Researchers report that overgrowth of a part of the brain that’s associated with autism occurs during infancy, a finding that may make it possible to diagnose the disorder at an earlier age. The amygdala is a small structure in the brain that’s crucial in interpreting social and emotional clues, such as understanding facial expressions or… read on > read on >
COVID-19 vaccines appear to be safe for kids who have had a rare complication called MIS-C after being infected by the coronavirus, according to a new small study. Some kids get MIS-C — shorthand for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children — four to six weeks after a bout with COVID. Many have few or no… read on > read on >
A sudden rash can be a puzzling and alarming symptom in a child. But as one expert explains, rashes are common in kids and often caused by eczema or an allergic reaction. “Eczema is a disease that causes patches of dry skin, which is often accompanied by intense itching. Scratching can damage the skin, make… read on > read on >
Fully half of all women who have annual mammograms to screen for breast cancer will receive a false-positive test result over a decade of screening, according to a new study. False-positive results call for further testing and eventually rule out cancer. False alarms can certainly increase anxiety. “Women undergoing screening mammography should be aware that… read on > read on >
Your child’s risk of harm from social media is higher at certain ages and it’s different for girls and boys, researchers report. To figure out how social media use affected “life satisfaction” among 10- to 21-year-olds, the investigators analyzed long-term data on 17,400 young people in the United Kingdom. The new study found key periods… read on > read on >
Babies born to fathers who were taking the common diabetes drug metformin may have a slightly increased risk of certain birth defects, a large new study suggests. Among over 1 million babies born in Denmark, just over 3% had a birth defect of some kind. But that rate was roughly 5% among babies whose fathers… read on > read on >
If you’re a worker who plans to get pregnant, take heed of a new study that warns that pregnant women who work in hospitals and are exposed to disinfectants may be more likely to have children who suffer from asthma and eczema. The Japanese researchers focused on occupational disinfectant use, noted study author Dr. Reiji… read on > read on >
Ultrasound guidance and soft catheters are among the measures that can be used during embryo transfer to help improve the chances of successful in-vitro fertilization (IVF), according to a British study. “It is reassuring to see that some of the interventions that are used regularly in the U.K. … appear to increase the likelihood of… read on > read on >
Yearly flu shots are especially important for kids with asthma as any virus can trigger an asthma attack. But in the not-too-distant future, these kids might be able to get a spritz instead of a jab, new research hints. Current recommendations suggest children with asthma get an inactivated flu shot (the flu virus is dead)… read on > read on >
Certain antiviral drugs used to treat HIV may also guard against COVID-19 infection, a new study suggests. The researchers found that people with HIV who are on antiretroviral treatment (ART) with protease inhibitors may have a lower risk of COVID-19 infection. Protease inhibitors are antiviral drugs that block a critical enzyme (protease) that viruses need… read on > read on >
