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New review finds no link between pacifiers and breastfeeding problems

Although mothers often use pacifiers to comfort cranky babies, many experts fear that they can interfere with successful breastfeeding. However, a new review finds no association between the devices and early cessation of nursing.

16 Mar 2011

BRAF gene defect leads to pilocytic astrocytoma in children

Pilocytic astrocytoma, the most common brain tumor in children, is usually slow-growing and benign. However, surgeons often cannot completely remove the diffusely growing tumor.

16 Mar 2011

Trend rising for deaths of children in cars and trucks

Sadly, March 8th marked the first child vehicular tragedy of the year when a mother came out of work only to realize she left her 6 month year old in the car. This preventable, yet horrific accident occurs more often than one would think.

15 Mar 2011

Animal study suggests antioxidants during pregnancy may prevent obesity in offspring

New biological research may be relevant to the effects of a mother's high-fat diet during pregnancy on the development of obesity in her children.

15 Mar 2011

New tool can measure brain waves in children with cerebral palsy

A new tool which measures brain waves in children with physical and neurological impairments such as cerebral palsy, is being developed by researchers at the University of Hertfordshire and is featured on You Tube today.

15 Mar 2011

CCMAS endorses IDF/ISO Guidelines for melamine determination in milk products, infant formula

In response to the crisis caused by milk adulterated with melamine that affected thousands of children in 2008, the International Dairy Federation and the International Organization for Standardization developed a technical specification/reviewed method : ISO/TS 15495 | IDF/RM 230:2010, Milk, milk products and infant formulae - Guidelines for the quantitative determination of melamine and cyanuric acid by LC-MS/MS.

15 Mar 2011

U-M receives NIFA grant to reduce childhood obesity among preschoolers

The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded $4.9 million to the University of Michigan to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity among Head Start preschoolers in Michigan.

15 Mar 2011

Research: Used instrument can pose dangerous health risk in children

Research has shown that playing a musical instrument can help nourish, cultivate, and increase intelligence in children, but playing a used instrument also can pose a potentially dangerous health risk.

15 Mar 2011

New animal model helps define molecular processes that lead to PA

Pilocytic astrocytoma is the most common pediatric brain tumor, and there are few medical therapies available to those patients for whom surgery is not curative.

15 Mar 2011

Depressed Dads more likely to spank their infants: Study

Until now it has been seen that post partum depression affects women in nearly 25% of cases. However latest research shows that new dads experience baby blues too. The results show that 7% of new fathers reported recent major depression, and many of them said they had spanked their 1-year-old babies. This new study appeared Monday in the journal Pediatrics.

14 Mar 2011

Bonding with mom develops over first few weeks of life in rodent pups

For rodent pups, bonding with mom isn't hard-wired in the womb. It develops over the first few weeks of life, which is achieved by their maturing sense of smell, possibly allowing these mammals a survival advantage by learning to identify mother, siblings, and home.

14 Mar 2011

Breast fed babies smarter: Study

Scientists have finally come to a consensus that babies who are breast fed grow up to be more intelligent. A latest study showed that just four weeks on their mothers’ milk can have a ‘significant’ effect on a child’s development in primary and secondary school. These children do better at reading, writing and maths at the ages of five, seven, 11 and 14. It was known till now that breast feeding boosts immunity and helps the children fight ear infections, stomach bugs and even asthma.

14 Mar 2011

Extra intake of iron may not benefit pregnant women, except when anemic

Although universal prenatal supplementation with iron is recommended, an extra intake of iron does not noticeably benefit pregnant women, except when they are anemic. This was observed by researchers of the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp and colleagues who followed more than a thousand pregnant women in Burkina Faso.

11 Mar 2011

Parents need to talk to kids about eating disorders as early as possible

A government study has found that more than half a million teens have had an eating disorder, most commonly in the form of binge eating disorder and bulimia, and that most of the time these go untreated.

11 Mar 2011

Sec. Clinton launches global partnership to improve maternal, child health

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday announced the launch of a global partnership between USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the non-profit Grand Challenges Canada, the World Bank, and the government of Norway to reduce the number of deaths among mothers and infants in developing countries, the Globe and Mail reports.

11 Mar 2011

Infant formulas with fluoridated water increase risk of discolored teeth: HHS

All infant formulas, either concentrated or ready-to-feed, already contain some fluoride and, when routinely mixed with fluoridated water, increase the risk of dental fluorosis, according to Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in a video commentary published on Medscape.com, March 8, 2011.

11 Mar 2011

Seattle Children's Hospital inaugurates new dialysis unit

Today, timed with World Kidney Day, Seattle Children's Hospital announced the opening of its newly renovated dialysis unit. The unit will significantly improve patient comfort and safety compared to its predecessor facility, and includes an additional 630 square feet of space for a total of nearly 2,400 square feet.

11 Mar 2011

Sildenafil helps improve exercise performance in children with congenital heart disease

Sildenafil, a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension, has another possible use—helping children and young adults with congenital heart disease to better tolerate exercise.

11 Mar 2011

New initiative for pregnant women and newborns in rural settings

Saving Lives at Birth: A Grand Challenge for Development, was launched today to seek innovative prevention and treatment approaches for pregnant women and newborns in rural, low-resource settings.

11 Mar 2011

Iron deficiency during pregnancy may directly impact infant breathing health

Need a reason to take your iron supplements? Iron deficiency during pregnancy may directly impact infant and childhood breathing health according to a study recently published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

10 Mar 2011