Giving a child the wrong dose or an inappropriate medication can have serious consequences, says MedlinePlus. Drug labels for prescription medicines should have a section on use among children. To safely give medicine to your child, MedlinePlus suggests: Read and follow the label directions every time. Watch for any side effects. Know the abbreviations for… read on >
Some parents may be reluctant to give their kids powerful stimulants to treat the symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but a new review shows the medications bring significant benefits. In addition to helping kids calm down and concentrate in school, the review also found that the drugs help children avoid a lot of long-term negative… read on >
Lots of kids are picky eaters. But when eating habits in young children are extreme, it could be a sign of autism, researchers say. A new study finds atypical eating behaviors — such as hypersensitivity to food textures or pocketing food without swallowing — in 70% of kids with autism. That’s 15 times the rate… read on >
It seems as though every day brings yet another study on the effects of caffeine or coffee in particular. Researchers have looked at its effects on almost every aspect of health, from overall mortality to the heart, bones, kidneys, liver, fertility and more. Sometimes, separate studies on the same aspect of caffeine consumption have contradictory… read on >
The start of school is just around the corner, but a leading pediatricians’ group warns that many kids entering kindergarten lack the skills they need to succeed in class. To help parents get their young ones ready to start school, the American Academy of Pediatrics has just released a report on what helps boost success… read on >
If you struggle with anxiety, you might want to skip that second cup of coffee, new research suggests. For some people, caffeine may help with concentration and provide an energy boost, but it can cause problems for those with general anxiety disorder, said Dr. Julie Radico, a clinical psychologist with Penn State Health. “Caffeine is… read on >
More than 3 million kids are hospitalized in the United States every year. Whether it’s for a planned test or surgery or an injury or other emergency, knowing how to be involved in your child’s care can help you get through what’s often a stressful event. The single most important thing you can do is… read on >
They’re gaining in popularity among women, and a new study finds menstrual cups to be just as safe and as effective as disposable pads or tampons. British researchers looked at data on the cost-saving devices, gleaned from 43 studies involving more than 3,300 women and girls worldwide. Reporting July 17 in The Lancet Public Health,… read on >
Diarrhea typically is not a sign of a serious illness in children, says KidsHealth. But it’s important to make sure that if your child has diarrhea, lost fluids and nutrients are replaced. Depending on the severity of diarrhea, KidsHealth suggests: Continue your child’s regular diet and provide more liquids. Offer extra breast milk or formula… read on >
Over a five-year period, more than 21,000 Americans aged 21 and younger died from firearm-related injuries. But when states have stricter gun laws, fewer children die from gun violence, new research shows. For the study, investigators examined data on gun deaths from 2011 to 2015 and compared those statistics with the Brady Campaign to Prevent… read on >
