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Noninvasive technology detects early intestinal disease in premature infants

A new noninvasive technology, called broadband optical spectroscopy (BOS), has promise to reliably detect necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants at earlier stages, before this devastating intestinal disease progresses enough to be visible on x-ray, according to a first-in-human study from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago published in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery.

5 Jun 2026

Large clinical trial shows both common septic shock fluids are equal

A randomized clinical trial conducted across five countries in 47 pediatric emergency departments, including Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, established that both commonly used IV fluids for treating septic shock – balanced crystalloid fluid and 0.9% saline – are equally safe and effective. Results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

5 Jun 2026

Study shows no safe limit for drinking around children

Typical Norwegian drinking patterns can increase the risk of parents’ behavior negatively impacting their children.

5 Jun 2026

How tobacco-style product design shaped a kids’ lunchbox staple

A historical case study shows how tobacco-style research, consumer testing, and product reformulation strategies helped shape and expand a child-focused ultra-processed meal brand. The paper argues that tobacco and ultra-processed food regulation should be studied together, as both sectors used similar product-design strategies to boost appeal and maintain consumer loyalty.

5 Jun 2026

Tobacco giants helped push ultra-processed foods into global markets

New research reveals how major tobacco companies used cigarette-era business tactics to expand packaged food empires, raising fresh questions about the global spread of ultra-processed and hyper-palatable foods.

4 Jun 2026

Fathers' health may shape children's future obesity ris

As obesity rates rise across the U.S., new research from Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health at the University of California, Irvine scientists draws attention to an often-overlooked factor in children's long-term health: fathers.

4 Jun 2026

Fast food is crowding out grocery access across the U.S.

A 20-year analysis of US neighborhood foodscapes found that food swamps became more common from 2003 to 2023, while food deserts showed little improvement. Rural communities and people relying on public transport faced the greatest barriers to reaching healthy food retailers.

4 Jun 2026

Global decline in child mortality slowed down significantly since 2015

Global progress in reducing preventable deaths among newborn babies, children, and adolescents has slowed substantially since 2015, and many countries risk missing international child survival targets by 2030, find a series of papers published by The BMJ today.

4 Jun 2026

Irregular sleep patterns reduce cognitive performance in preschool children

A new study to be presented at the SLEEP 2026 annual meeting found that irregular sleep - including variability in sleep timing and duration - was associated with lower receptive vocabulary and visuospatial memory scores in preschool-age children, even after accounting for total sleep duration.

4 Jun 2026

Teen insomnia symptoms linked to hospitalizations in young adulthood

A new study to be presented at the SLEEP 2026 annual meeting found that poorer sleep health according to wrist actigraphy and insomnia symptoms during adolescence predicted a higher likelihood of an overnight hospital stay during young adulthood around seven years later, even after accounting for adolescent hospitalizations and sleep health.

4 Jun 2026

Researchers urge nationwide safety campaign for baby sling and carrier use

The study by leading baby sleep experts at Durham University, UK, calls for a UK-wide campaign to ensure parents are directed to trusted sources of guidance and specialist advice, before or at the point of purchase.

4 Jun 2026

Exercise during pregnancy links to lower infant BMI at one year

Supervised exercise during pregnancy may lower infant BMI and reduce obesity risk, highlighting the impact of maternal health on early growth trajectories.

4 Jun 2026

Dietary exposure to toxic metals causes over one million annual deaths

Children aged less than five years face almost three times the risk of illness from unsafe food than older children and adults, according to new estimates released today by the World Health Organization (WHO).

4 Jun 2026

Scientists launch project to improve early autism diagnosis in preemies

An international team of researchers from Europe and Australia will contribute to MICRO-NEST, a €6 million Horizon Europe project applying innovative approaches to identify markers of autism in children born before 37 weeks of gestation.

3 Jun 2026

Study shows how TAF1 regulates ferroptosis in cancer cells

Ferroptosis has become a promising area in cancer research because it may provide a way to target tumor cells that evade other better-known forms of programmed cell death, such as apoptosis and necroptosis.

3 Jun 2026

Early paracetamol may speed up heart vessel closure in preterm babies

Early administration of paracetamol may accelerate closure of the patent ductus arteriosus in extremely preterm babies, according to a new study.

3 Jun 2026

The best foods for brain health may change as you age

Investigating brain foods, this review highlights dietary influences on cognition and neurodevelopment, while addressing significant gaps in current research.

3 Jun 2026

TikTok promotes a thriving illicit vaping culture among young people

TikTok videos glamorizing illicit vaping highlight challenges in public health communication, as youth engage more with social media than educational resources.

3 Jun 2026

Generative AI toys risk exposing minors to propaganda and misinformation

JMIR Publications today released a News and Perspectives article investigating the potential implications of AI–enabled toys for children's well-being and development.

3 Jun 2026

Scientists introduce a precise framework to study screen-saturated childhoods

Children are growing up inside screens. A new peer-reviewed Thought Leaders Invited Review in Brain Health argues that neuroscience has been missing the word for what those screens are touching.

3 Jun 2026