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Childhood poverty, demographics associated with DNA methylation patterns

A University of British Columbia and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics (CMMT) study has revealed that childhood poverty, stress as an adult, and demographics such as age, sex and ethnicity, all leave an imprint on a person's genes. And, that this imprint could play a role in our immune response.

20 Oct 2012

Updated second edition of autism toolkit from AAP

To help pediatricians in diagnosing and managing autism spectrum disorders in children, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is offering an extensively revised and updated second edition of its autism toolkit, "Autism: Caring for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Resource Toolkit for Clinicians." The toolkit will be launched Oct. 20 at the AAP National Conference & Exhibition in New Orleans.

20 Oct 2012

Study identifies critical contributors of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Results of one study indicate that the risk for developing pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia increased the longer a baby was fed formula and the longer solid foods were delayed.

20 Oct 2012

AAP renews call to reduce destructive effects of guns in children and adolescents' lives

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is renewing its call to reduce the destructive effects of guns in the lives of children and adolescents, including counseling parents about safe gun storage as well as supporting legislation to prevent firearm injuries and deaths.

19 Oct 2012

Two Chicago students develop novel treatment method for fetal alcohol syndrome

Two Chicago high school students have developed a novel treatment method to reduce the negative effects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and a new understanding of genetics behind the disease.

19 Oct 2012

Harvard, SLU to develop asthma alert messaging system

A $93,000 gift from Google together with a $25,000 award from Saint Louis University's President's Research Fund will allow faculty at SLU, Harvard and St. Louis College of Pharmacy to research smart phone and web-based applications and data infrastructure to create an asthma alert messaging system.

19 Oct 2012

Babies born to HIV positive mothers more likely to acquire measles

Non-infected babies born to HIV positive mothers should be vaccinated early against measles, to avoid them acquiring the virus or passing it on to others.

19 Oct 2012

NPR series on polio examines efforts to fight disease in Pakistan

In its ongoing series examining efforts to eradicate polio, NPR's "All Things Considered" aired a story on Wednesday looking at how health care workers in Pakistan are attempting to overcome challenges to immunizing the child population.

19 Oct 2012

Study to determine if treating mothers can help children at risk for ADHD

University of Illinois at Chicago researchers are conducting a study to determine if treating mothers with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder -- either with medication or parent training -- will help children at risk for ADHD.

19 Oct 2012

Political will, humanitarian effort, funding all needed to eradicate polio

Though "conflict and insecurity problems in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria have presented challenges to polio immunization, ... these are surmountable obstacles," Siddharth Chatterjee, chief diplomat and head of strategic partnerships and international relations at the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, writes in the International Peace Institute's Global Observatory.

19 Oct 2012

CNN program examines childhood stunting

In this episode of CNN's "Amanpour," correspondent Christiane Amanpour talks with UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake and Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter Angelique Kidjo, a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, about childhood stunting, which "threatens 180 million children below the age of five all over the world."

19 Oct 2012

Advances in Neonatal Care now available on the iPad

Advances in Neonatal Care, the leading source of professional information for neonatal nursing professionals, announced today that its content and CE opportunities are available on the iPad.

19 Oct 2012

Chelsea Clinton in Nigeria to promote program distributing zinc, oral rehydration solutions

"Chelsea Clinton is taking on the discomforting issue of diarrhea, throwing her family's philanthropic heft behind a sweeping effort in Nigeria to prevent the deaths of one million mothers and children each year from preventable causes, including 100,000 deaths from diarrhea," Reuters reports.

19 Oct 2012

Kids with ADHD tend to feel that they benefit from medications

Children living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) tend to feel that they benefit from medication to treat the condition and do not feel that the medication turns them into 'robots', according to a report published today. In fact, they report feeling that medication helps them to control their behaviour and make better decisions.

19 Oct 2012

AAP to host seminar on child health disparities

A day before pediatricians gather in New Orleans for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference & Exhibition, the AAP will host a day-long seminar on health disparities.

19 Oct 2012

Jersey Shore University Medical Center recognized as Baby-Friendly hospital

Jersey Shore University Medical Center has received an international designation as a Baby-Friendly hospital. Baby-Friendly USA, Inc. is the U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund.

18 Oct 2012

NPR examines efforts to eradicate polio in Nigeria

NPR's "Shots" blog reports on efforts to eradicate polio in Nigeria. "[N]orthern Nigeria is the only place in the world where polio cases are increasing," the blog writes, noting, "As of Sept. 1, it had recorded 90 polio cases in 2012 -- or nearly three times as many as in the same period last year."

18 Oct 2012

Gothenburg researchers aim to discover new methods for treatment of childhood obesity

By studying intestinal flora in newborn children, Professor Fredrik Bäckhed and his team of researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, aim to discover new methods to treat childhood obesity.

17 Oct 2012

Trauma in infancy and childhood shapes the brain, learning and behavior

Trauma in infancy and childhood shapes the brain, learning, and behavior, and fuels changes that can last a lifetime, according to new human and animal research released today. The studies delve into the effects of early physical abuse, socioeconomic status (SES), and maternal treatment.

17 Oct 2012

World must 'pull together' to end hunger, stunting among children

Noting "around 170 million children under the age of five are stunted" globally, actor and UNICEF ambassador Mia Farrow writes in a CNN opinion piece, "For too long, stunting has been a silent crisis -- a personal tragedy for each family," but "the suffering of some 170 million children constitutes a global catastrophe that calls for an urgent response." Traveling with UNICEF for more than a decade, Farrow says, "Wherever there is poverty, it is the children who pay the highest price."

17 Oct 2012