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Stricter legislation does not decrease youth psychiatric care coercion

Coercive measures are used recurrently in inpatient child and adolescent psychiatric care but vary greatly between services and countries, according to a new doctoral thesis from Karolinska Institutet.

2 Jun 2026

Eating a Mediterranean diet may lower anxiety symptoms in teens

Findings reveal that the Mediterranean diet may reduce anxiety symptoms in adolescents, with maternal dietary habits also impacting offspring mental health.

2 Jun 2026

Lifestyle habits predict long-term health better than cancer treatment history

Healthy lifestyle habits are crucial for childhood cancer survivors, reducing risks of chronic conditions and improving quality of life more than treatments.

2 Jun 2026

Pediatric experts reveal the 10 research areas set to shape child health

Pediatric research leaders identified 10 high-promise areas likely to shape child health over the next 5 to 10 years, including genomics, mental health, vaccines, artificial intelligence, perinatal medicine, precision therapeutics, health equity, nutrition, environmental health, and cancer treatment. The paper argues that these opportunities will only translate into better outcomes if pediatric research receives sustained funding, public trust, workforce support, advocacy, and equitable implementation.

1 Jun 2026

Genetic testing identifies cause of pancreatic agenesis in infants

The DNA changes responsible for a rare genetic condition causing babies to be born without a pancreas can now be identified in almost all affected children through genetic testing.

1 Jun 2026

Antibiotic-free therapy seeks to prevent newborn meningitis by blocking E. coli

Newborn meningitis is one of the most dangerous childhood infections. It is often life-threatening and can cause serious and lasting damage, including developmental problems, in the children who survive.

1 Jun 2026

Pediatric influenza vaccination effectively protects young children

Pediatric flu vaccines significantly reduce the number of childhood cases of influenza, new research from Harvard Medical School confirms.

1 Jun 2026

Healthy lifestyles reduce cardiovascular risks for childhood cancer survivors

Healthy lifestyles can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and other complications in childhood cancer survivors.

1 Jun 2026

Post-discharge oral antibiotics show no benefit for pediatric appendicitis

Acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgical emergencies among children, and complicated acute appendicitis (CAA), including perforated or gangrenous disease, carries a higher risk of infection and longer hospitalization.

1 Jun 2026

WHO urges global governments to protect youth from nicotine addiction

Worldwide, at least 40 million children aged 13–15 use tobacco products, and young people's use of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches continues to rise. In advance of World No Tobacco Day – 31 May – the World Health Organization (WHO) urges governments around the world to protect a new generation from becoming addicted to tobacco and nicotine products.

30 May 2026

Violence exposure linked to increased tobacco use among teens

One way to lower smoking rates among teens may be to address their exposure to violence, as an analysis from public health researchers at Brown University shows that the two are strongly linked.

29 May 2026

Healthy lifestyles reduce chronic health risks for childhood cancer survivors

Healthy lifestyles can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and other complications in childhood cancer survivors. These are the findings of two new international studies.

29 May 2026

Unhealthy snacks drive disruptive behavior in young children

Researchers at the University of Agder (UiA) have already identified clear links between what children eat and their mental health as early as the age of four.

29 May 2026

Immediate kangaroo mother care boosts survival for premature infants

Preterm birth and low birth weight remain major contributors to neonatal death and long-term developmental challenges.

29 May 2026

Children left waiting up to two years for NHS continence care, new data reveals

Children with bladder and bowel conditions are waiting months – and in some cases years – for specialist NHS support, as overstretched continence services struggle to meet rising demand, new Freedom of Information (FOI) data reveals.

29 May 2026

Urine-based autism screening using gut microbial metabolites

Elevated gut microbe metabolites may distinguish children with autism, paving the way for a non-invasive urine test and a new ASD subtype linked to microbiome.

29 May 2026

Preschool gaming habits may shape problematic gaming symptoms later in life

The study identifies preschool gaming as a strong predictor of adult internet gaming disorder, highlighting the role of early exposure in addiction risk.

29 May 2026

Mental health challenges linked to hidden online harms among youth

A new study from researchers at the Child Mind Institute finds that negative online experiences are common among children and adolescents with mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions, and that most incidents are not reported through platform reporting tools.

28 May 2026

LSU study examines how restrained sitting limits early childhood movement

Researchers at LSU's Pennington Biomedical Research Center, in collaboration with investigators from 32 countries participating in the SUNRISE International Study, have published new findings examining how restrained sitting contributes to daily movement patterns in early childhood.

28 May 2026

AI model tracks child maturity patterns through routine ECG data

A new study from Wake Forest University School of Medicine suggests a routine heart test – an electrocardiogram (ECG) – may offer researchers a new way to measure biological development in children and adolescents.

28 May 2026