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Childhood leukemia treatment causes rapid, lasting challenges for patient families

New research in the October 2026 issue of JNCCN-Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network finds that families of children receiving treatment for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) experience substantial and lasting challenges beginning early after diagnosis, according to a new multicenter study embedded in a Children's Oncology Group (COG) trial.

13 Oct 2026

Replacement chemical for harmful phthalates may restrict fetal growth

A chemical used to make plastic more flexible, once introduced as a safer substitute for older additives now known to be harmful, may itself also be harmful, slowing babies' growth in the womb, a new study shows.

13 Oct 2026

CMAJ analysis urges Canada to pass Safe Social Media Act to protect children

Canada's proposed Safe Social Media Act, which aims to protect children, should be passed, according to an Analysis article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.261104.

13 Oct 2026

Study finds a surprising downside to having favourite foods

In a study of 279 adults, researchers found that initially reinforcing existing food preferences reduced learning flexibility when associations between foods and outcomes changed. Participants learned positive associations more readily than negative ones, while associations involving disliked foods were more adaptable than those involving liked foods.

12 Oct 2026

Screen time was linked to teen anxiety. Then researchers compared twins

A longitudinal study of 21,797 Swedish twins found that heavy interactive screen use during adolescence was associated with more anxiety and depressive symptoms and a higher likelihood of subsequent clinical mental health outcomes. However, these associations weakened substantially when comparing twins with different screen habits, suggesting that shared genetic and environmental factors contribute to the relationship.

12 Oct 2026

Mediterranean-style diet during pregnancy lowers risk of infant colic and eczema

Infants born to mothers who ate a healthy, Mediterranean-style diet during pregnancy were at lower risk for colic and eczema, according to a new study by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston Children's Hospital, and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute.

12 Oct 2026

Trusted support improves mental health in LGBQ+ teens

Gay or bisexual teens who have someone to turn to with a serious problem have significantly better mental health outcomes than those who don't, according to a new study from Tulane University researchers.

12 Oct 2026

Think raw milk is better for you? Pediatricians have a warning

Pediatricians urge against raw milk, highlighting its link to foodborne illnesses and advocating for pasteurized alternatives to safeguard children's health.

12 Oct 2026

Researchers followed glucose monitor users for three years and found a possible kidney benefit

A study of more than 25,000 analytical group assignments involving high-risk adults with type 2 diabetes found that sustained real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) was associated with substantial improvements in blood sugar control over three years. Continued use was also linked to lower levels of a marker of kidney damage after three years, although researchers found no evidence that the technology preserved kidney filtration function.

12 Oct 2026

Extreme heat threatens maternal health and newborn wellbeing worldwide

Extreme heat has led to a marked increase in the risks faced by pregnant women and their babies, according to a survey of 1,000 healthcare professionals in countries including Brazil, India and Zimbabwe.

11 Oct 2026

A trial of 197 childcare services tested a different approach to active play

A trial involving 197 Australian childcare services found no significant overall improvements in guideline adherence or children’s observed physical activity and recreational screen time. Accredited services showed greater improvements in guideline adherence and before-school activity, but selection bias limits conclusions about whether accreditation caused these changes.

11 Oct 2026

New research reveals the remarkable complexity of human milk

Two major international studies are providing new insight into how human milk is regulated, showing that some components respond to maternal nutrition, while others remain stable or reflect biological processes involved in lactation and infant growth.

10 Oct 2026

Study identifies a link between specific brain circuits and anxiety in adolescents

Adolescence is a sensitive period for brain development and mental health, though the connection between the two is not fully understood.

9 Oct 2026

Therapeutic horseback riding reduces hyperactivity in children with autism

New research from the University of Colorado Anschutz provides strong evidence to suggest that horseback riding can help reduce hyperactivity and improve other behavioral and emotional challenges in children with autism and other psychiatric disorders.

9 Oct 2026

Global survey finds gaps in pediatric cardiac troponin testing

Cardiac troponin, a protein released into the blood when heart muscle is damaged, can be used as a quick measure of heart injury in adults, and testing for it has revolutionized adult cardiology. For children, however, doctors often lack data on normal troponin measurements.

9 Oct 2026

Cutting sugary drinks helps reduce childhood obesity, study finds

While the adult obesity rate appears to be slowing in the United States, childhood obesity remains historically high, affecting nearly 1 in 5 school-aged children.

9 Oct 2026

Cyberbullying acts as an extension of in-person school violence

A new study of 4,200 adolescents revealed that cyberbullying rarely occurs in isolation; it almost always functions as an extension of physical and verbal aggression already present in the school environment.

9 Oct 2026

Study explains why autism is more common in boys

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, the Duncan Neurological Research Institute (Duncan NRI) at Texas Children's Hospital and collaborating institutions have identified new genetic candidates that help explain why autism is diagnosed about four times more often in boys than in girls.

9 Oct 2026

Maternal cleaning habits during pregnancy reduce child developmental concerns

House dust can contain chemical and biological components, including phthalates, flame retardants, allergens, endotoxins, and microorganisms.

9 Oct 2026

New iron deficiency guidelines raise key blood test cutoffs

ASH 2026 guidelines redefine iron deficiency diagnosis with higher ferritin thresholds, aiming for better detection and management across diverse populations.

9 Oct 2026