Children born to mothers with rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk for the disease and other chronic health problems, a new study suggests. The finding comes from an analysis of long-term follow-up data on all children born in Denmark in a 25-year period. That included more than 2,100 children born to women diagnosed with rheumatoid… read on >
Holiday toys should be age-appropriate and safe, to avoid injury. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these safety suggestions: Select toys that match the age, abilities, skills and interests of the child. For babies and toddlers, consider toys that build developmental skills. If you are considering a tablet, smartphone or game system, establish rules for… read on >
As a parent, you may worry most about your kids when they aren’t with you. But many of the falls that send a million children to the ER each year happen at home. Plenty of these accidents involve falls from beds, chairs, baby walkers, bouncers, changing tables and high chairs. Some of these injuries are… read on >
Tooth brushing should begin in infancy to instill lifelong habits and protect teeth throughout adulthood. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests: Start practicing oral hygiene as soon as your baby is born by wiping baby’s gums with a soft, clean washcloth. Never give your baby a bottle in the crib. Choose healthy solids when introducing… read on >
A family health history can be key to your wellness. Think of it as a family tree all about your health — a record of your close relatives’ medical conditions, lifestyle habits and even where they grew up. A family health history helps you see any increased risk of developing serious health problems, like heart… read on >
Spanking your child may have unintended consequences as he or she forges adult romantic relationships years later, a new study suggests. The study found that spanked kids tended to have higher odds of being violent toward their dating partners, researchers said. “While we can’t say that spanking causes later violence, it follows that if a… read on >
The e-cigarette may not be just a “healthier alternative” to smoking for teens. New research shows that teens who vape may be more apt to use tobacco cigarettes later on. When teens smoked an e-cigarette during one month, they were up to seven times more likely to smoke tobacco in the future, researchers found. “Youth… read on >
People who were born prematurely may have smaller-than-normal airways in adulthood, which can cause respiratory problems, researchers say. Premature birth is associated with poorer heart and lung function, but the reasons why have not been fully understood. In a new study, investigators compared adults who were born eight weeks or more early with people who… read on >
A new study warns of a potential return to the “bad old days” when there were no effective drugs to fight HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Timed for release on Dec. 1, World AIDS Day, the new study looked at data on more than 56,000 adults living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and… read on >
Gazing at your baby may do more than strengthen that bond with your newborn, a new study suggests. Eye contact between parents and their infants actually helps synchronize their brain waves, researchers report. “When the adult and infant are looking at each other, they are signaling their availability and intention to communicate with each other.… read on >
