Children who’ve had surgery to repair defective hearts are more likely to die or require longer hospitalizations if they live in poorer neighborhoods, a new study suggests. The disparities between affluent and poor children persisted even though all were treated at the same major hospitals, the researchers said. And those disparities were only partially explained… read on >
A baby’s nutritional balance during the first 1,000 days of life is critical to lifelong mental health and development, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. Sufficient amounts of key minerals, vitamins, proteins and certain fats during the infant and toddler years is key to avoiding permanent loss of brain function, the academy said. The AAP… read on >
Cramps are a better-known symptom of a woman’s period, but about 20 percent of women are also prone to migraine headaches during menstruation. The Office on Women’s Health suggests seeing a doctor if you have any of these symptoms during menstruation: Your headaches change. Treatments that once worked no longer help. You have side effects… read on >
A young person’s decision to drink alcohol may be related to the stress of trying to fit in with a particular crowd, the desire to get good grades or adjusting to a new school. Keeping open lines of communication with your child or teen may help prevent underage drinking. The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental… read on >
The first day of preschool is a milestone in a child’s life. And parents can help prepare kids for this momentous occasion with everyday family routines that create a nurturing home environment. According to researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, routines help develop a child’s social and emotional readiness. That’s… read on >
There’s some good news for expecting moms who are trying to weather a brutal flu season — a new study shows that getting the flu vaccine during pregnancy causes no harm to newborns. Researchers reviewed records on more than 400,000 infants born between 2004 and 2014, and found no increased risk of infant hospitalization or… read on >
American parents are less likely to seek early dental care for their children if they don’t receive guidance from a doctor or dentist, a new national survey finds. The poll of 790 parents with at least one child aged 5 or younger found that one in six of those who did not receive dental advice… read on >
Vaccination is the best way to prevent whooping cough, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Whooping cough (pertussis) is a very contagious disease that causes about half its victims aged 1 or younger to end up in the hospital, the agency says. The CDC offers these suggestions to help protect your baby: Vaccinate… read on >
People who, as young kids, either bullied their siblings or were bullied themselves by siblings face an increased risk for psychotic disorders, a new British study suggests. By age 18, those who’d been either the victim or the bully several times a week or month were two to three times more likely to have a… read on >
While this flu season is still one of the worst seen in years, the first signs that infection rates are starting to level off were reported by U.S. health officials on Friday. As of Feb. 10, a total of 43 states continued to experience widespread flu activity, down from 48 the week before, according to… read on >
