: A media psychologist explains the research behind children's TV
To adult viewers, educational media content for children, such as "Sesame Street" or "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood," may seem rather simplistic. The pacing is slow, key themes are often repeated and the visual aspects tend to be plain.
February 26th, 2024 — Source

New baby sleep planner tool could help save babies lives at risk of sudden infant death
A new web-based baby sleep planner, developed by researchers at the University of Bristol, could help save babies lives from sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS, a study suggests. The sleep planner tool is a new way to find out about babies risks and help keep them safe while sleeping. Although SIDS is rare, with one death in 3,000 to 4,000 births in England, this new tool could help reduce unexplained infant deaths.
February 26th, 2024 — Source

Vanishing forests and suffering children: The hidden toll of deforestation in Cambodia
Deforestation, a critical consequence of human activity, has garnered significant attention due to its impact on environmental sustainability, biodiversity and climate change. However, an equally pressing yet less explored aspect is the relationship between deforestation and human health, especially in impoverished regions.
February 26th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — February 25th, 2024

Drug limits dangerous reactions to allergy-triggering foods, pediatric study finds
A drug can make life safer for children with food allergies by preventing dangerous allergic responses to small quantities of allergy-triggering foods, according to a new study led by scientists at the Stanford School of Medicine.
February 25th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — February 24th, 2024

House of Lords committee opens call for evidence on prevention and consequences of preterm birth
The House of Lords Preterm Birth Committee has published its call for evidence as part of its inquiry looking into the prevention, and consequences, of preterm birth.
February 24th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — February 23rd, 2024

Bushfire smoke affects children differently. Here's how to protect them
Bushfires are currently burning in Australian states including Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and South Australia. In some areas, fire authorities have warned residents about the presence of smoke.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

Children's drawings contain valuable information about how they think
Children's ability to draw recognizable objects and to recognize each other's drawings improves concurrently throughout childhood, according to a new study from Stanford University.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

Early-life airborne lead exposure associated with lower IQ and self-control: Study
Children who lived in areas with higher levels of airborne lead in their first five years of life appeared to have slightly lower IQs and less self-control, with boys showing more sensitivity to lead exposure, according to a new study from the NIH Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

Genes affect your blood pressure from early childhood, data show
Certain genes associated with hypertension affect blood pressure from early in life, and they increase the risk of cardiovascular disease as you get older. But you can do something about it.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

New research shows babies use immune system differently, but efficiently
Scientists have long believed that a newborn's immune system was an immature version of an adult's, but new research from Cornell University shows that newborns' T cells—white blood cells that protect from disease—outperform those of adults at fighting off numerous infections.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

Mothers' dieting habits and self-talk have profound impact on daughters, say psychologists
Weight loss is one of the most common health and appearance-related goals.
February 23rd, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — February 21st, 2024

Screen time doesn't have to be sedentary: Three ways it can get kids moving
There have been concerns about screens making kids more sedentary and less active since TV was introduced more than half a century ago.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

Study finds most sudden unexplained infant deaths occur on shared surfaces
Almost 60 percent of sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID) occur on shared sleep surfaces, according to a study published online Feb. 20 in Pediatrics.
February 21st, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — February 19th, 2024

How having conversations with children builds their language—and strengthens family connections
Parents and caregivers of school-aged children are all too familiar with the after-school conversation that sounds a little something like:
February 19th, 2024 — Source

How the brain develops in unborn babies
Published last week in Nature Communications, the study shows that genetic variants associated with higher birth weight are also associated with greater growth of the cerebral cortex.
February 19th, 2024 — Source

Pediatrician offers advice on how to safely help a baby with a stuffy nose sleep
Every year in the U.S., some 3,400 babies die while sleeping. Many lose their lives to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which has no clear cause. Others manage to twist or turn themselves into a position that narrows their airways. Some babies suffocate when pillows or blankets block their mouths or noses.
February 19th, 2024 — Source

Study finds more kids, teens may be taking multiple psychiatric meds
A study of mental health care in Maryland finds an increasing number of children and teens covered by Medicaid are taking multiple psychiatric meds.
February 19th, 2024 — Source

To boost a preschooler's language skills, consider reminiscing
Language skills are strong predictors of academic, socioemotional and behavioral outcomes when children enter school. They learn language in preschool years by interacting with others, especially their parents. Book sharing is a popular way parents engage young children in conversation.
February 19th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — February 14th, 2024

Associations between childhood trauma and emotion recognition
In a recent study published in Scientific Reports, researchers evaluated the associations of childhood trauma with emotion recognition accuracy (ERA).
February 14th, 2024 — Source

Colostrum provides long-lasting immunity boost for babies, finds study
The first form of mother's milk a baby receives after birth, known as colostrum, can dramatically alter its susceptibility to worm infections months to years later, according to an international study published in Allergy.
February 14th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — February 12th, 2024

Children failing to get adequate nutrition in early education centers, finds Australian study
Researchers at The University of Queensland have found meals provided in early education and childcare centers in some low socio-economic communities are not meeting national dietary recommendations.
February 12th, 2024 — Source or Source

Medicinal plants help keep children healthy in South Africa: 61 species recorded
In 2021, almost 33 of every 1,000 South African children under five years old died.
February 12th, 2024 — Source

Monkey see, monkey do: How sideline sports behaviors affect kids
For children's sports, there's no doubt that parents are essential—they're the free ferry service, the half-time orange supplier, and the local cheer squad. But when it comes to sideline behavior, some parents can behave badly, and when this happens it's often a case of "monkey see, monkey do."
February 12th, 2024 — Source

New study finds that pregnancy complications can also affect child's health later in life
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and gestational diabetes (GDM) are two of the most common pregnancy complications and put pregnant people at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life.
February 12th, 2024 — Source

Risk of death found to be higher for non-white children in England
Twelve percent of infant deaths in England could be avoided if all infants in England had the same risk of death as white infants, a new University of Bristol-led study shows. Such a change, which equates to more than 200 deaths per year, would bring England—which currently has one of the highest infant mortality rates in Europe—in line with other EU nations.
February 12th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — February 9th, 2024

Baby's first tooth? Time for a visit to the dentist
About 1 in 5 children in the U.S. between the ages of 2 and 5 will develop at least one cavity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—and the rate of tooth decay only becomes higher as children get older. The results are far more than cosmetic: Poor oral health affects children's nutrition, speech, and ability to learn, among other things.
February 9th, 2024 — Source

Motivations for substance use in teens mainly linked to reducing stress, study finds
The motivations underlying substance use among adolescents are mainly related to reducing stress, according to research published in the Feb. 8 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
February 9th, 2024 — Source

New research shows students' knowledge and perceptions of active learning declined during pandemic-era teaching
Students' knowledge and perceptions of active learning declined significantly during COVID-induced remote teaching and have not recovered to pre-pandemic levels, according to new research from Chapman University Assistant Professor Jeremy Hsu.
February 9th, 2024 — Source

Study finds digital CBT for children with anxiety delivers on par with traditional methods, lowers costs
In a recent study published in The Lancet Psychiatry, a group of researchers evaluated if digitally augmented, therapist-supported, parent-led cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a cost-effective and clinically effective alternative to standard care for treating childhood anxiety.
February 9th, 2024 — Source

Vaccine shows promise against cytomegalovirus, a virus that causes birth defects
An experimental mRNA vaccine against human cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common virus that can infect babies during pregnancy, elicited some of the most promising immune responses to date of any CMV vaccine candidate, according to a study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators.
February 9th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — February 7th, 2024

Cough? Sore throat? More schools suggest mildly sick kids attend anyway
Trenace Dorsey-Hollins' 5-year-old daughter was sick a lot last year. Dorsey-Hollins followed school guidelines and kept her home when she had a cough or a sore throat—or worse—until she was completely better.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Early drawing and building skills linked to enhanced education and behavior in children
Fine motor skills in young children are linked to better GCSE scores and fewer behavioral problems in childhood and adolescence, according to a study from the University of Surrey and Birkbeck, University of London.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

From stories to science: How listening together unveils parent-child brain signatures
A recent Scientific Reports study determined the presence of shared neural fingerprints between parents and their children while listening to stories.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Number of child passenger deaths in crashes with alcohol-impaired driver from 2011--2020 remains stable
The proportion of child passengers who died in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver has remained unchanged in the last decade, according to research published online Feb. 6 in Pediatrics.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Parents warned of killer fake pills laced with fentanyl
The DEA has posted a chilling two-page warning to parents on fake pills—pills that can kill. The "One Pill/Can Kill" campaign kicks off with a warning that fentanyl "is a deadly synthetic opioid" pressed into bogus pills that are made to look like Adderall, Xanax, OxyContin and "other pharmaceuticals."
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Study shows infants' understanding of social norms
Our everyday lives are full of rules, such as how we should dress, how we greet each other, which side of the road we drive on, and when we cross at traffic lights. These and many other social norms are the basis for human coexistence in societies. In a recent study by scientists from the University of Regensburg and Oxford University, which is now published in Scientific Reports, it was shown that even babies understand what is right and wrong.
February 7th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — February 5th, 2024

After discharge from pediatric emergency, 20% of parents feel uncertain caring for their child: Study
A cross-Canada study of the emotional needs of parents who bring their children to pediatric emergency departments shows a significant number leave feeling dissatisfied and uncertain about how to care for their child after discharge.
February 5th, 2024 — Source

'Appalling decline' in UK children's health—report
Rising infant mortality, a surge in obesity and neglected tooth decay have left UK children aged under five facing a "bleak" future, a report published on Monday warned.
February 5th, 2024 — Source

Bullied teens' brains show chemical change associated with psychosis
Researchers have found that adolescents being bullied by their peers are at greater risk of the early stages of psychotic episodes and in turn experience lower levels of a key neurotransmitter in a part of the brain involved in regulating emotions.
February 5th, 2024 — Source

First gene therapy trial aims to restore hearing in children
The aim of this clinical trial, which has just received approval in France, is to assess the safety and efficacy of a new gene therapy drug in children aged between 6 and 31 months with profound hearing loss. Audiogene was developed by a French consortium composed of teams from the Hearing Institute, an Institut Pasteur research center; the ENT Department and Pediatric Audiology Research Center at Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital (AP-HP); Sensorion and Fondation Pour l'Audition.
February 5th, 2024 — Source

Pediatrician suggests 14 ways to show your child love
On Valentine's Day, there are many ways we can show children how much we love them that go beyond candy and cards.
February 5th, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — February 2nd, 2024

Blood test could reveal cause of brain injury in newborn babies
Researchers from Imperial College London have shown that a blood test can pinpoint the underlying cause of brain injury in newborns.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source

Caffeine restriction can improve, reduce severity of bed-wetting
Caffeine restriction can help improve and reduce the severity of primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PMNE), according to a study recently published in BMJ Paediatrics Open.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source

High efficacy and good safety profile for the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine in African children
Phase III trial results of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine developed by Oxford University and Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd, leveraging Novavax's Matrix-M adjuvant, has confirmed high efficacy and supported regulatory approvals and licensure in several African countries.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source

How to Keep Babies Warm in the Winter
Dressing them in layers and having the right cold-weather accessories are key
February 2nd, 2024 — Source

Schoolboy rugby players have more injuries the older they get
The number of injuries sustained while playing rugby, and match and training days lost as a result, is higher among players under age 18 than it is among those under 13 and under 15, reveals a study of 66 schoolboy teams from 35 secondary schools in England, published in the open access journal BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source

Study estimates prevalence of adolescents identifying as being 'in recovery'
The prevalence of adolescents identifying as being in recovery and resolving problems with substances is estimated in a study published online Dec. 19 in PLOS ONE.
February 2nd, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — January 31st, 2024

Another Baby Has Died in a Fisher-Price Infant-to-Toddler Rocker
The CPSC warned parents about this rocker a year and a half earlier, but it has never been recalled
January 31, 2024 — Source

Gaps seen in childhood vision screening and vision care
Gaps in access to childhood vision screening and vision care are prevalent among historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups and socioeconomically vulnerable families, according to a research letter published online in JAMA Ophthalmology.
January 31, 2024 — Source

Pacific nations tax unhealthy foods to tackle non-communicable disease crisis
Pacific Island governments are increasingly imposing taxes on unhealthy foods as they battle a non-communicable disease crisis, a New Zealand study shows.
January 31, 2024 — Source

Parental warmth during young adulthood found to decrease rates of depression in children
Parents with young adult children can still make an impact on their children's mental health, whether those children have left the nest or not. Researchers from the Penn State College of Health and Human Development found that experiences of parental warmth during young adulthood—from 19 to 26 years of age—led to decreased rates of depression.
January 31, 2024 — Source

Research finds link between family dog ownership and children's physical activity
Researchers have found a clear link between the acquisition or loss of a family dog and the level of physical activity undertaken by children in the family, with the impact most noticeable in girls.
January 31, 2024 — Source

Study finds links between prenatal substance exposure and childhood mental health
An observational study has found links between prenatal substance exposure and mental health in children aged 10--12 years, but also found that controlling for environment and genetics eliminated many associations. The paper is published in the journal PNAS Nexus.
January 31, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — January 29th, 2024

Hydroxyurea significantly reduces infections in children with sickle cell anemia
Clinical research led by Indiana University School of Medicine investigators and their collaborators in Uganda has revealed that hydroxyurea significantly reduces infections in children with sickle cell anemia. Their latest findings enhance strong evidence of hydroxyurea's effectiveness and could ultimately reduce death in children in Africa, the continent most burdened by the disease.
January 29, 2024 — Source or Source

Motivational interviewing approach does not reduce BMI in children
A motivational interviewing (MI) strategy seems not to be effective for reducing childhood obesity, with youth in the intervention arm gaining more weight, according to a study published online Jan. 29 in Pediatrics.
January 29, 2024 — Source

New pediatric immunization guidelines take a jab at vaccine hesitancy
It happens every year around this time: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention releases the new year's immunization schedules, which describe when and how vaccines should be given.
January 29, 2024 — Source

New research finds volume alone does not predict quality outcomes in pediatric cardiac surgery
A study of pediatric heart surgery centers across the United States has demonstrated that, when it comes to successful surgery, it's not just the size of the program that matters in determining quality outcomes. The study is published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery journal.
January 29, 2024 — Source

Simple 20-meter shuttle run test predicts brain health in overweight kids
Aerobic fitness is often considered one of the best indicators of childhood health. It is also linked to better academic performance, executive function, and larger brain volume. However, aerobic fitness has been studied quite narrowly, often using methods that do not optimally represent it. According to a recent study by the University of Jyväskylä and the University of Granada, aerobic fitness performance measured by the 20-meter shuttle run test was associated with several different brain health outcomes.
January 29, 2024 — Source

Students who report using alcohol, cannabis or nicotine at higher risk for mental health disorders, survey shows
High school students who reported using cannabis, alcohol, or nicotine were more likely to have thoughts about suicide, feel depressed or anxious, have unusual experiences, and exhibit inattention or hyperactivity, according to recent survey-based study conducted by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the University of Minnesota.
January 29, 2024 — Source

Study explores spirituality's role in children's mental health
A Brock University-led international team's recent research suggests that spirituality be added to factors that determine children's mental health. "Establishing spirituality as an intermediary determinant of health among 42,843 children from eight countries" appears in the February issue of Preventive Medicine.
January 29, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — January 26th, 2024

A supervised toothbrushing toolkit to tackle tooth decay in children
A new toolkit to increase supervised toothbrushing for younger children aims to address health equalities caused by tooth decay.
January 26, 2024 — Source

Large study confirms locked-in syndrome as the predominant outcome of non-fatal pediatric drowning
It is a far cry from the traditionally thought-of "vegetative state" in which the mind is absent while the body lives on. Indeed, it is the opposite. Children with "locked-in syndrome," unable to move or speak, are awake and fully aware of their surroundings.
January 26, 2024 — Source

Locked-in syndrome is predominant outcome when children survive drowning, large study confirms
It is a far cry from the traditionally thought-of "vegetative state" in which the mind is absent while the body lives on. Indeed, it is the opposite. Children with "locked-in syndrome," unable to move or speak, are awake and fully aware of their surroundings.
January 26, 2024 — Source

New study on how parents experience their children's sports injuries
A new review paper focuses on how parents experience and are affected by their children's sports injuries. The research is published in the journal Sport in Society.
January 26, 2024 — Source

Single dose typhoid conjugate vaccine found to provide lasting efficacy in children
A single dose of the typhoid conjugate vaccine, Typbar TCV, provides lasting efficacy in preventing typhoid fever in children ages nine months to 12 years old, according to a new study conducted by researchers at University of Maryland School of Medicine's (UMSOM) Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD) and led by in-country partners at the Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust (MLW) Clinical Research Program.
January 26, 2024 — Source

Social withdrawal in kids, teens may signal higher suicide risk later: Study
If your preteen or teen skips school activities and social events, it may be more than the typically moody behavior of adolescence, new research warns.
January 26, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — January 24th, 2024

Cognitive behavioral therapy alters brain activity in children with anxiety
NIH researchers found widespread differences in the brains of children with anxiety disorders that improved after treatment.
January 24, 2024 — Source or Source

Exposure to flame retardants linked to premature birth, higher birth weight
In the largest study of its kind, researchers at UC Davis Health found that exposure to organophosphate ester flame retardants during pregnancy was associated with preterm birth, especially among females. The chemicals were also linked to higher birth weight, a concern for increased obesity risk. The major new research study was published in Environmental Health Perspectives.
January 24, 2024 — Source

Healing from child sexual abuse is often difficult but not impossible
A mayor, a karate instructor, a former cop, an award-winning journalist and a pastor. All five of these individuals in positions of authority or trust made headlines within the past year in connection with childhood sexual abuse.
January 24, 2024 — Source

Insurance doesn't always cover hearing aids for kids
Joyce Shen was devastated when doctors said her firstborn, Emory, hadn't passed her newborn hearing screening. Emory was diagnosed with profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears as an infant, meaning sounds are extremely muffled.
January 24, 2024 — Source

Is serum vitamin D status linked to dental caries or molar incisor hypomineralisation in children?
In a recent cross-sectional study published in BMC Public Health, researchers examined the potential association between serum vitamin D status and the prevalence and number of teeth affected by dental caries and molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) among Norwegian children of age 7--9 years.
January 24, 2024 — Source

Researchers find that a standard biomarker can measure the impact of early development disparities in infants
While multiple studies have shown a relationship between adversity in early childhood and negative lifelong health effects on groups of people, no reliable measures exist to measure the impact of early adversity on the risk of individual children.
January 24, 2024 — Source

Study finds three times the risk of respiratory distress in infants born to COVID-infected mothers
New UCLA-led research finds that infants born full term to mothers who were infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy had three times the risk of having respiratory distress compared with unexposed infants, even though they themselves were not infected with the virus. The risk was significantly lower when the mothers infected during pregnancy were previously vaccinated.
January 24, 2024 — Source

Study shows how CBT rewires the anxious child's brain
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have found overactivation in many brain regions, including the frontal and parietal lobes and the amygdala, in unmedicated children with anxiety disorders. They also showed that treatment with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) led to improvements in clinical symptoms and brain functioning.
January 24, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — January 22nd, 2024

Evidence shows risks associated with energy drinks in children
Energy drinks are associated with an increased risk of mental health issues among children and young people, including anxiety, stress, depression, and suicidal thoughts, a new study has found.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Injuries, burnout keep too many kids from sticking with sports: Report
Sports provides many physical and mental health benefits to children and teens, but many quit due to injury, overtraining and burnout.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Healthy eating and activity reverse aging marker in kids with obesity, study finds
A genetic marker linked to premature aging was reversed in children with obesity during a six-month diet and exercise program, according to a recent study led by the Stanford School of Medicine.
January 22, 2024 — Source

New study examines trends in liquid laundry detergent packet exposures among young children
A new study conducted by researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and the Central Ohio Poison Center investigated trends in calls to poison centers across the country for exposures to liquid laundry detergent packets. The study investigators identified declines in the number, rate and severity of liquid laundry detergent packet exposures among children younger than 6 years.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Researchers call for renewed safety efforts to protect children from liquid laundry detergent poisoning
A new study conducted by researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and the Central Ohio Poison Center investigated trends in calls to poison centers across the country for exposures to liquid laundry detergent packets.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Updated pediatric sepsis definition could save countless children's lives
An international research team led by Tell Bennett, MD, MS, professor of biomedical informatics and pediatric critical care at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, released new diagnostic criteria for sepsis in children this week, marking the first update to the pediatric sepsis definition in nearly two decades.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Wondering how to talk to your teen about drugs? Start the conversation early, be honest and avoid judgment
With several drug overdoses already this season, and recent news of three new recreational drugs identified by the drug checking service in Canberra, many parents of teenagers will be wondering how they can keep their kids safe from harmful drugs.
January 22, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — January 19th, 2024

Associations between mercury exposure and allergic diseases in children
In a recent study published in Scientific Reports, researchers assessed associations between mercury levels in urine and allergic diseases in children.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Best Baby Tracking Apps
We evaluated six popular baby tracking apps to find out which have robust features, are easy to use and set up, and aren't privacy and security nightmares
January 19, 2024 — Source

Emotional problems in young people were rising rapidly even before the pandemic, says researchers
It wasn't just the virus that spread during the pandemic—anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns saw a worrying rise as well. But new research from my colleagues and I confirms there had already been a substantial increase in emotional problems among young people even before COVID-19.
January 19, 2024 — Source

How social media affects your teen's mental health: A parent's guide
Mental health issues among teens have been rising for more than a decade, and some experts wonder how much social media use is to blame. If you're a parent questioning if—and how—you should monitor the way your teenager uses social media, you're not alone.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Infantile spasms: Speeding referrals for all infants
Infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS), often called infantile spasms, is the most common form of epilepsy seen during infancy. Prompt diagnosis and referral to a neurologist are essential.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Insurance doesn't always cover hearing aids for kids
Joyce Shen was devastated when doctors said her firstborn, Emory, hadn't passed her newborn hearing screening. Emory was diagnosed with profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears as an infant, meaning sounds are extremely muffled.
January 19, 2024 — Source

One in three children who contract bacterial meningitis live with permanent disability: Study
One in three children who suffer from bacterial meningitis live with permanent neurological disabilities due to the infection. This is according to a new epidemiological study led by Karolinska Institutet and published in JAMA Network Open.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Racial disparity identified in referral for infantile epileptic spasms syndrome
Infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS), often called infantile spasms, is the most common form of epilepsy seen during infancy. Prompt diagnosis and referral to a neurologist are essential. But research suggests infants are likely to experience delays in referral to a neurologist if their families are from historically marginalized racial/ethnic backgrounds. A new open-access training module for front-line providers from OPENPediatrics, an online learning community launched by Boston Children's Hospital, aims to change that.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Research highlights the importance of involving both parents in breastfeeding
The most important support person for women to succeed in their ambition to breastfeed is the new mother's partner. The partner also needs to be included through more support from health care professionals.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Stigma a barrier to women accessing drug and alcohol treatment, says study
Women using drugs and alcohol can feel stigmatized and shamed when seeking support from professional services, a new study has found.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — January 16th, 2024

How does owning a mobile phone impact infant birth weight?
Every year an estimated 20 million babies worldwide are born with low birth weight, according to the World Health Organization, leading to a wide range of significant short- and long-term consequences. Though you may think the obvious answer is greater emphasis on food and nutrition for pregnant women, leading McGill University researchers are proposing an unexpected solution: the cellphone.
January 16, 2024 — Source

Machine learning predicts response to drug for arthritis in children
Doctors might one day be able to target children and young people with arthritis most likely to be helped by its first-line treatment, thanks to the application of machine learning by University of Manchester scientists.
January 16, 2024 — Source

Study highlights importance of healthy eating for children's heart health
A healthier diet is associated with serum metabolite concentrations indicative of better cardiovascular health already in school-aged children, a recent study from the University of Eastern Finland shows. Published in European Journal of Nutrition, the findings are from the ongoing Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children study, PANIC.
January 16, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — January 15th, 2024

Identifying the barriers to communication in children with autism
Approximately 30% of individuals with autism do not develop speech that is sufficient for meeting the communication demands of everyday life. People with autism and little to no functional speech rely on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to engage in social, vocational and educational opportunities.
January 15, 2024 — Source

Is it safe for kids to use adult skincare products?
Over the holidays, Drunk Elephant skincare was a wish list mainstay, sending confused parents to beauty stores to puzzle over why their middle schoolers needed so many expensive products.
January 15, 2024 — Source

Safely keeping children warm when the power goes out at home during the winter
When the power goes out, it can throw off all of your family's normal routines. If the power failure is in winter, the danger of extreme cold can add to the problem. Younger children—especially infants—are at risk for hypothermia. But alternative sources of heat can be hazardous. So how do parents keep their kids warm—and safe?
January 15, 2024 — Source

Study reveals impact of early life adversity on a child's brain development
Researchers have found evidence suggesting that children exposed to elevated levels of early life adversity (ELA) exhibit an accelerated pattern of brain development during the preschool years. When exposed to ELA, such as a mother's mental and physical health challenges during pregnancy, the child's brain undergoes accelerated development in order to adapt to the adverse circumstances.
January 15, 2024 — Source

Survey finds link between drug/cannabis use during pregnancy and certain childhood cancers
While the risks of drug use, smoking and drinking during pregnancy are widely accepted, a new survey of parents has identified clear associations between certain types of childhood cancers and gestational substance use, notably cannabis.
January 15, 2024 — Source

There's a new pill for postpartum depression, but many at-risk women face hurdles
The first pill for postpartum depression approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is now available, but experts worry that minority and low-income women, who are disproportionately affected by the condition, won't have easy access to the new medication.
January 15, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — January 12th, 2024

Child abusers are covering their tracks with better use of crypto
"Mixers" and "privacy coins" like Monero enable them to launder profits, stay online.
January 12, 2024 — Source

New treatment to reduce seizures among infants with Sturge-Weber syndrome
Researchers at Kennedy Krieger Institute and Boston Children's Hospital have discovered a new way to decrease early seizure likelihood and improve neurologic outcomes among infants with Sturge-Weber Syndrome (SWS). This collaboration is the first multi-center study of its kind focused on this rare condition.
January 12, 2024 — Source

Rate of twin births increased in pregnancies with higher BMI
The rate of twin deliveries increased with increasing body mass index (BMI), and part of this association was explained by higher use of assisted reproductive technology (ART), according to a study published online Jan. 9 in JAMA Network Open.
January 12, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — January 13th, 2024

UVA researchers join international consortium to study climate-related childhood diarrhea
UVA Health researchers have joined a new international consortium that will work to understand how climate change could affect dangerous diarrheal diseases, a leading cause of death for children under 5 years old.
January 13, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — January 11th, 2024

Breaking the curve: A call for comprehensive scoliosis awareness and care
Cael was a typical 15-year-old—until the discovery of an already advanced abnormal curvature of his spine.
January 11, 2024 — Source

Early breastfeeding linked to lower risk of childhood obesity, regardless of mother's weight, study finds
Consistently breastfeeding infants in any amount during their first three months was associated with a lower risk of childhood obesity, regardless of the mother's body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy, according to a new study.
January 11, 2024 — Source

Rising malpractice premiums price small clinics out of gender-affirming care for minors
After Iowa lawmakers passed a ban on gender-affirming care for minors in March, managers of an LGBTQ+ health clinic located just across the state line in Moline, Illinois, decided to start offering that care.
January 11, 2024 — Source

The link between nutrient status and bone health in young males
In a recent study published in the Journal Nutrients, researchers investigated the effects of vitamin D/iron statuses and calcium intake on lumbar cortical and trabecular bone in male adults aged 15-19.
January 11, 2024 — Source

Too much TV screen time for kids: 5 things to know about the risks
Research suggests that too much TV can lead to difficulty processing sensory information.
January 11, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — January 10th, 2024

Childhood dietary patterns influence arterial stiffness in adolescence
Diets high in calories, fat and sugar in childhood can cause damage to blood vessel function, known to heighten the risk of early heart attacks and strokes, as early as adolescence according to research funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF). The team behind the University of Bristol-led study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition today [10 January], say their findings highlight the importance of healthy eating habits throughout life to protect heart health.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Exposure to high humidity and temperature in pregnancy could influence blood pressure changes in childhood
Outdoor humidity and temperature levels during pregnancy could affect the future blood pressure of the unborn child, according to new research by the University of Bristol, published in JACC: Advances.
January 10, 2024 — Source

More siblings mean poorer mental health for teens, says study
Teens from larger families have poorer mental health than those with fewer siblings, according to a large analysis of children in the United States and China.
January 10, 2024 — Source

Researchers report dramatic decline in cigarette use among US teens over three decades
Cigarette smoking remains the leading avoidable cause of premature death in the United States, accounting for approximately 500,000 deaths or 1 in 5 deaths annually. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, most adults who smoke cigarettes started before age 18, so preventing cigarette smoking in adolescents is important to reducing smoking in adults.
January 10, 2024 — Source

Review finds almost 1 in 10 adolescents have used non-prescription weight loss products globally
Almost 1 in 10 adolescents globally have used ineffective and potentially harmful non prescribed weight loss products in their lifetime, with 2% using them in the previous week.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Three ways to help your child transition off screens and avoid the dreaded 'tech tantrums'
Many Australian parents worry about how much time their children spend watching screens.
January 19, 2024 — Source

US teen smoking rates have plummeted, with fewer than 1% now daily smokers
The number of American teens who smoke or have even tried smoking has dropped dramatically compared to a generation ago, with less than 1% now saying they light up cigarettes daily.
January 19, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — January 9th, 2024

Concerned about student mental health? How wellness is related to academic achievement
Supporting student mental health and well-being has become a priority for schools. This was the case even prior to the increased signs of child and youth mental health adversity in and after the pandemic.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Exposure to green space boosts young children's bone mineral density
Hanne Sleurs, from Hasselt University in Belgium, and colleagues investigated whether early-life exposure to residential surrounding green space is associated with a change in bone mineral density in young children. The analysis included mother-child pairs who were recruited at birth and followed for four to six years (327 children).
January 9, 2024 — Source

In utero exposure to PFAS affects the unborn child, study suggests
PFAS are chemicals that may cause cancer, diabetes, and other diseases. Research from örebro University now suggests that these chemicals affect people as early as the fetal stage of development.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Meta will hide suicide and eating disorder content from teens as government pressure mounts
Teens on Facebook and Instagram will no longer be able to see content about self-harm, suicide, and eating disorders, even if their friends share it.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Meta will hide topics like self-harm and eating disorders from teens
It's part of the company's latest 'youth and wellbeing' privacy update.
January 9, 2024 — Source

PFAS may increase risk of disease in unborn children, new study suggests
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of thousands of synthetically produced chemicals used in a wide range of everyday products worldwide. They are often called "forever chemicals" since it takes a very long time for these substances to break down naturally and can remain in the bodies of humans and animals for many years.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Q&A: Poison control expert discusses water beads' hidden dangers
Water beads are tiny, colorful, expanding gel balls often sold as crafts, toys or sensory tools for children with developmental disabilities. However, if ingested, they can cause vomiting, intestinal blockages and may be fatal if left undetected.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Study links early screen time to atypical sensory processing in toddlers
Babies and toddlers exposed to television or video viewing may be more likely to exhibit atypical sensory behaviors, such as being disengaged and disinterested in activities, seeking more intense stimulation in an environment, or being overwhelmed by sensations like loud sounds or bright lights, according to data from researchers at Drexel's College of Medicine published today in the journal JAMA Pediatrics.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Teen Instagram and Facebook accounts will have harmful content blocked
Meta has announced that teen Instagram and Facebook accounts will in future block a wide range of harmful content, including posts about self-harm, graphic violence, and eating disorders. The move is being made in response to lawsuits by the majority of US states ...
January 9, 2024 — Source

Universal consensus definition unlocks research advancements for critically ill children worldwide
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators collaborated with a global group of acute pediatric critical illness experts to reach a consensus definition of the condition. Research on how to improve care in low- and middle-income countries has been stymied because conventional pediatric critical illness definitions are not applicable in these settings.
January 9, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — January 8th, 2024

About 22 adolescents died weekly from overdoses in 2022, driven by fentanyl-laced prescription pills
An average of 22 adolescents 14 to 18 years of age died in the U.S. each week in 2022 from drug overdoses, raising the death rate for this group to 5.2 per 100,000—driven by fentanyl in counterfeit pills, new research finds.
January 8, 2024 — Source

Adolescent sports participation associated with higher bone mineral density in old age
Loss of bone mineral density (BMD) with age is an important cause of osteoporosis (deterioration of bone tissue), which has been reported as one of the leading causes of falls among older adults in Japan. This leads to fractures that require long-term nursing. Prevention of osteoporosis in the aging population can thus help decrease the burden of disease and healthcare costs substantially.
January 8, 2024 — Source or Source

Exposure to TV may affect babies' and toddlers' ability to process the world around them, new study suggests
Babies and toddlers exposed to television or video viewing may be more likely to exhibit atypical sensory behaviors, such as being disengaged and disinterested in activities, seeking more intense stimulation in an environment, or being overwhelmed by sensations like loud sounds or bright lights, according to data from researchers at Drexel's College of Medicine published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics.
January 8, 2024 — Source

Researchers find possible neuromarker for 'juvenile-onset' Batten disease
Early symptoms can be subtle. A child's personality and behavior may change, and clumsiness or stumbling develops between the ages of 5 and 10. Over time, cognitive impairment sets in, seizures emerge or worsen, vision loss begins, and motor skills decline. This is the course of Batten disease, a progressive inherited nervous system disorder resulting from mutations to the CLN3 gene.
January 8, 2024 — Source

Researchers reach consensus on definition of acute pediatric critical illness
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators have collaborated with a global group of acute pediatric critical illness experts to reach a consensus definition of the condition. Research on how to improve care in low- and middle-income countries has been stymied because conventional pediatric critical illness definitions are not applicable in these settings.
January 8, 2024 — Source

Researchers: Neighborhood amenities may have helped youth mental health and stress early in the pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, youth as a population group reported some of the largest declines in their mental health compared to other age groups in Canada.
January 8, 2024 — Source

School connectedness predicts reduced depression and aggressive behavior in Black adolescents
School connectedness -- the degree to which students feel part of their school community -- influences more than grades. For Black students, it's a protective factor against depression and aggressive behavior later in life, according to a Rutgers University-New Brunswick study.
January 8, 2024 — Source

Study examines patient choice and hospital selection for breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy
Including patients as partners for making decisions about their medical treatments is an important aspect of patient-centered care. A new study from England examined choices that patients with breast cancer make when considering where to have surgery for their condition and assessed how policies that offer such choices might affect inequalities in the health care system.
January 8, 2024 — Source

Psychologists face challenges of increased demand, patient severity
The ongoing mental health crisis is causing significant challenges for many psychologists as they grapple with both heightened demand and patients presenting with increasingly severe symptoms, according to the results of a survey released Dec. 5 by the American Psychological Association.
January 8, 2024 — Source

Putting your toddler in front of the TV? You might hurt their ability to process the world around them, new data suggests
Babies and toddlers exposed to television or video viewing may be more likely to exhibit atypical sensory behaviors, such as being disengaged and disinterested in activities, seeking more intense stimulation in an environment, or being overwhelmed by sensations like loud sounds or bright lights, according to recent data.
January 8, 2024 — Source

Ways to prevent suicide in teens
As children grow and become more independent, it can be more challenging for parents to know what they are thinking and feeling. When do the normal ups and downs of adolescence become something to worry about?
January 8, 2024 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — December 29th, 2023

Digoxin shows promise in enhancing post-surgery survival for infants with certain heart defects
A strong, rhythmic pulse is a lifelong companion for those with a healthy heart. But for about 1% of babies born in the U.S. every year, developmental heart problems compromise that steady beat.
December 29, 2023 — Source

Infants pay the price when parents battle food insecurity and benefits red tape
Taking on the parenting duties to support a newborn child is stressful enough when everything goes well.
December 29, 2023 — Source

Stop using 'Baby Loungers' due to suffocation risk, feds warn
A popular infant lounger violates U.S. safety standards because it poses a fall hazard and suffocation risk to babies, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns.
December 29, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — December 27th, 2023

Cognitive impairment in preterm infants can be predicted at time of discharge from NICU
Impaired cognition among preschoolers born very early can be predicted already at discharge from neonatal care. This is according to a study from Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, and University College Cork, Ireland, published in the journal JAMA Network Open.
December 27, 2023 — Source

Expecting? Stay heart-healthy for you and your baby
It's never too late for an expectant mom to adopt healthy habits for her baby and herself.
December 27, 2023 — Source

Five-day antibiotic course noninferior for pediatric febrile UTI
For young children with febrile urinary tract infection (fUTI), a five-day amoxicillin-clavulanate course is noninferior to a 10-day course for recurrence of UTI within 30 days after completion of therapy, according to a study published online Dec. 26 in Pediatrics.
December 27, 2023 — Source

Nasal spray a better alternative to injections for many children
In the emergency room, on the ski slope or at the ice rink, with a child who is in great pain. Their wrist is swollen and broken. Tears are flowing, and everything hurts.
December 27, 2023 — Source

Pediatricians offer 8 goals to parents to 'start the year strong'
New Year's resolutions often center on weight loss and personal lifestyle changes, but setting good parenting goals is also well worth the effort, pediatricians say.
December 27, 2023 — Source

Study reveals relationship of gut microbiome on children's brain development and function
Emerging evidence implicates the gut microbiome in cognitive outcomes and neurodevelopmental disorders, but the influence of gut microbial metabolism on typical neurodevelopment has not been explored in detail. Researchers from Wellesley College, in collaboration with other institutions, have demonstrated that differences in the gut microbiome are associated with overall cognitive function and brain structure in healthy children.
December 27, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — December 24th, 2023

Teen concussion tied to higher risk for suicidal behaviors
Adolescents who report concussion have increased odds of reporting suicidal behaviors, according to a study published online Nov. 16 in the Journal of Athletic Training.
December 24, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — December 22nd, 2023

Pediatrician offers advice on 'toddler formula'
The formula aisle at your local supermarket has expanded in the past few years. Next to infant formula products you will often see products labeled specifically for older babies and toddlers. The products have names like, "follow-up formula," "weaning formula," "toddler milk" or "toddler formula." These names are misleading, because the products are not a necessary part of a healthy child's diet or equivalent to infant formula in any way. Some are labeled with unproven health claims.
December 22, 2023 — Source

Robots versus humans: Which do children trust more when learning new information?
In this digital age, children are exposed to overwhelming amounts of information online, some of it unverified and increasingly generated by non-human sources, such as AI-driven language models. As children grow older, the ability to assess a source's reliability is an important skill in cultivating critical thinking.
December 22, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — December 21st, 2023

Candles, trees, pets: All holiday hazards for kids with asthma
Kids are home for the holidays, but the wonders of the season can pose problems for children with asthma.
December 21, 2023 — Source

Holidays can be tough on kids with ADHD, anxiety: Some tips for parents
Kids with emotional problems or ADHD can find the holidays a very challenging time, as all the routines that provide a sense of order are jumbled in a whirl of activities.
December 21, 2023 — Source

Injected Xolair therapy could prevent food allergies in kids
A new treatment appears to reduce food allergies in children and teens, according to interim clinical trial results.
December 21, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — December 19th, 2023

How to determine medication dosages for premature babies
Premature babies almost always require treatment with medication. Doctors usually determine the dosages based on data from children who were not born prematurely, while preterm infants often develop differently. Medication researcher Aline Engbers investigated three commonly used drugs, focusing on what to consider in preventing over- or under-dosing in these tiniest patients. Engbers will defend her thesis on 19 December.
December 19, 2023 — Source

Tanzanian children test the effectiveness of clinical decision support algorithms to lower antibiotic use
Researchers led by the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, have tested the impact of a digital clinical decision support algorithm (CDSA) called ePOCT+ on managing acutely ill children under 15 in Tanzanian primary care facilities. The goal was to compare the effects of using ePOCT+ versus usual care in reducing antibiotic prescriptions and assessing clinical outcomes.
December 19, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — December 18th, 2023

Pancreatic enzymatic replacement therapy improves maladaptive behavior in preschool children with autism, finds study
The use of high-protease pancreatic replacement therapy demonstrated improvement in maladaptive behaviors, such as irritability, in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to research conducted at 32 clinical sites, including UTHealth Houston.
December 18, 2023 — Source

Students could get more sleep and learn better if school started a little later, neurologist says
Nearly three-quarters of high school students do not get enough sleep on school nights, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
December 18, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — December 15th, 2023

EU watchdog backs anti-bilharzia parasite treatment for kids
The world's first medicine formulated to treat a damaging tropical parasite infection in preschool children received the green light Friday from Europe's drug agency.
December 15, 2023 — Source

New study links high birth weight to childhood obesity in the US
A new study published in the journal Reproductive and Developmental Medicine has found a strong association between fetal macrosomia (high birth weight) and overweight and obesity in early childhood among the U.S.-born children aged 2 to 6 years.
December 15, 2023 — Source

Strength training: OK for kids?
Strength training offers kids many benefits, but there are important warnings to keep in mind. Here's what you need to know about youth strength training.
December 15, 2023 — Source

UK project enhances legal understanding for legally accountable 10-year-olds, research finds
Most Year 5 children will know little about the law and their rights, yet at the stroke of midnight on their 10th birthday, they become criminally responsible in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
December 15, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — December 14th, 2023

Mother-led infant massage eases maternal postnatal depression, according to studies
Women who participate in mother-led infant massage sessions show a reduction in symptoms of postnatal depression, according to a review published online Dec. 13 in PLOS ONE.
December 14, 2023 — Source

New report finds 15% of child deaths in England linked to infections
Of child deaths in England over the last three years, 15% are related to infection, according to a new report published on 14 December by the University of Bristol's National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) team. The report uses the NCMD's unique data on all child deaths in England to examine 1,507 infection-related deaths between April 2019 and March 2022.
December 14, 2023 — Source

Pediatrician: Three signs your sick child may need to see a health care professional
While most common colds, flu, or other illnesses can be treated at home, Dr. Angela Mattke, a pediatrician with Mayo Clinic's Children's Center, says parents should watch for these three signs that their sick child may need to see a health care professional.
December 14, 2023 — Source

Researchers call for changes to tackling chronic pain in children
A new study, led by Dr. Emma France and published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, found children are often left without effective pain management and struggle to access support from health services.
December 14, 2023 — Source

Sleep disturbances tied to emotional, behavioral difficulties in young children
A natural history of sleep disturbances is associated with resolved and incident emotional and behavioral difficulties (EBDs) among preschool-aged children, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in JAMA Network Open.
December 14, 2023 — Source

UK Report: Recommendations for reducing inequities, improving care for babies of Asian and Black mothers
The MBRRACE-UK collaboration, which is co-led by The Infant Mortality and Morbidity Studies (TIMMS) group at the University of Leicester and Oxford Population Health's National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU), has today (Dec. 14) published the results of a confidential inquiry into the care of Black and Asian babies born in the U.K. in 2019.
December 14, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — December 11th, 2023

Early childhood fish consumption may protect against neurodevelopmental delays
Adding fish to a toddler's repertoire of finger foods may help protect them from neurodevelopmental delays, according to researchers at the Penn State College of Medicine. The team studied 142 children from birth to age 18 months and found that consuming fish at least once a week was associated with a reduced risk of neurodevelopmental delays. Intriguingly, the positive influence of fish consumption on neurodevelopment was amplified by a child's microbiome.
December 11, 2023 — Source

Exploring equitable treatment options for pediatric patients with sickle cell disease
Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) often face a reduced quality of life and a lower life expectancy. Allotransplantation, the first treatment for SCD with curative potential, comes with risks, including transplant-related mortality. Gene therapy, once approved for SCD, could also offer a lifelong cure without the risk associated with allotransplantation.
December 11, 2023 — Source

Pharmacologic restraint used in 3 percent of pediatric mental health admissions
Benjamin Masserano, M.D., from the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas, and colleagues conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional study using the Pediatric Health Information System database, including children aged 5 to 17 years with a primary mental health diagnosis between 2016 and 2021. The rates of pharmacologic restraint use per 1,000 patient days in medical inpatient units were examined for 13 mental health diagnoses.
December 11, 2023 — Source

Researchers find promising candidate to treat irreversible lung and eye diseases in extremely premature infants
Novel findings reported in The American Journal of Pathology implicate granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in both bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retinopathy in premature babies
December 11, 2023 — Source

Tracing how the infant brain responds to touch with near-infrared spectroscopy
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have measured how oxygenated hemoglobin levels in the blood change in infants' brains in response to touch. Using spectroscopy methods with external sensors placed on the scalp of sleeping infants, they found that the time at which levels peak doesn't change with infant age, but the amount by which it varies over time does. Insights like this shed light on how the physiology of infants develops.
December 11, 2023 — Source

What you should know about lead in cinnamon applesauce pouches?
Every so often, parents hear scary news that lead or other metals have been found in baby foods made with rice, fruit or vegetables. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned people not to eat certain brands of cinnamon applesauce pouches because they had lead in them.
December 11, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — December 8th, 2023

Spanish-speaking children with type 1 diabetes face barriers to using medical technology
Many children with type 1 diabetes benefit from technology—including insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices—to help manage their blood sugar level, which is key to staying healthy.
December 08, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — December 6th, 2023

Infant and toddler health
An infant is born with two major soft spots on the top of the head called fontanels. These soft spots are spaces between the bones of the skull where bone formation isn't complete. This allows the skull to be molded during birth. The smaller spot at the back usually closes by age 2 to 3 months. The larger spot toward the front often closes around age 18 months.
December 6, 2023 — Source

More than four hours of daily smartphone use associated with health risks for adolescents
In a new study of more than 50,000 Korean adolescents, those who used a smartphone for more than four hours per day had higher rates of adverse mental health and substance use. Jin-Hwa Moon and Jong Ho Cha of Hanyang University Medical Center, Korea, and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on December 6, 2023.
December 6, 2023 — Source

PFAS exposure linked to decreased bone health in adolescents and young adults
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), manufactured chemicals used in products such as food packaging and cosmetics, can lead to reproductive problems, increased cancer risk and other health issues. A growing body of research has also linked the chemicals to lower bone mineral density, which can lead to osteoporosis and other bone diseases.
December 6, 2023 — Source

Psychological arguments helped Argentines win abortion rights, scholar says
In Argentina, perhaps the most psychoanalyzed country in the world, the rhetoric of psychology proved important in the push for a 2020 federal law that for the first time guaranteed free and safe access to abortion through 14 weeks of pregnancy.
December 6, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — December 5th, 2023

Finding a treatment option for tear duct obstruction that works for children
Congenital tear duct obstruction (a blocked tear duct) is the most common cause of excessive tearing in infants and young children. Fortunately, most children require minimal treatment, but those with persistent symptoms can have a procedure to clear the blockage either in a clinician's office without anesthesia or in a surgical setting with anesthesia.
December 5, 2023 — Source

Racial disparities seen in unmet treatment needs for pediatric mental health
For children with mental health conditions, there are racial and ethnic disparities in unmet treatment needs, according to a study published online Dec. 5 in Pediatrics.
December 5, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — December 4th, 2023

A European initiative aims to ensure fair trials for children and young people with special language needs
Nearly 70% of children and young adults who face the justice system for committing a crime have serious language difficulties that affect their comprehension and expression skills. This severe disorder leaves them defenseless or unable to fully exercise their right to be heard and, consequently, exposed to harsher sentences than individuals without this disorder.
December 4, 2023 — Source

Adversity accelerates epigenetic aging in children with developmental delays, but positive parenting can reverse course
Research has shown that children who experience adversity during their early years may undergo faster biological aging.
December 4, 2023 — Source

Does immediate parent-infant skin-to-skin contact improve interaction in very preterm babies at 4 months?
In a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers investigated the effect of initial skin-to-skin contact (SSC) at delivery on the quality of mother-infant interactions at four months of corrected age in extremely preterm infants.
December 4, 2023 — Source

How does noise affect children?
Many parents know that loud noise can hurt a child's hearing. Very loud sounds—from fireworks or firearms, for example—can cause immediate damage. Using personal listening devices for music, videos and classes can also cause damage if they're too loud.
December 4, 2023 — Source

Make sure kids' melatonin use 'isn't a Band-Aid for a larger issue,' says pediatrician
Sleep-deprived parents may view that bottle of melatonin gummies on the store shelf as a golden ticket to finally getting their kids to sleep and getting some rest themselves.
December 4, 2023 — Source

Recommendations developed for sport-related concussion in children
In a consensus statement issued by the International Consensus Conference on Concussion in Sport and published online Dec. 4 in Pediatrics, recommendations are presented for managing sport-related concussion among children and adolescents.
December 4, 2023 — Source

Reducing oxygen levels for children in intensive care could save lives, finds UK study
Reducing oxygen levels in critically ill children on mechanical ventilators in intensive care could save tens of young lives each year, finds a new study led by researchers at UCL and Great Ormond Street Hospital.
December 4, 2023 — Source

Teens with epilepsy face higher odds for eating disorders
Teenagers with epilepsy are more likely to have an eating disorder than those not suffering from the brain disease, a new study shows.
December 4, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — December 1st, 2023

Adverse childhood experiences may increase the odds of muscle dysmorphia in young people
A new study published in Clinical Social Work Journal found that adolescents and young adults who experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) before the age of 18 were significantly more likely to experience symptoms of muscle dysmorphia.
December 1, 2023 — Source or Source

Report highlights worrying decline in adolescents' mental and physical health in England
New research carried out by the University as part of the Health Behavior of School Age Children Survey (HBSC) for England has found that young people are less healthy and satisfied with their lives than in previous years. The HBSC is part of an international program led by the World Health Organization (WHO).
December 1, 2023 — Source

Scientists say a child-centric approach is the blueprint to improve communities
Communities can prosper by providing attentive education and social services to their youngest residents--but the challenge is for leaders to work together.
December 1, 2023 — Source

Study explores how pre- and postnatal B-12 vitamins improve breast milk vitamin B-12 levels
Babies and children need vitamins, including vitamin B-12, to help their brains and bodies develop and grow. Babies get B-12 from their mothers and can have low levels of B-12 if their mothers had low vitamin levels during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The vitamin B-12 levels of infants strongly depend on maternal levels. Adequacy of vitamin B-12 in breast milk is particularly important for infants during the first six months of life when breastfeeding is highly recommended. Even after the first six months of life, breast milk may continue to be a critical source of vitamin B-12 for infants.
December 1, 2023 — Source

Study finds long-term outcomes of neonatal listeriosis are mainly due to prematurity rather than infection
Maternal-fetal listeriosis is a severe disease that can lead to miscarriage, premature birth or serious neonatal infection. But what are the long-term consequences of neonatal listeriosis on the health of surviving infants?
December 1, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — November 30th, 2023

Does having children make you happier? Here's what the research suggests
The prevailing belief in many parts of the world is that having children is key to happiness--and that people who don't have children are unfulfilled in their lives.
November 30, 2023 — Source

Scientists uncover cellular cause of heart defects in babies born to women with diabetes
When women with diabetes become pregnant, they face not only the typical challenges of pregnancy and impending parenthood, but also a scary statistic: they're five times more likely to have a baby with a congenital heart defect.
November 30, 2023 — Source or Source

Health — Children & Kids — November 29th, 2023

Attending early education during pandemic provides sustained benefits for youngsters' development
The more time pre-schoolers spent in childcare during the first year of the pandemic, the more their vocabulary grew, a new study has found.
November 29, 2023 — Source

Aussie babies and toddlers are targeted with unhealthy foods, finds research
Babies and toddlers can't read or buy food yet, but new research reveals that they are being targeted with aggressive marketing in the baby and toddler aisle at the supermarket.
November 29, 2023 — Source

DNA sequencing reveals clonal evolution of tumor in childhood leukemia
Researchers at the RUDN Laboratory of Biology of Single Cells have studied the possibilities of DNA sequencing at the level of individual cells in patients with a rare form of childhood leukemia. The study revealed the mechanisms of the clonal evolution of the tumor and its transformation into a more aggressive form of leukemia at the level of individual subclones. It has also been shown that this technology can also be used as a very accurate tool for assessing the response of the disease to the treatment.
November 29, 2023 — Source

Newborn babies at risk from bacteria commonly carried by mothers
One in 200 newborns is admitted to a neonatal unit with sepsis caused by a bacteria commonly carried by their mothers — much greater than the previous estimate, say researchers. The team has developed an ultra-sensitive test capable of better detecting the bacteria, as it is missed in the vast majority of cases.
November 29, 2023 — Source

Research reveals risk factors for poor asthma control in children
A recent University of Alberta study is shedding more light on how perinatal health and early life events are related to asthma control in children. "Perinatal and early life factors and asthma control among preschoolers: a population-based retrospective cohort study" was published in BMJ Open Respiratory Research.
November 29, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — November 28th, 2023

Home environment is a significant factor in how children recover from severe acute malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa
Three reports emerging from Queen Mary University of London have provided valuable insight into the management of severe acute malnutrition (SAM)--the most life-threatening form of malnutrition in children.
November 28, 2023 — Source

Millions of kids in US have inadequate health care coverage
Inadequate health coverage is a particular problem for commercially insured children, according to a new study released by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. The research shows that coverage gaps are affecting publicly insured children as well. Until now, prior research had focused on documenting rates and trends in insurance consistency for children covered by all insurance types.
November 28, 2023 — Source

Pandemic's impact on child cognitive, emotional well-being mixed
Pandemic exposure is associated with both positive and negative aspects of young children's cognitive and emotional well-being, according to a study published online Nov. 16 in JAMA Network Open.
November 28, 2023 — Source

Reading 'beats' TV for sparking imaginative thinking, says expert
Reading books is more effective at stimulating the imagination compared to watching images and stories unfold on screen, a new study has suggested.
November 28, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — November 27th, 2023

An AI-aided stethoscope can improve home monitoring of asthma in very young children
Adults and older children with asthma can take objective measures of symptoms such as peak expiratory flow (PEF), the volume of airflow in one forced exhalation, at home. This provides a more complete picture of their disease and helps them detect asthma exacerbations or negative changes to their condition at the onset.
November 27, 2023 — Source

Infant face preference linked to genetics
Whether infants at five months of age look mostly at faces or non-social objects such as cars or mobile phones is largely determined by genes. This has now been demonstrated by researchers at Uppsala University and Karolinska Institutet. The findings suggest that there is a biological basis for how infants create their unique visual experiences and which things they learn most about. The study has been published in the scientific journal Nature Human Behaviour.
November 27, 2023 — Source

Kids who feel their parents are less reliable take fewer risks vital to learning and growth, study finds
Trying something new is a risk every child undertakes as they explore and learn about the world. While risk can be costly, it can also pay off in rewards or knowledge. But new research suggests children without predictable support from the adults in their lives are less willing to take those risks--and reap those rewards.
November 27, 2023 — Source

Newborn babies can perceive the beat in music, study shows
Newborn babies can perceive the beat in music, new research has confirmed. The study, carried out by a team of scientists from the University of Amsterdam and the HUN-REN Research Center for Natural Sciences (TTK) in Hungary, shows that this ability to recognize a beat is not simply due to the statistical learning ability of newborns, but that beat perception is actually a separate cognitive mechanism that is already active at birth. The study was published on 27 November in the journal Cognition.
November 27, 2023 — Source

Scientists create patch that may successfully treat congenital heart defects in infants and last a lifetime
Using laboratory engineered tissue, scientists at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have created a full-thickness, biodegradable patch that holds the promise of correcting congenital heart defects in infants, limiting invasive surgeries and outlasting current patches.
November 27, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — November 24th, 2023

Children with breath-holding spells undergo unnecessary diagnostic interventions: Study
Breath-holding spells are common in young children and are benign. Yet children often undergo unnecessary diagnostic interventions when seeking medical care. This is because there are no national or international guidelines on how to assess children in these cases.
November 24, 2023 — Source

Q&A: The psychological consequences of political violence
Thousands have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war since Oct. 7. And watching, and experiencing, all of this violence unfold are Palestinian and Israeli children.
November 24, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — November 22nd, 2023

Navigating the influencer landscape: The positive and negative effects of social media influencers on adolescents
In a recent review published in SourceSocial Science & Medicine, researchers assess previous research on the impact of social media influencers (SMI) on adolescent health. The study findings indicate that although SMIs can harm mental and physical health, their influence can encourage healthier habits and promote effective health messaging.
November 22, 2023 — Source

Research links childhood deprivation to accelerated biological aging later in life
By using advanced epigenetic aging techniques and new data from older adults, a team of researchers found that being deprived of a nurturing childhood environment is associated with accelerated biological aging at older ages.
November 22, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — November 20th, 2023

AI-based approach uncovers social patterns that impact child health outcomes
A team led by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine has used an AI-based approach to uncover underlying patterns among the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age, termed social determinants of health (SDoH), and then linked each pattern to children's health outcomes.
November 20, 2023 — Source or Source

Breakthroughs in TB prevention offer hope for children
Taking a common antibiotic could more than half the risk of children becoming sick with multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), according to findings presented this week at a conference on lung health.
November 20, 2023 — Source

Research finds infants and toddlers can engage in imaginary play
A study from Monash University has found that infants and toddlers are capable of engaging in imaginary play, correcting previously held academic beliefs that they were unable to, and confirming the profound significance of imaginative play in early childhood education.
November 20, 2023 — Source

Study finds high school students no more likely to use marijuana after legalization
High schoolers who perceive that their parents, siblings or friends use marijuana were much more likely to use marijuana themselves--but no more so after cannabis was legalized in the commonwealth in 2016, according to University of Massachusetts Amherst research.
November 20, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — November 17th, 2023

Q&A: Think your child might have ADHD? Expert offers insight on traits and treatments
Over the past 50 years, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder--more commonly known as ADHD--has evolved from a little-known condition into arguably the most studied disorder in the field of child psychiatry.
November 17, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — November 16th, 2023

It's Getting Harder to Find Long-Term Residential Behavioral Health Treatment for Kids
Intermountain Residential in Helena, Montana, is one of the few programs in the U.S. providing long-term behavioral health treatment for kids under 10. It cited staffing shortages in downsizing from 32 beds to eight, with no guarantee it can stay open long term.
November 16, 2023 — Source

High school students with multiple concussions report increased suicidal behavior
High school students--particularly males--who reported a history of concussion in the last year were more likely to engage in suicidal thoughts, planning or attempts than their nonconcussed peers, according to a study by a research team that includes a researcher at the University of Michigan.
November 16, 2023 — Source

New study reveals molecular causes of rare neurological condition in children
A new study involving University of Portsmouth researchers has uncovered key molecular defects underlying a rare developmental brain condition in children.
November 16, 2023 — Source

Older adolescents with physical and mental illnesses have lowest self-perceptions: Study
The combination of physical and mental illness had a negative impact on self-perception among older adolescents, but not for younger ones, shows a new University of Waterloo study.
November 16, 2023 — Source

Polluted air can negatively impact children's test scores, finds study
A new study led by researchers at the Yale School of Public Health finds air pollution may negatively impact standardized test scores.
November 16, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — November 15th, 2023

Essential tips to ensure safe sleep for infants
The risk for sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, is highest in the first year of life. SIDS often happens during sleep, which is why knowing and practicing safe sleep is so important.
November 15, 2023 — Source

Infant brain activity predicts social flexibility, stress recovery in first year
Caregivers celebrate many milestones between a baby's birth and their first birthday. During these 12 months, many infants go from being unable to support their head to crawling and standing, and from watching their parents to smiling, babbling, and waving at them. Some babies even say their first words or take their first steps.
November 15, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — November 14th, 2023

Aussie kids exposed to aggressive food marketing that would be banned in other countries, finds analysis
A comprehensive analysis of on-pack marketing of foods sold in Australian supermarkets has revealed widespread, unregulated use of promotional techniques directly appealing to children--like cartoon characters--most commonly on unhealthy and ultra-processed foods associated with overweight and obesity. This practice is banned in countries where stricter food marketing rules have positively impacted children's diets.
November 14, 2023 — Source

Psychologist offers advice on soothing children traumatized by war
A Northwestern University pediatric psychologist--who advises Ukrainian charity workers and therapists about working with that country's traumatized children--shares her expertise regarding how to support children affected by violence in the Middle East. This includes children at home in the U.S. and in the Middle East.
November 14, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — November 13th, 2023

Babies cry less with to skin-to-skin contact, says behavioral psychologist
It appears beneficial for mothers and babies to have one hour of skin-to-skin contact per day in the first five weeks after birth. Mothers who do so may experience less anxiety and fatigue and often continue to breastfeed for longer. Their babies cry less and may sleep longer. These are the conclusions of behavioral psychologist Kelly Cooijmans, who defended her Ph.D. dissertation at Radboud University on 17 November.
November 13, 2023 — Source

Daycare TB case exposes over 500 babies, children; emergency declared
The health department has set up multiple clinics to test children as quickly as possible.
November 13, 2023 — Source

Limited positive childhood experiences linked to higher binge-eating risk in college
New findings from the University of Houston Department of Health and Human Performance reveal a significant association between a lower number of positive childhood experiences and a higher prevalence of binge-eating disorder characteristics, as well as lower scores for intuitive eating.
November 13, 2023 — Source

Study finds using electric toothbrushes significantly improves children's dental health
It may be time to go electric when it comes to kids brushing their teeth, according to new research by the Hebrew University-Hadassah Faculty of Dental Medicine.
November 13, 2023 — Source

What women say about how breastfeeding affects their body image
The benefits of breastfeeding are well known--but the UK has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the world. The WHO recommends that babies should be exclusively breastfed up to the age of six months (when they can start having food in addition to breast milk). But just 1% of women in the UK exclusively breastfeed their babies to six months old.
November 13, 2023 — Source

Why are my kids good around other people and then badly behaved with me?
Parents may be familiar with this scenario: a child is well-behaved at school and polite to their teachers but has a meltdown at home in the afternoon.
November 13, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — November 10th, 2023

Babies are contracting salmonella after handling pet food, FDA warns
Two federal health agencies are investigating a salmonella outbreak linked to dog food that has sickened seven people in seven states, nearly all of them infants.
November 10, 2023 — Source

Debate intensifies over vegan diets for children, pediatric associations weigh in
In a recent study published in Nutrients, researchers examined available evidence on vegan (VN) diets for pediatric and adolescent individuals, particularly by citing position statement articles from several professional and scientific bodies, including pediatric organizations.
November 10, 2023 — Source

Lab builds mock MRI machine to prep kids for studies
When researchers in Dalhousie's NeuroCognitive Imaging Lab (NCIL) designed a huge, two-year reading comprehension study involving approximately 100 children from grades two and three, they faced a major challenge. They had to decipher the intricacies of neuroplasticity--how the brain rewires itself to do new things--during the formative stages of reading while simultaneously shepherding children through the intimidating world of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans.
November 10, 2023 — Source

Physical fitness since childhood associated with cerebellar volume in adolescence: Study
Physical fitness since childhood is associated with cerebellar gray matter volume in adolescents. According to a recent study conducted at the University of Jyväskylä and the University of Eastern Finland, those who were stronger, faster and more agile, in other words, had better neuromuscular fitness since childhood, had larger Crus I gray matter volume in adolescence.
November 10, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — November 9th, 2023

Clinical trial data suggests prenatal vitamin D reduces a child's risk of asthma
A review of 15 years' worth of data from the Vitamin D Antenatal Asthma Reduction Trial (VDAART) found that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy reduced rates of asthma and wheezing in children compared to standard prenatal multivitamin
November 9, 2023 — Source

Growth-restricted babies and asphyxia: Cardiovascular impacts
The health effects of fetal growth restriction (FGR) can last a lifetime, and the latest research from Hudson Institute is showing just how pervasive those effects can be on the cardiovascular system.
November 9, 2023 — Source

NY is developing education program on harms of medically unnecessary surgery on intersex children
New York is requiring state health officials to develop an outreach program to educate parents and doctors about the harmful impacts of medically unnecessary treatments performed on young children born intersex.
November 9, 2023 — Source

US childhood vaccination exemptions reach their highest level ever
The proportion of U.S. kindergartners exempted from school vaccination requirements has hit its highest level ever, 3%, U.S. health officials said Thursday.
November 9, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — November 7th, 2023

Early-life exposure to manganese may be beneficial to adolescent cognition
Manganese is both an essential nutrient and a toxic chemical, primarily obtained through diet, water, supplements, and environmental elements. But the level at which manganese shifts from beneficial to harmful to the developing brain remains unclear. Children's susceptibility to the neurotoxic effects of manganese may vary based on when they are exposed to this metal in their lifetime.
November 7, 2023 — Source

Tech giants pool efforts to fight online child sex abuse
Big tech companies, including Facebook-owner Meta and Google, said Tuesday they would team up in a new program to fight online child sexual abuse or exploitation.
November 7, 2023 — Source

To what extent can genetic variations explain the associations between screen time and psychiatric problems in children?
Specifically, they modeled genetic information using Gsens, a method previously used in prediction studies but rarely in causation studies to quantify genetic confounding by integrating information from both polygenic risk scores (PRSs) and single-nucleotide variant (SNV)- and twin-based heritability.
November 7, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — November 6th, 2023

Firearm injuries among children and adolescents lead to huge mental and behavioral health consequences: Study
The alarming increase in firearm injuries to children and adolescents in the United States has taken an enormous mental and behavioral health toll on victims, survivors, and their families, with ripple effects on the economy and health care spending, researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Harvard Medical School (HMS) have found.
November 6, 2023 — Source

Inconsistent uptake of US Federal Child and Adult Care Food Program means children lack access to nutritious food
Lead investigator Tatiana Andreyeva, Ph.D., Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health, University of Connecticut, explained, "Unfortunately, CACFP is underutilized and underappreciated. Despite offering robust program benefits, including better nutrition for children, help for families,
November 6, 2023 — Source

Science Says Teens Need More Sleep. So Why Is It So Hard to Start School Later?
High school classes start so early around this city that some kids get on buses at 5:30 in the morning.
November 6, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — November 3rd, 2023

Childhood obesity in England could be curbed with systematic interventions, study suggests
In a recent article published in The Lancet Public Health, researchers examined the potential effects of systematically delivering obesity management interventions on the prevalence of childhood obesity in England.
November 3, 2023 — Source

Paid family leave found to boost postpartum well-being, breastfeeding rates
The U.S. remains one of the few countries without federally mandated paid parental leave, despite its major potential health benefits.
November 3, 2023 — Source

Secure attachment to both parents--not just mothers--boosts children's healthy development
Imagine a sudden rustle in the tall grass. A ripple of alarm passes through the group of early humans who live together amid ancient, rugged terrain. In the center of the encampment, a 3-year-old child--let's call her Raina--stumbles and falls, her eyes wide with fear.
November 3, 2023 — Source

States Reconsider Religious Exemptions for Vaccinations in Child Care
More than half the children who attend Munchkin Land Daycare near Billings, Montana, have special needs or compromised immune systems. The kids, who range in age from 4 months to 9 years, have conditions that include fetal alcohol syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and Down syndrome, according to owner Sheryl Hutzenbiler.
November 3, 2023 — Source or Source

Sudden infant death syndrome: In Europe, nearly 80% of baby product packaging show unsafe positions
Imagine you're lounging comfortably at home, watching TV, when a car ad comes up showing a vehicle traveling at high speed on a windy road. Inside, an infant is shown in a baby seat that... isn't secured. How would that commercial make you feel about the advertiser? Thankfully that never happens in real life, right?
November 3, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — November 2nd, 2023

Adolescents who have a sense of purpose are happier and healthier. How can we help?
Helping young people develop a sense of purpose in life could build their resilience and prevent declines in mental health, according to a report released Nov. 1 by the National Scientific Council on Adolescence, part of the UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent.
November 2, 2023 — Source

Critical mathematical thinking skills create more engaged citizens, says expert
Improving children's understanding of math helps them develop more balanced decision-making, says a UNSW expert in mathematics education. Using math critically allows us to consider complex personal and socio-political issues, such as health, the economy and the environment, says Professor Kim Beswick, Director of the Gonski Institute and Head of the School of Education at UNSW.
November 2, 2023 — Source

Study gauges support for restricting alcohol in kids' films
Alcohol exposure is common in popular films and research has demonstrated a link between alcohol exposure and use. Currently, only alcohol marketing in films is regulated--but not alcohol exposure, such as seeing an alcoholic beverage.
November 2, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — October 31st, 2023

Antibiotics no longer effective in treating childhood infections in large parts of the world
Drugs to treat common infections in children and babies are no longer effective in large parts of the world, due to high rates of antibiotic resistance.
October 31, 2023 — Source

Children with asthma not at higher risk of severe COVID, research suggests
In the early coronavirus pandemic, there were contrasting reports on whether asthma was a risk factor for severe COVID-19 infection. While children are considered to be at a lower risk of severe COVID-19 than older age groups, the impact of childhood asthma was also unclear.
October 31, 2023 — Source

Earlier detection of cardiometabolic risk factors for kids may be possible through next generation biomarkers
The next generation of cardiometabolic biomarkers should pave the way for earlier detection of risk factors for conditions such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease in children, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association published in the journal Circulation.
October 31, 2023 — Source

Fingertip blood test could aid in rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis in children
An international research consortium led by LMU has tested a rapid new analytical tool which needs just a bloodsample from the fingertip.
October 31, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — October 30th, 2023

1 in 5 US parents worry their teen is addicted to the internet
A survey of about 1,000 moms and dads found more than 22% were concerned their children might be dependent on the internet. Twice as many were worried about internet addiction as were concerned about addiction to substances like drugs or alcohol.
October 30, 2023 — Source

Hospital care for children has shifted from general hospitals to children's hospitals over last 20 years
Historically, most children in the United States who needed to be hospitalized were treated at general hospitals treating both children and adults. But the number of hospitals providing inpatient care for children has decreased over the last decade, and many of them struggled to keep up with the demand for children's care during a viral infection surge in the fall of 2022.
October 30, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — October 27th, 2023

Baby activity centers sold at Walmart recalled due to injury risk
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Dorel Juvenile Group have announced a recall of an infant/toddler activity center due to injuries.
October 27, 2023 — Source

FDA issues warning on dangers of probiotic products for preemie babies
Federal regulators have sent warning letters to two companies for illegally selling probiotic products for use in preterm infants.
October 27, 2023 — Source

More Parents Turning to Acupuncture for Kids' Pain, Anxiety
Eleven-year-old Evan Hines is a typical pre-teenager. He loves fishing with his dad, chess club, and of course video games. He's passionate about taekwondo and loves to bake. He also has hard-to-manage migraine headaches.
October 27, 2023 — Source

Functional MRI study finds correlated shifts in brain connectivity associated with overthinking in adolescents
A new study from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine, University of Utah and University of Exeter (UK) substantiates previous groundbreaking research that rumination (overthinking) can be reduced through an intervention called rumination-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (RF-CBT).
October 27, 2023 — Source

New study identifies common physical features in babies born to mothers who used fentanyl
Babies born to mothers who used fentanyl during pregnancy displayed similar facial and musculoskeletal abnormalities that suggest the emergence of a novel syndrome, according to research published in the journal Genetics in Medicine Open.
October 27, 2023 — Source

Study improves outcomes for patients undergoing chest wall surgery
A faculty member and group of students from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE COM) published a study earlier this year with findings that may help relieve pain in pediatric patients following surgery to the chest.
October 27, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — October 26th, 2023

Excess fluoride linked to cognitive impairment in children
Long-term consumption of water with fluoride levels far above established drinking water standards may be linked to cognitive impairments in children, according to a new pilot study from Tulane University.
October 26, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — October 24th, 2023

Children as young as 4 eat more when bored, study shows
A new study carried out at Aston University has shown that children as young as 4 years old eat 79% more calories when they are bored, compared to when they are in a neutral mood.
October 24, 2023 — Source

Should You Buy a Snoo Smart Bassinet for Your Newborn?
Parents love the popular baby bed. Here's what experts want you to know.
October 24, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — October 23rd, 2023

Biometric gun safes recalled after 12-year-old's death
More than 60,000 gun safes have been recalled following the death of a 12-year-old boy and dozens of reports that unauthorized people can open the Fortress Safe devices.
October 23, 2023 — Source

Breastfeeding in the setting of substance use
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) has released new literature-based recommendations related to breastfeeding in the setting of substance use and substance use disorder (SUD) treatments.
October 23, 2023 — Source

Iron fortified cereal could be the answer to bridging infant iron gap
New research from SAHMRI may have found a solution to improve iron intake among older Australian infants, iron fortified infant cereals.
October 23, 2023 — Source

Kids escaping family violence can be vulnerable to intimate partner abuse
Nearly 13,000 Australian children aged 10 to 17 sought help alone from specialist homeless services last year. Many of these young people will have escaped family violence and then been endangered by abusive partners.
October 23, 2023 — Source

Pandemic didn't lower parents' trust in childhood vaccines
Lots of vaccine disinformation spread during the pandemic, and doctors worried that may have given some parents pause about not only the risks of the COVID shot, but of childhood vaccines as well.
October 23, 2023 — Source

'They yell and I yell back': Preschoolers' descriptions of conflict-laden interactions at home
Young children are able to talk in detail about their feelings and how things are at home. They are also good at reading their parents and their emotions by describing their behaviors, facial expressions and tone of voice.
October 23, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — October 20th, 2023

An injured child's chance of surviving improves when treated at a trauma center prepared to care for children
Children initially treated at trauma centers with the highest level of preparedness to care for children, called pediatric readiness, are significantly less likely to die than those initially treated at trauma facilities with lower pediatric readiness levels, new research shows.
October 20, 2023 — Source

Study: Increases in pediatric mental health emergency visits persist throughout pandemic
Mental health crises among children and adolescents requiring emergency department care skyrocketed during the pandemic and have stayed elevated despite a return to normalcy, according to a study by Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian investigators.
October 20, 2023 — Source

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation beneficial in pediatric IBD
For pediatric patients with mild-to-moderate inflammatory bowel disease, transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (ta-VNS) attenuates signs and symptoms of disease, according to a study published online Oct. 18 in Bioelectric Medicine.
October 20, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — October 19th, 2023

Steroid-using US high school athletes more likely to sustain concussion, study finds
More than half of US high school athletes who use anabolic steroids report having sustained a concussion, compared to around a fifth of those who do not use steroids, a new study published in the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine finds.
October 19, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — October 18th, 2023

AI predicts blood clot risk in hospitalized children
One reason this may have occurred was that the recommendation to begin blood-thinning therapy in these patients were accepted by treating physicians less than 26% of the time. The treating physicians expressed concern that the therapy might cause a major bleed, although this complication was not observed during the study.
October 18, 2023 — Source

Gay and bisexual adolescents found to have twice the risk of binge-eating disorder
A new national study, published in the Journal of Eating Disorders, finds that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adolescents in the United States are more than twice as likely to report binge eating than their heterosexual peers.
October 18, 2023 — Source

Increase in discipline referrals for substance use in Oregon middle schools after recreational marijuana legalized
A recent study has found that Oregon middle school students received office discipline referrals (ODRs) for substance use offenses 30% more often after legalization of recreational marijuana relative to comparison schools in other states over the same period (school years 2012/2013--2018/2019). There were no statistically discernable changes in high school ODRs. Recreational use by adults was legalized in Oregon in 2015.
October 18, 2023 — Source

Research identifies four eating behavior patterns in children
Children fall broadly into four eating categories, according to new research at Aston University, and parents feed their children differently depending on those categories.
October 18, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — October 16th, 2023

Can the lifelong effects of childhood lead exposure ever be reversed?
Tomás R. Guilarte has been exchanging emails with a mother whose child was exposed to lead. She's not the first parent he's heard from. And likely won't be the last. This is our legacy of lead.
October 16, 2023 — Source

Live vaccinations found to be safe for pediatric organ transplant recipients
The study, based on data from 18 organ transplant centers, was co-authored by Lara Danziger-Isakov, MD, MPH, interim director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Cincinnati Children's, and Amy Feldman, MD, MSCS, medical director of the Liver Transplant Program at Children's Hospital Colorado.
October 16, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — October 12th, 2023

Childhood obesity study reveals increases in rates and trends in central Indiana
Researchers at the Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health in Indianapolis have identified the most detailed findings to date on childhood obesity rates and trends in central Indiana.
October 12, 2023 — Source

Common herbicide exposure linked to worse brain function in adolescents
Herbicides are the most used class of pesticides worldwide, with uses in agriculture, homes and industry. Exposures to two of the most popular herbicides were associated with worse brain function among adolescents, according to a study led by researchers at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at University of California San Diego.
October 12, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — October 11th, 2023

Climate change will harm children's mental health: report
Raging wildfires, droughts, floods and record-breaking heat brought on by climate change are taking a toll on kids' already fragile mental health.
October 11, 2023 — Source

Major advance for detecting brain conditions in babies
Research by experts at King's and Evelina London Children's Hospital has found major advances for detecting brain conditions in babies using portable MRI scanners.
October 11, 2023 — Source

Practicing mindfulness with an app may improve children's mental health
Many studies have found that practicing mindfulness--defined as cultivating an open-minded attention to the present moment--has benefits for children. Children who receive mindfulness training at school have demonstrated improvements in attention and behavior, as well as greater mental health.
October 11, 2023 — Source

Report: Impacts of climate change threaten children's mental health starting before birth
Climate change poses a particular threat to children and youth, starting before birth and potentially derailing the normal development of physiological systems, cognitive abilities and emotional skills in ways that are sometimes irreversible, according to a report released by the American Psychological Association and ecoAmerica.
October 11, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — October 10th, 2023

Allergenic foods do not increase risk for infants, research finds
Eggs, legumes including soya and peanuts, almonds and cashew nuts are now being introduced earlier in infant diets following revised advice in Sweden on the introduction of certain foods. However, there has been no change in the rate of food allergies or eczema in infants at the age of 18 months.
October 10, 2023 — Source

Babies better protected against whooping cough if mom is vaccinated during pregnancy, study finds
Mothers vaccinated against whooping cough (pertussis) during pregnancy have babies who are 70% less likely to have a pertussis infection in infancy, compared to the babies of unvaccinated mothers.
October 10, 2023 — Source

For toddlers allergic to peanuts, a tiny bit of protein therapy under the tongue could be the best approach
A three-year clinical trial has shown that the sublingual immunotherapy, or SLIT, is safe in peanut-allergic children ages 1 to 4, with a greater likelihood of desensitization and remission the earlier the treatment began.
October 10, 2023 — Source

Interactive language during playtime helps build kids' spatial skills
The way parents interact with their children during playtime strongly influences the development of spatial skills--a predictor of success in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
October 10, 2023 — Source

Shouting at children linked to depression--but defining verbal abuse is what will help prevent harmful parenting
A recent research paper has found that verbal abuse of children, including shouting at them and calling them names, is linked to low mood, drug abuse and delinquency (antisocial behavior).
October 10, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — October 9th, 2023

Advice on hand, foot and mouth disease in kids
Hand, foot and mouth disease, most commonly caused by a coxsackievirus, is a highly contagious childhood illness. The virus can be spread through respiratory droplets, person-to-person contact and touching a contaminated object.
October 9, 2023 — Source

Fear of missing out driving teen online anxiety, says study
Australian high school students who reported high social media use in conjunction with high levels of FoMO (fear of missing out) also reported increased symptoms of anxiety, while those with lower levels of FoMO had less anxiety when online, according to a new study.
October 9, 2023 — Source

Should children with diabetes or pre-diabetes go on a low-carb diet?
A child's diet is important because it helps them grow, stay healthy and have the energy to play, learn and do the things they love. If you're the parent or caregiver of a child with diabetes--or one who faces risks for the disease--you may feel especially concerned about what your child should and shouldn't eat.
October 9, 2023 — Source

SNEB position paper highlights food and nutrition insecurity among college students
The Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB) holds its founded position that college students, especially those from underserved communities, are at risk for food and nutrition insecurity. The position paper shared in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, published by Elsevier, reinforces this stance with research, measurement, and potential policy solutions.
October 9, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — October 5th, 2023

2 in 5 US babies benefit from the WIC nutrition program, says researcher
A monthly average of more than 6 million U.S. women, infants and young children received benefits in 2022 from the nutrition program known as WIC.
October 5, 2023 — Source

Specific factors associated with marijuana use among high-risk college students
The past decade has seen a significant increase in marijuana use among U.S. college students. This increase has coincided with notable changes in national and local cannabis laws and policies, and perceptions of the associated drug's risk over the same period.
October 5, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — October 3rd, 2023

Q&A: 'Sports specialization' in young athletes can do more harm than good
"Sports specialization" is a topic that's come to the forefront in recent years, meaning athletes that are playing one particular sport, especially year-round. This is at the exclusion of other activities that they would otherwise be doing, which can have negative effects on the athlete.
October 3, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — October 2nd, 2023

Calls for verbal abuse of children by adults to be formally recognized as form of child maltreatment
A new systematic review by researchers at UCL and Wingate University has highlighted the importance of identifying childhood verbal abuse by adults as a standalone subtype of child maltreatment, to ensure targeted prevention and address the lasting harm it can inflict.
October 2, 2023 — Source

Neighborhoods with greater structural disadvantage linked to extremes in newborn birthweight, study finds
A baby born too big or too small is at risk of adverse outcomes from birth throughout their lifetime, including problems with neurological development and behavior, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. Pregnancy is a window for intervention, with the goal of having a healthy, normal birthweight baby to decrease these serious health risks.
October 2, 2023 — Source

New parents who express breast milk can feel marginalized by health advice, study says
The well-being of new parents is potentially being threatened due to the emphasis placed on direct breastfeeding, a study shows.
October 2, 2023 — Source

Playing it safe: Why parents need to let children take risks when they play
New research reveals that parents' tolerance of risk and injury is a determining factor in how physically active their children are.
October 2, 2023 — Source

Teaching toddlers to cook boosts self-control and healthy eating habits, new study reveals
In a recent article published in Child Development, researchers presented the findings of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the effects of Recipe 4 Success, a preventive intervention implemented across seven cities, villages, and towns of Wisconsin and Pennsylvania in the United States of America (USA).
October 2, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — September 29th, 2023

Kids with eczema may need further allergy tests
Some children who have a common form of eczema should also be tested for allergic reactions because they may have a second allergic-type eczema, a new study suggests.
September 29, 2023 — Source

Study suggests measurement bias in common child behavior assessment tool
Scores from a commonly used measure of behavior problems in young children may be skewed depending on the primary language, education, and sex of the caregiver who fills out the survey, as well as the child's age and race, according to new research from the NIH's Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program.
September 29, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — September 28th, 2023

Advancement of potential gene therapy could offer new hope for children with Batten disease
CLN2 disease is a fatal, childhood autosomal recessive disorder cause by mutations in the CLN2 gene, which encodes tripeptidyl peptidase (TPP-1). In a prior study, the investigators, Ronald Crystal, MD, and Dolan Sondhi, PhD, from Weill Cornell Medical College, and coauthors, found that intraparenchymal administration of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector encoding human CLN2 slowed but did not stop disease progression.
September 28, 2023 — Source

Childbirth associated with significant medical debt
For some families, the year after childbirth may not only mean loads of diapers but stacks of unpaid medical bills as well.
September 28, 2023 — Source

Doll play allows children to develop and practice social skills regardless of their neurodevelopmental profile
Neuroscientists from Cardiff University have found that doll play could benefit children with varying social communication styles, including those who display neurodivergent traits commonly associated with autism.
September 28, 2023 — Source

New program helps toddlers develop self-control and healthy eating habits
Two of the best predictors of life-long health and well-being are early childhood self-control skills and healthy eating habits. A new program that teaches parents how to cook with their 2-year-olds is helping toddlers excel on both fronts.
September 28, 2023 — Source

Researchers uncover why a gene mutant causes young children to have strokes
A discovery of a mutation in the gene ACTA2 has given researchers, led by Dianna Milewicz, MD, Ph.D., with UTHealth Houston, insight into understanding the cause of a rare and progressive problem with arteries in the brain and a cause of strokes in young children, called moyamoya disease.
September 28, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — September 27th, 2023

Caring for Adult Children with Mental Illness: How to Help
George Kaufmann, an 81-year-old retiree from California, has been dealing with his son's mental illness for close to 30 years.
September 27, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — September 26th, 2023

COVID, Flu and RSV Vaccines: Your Guide to Which Vaccines You Need
Here's a breakdown by age group of what you should consider for each vaccine, and when to get it.
September 26, 2023 — Source

Decreasing biodiversity may promote spread of viruses
How are environmental changes, loss of biodiversity, and the spread of pathogens connected? The answer is a puzzle. Scientists from Charite--Universitätsmedizin Berlin in cooperation with the Leibniz-IZW have now described one piece of that puzzle in a study on the effects of rainforest clearing on mosquitoes and the viruses they carry in the journal eLife.
September 26, 2023 — Source

Hep C's number comes up: Can Biden's 5-year plan eliminate the longtime scourge?
Rick Jaenisch went through treatment six times before his hepatitis C was cured in 2017. Each time his doctors recommended a different combination of drugs, his insurer denied the initial request before eventually approving it. This sometimes delayed his care for months, even after he developed end-stage liver disease and was awaiting a liver transplant.
September 26, 2023 — Source

New report on use of multiplex panels for diagnosing infectious diseases
The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) today published a review of the current benefits and challenges to using multiplex PCR panels for the detection of microbial pathogens from gastrointestinal, central nervous system, lower respiratory tract, and joint specimens.
September 26, 2023 — Source

Small wearable device delivers big hope for kids with gut pain
Before irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) invaded her life, Taylor was a classic high-achieving teen: straight As, track, dance, student government. Then she began having nausea, constipation and shooting pains in her stomach.
September 26, 2023 — Source

Study finds link to unclean cooking fuels and developmental delays in children
Just about everyone knows that cigarette smoke is bad for babies. Should cooking fuels like natural gas, propane and wood be viewed similarly when used indoors?
September 26, 2023 — Source

UKHSA agrees a deal to produce life-saving vaccines in the UK
The advance purchase agreement (APA) means healthcare company CSL Seqirus will be on standby to produce over 100 million influenza pandemic vaccines if or when they are needed.
September 26, 2023 — Source

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Health — Children & Kids — September 22nd, 2023

Four reasons teens take part in social media challenges
Social media challenges are wide-ranging--both in the stunts they involve and the reasons why people do them.
September 22, 2023 — Source

Infantile hemangiomas — also known as strawberry birthmarks
Megha M. Tollefson, M.D., Dermatology, Mayo Clinic: Hello. I'm Dr. Megha Tollefson. I'm assistant professor of dermatology and pediatrics at the Mayo Clinic. I'm here today to talk to you a little bit about infantile hemangiomas which are often also called strawberry birthmarks.
September 22, 2023 — Source or Watch Video

Physical activity patterns associated with changes in cardiometabolic risk factors during adolescence
A follow-up study found unfavorable changes in glucose metabolism, HDL cholesterol levels, and body mass index in adolescents whose physical activity decreased between the ages of 15 and 19. Reduced blood pressure were observed among adolescents with increased physical activity.
September 22, 2023 — Source

Social relationships buffer the effects of negative childhood experiences on frailty
Frailty is a serious concern in later-life adults due to its association with additional health risks including disability, falls, hospitalization and mortality. The prevalence of frailty has risen over time; about 15 percent of those aged 65 years and older are considered frail.
September 22, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — September 21st, 2023

As Younger Children Increasingly Die by Suicide, Better Tracking and Prevention Is Sought
He had dropped off his 9-year-old son, Montana, at Stewart's Creek Elementary School in The Colony, Texas, that morning.
September 21, 2023 — Source

Food insecurity linked to muscle dysmorphia symptoms in adolescent and young adults
Food insecurity, a significant and persistent problem affecting many Canadians due to economic disparities and limited access to nutritious food, has long-lasting repercussions on physical and mental health. Researchers have now found that adolescents and young adults who experienced food insecurity had greater symptoms of muscle dysmorphia, characterized as a significant drive for muscularity and muscle dissatisfaction.
September 21, 2023 — Source

Study shines light on successes of program to prevent cerebral palsy in pre-term labor
The success of PReCePT, a program to increase the use of magnesium sulfate to prevent cerebral palsy in premature babies, has been highlighted in a study led by National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West) researchers, including researchers from the University of Bristol.
September 21, 2023 — Source

We cut child poverty to historic lows, then let it rebound faster than ever before
The expanded child tax credit was a well-tested solution to child poverty. Bring it back.
September 21, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — September 20th, 2023

College athletes experience worse post-injury outcomes for concussions suffered outside of sports
Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have found that college athletes had worse post-injury outcomes related to concussions they experienced outside sports than those they experienced while playing sports. Additionally, female athletes who sustained their injuries outside sports had more severe symptoms and more days in sports lost to injury, compared to male athletes.
September 20, 2023 — Source

Exposure to plasticizers in pregnancy associated with smaller volumetric measures in the brain and lower IQ in children
Children whose mothers had a higher exposure to certain phthalates during pregnancy tend to show smaller total gray matter in their brains at age 10. This is one of the main conclusions of a study led by the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), and published in Molecular Psychiatry.
September 20, 2023 — Source

University of Arkansas receives $3.1 million NIH award to study pediatric mitochondrial disorders
The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development awarded $3.1 million to the University of Arkansas to study a spectrum of pediatric mitochondrial disorders caused by mutations in the mitochondria. These disorders often impact different organs requiring energy and can lead to mitochondria-induced multiple organ disorder syndromes, or MIMODS.
September 20, 2023 — Source

Young children found to do better at school if their dads read and play with them
Fathers can give their children an educational advantage at primary school by reading, drawing and playing with them, according to a newly published report.
September 20, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — September 19th, 2023

Understanding and treating pain in children
Go ahead. Try asking a crying child or baby what's wrong, and you most likely will come away as baffled as you were at first wail. This becomes a particular problem in hospitals where assessing pediatric pain and treating it correctly can be critical. The fact is pain can be downright harmful to little ones.
September 19, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — September 18th, 2023

Power meals: Child care-provided meals are associated with improved child and family health
These potential benefits could extend beyond the children themselves to their families, including through possible reductions in stress, and to society as a whole through potentially significant health care cost savings.
September 18, 2023 — Source

Substance abuse in pregnancy doubles cardiovascular risk: Study
Pregnant women with a history of substance abuse face a dramatically increased risk of death from heart attack and stroke during childbirth when compared with women without history of substance abuse, a new Smidt Heart Institute study shows.
September 18, 2023 — Source

Team discovers markers that can predict how children will tolerate sweetened medicine
Although there are some cultural exceptions to the rule, medicines for children are often given in liquid form that is sweetened to make it taste good. But not every child experiences the same medicine in the same way.
September 18, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — September 14th, 2023

Being an only child doesn't affect your development—family background matters more, says researcher
Being an only child is a "disease in itself," according to 19th century psychologist Stanley G. Hall. Even though Hall's views and scholarly research methods have been questioned and criticized, only children's reputation as spoiled, overprotected and lonely has persisted ever since.
September 14, 2023 — Source

Unlocked and loaded: How most gun-owning households with teens store firearms
More than a third of U.S. households with teens own firearms and more than two-thirds of these gun owners store at least one firearm unlocked and/or loaded, according to a new University of Michigan study.
September 14, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — September 12th, 2023

Bacteria at day care might raise kids' odds for asthma
Researchers are trying to understand whether attending day care can affect children's lung health. Their aim is to lower the risk of asthma.
September 12, 2023 — Source or Source

Health — Children & Kids — September 11th, 2023

Preschoolers show cultural differences in generosity, competitiveness
In a set of sharing experiments, Spanish-speaking Latino preschoolers were more likely to choose options that would be more generous to others, even over a more equal sharing choice.
September 11, 2023 — Source

Mayo Clinic Minute: How to tell if your child has a fever
A fever--when the body's temperature is above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit--is typically a sign that your body is fighting off an infection.
September 11, 2023 — Source

Study highlights the importance of support for caregivers in optimizing child behavior outcomes
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many families experienced social isolation, economic hardship, and disruptions in daily routines. Communities of color suffered higher infection rates and greater financial hardship and disruption. ECHO researchers wanted to learn how these stressors on caregivers affected their children.
September 11, 2023 — Source

Urban living linked to increased risk of respiratory infections in young children
A second study, presented at the Congress and published in Pediatric Pulmonology today (Monday), shows that factors such as attending day care, living in a damp home or near dense traffic increase the risk of chest infections in young children, while breastfeeding reduces the risk.
September 11, 2023 — Source

Why children love to play-fight and why it is good for them
"That's getting a bit wild, kids! Why don't you play something quieter?"
September 11, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — September 8th, 2023

Adolescent drinking is associated with a higher risk of acute harm
Over 4 million deaths were attributed to injuries in 2019, representing 11% of the total loss of healthy life. Among those aged 10-24, unintentional injuries, frequently associated with alcohol, were a second major cause of mortality and disability.
September 8, 2023 — Source

Disney princesses can be good for a child's self-image, researchers suggest
Children have loved Disney princesses since "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" premiered in theaters in 1937. While this adoration continues to grow in terms of princess movie ratings, some parents may wonder what effects these idealized images of young women might have on how their children feel about and express themselves.
September 8, 2023 — Source

Increase in islet autoimmunity found in young children who had COVID-19
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease leading to an impaired glucose metabolism and requires life-long administration of insulin. While the cause of the autoimmunity reaction is still unclear, viral infections in young children are proposed to be critical environmental factors leading to type 1 diabetes.
September 8, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — September 7th, 2023

3D-Printed Meds Customize the Exact Dose for Sick Children
Convincing kids to take their medicine could become much easier. Researchers at Texas A&M University are developing a new method of pharmaceutical 3D printing, with pediatric patients in mind.
September 7, 2023 — Source

'Growing pains' in children may indicate the presence or risk of migraines
The study included 100 children and adolescents born to mothers with migraines seen at a headache clinic, with half of the youth experiencing growing pains.
September 7, 2023 — Source

Parental substance use disorder linked to greater risk of intellectual disability in children
It is well known that a woman's alcohol consumption during pregnancy can increase the risk of her child developing an intellectual disability. Research from Karolinska Institutet now shows that all forms of substance abuse, both in the mother and the father, and not only during pregnancy, can constitute a risk factor.
September 7, 2023 — Source

Q&A: Researcher discusses adverse childhood events and risk of head or neck injury and concussion
Altaf Saadi, MD, MSc, principal investigator of the Neurodisparities & Health Justice Lab in the Department of Neurology at Mass General and an assistant professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, is lead author of a new study in the Journal of Head Trauma and Rehabilitation, titled "Examining the Association Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Lifetime History of Head or Neck Injury or Concussion in Children From the United States." In this Q&A, he discusses the findings.
September 7, 2023 — Source

Take a deep breath: Early detection of vascular disease in chronic lung disease of premature infants
Premature infants often struggle with breathing and require ventilatory support and oxygen therapy. Unfortunately, this might lead to lung damage resulting in lifelong consequences and chronic disease.
September 7, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — September 6th, 2023

Algorithms study investigates effects of socioeconomic inequality in children's epigenetics
To study the effects of childhood environments on adult health and well-being, researchers examined epigenetic profiles of children using algorithms developed in adults. They find that children growing up in more socioeconomically disadvantaged environments exhibited epigenetic profiles that, in previous studies of adults, were associated with worse health.
September 6, 2023 — Source

New study spotlights radiation exposure from medical imaging for children with Down syndrome
Children with Down syndrome often undergo extensive medical tests, including imaging, that may use ionizing radiation. At the same time, genetic disorders like Down syndrome have an established increased risk of certain cancers, making exposure to radiation early in life less than ideal. Until recently, little research had been done to measure typical imaging radiation exposure rates for children with Down syndrome.
September 6, 2023 — Source

Q&A: Helping kids adjust to school
My family is gearing up for the new school year, and I'm a bit worried about how my kids will adjust to being back in the classroom after the summer break. They seem excited yet nervous, and I want to ensure they adjust smoothly. Can I use any strategies or tips to ease their anxieties and make this adjustment period as positive as possible, especially for the youngest entering kindergarten?
September 6, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — September 5th, 2023

Best Humidifiers for Babies
These humidifiers have features you'll appreciate in the nursery, but don't assume your infant needs one
September 5, 2023 — Source

IKIDS study receives new funding to explore how environmental exposures influence child health
Seven years after an initial $17.9 million award from the National Institutes of Health, the Illinois Kids Development Study at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will receive approximately $13.7 million — awarded in two phases — to continue its work for another seven years. The money coming to Illinois is part of a national collaborative effort to explore how environmental exposures influence child development, cognition, growth and health.
September 5, 2023 — Source

My teen is addicted to vaping: How can I help them quit and manage their withdrawal symptoms?
The Australian government is cracking down on vaping. Recreational vapes of any type--whether they contain nicotine or not--will be banned from retail sale across Australia after legislation is introduced (though the date is yet to be set).
September 5, 2023 — Source

Research finds association between sports participation and psychosocial well-being of Australian children
Associate Professor Asad Khan from UQ's School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences led the study, which analyzed the data of more than 4,200 Australian children over an eight-year period from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children.
September 5, 2023 — Source

Toddlers learn to reason logically before they learn to speak, according to study
How do we learn to speak during childhood or how do we acquire knowledge about the world around us? Toddlers' social interactions in their social and family environment and in schools help to explain this, but they are not the only factors involved.
September 5, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — September 4th, 2023

Children with higher BMI at increased risk of developing depression: Study
Children between ages 12 and 16 with a higher body mass index (BMI) are at an increased risk of developing depression symptoms, new research has found. Associations between a higher BMI and depression were weaker between ages 16 and 21 indicating ages 12--16 is a sensitive point where preventative methods could be beneficial.
September 4, 2023 — Source

Common plastics chemical could harm boys' development
Phthalates are commonly used in plastics, and researchers have now tied them to developmental issues in toddler boys who were exposed to the chemical in the womb.
September 4, 2023 — Source

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: Long-term effects on mental and neurologic health
Children and adolescents who have had multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) after exposure to COVID-19 are recommended to have follow-up heart function testing. A new study from Boston Children's Hospital suggests they should also be monitored for long-term neurologic and psychosocial complications.
September 4, 2023 — Source

Size of the mother and father found to impact the risk of having a big baby
If either you or your partner was a "big" baby, you have an increased likelihood of giving birth to a large baby yourself, a new study by researchers from the University of Bergen, Norway, shows. This could potentially improve prenatal care and interventions by identifying pregnancies at higher risk of obstetric complications during labor and delivery.
September 4, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — August 31st, 2023

A parent's playbook for sports screenings
Summer is winding down, and soon kids will be heading onto the field to play their favorite fall sports. But before they can check into the game, they have to head into the doctor's office for sports screenings.
August 31, 2023 — Source

MFGM supplement in infant formula linked to long-term cognitive benefits
Breast milk is widely acknowledged as the most beneficial nutrition for infants, but many families face medical or logistical challenges in breastfeeding. In the U.S., just 45% of infants continue to be exclusively breastfed at 3 months of age, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
August 31, 2023 — Source

Severe maternal complications at childbirth: A recurring hazard?
About 1--3% of women who give birth in Canada experience serious complications during childbirth such as severe hemorrhage or severe preeclampsia. After surviving these complications (collectively termed "severe maternal morbidity"), many of these women may wish to conceive again in the future but would want to understand the risk associated with a new pregnancy and delivery.
August 31, 2023 — Source

Pandemic may have altered gut microbiome of infants, study finds
Infants who spent most of their first year in the pandemic have fewer types of bacteria in their gut than infants born earlier, according to a team of developmental psychology researchers.
August 31, 2023 — Source

Study demonstrates adding complex component of milk to infant formula confers long-term cognitive benefits
Breast milk is widely acknowledged as the most beneficial nutrition for infants, but many families face medical or logistical challenges in breastfeeding. In the U.S., just 45% of infants continue to be exclusively breastfed at 3 months of age, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
August 31, 2023 — Source

Study explores associations between digital media use and psychotic experiences in young adults
On average, young adults in Canada spend several hours on their smartphones every day. Many jump from TikTok to Netflix to Instagram, putting their phone down only to pick up a video game controller. A growing body of research is looking into the potential dangers of digital media overuse, as well as potential benefits of moderate digital media use, from a mental health standpoint.
August 31, 2023 — Source

Treating asthma in children under 5
Asthma is ongoing swelling of airways in the lungs. This swelling, also known as inflammation, makes the airways prone to bouts of difficult breathing. These are called asthma attacks. Common triggers include allergies, colds and exercise. Asthma can be managed with treatments and lifestyle changes.
August 31, 2023 — Source

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Health — Children & Kids — August 30th, 2023

Children of incarcerated parents at higher risk for cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of racial disparities in mortality between Black and white people in the United States. New research from the University of Chicago Medicine suggests that parental incarceration may be contributing to these health gaps.
August 30, 2023 — Source

Kindergarten conduct problems could cost society later, researchers find
A new economic analysis has linked, for the first time, conduct problems among kindergarten students with significant costs to society in terms of crime and associated medical expenses and lost productivity when they are adults.
August 30, 2023 — Source

When being a new mom feels overwhelming: Here's some expert advice on what you need to know
We are sold the idea that becoming a new mother is the happiest time of your life. But for many women, the reality doesn't fit that perfect picture. Yes, they may love their baby very much but the broader impact of having a baby and becoming a mother can feel far more complex.
August 30, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — August 29th, 2023

Analysis reveals limited evidence on use of cannabis products in children with cancer
A recent analysis of all relevant published studies reveals a lack of evidence to determine the dosing, safety, and efficacy of medical marijuana or cannabis-containing products for managing symptoms experienced by children with cancer. The analysis is published by Wiley online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.
August 29, 2023 — Source

Are Prime Energy Drinks Safe for Kids?
Prime Energy drinks have become quite the rage among children at home and school, and parents want to know: Are these beverages OK for my kid to drink?
August 29, 2023 — Source

Children's early learning belongs in neighborhood schools, says researcher
The beginning of each school year brings an opportunity to reflect, for children, families and also for policymakers. Some important lessons pertain to effective ways provinces and territories can expand children's and families' access to early learning programs.
August 29, 2023 — Source

More sleep could reduce impulsive behavior in children
Sleep is a critical part of a child's overall health, but it can also be an important factor in the way they behave.
August 29, 2023 — Source

New study highlights the brain trauma risks for young athletes
The study, examining autopsied tissue, found signs of CTE in 63 out of 152 young athlete brains. The subjects of the study competed in youth, high school and college competitions, and all died before the age of 30.
August 29, 2023 — Source

Sensitive parenting and preschool attendance may promote academic resilience in late preterm infants
Late preterm infants, or infants born 34 0/7 and 36 6/7 weeks of gestation, are the majority of infants born preterm, and are at greater risk for academic delays compared to full term infants.
August 29, 2023 — Source

Why kids with epilepsy need a seizure action plan
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes recurring seizures. And it's common. It's estimated that 1 in 26 people develop the disorder, according to the Epilepsy Foundation. It affects people of all genders, races and ages, including children.
August 29, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — August 28th, 2023

Best Baby Bottle Sterilizers of 2023
We tested bottle sterilizers from Baby Brezza, Hauture, Papablic, and other brands to find the ones that are easiest to use and most effective in getting bottles clean
August 28, 2023 — Source

It only takes a bite of a marijuana edible to send a child to the hospital
Brightly colored "edibles" can be tempting for young kids and are more widely available now that many U.S. states have legalized cannabis for recreational and medical use.
August 28, 2023 — Source

Neighborhoods with higher opportunity or lower vulnerability linked to lower risk of pediatric asthma
Residence in neighborhoods with higher opportunity or lower vulnerability in early life may be associated with a decreased risk of pediatric asthma, according to a new study led by researchers at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute.
August 28, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — August 25th, 2023

Baby Bottles With No Detected BPA, Lead, or Phthalates
We didn't find the dangerous chemicals in any of the nine bottles we tested. Still, some concerns remain. Here's how to keep your baby safe.
August 25, 2023 — Source

Mothers' mental load linked to their children's digital use
Parents are spending considerable amounts of energy thinking about and mitigating the risks associated with their kids using mobile phones and the internet.
August 25, 2023 — Source or Source

Health — Children & Kids — August 24th, 2023

Caregiver education level and child age affect stress levels during COVID-19
A caregiver's education level and their child's age played large roles in determining their primary sources of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers found in a recent study by NIH's Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program.
August 24, 2023 — Source

Preterm babies given certain fatty acids found to have better vision
Preterm babies given a supplement with a combination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids have better visual function by the age of two and a half. This has been shown by a study at the University of Gothenburg.
August 24, 2023 — Source or Source

Health — Children & Kids — August 15th, 2023

Arterial stiffness may cause and worsen heart damage among adolescents
Left ventricular hypertrophy and left diastolic dysfunction are measures of structural and functional heart damage, which have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular-related death in adults. These cardiac measures are also used in the pediatric population as indicators of premature heart damage.
August 15, 2023 — Source

Hypertension in pregnancy poses measurable risks for babies, study finds
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs in more than 7% of pregnancies. A recent Mayo Clinic population-based study found that babies from pregnancies complicated by hypertension were more than two times as likely to develop chronic hypertension as adults.
August 15, 2023 — Source

Reduced gray matter in frontal lobes linked to teenage smoking and nicotine addiction: Study
Levels of gray matter in two parts of the brain may be linked to a desire to start smoking during adolescence and the strengthening of nicotine addiction, a new study has shown.
August 15, 2023 — Source

Understanding human body composition in the first two years of life
Historically, anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, and head circumference have been used to assess the development, growth, and nutritional status of infants. This stage of life is crucial in developing phenotypic metabolic profiles that are subsequently associated with health status later in life.
August 15, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — August 11th, 2023

Children who experience discrimination may have up to five times greater odds of suicidality
There is extensive research demonstrating that experiences of stigma and discrimination in adults is harmful to one's health--specifically, discrimination may increase the risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
August 11, 2023 — Source

Feds warn parents: Don't use la-la-me infant loungers due to suffocation risk
Parents and caregivers are being advised to immediately stop using La-La-Me Infant Loungers because they pose a risk to babies of suffocation and falling.
August 11, 2023 — Source

Stratified sampling more effective than random sampling for detecting contaminants in infant formula
Producers of infant formula employ comprehensive food safety systems, including product testing to ensure those systems are working. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign finds that some testing methods are more powerful at catching contaminants than others.
August 11, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — August 9th, 2023

Babies almost all try crawling to get from Point A to Point B, but CDC says it's not a useful developmental milestone
Infant milestones can be a source both of pride and anxiety for a new parent. Baby's firsts—first tooth, first steps, first word—are moments of joy that many parents immediately compare with charts listing "normal" age ranges for each achievement to occur.
August 9, 2023 — Source

Breastmilk sugars may help prevent prenatal infections
Breastfeeding has long been used as a method to help keep newborns healthy and protected against a variety of diseases. But certain sugars naturally found in breastmilk could also help prevent infections before a baby arrives. Researchers reporting in ACS Central Science have found that these sugars can stop a common prenatal infection in human tissues and pregnant mice. T
August 9, 2023 — Source

Childhood vaccines: Moving the needle up
Childhood immunization rates around the globe are beginning to recover from the dramatic drop in routine childhood vaccination during the COVID-19 era, according to a report from the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Childhood vaccines protect kids from serious diseases and complications.
August 9, 2023 — Source

Doctors sound alarm about child nicotine poisoning as vapes flood the US market
Hospital toxicologist Ryan Marino has seen up close the violent reactions of children poisoned by liquid nicotine from electronic cigarettes. One young boy who came to his emergency room experienced intense nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, and needed intravenous fluids to treat his dehydration.
August 9, 2023 — Source

Obesity plays key role in children's sleep apnea
Obesity and older age are significant predictors of the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Children's Health found.
August 9, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — August 8th, 2023

Methadone use after infant surgery can prolong recovery, increase dependence on ventilators and IV nutrition
Whatever the opioid crisis calls to mind, it likely isn't pacifiers and diapers. But when 1 out of every 5 hospitalized infants receives opioids, and when some infants require methadone treatment, it's time to widen the scope.
August 8, 2023 — Source

School-based interventions offer opportunity to promote cardiovascular health in adolescents
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), particularly stroke and ischemic heart disease, remain the most common causes of premature death globally. The high incidence of CVD has been attributed to unhealthy lifestyles and obesity.
August 8, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — August 7th, 2023

A wake-up call for kids' poor heart health
Today in the U.S., a child with risk factors for heart disease (high blood pressure, overweight, etc.) can wait close to a year to see a cardiologist because of high demand and limited resources. This is precious time that could be spent managing their conditions to help them avoid having a heart attack or stroke at a young age.
August 7, 2023 — Source

Ask the Pediatrician: How to choose an insect repellent for your child
Warmer weather means more chances for kids to go outside to play, hike and enjoy the fresh air with family and friends. Warmer weather also means preventing insect bites.
August 7, 2023 — Source

Breastfeeding rates in Wales increased during the pandemic, study reveals
A Swansea University-led study revealed breastfeeding rates in Wales increased during the pandemic.
August 7, 2023 — Source

Gastroschisis: A newborn bowel condition that requires specialty care
Gastroschisis is a complex and costly birth condition that affects babies' bowels. Cases have doubled in the United States over the last two decades.
August 7, 2023 — Source

Is Florida failing its children? More babies are born early, at low weight and high risk of death
Little Liberty Belle Garcia arrived in the world at a Hollywood hospital in August weighing only 1 pound 5 ounces. A month later, Cheyenne Tomblin was born at a Boca Raton hospital weighing 12 ounces, about the size of a can of soda.
August 7, 2023 — Source

Some schools respond to child obesity by focusing on water
In the midst of a childhood obesity epidemic, a new study is pointing to a way to help school kids maintain a healthier weight: clean, accessible drinking water.
August 7, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — August 4th, 2023

Consumer Health: Questions about breastfeeding
The American Academy of Pediatrics has affirmed its recommendation and advocacy for breastfeeding, stating, "Research has shown that breastfeeding is linked to decreased rates of lower respiratory tract infections, severe diarrhea, ear infections and obesity. Breastfeeding is associated with lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome, as well as other protective effects."
August 4, 2023 — Source

New study shows increase in Welsh breastfeeding rates during pandemic
A Swansea University-led study revealed breastfeeding rates in Wales increased during the pandemic.
August 4, 2023 — Source

Teens With Addiction Are Often Left to Detox Without Medication
When Denver Health wanted to open an inpatient opioid detox unit specifically for teens, doctors there searched high and low for a model to copy. They didn't find one.
August 4, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — August 3rd, 2023

A window into the brain provides clues for improving the well-being of children born very preterm
An expert review of very preterm babies (born two or more months early) has found that while most now survive, the rate of developmental problems is too high, largely due to brain injury and disrupted brain development.
August 3, 2023 — Source

A mother's diet can protect her grandchildren's brains, genetic model study shows
Mothers who eat apples and herbs in early pregnancy could be protecting the brain health of their children and grandchildren, a Monash University study using genetic models has found.
August 3, 2023 — Source

Biological factors modulate eating disorder risk in early adolescents
Genetic and neurobiological factors shape the development of eating disorders much earlier than previously thought, with evidence emerging in children as young as nine years old, Yale-led research reveals. The findings, researchers say, highlight the need for early screening and intervention.
August 3, 2023 — Source

Doctors Sound Alarm About Child Nicotine Poisoning as Vapes Flood the US Market
Hospital toxicologist Ryan Marino has seen up close the violent reactions of children poisoned by liquid nicotine from electronic cigarettes. One young boy who came to his emergency room experienced intense nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, and needed intravenous fluids to treat his dehydration.
August 3, 2023 — Source

Climate change puts children's health at risk now and in the future
Physical and mental health suffers with exposure to climate-related disasters
August 3, 2023 — Source

Researchers confirm early intervention curbs peanut allergies in babies
Cleveland Clinic is the first health system in Northeast Ohio, and one of a few in the country, to offer oral immunotherapy for babies and toddlers who are allergic to peanuts. Through its Food Allergy Center of Excellence, children under age four have developed a tolerance for the food by eating tiny amounts of them in a step-by-step, controlled process.
August 3, 2023 — Source

Rural environment supports children's immune systems
Children raised in rural environments who spend a lot of time outdoors with some exposure to animals grow to have better regulated immune systems than children living in urban environments, a new study has found.
August 3, 2023 — Source

Serum copeptin, urinary AQP2 lower in children with nocturnal enuresis
Serum copeptin and urinary aquaporin-2 (AQP2) levels are significantly lower in children with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PMNE), according to a study published in the International Journal of Urology.
August 3, 2023 — Source

Study finds link between screen time and anxiety, depression in children
New research from the Faculty of Education has found a link between screen time and anxiety and depression in children.
August 3, 2023 — Source

Study explores impact of childhood trauma on sexual function in midlife women
One out of three children will have at least one stressful or traumatic childhood experience, including things such as their parents divorcing or a family member with a drug or alcohol problem, according to the latest National Survey of Children's Health.
August 3, 2023 — Source

The importance of sleep during the teen years
With busy schedules full of challenges ranging from extra curriculars to college applications, it can be difficult for teenagers to get enough sleep. An expert at Baylor College of Medicine discusses the importance of a full night's sleep and keeping a manageable schedule for high schoolers.
August 3, 2023 — Source

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Health — Children & Kids — August 1st, 2023

A packing list for babies and breastfeeding mothers
Parents and caregivers with young babies should plan ahead when packing for their travels, whether or not children are joining the trip. Mothers who breastfeed might need to take extra precautions if they plan to pump on vacation. A Baylor College of Medicine family recommends making a packing list and dividing the work among parents.
August 1, 2023 — Source

Children are increasingly exposed to e-cigarettes on display in UK shops, study reports
Children are increasingly exposed to e-cigarettes on display in shops, and are more likely to buy from small shops, according to a new study. The analysis, by researchers from Imperial College London, used data from the annual ASH survey of youth vaping, collected over five years from 2018 to 2022.
August 1, 2023 — Source

CHLA researcher to lead a new study on liquid biopsy for diagnosing ocular cancer in children
Just a handful of years ago, retinoblastoma had the medical field stumped. This pediatric eye cancer cannot be directly biopsied, which means clinicians must diagnose the disease by visual examination and imaging. Recently, a researcher at Children's Hospital Los Angeles developed a new way to diagnose retinoblastoma by sampling the fluid at the front of the eye. These liquid biopsies also offer genetic and chromosomal information, which gives a more complete picture of each child's disease.
August 1, 2023 — Source

First comprehensive maps of infant brains reveal clues to neurodevelopment
Scientists have constructed a comprehensive set of functional maps of infant brain networks, providing unprecedented details on brain development from birth to two years old.
August 1, 2023 — Source

Moving to polluted areas can lead to weight gain in kids
A large natural experiment in Catalonia shows that moving to areas with higher levels of air pollution is associated with weight gain in young children. The study, led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), an institution supported by "la Caixa Foundation", in collaboration with the IDIAP Jordi Gol, provides further evidence to support efforts to reduce air pollution.
August 1, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — July 28th, 2023

Immunity gap likely reason for cluster of New Zealand whooping cough deaths, experts say
The death of three babies in Aotearoa from whooping cough this year were likely caused by an infant-mother immunity gap, according to a group of infectious disease and immunization experts.
July 28, 2023 — Source

Investigating acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children
Since Fall 2021, an increasing number of unexplained cases of severe acute hepatitis have been reported in children. Epidemiologic investigation is ongoing, and, to date, a cause of these outbreaks has not been identified.
July 28, 2023 — Source

Physical activity can improve learning and wellbeing in adolescents, study finds
A study led by the University of Eastern Finland suggests that adolescents who engage in active school transport and leisure-time physical activity perform better at secondary school than their inactive peers. Regular leisure-time physical activity, even in moderate doses, was also associated with lower odds of school burnout.
July 28, 2023 — Source

Viewpoint: Fixing the global childhood obesity epidemic begins with making healthy choices the easier choices
The global childhood obesity epidemic has exploded. Over the past four decades, the world has witnessed a tenfold increase in obesity in children and adolescents between five and 19 years old.
July 28, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — July 27th, 2023

Engineers and surgeons develop hydrogel patch for treating collapsed airways in newborns
Researchers at the EPFL have achieved a breakthrough in the treatment of tracheomalacia, a condition characterized by weak tracheal cartilage and muscles that normally keep the airway open for proper breathing.
July 27, 2023 — Source

Physical activity can promote learning and well-being at secondary school
A study led by the University of Eastern Finland suggests that adolescents who engage in active school transport and leisure-time physical activity perform better at secondary school than their inactive peers. Regular leisure-time physical activity, even in moderate doses, was also associated with lower odds of school burnout.
July 27, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — July 25th, 2023

$3 million NIH grant awarded to investigate the connections between maternal BMI and childhood obesity
Researchers at Michigan State University and Henry Ford Health received a $3 million grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases within the National Institutes of Health to study the connections between maternal body mass index, or BMI, and childhood obesity.
July 25, 2023 — Source

Bacterial testing in kids with sinusitis could slash antibiotic use
In children with suspected sinusitis, a nasal swab to test for three types of bacteria can tell whether antibiotics are likely to be effective or not, according to a new study.
July 25, 2023 — Source or Source

Food allergy in infancy linked to childhood asthma and reduced lung function
Having a food allergy as a baby is linked to asthma and reduced lung function later in childhood, according to a world first study.
July 25, 2023 — Source or Source

Key protein helps infant mice absorb more calcium from breast milk
A key protein known as claudin-2, which lines the intestinal epithelial cells of infant mice, helps them absorb more calcium from breast milk, according to a new study published in the journal Function titled "Maternal epidermal growth factor promotes neonatal claudin-2 dependent increases in small intestinal calcium permeability."
July 25, 2023 — Source

Study shows kids who lose access to WIC lose nutrition
A one-year gap in access to WIC can have a significantly negative effect on the quality of some 5-year-olds' diets.
July 25, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — July 21st, 2023

Prevalence of arthritis 305 per 100,000 children, teens in U.S.
The prevalence of arthritis is 305 per 100,000 children and adolescents in the United States, with higher prevalence among non-Hispanic Black or African American versus non-Hispanic White children and adolescents, according to research published in the July 21 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
July 21, 2023 — Source

What happens on the schoolyard? Sensors on clothing reveal painful patterns
The design of school playgrounds partially influences whether children play together. This is particularly relevant for more vulnerable students, such as children with hearing impairments or autism. Researchers examined whether new play objects could break group patterns. However, sensors on the children's clothing revealed that these objects mainly reinforce the position of popular children.
July 21, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — July 20th, 2023

How having five friends boosts the adolescent brain and educational performance
As most parents of teenagers are acutely aware, there comes a time when children start prioritizing their friends over their parents. While young children rely on their parents for social interactions and influences, there's a notable switch during adolescence, where the influence from peers and friends becomes more important.
July 20, 2023 — Source

Study: How mother and infant sleep patterns interact during the first two years of life
New mothers can expect sleep deprivation in the first few years of baby's life. But too little sleep can take a toll on the health of both mother and child. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign looks at maternal and infant sleep patterns, identifying predictors and providing recommendations for instilling healthy habits.
July 20, 2023 — Source

Health — Children & Kids — July 19th, 2023

Does your child have asthma? Here's how to prepare them to go back to school
Whether your child attends a year-round school or one on a traditional calendar, parents can take steps to make classroom reentry healthier for kids with asthma.
July 19, 2023 — Source

If Zuckerberg Hides His Kids' Faces in Photos, Should You? | The PetaPixel Podcast
This week on The PetaPixel Podcast, Chris, Jordan, and Jaron discuss a Fujifilm X100V that you are even less likely to own than the standard one, a weird Nikon lens that is so rare the seller wants $146,000 for it, changes to the L mount alliance, and a discussion about whether or not you should show your children's faces in photos online.
July 19, 2023 — Source or Watch Video

New study explores seasonality of teen suicidality
The incidences of teen suicidality including self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts increased nationally between 2016 and 2021; were at seasonal high peaks in April and October; and were at their lowest when schools were shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to research at UTHealth Houston.
July 19, 2023 — Source

Nurse-home visiting program may boost child language and mental health
A randomized controlled trial conducted in Canada and published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), a nurse-home visiting program, improved child language and mental health at age 2 years when compared with existing services.
July 19, 2023 — Source

Study shows maternal diet could reduce childhood asthma risk
New research from QIMR Berghofer has shown that a high-fiber diet in breastfeeding mothers could potentially protect infants from serious respiratory conditions such as asthma.
July 19, 2023 — Source

Health — Children and Kids — Resources — Numbers

1 in 5 children have levels of 'forever chemicals' above safety limits, finds study
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals found in everyday consumer products, including clothes, cosmetics, paint and non-stick kitchenwear. Due to their high resistance to degradation, several PFAS accumulate in nature and in humans.
June 9, 2023 — Source

5 social-emotional skills for parents
SEL skills aren't just for kids. Parents need them, too.
July 3, 2023 — Source

2008 to 2021 saw decrease in delivery-related mortality
Delivery-related mortality decreased from 2008 to 2021, while the prevalence of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) increased, according to a study published online June 22 in JAMA Network Open.
July 3, 2023 — Source

Adolescents, young adults with advanced heart disease show desire to take active role in medical care decisions
Adolescents and young adults with advanced heart disease are at high risk of dying in the hospital, often require invasive treatment and experience significant symptoms that impact their quality of life.
May 5, 2023 — Source

Adoption of probiotics in NICU for very low-birth-weight neonates has limited benefit: Study
For very low-birth-weight (VLBW) neonates, adoption of routine use of probiotics is associated with a reduction in the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), but not in sepsis or death, according to a study published online May 12 in JAMA Heath Forum.
May 12, 2023 — Source

Advisory panel issues recommendations for adolescent social media use
A presidential panel of the American Psychological Association has issued recommendations for the use of social media by adolescents, noting that while these platforms can promote healthy socialization, their use should be preceded by training in social media literacy to ensure that youth have skills that will maximize the chances for balanced, safe and meaningful experiences.
May 9, 2023 — Source

Age of gender dysphoria diagnosis continues to decline
The age of those who are distressed because of a mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity--known as gender dysphoria--has been steadily falling, reveals research published in the open access journal General Psychiatry.
June 27, 2023 — Source

Ask the Pediatrician: What vaccines do tweens, teens and young adults need?
Starting at about age 7 through age 18, children and teens need a number of important vaccines to protect them.
June 13, 2023 — Source

Australian children needed more mental health medications during the pandemic
Data from General Practice (GP) visits has found doctors prescribed up to three-and-a-half times more antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication for children aged five to nine than forecast in pre-pandemic mapping.
May 30, 2023 — Source

Health — Children and Kids — Resources — B

Baby opera: Study finds babies get a kick out of live music
When infants watch a live performance of a baby opera, their heart rates synchronized and they were significantly more engaged than babies who watched a recording of the same show—even though the recording was identical to the live version.
July 14, 2023 — Source

Board games improve math skills in young children
Board games based on numbers, like Monopoly, Othello and Chutes and Ladders, make young children better at math, according to a comprehensive review of research published on the topic over the last 23 years.
July 7, 2023 — Source

Breastfeeding linked to higher GCSE results: How to understand the nuance behind the numbers
We know from previous research that across a whole population, breastfeeding can help support health and development. Babies who are breastfed are statistically less likely to develop certain health issues, or--as in this study--slightly more likely to gain higher grades. But the key phrase is "likely".
June 9, 2023 — Source

Breastfeeding Linked to Moderately Better Academic Test Scores
Breastfeeding in infancy could have an effect on academic test scores later in a child's life, a new study suggests.
June 6, 2023 — Source

Brief admission by self-referral reduces need for emergency care in adolescents with severe self-harm
Gaining access to Brief Admission by self-referral reduced the need for emergency care in adolescents with severe self-harm. The method has previously been introduced for adults, and a study led by researchers from Lund University has now explored whether the method could also be used for children and young people.
July 3, 2023 — Source or Source

Health — Children and Kids — Resources — C

Caffeine found to be most effective for treating birth asphyxia
Brain damage caused by oxygen deficiency at birth is one of the main causes of death in newborns worldwide. Using a small animal model, researchers from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and DZNE tested treatment with 25 different active agents.
July 3, 2023 — Source

Can machine learning predict BMI in early childhood using data from the first 1000 days of life?
Obesity prevalence has considerably increased across the globe among adults and children. Early adiposity among pediatric individuals predicts adult obesity, cardiometabolic risks, and pediatric morbidities.
June 2, 2023 — Source

Children with mitochondrial disorders have weaker antibody response to viral infections, study finds
In a new study, National Institutes of Health (NIH) researchers found that altered B cell function in children with mitochondrial disorders led to a weaker and less diverse antibody response to viral infections.
July 7, 2023 — Source

Children's brain scans provide clues to processing of emotional cues
Children with specific psychiatric symptoms, such as anxiety, may struggle to understand emotional cues when people around them are happy, sad or angry, and that lack of understanding can make it difficult to respond appropriately in social situations.
June 9, 2023 — Source

Challenges associated with return to school after traumatic brain injury
Each year nearly 900,000 US children up to 19 years of age sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) requiring hospitalization or emergency treatment.
June 20, 2023 — Source

Clinical trial suggests shorter course antimicrobial therapy option for children with UTI
Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pennsylvania, have looked into the efficacy of short-course versus standard-course therapy for children with urinary tract infections.
June 30, 2023 — Source

Conditional cash transfer programs have prevented 739,919 child deaths in Latin America: Study
Over the past two decades, conditional cash transfer programs have led to a 24% reduction in child mortality in Brazil, Mexico and Ecuador, equivalent to more than 700,000 child deaths averted, according to an impact evaluation study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), an institution supported by "la Caixa" Foundation. The results, published in JAMA Network Open, also show that expanding these programs could save more than 150,000 lives by mitigating the effects of the current economic crisis.
July 14, 2023 — Source

Cortisol levels in late pregnancy can predict sleep health of infants
Cortisol levels in late pregnancy can predict the sleep of infants, according to a new study to be presented at the SLEEP 2023 annual meeting.
May 30, 2023 — Source or Source

Cow colostrum can be used to supplement mother's own milk in premature infants, studies show
Every year, 15 million infants are born prematurely. One million of them end up dying. In the early life of these small infants, proper nutrition is crucial. It is essential for the infants' survival and for the development of organs, including the brain.
July 14, 2023 — Source

Health — Children and Kids — Resources — D

Doctors Perform First Surgery on Baby's Brain in the Womb
In a first-of-its-kind surgery, doctors have successfully repaired a malformation in the brain of a fetus still in the womb.
May 5, 2023 — Source or Source

Health — Children and Kids — Resources — E

Epidemiologist updates and validates 'gold standard' of prenatal physical activity tools
A University of Massachusetts Amherst public health researcher has updated and validated the widely used Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) to improve the measurement performance of this self-report physical activity method.
June 8, 2023 — Source

ER-based pharmacies could improve kids' care, pediatricians' group says
When parents rush their kids to an emergency room in the dead of night for an asthma attack or high fever, they are often discharged with a prescription. The problem is, there may be nowhere to fill it promptly.
May 30, 2023 — Source

Exercise is a viable intervention for improving depression and anxiety in young individuals, study finds
Scientists at the Hunan Normal University, China, have conducted network meta-analysis of available literature to identify the best type of exercise for preventing and treating depression in young individuals.
June 20, 2023 — Source

Experts urge increased attention to the threat of climate change and pollution on children's health
The last few decades have witnessed multiple crises involving the economy, public health (the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic), and the natural environment.
May 9, 2023 — Source

Exploring the complex interplay between adolescent sleep and overall health
As director of SRI's Human Sleep Research Program, Fiona Baker studies the complex interplay between sleep and overall health and well-being.
June 20, 2023 — Source

Health — Children and Kids — Resources — G

Growing up in poverty may influence the wiring of a child's brain, study suggests
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggests that growing up in poverty may influence the wiring of a child's brain.
June 27, 2023 — Source

Health — Children and Kids — Resources — H

Helping health care providers support Black breastfeeding families
Despite breastfeeding being recommended for at least two years, only 36 percent of all infants are still breastfed at their first birthday. Black/African American mothers are least likely to initiate breastfeeding with initiation rates of only 74 percent compared to 90 percent of Asian mothers with a national average of 84 percent.
May 5, 2023 — Source

Household Factors Can Raise a Child's Odds for IBD
What puts kids at risk for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and what could help prevent it?
May 9, 2023 — Source

How much screen time is too much time for your kids?
How much screen time is too much for a child? Reports of teens facing high rates of depression, anxiety and loneliness have led to recommendations about their use of social media.
May 23, 2023 — Source

Health — Children and Kids — Resources — I

Infants are not egocentric: Study finds they trust other people's attention more than their own observations
Children are often perceived as egocentric--and not without good reason. For example, it is well documented that 3-year-old children only use their own perspective when predicting someone else's actions. Adults also find it difficult to disregard theirs when empathizing with other people.
July 3, 2023 — Source

Insights into infant brain development: study shows how sound duration shapes auditory perception
In a recent article published in Nature, researchers investigated the early maturation of sound duration processing, a crucial auditory temporal feature.
June 27, 2023 — Source

Internet-based therapy found to be effective against self-harm in adolescents
Self-harming behavior in young people causes suffering and increases the risk of suicide. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Region Stockholm have now investigated whether an internet-delivered emotion regulation therapy can reduce self-harm in youth.
July 14, 2023 — Source

Health — Children and Kids — Resources — K

Kansas faces OB-GYN shortage. Providers warn new laws could further strain maternity care
Jessica Babler, a nursing student at Research College of Nursing in Kansas City, Missouri, is tired of being vilified for wanting to provide abortions, which she views as health care, to her patients.
May 23, 2023 — Source

Kids cartoon characters that use AI to customize responses help children learn
When the main character of a kids TV show can both listen and respond to viewers by using advances in artificial intelligence, youngsters learn more from the program. That's what my colleagues and I found in a series of peer-reviewed studies.
May 2, 2023 — Source

Health — Children and Kids — Resources — L

Lots of kids are 'late talkers': Here's when to take action
As a speech pathologist, university lecturer and parent of young children, I often get asked a version of the following:
June 23, 2023 — Source

Health — Children and Kids — Resources — M

Moms lose significant sleep and free time during kids' school year, new study finds
Moms of school-age children get significantly less sleep during the school year than during the summer.
June 23, 2023 — Source

Mouse models of adolescent binge drinking reveal key long-lasting brain changes
Heavy alcohol consumption may cause permanent dysregulation of neurons, or brain cells, in adolescents, according to a new study in mice. The findings suggest that exposure to binge-levels of alcohol during adolescence, when the brain is still developing, lead to long-lasting changes in the brain's ability to signal and communicate--potentially setting the stage for long-term behavioral changes and hinting towards the mechanisms of alcohol-induced cognitive changes in humans.
June 9, 2023 — Source or Source

Health — Children and Kids — Resources — N

New guidance: Identifying the cause of heart muscle disease in children is key to effective treatment
Treating children with cardiomyopathy should be personalized based on the root cause, symptoms and progression of the condition in each child, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement published today in the journal Circulation.
June 8, 2023 — Source

New research highlights the incredible resiliency among adult survivors of childhood physical abuse
New research published online in Children and Youth Services Review found that approximately two thirds (63%) of adult survivors of childhood physical abuse are in complete mental health, also known as psychologically flourishing.
May 23, 2023 — Source or Source

New report details success last winter in caring for critically ill children amid severe RSV surge
Last winter's surge in respiratory illnesses--which led Oregon's governor to declare a public health emergency in Oregon and regional hospitals to operate under crisis standards of care--spotlighted the practical value of the coordination system spearheaded by Oregon Health & Science University.
June 20, 2023 — Source

New scientific statement details treatment strategies for pediatric cardiomyopathy
Treating children with cardiomyopathy should be personalized based on the root cause, symptoms and progression of the condition in each child , according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement published today in the Association's flagship, peer-reviewed journal Circulation.
June 8, 2023 — Source

New Zealand kids spending one-third of after-school time on screens, study finds
Regulations are urgently needed to protect children from harm in the unregulated online world, researchers at the University of Otago, New Zealand, say.
July 7, 2023 — Source

Non-invasive approach predicts retinopathy of prematurity earlier
Research from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago promises to spare many premature infants from undergoing invasive eye exams to detect retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), the most common cause of preventable lifelong blindness in children in the U.S.
June 30, 2023 — Source

Health — Children and Kids — Resources — O

Obesity and diabetes in pregnancy: Consequences in offspring
Research involving pediatricians from the Hospital General de Valencia has shown that the children of women who were obese or had diabetes during pregnancy developed certain epigenetic alterations that predisposed them to suffer from diseases such as diabetes, obesity and the cardiovascular problems that result from them.
May 12, 2023 — Source

Opinion: Most parents don't pick a parenting style, but that's why being a 'conscious parent' matters
The program Parental Guidance has been showing on Channel 9 this month. This is the second season of the show that pits 12 sets of parents with very different parenting styles against each other to work out which is "best."
June 20, 2023 — Source

Health — Children and Kids — Resources — P

Partial liver transplants for kids could be key to preventing waitlist deaths and improving outcomes
Dozens of children die each year in the U.S. while waiting for a new liver. A new analysis led by University of Pittsburgh and UPMC physician-researchers suggests that greater use of partial liver transplants—either from a living donor or by splitting a deceased donor's liver for two recipients—could save many of these young lives.
June 20, 2023 — Source

Pediatric firearm injury rates have risen steadily over the past 5 years, audit reveals
More than a fifth of all these injuries were fatal, prompting the researchers to set out a call to action amid the failure of current prevention strategies to stem the tide of needless violence.
May 26, 2023 — Source or Source

Pennington Biomedical wants children 5 years old and younger to participate in the Shape Up! Keiki study
The Pennington Biomedical Research Center is looking for children 5 years old and younger to participate in the Shape Up! Keiki research study. The purpose of the Shape Up! Keiki research study is to create a better way to measure and describe health from body shape.
June 9, 2023 — Source

Persistent inflammatory state found in half of pediatric sepsis deaths
About half of pediatric patients who died of sepsis over the past 20 years at Vanderbilt University Medical Center had evidence of an inflammatory state called PICS (persistent inflammation, immunosuppression and catabolism syndrome), according to a study reported in the journal Chest. Children with PICS were more likely to have undergone heart surgery and had a higher incidence of fungal infections.
June 30, 2023 — Source

Physical education at school isn't like adult exercise, but maybe it should be
Physical education (PE) is a fundamental part of school life. It's more than just a series of lessons about how to kick a ball or run around a track. It should provide the crucial groundwork for a lifetime of physical activity. Often, though, the sport that children do in PE doesn't bear much resemblance to the physical activity we do as adults.
June 30, 2023 — Source

Physically active lessons may positively impact the cognitive performance of children
Sedentary lifestyles have been observed among children, irrespective of the socioeconomic status and culture of the nation. The adverse effects of long-term physical inactivity have been reported by previous studies, including the increased risk of developing diseases.
June 2, 2023 — Source

Positive childhood experiences may cut risk for adult health problems
Cher X. Huang, M.D., from the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, and colleagues examined the associations between PCE score and adult self-rated health or condition diagnosis, with and without adjustment for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
June 20, 2023 — Source

Poverty negatively impacts structural wiring in children's brains, study indicates
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggests that growing up in poverty may influence the wiring of a child's brain.
June 27, 2023 — Source

Proportion of outpatient pediatric visits with anxiety up over time
Laura J. Chavez, Ph.D., M.P.H., from Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and colleagues examined recent trends in anxiety disorder diagnosis and treatment in patients aged 4 to 24 years old using data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey for 2006 to 2018
June 8, 2023 — Source

Putting a voice and face together in early infancy determines later language development
Matching the sight and sound of speech—a face to a voice—in early infancy is an important foundation for later language development.
June 20, 2023 — Source

Health — Children and Kids — Resources — Q

Q&Amp;A: First-of-its kind research studies arsenic exposure in Syracuse children
The study's findings are important because they highlight the need to reduce arsenic exposure in children. Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that can be found in soil and water. It can also be released into the environment from industrial activities.
July 14, 2023 — Source

Q&Amp;A: Parents and caregivers of children with autism, ADHD and more can build resilience by practicing mindful awareness
Parenting is tough, and research shows that parents of children with autism and other developmental disabilities may experience increased levels of stress.
May 26, 2023 — Source

Health — Children and Kids — Resources — R

Researchers find possible target for treating neuropsychiatric disorders in teens
The brain continuously changes during childhood and throughout adolescence. The onset of neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia often begins during young adulthood. Dysfunction of the dopamine system--necessary for cognitive processing and decision-making--begins during this point in development.
June 2, 2023 — Source

Researchers find unsafe feeding methods spiked during infant formula shortage
Nearly half of parents who relied on formula to feed their babies during the infant formula shortage last year resorted to potentially harmful feeding methods, according to a survey from researchers at the University of California, Davis.
June 27, 2023 — Source

Researchers map the immunology of the gut in children with IBD
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet and Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital have mapped the immune system in the gut of children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
May 9, 2023 — Source

Researchers reverse stunting in children, challenging WHO recommendations
At present the WHO does not recommend nutrient supplements for children with stunted growth—a health problem that affects more than one in five children under the age of 5 globally. The rationale is that supplements do not benefit growth, but instead put children at risk of becoming overweight.
June 20, 2023 — Source

Researchers warn of unmet childhood vaccination targets
A third of children under 5 attending a Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) and who are eligible for pre-school boosters have unmet vaccination need according to research from Lancaster Medical School.
June 27, 2023 — Source

Health — Children and Kids — Resources — S

Singing supports brain development in preterm infants and maternal well-being after premature birth, research finds
According to a recently completed doctoral thesis, singing can promote the development of the auditory cortex in preterm infants. Singing can also support maternal well-being as well as the relationship between mother and baby.
July 3, 2023 — Source

Skin Patch Could Help Ease Peanut Allergy in Toddlers
A "peanut patch" worn on the skin may help protect toddlers who have potentially life-threatening peanut allergies, a new clinical trial shows.
May 11, 2023 — Source or Source

Steady rise in vape product poisonings among kids under 5
The number of cases of vape product-related poisonings reported to America's poison control centers doubled between 2018 and early 2023, a new report finds.
June 23, 2023 — Source

Study finds female babies with congenital diaphragmatic hernia have slightly higher risk of death
A Johns Hopkins Children Center study using medical records from an international registry concludes that female babies with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) are slightly more likely to die within 30 to 60 days of birth than male babies with the same condition.
June 20, 2023 — Source

Study finds fewer fractures in pre-term and low birthweight infants than normal newborns
Pre-term and low birthweight infants have fewer fractures in childhood than full-term and normal-weight newborns, according to a new a study from the University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital. The register-based cohort study from Finland utilized the nationwide Medical Birth Register, the Care Register for Health Care, and data provided by Statistics Finland.
June 6, 2023 — Source

Study finds non-LSD hallucinogen use on the rise among young adults
Young adults ages 19 to 30 nearly doubled their past 12-month use of non-LSD hallucinogens in the United States from 2018 to 2021, according to a study by the University of Michigan and Columbia University.
June 8, 2023 — Source

Study links ultra-processed food consumption with psychosocial problems in adolescents
Adolescents who consume a greater amount of ultra-processed foods and drinks have more difficulties in terms of mental health, according to new research carried out by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ICTA-UAB) and the Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), which analyzes the habits of five hundred Spanish adolescents aged between 13 and 18.
May 23, 2023 — Source

Study proposes a new index to understand the link between gender and mental health in adolescence
Half of mental health disorders first manifest themselves before the age of 14. Seventy per cent appear before the age of 18, according to data from the European Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. The relationship between mental health, age, socio-economic status and gender is the subject of increasing research.
May 30, 2023 — Source

Study reveals factors impacting pertussis antibody half-lives in infants, sheds light on preterm infants' resilience
Whooping cough or pertussis is a bacterial respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. The infection is highly contagious, and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates from 2018 reported over 150,000 cases of pertussis globally.
June 9, 2023 — Source

Study suggests need for more fluid policy on RSV prophylactic availability to children
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) surges in young children occurred outside the usual November to March season, when immune-based prophylactic is available to protect children at high risk for severe illness.
July 14, 2023 — Source

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Teenage girls are more sensitive to the anxiety of other girls, finds study
It is well known that adolescents tend to adopt the same behaviors as their peers. As Canadian students spend an average of 923 hours per school year in the company of their classmates, Sandrine Charbonneau wanted to see if there was any association between a student's "state" (momentary) anxiety and the "trait" (longer-term) anxiety of his or her classmates.
May 26, 2023 — Source

The BABY1000 study: chasing lifetime risk factors in prenatal and early postnatal life
Preconceptional parental health, pregnancy health, and early infant environment play key roles in the child's and later adult's lifetime health.
June 9, 2023 — Source

The Gavi vaccine alliance said Tuesday that it had helped provide routine vaccines to over one billion children since it was established 23 years ago, saving millions of lives.
1Build Date: June 13th — DoHCovid-19
June 13, 2023 — Source

The impact of unusually high temperatures in the summer of 2022 on infants' sleep
According to the U.S. Global Change Research Program, extreme heat is becoming more frequent and intense worldwide. The significance of sleep for healthy development and growth is often disregarded in scientific studies exploring the effects of climate change on infant health.
June 23, 2023 — Source

The mediation roles of parental role-modeling and food availability in the socioeconomic inequalities of children's diet
Fruits and vegetables are integral parts of a healthy diet. Regularly consuming fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, including diabetes and obesity.
June 2, 2023 — Source

Toddlers can engage in complex games as they get to know each other over time
A mother wondered about her two-year-old child Oliver's socialization with peers when he played at his friend's house or when he was at his child-care center. Since Oliver is still learning to talk, he cannot describe his social experiences.
May 9, 2023 — Source

Traumatic events may have long-term consequences for academic progress of youth
Experiencing traumatic events such as natural disasters may have long-term consequences for the academic progress and future food security of youth -; a problem researchers said could worsen with the increased frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change.
June 30, 2023 — Source

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Variability in sleep patterns linked to higher risk for school-related problems among teens
A new study to be presented at SLEEP 2023 found that teens with greater variability in their sleep patterns have a higher risk for school-related problems.
May 30, 2023 — Source or Source

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When your child has scoliosis: Symptoms & treatments
The future for a child diagnosed with scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine that typically occurs just before puberty, can feel uncertain.
June 23, 2023 — Source

What You Need to Know About Bug Spray for Kids
Annoyed by bug bites but worried about chemicals? Here's how to protect children from ticks and mosquitoes.
June 2, 2023 — Source

Why children in the UK should still be offered the COVID vaccine
After COVID vaccines for children aged five to 11 were approved in late 2021, the UK lagged behind the US and many European countries in rolling them out.
June 20, 2023 — Source

Health — Children and Kids — Resources

Adlerian Counselling & Consulting Group
for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families.
Provides a Service — Source

Breastfeeding rooms hidden in health care law
With her 5-week-old daughter crying in a bathroom at Nordstrom, and not knowing how to get the baby to latch on to her breast, Garima Nahar found herself surrounded by other women. some offered tips, but one woman told the new mother to cover up or turn the other way.
April 9, 2010 — Source

Chickenpoxinfo.com
Consumer information site from Merck.
Provides Information — Source

Child Safety in the Home
In a world made by the point-of-view of grown-ups, there are inadvertent hazards to small children all over the place. Home is no exception. According to Safe Kids USA (an organization that educates parents, policy makers, and the general public in creating safe environments for children) a child dies every 101 minutes as a result of an unintentional injury, making iuse of accidental death and permanent disability for America's kids.
April 1, 2010 — Source

First baby given xenon gas to prevent brain injury
A newborn baby has become the first in the world to receive xenon gas treatment, pioneered in Bristol in a bid to prevent brain injury.
April 9, 2010 — Source