The synthetic opioid fentanyl is killing increasing numbers of U.S. kids, emulating the chilling trends seen among adults, a new study finds. Pediatric deaths from fentanyl increased more than 30-fold between 2013 and 2021, according to study author Julie Gaither, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Yale School of Medicine. Nearly half of the… read on > read on >
All Mommy:
Autism in Older Adults: Studies Show Higher Rates of Mental, Physical Ills
While a lot of research has focused on autism in children, much less effort goes toward studying adults with autism. Now, two new reports find this group is at substantial risk for age-related physical conditions and injuries, as well as being particularly susceptible to certain mental health issues including loneliness, social isolation and lower quality… read on > read on >
Banning Flavored Vapes Can Get Teens Quitting
While public health officials have expressed concerns about teens vaping, a new study suggests getting more to quit may be simple. Eliminating flavored e-cigarettes may reduce the use of vapes altogether in teens and young adults, the research found. “The restriction of the availability for certain e-cigarette e-liquid flavors has been considered by various regulatory… read on > read on >
Radiologists’ Group Pushes for Breast Cancer Risk ‘Assessment’ by Age 25
While the typical recommendation is for women to start getting mammograms at age 40, the American College of Radiology has released new guidelines that call for all women to have a breast cancer risk assessment by age 25 to determine if they should start screening mammograms before they turn 40. This early step is particularly… read on > read on >
Kids With Nonverbal Autism May Still Understand Much Spoken Language
About a third of children with autism aren’t able to speak — but that doesn’t mean they’re unable to listen and comprehend, a new study reports. About 1 in 4 kids and teens who have autism and are minimally verbal understand significantly more language than they’re able to produce, said lead researcher Yanru Chen, a… read on > read on >
Breast Cancer Survivors Can Safely Interrupt Therapy During Pregnancy: Study
For young women who survive breast cancer, a new study offers some reassurance about pregnancy: Pausing hormonal therapy to have a baby does not raise the risk of a cancer recurrence, at least in the shorter term. A trial of more than 500 young women treated for breast cancer found no signs of harm from… read on > read on >
Dangerous Infections in ‘Preemie’ Babies May Begin in the Gut
About half of extremely preterm babies have at least one life-threatening bacterial infection in their bloodstream after 72 hours of life. Now, new research points to the babies’ own gut microbiomes as the source. Knowing that the most common bacteria in bloodstream infections are also commonly found to colonize the gut without causing disease at… read on > read on >
FDA Approves First RSV Vaccine
The first vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in seniors aged 60 and older. Arexvy, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), is expected to help prevent lower respiratory tract infections caused by RSV, the agency said Wednesday. “Older adults, in particular those with underlying health… read on > read on >
Spring, Summer Is Peak Time for Dogs Biting Kids
In the spring and summer, everyone races outside with their dogs to enjoy the warmer weather, but a new study suggests there is a downside to that. More children are bitten by dogs in those months, according to researchers at Nemours Children’s Health. But a dog bite isn’t inevitable: It’s possible to keep both dogs… read on > read on >
Among Kids With Autism, Girls Are More Prone to Anxiety Disorders Than Boys
Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls are, but girls may be more likely to experience anxiety alongside the disorder than boys, new research reveals. Anxiety tends to travel with autism, which is characterized by problems with social interaction, communication and behavior. About 1 in 36 kids in the… read on > read on >