Babies exposed to antidepressants during their mother’s pregnancy may face a slightly higher chance of having problems with their motor skills, a new review suggests. But the Australian researchers cautioned that more research is needed before firm conclusions can be made, since the studies they analyzed varied widely in the way they were carried out.… read on >
All Mommy:
Parents Must Ask: ‘Is There an Unlocked Gun in Your House?’
Before your child goes to a friend’s home to play, find out if there are guns in that home, a leading U.S. medical group advises. Gun injuries are among the top three causes of death among children and teens in the United States, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. “About one-third of families in the… read on >
Florida Teen First Human Case of Another Mosquito-Borne Virus
The first confirmed human case of Keystone virus has been diagnosed in a Florida teen, but it’s likely that infection with the mosquito-borne disease is common among state residents, researchers report. The virus can cause a rash and mild fever. It’s named after the location in the Tampa Bay area where it was first identified… read on >
Stigma Adds to Burden of Type 1 Diabetes
Michael Wright was just 16 when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and although his friends supported him, he always felt different. “I would do my injections and testing in private [in another room or even the bathroom] to avoid having conversations about diabetes with people,” he said. It was also to avoid stares… read on >
Psychiatric Drug Lithium Tied to Birth Defect Risk
Using the psychiatric drug lithium early in pregnancy may raise the risk of birth defects — but not as much as previously thought, a large new study suggests. Researchers found that women who used lithium during the first trimester were more likely to have a baby with a birth defect, compared to pregnant women who… read on >
Today’s Sleepy Teens May Be Tomorrow’s Heart Patients
Most kids don’t get enough sleep, and that may put them on a path to future heart trouble, a new study finds. Young teens who slept less than seven hours a night tended to have more body fat, elevated blood pressure and less healthy cholesterol levels — all bad for the heart, researchers say. Heart… read on >
What If You Lose Your Child at an Amusement Park?
It’s a parent’s worst nightmare: While spending a fun-filled family day at an amusement park, you suddenly lose sight of your child. As terrifying as that can be, a new survey finds that many American parents don’t talk with their child about what to do if the youngster becomes lost in that setting. One in… read on >
Pediatricians Say No to Spanking
Most U.S. pediatricians say spanking is a bad way to discipline children. “In the past couple of decades, a tremendous amount of research has come out that shows hitting children is counterproductive and leads to more harm than good,” said Catherine Taylor, author of a new survey on the subject. “I hope that pediatricians will… read on >
Health Tip: Soothing Baby During Teething
Teething is a normal part of an infant’s life, but it doesn’t come without some pain and discomfort. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cautions against applying medication directly to the gums. Products such as the numbing agent benzocaine may not be effective and may be dangerous, the agency says. Instead, the FDA suggests: Gently… read on >
Kellogg’s Honey Smacks Cereal Recalled Due to Salmonella Risk
The Kellogg Company announced Thursday it was recalling certain boxes of Honey Smacks cereal due to the possibility of contamination with salmonella. In a news release, the company said it “launched an investigation with the third-party manufacturer who produces Honey Smacks immediately after being contacted by the Food & Drug Administration and Centers for Disease… read on >