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 >

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 >