Babies Born To Parents With Schizophrenia Face Double The Risk Of Infant Mortality
( RCP 7-Oct-08 )
Children born to a mother or father with schizophrenia are twice as likely to die within the first year of life, new research shows.
Help Me I'm Sad: Recognizing Depression In Children
( APA 1-Oct-08 )
Bouts of sadness in childhood are normal, but up to a quarter of children will experience depression before they finish high school, and clinical depression in children seems to be on the rise.
The Most Medicated Kids Are Americans
( BioMed Central 29-Sep-08 )
American children are approximately three times more likely to be prescribed psychotropic medication than children in Europe.
Ritalin Over-prescribed To Children
( Independent 26-Sep-08 )
The controversial drug Ritalin is being over-prescribed to children to control their unruly behaviour and should be avoided in those aged under five, the Government's drugs watchdog said yesterday.
Researchers Profile Teens Who Seek Help To Quit Smoking
( WVU 26-Sep-08 )
Teen smokers who volunteer for programs to help them quit are more hooked on tobacco than other teens who smoke, new West Virginia University research has found.
Don't Discard Paracetamol For Children Due To Asthma Fears
( SA 25-Sep-08 )
There were many media reports last week regarding a study published in The Lancet which found an association between childhood use of paracetamol and the later development of asthma.
Mother's Flu Shot Protects Newborns
( JHBSPH 25-Sep-08 )
Newborns can be protected from seasonal flu when their mothers are vaccinated during pregnancy, according to a study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Exposure To Family Violence Especially Harmful To Previously Abused Children
( SRCD 23-Sep-08 )
According to a new study in the September/October 2008 issue of the journal Child Development, children who are maltreated tend to have a lot of re-exposure to family violence, and this re-exposure often leads to increased psychological problems.
Inner-Ear Anomalies Revealed Using MRI
( MNT 23-Sep-08 )
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to identify defects in soft-tissue that contribute to hearing loss in children, according to a report released on September 15, 2008 in Archives of Otolaryngology -- Head & Neck Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Mass Recall Of China Milk Produce
( BBCNews 22-Sep-08 )
Shop shelves in China and elsewhere are being cleared of popular dairy products after tests found contamination in regular milk as well as baby formula.
Baby Paracetamol Asthma Concern
( BBCNews 22-Sep-08 )
Use of paracetamol in babies increases the risk of developing asthma five years later, a study of more than 200,000 children suggests.
National Positive Thinking Trial Aims To Prevent Childhood Depression
( University of Bath 22-Sep-08 )
More than 7,000 school pupils from across the UK will be taking part in the trial of a new positive thinking programme led by the University of Bath designed to prevent children developing problems with depression.
Antibiotic Cerebral Palsy Link
( BBCNews 19-Sep-08 )
A study has linked a small number of cases of cerebral palsy to antibiotics given to women in premature labour.
Antibiotics To Delay Premature Birth May Harm Babies
( Independent 19-Sep-08 )
A warning about the indiscriminate prescribing of antibiotics to pregnant women to delay premature labour was issued to all doctors yesterday after research unexpectedly revealed that the practice may cause long-term harm to their babies.
Premature Children Four Times More Likely To Have Behavioural Disorders
( University of Warwick 12-Sep-08 )
Children born prematurely are four times more likely to have emotional problems or behavioural disorders, according to research led by the University of Warwick.
US Teen Suicide Spike Was No Fluke
( NCH 9-Sep-08 )
A troubling study in the September 3rd Journal of the American Medical Association raises new concerns about kids committing suicide in this country. After a one year spike in the number of suicides, doctors were hoping to see more normal numbers in the latest study, but they didn't.
Down's Signs Seen In Stem Cells
( BBCNews 9-Sep-08 )
Scientists have revealed the earliest developmental changes that lead to Down's syndrome.
Connection Between A Mother's Mood And Her Baby's Sleep
( UMHS 4-Sep-08 )
If there's one thing that everyone knows about newborn babies, it's that they don't sleep through the night, and neither do their parents. But in fact, those first six months of life are crucial to developing the regular sleeping and waking patterns that a child will need for a healthy future.
Antipsychotics In Children And Adolescents: The Risks And Benefits
( ECNP 4-Sep-08 )
Many of the psychiatric disorders observed in adults have their onset in childhood or adolescence. The presence of a major mental illness is certainly no less serious in children than in adults - in fact, childhood onset of several psychiatric disorders predicts a worse illness course.
New Genes Found For Inflammatory Bowel Disease In Children
( CHOP 3-Sep-08 )
Researchers have discovered two new genes that increase the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in childhood.
Safe Vaccines Still Possible For Most Vaccine-Allergic Children
( JHMI 3-Sep-08 )
With close monitoring and a few standard precautions, nearly all children with known or suspected vaccine allergies can be safely immunized, according to a team of vaccine safety experts led by the Johns Hopkins Children's Center.
Ibuprofen Best For Child Fevers
( BBCNews 3-Sep-08 )
Ibuprofen is better at alleviating childhood fever than paracetamol and should be the drug of first choice, say UK researchers.
Burnt Kids' Pain Lessened By Distracting Device
( QUT 2-Sep-08 )
Cunningly disguised as a toy, a new medical device that harnesses the power of distraction can greatly reduce the pain felt by young burns victims.
Nurses Accurately Assess Pain In Children
( Pediatric Nursing 2-Sep-08 )
Managing children's pain is a crucial role for nurses, however there have been conflicting studies about nurses' pain assessment and treatment responses. In the July-August 2008 issue of Pediatric Nursing, Ruth A. Griffin and co-authors report results from a national survey of nurses that explored how nurses rated children's pain levels and how much analgesia they would recommend.
Magnesium Sulphate May Reduce Cerebral Palsy
( MNT 2-Sep-08 )
Giving magnesium sulphate to stop women from going into premature labour could reduce the chances of babies later being diagnosed with moderate to severe cerebral palsy, said researchers in the US.
Tough Journey For Families Of Children With Lymphoma
( CQUniversity 1-Sep-08 )
A CQUniversity study has shown that families of children suffering from lymphoma face unique challenges that potentially make it more difficult to cope with the treatment experience than most.
Boy Has Shoulder Made From Elbow
( BBCNews 1-Sep-08 )
A teenage cancer patient has undergone successful surgery to rebuild his shoulder using his elbow.
Pregnancy Situations Have Impact On Brain Development In Preterm Infants
( Academy of Finland 28-Aug-08 )
Brain development in infants who are born very prematurely is still incomplete. Factors that cause premature birth may have an impact on the development of the premature infant's brain both during pregnancy and later on after birth.
Helping Children With Tuberculosis
( UNSW 27-Aug-08 )
An Australia-Papua New Guinea research partnership that aims to develop a new diagnostic tool to quickly and accurately identify children with tuberculosis has been awarded a sought-after funding grant at the recent International AIDS Conference in Mexico City.
Growing Up With Pets Predisposes Children To Snore In Adulthood
( BMC 26-Aug-08 )
A predisposition to adult snoring can be established very early in life. Research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Respiratory Research describes possible childhood risk factors, including exposure to animals, early respiratory or ear infections and growing up in a large family.
Government Must Vaccinate All British Children Against Hepatitis
( ABPI 25-Aug-08 )
Patient groups are today calling on the Government to vaccinate all British children against Hepatitis B - a life threatening disease, 50 times more infectious than HIV.
Neuroscience Conference: Stroke And SIDS In Alaska
( UAF 21-Aug-08 )
University of Alaska Fairbanks neuroscientists studying stroke and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome are presenting their research findings at the 7th Conference of the Specialized Neuroscience Research Programs in New York Aug. 19-22, 2008.
Attacking Heart Failure In The Young
( IUSM 21-Aug-08 )
Pediatric cardiology experts from around the world will gather at the Indiana University School of Medicine for the inaugural Riley Heart Center Symposium on Cardiac Development Sept. 8-9 at Riley Hospital for Children.
Treating Pediatric Voiding Dysfunction
( SUNA 21-Aug-08 )
Voiding dysfunction and urinary incontinence in children is common. While these issues can significantly affect quality of life, children are also at an increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), urgency issues and constipation later in life. Two articles on pediatric voiding dysfunction present techniques to evaluate and manage pediatric patients with these issues.
Nationwide Study Of Landmark Sickle Cell Treatment
( CNMC 20-Aug-08 )
Children's National Medical Center immunologist and blood and marrow transplant physician Naynesh Kamani, MD, will serve as the study co-chair for a new national clinical trial of unrelated donor marrow and umbilical cord blood transplants for severe sickle cell disease.
Brain Serotonin System Controls Maternal Behavior
( CWRU 20-Aug-08 )
New research from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine demonstrates the importance of brain serotonin for offspring survival.
Obesity Risk Linked To History Of Chronic Ear Infections
( UF 19-Aug-08 )
More than 5 million children cope with the agonizing ache of ear infection annually, but a new discovery suggests damage to taste nerves caused by the common childhood ailment might increase the risk of obesity later in life, say University of Florida College of Dentistry researchers.
US Children Hospitalized Less Often For Asthma But More Have The Disease
( AHRQ 19-Aug-08 )
Hospitalizations of children principally for asthma fell by almost 60,000 between 1997 and 2006, according to the latest News and Numbers from the AHRQ. However, the number of children who are admitted to hospitals to treat other conditions but who also have asthma rose by nearly 70,000 during the same period.
School And Diabetes More Understanding Needed
( University of Leicester 18-Aug-08 )
The first ever UK study to seek the opinions of young people with type 1 diabetes, regarding managing their diabetes care at school, uncovered a number of significant misconceptions about the condition.
Childhood Dairy Intake May Improve Adolescent Bone Health
( Elsevier 18-Aug-08 )
Dairy is recognized as a key component of a healthy, balanced diet. However, until recently it was unclear how long-term dairy intake contributes to the many aspects of bone health in children, including bone density, bone mineral content, and bone area. A new study investigates the effect of childhood dairy intake on adolescent bone health.
UC San Diego Studies Mother's Milk For Tiny Babies
( UCSD 13-Aug-08 )
Human milk is known to boost brain development, prevent life-threatening infections, decrease allergies, and promote stronger bones and a higher IQ. But what's a mother to do when her premature infant weighs only ounces and is not able to swallow the milk?
Brain Tumour Origin Identified
( UQ 12-Aug-08 )
Australian and American scientists have identified the origins of the most malignant type of brain tumour in a discovery that could lead to better therapies and improve our understanding of how tumours initiate.
Researchers Study Diet In Autistic Children
( UTHSC 12-Aug-08 )
Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston have embarked on one of the first double-blind, clinical studies to determine whether gluten and dairy products play a role in autistic behavior as parents have anecdotally claimed.
Parents Warned Over Measles Epidemic
( Independent 8-Aug-08 )
A stark warning about the dangers of measles is to be sent to the parents of three million unvaccinated children in an unprecedented move to increase uptake of the MMR vaccination, the UK Government will announce today.
Positive Parenting Associated With Less Aggression In Early-Maturing Teen Girls
( JAMA 7-Aug-08 )
Adolescent girls who go through puberty early and have parents who do not nurture them, communicate with them or have knowledge of their activities appear more likely to display aggressive behavior, according to a report in the August issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Outdoor Activity Lowers Nearsightedness Risk In Children
( AAO 6-Aug-08 )
A growing number of the world's children are mildly to severely nearsighted (myopic), with rates especially high among urbanized East Asians. Although genetic inheritance plays a role, the rapid rise of myopia suggests that environmental factors are driving the trend.
Research Suggests That Childhood Obesity Begins In Infancy
( CHKD 6-Aug-08 )
Over the last decade, childhood obesity has grown into an epidemic, reflected in soaring rates of type 2 diabetes and recommendations that pediatricians check toddlers for elevated cholesterol.What hasn't been as clear is how early to intervene.
Greater Psychotropic Medication Use in Foster Care Raises Concerns
( Newswise 5-Aug-08 )
Psychotropic medications, which act on the central nervous system to alter emotion or behavior temporarily, are frequently used to treat youth in foster care, but there is a lack of "substantive evidence of their effectiveness and safety," says a University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) researcher.
Immunotherapy In High-Risk Pediatric Sarcomas Shows Promising Response
( AACR 5-Aug-08 )
Based on a pilot study in children with sarcoma, researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) believe that immunotherapy could prove beneficial in treating high-risk forms of this cancer.
IVF Not Reason For Birth Risks
( BBCNews 1-Aug-08 )
Complications associated with IVF are due to underlying fertility problems in the parents and not the techniques used during treatment, research suggests.
Cerebral Malaria May Be A Major Cause Of Brain Injury In African Children
( University of Minnesota 1-Aug-08 )
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have found that cerebral malaria is related to long-term cognitive impairment in one of four child survivors. The research is published in the current issue of the journal Pediatrics.
Infections In Brain Shunt Surgery Reduced By Antimicrobial Sutures
( University at Buffalo 31-Jul-08 )
Children born with hydrocephalus, or "water on the brain" must have shunts implanted to drain the fluid away from the brain to reduce harmful pressure.
While shunts do their job well, the rate of shunt infection in children is very high for a variety of reasons.
A Controversial "Fat Reports" Plan Urged For Aussie Kids
( AAPNewswire 31-Jul-08 )
A controversial British plan to give all school kids "fat report" cards has been backed by several Australian experts as an important step to beat obesity Down Under.
Emphysema In Adulthood May Be Linked To Premature Birth
( ERJ 30-Jul-08 )
Babies born extremely prematurely may be left with lung abnormalities in adulthood, such as emphysema, Australian researchers have found.
Diversity In Primary Schools Promotes Harmony
( ESRC 29-Jul-08 )
For the first time, children as young as 5 have been shown to understand issues regarding integration and separation. The research confirms that the ethnic composition of primary schools has a direct impact on children's attitudes towards those in other ethnic groups and on their ability to get on with their peers.
Catching The Early Babies
( ABCOnline 25-Jul-08 )
As Australia's mothers get older, their chances of a premature birth are rising too. Neo-natal specialists say parents should be better prepared for an early arrival.
Guidelines Highlight Key Differences Between Child And Adult Stroke
( AHA 21-Jul-08 )
This is the first guidance on stroke in children from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
Stroke risk, symptoms and treatment in children are different from those in adults.
Gene Tags Fuel Obesity Epidemic
( BBCNews 17-Jul-08 )
The obesity crisis could deepen as the womb chemicals of increasingly overweight mothers set their baby's future risk, say US scientists.
Protein On 'Speed' Linked To ADHD
( VUMC 16-Jul-08 )
A genetic change in the dopamine transporter - one of the brain's dopamine-handling proteins - makes it behave as if amphetamine is present and "run backward," Vanderbilt University Medical Center investigators report this week in The Journal of Neuroscience.
Children Should Be Protected Against Hepatitis
( ABPI 11-Jul-08 )
Children should be vaccinated against hepatitis to prevent the spread of medicine-resistant strains of the disease, according to a report published by The Association of The British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).
SIDS And Brain Chemical Imbalance Linked In Mice
( MNT 10-Jul-08 )
New research from Italy that is based on studies in mice found that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) may be linked to an imbalance in the brain signalling chemical serontonin that regulates heartbeat and breathing, and if shown to be true of humans could point to a way to identify babies at risk of SIDS.
Task Force Recommends Screening For Hearing Loss In All Newborns
( AHRQ 8-Jul-08 )
All newborn infants should be screened for congenital hearing loss that is present at birth, according to a new recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Scientists Predict 3/4 Of UK Children With Leukaemia Will Be Cured
( Cancer Research UK 8-Jul-08 )
Around three-quarters of children diagnosed with leukaemia will be cured of their disease, according to research published in the British Journal of Cancer* .
Call To Rethink Child BMI Testing
( BBCNews 1-Jul-08 )
Using a child's body mass index (BMI) as a measure of the success of exercise targets may be misleading, say experts.
Food-Allergic Children With Asthma May Require Extra Emergency Medication
( AAAAI 30-Jun-08 )
New research findings suggest that some food-allergic children may not be equipped with enough potentially life-saving medication to reverse a severe allergic reaction.
Renewed Measles Warning
( NSWHealth 30-Jun-08 )
NSW Health has today renewed its warning to the community to be on the look out for the symptoms of measles amid concerns of a possible outbreak.
New Telemedicine Service To Help In The Care Of Sick Babies
( UQ 27-Jun-08 )
"Tiny Tom", an innovative new telemedicine service which will help with the care of sick babies in North Queensland was launched in Townsville today Friday, June 27.
Pain Missed In Premature Babies
( BBCNews 26-Jun-08 )
Premature babies undergoing medical procedures may be in pain even if there is no obvious physical hint of it, brain scans reveal.
Dummy Use Link To Ear Infections
( BBCNews 23-Jun-08 )
Parents should avoid using a dummy in infants who are prone to ear infections, research suggests. In a five-year study of almost 500 Dutch children, researchers found almost double the risk of recurrent ear infections in those who used a dummy.
Higher Allergy Risk In Kids Due To Traffic Pollution
( ATS 19-Jun-08 )
New evidence blames traffic-related pollution for increasing the risk of allergy and atopic diseases among children by more than fifty percent. What's more, the closer children live to roads, the higher their risk.
Cannabis Can Harm Foetal Brain
( BBCNews 17-Jun-08 )
Smoking cannabis while pregnant could harm the developing foetal brain, researchers have claimed.
The team at the University of Aberdeen also said certain prescribed drugs, including some to treat obesity, could have an effect in the womb too.
Guide For Evaluating Vaccine Safety Concerns
( IDSA 16-Jun-08 )
Almost 70% of parents who refuse to vaccinate their children do so because they believe vaccines may cause harm. Indeed vaccines have been blamed for causing asthma, autism, diabetes, and many other conditions--most of which have causes that are incompletely understood.
Vaccine Resistant Meningitis C
( NHS Choices 16-Jun-08 )
The Daily Express reported that "hundreds of thousands of children may need booster injections against meningitis after the discovery of three new "superbug" strains of the disease". It says that the meningitis vaccine, previously thought to be 100% effective, is "powerless against the highly evolved strains".
Teenage-Friendly System May Revolutionise Cancer Care For Young People
( TCT 12-Jun-08 )
Researchers are harnessing the powers of digital communications technology to help young cancer patients at home manage the side-effects caused by chemotherapy.
Delays In Diagnosing Teenagers And Young Adults With Cancer
( TCT 12-Jun-08 )
Three studies to be presented at Teenage Cancer Trust's Fifth International Conference on Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Medicine today (Monday) have thrown light on the extent of delays that teenagers and young adults (TYAs) can face before being diagnosed with cancer, and on some of the reasons why this happens.
Anxiety In Overweight Children Compounds Risk Factors
( ACSM 11-Jun-08 )
Anxiety may influence children's metabolic health differently according to weight status, says a study presented in Indianapolis at the 55th Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine.
Autism Risk Higher For Preterm And Low Birthweight Girls
( MNT 11-Jun-08 )
Research from the US suggests that compared to other developmental disabilities, low birthweight and premature birth was linked to a higher risk of autism, especially for girls.
Skin Cancer Toll Soars Among Affluent Young
( Independent 11-Jun-08 )
Affluent families who take their children on foreign holidays where they are exposed to intense sunlight are contributing to soaring rates of malignant melanoma among the young.
Video Game Technology May Help Surgeons Operate on Beating Hearts
( CHB 10-Jun-08 )
Surgery has been done inside some adults' hearts while the heart is still beating, avoiding the need to open the chest, stop the heart and put patients on cardiopulmonary bypass. But to perform intricate beating-heart operations in babies with congenital heart disease or do beating-heart complex repairs in adults, surgeons need fast, highly sophisticated real-time imaging that allows them to see depth.
Rise Of The Sumo Baby
( Guardian 10-Jun-08 )
The number of large babies weighing 10lb or more at birth has jumped by a fifth since 2003. What is behind this boom in hefty newborns? And how has it changed pregnancy and labour? Viv Groskop talks to mothers, doctors and midwives
Link Between Ear Infections And Passive Smoking
( Research Australia 6-Jun-08 )
A new report from Perth's Telethon Institute for Child Health Research has found a strong link between childhood ear infections and exposure to tobacco smoke.
Childhood Obesity Epidemic Requires Multiple Levels Of Intervention
( ACSM 4-Jun-08 )
Childhood obesity continues to emerge as a significant health concern in the United States. Experts in interventions and public health strategies met, during the 55th Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine(ACSM) to discuss the issue.
AMA Awards 2008 Excellence in Healthcare
( AMA 4-Jun-08 )
AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, last night announced that this year's AMA Excellence in Healthcare Award has been won by Dr Nigel Stewart, head of the Northern Regional Paediatric Unit at Port August Hospital in South Australia, a paediatrician who she said had "worked tirelessly for at-risk key medical services, particularly for children and indigenous Australians".
Prevalence Of Asthma In The Mainly Indigenous Torres Strait Region
( Respirology 3-Jun-08 )
Part of the Youth Health Screening project, this study examines two surveys conducted in 1999 and 2003- measuring the prevalence of asthma in the mainly Indigenous Torres Strait region.
Autism Detected At 9 Months Of Age Using Research Tool
( McU 27-May-08 )
The ability to detect autism in children as young as nine months of age is on the horizon, according to researchers at McMaster University.
Aboriginal Child Health Improved By Swimming Pools
( Research Australia 27-May-08 )
A new study has found that swimming pools in remote Aboriginal communities can dramatically reduce rates of skin, ear and chest infections.
MPs Vote For Hybrid Embryos After Brown Makes Plea To Permit 'Moral Endeavour'
( Guardian 22-May-08 )
MPs pushed back the boundaries of science last night when they voted to allow the creation of hybrid embryos, which have a combination of human and animal DNA, as well as "saviour siblings" to save sick children.
Mother's Exposure To Pollutants Linked To Urologic Conditions In Boys
( AUA 22-May-08 )
Higher incidences of congenital anomalies, including cryptorchidism (undescended testicles) and hypospadias, were found in boys whose mothers had higher serum levels of certain organochlorine compounds, researchers say.
Stress In Pregnancy Affects Baby's Immune System
( MNT 21-May-08 )
New research from the US suggests that women who are stressed during pregnancy, for example struggling with financial or relationship issues, are more likely to have babies with immune-related problems such as allergies and asthma.
Link Between Mothers' Depression And Young Children's Injuries Confirmed
( University of Alabama 20-May-08 )
Infants and toddlers whose mothers are severely depressed are almost three times more likely to suffer accidental injuries than other children in the same age group, according to a new study.
Serious Injuries In Children: Disparities Between Rich And Poor, Cities And Villages
( MNT 19-May-08 )
Serious injury in child pedestrians is more four times more common in the poor areas of England than in affluent areas, according to research released on April 1, 2008 in the BMJ Specialty journal Archives of Disease in Childhood.
Alabama Begins Mandatory Screening Of Newborns For Cystic Fibrosis
( CFF 16-May-08 )
Alabama has joined 39 other states and the District of Columbia in requiring that all newborns be screened for cystic fibrosis at birth.
Autism: Genetic Links To Impaired Social Behavior
( Elsevier 16-May-08 )
Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) show profound deficits in social interactions and communications, and display repetitive behaviors and abnormal responses to sensory experiences.
Meningitis: defeated at last?
( Independent 15-May-08 )
Parents live in fear of this infection. It targets the young and strikes with horrific speed. One in 10 dies, and many others suffer permanent disabilities. But yesterday scientists revealed a startling breakthrough.
Adolescent Asthma: Are Schools A Factor?
( CHB 14-May-08 )
A study of more than 16,000 teens participating in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health shows significant differences in the prevalence of asthma from school to school, even after controlling for sociodemographics and other asthma risk factors.
Death Of A Child Infected With Diphtheria In London
( HPA 14-May-08 )
The Health Protection Agency has been responding to the death of a child in London. The most likely explanation for the child's death is an infection with diphtheria. The Agency is recommending that people ensure that they are up to date with their routine immunisations.
Steroids Provide No Survival Benefit For Children With Bacterial Meningitis
( CHOP 14-May-08 )
Corticosteroids given to children who are hospitalized for bacterial meningitis do not provide a benefit in survival or in reduced hospital stays, according to a large multicenter study by pediatric researchers.
Autism In Children And Mental Disorders In Parents Linked
( UNC 9-May-08 )
Parents of children with autism were roughly twice as likely to have been hospitalized for a mental disorder, such as schizophrenia, than parents of other children, according to an analysis of Swedish birth and hospital records by a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researcher and colleagues in the U.S. and Europe.
Mathematics Simplifies Sleep Monitoring
( 7-May-08 )
A UQ researcher has created a new way to measure breathing patterns in sleeping infants which may also work for adults.
UK Children Have Europe's Highest Skin Cancer Rates
( BAD 7-May-08 )
British parents are confused about the need to protect their children in the sun, despite the fact that children and teenagers in the UK have the highest rates of skin cancers of any European country.
Inquiry Into Teaching Of Children With Dyslexia
( Independent 7-May-08 )
Ministers will today announce a major review of the way an estimated 300,000 dyslexic children are taught in state schools.
Sir Jim Rose, the former Ofsted inspector heading an inquiry into the primary school curriculum, will be asked to review help offered to dyslexic pupils.
Managing Chinese Obese Children With Liver Disease
( WJG 6-May-08 )
Short-term lifestyle intervention is more effective than short-term vitamin E capsule therapy on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and so it should be the first step in the management of children with NAFLD.
1/4 US Toddlers Behind On Vaccinations
( HBNS 6-May-08 )
Your toddler might be improperly vaccinated, even if she's had every immunization the government recommends, according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Down's Syndrome Children May Only Need Bifocals For 2 Years
( CSOVS 5-May-08 )
Nearly one third of Down's syndrome children who wear bifocal lenses to help them focus accurately may only need to wear them for two years, according to new research from Cardiff University.
Scientists Overcome Gene Therapy Obstacle For Cystic Fibrosis
( CFT 5-May-08 )
Scientists from the UK CF Gene Therapy Consortium funded by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust have overcome a major obstacle in their ground-breaking gene therapy programme for Cystic Fibrosis.
Children In Leafy Suburbs 'Less Prone To Asthma'
( Independent 2-May-08 )
Children who live in streets lined with trees are less likely to develop asthma, researchers have found.
Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition
( NHMRC 1-May-08 )
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), an advisory committee appointed by the Minister for Health and Ageing, is responsible for the development and revision of the Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition (the Handbook). The Handbook is designed as a general guide to inform a wide target audience of health professionals on the safest and most effective vaccination strategies using the highest quality evidence available.
With Australia's Help, Malaysia Offers Hope To Local Patients With Facial Deformities
( ResearchSEA 29-Apr-08 )
In cooperation with the Australian Cranio-Maxillo Facial Foundation, University Science Malaysia (USM) offers hope to local patients with facial and skull deformities. The university plans to establish Malaysia's first Craniofacial Surgery Excellence Centre, which will offer help to local patients who are unable to afford the cost of treatment in Australia.
Sutter Pediatrician Addresses Importance Of Childhood Immunizations
( SRMG 29-Apr-08 )
Pediatrician Henry Collins, M.D., of Solano Regional Medical Group (SRMG), the multispecialty physician group affiliated with Sutter Regional Medical Foundation (SRMF), is talking about the importance and benefits of childhood immunizations this week, National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), April 19-26.
Children With Migraine At Increased Risk Of Sleep Disturbances
( AAN 29-Apr-08 )
Children with migraine are more likely to have sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea and lack of sleep, than children without migraine, according to research on the effects of headaches on children's sleep patterns that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology 60th Anniversary Annual Meeting in Chicago, April 12 - 19, 2008.
NT Indigenous Kids Health Blitz Begins
( DoHA 28-Apr-08 )
An ear-nose-throat surgery blitz for Indigenous kids in the Northern Territory kicks off today.
This will be the first of five blitz sessions by visiting ear-nose-throat (ENT) surgeons in Central Australia. 500 kids at this stage across the Northern Territory are expected to receive ENT surgery through visiting surgeons, including 200 children through these blitzes.
Study Suggests Why Teens Get Hooked On Cocaine More Easily Than Adults
( APA 28-Apr-08 )
New drug research suggests that teens may get addicted and relapse more easily than adults because developing brains are more powerfully motivated by drug-related cues. This conclusion has been reached by researchers who found that adolescent rats given cocaine - a powerfully addicting stimulant - were more likely than adults to prefer the place where they got it.
Tests Urged Prior To Stimulant Treatment For Children With ADHD
( AHA 28-Apr-08 )
Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) should get careful cardiac evaluation and monitoring - including an electrocardiogram (ECG) - before treatment with stimulant drugs, a new American Heart Association statement recommends.
Newborn Screening To Add Test For Cystic Fibrosis
( APDH 24-Apr-08 )
The Alabama Department of Public Health in partnership with the cystic fibrosis centres at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Children's Hospital of Alabama and the University of South Alabama announces further significant expansion of Alabama's newborn screening program.
Dress loud in May and help deaf kids!
( DKT 23-Apr-08 )
Deaf children are asking you to turn up the volume on Loud Shirt Day, 16 May, by swapping your usual school, work or sporting attire for your loudest shirt, tie or socks to raise money for vital services.
Many More Boys Treated With Growth Hormone Than Girls
( MNT 23-Apr-08 )
Boys are twice as likely as girls in the U.S. and Asia (mostly Japan) to receive recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) for growth hormone deficiency, illnesses that affect height, and short stature of a non-medical nature
Mistletoe As Cancer Treatment: Review Calls Evidence Weak
( HBNS 22-Apr-08 )
For many people, mistletoe conjures up images of Christmas holidays, but in parts of Europe, mistletoe extract is widely used as a therapy for cancer patients. However, a new review of studies finds only weak evidence that the treatment provides any benefit.
Too Much TV And Not Enough Physical Activity May Lead To Childhood Obesity
( EHS 22-Apr-08 )
Childhood obesity is a growing concern for pediatricians and caregivers. In response to this problem, the American Academy of Pediatrics created guidelines for children regarding physical activity and screen time, which includes both watching television and playing video games.
Vaccination campaign halts lethal strain of meningitis
( Independent 22-Apr-08 )
For the first time since records began, no meningitis C deaths were recorded in the UK in the past year among under-19s. The news prompted the UK Government to claim victory in the fight to persuade families of the benefits of mass vaccination.
Camp Offers Forum For Families Facing Paediatric Hearing Loss
( HEI 21-Apr-08 )
The Hallmark Hall of Fame movie "Sweet Nothing in My Ear" airing this Sunday, April 20, explores a choice families face when raising a deaf or hard-of-hearing child, whether to have their child receive a cochlear implant or not.
Children With Migraine At Increased Risk Of Sleep Disturbances
( AAN 21-Apr-08 )
Children with migraine are more likely to have sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea and lack of sleep, than children without migraine, according to research on the effects of headaches on children's sleep patterns.
5 Steps To Keep Young Athletes Healthy & Injury Free
( SLU 21-Apr-08 )
It's a question that bedevils virtually every parent with a kid who plays sports: Is there anything you can do to keep your young athlete on the field and off the injured list? It turns out the answer is yes...
Size Zero Models Fuel Rise Of Eating Disorders in UK
( CHC 18-Apr-08 )
With constant images of stick-thin, size-zero models, tiny-waisted pop princesses and actresses is putting young girls' health at risk and fuelling the rise in eating disorders.
Washington Post Examines Ways Parents Discuss Sex With Children
( DWHPR 18-Apr-08 )
According to the Washington Post, changes in reproductive technology and increased sexual imagery in news and entertainment outlets have caused many children to ask their parents about different sexual topics at earlier ages, leaving many parents unsure how to respond.
Antioxidants Do Not Help Children With Down's Syndrome
( ScienceDaily 18-Apr-08 )
Giving children with Down's syndrome antioxidants and nutrients does not help their condition improve at all, according to a study. UK researchers studied the effect of giving such supplements to 156 babies under 7 months old with Down's syndrome over an 18-month period.
The diet that can treat epilepsy
( Guardian 18-Apr-08 )
Giving drugs to children with epilepsy is often ineffective and can have terrible side-effects. But there is an alternative - a high-fat food plan that dramatically reduces seizures.
Male postnatal depression affects child behaviour
( Guardian 18-Apr-08 )
Postnatal depression in fathers can have long-term psychological effects on their children, a new study reveals.
New Diabetes And Pregnancy Guidelines for UK
( Diabetes UK 18-Apr-08 )
New clinical guidelines from NICE cover the care and treatment of pregnant women with diabetes in England and Wales, and the care of their newborn babies. It is written for women who have diabetes or who develop gestational diabetes in pregnancy.
Quebec To Offer Schoolgirls Free HPV Vaccines
( MNT 17-Apr-08 )
Girls from Quebec, Canada, in grades four and nine will be able to receive the HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccine if their parents request it. This will bring Quebec in line with other Canadian provinces. Authorities say this move will cost Quebec approximately CA$50 million this year.
Autistic Children Take Advantage Of Newly Released Mac Educational Programs
( MNT 17-Apr-08 )
Blooming Kids Software, a company that creates computer programs designed to teach children who have Autism, PDD and other needs requiring early intervention, has added Mac versions of its educational programs.
UK Food Standards Agency Makes New Recommendation On Food Additives
( MNT 17-Apr-08 )
The UK Food Standards Agency announced its decision to recommend to Ministers the phasing out of six colours in food and drink in the EU. These six colours had been shown to increase hyperactive behaviour of children.
Traffic Exhaust Can Cause Asthma and Allergies In Children
( MNT 15-Apr-08 )
Children exposed to high levels of air pollution during their first year of life run a greater risk of developing asthma, pollen allergies, and impaired respiratory function. However, genetic factors are also at play.
Increase In Severe pneumonia in children may be caused by vaccine
( Independent 14-Apr-08 )
Cases of a life-threatening form of pneumonia that affects the young are rising rapidly in Britain. It now affects around 1,000 children a year. The cause of the increase is unknown but experts fear a vaccine in the immunisation programme could be contributing.
Exploring Infant Feeding And The Development Of Obesity
( Kellen Communications 14-Apr-08 )
A symposium at the American Society for Nutrition's annual meeting at Experimental Biology was held in which noted scientists discussed new infant feeding studies that offer new insights into possible associations between infant feeding and health outcomes such as obesity.
Early Detection Can Make Speech Problems Correctable
( Rutgers University 14-Apr-08 )
Uncover how the brains of infants distinguish differences in sounds and it may become possible to correct language problems even before children start to speak, sparing them the difficulties that come from struggling with language.
Link Between Sleep Disorder and Behavior Issues in Kids
( 14-Apr-08 )
A new study by researchers at Hasbro Children’s Hospital offers a closer look at the association between childhood sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), including snoring and sleep apnea, and behavioural problems like hyperactivity and anxiety.
Parents' Behavior Has Direct Impact On Children's Sleep
( Université de Montréal 14-Apr-08 )
Parents who want their babies to sleep through the night would be wise to avoid co-sleeping arrangements or feeding their children evening snacks beyond early infancy. According to a recent study the way parents put their babies to bed has a direct impact on how well children sleep when they reach four to six years old.
Children At Highest Risk From Obesity Struggle With Change
( VUMC 11-Apr-08 )
A new study shows that children with obesity-related diabetes are reporting serious difficulties in making basic lifestyle changes that could save them from a lifetime of complications.
Heart Disease Predetermined By Oxygen Levels In The Womb
( SE 11-Apr-08 )
The amount of oxygen available to a baby in the womb can affect their susceptibility to developing particular diseases later in life. Research presented at the annual Society for Endocrinology BES meeting in Harrogate shows that your risk of developing cardiovascular disease can be predetermined before birth, not only by your genes, but also by their interaction with the quality of the environment you experience in the womb.
Backpack Straps Can Decrease Blood Flow In The Shoulder And Arm
( APS 11-Apr-08 )
More than 92 percent of the children in the U.S. carry backpacks. Typically the backpacks are loaded with almost one-fourth of the child's body weight (22 percent) and worn with only one strap. Last year, a team of physician researchers examined the effect heavy-loaded backpack straps can have on children. They found the straps can significantly increase pressure when the load is ten percent or more.
For Children With Heart Disease, A Risk Of Attention And Behavior Problems
( CHOP 11-Apr-08 )
Schoolchildren who required surgery as infants for congenital heart disease (CHD) run a significant risk of having problems with inattention and hyperactivity, and often require remedial services in school.
Personal Responsibility vs. The Nanny State
( www.disabilityisnatural.com 11-Apr-08 )
Personal responsibility is something most of us take pretty seriously in our individual lives, within our families, on the job, and in other areas of life. But for people with disabilities, personal responsibility is skewed, aberrant, or non-existent.
Study Supports Theory That Rise In Autism Is Related To Changes In Diagnosis
( WT 11-Apr-08 )
Research funded by the Wellcome Trust suggests that many children diagnosed with severe language disorders in the 1980s and 1990s would today be diagnosed as having autism. The research supports the theory that the rise in the number of cases of autism may be related to changes in how it is diagnosed.
Treating Post-Traumatic Stress First Helps Children Overcome Grief
( UG 11-Apr-08 )
Post traumatic stress disorder is commonly thought to effect victims of major trauma and those who witness violence, but a new University of Georgia study finds that it also can affect children who have lost a parent expectedly to diseases such as cancer.
Marijuana Increases Alcohol Toxicity In Young Rats
( W-B 11-Apr-08 )
Marijuana is among the most frequently used illicit drugs by women during their childbearing years and there is growing concern that marijuana abuse during pregnancy, either alone or in combination with other drugs, may have serious effects on fetal brain development.
150,000 Children Join Active After-school Program
( DoHA 10-Apr-08 )
More than 150,000 children are now playing sport, games and activities after school in the Federal Government's safe, fun and structured Active After-school Communities (AASC) program.
Children Who Less Sleep And Watch More TV More Likely To Be Overweight
( HMS 10-Apr-08 )
Infants and toddlers who sleep less than 12 hours a day are twice as likely to become overweight by age 3 than children who sleep longer. In addition, high levels of television viewing combined with less sleep elevates the risk, so that children who sleep less than 12 hours and who view two or more hours of television per day have a 16 percent chance of becoming overweight by age 3.
Weight Gain In Children Can Be Curbed By Changing School Environment
( TU 10-Apr-08 )
Small changes in schools lead to big results when it comes to preventing childhood obesity, according to a study published in the April issue of Pediatrics. The school-based intervention, which reduced the incidence of overweight by 50 percent, offers a potential means of preventing childhood weight gain and obesity on a large scale.
Pediatrician Advice Followed By Parents Concerning MMR Vaccinations
( CHOP 10-Apr-08 )
News stories about an allegedly harmful link between the mumps, measles and rubella vaccine and the onset of autism had little effect on whether U.S. parents immunized their children, according to a review of immunization records and news stories. Parents' decisions were more likely influenced by recommendations from their child's pediatrician, the researchers said.
Supplement Alerts Pediatricians To The Developmental Nature Of Underage Drinking
( NIAAA 10-Apr-08 )
In a special supplement to Pediatrics, edited and sponsored by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), physicians will have access in one place to the reviews and analyses of current research on biological, behavioral, and environmental changes during childhood and adolescence that foster the initiation, maintenance, and acceleration of illegal use of alcohol by underage youth.
Research Suggests Long Term Effects Of Fetal Cocaine Exposure
( WFUBMC 10-Apr-08 )
Are the estimated 1 million young adults who were exposed to cocaine before birth more vulnerable to drug abuse today? New research indicating long-lasting brain changes suggests the possibility especially in males according to a report from Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
Your Baby's Brain On Drugs (And Alcohol And Tobacco)
( CHOP 10-Apr-08 )
Although behavioral studies clearly indicate that exposure to drugs, alcohol and tobacco in utero is bad for a baby's developing brain, specific anatomic brain effects have been hard to tease out in humans. Often users don't limit themselves to one substance, and demographic factors like poverty can also influence brain development.
Childhood Autism Linked To Substantial Loss Of Household Income
( AAP 9-Apr-08 )
Families of children with autism incur substantial out-of-pocket costs for educational, behavioral and health care services. A new study in the journal Pediatrics found autism also has an impact on the income side of the family economy.
Premature Babies And Autism
( NHSChoices 9-Apr-08 )
"One in four premature babies 'faces the risk of autism'," reports the Daily Mail. The Daily Express also covers the story, saying that those who are the smallest at birth are the most vulnerable. Both newspapers go on to say that this could explain the rise in the number of children with autism in recent years.
Children's Hospital Contributes Data To Enhance Autism Research Worldwide
( CHOP 9-Apr-08 )
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has contributed a large genotype dataset to the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE), a scientific program of the organization Autism Speaks, dedicated to advancing genetic research in autism. This large genetic dataset will now be broadly accessible to autism researchers worldwide.
Aggressive Behavior In Children May Be Result Of Early Neglect
( UNC 9-Apr-08 )
Children who are neglected before their second birthday display higher levels of aggressive behavior between ages 4 and 8, according to a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study, published today in the journal Pediatrics.
6-Fold Risk Of Heart Disease By Teen Years Faced By Inactive Kids
( UNC 9-Apr-08 )
Young children who lead inactive lifestyles are five-to-six times more likely to be at serious risk of heart disease, with that degree of danger emerging as early as their teenage years, according to a new study by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
For Obese Children, Lower Intensity Exercise Could Yield Increased Weight Loss
( MNT 9-Apr-08 )
Obese children who wish to lose their excess weight most effectively will have better results if they focus on less intense exercise, according to a study of prepubescent boys released on April 1, 2008 in the BMJ Specialty Journal the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Treatment For One Drug-Resistant Disease Leads To Second Drug-Resistant Disease
( MNT 9-Apr-08 )
An article published in the journal The Lancet reports that using fluoroquinones to treat children with tuberculosis that is resistant to multiple drugs has led to the development of pneumococci in children that is also resistant to this class of drugs.
Understanding Autism: April Is National Autism Awareness Month
( USC 9-Apr-08 )
Control and Prevention say autism may affect as many as 1 in every 150 children, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined.
Special Olympic Junior Athlete Profile: Ferdhi Ramadhan
( SOA 8-Apr-08 )
From April 11 to 13, Special Olympics Australia (SOA), the key body providing sporting programs for people with an intellectual disability, will host the 8 to 15 year olds in only the second Games of this kind. Accessibility Online will feature profiles of some of the young Australian and International athletes competing. The games provide important sporting opportunities for people with intellectual disability.
Handbook To Assist With Best Immunisation Practice
( DoHA 8-Apr-08 )
Release of the ninth edition of the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
This book helps doctors and parents ensure that children are properly immunised, at the right time - keeping kids healthy.
905,000 US Children Were Victims Of Maltreatment In One Year
( MNT 8-Apr-08 )
According to a new report, about 905,000 American children were victims of maltreatment, 91,278 of them were infants - these figures refer to registered cases by CPS (Child Protective Services) agencies for the period October 2005 to September 2006. About 19% of all child maltreatment deaths happened to babies under the age of one year. According to official figures, an infant's greatest risk of death from maltreatment is during his/her first week of life.
Adoption From Abroad - Three Quarters Of Children Do Well
( BPS 8-Apr-08 )
Children who are adopted from abroad eventually adjust to their new lives and do well, although up to a quarter of the children experience some persistent problems following their adoption.
Lack Of Exercise When Young May Lead To Heart Disease
( BMC 8-Apr-08 )
A lack of physical activity and fitness as a child can lead to an increased risk of heart disease according to research published in the open access journal Dynamic Medicine.
FDA Approves New Vaccine To Prevent Gastroenteritis Caused By Rotavirus
( FDA 8-Apr-08 )
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the approval of Rotarix, the second oral U.S. licensed vaccine for the prevention of rotavirus, an infection that causes gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea) in infants and children. Rotarix is a liquid and given in a two-dose series to infants from 6 to 24 weeks of age.
Vaccine Induced Inflammation Linked To Epidemic Of Type 2 Diabetes
( CI 8-Apr-08 )
Newly published data by Dr. J. Barthelow Classen in The Open Endocrinology Journal shows a 50% reduction of type 2 diabetes occurred in Japanese children following the discontinuation of a single vaccine, a vaccine to prevent tuberculosis.
Families Of Children With Cancer Support Human Tissue Research
( UL 7-Apr-08 )
Families of children with cancer support research using tissue samples left over after operations, a new study has found.
Contrary to reports of a public crisis of confidence in tissue-based research, a team led by the University of Leicester found that all 20 children and 59 parents they interviewed would be happy to consent to donating samples to a tissue bank for childhood cancer research.
Smoking During Pregnancy Linked to Low Baby Birthweight
( MJA 7-Apr-08 )
Babies whose teenage mothers smoked during pregnancy are more likely to suffer from low birthweight (LBW) than babies whose mothers did not smoke, according to a study in the latest Medical Journal of Australia.
Early-Onset Obesity In Father Linked To Increased Potential For Liver Disease In Child
( AGA 4-Apr-08 )
A history of early-onset paternal obesity increases the odds of elevated liver enzyme levels in offspring and points to the potential for a genetic link between obesity and liver disease, according to a study in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute.
Are Teenage Brains Really Different?
( EHS 2-Apr-08 )
Many parents are convinced that the brains of their teenage offspring are different than those of children and adults. New data confirms that this is the case. An article by Jay N. Giedd, MD, of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), published in the April 2008 issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health describes how brain changes in the adolescent brain impact cognition, emotion and behavior.
Honour For Top Scientist From Australian Academy Of Science
( RA 2-Apr-08 )
Joining the ranks of Australia's most esteemed scientists is Professor Patrick Tam from the Children's Medical Research Institute, (CMRI) who has just been elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.
Stimulant Treatment For Young Children With ADHD Does Not Lead To Increased Risk Of Substance Abuse
( APA 2-Apr-08 )
Treatment of children with stimulant medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) does not increase the risk of substance abuse later in adolescence and early adulthood.
Competitive And Individual-Type Learning Leads To Lower Achievement, Poorer Social Interaction
( APA 1-Apr-08 )
Students competing for resources in the classroom while discounting each others' success are less likely to earn top grades than students who work together toward goals and share their success, according to an analysis of 80 years of research.
Differences In Test Scores In School-Age Children May Be Explained By Family Wealth
( SRCD 1-Apr-08 )
A new study published in the March/April 2008 issue of the journal Child Development finds that family wealth might partly explain differences in test scores in school-age children. The study, conducted by researchers at New York University, also found that family wealth is positively associated with parenting behavior, home environment, and children's self-esteem.
Children Who Bully Also Have Problems With Other Relationships
( SRCD 1-Apr-08 )
Students who bully others tend to have difficulties with other relationships, such as those with friends and parents. Targeting those relationships, as well as the problems children who bully have with aggression and morality, may offer ideas for intervention and prevention.
Number Skills Of Low-Income Preschoolers Boosted By Playing Numerical Board Games
( SRCD 1-Apr-08 )
Playing numerical board games can improve low-income preschoolers' number skills, offering a promising way to reduce the discrepancies in numerical knowledge between children from poor families and those from middle-income families.
MMR Doctor Denies Submitting Kids To Painful Tests Just To Prove His Theories
( MNT 1-Apr-08 )
Dr. Andrew Wakefield told a General Medical Council (GMC) disciplinary panel he did not submit young children to painful tests just to further his theories linking vaccinations to autism. He stressed that the tests were clinically necessary to diagnose and treat the young children - he said the children had autistic-like symptoms as well as debilitating bowel diseases.
Mysterious Child Fevers Of Unknown Origin: Could Surgery Be A Cure?
( CHB 31-Mar-08 )
A child spikes a high fever, sometimes as high as 104 or 105 degrees, and sometimes causing seizures. She's rushed to the emergency room, the hospital runs test after test, specialists are brought in, but no explanation is found.
Many families, though no one knows how many, go through this cyclical nightmare.
Study Finds Improvement In The Care Of Children With Cancer At The End Of Life
( D-FCI 31-Mar-08 )
Expanded use of palliative care services is associated with enhanced communications between families and caregivers, improved symptoms management, and better quality of life for children dying from cancer, according to study by researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Children's Hospital Boston.
Young Hyperactive Girls More Likely To Have Serious Problems As Adults
( UCL 31-Mar-08 )
Young girls who are hyperactive are more likely to get hooked on smoking, under-perform in school or jobs and gravitate towards mentally abusive relationships as adults, according to a joint study by researchers from the Université de Montréal and the University College London (UCL).
Introducing Great Moves! A New Pediatric Weight Management Program
( PWMC 31-Mar-08 )
Pediatric Weight Management Centers LLC is pleased to introduce Great Moves!, a new weight management program that aims to tackle the obesity epidemic plaguing children, adolescents and their families in the Boston area, and across the U.S. Great Moves! is based in part on a protocol developed at Children's Hospital Boston.
Doctor Who Began MMR Scare Stands By Research
( Independent 29-Mar-08 )
The doctor who linked MMR vaccine with autism, triggering a collapse in vaccination rates, has defended his research, saying he adhered at all times to official ethical guidelines.
Lifetime Effects Of Pediatric Liver Transplants
( BP 28-Mar-08 )
Parents of pediatric liver transplant recipients report lower health-related quality of life for their children two years after the surgery, compared to reports from the parents of healthy children. However, reports of family dysfunction fall within the normal range.
Cod Liver Oil Reduces Painkiller Use
( NHSChoices 27-Mar-08 )
"Two teaspoons of cod liver oil a day can cut the number of powerful painkillers needed to ease the pain of arthritis", reports the Daily Mail. Patients who were given the supplements "were able to reduce their daily dose of anti-inflammatory drugs", the newspaper says.
Social Problems In Youth Contribute To Anxiety And Depression
( SRCD 27-Mar-08 )
Socially successful children tend to have fewer symptoms of anxiety or depression, while children with problems such as anxiety and depression tend to have difficulties forming relationships and being accepted by friends. However, it is difficult to determine whether the anxiety and depression lead to the social problems, or vice versa.
Premature Babies Face Lifelong Health Problems
( Independent 27-Mar-08 )
Premature babies face a lifetime of potential health problems, imposing a huge burden on parents and threatening a public health crisis, researchers have warned.
'Twofold To Fivefold' Increase In Personal Problems Reported By Adolescents With Chronic Insomnia
( UT 25-Mar-08 )
Documenting a "twofold to fivefold" increase in personal problems among adolescents with persistent sleeplessness, public health researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston say they have completed the first prospective study demonstrating the negative impact of chronic insomnia on 11 to 17 year olds.
Key Strategies Can Protect Youth From Sexual Abuse
( PNA 24-Mar-08 )
The numbers speak louder than words: There are over 83 pregnancies per 1,000 adolescents in the United States, compared with 10 in Japan and 12 in the Netherlands. However, according to a recent article in Pediatric Nursing journal, understanding the risk factors for sexual assault and early sexual behavior and then implementing protective steps can go a long way in keeping children safe.
What Is Life Like For Teens With Allergies?
( UP 24-Mar-08 )
A study into teenagers with food allergies will investigate what life is like for them in an attempt to improve their quality of life and curb the number of allergy-related deaths.
Landmark 'Pediatric Allergies In America' Survey Uncovered Negative Impact Of Allergy Symptoms On Children
( ACAAi 24-Mar-08 )
Data from the largest survey of its kind suggested there's a silent epidemic among our nation's children. U.S. children are suffering with allergies and not getting the treatment they need, according to the Pediatric Allergies in America survey, which is the largest and most comprehensive national survey of parents of children under the age of 18 who suffer from allergic rhinitis.
New Book Addresses School Violence And Its Prevention
( UM-C 21-Mar-08 )
By the time a child enters third grade, it may be too late to change behavioral issues that could lead to more serious problems later in life, including violent and aggressive behavior. A University of Missouri professor discusses the importance of proactive prevention of behavioral problems at an early age in her new book Implementing Positive Behavior Support Systems in Early Childhood and Elementary Settings.
University Of Kent Study Aims To Encourage Physical Exercise For 11 - 15 Year Old Girls
( KU 21-Mar-08 )
A new study at the University of Kent aims to reduce obesity and promote wellbeing by encouraging increased physical exercise for 11 - 15-year-old girls.
Significant Reduction In Pneumococcal Disease Rates Post-Vaccine
( ASM 21-Mar-08 )
Since the approval of a vaccine against pneumococcal bacteria for young children in 2000, rates of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) are down significantly in all age groups, while rates of IPD caused by non-vaccine strains are modestly on the rise.
Combination Vaccines Hold Potential In The South African Pediatric Vaccine Market
( F & S 21-Mar-08 )
Combination pediatric vaccines are rapidly climbing the technology ladder as they have the ability to increase the immunization coverage rate by lowering the amount of injections needed. Unfortunately, however, the South African public sector has limited access to this technology due to its slow adoption rate of new technology and cost constraints.
Parents Reminded To Keep Household Poisons Out Of Reach
( NSWHealth 20-Mar-08 )
NSW Minister for Health, Reba Meagher, today reminded the community of the dangers of poisons in and around the home.
Ms Meagher said figures published by the Poisons Information Centre show more than 100,000 people contact the centre every year seeking help or information about poisons.
Discovery Of Signaling System That Halts The Growth Of A Childhood Brain Cancer
( SJCRH 19-Mar-08 )
A discovery by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists suggests a safer way to treat medulloblastoma, a rare but often fatal childhood brain tumor. The group found that one of the brain's signaling pathways inhibits the growth of the highly aggressive cancer cells.
AMA Wants Smoking Out of Kids Movies
( AMA 19-Mar-08 )
On National Youth Tobacco Free Day, the AMA is calling for a higher classification to be given to films with positive depictions of smoking.
Symptoms Of Depression In Children Are Different From Those In Adults
( DAI 19-Mar-08 )
Depression is not always manifested in children as dejection and anhedonia. Depending on the age of the child, the dominant features may be weeping, irritability or defiance, as explained by Prof. Claudia Mehler-Wex and Dr. Michael Kolch of Ulm University in the new edition of Deutsches Arzteblatt International (Dtsch Arztebl Int 2008; 105(9): 149-55).
New Approaches To Consumer Education And Treatment Of Allergic Diseases
( AAAAI 19-Mar-08 )
Since a patients' understanding of asthma symptoms and their management plan is vital to preventing asthma complications, Amanda Hudgins, MD and colleagues at Texas Tech University presented their study at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). They studied the effectiveness of a one day asthma camp on childrens' understanding of their disease.
Harder To Curb Teen Drinking In Inner City Areas Compared To Rural Areas
( UF 19-Mar-08 )
Efforts to keep middle schoolers from consuming alcohol are more effective in rural areas than inner city ones, according to a study carried out by researchers at the University of Florida.
Increased Risk For Eating Disorders Found In Adolescent Girls With ADHD
( UV 18-Mar-08 )
Girls with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder stand a substantially greater risk of developing eating disorders in adolescence than girls without ADHD, a new study has found.
TV Junk Food Ad Ban a Must
( AMA 18-Mar-08 )
AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said today that Australia should join an international movement to ban junk food advertising in children’s television viewing times.
Chronic Snoring Remains After Surgery For Obese And African-American Children
( MNT 18-Mar-08 )
A new study from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center reports that surgery to remove children's tonsils and adenoids to treat sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) may be successful in the short term. However, children who gain weight rapidly and African-American children tend to relapse or even worsen. The study is published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
New Research On The Origins Of Asthma And Allergies Presented At Annual Meeting
( AAAAI 18-Mar-08 )
Viral illnesses that produce wheezing are very common in early childhood, but not all children who wheeze in the first several years of life go on to develop asthma. D.J. Jackson, MD and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin, Madison presented their study at the 2008 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.
Places Available For 2008 Asthma UK Children's Holidays
( Asthma UK 18-Mar-08 )
Asthma UK is offering children and young people with asthma an opportunity to go on a potentially life-changing adventure holiday.
Daycare Program To Prevent Obesity Benefits Preschoolers
( AHA 18-Mar-08 )
A preschool-based intervention program helped prevent early trends toward obesity and instilled healthy eating habits in multi-ethnic 2- to 5-year-olds, according to a report presented at the American Heart Association's Conference on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism.
Gene Hunters Fine Tune Marker For Common Obesity Gene
( CHoP 18-Mar-08 )
Genomics researchers, seeking to replicate another group's discovery of an important gene associated with obesity, have further refined the signal to a particular variant in DNA that may be more helpful in identifying this gene's role in obesity in various human populations worldwide.
Gene Therapy Could Save Kids With Rare Metabolic Disorder From A Lifetime Of Eating Cornstarch
( DUMC 17-Mar-08 )
A gene therapy treatment that restores a missing liver enzyme in test animals could provide a cure for a rare metabolic disorder in humans, according to Duke University Medical Center researchers.
Many Children Unimmunized And Susceptible To Measles, Mumps, And Rubella
( MNT 17-Mar-08 )
A large study of children born between 2000 and 2002 in the United Kingdom has determined that there are not enough children being immunized against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) in order to ensure appropriate control of these diseases. These results were published on February 29, 2008 in BMJ.
SWISH - Making A Real Difference
( NSWHealth 17-Mar-08 )
NSW Health Minister, Reba Meagher, today released new figures highlighting the success of an Australian first hearing program for babies. To mark the fifth year of the SWISH Program (Statewide Infant Screening - Hearing), Ms Meagher said 98% of all babies born over the past five years have been screened for hearing problems.
ADHD Treatment for Children Different Between Specialties
( MJA 17-Mar-08 )
Standardisation of diagnosis and treatment of ADHD is needed to ensure consistency between treatment by psychiatrists and paediatricians, according to a study in the latest Medical Journal of Australia.
Link Confirmed Between Common Cold And Ear Infection
( UTMB 17-Mar-08 )
A new five-year study at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston confirms the suspected close link between the two most common diseases of young children: colds and ear infections.
Booster Seats Need to Accommodate Overweight Children
( MJA 14-Mar-08 )
Australian standards for child booster seats in cars need to be reassessed to allow for increasing rates of overweight and obesity in children, according to a study in the latest Medical Journal of Australia.
'Stop Smoking In Pregnancy For More Relaxed Babies'
( Independent 14-Mar-08 )
Women who give up smoking in pregnancy have more relaxed children, research suggests. At nine months, children of women who quit while pregnant were more positive, more receptive to new things and more likely to have regular sleeping and eating patterns.
Obesity In Offspring Not Strongly Linked To Maternal Obesity Says Study
( UB 14-Mar-08 )
Professor Debbie Lawlor and colleagues used two approaches to test the 'developmental overnutrition' hypothesis which asserts that if a woman is overweight during pregnancy, high sugar and fat levels in her body might permanently affect her growing baby's appetite control and metabolism, thus increasing the child's risk of becoming obese in later life.