Injuries, heart attacks, lung infections, strokes and other medical emergencies caused about half of the world’s 28 million deaths in 2015, a new study reports. Such deaths are on the rise, and rates are much higher in poor countries than wealthy ones, the researchers said. “We believe our study is among the first to identify…  read on >

The death of a baby is always tragic, but safe sleep practices could have prevented some recent suffocation deaths, new research claims. The study found two factors appeared to be behind a majority of infant deaths by suffocation: A baby not sleeping on his or her back. A baby sleeping in an adult bed. “Although…  read on >

As e-cigarette use soars in high schools across America, new research shows many people don’t understand the amount of addictive nicotine they’re inhaling with every puff. In a new survey, many teens said they regularly used e-cigarettes, but swore they only vaped nicotine-free products. However, urine tests for a “marker” of nicotine use came up…  read on >

Tighter high blood pressure guidelines for children might better spot those at risk for heart disease in adulthood, a new study suggests. Compared to 2004 guidelines, the updated 2017 guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics increased the number of children considered to have high blood pressure. But it wasn’t known if the new guidelines…  read on >

British researchers have pinpointed which factors put knee replacement patients at high risk for severe infection and repeat surgery. “This information provides me with the strong evidence I need to discuss the risk of infection with my patients undergoing knee replacement and helps us identify strategies to minimize that risk,” said study co-author Dr. Michael…  read on >

Thousands of young children face injury or death in car accidents each year. Proper use of car seats can keep children safe in the event of a crash, says American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP provides these guidelines for choosing car seats: All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing seat. After outgrowing…  read on >

Leading health organizations are warning about the possibility of video game addiction. The World Health Organization has included it in the latest edition of its reference book of health disorders, while the American Psychiatric Association’s book offers warning signs but does not yet list it as an addiction. So parents might wonder whether any gaming…  read on >

Adults aren’t the only ones susceptible to urinary tract infections, or UTIs. They can occur in kids, even infants, if bacteria get into the urinary tract, often from the bowel. Any child can get a UTI. But some kids are more prone than others, and girls get them more often than boys. A UTI doesn’t…  read on >

In many U.S. states, teenagers who send “sext” messages to each other can be prosecuted as child pornographers — and that should end, researchers argue. Many states have recently passed laws that specifically address teen sexting — exempting it, to varying degrees, from longstanding child pornography statutes. But in 23 states, those outdated laws still…  read on >

Whether you call it snowplow, bulldozer or helicopter parenting, these child-rearing styles have gotten a lot of attention recently, and the acknowledgment that they may not be the best way to raise a confident, well-adjusted young person. Moving obstacles out of a child’s way is not the same as providing the nurturing he or she…  read on >