Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder that usually shows symptoms in childhood. Vocalizations and repetitive involuntary movements called tics often surface among children between the ages of 3 and 9. Tics may include blinking, shrugging, jerking, sniffing or grunting. The most disabling tics are motor movements that result in self-harm or coprolalia, which are inappropriate… read on >
Fathers-to-be who expose their pregnant partners to secondhand smoke put their babies at risk of heart defects, researchers warn. For the new study, investigators in China reviewed 125 studies that included a total of nearly 9 million prospective parents and more than 137,000 babies with congenital heart defects. All types of parental smoking were linked… read on >
Expectant moms often try to plan as many aspects of their upcoming delivery as they can. But one thing they might not consider is what type of pain relief they will choose if they need to have a C-section. Now, new research from the University of Texas suggests that while opioids can control pain, a… read on >
Gun-related deaths among school-age children in the United States are increasing at alarming rates, researchers report. In 2017, gun violence claimed more 5- to 18-year-olds than police officers or active-duty members of the U.S. military, according to a chilling new study led by investigators from Florida Atlantic University. “It is sobering that in 2017, there… read on >
It’s never too soon to teach kids to be culturally competent — to learn about, respect and accept people whose culture is different from their own. Children as young as 2 start to become aware of differences among people — starting with gender — and to be sensitive to attitudes held by those around them.… read on >
Video games provide unlimited entertainment, and interactive ones can even help you burn off calories. But you may not know that playing games — either in person or through shared online networks — can unite family members from many generations in meaningful ways. Researchers at Concordia University in Montreal found that playing social network games,… read on >
THURSDAY, March 21, 2019A woman’s age and previous pregnancy complications influence her odds of miscarriage, a new study says. The findings suggest that miscarriage and other pregnancy complications share underlying causes that require further investigation, according to the researchers. “More focused studies of these associations might lead to new insights,” they wrote in the March… read on >
Difficulty reading and writing is common for children and does not always indicate a learning disability. But children with learning disabilities usually show several signs that don’t get better over time, the U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development says. Common signs of a learning disability include ongoing: Problems with reading, writing or… read on >
Postpartum depression is a common and often devastating condition for new mothers, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday approved the first drug to help combat it. The drug, Zulesso (brexanolone), is delivered via intravenous infusion. “Postpartum depression is a serious condition that, when severe, can be life-threatening,” noted the FDA’s Dr. Tiffany… read on >
Good news for kids: Next flu season, you can avoid a painful needle jab and get the nasal vaccine spray instead, according to a leading U.S. pediatricians’ group. In recent flu seasons, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended the shot over the nasal spray — except if a child refused a shot — due to… read on >
