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Childhood obesity risk can be predicted at birth

A simple formula can predict at birth a baby's likelihood of becoming obese in childhood, according to a study published today in the open access journal PLOS ONE.

29 Nov 2012

Study identifies risk factors associated with co-exposure to lead, mercury and PCBs

Nearly 23 percent of American women of childbearing age met or exceeded the median blood levels for all three environmental chemical pollutants - lead, mercury, and PCBs - tracked in an analysis of data on thousands of women by Brown University researchers.

29 Nov 2012

Study: Tdap vaccination safe for seniors

A new study of the safety of the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine supports the recommendation that those 65 and older get the vaccine to protect themselves and others, particularly young babies, from pertussis.

29 Nov 2012

Child Neurology Society honors LSUHSC professor with 2012 Hower Award

The Child Neurology Society presented Ann Henderson Tilton, MD, Clinical Professor of Neurology at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, with the 2012 Hower Award at the 41st Annual CNS Meeting in November.

29 Nov 2012

Nearly 63,000 people visit online catch-up immunization scheduling tool

Children obtain protection against certain diseases by receiving vaccinations, but they commonly miss recommended times to receive these immunizations. Once a child falls behind, health care professionals typically have to construct a unique, personalized catch-up schedule for each child - often while the child waits in the treatment room.

29 Nov 2012

Packard Children's Health Alliance announces addition of Peninsula Pediatric Medical Group

Packard Children's Health Alliance announced today that the Peninsula Pediatric Medical Group has joined their fast-growing network of care.

29 Nov 2012

Diptheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine: an interview with Dr. Rudi Eggers, World Health Organisation

The Diptheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine is sometimes also called the “triple vaccine” and has been around for about 50 years, and it protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. These are serious diseases caused by bacteria.

28 Nov 2012

IPS examines undernourishment, efforts to reverse vitamin deficiencies

"Poverty is the leading cause of many vitamin deficiencies, especially vitamin A," and the problem is acute in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where food staples such as cassava and rice are high in calories but low in nutrients, Inter Press Service reports.

28 Nov 2012

Cry acoustics may help identify infants at risk of autism

Autism is a poorly understood family of related conditions. People with autism generally lack normal social interaction skills and engage in a variety of unusual and often characteristic behaviors, such as repetitive movements. While there is no specific medical treatment for autism, some success has been shown with early behavioral intervention.

28 Nov 2012

ABCA3 gene associated with respiratory distress syndrome in babies

Some infants are more susceptible to potentially life-threatening breathing problems after birth, and rare, inherited DNA differences may explain why, according to research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

28 Nov 2012

Global Polio Eradication Initiative IMB report optimistic but warns of possible polio resurgence in 2013

Though there is "significant risk" of a resurgence of polio in 2013, a new report from the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is optimistic about the eradication of the disease, noting that 99.9 percent of polio has been stopped worldwide, with 175 cases reported so far in 2012 compared with 350,000 reported in 1988, BBC News reports.

28 Nov 2012

MetroStar to collect new unwrapped toys for Hurricane Sandy-affected children

In continuing their efforts to assist New Yorkers return to normalcy after the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy, MetroStar Home Health Products, a privately owned Home Health Products company located at http://www.MetroStarDME.com, will be collecting new, unwrapped toys to distribute to children throughout those areas most impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

27 Nov 2012

Children with asthma benefit from cognitive behaviour therapy programme

Researchers have found that a programme of cognitive behaviour therapy delivered by nurses to children who had asthma and anxiety improved the children's quality of life scores and reduced the risk of escalation of treatment.

27 Nov 2012

Chronic suppurative lung disease: an interview with Dr Robyn Marsh

Chronic suppurative lung disease, or CSLD, is used to describe a range of lung diseases characterised by a chronic wet cough and progressive lung damage. We are interested in the non-cystic fibrosis forms of the disease with a focus on bronchiectasis – the severe form of CSLD.

26 Nov 2012

Overexpressed enzyme contributes to development of preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy and the major cause of death for both mother and child in Europe and the U.S. It affects about one in 20 pregnancies. The main symptoms are high blood pressure and protein in the urine.

26 Nov 2012

Pediatricians called to prescribe 'morning-after' pills in advance

Wading into the incendiary subject of birth control for young teenagers, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on Monday called on the nation's pediatricians to counsel all of their adolescent patients about emergency contraception and make advance prescriptions for it available to girls under 17.

26 Nov 2012

Study examines pediatric injuries associated with inflatable bouncers

A new study by researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital examined pediatric injuries associated with inflatable bouncers, such as bounce houses and moonwalks.

26 Nov 2012

Alcohol exposure during fetal development alters brain structure and metabolism in children

Children exposed to alcohol during fetal development exhibit changes in brain structure and metabolism that are visible using various imaging techniques, according to a new study being presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

26 Nov 2012

New research helps improve quality of life-saving blood transfusions for preterm babies

Results of new research from the University of Adelaide are a promising step forward in helping to improve the quality of life-saving blood transfusions for preterm babies, by reducing the likelihood of adverse inflammatory responses to the blood.

26 Nov 2012

UNICEF releases demographic report on Universal Children's Day

On Universal Children's Day, November 20, "UNICEF issued a new research paper highlighting global demographic shifts forecast for the coming generation of children that present major challenges to policy makers and planners," according to a UNICEF press release.

22 Nov 2012