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Rational use of heath care dollars for tonsillectomy

Without fanfare, hundreds of thousands of children surrender their tonsils to a surgeon's scalpel each year, usually to alleviate recurring infections and obstructive sleep problems. Most of the time, the snipped tonsils are sent to a pathologist, who looks for evidence of more serious medical problems, like unsuspected cancer.

9 Feb 2011

Babies born to HIV-infected mothers have lower antibody levels against bacterial infections

Babies whose mothers have HIV, but who are not HIV-infected themselves, are born with lower levels of specific proteins in their blood called antibodies, which fight infection, compared with babies not exposed to HIV, a new study has found.

9 Feb 2011

Anti-cancer shots for boys in the pipeline

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) is deciding on whether to include the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil in in the National Immunization Program for boys.

8 Feb 2011

ADHD kids often suffer from other mental ailments: Study

As many as two thirds of American children suffering from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, also suffer other mental health and developmental conditions, such as learning disabilities and anxiety says a new study.

8 Feb 2011

KONAMI announces physical education program to combat childhood obesity

Kids across the U.S. are getting off the couch and getting their dance on. Following the lead of a successful tournament throughout the state of West Virginia, KONAMI today announced the 2011 DanceDanceRevolution Hawaii State Championship Tournament, designed to promote the importance of exercise and healthy lifestyles for youths all across the Aloha State and nationwide.

8 Feb 2011

Scientists use fruit flies to study how prenatal alcohol exposure causes FAS

Drinking excess alcohol during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) due to the damaging effects of alcohol on a developing baby's brain. Despite its harmful effects, pregnant mothers continue to drink alcohol - up to 3 in every 1000 babies are born with FAS, which causes intellectual disabilities, behavioural problems, growth defects and abnormal facial features.

8 Feb 2011

Prenatal exposure to coal byproducts can impact early childhood growth

Children raised in homes using indoor coal for cooking or heating appear to be about a half-inch shorter at age 36 months than those in households using other fuel sources, according to a report posted online today that will appear in the June print issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

8 Feb 2011

Survey finds most hospitals, birthing centers do not routinely screen for congenital heart defects

Only about two out of every 100 babies (1.8 percent) were screened at birth for congenital heart defects (CHDs) because the hospital or birthing center where the baby was born routinely screens all newborns for CHDs -- the number-one birth defect and leading killer of infants and newborns. This is according to a survey just released by Little Hearts, Inc., a national organization that provides support, education, resources, networking and hope to families affected by congenital heart defects.

8 Feb 2011

Researchers identify CHK1 protein may serve as treatment target for neuroblastoma

After analyzing hundreds of proteins produced by the DNA of tumor cells, researchers have identified one protein that may be central to a new treatment for the often-fatal childhood cancer neuroblastoma. Oncologists hope to translate the finding into pediatric clinical trials of a drug that blocks the protein's activity.

7 Feb 2011

Bottle-feeding may lead to severe tooth decay in babies: Experts

Dental experts have urged parents to stop bottle-feeding their babies because of rising rates of severe tooth decay in infants as young as 12 months. In the warning from Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, experts say that prolonged feeding with bottles of breast milk and infant formula are linked to the problem, especially at night, when children suck on bottles in their cots for extended periods.

7 Feb 2011

Mothballs may cause brain damage in babies: Experts

Pediatricians have called for a ban on the sale of mothballs containing the chemical naphthalene citing evidence that these can lead to severe blood problems and even brain damage for significant numbers of Australian babies.

7 Feb 2011

Sugary snacks and lax dental hygiene put kids at risk for tooth decay

While the most prevalent focus of February is on Valentine's sweethearts, parents are well advised to also focus on the proverbial sweet tooth - particularly when it comes to their children. That's because February is National Children's Dental Health Month, an ideal time - according to Health Net, Inc. - for moms and dads to make sure that sugary snacks, as well as lax dental hygiene - aren't putting their kids at risk for tooth decay.

7 Feb 2011

Genomic study identifies link between Native American ancestry, relapse in young leukemia patients

The first genome-wide study to demonstrate an inherited genetic basis for racial and ethnic disparities in cancer survival linked Native American ancestry with an increased risk of relapse in young leukemia patients. The work was done by investigators at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Children's Oncology Group.

6 Feb 2011

FDA approves Makena injection to reduce risk of preterm delivery

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate) injection to reduce the risk of preterm delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy, in pregnant women with a history of at least one spontaneous preterm birth.

5 Feb 2011

NFL, NDC, Gen YOUth Foundation collaborate to tackle childhood obesity

Some of our nation's principal thought leaders in child health, physical activity and education will converge today in North Texas, site of Super Bowl XLV, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that outlines an unprecedented private-public partnership committed to child health and wellness.

5 Feb 2011

Henry Schein, supplier partners, ADA to sponsor 'Give Kids A Smile Day' event

Henry Schein, the largest distributor of health care products and services to office-based dental, medical and veterinary practitioners, and its supplier partners have joined with the American Dental Association, Colgate-Palmolive and DEXIS to sponsor the ninth annual ADA "Give Kids A Smile Day."

5 Feb 2011