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01 Jun

Why Do Male Infants ‘Talk’ More During the First Year of Life?

A new study finds male infants make more vowel- and word-like sounds during the first year of life, but then lose that early advantage.

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EPA to Require Removal of All Lead Pipes From U.S. Water System

THURSDAY, Nov. 30, 2023 (Healthday News) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday that it plans to require the removal of all lead pipes from the country's water systems.

The proposed rule, an ambitious effort that will cost up to $30 billion over the next decade, would affect about 9 million pipes that send water to homes in countless communities across the United S...

AI Might Accurately Spot Autism in Early Childhood

TUESDAY, Nov. 21, 2023 (HealthDay News) — University of Louisville researchers say they've developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system with a near-perfect record of diagnosing autism in toddlers.

Using specialized MRI scans of the brain, the tool diagnosed toddlers with 98.5% accuracy, according to findings scheduled for presentation in Chicago next week at a meeting of the Radiolo...

Forget Grandma: Today's Parents Turn to Social Media for Advice, Poll Finds

MONDAY, Nov. 20, 2023 (Healthday News) -- Expert advice and self-help books are officially passé: Social media is where nearly all new parents now go for guidance on potty training, sleep issues and toddler tantrums, a new poll shows.

Four in five turn to forums like TikTok and Facebook for tips on caring for young children, while nearly half rate social media as very useful for finding ...

Air Pollution Exposure Before Birth May Harm Reproductive Development: Study

Air pollution could be harming the development of children, reaching into the womb to alter their healthy growth, a new study reports.

Researchers say certain air pollutants appear to negatively alter a specific measure of prenatal exposure to hormones.

“These findings suggest air pollution may interfere with normal hormone activity during critical periods of prenatal and early in...

Youngest Kids With ADHD in Class No Less Likely to See Diagnosis Fade

Experts have long wondered whether diagnoses for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the youngest children in a class would hold.

A new study suggests that being the youngest, and possibly most immature, did not appear to make a difference.

“We know the youngest children in their year group are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD -- but many believe this is becaus...

New Clues to How Inflammation in Young Children's Brains Might Spur Autism

Severe inflammation very early in childhood might hamper the development of key brain cells, perhaps setting the stage for conditions such as autism or schizophrenia, new research suggests.

The origins of many neurodevelopment disorders remain mysterious. But the new study of postmortem brain tissue from children who died between the ages 1 and 5 shows how inflammation affects brain cells...

Want Your Child to Have Empathy? Stay Close

Young children who are close to their parents are more likely to grow up to be kind, caring and considerate. These kids may also have fewer mental health problems during early childhood and adolescence, a new study finds.

By contrast, children whose early relationships with their parents are emotionally strained or abusive are less likely to become thoughtful and generous.

“Taking...

Nearly 4 in 10 Toddlers Diagnosed With Autism No Longer Have It by Age 6

Not all children diagnosed with autism as toddlers continue to have that diagnosis once they reach elementary school, a new study shows.

While some past research has suggested this could be true, the new research backs that up, finding that a large percentage — about 37% — of these toddlers no longer met the criteria for the condition by the age of 6.

“I think what this shows ...

1 in 4 Teens With Autism May Be Undiagnosed

As many as 1 in 4 teens with autism may be undiagnosed, new research suggests.

“Autism is much more prevalent than people assume,” said lead researcher Walter Zahorodny, an associate professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark.

The

  • Sarah D. Collins HealthDay Reporter
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  • October 6, 2023
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  • Spending on Kids' Mental Health Keeps Rising

    In yet another reminder of the psychic toll the pandemic has taken on young people, new research shows spending on mental health services for U.S. children and adolescents has risen sharply since 2020.

    It climbed 26% for youths aged 19 and younger between March 2020 and August 2022, the RAND Corp. study found. Among a large group whose families had employer-provided insurance, use of ment...

    PFAS Chemicals Tied to Later Puberty in Girls

    Exposure to ubiquitous chemicals known as PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, may delay puberty in girls, new research indicates.

    The study is the first to consider the role hormones play in the delay, according to researchers from the University of Cincinnati.

    Delayed puberty can lead to negative long-term health outcomes for girls, such as a higher incidence of breast ca...

    Breastfeeding in Infancy Tied to Healthier Weight Later for Kids

    What a baby eats, or how the baby eats, may have an impact on future weight and health, research has shown.

    A new study backs that up. It found that 9-year-olds who had been breast-fed for six months or more had a lower percentage of body fat than their peers who were ne...

    Playtime With Dad Brings Kids Better Grades at School

    Most parents want to help their kids do well in school, and for dads the answer may be found in something simple and fun.

    A new study from the United Kingdom finds that kids do better in elementary school when their fathers regularly spend time interacting with them through reading, playing, telling stories, drawing or singing.

    Researchers at Leeds University Business School found t...

    Unsafe Neighborhoods Have Higher Levels of Child Abuse

    Having safer neighborhoods, where families feel less stress, can help prevent child abuse, according to new research that supports this long-suspected theory.

    When parents feel higher levels of stress or hopelessness about their surroundings, they may have a harder time caring for their children,

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • September 25, 2023
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  • Future of 'Artificial Wombs' for Human Preemies to Be Weighed by FDA Advisors

    Advisors to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will weigh the possibilities and parameters of experiments with artificial wombs for premature human babies.

    Scientists have already had some success with the concept in animals.

    During a two-day

    Pediatricians' Group Warns Against Keto Diet for Kids With Diabetes

    Low-carb diets may be all the rage, but they're not for kids with diabetes, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

    In a new report, the AAP says that low-carbohydrate diets cannot be recommended for children or teenagers with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. That's because there's little evidence they're helpful, but there are concerns about restricting kids' diets to tha...

    Disney Princesses: Are They Good or Bad for Your Child's Self-Image?

    For parents worried about how Disney princesses might impact their child's self-image, a new study is saying, “Let it go.”

    “In children's media, about 60% of the characters are men and boys, they're male. And Disney princesses are probably one of the more visible and more well-known examples of media, made for children specifically, that's focused on female characters and women's st...

    Bacteria at Day Care Might Raise Kids' Odds for Asthma

    Certain combinations of bacteria found in dust in children's day care settings may have an impact on their young lungs.

    Researchers are trying to understand whether attending day care can affect children's lung health. Their aim is to lower the risk of asthma.

    “We find mixtures of different bacteria and other microbes living everywhere — outside, inside our homes, on our skin a...

    Kids Have Already 'Normalized' Gender Roles by Preschool, Study Finds

    So much for the powerful feminist messaging in the new Barbie movie.

    Director Greta Gerwig's feminist interpretation of Barbie depicted the fashion dolls as judges, surgeons, naval officers, astronauts and U.S. Presidents in Barbie World, and it resonated. The Barbie movie broke box office records this summer.

    But new research shows most people are not living in this re-imagined Bar...

    Boosting Their Creativity Helps Kids Face Life's Challenges, Study Finds

    Just like adults, kids face daily stressors.

    Luckily, a new study suggests that teaching them creative thinking can help them manage it all.

    Researchers found that when school-age children learned some "narrative creativity" techniques -- such as shifting your perspective and imagining "what if" scenarios -- they quickly became better problem-solvers.

    After a week-long creativ...

    Eye-Tracking Device Could Be More Accurate Test for Autism in Toddlers

    Just 1 in 4 children with autism is diagnosed before age 3, but a new eye-tracking technology may allow for earlier diagnosis and intervention, according to three clinical studies of more than 1,500 kids.

    Autism is a disorder marked by difficulties with communication and social interaction. In the United States, it affects about 1 child in 36, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Con...

    Childhood Trauma Can Affect a Woman's Adult Sex Life, Study Finds

    A stressful or traumatic childhood experience — anything from parents divorcing to a sibling's drug problem — may have long-term effects on a woman's sexual health.

    These adverse childhood experiences may be linked to sexual inactivity and dysfunction in women later in life, a

    Common Plastics Chemical Could Harm Boys' Development

    Phthalates are commonly used in plastics, and researchers have now tied them to developmental issues in toddler boys who were exposed to the chemical in the womb.

    The new study links the chemicals to emotional and behavioral development issues in 2-year-old boys ...

    ADHD: What Parents Need to Know

    Lots of children and adolescents have the condition known as ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

    What should parents know? A number of treatments exist to help with functioning, including medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    Typically, ADHD begins between ages 3 and 6, according to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health. It can continu...

    When Parent Is in Prison, Kids' Heart Risks Rise

    Along with having to deal with the social stigma of having a parent who is incarcerated, young adults in that situation may be more likely to develop signs of heart trouble, a new study finds.

    The health impacts of having a parent who spent time in jail have been understudied, the researchers noted.

    "There was very little data on its association with cardiovascular risks,” said le...

    For Preemie Babies, Preschool Plus Parenting Can Spell Academic Success

    Infants born three to six weeks early -- considered late preterm -- are at risk for learning problems, but they can be overcome, researchers say.

    Preschool attendance and sensitive parenting can help them bridge the gap academically, a new study shows.

    "Our findings highlight an opportunity for pediatric providers to offer prevention strategies to parents of late preterm infants to...

    Better Sleep, Less Stress-Linked 'Acting Out' in Kids

    If your child is acting out and you're looking for solutions, researchers at the University of Georgia's Youth Development Institute suggest better sleep might be the answer.

    Getting more hours of slumber could reduce impulsive behavior in kids, their new study showed.

    “Stressful environments are shown to make adolescents seek immediate rewards rather than delayed rewards, but the...

    Segregation Has Close Ties With Lead Poisoning in Black American Kids

    Young Black children living in racially segregated U.S. neighborhoods are at heightened risk of potentially brain-damaging lead exposure, a new study warns.

    The study, of nearly 321,000 North Carolina children under the age of 7, found that those living in predominantly Black neighborhoods had higher blood levels of lead than those living in more integrated areas.

    Experts said the f...

    Antidepressants for Postpartum Depression Could Mean Better Mental Health for Kids, Too

    If you are a new mom struggling with postpartum depression, taking antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may also bear benefits for your child's development.

    That's according to new research that found the medications were associated with improvements in a child's behavior up to five years after birth.

    Researchers from the Institute of Psychiatry, ...

    As Parents Drop Kids Off for Their Freshman Year at College, An Expert Offers Tips

    Tears may flow when parents drop their teen off at college. Watching kids leave the nest can tug at the heart and make parents a little anxious about what's to come.

    That makes sense, but it's natural that young adults will become more independent and develop autonomy from their parents and grandparents. So, how can parents rise to the occasion?

    An expert from Virginia Tech offers s...

    'Couch Potato' Childhoods Could Mean Heavier, Less Healthy Hearts Later

    Children need to get up off the sofa and move more, according to a new study that linked childhood sitting time with heart damage in young adulthood.

    That was true even when the adult's blood pressure and weight were healthy, according to researchers.

    “All those hours of screen time in young people add up to a heavier heart, which we know from studies in adults raises the likelih...

    Too Few Kids Are Getting Regular Eye Tests, and Insurance Is Key

    Eye tests are an important way to catch potential eye-related issues in children, but more than two-thirds of kids in the United States are not receiving them at their checkups.

    Those with Medicaid and other public health insurance were far less likely to receive these vision checks in the past year at their primary care doctor's office, according to researchers at University of Michigan ...

    More Screen Time for Babies Could Slow Development

    Too much screen time can lead to developmental delays in babies, researchers say.

    When 1-year-olds viewed screens for more than four hours a day, they had delays in communication and problem-solving skills when assessed at ages 2 and 4, according to a new study published Aug. 21 in

    Social Media Is Parents' Top Concern as Kids Head Back to School: Poll

    When U.S. parents express their concerns about their school-aged children, social media use and the internet are at the top of the list.

    Mental health issues are another top worry, according to the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health.

    “Parents still view problems di...

    Is Your Child Lagging in Reading Skills? An Expert Offers Tips

    Helping a child who struggles with reading can be a rewarding experience.

    A nationally known expert offers some tips for parents who are trying to help their child work through these difficulties.

    Patricia Edwards, professor of language and literacy at Michigan State University's College of Education, s...

    Obesity a Key Factor When Kids Develop Sleep Apnea

    Childhood obesity is concerning for many reasons, among them that the severity of the sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) grows with obesity levels and age.

    A new study looked at the role of obesity in children's OSA. It adds to a growing awareness of the part ob...

    Step Up to a New School Year: Tips for Buying Shoes for Your Kids

    Buying back-to-school shoes should be more about the right fit than the right look — but with luck you can combine the two.

    Shoes play a big part in how kids' feet function and should be selected with care, say orthopedists at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York.

    “When parents bring their children in with foot pain or an injury, the first thing I do is ask about ...

    Some Schools Respond to Child Obesity by Focusing on Water

    In the midst of a childhood obesity epidemic, a new study is pointing to a way to help school kids maintain a healthier weight: clean, accessible drinking water.

    The decidedly low-tech solution emerged in a study of 18 California elementary schools that serve largely low-income minority families. Researchers found that when they kicked off a "Water First" program -- which included putting...

    Troubled Childhood Could Mean a Troubled Old Age, Study Finds

    The trauma and unhappy family dynamics of childhood may follow kids into old age, affecting both their mind and body, according to new research.

    “We looked at self-reported disability, as well as objectively measured physical and cognitive impairment, and learned that early-life stressful experiences can have ramifications all the way into older age,” said senior author

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • August 4, 2023
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  • Could Exposure to Lead Early in Life Raise Odds for Criminality Later?

    Being exposed to lead while in the womb or during early childhood may increase a person's chance of engaging in criminal behavior as an adult, a new review claims.

    To arrive at this conclusion, the review authors evaluated 17 previous studies that used varying methods to test for lead exposure, including blood, bones and teeth. They also addressed the effects of exposure at different ages...

    New Clues to Treating a Disease That Prevents Children From Swallowing, Eating

    Children who have a chronic immune system disease that can prevent them from eating may eventually have a new treatment, decades after the condition was first identified.

    “Parents and doctors may not be aware of this, but this is a very prominent and serious disease in the pediatric population, and it is increasing in number because it is directly related to food allergens, which are al...

    Low-Fiber Diet During Pregnancy May Harm Baby's Brain

    Too little fiber in Mom's diet during pregnancy may slow a baby's mental development, Japanese research suggests.

    Animal studies have found that a low-fiber diet during pregnancy slows brain nerve function in offspring. The new study, published July 27 in the journal

    Nearly 1 in 10 U.S. Children Has a Developmental Disability: CDC

    More kids in the United States are getting a developmental disability diagnosis, with prevalence close to 9% in 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.

    Among 3- to 17-year-olds, 8.56% have ever been diagnosed with a developmental disability, compared to 7.4% in 2019, according to the agency's National Health Interview Survey.

    The diagnoses are far more com...

    Monkey Study Suggests Hazards of Marijuana Use During Pregnancy

    Marijuana use during pregnancy may impact the baby's brain development and long-term health, according to new research with monkeys.

    THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) -- the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis -- altered the placental and fetal epigenome in monkeys who were given THC edibles, researchers say. These modifications can cause changes that aff...

    Board Games Could Be a Win for Your Kid's Math Skills

    Family game night can be more than just a fun time: New research suggests it may even help build some early math skills in young children.

    While past research has pointed to games as a way to enhance reading development and literacy, a new comprehensive review finds that number games like Monopoly, Othello, and Chutes and Ladders may help children with math.

    “Board games enhance ...

    Do Short Kids Need Growth Hormone to Boost Self-Esteem? Maybe Not

    Pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Erin Okawa works in a wealthy Los Angeles neighborhood and sees many parents worried about their kids' height.

    “I have a clinic in Manhattan Beach, which was apparently settled by ex-volleyball players and ex-soccer players,” she said. “So there are a lot of very tall parents ...

    Kids Who Read for Pleasure Grow Into Better-Adjusted Teens: Study

    Young children may be fascinated by electronic devices, but a new study suggests that old-fashioned reading may help them grow into better adjusted middle schoolers.

    The study, of more than 10,000 U.S. "tweens," found that those who'd begun reading for fun early in childhood tended to be faring better in several ways: They scored higher on tests of skills like memory and speech developmen...

    Growing Up Poor May Rewire a Child's Brain: Study

    Growing up in poverty may harm the structural wiring of a child's brain, a new study claims.

    Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found a link between both neighborhood and household poverty and the brain's white matter tracts. These let the brain communicate between its regions and are important for processing information.

    “White matter integrity...

    'Vaginal Seeding' Could Give Health Boost to Babies Born Via C-Section

    Vaginal "seeding" may be a safe way to transfer mom's beneficial bacteria to C-section babies -- and it might help them hit some early milestones a bit sooner, a small clinical trial suggests.

    Experts stressed that the findings are early, and it remains to be seen how vaginal seeding -- swabbing newborns with moms' vaginal fluids -- might ultimately affect child development.

    And for...

    Loving, Supportive Daycare Tied to Better Grades Years Later

    Could high-quality child care for young children translate into better grades in math and science?

    Yes, says new research that found children with caregivers who provided both warmth and mental stimulation go on to do better in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in high school.

    “Our results suggest that caregiving quality in early childhood can build a strong foundat...

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