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Experts to review how environmental disasters affect children's health

Environmental disasters can affect children's health in unique ways, both physically and psychologically. In two sessions at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colo., experts in pediatric health care from the U.S. and Japan will examine the toll of two recent disasters on children's health: the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis in Japan; and the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

2 May 2011

Formula-fed premature babies more likely to develop necrotizing enterocolitis

Extremely premature babies fed human donor milk are less likely to develop the dangerous intestinal condition necrotizing enterocolitis than babies fed a standard premature infant formula derived from cow's milk, according to research by investigators at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center and elsewhere.

2 May 2011

Premature infants who screen positive for ASD at 18 months may not have autism

Extremely premature infants who screen positive for autism spectrum disorder at 18 months of age may not actually have autism. Rather, they may fail screening tests due to an unrelated cognitive or language delay, according to research to be presented Sunday, May 1, at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in Denver.

2 May 2011

Increased sleep duration is associated with growth spurts in infants

A study in the May 1 issue of the journal Sleep is the first to show that increased bursts of sleep among infants are significantly associated with growth spurts in body length.

2 May 2011

Research highlights need for smoke-free car laws to protect children from toxins

It is absolutely unacceptable to subject children to any tobacco smoke exposure in cars, according to the authors of an abstract to be presented Sunday, May 1, at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in Denver.

2 May 2011

Low vitamin D levels linked to anemia in children

Pediatricians from Johns Hopkins Children's Center and elsewhere have discovered a link between low levels of vitamin D and anemia in children.

2 May 2011

Secondhand smoke exposure linked to high blood pressure in boys

Exposure to secondhand smoke, even at extremely low levels, is associated with increased blood pressure in boys, according to new research being presented Sunday, May 1, at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in Denver.

2 May 2011

BPA exposure during early pregnancy may increase risk of wheezing in children

Exposure to the chemical bisphenol A during early pregnancy may be associated with wheezing in children, according to a Penn State College of Medicine researcher.

2 May 2011

State news highlights: Texas Senate approves Medicaid savings bill

The Senate unanimously approved Sen. Jane Nelson's bill to find extensive cost savings in Texas' Medicaid program, the primary health care provider for children, the disabled and the very poor. ... The measure expands Medicaid managed care into South Texas, where it has long been carved out — expected to save the state $290 million over the biennium.

30 Apr 2011

Extensive folic acid fortification of foods prevents neural tube defects in neonates

Neural tube defects in neonates are common in Germany compared with the rest of Europe. Extensive folic acid fortification of foods in Germany might prevent these in 85-100% of cases, Wolfgang Herrmann and Rima Obeid argue in this issue of Deutsches Ärzteblatt International (Dtsch Arztebl Int 2011; 108[15]; 249-54).

30 Apr 2011

PURE named winner of CSN 2011 National Child Safety Award

PURE Bioscience, Inc., creator of the patented silver dihydrogen citrate antimicrobial, today announced that Child Safety Network has named PURE the winner of its 2011 National Child Safety Award and has granted PURE Hard Surface disinfectant its Safe Family Seal of Approval.

30 Apr 2011

Study: Immigrants living less than five years in Canada less likely to have premature babies

Immigrants living less than five years in Canada are less likely than their Canadian-born counterparts to have premature babies regardless of where they live, according to a new study by St. Michael's Hospital.

30 Apr 2011

Three hundred neurosurgeons to participate in Central Park softball tournament

With summer just around the corner, that means the Annual Neurosurgery Charity Softball Tournament will take place in Central Park for the eighth consecutive year.

30 Apr 2011

Prescriptions for narcotic-containing drugs often contain too much medication per dose

Parents who give young children prescription painkillers should take extra care to make sure they give just the right amount. What they may be surprised to learn, however, is that the dose given to them by the pharmacy could be too high, according to research to be presented Saturday, April 30, at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in Denver.

30 Apr 2011

Tips for parents to prevent child's sports injuries

With spring here and summer on the way, children are back on the field and ready to score one for the team. Unfortunately, this also means more opportunities for injury, from simple twisted ankles to serious concussions.

30 Apr 2011

Video games can serve as respiratory therapy for children with cystic fibrosis

Video games controlled by the player's breath can encourage youths with cystic fibrosis to use techniques that can help keep their airways clearer, according to a study to be presented Saturday, April 30, at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in Denver.

30 Apr 2011

Fetal exposure to crude oil chemical may increase risk of heart disease

While it may be years before the health effects of the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico are known, a new study shows that fetal exposure to a chemical found in crude oil is associated with an increased risk of congenital heart disease.

30 Apr 2011

Babies born to obese mothers may face risk of iron deficiency

Babies born to obese mothers are at risk for iron deficiency, which could affect infant brain development, according to a study to be presented Saturday, April 30, at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in Denver.

30 Apr 2011

Penn Nursing, Surgeon General partner to promote breastfeeding awareness in the U.S.

While 75 percent of U.S. babies start out breastfeeding, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports only 13 percent are exclusively breastfed at the end of six months. Six months of exclusive breastfeeding is the American Academy of Pediatrics' minimum recommendation.

30 Apr 2011