Following years of decline, fatal car accidents involving teen drivers have accelerated in the United States, a leading group of U.S. pediatricians warns. New research also reveals that teenage drivers are more likely to be involved in a serious or deadly crash than any other age group, notes the American Academy of Pediatrics. The group…  read on >

Skipping breakfast should not be an option for kids, no matter how tired they are, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. Regular meals help growing bodies and developing brains. The ideal breakfast should be a healthy balance of fruits and vegetables, proteins, grains and dairy. The FDA suggests how to make the most of…  read on >

For many children with asthma, coughing is an early warning sign of a flare-up, an expert says. Understanding asthma and knowing what to expect can help parents prevent or lessen the severity of asthma attacks, said Dr. Ronald Ferdman, a pediatric allergist-immunologist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. He provided the following tips to help parents…  read on >

By fourth grade, girls in the United States read and write better than boys, a new study reveals. Australian researchers found this gender achievement gap appears in standardized tests and worsens over time. “The common thinking is that boys and girls in grade school start with the same cognitive ability, but this research suggests otherwise,”…  read on >

It’s every parent’s nightmare — diaper rash that causes itchy bumps, scaly skin and lots of discomfort for your baby. The Nemours Foundation says you can help prevent diaper rash by keeping the infant’s skin dry and clean. If your child develops diaper rash, Nemours suggests: Keep the skin dry as the rash heals. Increase…  read on >

More American women than ever are having twins, triplets, quadruplets and even quintuplets, and it’s not just because some are using fertility treatments, new research shows. Since the 1980s, the number of multiple births has jumped from roughly 20 sets per 1,000 live births to almost 35 sets per 1,000 live births, the study found.…  read on >

Many American teens are sleep-deprived, and parents blame their attachment to electronics, new survey results show. Researchers at the University of Michigan conducted a national poll of more than 1,000 parents with at least one child between 13 and 18 years old. “This poll suggests that sleep problems are common among teens and parents believe…  read on >

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) makes it difficult for a person — most often a child — to pay attention and stay focused. A child with ADHD can be a more impulsive, which can lead to issues with learning and maintaining friendships. If your child is diagnosed with ADHD, he or she may have difficulty organizing…  read on >

Schools are chock-full of loud and potentially destructive sounds, including crowded hallways, buses, band practices and sporting events. Over time, repeated exposure to these noisy environments can harm your child’s hearing, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders says. To help protect your child’s hearing, the agency suggests: Send your child to school…  read on >