When a pregnant woman is infected with COVID-19, the sex of the fetus may influence immune system activity, researchers say. The new study included 68 mothers-to-be. Thirty-eight developed COVID-19 during their third trimester, while 30 remained virus-free. In both groups, half of the fetuses were male and half were female. In the infected women, male… read on > read on >
All Mommy:
Ten Years On, Gene Therapy Still Beating Most Cases of ‘Bubble Boy’ Immune Disease
Nine of 10 patients with so-called “bubble boy” immune disease who received gene therapy about a decade ago are still disease-free, researchers report. The gene therapy was developed at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), to treat the rare and deadly immune system disorder formally known as adenosine deaminase–deficient severe combined immunodeficiency (ADA-SCID). It’s… read on > read on >
Even With Mild COVID, Obesity May Mean Worse Symptoms
Obese people have a tougher time fighting COVID-19, even if they have a milder form of the virus, a new study finds. Researchers looked at more than 500 patients who tested positive for COVID but didn’t require hospitalization. Teens and adults who were overweight or obese had more symptoms, including cough and shortness of breath,… read on > read on >
Switch to Vaping Won’t Help Ex-Smokers Quit for Good: Study
Smokers may think electronic cigarettes will help them quit, but a new study finds no evidence that’s the case. Researchers found that among Americans who’d recently quit smoking, those who were using e-cigarettes were just as likely to relapse in the next year as non-users were. And the risk of relapse was actually slightly increased… read on > read on >
White House Announces COVID Vaccination Plan for Young Kids
The White House on Wednesday unveiled a national plan to roll out coronavirus vaccines for 5- to 11-year-olds that is designed to make getting shots as easy and comfortable as possible for both kids and their parents. Rather than mass vaccination sites, the Biden administration plans to have pediatric COVID shots delivered in settings that… read on > read on >
A High-Tech Pointer to Pollutants That Trigger Asthma in Kids
Dust mites and smoke are known triggers of asthma in children. Now, scientists have identified previously unknown combinations of air pollutants that appear tied to the respiratory disorder. “Asthma is one the most prevalent diseases affecting children in the United States. In this study, we developed a list of air pollutants a young child may… read on > read on >
New Device Might Spot ‘Lazy Eye’ in Kids Earlier
The answer to helping kids with “lazy eye” before it’s too late could be a hand-held screening device, a new study suggests. Amblyopia can’t be treated with glasses or contact lenses after a child’s vision reaches maturity, and without treatment, it can lead to poor school performance and impairments in depth perception and fine motor… read on > read on >
Many Parents Worry That Kids Fell Behind in Schooling During Pandemic
It is a fear that millions of parents have been harboring since the pandemic began: Will their children fall behind in school due to disruptions caused by lockdowns, closings and social distancing? A new U.S. poll finds that fear is widespread, with just over half of more than 3,000 parents and caregivers of children under… read on > read on >
‘6 Stages’ Approach Might Help Families Coping With ADHD
Researchers have created a six-stage process to help families of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) deal with the disorder. “This framework is family-centered, focused on breaking down the barriers that families face from before diagnosis to preparing children with ADHD for the future,” said Dr. Andrea Spencer, director of the Reach for ADHD… read on > read on >
Most Kids Newly Diagnosed With ADHD Aren’t Getting Best Care
Preschoolers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) rarely receive the gold-standard treatment recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for their condition, a new study reports. The AAP recommends a behavioral therapy technique called “parent training in behavior management,” or PTBM, as first-line treatment for ADHD kids ages 4 and 5. But only 1… read on > read on >