It’s important to take a second blood pressure reading if your child’s first reading points to high blood pressure, researchers say. They found that nearly 25 percent of children and teens who had their blood pressure checked by their primary care doctor had readings in the high range, but less than half of those readings… read on >
Women whose periods started before age 12 may face an increased risk for heart disease and stroke, a new British study suggests. Early menopause, pregnancy complications and hysterectomy are also associated with a higher risk for heart disease and stroke, according to the research. “More frequent cardiovascular screening would seem to be sensible among women… read on >
If you are a parent of a young adopted child, it may be time to talk about the child’s birth story. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests: Be honest, and make your explanation simple and direct. Tell the child that he or she was born to other parents who could not take care of the… read on >
Teens who were severely bullied as children are at increased risk for mental health problems and suicide attempts, a Canadian study finds. The study included data on more than 1,300 children in the province of Quebec, from birth until age 15. About 59 percent of the children reported some bullying in their first years of… read on >
Kids who have a good relationship with their grandparents are less likely to become prejudiced against old people, a new study has found. That prejudice, known as ageism, is fairly common in children, even in those as young as 3, according to researchers from the University of Liege in Belgium. However, their study found that… read on >
With a severe flu season now widespread across 46 states, do symptoms you or a loved one have point to the dreaded illness? Amid the sniffles, coughing and fever, “it’s sometimes difficult to determine whether you have the common cold or the flu,” said Dr. Boris Khodorkovsky. He’s associate chair of emergency medicine at Staten… read on >
Time is running out for millions of American kids covered by the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Stopgap funding for the federal program for these kids will expire Jan. 19. Soon thereafter, states will begin to cut kids’ coverage as the money runs dry, experts say. Nearly 1.7 million children on CHIP in 20 states… read on >
Potty training can be a difficult experience for parents and children, but with the right plan in place, it doesn’t have to be. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these suggestions for implementing a successful potty-training plan: Give plenty of praise, affection and treats to encourage your child when he or she uses the potty.… read on >
Black children are more than twice as likely as white kids to die from surgery complications in the United States, a new study suggests. Researchers found that black kids more often had risk factors that raised their odds of dying within 30 days of surgery. They were more likely, for example, to need blood transfusions… read on >
Working smoke alarms lower a person’s chances of dying in a home fire by half, according to the National Safety Council. These alarms should be tested monthly. In addition, you should have a fire safety plan for your family, the organization stresses, offering these additional suggestions: Practice home fire drills at least twice a year.… read on >
