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Research shows decline in risky behaviors and rise in depression among adolescents

Between 1999-2021, U.S. adolescents steadily desisted from risky behaviors such as substance use and violence, and from reporting a combination of both risky behaviors and mental health symptoms.

19 Mar 2025

Eating a variety of plants helps infants build a stronger gut microbiome

Diverse plant-based diets in early childhood drive gut microbiome maturation, with weaning stage emerging as the dominant dietary signature across global populations.

18 Mar 2025

Could tea during pregnancy give your baby a brain boost? Research says yes

Maternal tea consumption during pregnancy – particularly in the second and third trimesters – is associated with improved cognitive, fine motor, and gross motor skills in 3-year-olds, while coffee intake shows no significant impact, according to a Chinese cohort study of 1,423 mother-child pairs.

18 Mar 2025

Cyanotic congenital heart disease incidence increases in states with restrictive abortion laws

The incidence of babies born with serious heart defects, known as cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD), rose in states that enacted restrictive abortion laws following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 ruling that put abortion laws in the hands of the states, according to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session.

18 Mar 2025

New approach results in earlier autism diagnosis for children

Closer collaboration between child health services and specialist care has resulted in faster support for young children with autism.

18 Mar 2025

Higher BMI in adolescence worsens genetic risk for high blood pressure, study finds

Adolescent BMI amplifies genetic risk for high blood pressure, with sex-specific differences in how BMI modifies SBP susceptibility in adulthood.

17 Mar 2025

Study links maternal postpartum depression to emotional overeating in children

Up to 25% of new mothers suffer from postpartum depression, which can significantly impact their parenting behavior and the wellbeing of their children.

17 Mar 2025

Could a little spice in your diet prevent gestational diabetes?

Eating chili once a month during pregnancy is linked to a significantly lower risk of gestational diabetes, while dried beans and bean soup showed no clear association.

17 Mar 2025

Baked eggs in infancy may lower lifelong egg allergy risk

Introducing baked eggs to infants aged 4–6 months and maintaining daily intake for six months significantly improves tolerance to cooked eggs, reducing the risk of egg allergy.

17 Mar 2025

Study examines the mechanisms behind long-term consequences of childhood stress

Early-life adversity affects more than half of the world's children and is a significant risk factor for cognitive and mental health problems later in life.

17 Mar 2025

Surgery reduces health care visits in children with mild sleep-disordered breathing

Surgical removal of enlarged tonsils and adenoids in children with mild sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) appears to significantly reduce the frequency of medical office visits and prescription medicine use in this group, according to a clinical study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

17 Mar 2025

Congenital heart defects may be linked to increased cancer risk in babies and mothers

Being born with a heart defect may be associated with an increased cancer risk for babies and their moms, according to new research published today in the American Heart Association's flagship journal Circulation.

17 Mar 2025

Blood-brain barrier dysfunction and inflammation linked to Down syndrome Regression Disorder

A new research study led by Jonathan D. Santoro, MD, Director of the Neuroimmunology Program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, shows evidence of dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier and inflammation in the central nervous system in individuals with Down syndrome Regression Disorder (DSRD).

14 Mar 2025

Maternal high-fat diets linked to liver stress in unborn babies

When mothers eat a diet high in fat and sugars, their unborn babies can develop liver stress that continues into early life.

14 Mar 2025

Study finds more extremes in adolescent mental health

More teenagers report high mental wellbeing - yet at the same time, those who are struggling rate their depressive symptoms significantly higher than previous cohorts did at the same age, according to a study from the University of Gothenburg.

13 Mar 2025

Struggling with weight? Eat more legumes, cut red meat, and skip soda

Diets rich in whole grains, nuts, legumes, and fruits help reduce obesity risk, while red meat and sugary drinks increase it. Researchers reviewed global evidence to identify which foods support or hinder weight management.

13 Mar 2025

Study shows how autism-linked picky eating causes serious vitamin deficiencies

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face a high risk of multiple micronutrient deficiencies, especially vitamins A, D, B12, and calcium, due to extreme food selectivity. These deficiencies can lead to severe health issues like rickets, vision loss, and immune dysfunction, even in children with normal body weight.

13 Mar 2025

Scientists reveal how Epstein-Barr virus reactivation triggers MIS-C in children

Scientists reveal that reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), driven by TGFβ-induced immune suppression, is a key driver of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) following COVID-19. Blocking TGFβ may offer a potential new treatment for this life-threatening condition.

13 Mar 2025

How to manage allergies in children

When a child's sniffles and sneezing won't go away for weeks, the cause might be allergies.

13 Mar 2025

How is academic achievement linked to wellbeing?

This comprehensive study explores the connection between anxiety, cognitive function, and academic success, advocating for holistic educational strategies.

13 Mar 2025