Children raised in unstable, unpredictable environments are more likely to exhibit mental and physical health problems as teenagers and young adults, a new study says. Kids are more likely to develop behavior problems and mental health conditions after living in a chaotic household, researchers reported recently in the journal Child Development. On the other hand,… read on > read on >
Planned Parenthood clinics across the country will continue to receive Medicaid funding, at least for now. On Monday, a federal judge blocked a new federal rule that could have shut many of them down. The ruling, issued Monday by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston, replaces an earlier, more limited decision. The new order… read on > read on >
An ultrasound is typically a parent-to-be’s first glimpse of their child. New research suggests that the words hospital staff use to describe the fetus during an ultrasound can have an impact on later parenting — for good or ill. For example, if an ultrasound’s poor quality is blamed on an “uncooperative” fetus, it might set… read on > read on >
Women who carry a baby for someone else — also known as gestational carriers or “surrogate moms” — may be at higher risk for mental illness during and after the pregnancy, new research shows. “Our findings underscore the importance of adequate screening and counseling of potential gestational carriers before pregnancy about the possibility of a… read on > read on >
A 12-year-old South Carolina boy has died after being infected by a rare, brain-eating amoeba found in freshwater, his family’s lawyer said. Middle school student Jaysen Carr died July 18 after swimming in Lake Murray, a large reservoir near Columbia, S.C., according to a Facebook post from the law office of Tyler D. Bailey. Doctors… read on > read on >
Living near lush green spaces appears to reduce a child’s risk of ADHD and autism, even before they are born, a new study says. Children had lower odds of developing brain development problems if they lived near green spaces as infants, or if their moms did before or during pregnancy, researchers report in the August… read on > read on >
Greatest rates of intentional PFAS use seen for period underwear and reusable pads read on >
More pregnant women are turning to newer and potentially safer antiseizure medications, a new study says. Older antiseizure drugs like valproate and phenobarbital are known to increase risk of birth defects. But there’s been a 30% increase in the use of the safest antiseizure drugs during pregnancy, researchers report in the July 23 issue of… read on > read on >
Care about your kid’s well being? Then best not give them a smartphone until they’re a full-fledged teenager, a major new study says. Kids given a smartphone when they were younger than 13 tend to have poorer mental health and well-being, researchers report in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities. Specifically, people between 18… read on > read on >
Even small increases in blood sugar might put a dent in a man’s virility, a new study says. Minimally elevated blood glucose levels are linked to a decline in sperm movement and erectile function, even if levels are below the threshold for diabetes, according to findings presented at the Endocrine Society’s recent meeting in California.… read on > read on >
