Breastfeeding offers many benefits, from emotional bonding to better nutrition and immune support. But for parents who need to pump and store breast milk, handling it safely is key. “Parents often feel nervous about food safety when handling and storing their breast milk,” said Dr. Patricia Campbell, a pediatrician and lactation consultant at Children’s Hospital… read on > read on >
Two-thirds of women in their child-bearing years have an increased risk for birth defects due to a lifestyle factor they can change, a new study says. These risk factors — low levels of vitamin B9 (folate), unmanaged diabetes or exposure to tobacco smoke — increase the odds of a serious birth defect in any child… read on > read on >
Pediatricians should screen children annually for mental or developmental issues, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends in a new clinical report. The recommendation comes in response to a mental, emotional and behavioral health crisis that’s been brewing among America’s youth, the AAP says. Up to 1 in 5 children in the U.S., including kids… read on > read on >
Families with a child receiving treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) incur almost 10 times more in health care costs than those of other children, including those diagnosed but not receiving any ASD treatment. That’s among the key takeaways from a new report that provides insight into the health care costs and treatment patterns for… read on > read on >
Teenagers who get poor sleep are more likely to harm themselves on purpose, a new study says. Shorter sleep, going to sleep later and frequent waking during the night all were significantly associated with a 14-year-old’s risk of self-harm, researchers report in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. This risk remained elevated even as… read on > read on >
Exposure to a common pesticide during pregnancy can impair children’s brain development and motor function for years to come, a new study says. The widely used pesticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) is linked to altered brain function and poorer fine motor control among children exposed to it while in the womb, researchers report in JAMA Neurology. “The… read on > read on >
Two years after U.S. approval of the first over-the-counter (OTC) birth control pill, new research shows many people who face barriers to medical care are turning to it. The study, published Monday in JAMA Network Open, included data from 986 people ages 15 to 45 across 44 states. All had obtained the pill — known… read on > read on >
Taking acetaminophen while pregnant might increase a child’s risk of autism or ADHD, a new evidence review says. Analysis of 46 prior studies involving more than 100,000 participants found “strong evidence” that prenatal exposure to acetaminophen could increase the risk of developmental brain disorders like autism and ADHD, researchers reported Aug. 13 in the journal… read on > read on >
College students with autism have dramatically higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to their peers, a new study says. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of college students with autism suffer from anxiety, compared with just over 9% of their peers without autism, researchers reported recently in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Likewise, nearly half… read on > read on >
As the new school year begins, experts say one simple habit can help kids succeed: Getting enough sleep. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) reminds families, teachers and communities about the importance of quality sleep for students of all ages. “Resetting healthy sleep habits early can help students start the year focused, well-rested and… read on > read on >
