Taking acetaminophen while pregnant might increase a child’s risk of autism or ADHD, a new evidence review says. Analysis of 46 prior studies involving more than 100,000 participants found “strong evidence” that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen could increase the risk of developmental brain disorders like autism and ADHD, researchers reported Aug. 13 in the journal…  read on >  read on >

College students with autism have dramatically higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to their peers, a new study says. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of college students with autism suffer from anxiety, compared with just over 9% of their peers without autism, researchers reported recently in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Likewise, nearly half…  read on >  read on >

As the new school year begins, experts say one simple habit can help kids succeed: Getting enough sleep. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) reminds families, teachers and communities about the importance of quality sleep for students of all ages. “Resetting healthy sleep habits early can help students start the year focused, well-rested and…  read on >  read on >

Kids’ academic test scores might improve if they boost their brain power with some high-intensity exercise before picking up a pen, a new pilot study says. Children had significantly higher test scores after they spent nine minutes performing high-knee walking, jumping jacks, lunges and squats, researchers report in the journal Psychology of Sport & Exercise.…  read on >  read on >

A child’s symptoms of autism might vary according to their parents’ exposure to workplace chemicals, a new study says. On-the-job chemical exposure among moms and dads prior to a child’s birth was significantly linked to increased autism severity, worse behavioral issues and poorer cognitive performance, researchers found. “Our findings suggest that parental exposure to certain…  read on >  read on >

Up to 60% of women feel some level of fear about giving birth, but a new study suggests that a strong sense of mental well-being could make a difference. Researchers from Robert Gordon University in Scotland and the University of South Australia (UniSA) surveyed 88 women in their third trimester before they attended prenatal classes…  read on >  read on >

Most children involved in fatal car crashes are not safely and properly restrained, needlessly placing them in harm’s way, a new study says. About 7 of 10 kids younger than 13 weren’t safely strapped in when a fatal auto accident took place, researchers reported in the journal Traffic Injury Prevention. “We found more than half…  read on >  read on >

Researchers have debunked long-standing concerns that Tamiflu can cause neurological and psychiatric problems when given to influenza-stricken children. For decades, doctors have debated whether the antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu) increases kids’ risk of seizures, mental problems and hallucinations. But Tamiflu actually cuts by half a child’s risk of such problems, compared to leaving influenza untreated,…  read on >  read on >