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Alzheimer’s drugs improve key cognitive skills in children with autism and low IQ

The review synthesizes evidence on whether Alzheimer’s disease medications can improve neurocognitive outcomes in children and adolescents with autism and low IQ. Across 12 studies, preliminary findings show promising gains in language, executive function, learning and memory, and general cognitive ability, particularly in younger children.

18 Nov 2025

Childhood trauma affects two in five Australian adults and raises lifelong health risks

A University of Sydney-led study published today has found 42 percent of Australian adults - more than eight million people - experienced a traumatic event as children.

18 Nov 2025

Maternal stress linked to earlier baby teeth

Children have 20 milk teeth, 10 in each jaw. This set of teeth is important for chewing and speaking, and helps to keep space open for the subsequent set of 32 permanent teeth.

18 Nov 2025

New review reveals which baby foods carry the highest heavy metal risks

This scoping review found that more than 60 percent of infant formulas and baby foods worldwide contain detectable levels of cadmium, lead, and arsenic, with mercury present in more than 30 percent of products. The highest concentrations and regulatory exceedances occurred in baby foods containing fish, rice, and cereals, underscoring persistent global safety gaps.

17 Nov 2025

Maternal obesity raises childhood epilepsy and disability risks, new study shows

Higher maternal BMI before pregnancy is linked to increased risks of epilepsy and intellectual disability in young children, even after extensive adjustment for maternal and neonatal factors. Associations with autism spectrum disorder and ADHD disappear after full adjustment, highlighting the potential mediating role of perinatal complications.

17 Nov 2025

Preparing for the respiratory virus season: A guide for families

As respiratory virus season begins, pediatric experts are preparing for an expected rise in cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), which can cause cold-like symptoms in most people but serious illness in infants and older adults.

17 Nov 2025

Parental postpartum depression linked to higher autism risk

Findings reveal a strong link between parental postpartum depression and autism risk, stressing the importance of mental health support for new parents.

17 Nov 2025

New WHO guidance aims to strengthen care for preterm and low birth-weight babies

The World Health Organization (WHO) is marking its first official observance of World Prematurity Day with the launch of a new global clinical practice guide for Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) – a simple, proven and life-saving intervention that significantly improves survival for preterm and low birth-weight babies.

14 Nov 2025

Making school a happier place for every child

Well-being and school results are inter-connected, but some children simply do not enjoy school. So what can we do to make school a happier experience for more children?

14 Nov 2025

VR raises eye temperature and thickens protective tear layer

VR gaming impacts tear film dynamics, increasing lipid layer thickness and eye temperature, but fails to enhance tear stability or alleviate dry eye symptoms.

14 Nov 2025

Cesarean births do not raise infant allergy risk in major Japanese cohort study

In a large Japanese birth cohort, cesarean delivery was not linked to higher risks of eczema, wheezing, atopic dermatitis, or asthma in infants at one year of age. Emergency cesarean delivery was even associated with a modest reduction in eczema, suggesting that mode of birth alone may not drive early-life allergic disease.

13 Nov 2025

Underweight children face higher risk of stopping ADHD medication early

Children who are underweight are more likely to stop taking their ADHD medication within a year. These are the findings of a study conducted at the University of Gothenburg on methylphenidate, a common pharmacological treatment in ADHD.

13 Nov 2025

Early lean mass shapes long-term brain development in preterm infants

Extremely preterm infants with higher fat-free mass at term-equivalent age show better cognitive, language, and motor outcomes through age three. Early lean-tissue growth offers stronger neurodevelopmental insight than traditional growth measures.

12 Nov 2025

Rising youth e-cigarette use threatens children’s health and human rights

Exposing children to e-cigarettes compromises their human rights. These products should be regulated in a way that puts children's best interests first and protects them from the harms associated with nicotine consumption in all its forms, argue experts in The BMJ today.

12 Nov 2025

Doubling rates of childhood hypertension signal urgent health concern

The rate of children and adolescents experiencing high blood pressure worldwide nearly doubled between 2000 and 2020, according to a new meta-analysis published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal.

12 Nov 2025

How parental stress and long work weeks shape children’s reading outcomes

Parents working long hours provide less homework help, and this reduced support is linked with weaker reading comprehension in children. The study reveals that parental stress exacerbates this pattern, rendering demanding work schedules even more detrimental to learning.

12 Nov 2025

Study clarifies how biliary atresia overlaps with multiple congenital syndromes

Biliary atresia (BA) represents one of the leading causes of pediatric liver failure, often requiring surgical intervention or transplantation in early infancy.

12 Nov 2025

Study: Biological underpinnings of autism and ADHD may transcend traditional diagnostic boundaries

A new study published in Molecular Psychiatry reveals that the biological underpinnings of autism and ADHD may transcend traditional diagnostic boundaries.

12 Nov 2025

School vaping prevention lessons show promise but misconceptions remain

Teachers in the UK report increased confidence in addressing vaping, but ongoing confusion about its dangers indicates a need for improved prevention materials.

12 Nov 2025

No, taking paracetamol while pregnant doesn’t cause autism or ADHD, major review finds

Researchers reviewed nine systematic reviews on paracetamol use during pregnancy and found that while some studies suggested links to ADHD or autism, the evidence was of low quality and confounded by shared familial factors. Sibling-controlled analyses showed no causal relationship between prenatal paracetamol exposure and neurodevelopmental disorders in children.

11 Nov 2025