Using any form of nicotine during pregnancy or while nursing may raise a baby’s risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), new animal research suggests. The findings indicate that nicotine patches or electronic cigarettes may not be a safe alternative to cigarettes during pregnancy, the study authors said. The findings appear in the July 18… read on >
Tampons — cylindrical devices used to stem a woman’s menstrual flow — are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as medical devices. The FDA offers these tips for safe tampon use: Follow all directions on the product’s label. Wash hands before and after use. Only use tampons during the menstrual period. Change a… read on >
Children who abuse animals may have been abused themselves, a new study suggests. Kids aged 10 and up who intentionally hurt animals are two to three times more likely to have been abused than kids who treat animals with respect, said the British researchers who conducted the review. “Asking about a history of animal abuse… read on >
Children with autism show abnormalities in a deep brain circuit that typically makes socializing enjoyable, a new study finds. Using MRI brain scans, researchers found that kids with autism showed differences in the structure and function of a brain circuit called the mesolimbic reward pathway. That circuit, located deep within the brain, helps you take… read on >
The last thing you want to do after surgery is develop an infection. So caring for a surgical wound is of prime importance. The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions: Follow your doctor’s instructions about when and how often you should change the surgical bandage, if there is one. Keep your incision dry… read on >
Headaches are common in children and teens, but many parents aren’t sure when to seek professional help for their child, a new survey finds. The survey of parents with children aged 6 to 18 found that two-thirds said their child has had a headache not caused by a fall or head injury. “Headaches are very… read on >
Many children are prescribed powerful opioid painkillers they don’t really need, putting them and those around them at risk, a new study shows. More than one in 10 kids enrolled in Tennessee’s Medicaid program received an opioid prescription each year between 1999 and 2014, even though they did not have a severe condition requiring powerful… read on >
The brain is the most complex organ in the body. It’s the center of learning, and is responsible for processing sensory information and directing the body’s responses. The teen brain is still maturing, though it’s more resilient, the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health says. The agency offers these additional facts about the young brain:… read on >
If your teen spends a lot of time on social media, you might want to get them to cut back due to the risk of cyberbullying, new research suggests. Researchers surveyed more than 12,000 teens in Germany, Poland and Romania and found those who used social network sites for more than two hours a day… read on >
If an infant has hearing loss, it can affect the child’s ability to develop speech, language and social skills, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. An infant’s first hearing screening is recommended typically within the first month of life. Even if the child passes the initial screening, the CDC recommends watching for… read on >
