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Study links fathers’ preconception stress to altered offspring development

Research from the University of Colorado Anschutz suggests that stress experienced by a father before conception may influence an offspring's growth by altering small molecular signals in sperm.

26 May 2026

Urine test may help identify autism risk in children

A simple urine test may help identify children at risk for autism sooner than current assessments - opening the door for earlier diagnosis and treatment, and better long-term outcomes for children who do have autism spectrum disorder.

26 May 2026

Early multidisciplinary care speeds concussion recovery in children

Children recover significantly faster from concussion after receiving early, multidisciplinary care designed to treat persistent symptoms, according to a new study.

26 May 2026

Nerve freezing technique reduces pain after surgical repair for microtia

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago is the first in the world to eliminate months of pain after surgical repair for microtia – a rare condition where a child is born with underdeveloped or missing outer ear.

26 May 2026

Scientists target root of relapse in aggressive childhood brain tumors

Stopping cancer from coming back is the goal of new research from MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, where scientists are targeting cells that fuel the return of an aggressive pediatric brain tumor.

26 May 2026

How heat-smart cities can protect outdoor recreation in a warming world

This review shows how rising humid heat threatens the health benefits of nature-based recreation in tropical cities. The authors call for heat-smart urban planning, targeted advisories, and inclusive strategies that keep outdoor activity safe, accessible, and beneficial.

26 May 2026

Food insecurity links to poorer mental and physical health in Tasmania

Food insecurity among adults in Tasmania was strongly associated with lower diet satisfaction and poorer self-rated mental and physical health, with diet dissatisfaction showing the strongest link. The findings suggest that food insecurity limits not only nutrition, but also food choice, agency, wellbeing, and equitable access to acceptable, affordable, and culturally appropriate diets.

24 May 2026

CDC report reveals what 24 years of nutrition biomarkers say about America’s health

The 2026 CDC Nutrition Report will make nearly 24 years of NHANES biomarker data easier to use, covering up to 131 nutritional biomarkers in the US population aged 1 year and older. By standardizing blood and urine biomarker trends, demographic patterns, and comparisons of supplement use, the report aims to support nutrition policy, clinical reference intervals, and public health monitoring.

24 May 2026

Early lung damage patterns uncovered in children with cystic fibrosis

Researchers have mapped how lung damage begins early in life for children with cystic fibrosis, providing new insights that will help reshape future care.

24 May 2026

Shared humor and play strengthen children’s brains and emotional wellbeing

Making children laugh can build deep emotional connections and soothe their nervous systems, making them more resilient and open to new ideas, a leading child development expert tells us.

24 May 2026

Specialized care helps child thrive despite chronic swallowing disorder

Today, 11-year-old Logan Fitzpatrick of Malverne, New York, spends his time playing baseball, practicing tae kwon do, painting, and cheering on the Mets and the Islanders.

22 May 2026

New biomarker predicts therapy response for hard-to-treat childhood cancers

A study by researchers at the University of Birmingham has identified a new biomarker for response to a specific cancer therapy, treating children with Ewing Sarcoma and other tumor types.

22 May 2026

Study supports routine childhood screening for type 1 diabetes

For ten years, the Fr1da study, coordinated by Helmholtz Munich, has been investigating whether early stages of type 1 diabetes in children can be detected in routine pediatric care.

21 May 2026

Smartphone overdependence may signal higher alcohol and smoking risk in teens

Higher smartphone overdependence was significantly associated with greater odds of self-reported lifetime alcohol and tobacco use among more than 100,000 Korean adolescents. The study found graded dose-response patterns, with earlier initiation and heavier alcohol or smoking behaviors linked to a higher adjusted probability of high-risk smartphone overdependence.

21 May 2026

High-dose vitamin D3 in pregnancy may boost children’s memory by age 10

High-dose vitamin D3 supplementation from mid-pregnancy to early postpartum was associated with better verbal and visual memory in children at age 10. The post hoc analysis suggests prenatal vitamin D3 exposure may support selected cognitive functions, although findings require cautious interpretation.

21 May 2026

NHS cost to treat youth mental health crises quadruples over a decade

The annual cost to the NHS to treat children and young people experiencing a mental health crisis in specialised acute hospital wards in England quadrupled to £87.5 million between 2012 and 2022, finds a new study led by UCL researchers.

21 May 2026

Phase two clinical trial demonstrates dramatic mobility gains in children with severe fibrous dysplasia

Fibrous dysplasia is a rare skeletal disorder in which normal bone is gradually replaced by weak fibro-osseous tissue, leading to fractures, pain, deformities, and severe mobility impairment. In many patients, diseased bone tissue produces excessive amounts of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23), a hormone that causes phosphate loss through the kidneys.

21 May 2026

Rural siblings of neurodivergent children face poorer mental wellbeing

New Curtin University-led research has found siblings of people with neurodevelopmental conditions in regional and remote Australia are struggling with poorer wellbeing and are more likely to feel overlooked.

21 May 2026

Universal free school meals linked to fewer student suspensions

A study published in Economic Inquiry provides new evidence that universal free school meals can meaningfully reduce out‐of‐school suspensions in both elementary and secondary schools.

21 May 2026

Study defines realistic performance goals for pediatric emergency departments

A large, multi-center study led by Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago derived "achievable benchmarks of care" (ABCs) using electronic health record data, which allows pediatric emergency departments across the country to set high yet realistic performance goals.

21 May 2026