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Activation of pregnant mother's immune system can affect baby's brain development, study reveals

A landmark study published in the Journal of Neuroscience on February 26 reveals that activation of a pregnant mother's immune system can affect her baby's brain development.

28 Feb 2018

New educational pre-disaster video developed for child daycare providers

Children present with unique needs, particularly in a disaster. One challenge is that children may be completely dependent on adults for their care. With this in mind, and considering the physical, psychological and legal needs of children during and after a disaster, a group of stakeholders devised the outline for an educational pre-disaster video for child daycare providers in Los Angeles County using the Delphi technique.

28 Feb 2018

Diabetes drug use during pregnancy may increase risk of obesity or overweight in children

When women take the common diabetes medication metformin during pregnancy, it may put their children at increased risk of having obesity or overweight.

28 Feb 2018

Specific genes linked to differences in brain anatomy of autistic children

A team of scientists at the University of Cambridge has discovered that specific genes are linked to individual differences in brain anatomy in autistic children.

27 Feb 2018

Unhealthy behaviors in early childhood could be greatest predictors of obesity

Health authorities will need to focus on more than eating habits if they are going to combat the obesity epidemic.

27 Feb 2018

Obesity among kids still high finds new survey report

According to a new study, the rates of obesity among kids in the United States did not decrease for any age group and continued to rise among many subgroups. This new study has shown that overall the numbers have not fallen between 1999 and 2016 as hoped for. Of particular concern, previously documented racial and ethnic disparities, especially at the most extreme weight categories, showed no sign of abating.

27 Feb 2018

New proactive app could connect breastfeeding mothers with lactation consultants

A newly developed proactive app could instantly connect breastfeeding mothers with pediatricians or lactation consultants to help collect data, monitor patients and provide consultation and support while improving breastfeeding outcomes for new mothers.

27 Feb 2018

Study finds high rate of neonatal infections in Madagascar

Every year in the world, 4 million children die before the age of one, mainly in resource-limited countries, one-third of them due to a severe infection. The neonatal period alone (first month of life) accounts for one third of deaths before the age of one.

27 Feb 2018

Study suggests “social brain” development is hindered at young age in children with autism

Researchers have found evidence that the detached response to social cues seen in infants with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects development of particular brain regions known as the "social brain".

27 Feb 2018

Depression screening by primary care physicians important for adolescents

According to the American Academy of Paediatrics’ new guidelines released this week, all adolescents should undergo a screening for depression annually. The guidelines is published titled, “Guidelines for Adolescent Depression in Primary Care (GLAD-PC): Part I. Practice Preparation, Identification, Assessment, and Initial Management,” by the GLAD-PC Steering group.

26 Feb 2018

Premature birth has selective effect on functional networks of a child's brain

Researchers at the University of Helsinki and the Helsinki University Hospital have proven that premature birth has a significant and, at the same time, a very selective effect on the functional networks of a child's brain. The effects can primarily be seen in the frontal lobe, which is significant for cognitive functions.

26 Feb 2018

New analysis shows upward trend in childhood obesity

Despite reports in recent years suggesting childhood obesity could be reaching a plateau in some groups, the big picture on obesity rates for children ages 2 to 19 remains unfavorable.

26 Feb 2018

Study finds lower intellectual functioning in kids with chronic kidney disease

Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may have lower intellectual functioning compared with the general population, with mild deficits across academic skills, executive function, and visual and verbal memory.

24 Feb 2018

Simple message can alter attitudes about drinking in teenagers

Alcohol is frequently featured in entertainment media targeting teenagers, but can a simple message alter their attitudes about drinking? According to research from a professor at American University, the answer is yes.

24 Feb 2018

Children from low-income areas have poor outcomes after heart surgery, study finds

Children from low-income neighborhoods had a higher mortality rate and higher hospital costs after heart surgery compared with those from higher-income neighborhoods, found a national study of more than 86,000 kids with congenital heart disease.

24 Feb 2018

Study finds tobacco smoke exposure among most adolescents in economically disadvantaged population

Ninety-four percent of adolescents ages 13 to 19 in an economically disadvantaged, largely minority population in San Francisco had measurable levels of a biomarker specific for exposure to tobacco smoke.

23 Feb 2018

Repeated sick days do not affect children's learning ability, study shows

A fevered and listless child with ear pain, a bad cough or snot running out of their nose is a well-known phenomenon in most families with children.

23 Feb 2018

Child’s snacking patterns could be linked to genetics, study finds

Whether your child asks for crackers, cookies or veggies to snack on could be linked to genetics, according to new findings from the Guelph Family Health Study at the University of Guelph.

23 Feb 2018

Fluoride does not have negative effect on intelligence

It is a well-known fact that fluoride is good for the teeth. Two researchers at Uppsala University show in a working paper from IFAU that a higher level of fluoride in the drinking water does not lead to lower intelligence.

23 Feb 2018

More boys begin school a year late than girls, study finds

More boys than girls begin school a year late and more girls than boys begin a year early. But researchers are not certain whether maturity is the explanation.

23 Feb 2018