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Children's characteristics may determine response to inhaled corticosteroid therapy for asthma

In a study published online in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and five other sites nationwide found that children who showed the most improvement in days without wheezing using an inhaled corticosteroid drug were caucasian boys who had allergies and had a hospitalization or emergency department visit for asthma symptoms in the year prior to the trial.

5 May 2009

Researchers examine factors that contribute to children missing immunization visits

According to a new study led by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, there are several factors that contribute to children missing immunization visits.

5 May 2009

Even mildly premature infants have increased risk of medically attended respiratory syncytial virus infection

Even mildly premature infants (gestational ages of 33 weeks through 36 weeks) have an increased risk of medically attended respiratory syncytial virus infection, which is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children and can lead to pneumonia in babies, according to a Kaiser Permanente Division of Research study.

5 May 2009

Adults important in reducing tobacco use among young people

A clear commitment from adults against the use of tobacco is expected by their children as they grow up, and it can prevent teenagers from starting to smoke or use snuff. This is shown in current research from Umea University in Sweden.

5 May 2009

Childhood vaccination in 21st century faces multiple challenges that threaten success

"Childhood vaccination represents one of the most successful public health interventions ever," write Matthew M. Davis, M.D., M.A.P.P., of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and Samir S. Shah, M.D., M.S.C.E., of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, in an editorial in the May issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, a theme issue on vaccines. "Diseases that once killed thousands of children each year have been virtually eliminated."

4 May 2009

Iron deficiency in womb may delay auditory nervous system in preemies

Iron plays a large role in brain development in the womb, and new University of Rochester Medical Center research shows an iron deficiency may delay the development of auditory nervous system in preemies. This delay could affect babies ability to process sound which is critical for later language development in early childhood.

4 May 2009

Kids with high blood pressure more likely to have learning/attention problems

Children who have high blood pressure are more likely to have learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than children who are not hypertensive. They are also more likely to have a higher body mass index (BMI), an indicator of body fat.

4 May 2009

Cigarette smoke exposure may lower levels of antioxidants in kids

Children exposed to cigarette smoke have lower levels of antioxidants, which help the body defend itself against many biological stresses.

4 May 2009

Children bullied at school more likely to develop psychotic-like symptoms

Children who are bullied at school over several years are up to four times more likely to develop psychotic-like symptoms by the time they reach early adolescence.

4 May 2009

A link found between childhood obesity and allergies

A new study indicates there may be yet another reason to reduce childhood obesity - it may help prevent allergies. The study published in the May issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology showed that obese children and adolescents are at increased risk of having some kind of allergy, especially to a food.

4 May 2009

Younger children exposed to content intended for adults in TV and movies may become sexually active earlier in life

Early onset of sexual activity among teens may relate to the amount of adult content children were exposed to during their childhood, according to a new study released by Children's Hospital Boston.

4 May 2009

Obese kids significantly more likely to have lower body injuries

In comparison to non-obese children, obese children are significantly more likely to have lower body injuries, such as in their ankles and legs.

4 May 2009

Recent initiatives in global health make progress against child deaths

Recent initiatives in global health have made significant advances in knowledge, prevention and reduction of diseases affecting children in low-income countries.

3 May 2009

Young children think gender-related behavior is inborn

Young children think about gender in the same way they think about species of animals.

30 Apr 2009

Why are some young victims of domestic violence resilient?

More than 10 million U.S. children witness domestic violence yearly, resulting in a range of emotional and behavioral problems.

30 Apr 2009

Racial and ethnic discrimination and their effect on mental health in children

A new multicenter study involving UCLA and the RAND Corp. has found that perceived racial or ethnic discrimination is not an uncommon experience among fifth-grade students and that it may have a negative effect on their mental health.

27 Apr 2009

Good sleep patterns among children important in preventing behavioral symptoms

A recent Finnish study suggests that children's short sleep duration even without sleeping difficulties increases the risk for behavioral symptoms of ADHD.

27 Apr 2009

Dentist designs new quick release child safety seat

News reports of a teenager unable to free a toddler from a burning vehicle's child safety seat helped convince a Rome, Ga. dentist his idea of an alternative quick release mechanism for such seats was needed.

27 Apr 2009

Safely transporting a preterm or low birth weight infant

New guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics should eliminate one of the many stresses of bringing a preterm or low birth weight infant home from the hospital.

27 Apr 2009