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PDGFRA gene may lead to effective treatments for paediatric high grade glioma: Study

Scientists have discovered a gene that could lead to more effective treatments for a form of childhood brain cancer called paediatric high grade glioma.

21 May 2010

Researchers receive NIH grant to study speech and language development in bilingual children

University of Texas at Austin researchers have received a $3.3 million National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant to conduct a five-year study of speech and language development in bilingual children who speak English and Spanish, comparing those whose language skills are delayed with those who have no delays.

21 May 2010

Study explores genetic imbalances that give rise to childhood brain tumors

The most comprehensive analysis yet of the genetic imbalances at the heart of childhood brain tumors known as high-grade gliomas (HGGs) identified a cancer gene that is unusually active in some tumors and is now the focus of a St. Jude Children's Research Hospital clinical trial.

21 May 2010

'Teachable moments' can reduce cancer risk in children of parents with mutations in tumor suppressor genes

Parents found to be carriers of a mutated form of the tumor suppressor genes known as BRCA1 and BRCA2 do not always share these test results with their children, but they may choose to discuss related information important to their own health with them. That is the result of a study conducted by an investigator at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) and colleagues, whose findings suggest that those parents are using the discovery of their mutation status as an opportunity for a "teachable moment" in educating their offspring about cancer risk reduction.

21 May 2010

Research team investigates infants with suspected GERD using combined pH/MII monitoring

Gastroesophageal reflux, defined as passage of gastric contents into the esophagus is a normal process that occurs in healthy infants, children and adults. When GER causes troublesome symptoms and/or complications it is referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease. During infancy, GER is common and can manifest with specific symptoms as vomiting and non-specific symptoms as irritability and cough. Association of non-specific symptoms with GER is a main problem in the diagnosis of GERD.

21 May 2010

Pressure treated playground structures are not harmful for children: Study

Pressure treated wooden playground structures do not live up to the bad reputation they have earned as being harmful to children, according to the findings of a new University of Alberta study.

21 May 2010

New clinical procedures, better diagnostics improve prognosis for children born with severe acute asphyxia

The prognosis for children born with severe acute asphyxia has improved in recent years owing to new clinical procedures and better diagnostics, according to a new doctoral thesis from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet. By measuring levels of lactic acid in the blood during childbirth and the brain activity of the newborn afterwards, doctors can make a much more reliable assessment of the risk of serious brain damage.

21 May 2010

Vesicoureteral reflux more common among girls

Children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), in which urine flows backwards into the kidneys from the bladder, have been treated in the past with surgery or antibiotic therapy.

21 May 2010

Media examines recent Oxfam report on impact of aid to developing countries

In a recent report, Oxfam "outlines how aid has contributed to economic growth in poor countries by getting 33 million more children into school, boosting access to HIV drugs tenfold, funding tens of millions of anti-malaria bed nets, and building up health services," Reuters AlertNet reports (Rowling, 5/20).

21 May 2010

British Columbia first in Canada to include Prevnar 13 in routine child immunization program

British Columbia is leading the way in vaccinations to protect children from serious disease. The province is the first in Canada to include Prevnar 13, the vaccine that provides the broadest coverage available against Streptococcus pneumoniae that may cause invasive pneumococcal disease, in the routine child immunization program.

21 May 2010

Medco: Big jump in kids' prescription drug use last year

Children's prescription drug use rose "several times faster" than adult use last year, "due in part to swine flu drugs and Type 2 diabetes medications, according to Medco Health Solutions Inc," The Associated Press reports. The "pharmacy benefits manager said a 5 percent increase in prescription drug use for children contributed to a 10.8 percent spending increase last year. In contrast, overall prescription drug use rose 1.3 percent, and drug spending climbed 3.7 percent. Medco released its annual drug trend report Wednesday" (Murphy, 5/19).

21 May 2010

Dads need to spend more time with kids: Research

According to a new study by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, most Australian kids do not spend much time alone with their dads. The research shows that many kids spend as little as 30 minutes a day with their dads during the week. The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children involved nearly 4,000 people and found that mothers spent more time with the children and preferred it more than fathers.

20 May 2010

GFCF diet shows no significant benefits on the behavior of children with ASD: Study

A popular belief that specific dietary changes can improve the symptoms of children with autism was not supported by a tightly controlled University of Rochester study, which found that eliminating gluten and casein from the diets of children with autism had no impact on their behavior, sleep or bowel patterns.

20 May 2010

Research studies on depression in preschool-aged children

It is difficult to imagine a depressed third-grader. It is even more difficult to imagine a depressed preschooler. Although childhood depression is a well-recognized and treated disorder, only recently have research studies begun looking at depression in children younger than six years old.

20 May 2010

Expert 'top tips' for management of childhood eczema

Several leading European dermatologists have launched guidance to help parents reduce the burden of eczema on children living with this disease. Experts from Denmark, France, Germany, Poland and Spain have come together to agree a consensus of 'top tips', which focus on avoiding situations that trigger painful flares and different ways to increase eczema 'flare-free' periods. The 'top tips', sponsored by Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd., are launched at the 10th European Society for Pediatric Dermatology Congress (ESPD), Switzerland.

20 May 2010

Drug trend for children increased 10.8% in 2009 across America

In growing numbers, children across America are adding a dose of medicine to their daily routine. In 2009, drug trend for children – a measure of prescription spending growth – increased 10.8 percent, driven by a 5 percent increase in drug utilization and higher medication costs, according to the Medco 2010 Drug Trend Report. The growth in prescription drug use among children was nearly four times higher than the rise seen in the overall population.

20 May 2010

Child's autism does not affect family structure

Having a child with autism can put stress on the parents' marriage, and a frequently cited statistic leads to a common perception that the divorce rate among these families is as high as 80 percent. But a study to be released at a news conference today by researchers from Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore found that a child's autism has no effect on the family structure.

20 May 2010

Pennsylvania Department of Health recommends hepatitis A and B vaccination for children and adults at risk

The Pennsylvania Department of Health recommends immunization of children and adults at the highest risk for hepatitis during "Hepatitis Awareness Month" and "World Hepatitis Day" on May 19.

20 May 2010

NPMA: Cockroach allergens can trigger allergies, asthma attacks

In recognition of National Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month, celebrated each May, the National Pest Management Association is reminding families that cockroach allergens can trigger allergies and asthma attacks. The saliva, droppings and decomposing bodies of cockroaches contain allergen proteins known to trigger allergies and increase the severity of asthma symptoms, especially in children.

20 May 2010

African American, Latino children with special health care needs less likely to receive family-centered care: Study

The concept of family-centered care for children with special health care needs is based on the understanding that a partnership among patients, families and health care professionals is essential to providing quality care.

20 May 2010

Child Health News

PDGFRA gene may lead to effective treatments for paediatric high grade glioma: Study

Researchers receive NIH grant to study speech and language development in bilingual children

Study explores genetic imbalances that give rise to childhood brain tumors

'Teachable moments' can reduce cancer risk in children of parents with mutations in tumor suppressor genes

Research team investigates infants with suspected GERD using combined pH/MII monitoring

Pressure treated playground structures are not harmful for children: Study

New clinical procedures, better diagnostics improve prognosis for children born with severe acute asphyxia

Vesicoureteral reflux more common among girls

Media examines recent Oxfam report on impact of aid to developing countries

British Columbia first in Canada to include Prevnar 13 in routine child immunization program

Medco: Big jump in kids' prescription drug use last year

Dads need to spend more time with kids: Research

GFCF diet shows no significant benefits on the behavior of children with ASD: Study

Research studies on depression in preschool-aged children

Expert 'top tips' for management of childhood eczema

Drug trend for children increased 10.8% in 2009 across America

Child's autism does not affect family structure

Pennsylvania Department of Health recommends hepatitis A and B vaccination for children and adults at risk

NPMA: Cockroach allergens can trigger allergies, asthma attacks

African American, Latino children with special health care needs less likely to receive family-centered care: Study

Evolving spectrophotometry for modern biopharma workflows

Scaling B-cell cloning workflows for antibody development

Fluidics in Modern Healthcare & Medical Device Innovation

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