Tick-Borne Diseases on the Rise
Diseases carried by ticks are rising steadily. And it's not just Lyme disease anymore...   > >
Teens' Fear is Different
Problems with anxiety often show up in adolescence. A study shows why, and why it's hard for teens to calm down...   > >
Give a Child an Orange...
When children were given easy or free access to fruit, they not only ate more healthy stuff, they ate fewer unhealthy snacks...   > >
Calcium May Prevent Parathyroid Tumors
Your parathyroids are only the size of grains of rice, but they can cause bone loss, cancer, and depression...   > >
HPV Vaccine Brings Safety, Not Promiscuity
Good news for parents: Protecting pre-teen girls with the HPV vaccine does not lead to a rise in sexual behavior...   > >
No More Tears
A new quick-release adhesive tape doesn't pull or damage skin. Where was this stuff when we were young?   > >
The Organic Food Debate, PG-13 Version
The American Academy of Pediatrics weighs in, focusing on what non-organic foods may do to developing brains...   > >
Time in Front of a Screen Slows Development
Screen time is physiologically distinct from other sedentary activities like reading or being read to. And that's a problem...   > >
Acne Goes Viral
Despite what the infomercials say, a cure for acne remains elusive. But scientists may have found a virus up to the task...   > >
What's Your Playground Personality?
Your friends know you better than you think. In fact, kids we played with in first grade are surprisingly accurate...   > >
Neural Processing Issues and Autism
Researchers are looking at autism in new ways and may have found a possible treatment for one form of the disorder...   > >
Dioxin: The Toxin that Keeps on Giving
Dioxin persists in the environment, and the body, for a very long time. It appears its effects can last for generations...   > >
Helping Parents Understand Tantrums
Temper tantrums are inescapable. But certain behaviors suggest worrisome personality issues to come...   > >
Consumption Raises Exposure? BPA Linked to Obesity
Children and teens with high levels of bisphenol A were over two and a half times more likely to be obese. Why?   > >
Why Cramming Is a No-Brainer
Students who sacrifice sleep to study tend to see diminishing returns. There is time for both...   > >
Sugary Drinks Linked to Genetic Predisposition to Obesity
As more studies spotlight the role of sugary drinks in obesity, governments step in to address the problem and contain costs...   > >
Toddlers' Magnetic Attraction
Too many toddlers have been showing up in ERs from swallowing pre-measured detergent packets and magnets. Some teens, too...   > >
The Shy-Kid Disadvantage
Children who are quiet or withdrawn may not reap the same benefits of education as the outgoing ones. The remedy?   > >
Bad to the Brain
Overweight kids with metabolic syndrome symptoms score lower on IQ and achievement tests. Why? Their brains are affected...   > >
Students, You Can Learn While You Sleep
But don't try it in place of studying. The brain does pick up, or at least cement, information while we sleep...   > >
The Dividends of Feeding Your Children Well
An Australian study has found that children with a healthier diet by age 2, had a higher IQ at age 8. It's no coincidence...   > >
The Road to Well-Being: Paved with Relationships
Parents should pay more attention to kids' friendships than academics, a study suggests. Having friends matters more...   > >
Can Antibiotics Make You Fat?
Antibiotics appear to fatten up kids the way they fatten up cattle. Needless to say, this is not necessarily a good thing...   > >
Time to Take Little Ones' Food Allergies Seriously
Do you roll your eyes when told you can't send your child out with a peanut butter sandwich? Roll no more. It's serious...   > >
Google It? Maybe Not for Children's Health
Parents are a little too trusting of the children's health information they find on the Web. It pays to know how to look...   > >
Dental Fillings May Pose Risk to Children
Fillings with a form of the chemical BPA raise the likelihood that a child will have emotional or behavioral problems...   > >
Flavor Preferences Begin in the Womb
Infants' food and flavor preferences are shaped during pregnancy. Think of your baby before reaching for cookies or chips...   > >
Vitamin C Helps Babies of Mothers Who Smoke
Babies of mothers who smoke have poor lung function. When smoking moms take vitamin C prenatally, something great happens...   > >
Kids with Hypertension
The number of children hospitalized for high blood pressure has doubled in a decade. And the costs are enormous...   > >
Vision Quest
Children who are nearsighted have a hard time seeing the blackboard and computer screens. This can affect school performance...   > >
For Dyslexics, It's the Space Between Letters that Matters
Reading speed and comprehension improved with there was more space around each letter and word...   > >
A Doggy Defense Against Asthma
Having a dog around the house may help children develop the microbes they need to fight off RSV, often a precursor to asthma...   > >
Is The Soda Industry Blaming Us?
In the “war” against obesity, it seems that the soda industry wants to shift the blame to consumers. ..   > >
Bullying, Violence Take a Toll on Children's Cells
Stress, particularly violence, appears to prematurely age children at a cellular level, leaving them vulnerable to disease...   > >
Oxytocin for Autism
Oxytocin, the mother-infant bonding hormone, activates the "social" areas of the brain. It may one day help treat autism...   > >
Teenaged Hearts in Trouble
It's not romance but obesity that is breaking adolescent hearts. The early signs of cardiovascular disease are already evident...   > >
A Simple Way to Improve School Attendance
Can clean hands improve kids' academic performance? Actually, yes. And parents miss fewer days of work, too...   > >
Brain Injury in Young Stars
The number of high school football players suffering from “catastrophic” brain injury rose last year. But luckily numbers are low...   > >
Fingertip Health Tool: Texting
Text messaging is proving useful to promoting public health — as long as it isn't done while you are driving...   > >
Why Babies Don't Come with a Manual
A survey of child-rearing books over the past 50 years finds many contradictions, but offers perhaps the best advice of all...   > >
Time to Address Adolescent Health
There are nearly two billion adolescents worldwide. If you think that's scary, consider the health risks they face...   > >
Girls, Alcohol and BDD
Teenaged girls who drink have an increased risk of benign breast disease and ultimately, breast cancer. Can folate help?   > >
Sunscreen and Kids' Brainpower
If you use sunscreen to protect your child's skin, are you also preventing vitamin D synthesis and mental development?   > >
Body Weight vs. Body Image
Sometimes losing weight does not solve a young woman's body image issues. ..   > >
Just say "S" for No More Tears
The five S's calm babies who have just felt the sting of a vaccination; it's likely they can help at other times, too...   > >
A Blood Test to Diagnose Teen Depression
Markers found in a simple blood test reliably distinguished depressed teens from those who weren't. Treatment is trickier...   > >
The Road to Reading
When children come to understand that the story they love is also a thing in print, it can inspire them to want to read...   > >
Home Visits Cut Asthma Costs
For kids with asthma and their parents, home healthcare visits save time away from work and out of school and lots of money...   > >
Special K Linked to Incontinence, Bleeding
The club drug Special K or Ketamine can cause serious bladder problems in the people who use it...   > >
Organic Sweetener Adds Arsenic to Diet
Brown rice syrup, used in baby formulas and energy bars, contains arsenic, often in amounts exceeding safe limits...   > >
Teaching Kids It's OK to Fail
Teaching kids that failing is a part of learning can give them the confidence to do well...   > >
Hide and Sneak with Veggies
Jessica Seinfeld made the practice of hiding veggies in other foods famous. But it may not be such a great plan after all...   > >
Training Parents of Autistic Kids
Training parents helps them help their children behave better. It's no different for parents of kids with ASD...   > >
Profiles in Sugar: Kids' Consumption Patterns from the CDC
The Centers of Disease Control have released a report on sugar consumption. Some of the news is encouraging, but not all...   > >
Antidepressants, Adolescents and Suicide
A new study finds that antidepressants do not raise the risk of suicide, but offer some protection. Kids are different...   > >
Step Aside, Mom and Dad?
Parents have long been key players in helping their kids lose weight. But for teens, peers may be more important...   > >
Physical Activity Improves Academic Performance
Want kids to pay attention in school? Give them more time to be active...   > >
Spanking's Lasting Effects
Physical punishment can make children prone to aggression and certain psychological problems. There are other options...   > >
New Vaccine Guidelines
There are new vaccination recommendations target young men and boys, pregnant women, and diabetics...   > >
Infection Risk in Formula Preparation
Cronobacter infection can be deadly for infants. The CDC suggests ways to protect infant formula from the microbe...   > >
ADHD, The Food Connection
Sugar, preservatives and allergies have been thought to contribute to attention deficits. A meta-analysis finds a new culprit...   > >
Obese Teens
Teens rated as less attached during infancy were almost 2.5 times more likely to become obese. It's no coincidence...   > >
Raising Teens' IQs
An extra year or two of education can raise IQ significantly, even if the students are already teens...   > >
When Less Equals More
There's a really simple way to increase kids' intake of fruits and veggies. Probably works for parents, too...   > >
Allergies: When to Test
When should your child be tested for an allergy? New professional guidelines are aimed at avoiding unnecessary procedures...   > >
Are Playgrounds Boring Kids?
Out on the playground, there's a fine line between safe and boring. Kids need a challenge...   > >
Environmental Pollutants Cut Vaccines' Effectiveness
Children's immune response to vaccines was greatly reduced if they had been exposed to a common chemical compound...   > >
New Proposed Guidelines on Lead
A CDC committee recommends more prevention and a lower threshold at which children are treated for lead exposure...   > >
Doubly Disadvantaged
Underprivileged kids have less chance to play at school, at home, in their neighborhoods. The effects aren't just physical...   > >
Salty Food Preferences Form Early
Parents may unknowingly create a lifelong preference for salt in their babies as they introduce solids. What to look for...   > >
Family Combat Fatigue
The brains of children exposed to family violence show changes similar to those of soldiers back from combat...   > >
Childhood Obesity Risks Reversed
If obese or overweight kids lose the weight as they become adults, the associated health risks also seem to vanish...   > >
Tongue-Tied Babies
This condition makes it hard for newborns to latch on to breastfeed. It's easily diagnosed and treated...   > >
Toxic Soup?
BPA is not only in plastics; it's in the lining of cans. Eating canned soup puts more of this toxin in your body...   > >
Soccer Headers Damage Brain Cells
DTI brain scans of players found the most damage in those who headed the ball the most. And the players were amateurs...   > >
Infants' Moral Compasses Develop Early
At 5 months babies know who is naughty or nice. And by 8 months, they like to see a bit of justice done...   > >
Iron Babies, a Delicate Balance
Iron is routinely added to formula to prevent anemia, but too much iron seems to also carry risks...   > >
An Autism Conundrum
Autism spectrum disorders are increasingly being linked to different genetic mutations. This poses problems for treatment...   > >
PID Still Threatens Fertility
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease increases the risk of female infertility and chronic pain: Get checked now...   > >
Kids Need Cholesterol Screening
Checking children's LDL and triglyceride levels by age 11 can help prevent problems later...   > >
Chicken Pox Parties??
Pox- tainted lollipops are a mail order business for some. It's illegal, and "a really bad idea," says the CDC. Vaccinate...   > >
Too Many Neurons in Autistic Brains
Runaway neuronal growth in the prefrontal cortex. That's what researchers found when they checked the brains of kids with autism...   > >
Students Are the Best Teachers
How can we help preschoolers with poor language skills? Put them in classes with kids with better skills...   > >
Over-Diagnosed and Over-Prescribed
Crying, colicky babies are hard to bear. But should they be treated with acid-suppressing drugs?   > >
BPA in Utero Affects Girls' Brains
BPA exposure in the womb was linked to behavioral and emotional problems in girls. Why not boys?   > >
Helping Poor Readers
The same techniques that help dyslexic children decipher language can help children with difficulties attributed to low IQ...   > >
Soda's Violent Side
The "Twinkie defense" returns: The more sugary, fizzy sodas a teen drank, the more likely he or she was to become violent...   > >
Educational TV? Not for Toddlers
The AAP has come out with a statement outlining just how bad television and media are for little kids...   > >
In a Lather over Sponge Bob
Why do cartoon-viewing kids exhibit poorer "executive functioning" than those who watch educational TV? It is overload?   > >
Solid Food, Growth, and Obesity
Does introducing solids sooner aid infants' growth or obesity? And when do you know a baby is ready?   > >
Can Parents Compete with Cartoons?
It's hard to encourage kids to eat well when you have to compete with cartoon character marketing, but it is possible...   > >
Breastfeeding and Kids' Brains
Kids who were breastfed scored higher on reasoning and language tests at age 5. The effects on preemies were even greater...   > >
Controlling Instant Gratification
The brains of impulsive people are different from those who can delay gratification. It's all in the prefrontal cortex...   > >
Circumcision Less Common
Circumcision rates are down. The decision to remove a boy's foreskin reduces some risks and raises others...   > >
Nicotine's New Disguise
Hookah lounges are on the rise in California and with them, tobacco use. The dangers are the same as cigarettes, and worse...   > >
Don't Choke on that Test
U.S. Open players take note: A new study shows that it’s how we interpret our stress can make or break a performance...   > >
Back to School
Backpacks are major accessories. They can also cause injury. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons offers advice...   > >
Children Behaving Badly
Kids' nagging can wear down moms' resistance. But a study found some winning strategies (for moms, that is...)   > >
School Lunch Scare
Nine out of 10 items in kids' lunch bags were found to be unsafe to eat. But there are some simple ways to keep food safe...   > >
Parents and Kids Not Always a Good Fit
A study asks: Can parents make a positive – or negative – difference in the temperaments of anxious and depressed kids?   > >
Folate Boosts Grades
Students who had high levels of folate, (think "foliage" or leafy greens) did better in school. A lot better...   > >
Stealth Nutrition
Hiding vegetables in kids' food isn't deception, it's helping them gain nutrients and lose calories painlessly...   > >
Speech Processing in Dyslexia
The root of dyslexia may be in speech processing, a surprise to researchers. How will this knowledge help treat it?   > >
Hypoallergenic Hype?
Your Poodle, Schnauzer, Wheaten Terrier or Portuguese Water Dog may not be as allergen-free as you hope. That means you, Bo...   > >
Teaching Teens Positive Thinking
A simple computer program seems to help teens avoid negative thinking, which may help with anxiety and depression...   > >
Asthma Linked to Cockroaches
A study of middle-income kids with and without asthma found that cockroaches seem to be a factor in asthma rates in NYC.   > >
One Less Thing for Parents to Worry About
Do kids who aren't talking by two in trouble? Not usually. A study has found they tend to catch up...   > >
Just Add Black Lights
Hand-washing prevents infection and the spread of illness. Now there's a new way to get kids to do it better...   > >
ER Not Best for Kids' Mental Health Issues
Too often, children with behavioral or emotional issues are taken to the ER. A bad idea for a number of reasons...   > >
Bottle-Feeding and Obesity
Children still being bottle-fed at two years old are 33% more likely to be obese. They also may not get a varied diet...   > >
What Math Does to Kids' Brains
Don't worry, it's all good. Children's brains change as they learn math skills. Adults' too, hopefully...   > >
It's All About Action
Contrary to popular belief, kids do not enjoy violent cartoons any more than nonviolent ones. So why do producers make them?   > >
Kids Given Antibiotics for Asthma
Nearly a million kids a year are prescribed antibiotics for asthma, another unnecessary use. But why?   > >
The Price of Swimmer's Ear
The CDC says treatment for swimmer’s ear costs half a billion dollars each year. There are steps you can take to prevent it...   > >
Big Changes to Infant Tylenol
An FDA panel voted to include new dosing on infant acetaminophen products — along with new indications for pain relief...   > >
Brain Scans in Kids
Kids with minor injuries are exposed to excessive radiation from unnecessary CT scans. But are there risks with cutting back?   > >
Pesticide May Lower IQ in Kids
A banned residential pesticide is linked to lower IQ in kids. It's still being used in agriculture...   > >
Are Food Dyes Safe for Kids?
Some studies show a link between artificial dyes and ADHD. So why did an FDA panel reject warning labels for these foods?   > >
Is Obese the New Normal?
People who are seriously overweight tend not to see themselves – or their kids – as being as heavy as they really are...   > >
CDC Warning on Painkillers and Pregnancy
Taking some painkillers while pregnant can double the risk of birth defects. Even herbal drugs can be a risk...   > >
Skin Wound Care
A study finds that properly cleaning and covering a wound has a bigger impact on healing than antibiotics do...  > >
Exercise Raises Kids' Test Scores
Intelligence scores rose by four points with just 40 minutes of play a day. Planning and decision-making improved too...  > >
Solid Foods Up Baby's Obesity Risk
Introducing solid foods too early raises the risk of obesity. But breastfed and formula-fed babies are different...  > >
100 Innings A Year
As kids prepare for spring training, a study begins to answer the question: how much pitching is too much?  > >
Diet and ADHD
Are kids with ADHD just exhibiting an allergic response to certain foods? A study suggests that may be true, but is that all?  > >
Memo To Parents of Obese Kids
When parents of overweight children took a healthy lifestyle course, their children's BMI dropped by 10%...  > >
How To Beat Test Anxiety
Students who are anxious about tests do as well as their not-so-anxious peers when they write about their fears...  > >
Hold the French Fries
Updates to the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program lower fat and salt and increase leafy greens. You can comment...  > >
What Are School Friends For?
Kids' friends may have a bigger influence on how well they do in school than parents do. But boys and girls are different...  > >
Make Breastfeeding User-Friendly
The Surgeon General addresses the reasons women don't engage in this free, healthy practice with a plan to reduce barriers...  > >
Formula for Weight Gain
When it comes to babies' weight gain, not all formulas are alike. Which is right for your baby?  > >
Teens on Sugar
Teens consume an average of 28 teaspoons of sugar a day, raising "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides. Where the sugar hides...  > >
Chubby Kids, Cute But...
Childhood obesity is on the rise, and new research suggests that the seeds of it can be sown – and avoided – in infancy...  > >
(Some) Childbirth Deaths Drop
The number of women who die from general anesthesia during childbirth has dropped, but epidurals are another matter...  > >
More Bad News About BPA
Women having trouble conceiving may want to consider their exposure to BPA and learn how to limit it...  > >
Cytomegalovirus Harms Babies
Many of us haven't heard cytomegalovirus, but babies can develop disabilities because of this congenital disease...  > >
Can Your Kids Be Too Clean?
A chemical in antibacterial soap is linked to allergies and hay fever in children...  > >
Kids' Ear Infections
Antibiotics may make the pain go away faster, but they are rarely necessary. There are also significant risks...  > >
Nutritious Vending Machines
Vending machines full of junk food? The landmark nutrition bill, on the way to the President, is a game-changer...  > >
Red Bull or Rum?
College kids who drink more energy drinks also consume significantly more alcohol: coincidence or cause?  > >
More Kids Skipping Meals
When kids skip breakfast or dinner, they snack instead which raises the likelihood they will take in more empty calories...  > >
K2 and "Spice" Danger
Synthetic marijuana is legal in some states and found in convenience stores. It is sending kids to the ER with seizures...  > >
Don't Try This At Home
We're talking about smoking, especially if you have children. Turns out, secondhand smoke is even more dangerous for them...  > >
New Moms, Bigger Brains
The thrill and pleasure of a new baby appear to stimulate brain growth, particularly in areas devoted to emotion and reward...  > >
Meningitis Booster Needed?
The meningococcal vaccine MSV4 doesn''t last as long as anticipated. Is a booster needed to protect those 11-14?...  > >
Turn Down The Volume
Teens’ hearing has gotten worse over the past two decades, and it may be from having the iPod cranked up too loud...  > >
When Moms Read, Kids Flourish
For young children in poor communities, having a mom who reads is a huge boost to school success...  > >
Boys' Brains on Violence
Boys used to violent video clips have less response to them. Does this increase the likelihood they will become violent?...  > >
New Pediatric Guidelines
New guidelines: All babies should have their iron levels tested at 1 year; breastfed babies need iron starting at 4 months...  > >
Dogs Help Autistic Kids
Having a service dog reduces undesirable behavior and eases kids' (and parents') stress...  > >
Morning Sickness, Good?
Women who experience morning sickness are less likely to miscarry than women who do not — but don’t worry, it’s not written in stone...  > >
Kids' Psychology
When your child spends more than two hours per day in front of the TV the risk of behavioral and social problems increases...  > >
Soda in Disguise
Many people drinking sports drinks think they are making a healthy choice. But these drinks are nearly as caloric as soda...  > >
Moms -To-Be: Care for Your Gums!
Believe it or not, treating gum disease while you’re pregnant may reduce the odds of having a premature baby...  > >
Helping Families Get Healthier
A study at IBM shows that modest company-sponsored incentive programs can increase the health of workers and their families...  > >
Danger: Infant Sleep Positioners
The FDA warns parents of suffocation risk associated with infant sleep positioners, and offers tips for crib safety...  > >
Can a Virus Cause Obesity?
New research finds a link between childhood obesity and a virus that causes the common cold. But how are the two connected?  > >
Laser Pointers
Parents take note: laser pointers are fun. They also vary greatly in power and can seriously damage eyes...  > >
Young Athletes and Concussion
The rising number of young athletes hospitalized for concussions may signal that the injury is finally being taken seriously...  > >
New Moms Need Sleep!
Even though they may total enough hours at night, interrupted sleep is what hurts new moms...  > >
Acetaminophen and Asthma
Does taking this common painkiller disrupt the body's inflammatory response and provoke asthma? A new study raises concern...  > >
ADHD Often Misdiagnosed
Children who are young for their grade tend to be misdiagnosed with ADHD. A million kids may have been affected...  > >
Early Puberty On the Rise
More and more girls are beginning puberty between ages seven and eight...  > >
Turn down the Volume
Teens' hearing has gotten worse over the past two decades, and it may be from having the iPod or MP3 cranked up too loud...  > >
Babies With Benefits
Babies born to mothers who received Earned Income Tax Credits weigh more, a sign of greater health...  > >
More Fun With Fruits and Vegetables
You can get your kids to feel positively toward fruits and veggies – and eat them. Carrot puppets, anyone?   > >
Take Your Pick, Kids
Let your grade-schoolers read whatever they want during the summer. Keeping those skills sharp is what is important...  > >
Eat Less or Exercise More?
Kids are overweight, but what's to blame? And what's the cure?   > >
Spreading the Medical Word
More hospitals are using the new family-centered rounds, which help parents stay involved in their child's medical decisions...  > >
Don't Leave Car With It
Injuries can happen when infant car seats are used outside of the car: they can fall from counters, shopping carts, tables...  > >
Two Hours Does What?
Whether your child is in grade school or college, video games may be just as bad as TV for their attention spans...  > >
Breastfeeding Cuts Infections
Babies who were breastfed exclusively for four months had a greatly reduced risk of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections...  > >
Baby Blues
No wonder new mothers are at risk for postpartum depression: MAO-A, an enzyme that can deactivate mood, is skyrocketing...  > >
Cartoons Linked to Child Obesity
Kids say foods taste better when cartoon characters are on the label, possibly adding fuel to the childhood obesity epidemic...  > >
FDA Warning on Vitamin D Dosing
Parents can accidently overdose babies with a dropper of Vitamin D. Too little can be dangerous, but overdoses can be deadly...  > >
Be Careful Surfing for Autism Info
Many sites on autism and its treatments lack good - or any - quality control, so be careful about which you choose to use...  > >
Teens Who Hurt Themselves
The medical community calls it "non-suicidal self-injury" (NSSI); the kids call it "cutting."...  > >
Sunshine and Multiple Sclerosis
Babies born to mothers who had less sun exposure in the first trimester were more likely to develop MS. Why?...  > >
Mozart and Smarts? Unlikely, Study Says
There’s little evidence that exposing your child to Mozart will actually improve his or her intelligence, but it can't hurt....  > >
Drinking at Dillon High and Beyond
Teen drinking is not like on TV. There are real risks, like auto accidents and impaired brain development...  > >
Another Look at Antidepressants for Teens
After the reports of increased suicide rates among teens on antidepressants, a new study offers more data...  > >
The See Food Diet
Research shows that taking serving platters off the table cuts calories 20%; a salad bar by the register gets kids eating it...  > >
Teen Smoking: Talk About It
A simple parent-teen conversation, or several, is the best way to prevent teens from smoking, especially if dad is involved...  > >
Babies Deficient in Vitamin D
Most babies do not meet the crucially important MDR for Vitamin D (400 I.U.), a new study has found...  > >
New Asthma Med Guidelines
The FDA has issued new guidelines regarding the use of certain asthma drugs. Learn why and what they are...  > >
Diet Can Reduce Asthma Risk in Children
What a woman eats when pregnant and breastfeeding can reduce her baby's risk of eczema and asthma...  > >
Your TV Cannot Teach Your Baby
Research shows that educational DVDs don't improve learning in children under two. Babies need interaction to learn...  > >
Birth Hormone Helps Autism
Oxytocin, a hormone thought to encourage mother−infant bonding may help some autistic kids gain social skills...  > >
On the DL: Too Many Kids
It's baseball season. Too many young athletes end up on the disabled list. A few simple steps can reduce the risk...  > >
Know Herbs' Risks
Herbal remedies may be helpful, but they are not without risks, especially during pregnancy...  > >
Overcoming Severe Peanut Allergies
Children can become far less dangerously allergic to peanuts through a process of "immunotherapy" which desensitizes them over time...  > >
Vaccines Don't Cause Autism
Retractions don't happen often in science, but they are part of the process. Changing public perceptions is another matter...  > >
Chickenpox Vaccine Helps After Exposure
The varicella vaccine helps reduce, and may prevent, symptoms even when it is given after exposure to the virus...  > >
Fish Oil May Reduce Psychosis Risk
A small study of young people at risk for developing a psychotic disorder found that taking fish oil may be protective...  > >
SIDS and Serotonin
Babies who died from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) had lower levels of serotonin and fewer receptors for it...  > >
Sideline Concussion Test
A simple test of reflexes can help coaches assess whether a player has had a concussion right on the field...  > >
Artificial Pancreas Shows Promise
Used during sleep, the system, which calculates and administers insulin, was far more effective at preventing nighttime hypoglycemia...  > >
Soldiers' Families Under Stress
Kids and caregivers left behind during deployment have to shoulder a heavy burden. A study looks at what can help...  > >
Fetal Sex Revealed by Blood Test
A simple blood test may replace amniocentesis as the best means for determining a baby's sex early in utero...   > >
Autism and Education: What's the Connection?
Autism appears to be more common among the children of the well−educated. But is this just the result of more frequent diagnosis? ...   > >
Better Relationships Prevent Weight Gain
When teenagers receive help with social skills and have happier peer relations, their weight tends to stabilize....   > >
Kids' Mental Health Needs
A new survey of children 15 and under offers a picture of their mental health and where treatment is lagging...   > >
Are Daycare and Asthma Related?
Daycare may actually lower the risk of developing asthma even though it may raise the risk of infection...   > >
Expectations Can Hurt Teens
Parents' expectations of adolescent rebelliousness or risky behavior can help create a self−fulfilling prophecy...   > >
Diabetes In Pregnancy
Preventing or controlling high blood sugar during pregnancy makes a big difference in the health of mother and baby...   > >
Preterm Birth And Autism
Are premature babies at a greater risk for autism? Complications affecting brain development are the biggest risk factors...  > >
Smoker at Home Risky for Kids
Laws protect people from cigarette smoke in the workplace and public areas. But what about the home? Secondhand smoke affects smaller children far more than adults...  > >
Parents Help Teen Drivers
Parents who set rules and monitor their teens' activities can seriously reduce the risk that their teen will be involved in an accident as a passenger or driver...  > >
Bilrubin Tests For Newborns
It doesn't happen often, but when a newborn has jaundice and high bilirubin levels that don't gradually recede, there is a chance of kernicterus, a devastating neurobiological disorder...  > >
Good Daycare Is An Escape Route
Daycare that offers children living in poverty a chance to learn school-readiness skills and exposure to adult role models helps them keep pace with their wealthier peers...  > >
Of Earaches And Antibiotics
Two major pediatrics societies have set policies recommending watchful waiting over immediate antibiotic treatment for many, if not most, of children's earaches. Parents can help...  > >
Bullies and Victims at Risk
Victims of bullying as well as bullies themselves are at risk for mental health problems. In some cases, bullying may itself be a sign of an underlying mental health issue...  > >
Bedtime Rituals Help Kids Sleep
A bedtime routine that includes a bath and quiet activity such as rocking or reading can help babies and toddlers fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer...  > >
Even Toddlers Get The Blues
Depression is not something one sees often in toddlers, but it does exist. It’s useful to intervene early, before depressive patterns become ingrained...  > >
Teens and Rx Medication
Prescription medication sharing is a growing problem among adolescents. Whether it is antidepressants or drugs for ADHD or allergies, their use can often cause serious side effects...  > >
No Place Like Home
Premature infants face a variety of medical challenges. But when it comes to helping them become “school−ready,” the home environment is incredibly important...  > >
So Easy, A Child Can Do It
Children as young as 9 years old can learn and apply CPR effectively, raising the possibility of in−school training and a new corps of kids who can save lives...  > >
A New Look At Colic
Sleepless, frazzled parents take heart: a recent study suggests that colic may be caused by abnormal levels of bacteria. The finding paves the way for new treatments...  > >
Kids and Cholesterol
Overweight kids mean that levels of fats in their blood are skyrocketing as well. Much can be done to prevent heart problems later. Are at−risk kids being screened early enough?...  > >
Doctors and Parents Unite!
Pediatricians can help parents plan a realistic strategy for helping kids lose weight. Make small, gradual changes and keep the health risks and benefits in mind...  > >
Xylitol for Baby’s Teeth
This plant extract prevents bacteria from sticking to children’s teeth and reduces cavities. Now research has found a way to give it to infants and toddlers...  > >
Star Smokers vs. Team Players
Two protective factors help reduce the risk that teens will begin smoking: playing a team sport and viewing fewer movies that show actors smoking...  > >
Colicky Babies, Depressed Dads
Mothers who are depressed while pregnant have a greater likelihood of having a baby with colic, but a new study shows that a father's depression during his partner's pregnancy can affect...  > >
Anxious and Distracted
People who tend to be quite anxious are more easily distracted than those who aren't. For students this means much more work is required to complete school tasks...  > >
Teens Need Doctor Visits
Adolescents are often neglected by the healthcare system, a new study has found. A yearly visit and time alone with their doctor to discuss health issues in confidence without parents...  > >
Obese Moms' Babies At Risk
Obese women pass on insulin resistance −− abnormally high insulin and blood sugar levels −− to their infants in utero. These babies often have high levels of fat...  > >
Young Adults Need More Milk
Teenagers and young adults are not getting enough calcium. Their intake drops off even though their bone mass is due to peak between ages 20 to 30. What can be done?...  > >
Pacifier Use -- What to Know
Pacifiers have been shown to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), but do they also cause babies to lose interest in breastfeeding...  > >
Let Them Drink Water
When kids switch from sugar−sweetened beverages to water, this simple change can result in a reduction of 200+ the calories a day. Eventually, pounds follow...  > >
Teens, Screens, And Caffeine
Teenagers are staying up late using the Internet, texting friends, watching videos, and often drinking caffeinated beverages to fuel their electronic nighttime habit. The results are not good...  > >
TV Delays Language Skills
Television interferes with babies' and toddlers' developing language skills in a number of ways. Verbal interactions with parents are reduced by 500 to 1000 words per hour...  > >
Mental Health Agenda Update
In an effort to help prevent mental health issues before they occur, a new report by the National Academy of Sciences seeks to promote resilience, integrated therapies and...  > >
Under The Pre-Natal Sun
Pregnant women who get a reasonable amount of sun and so have good vitamin D levels during the third trimester have children with stronger, bones than those with lower levels. The benefits may last into adulthood...  > >
McDonalds or McFamily?
Families who eat together at home are doing more than just eating. They are instilling healthy food choices in children that carry forward into the teenage years and beyond when fast food...  > >
Teen Vegans, What to Know
Vegetarianism in all its forms can be a very healthy thing. But for some, particularly adolescents, it can be a cover for an eating disorder that is far from healthy. New research looks at the odds...  > >
This Is Your Brain On Fish
Teenage boys who ate plenty of omega 3 fatty acids −− primarily through consumption of fish −− had improved memory and other cognitive skills...  > >
Breastfeeding Combats SIDS
Babies who are breastfed until six months have a reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Breastfeeding cut the risk roughly in half...  > >
Don't Try This At Home
Giving children with peanut allergies tiny amounts of peanut protein can help build tolerance over time, according to a new study..  > >
Flat Feet Are Not Bad News
Flat feet used to prompt pediatricians to prescribe orthopedic shoes. Now research suggests that flat-footed kids are no less athletic than those with reasonable arches...  > >
Parents Send Smoke Signals
When parents smoke, their children are three times more likely to start smoking themselves. But if parents quit, the risk of their kids smoking was...  > >
Some Light Mind-Reading
Researchers have developed a light−emitting headband that may soon help children who can't speak or move communicate their preferences..   > >
Look Both Ways and Hang Up
Cell phones present kids with a dangerous distraction when it comes to crossing the street, according to a new study. Limiting kids’ minutes may help...   > >
Cold Remedies Can Hurt Kids
Popular over−the−counter (OTC) cold remedies pose serious risks to small children who are easily overdosed. There are other, safer, methods to ease cold symptoms...   > >