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Measuring children's blood pressure is complicated: Researchers

A Johns Hopkins Children's Center study of 2,500 patient records suggests that medical staff fails to check a child's blood pressure a fifth of the time, and is not recognizing what constitutes an abnormal reading in those whose blood pressure they do check.

3 May 2010

DHA supplements during lactation increases DHA status in preterm infants

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid, is essential for the growth and development of infants' brains. Very premature infants may be deficient in DHA because they miss out on the third trimester in utero when the fatty acid accumulates in tissues. In addition, their gastrointestinal system is immature, and health problems often increase the risk of malnutrition.

3 May 2010

Experts to discuss on ASD at PAS meeting

It is estimated that nearly 1.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, and about 1 in 110 children are believed to have some form of autism, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

3 May 2010

Racial discrimination can cause major health consequences in minority children

Minority children often encounter racism in their daily lives, and those who experience discrimination more often have more symptoms of depression, according to a study to be presented Sunday, May 2 at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

3 May 2010

ATN study shows prevalence of GI symptoms in children with ASD

Parents of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders sometimes report that their children suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea and constipation. However, studies on how prevalent these symptoms are have had conflicting results.

3 May 2010

Obese children are more likely to be bullied in schools

Obese children are more likely to be bullied regardless of gender, race, socioeconomic status, social skills or academic achievement.

3 May 2010

Majority of children living in apartments are exposed to secondhand smoke

The majority of children living in apartments are exposed to secondhand smoke, even when they don't live with smokers. This study from the University of Rochester Medical Center is the first to examine whether housing type is a potential contributor to children's exposure to cigarette smoke.

3 May 2010

Children's health suffers when families choose between basic necessities and healthcare costs

When the high cost of health care forces families to forgo paying for basic household expenses, such as rent, utilities or food, children's health suffers, according to research to be presented Sunday, May 2 at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

3 May 2010

Mutations in several genes associated with developmental brain disorder: Study

Although there is no known cause of autism, studies have shown that mutations in several genes are associated with the developmental brain disorder. New research has uncovered two additional genes that may be involved with autism.

3 May 2010

Experts discuss effective method for obesity prevention at 2010 PAS meeting

Childhood obesity is a rapidly growing epidemic, but questions remain as to who can best prevent it - the child? The parents? Society? Hear a panel of ethicists, social scientists, and obesity specialists as they discuss whether a societal or public health approach is the most effective method for obesity prevention at the 2010 Pediatric Academic Societies meeting in Vancouver.

3 May 2010

Adequate primary care is associated with fewer ear and throat surgeries among children

The availability of surgeons may increase the likelihood that children will receive optional ear and throat surgeries, while the availability of primary care providers, such as pediatricians and family physicians, may decrease the likelihood of children undergoing these procedures, according to research to be presented Saturday, May 1 at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

3 May 2010

Right to breastfeed after returning to work for NSW public service women

Breast feeding touted as the best way of feeding a newborn baby has been a difficult issue with working mothers. In a new development, new mums employed in the New South Wales public service have finally won the right to breast feed their babies while at work.

2 May 2010

New book focusing on childhood TBI published

Pediatric traumatic brain injury is a major public health concern and a new book focuses on evaluating what is currently known about childhood TBI and the challenges faced by researchers and clinicians in this arena. The book is entitled "Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury: New Frontiers in Clinical and Translational Research," edited by Vicki Anderson and Keith Owen Yeates and published by Cambridge University Press.

30 Apr 2010

Computers may cause physical problems to children: Researchers

Professor Straker said the guidelines were important because computer use by children was extremely high globally and discomfort reported by children using computers was increasing.

30 Apr 2010

Opinions: Sanitation and women, child health; GM in Global Food Security bill; U.S. malaria strategy; GHI on NTDs; Haiti recovery

"If Stephen Harper is serious about maternal health and child health [as suggested by his plans for the upcoming G8 and G20 summits], he needs to recognize that healthy mothers come from healthy communities," Maude Barlow and Meera Karunananthan of the Council of Canadians write in a Chronicle Herald opinion piece that examines the connections between the health of women and children and access to drinking water and sanitation.

30 Apr 2010

Self-sealing sleeve for wound protection

As the days get longer and temperatures rise, so do incidences of outdoor-related injuries.

30 Apr 2010

Nationwide Children's Hospital opens first pediatric Pseudotumor Cerebri Clinic in the U.S.

While most headaches in children can be treated with over-the-counter pain medications or lifestyle changes, it is important to pay attention to their symptoms in case they herald something more serious.

30 Apr 2010

G8 development ministers agree on 'guiding principles' for child and maternal health initiative

G8 development ministers "agreed to a set of guiding principles [for Canada's G8 maternal and child health initiative] that leaves flexibility for countries to 'build their basket of initiatives,'" Bev Oda, the Canadian minister for international cooperation, said at a closing news conference on Wednesday, the Toronto Star reports.

30 Apr 2010

UNICEF, WHO release new publication on medicines formulated for children

A new publication that lists medicines formulated for children is being made available online by UNICEF and the World Health Organization, to help doctors and organizations obtain some of the 240 essential medicines that can save the lives of children.

30 Apr 2010

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital opens new Center for Fetal Health

Complex fetal diagnoses bring extraordinary strain to pregnant women and their families. Learning an eagerly-awaited child will be born with a medical problem is often the worst crisis an expectant parents can face.

30 Apr 2010