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Save the Children index measures reach of health care workers, ranks best and worst countries for child health

A new index released Tuesday by Save the Children measures the nationwide reach of health workers and ranks the best and worst countries for a child to fall sick in, with Chad and Somalia at the bottom and Switzerland and Finland at the top, according to a Save the Children press release.

8 Sep 2011

The ABCs of proper brushing

For kids, brushing their teeth isn't always top of mind, and getting them to brush properly can be a real challenge for parents. But getting back into daily school routines is a great time to make sure kids are brushing often - and properly.

7 Sep 2011

Individuals with excess BMI more likely to develop type 2 diabetes

Obesity is a known risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. But it hasn't been clear whether the "dose" of obesity—how much excess weight a person has, and for how long—affects the risk of diabetes.

7 Sep 2011

Infants at higher risk of ASD have poorer movement skills

Poorer movement skills detected as early as 7 months old are observed in children at a higher risk of developing Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) than children in the general population.

7 Sep 2011

London scientist hopes to improve diagnosis for Jeune syndrome

A London scientist is hoping a new study funded by children's charity Action Medical Research, will help to improve diagnosis and work towards new treatments for a rare, incurable genetic disorder called Jeune syndrome.

7 Sep 2011

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe urges men to take larger role in HIV prevention

"Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe on Monday opened a national HIV and AIDS conference with a call for the nation's men to take a larger role in the response to the deadly pandemic, not only for their own health but that of women and children," VOA News reports.

7 Sep 2011

Researchers discover new genetic defect that can lead to Leigh syndrome

In Leigh syndrome, infants are born apparently healthy only to develop movement and breathing disorders that worsen over time, often leading to death by the age of 3. The problem is that the mitochondria responsible for powering their cells can't keep up with the demand for energy in their developing brains.

7 Sep 2011

March of Dimes urges all pregnant women to get influenza immunization

Getting a flu shot during pregnancy protects the mom-to-be from what could be a very serious – even fatal – illness and can protect her newborn who is too young to receive his or her own immunization.

7 Sep 2011

Oxycodone no safer than codeine for breastfed infants: New study

Doctors have been prescribing codeine for postpartum pain management for many years, and, until recently, it was considered safe to breastfeed while taking the opioid. But the death of an infant exposed to codeine through breast milk has many health care providers questioning the safety of the drug when used by breastfeeding mothers.

7 Sep 2011

New blood test could help identify babies at risk of sickle cell disease

A new blood test is being developed by researchers in Cambridge and Oxford, which, for the first time, could help identify babies at risk of a severe form of sickle cell disease, allowing immediate and more intensive treatment to be given, thanks to a grant from children's charity Action Medical Research.

7 Sep 2011

Researchers investigate special diets that could help youngsters keep the weight off

A shocking 17 per cent of boys and 15 per cent of girls aged two to 15 years are obese in the UK, putting them at risk of serious, long-term health problems. Now a team of Aberdeen researchers are investigating special diets which could help youngsters keep the weight off, thanks to a grant from children's charity Action Medical Research.

7 Sep 2011

Kids around smokers lose more school days than peers

A new study says that children whose parents smoke tend to miss more school than their classmates with non-smoking parents — possibly because of a higher rate of respiratory infections.

6 Sep 2011

New head louse treatment shows promise

The common head louse has been seen to be resistant to time-tested treatments. However a new Food and Drug Administration-approved hair rinse, Natroba, could put an end to that.

6 Sep 2011

Month of birth may determine career

Being born in a certain month appears to indicate the statistical likelihood of what job a person will end up with, the study by the UK’s Office for National Statistics has found.

6 Sep 2011

Youth immunization rates encouraging: CDC report

According to a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) out Monday, more and more American adolescents are receiving recommended vaccines.

6 Sep 2011

Discovery Labs files Complete Response to FDA for SURFAXIN to treat RDS in premature infants

Discovery Labs, Inc. today announced that, on September 2, 2011, it submitted its Complete Response to the 2009 Complete Response Letter issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for SURFAXIN(lucinactant) for the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants.

6 Sep 2011

Ontario Liberal Party includes OMA recommended health care policy initiatives in election platform

Ontario's doctors were pleased to learn that the Ontario Liberal Party has included several health care policy initiatives in their election platform as recommended by the Ontario Medical Association.

6 Sep 2011

Major difference in twin birth weights linked to increased risk of health complications

The first results of a major all-Ireland study of twin pregnancies, led by Perinatal Ireland and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and funded by the Health Research Board, has shown that a major difference in the birth weights among a pair of twin babies results in an increased risk of health complications for both twins.

6 Sep 2011

Exposure to phthalates during pregnancy may increase risk of developmental problems in children

A newly published study by researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health heightens concerns over the potential health effects on children of a group of ubiquitous chemicals known as phthalates.

6 Sep 2011

Circumcision rates decline in the US: Study

A new study has shown that circumcision rates among US baby boys have fallen. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which published the study in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, circumcision rates dropped from around 62 percent in 1999 to 57 percent in 2008.

5 Sep 2011