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Adolescents view cannabis as safer than alcohol, vaping and cigarettes

Adolescents in California consistently perceive cannabis as less harmful than other commonly used substances, according to a new study analyzing data from two large statewide school surveys.

6 May 2026

Using Apple Watch and AI to protect children undergoing cancer treatment from infections

A new trial will test whether a tool that harnesses Apple Watch health data and artificial intelligence can help protect children undergoing cancer treatment from infections.

6 May 2026

Study examines factors associated with co-occurrence of autism and epilepsy in children

Children with epilepsy have a higher risk of also having autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A new study in Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology examined factors associated with the co-occurrence of autism and epilepsy in a large population-based group.

6 May 2026

Free book access improves literacy rates in high-poverty schools

Cumulative access to reading materials significantly improves literacy rates in low-income communities.

6 May 2026

Asthma-Friendly Schools recognition program expands across Colorado districts

A total of 221 schools across early childhood, elementary, middle and high school levels have earned Colorado Asthma-Friendly School recognition.

5 May 2026

Groundbreaking study explores prenatal drug therapy for osteogenesis imperfecta

Shriners Children's St. Louis is proud to announce that one of its lead researchers, Dr. Arin Oestreich, has been awarded a $3.1 million R01 grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).

5 May 2026

Telehealth autism tools provide high accuracy for children using short phrases

When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down clinics and forced face-to-face interactions behind masks, autism diagnoses for many children came to a halt.

5 May 2026

Study links educator confidence to improved outcomes for vulnerable youth

To better understand how young children experiencing trauma are supported in early learning settings, Adelaide University researchers examined the role of teacher self-efficacy – the confidence teachers have in their knowledge and abilities – in creating safe, responsive learning environments.

5 May 2026

CDC HoSt-TT certification for Siemens Healthineers total testosterone test expands patient access to gold standard equivalent results

Siemens Healthineers announced its Atellica IM Testosterone II (TSTII) assay has achieved certification through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hormone Standardization Program for Total Testosterone (HoSt-TT).

From Siemens Healthineers 5 May 2026

Advanced AI models outperform pediatricians in diagnosing rare diseases

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being explored as a tool to support clinical decision-making, yet its real-world performance in pediatric diagnosis remains unclear.

4 May 2026

Study: One in ten babies regularly falls asleep with a screen

Despite recent government guidelines that parents should avoid screen time for babies under the age of two, a new global study finds that one in ten babies now regularly fall asleep with a screen.

4 May 2026

New genomic study tracks rare blood disease in children

Aplastic anemia is a rare, life-threatening blood disorder where patients are unable to make enough blood cells due to the immune system's attack on blood stem cells. The condition can progress to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and leukemia. A study led by scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, with multiple collaborating institutions, used state-of-the-art genomic techniques to profile 619 children and adults with aplastic anemia.

4 May 2026

Child health experts launch GenHEART to tackle Australia's obesity crisis

Heart health, diet, exercise and sleep will be targeted under a multi-pronged strategy by child health experts to address Australia's obesity crisis.

4 May 2026

Gentler treatment improves survival in children with relapsed leukemia

A gentler treatment for children whose leukemia has come back could boost survival and quality of life, a study led by a UCL academic has found.

30 Apr 2026

U.S. fails key measles elimination indicators amid rising outbreaks

After public health experts declared measles eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established seven indicators of measles elimination status to ensure that the country remained on track.

30 Apr 2026

Early institutional care linked to shorter life expectancy decades later

Infants who grew up in early child care institutions in the 1950s have a much shorter life expectancy than the general population, a long-term study of individuals in Zurich has shown

30 Apr 2026

Dangerous water bead ingestions increase among young children

A new study reveals that ingestions of water beads by young children have surged in recent years. Researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and the Central Ohio Poison Center analyzed calls to U.S. poison centers and found an alarming 6,532% increase in the rate of reported water bead ingestions among children younger than 6 years from 2019 to 2023, followed by a 24% decrease from 2023 to 2024.

30 Apr 2026

Baby teeth show when metal exposure may affect brain development

The study identifies critical windows of metal exposure via baby teeth, revealing impacts on brain development and behavior in children and adolescents.

30 Apr 2026

New brain stimulation technique improves social communication in children with autism

A new non-invasive brain stimulation technique known as accelerated continuous theta burst stimulation (a-cTBS) improves social communication at one month follow up and has a favorable safety profile in children with autism, finds a trial from China published by The BMJ today.

29 Apr 2026

Study finds no psychiatric risk from prenatal sedatives

A large South Korean study published by The BMJ today finds no increased risk of psychiatric or neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ADHD and autism, in children whose mothers used sedative drugs (benzodiazepines or Z-hypnotics) during pregnancy.

29 Apr 2026