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97% of new mums have sleep problems, says study

A new sleep research has found what we have suspected for a long time – one fourth of the new mums are sleep deprived. And 97% mothers of less than two year olds have sleep problems.

27 Apr 2010

Free groups available for socially vulnerable children

Free groups for socially vulnerable children aged 8 to 12 are available through Fairleigh Dickinson University. These groups, which are part of a research program, are ongoing and consist of either 10 weekly group sessions emphazing anxiety reduction and changing misperceptions or 10 weekly group sessions emphasizing the application of broad-based social skills.

27 Apr 2010

Noninvasive method to predict premature birth

Existing techniques for predicting premature birth are inadequate or invasive - with risks and discomfort. Researcher Chiara Rabotti (Eindhoven University of Technology) developed a new measuring method, based on a rather simple electrode plaster that is attached to the abdomen. In the future every pregnant woman can thereby calmly await the moment, Rabotti expects.

27 Apr 2010

Fever in kids underestimated by Doctors: new study

In a new study researchers have found that some physicians may be missing the seriousness of an infection in a child presenting with fever. The study published in the British Medical Journal involved 16,000 children from 2004 to 2006 with fever and found that doctors could not diagnose up to one third of the potentially life-threatening illnesses in these children.

27 Apr 2010

Fears over flu jab adverse reactions in children

Till now more than 250 under five kids have developed some or other adverse reaction to seasonal flu jabs. There has been a mad rush at the adverse events hotline with many parents and healthcare staff panicking as more reports are streaming in. Initially there was a spike in cases in Western Australia but now more cases are being reported from Queensland and South Australia. The affected children developed fever, vomiting and seizures. Even New Zealand has reported three cases of febrile convulsions.

27 Apr 2010

Pennsylvania school districts set goals to reduce childhood obesity

Pennsylvania school districts set goals and improved snacks and a la carte offerings to meet federal legislation for reducing childhood obesity, but opportunities for physical activity did not improve in most schools, according to Pennsylvania nutritional scientists.

26 Apr 2010

Researchers show how analgesia should be carried out for children and adolescents

Properly performed analgesia protects children from pain and traumatization. In the current issue of Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, Christoph Neuhäuser and his colleagues show how analgesia for children and adolescents should be carried out.

26 Apr 2010

Mothers with preeclampsia at reduced risk of developing breast cancer

Preeclampsia is a high blood pressure syndrome in pregnant mothers that is caused when the blood supply in the placenta of the developing baby is restricted. The blood-deprived placenta releases factors that cause the raise in blood pressure in the mother. Doctors have to monitor these women closely and they may be forced to deliver the baby early to protect the mother and the baby. Most women's blood pressure returns to normal levels after they deliver the placenta.

26 Apr 2010

Middle-school children restricted to R-rated movies less likely to start drinking: Study

Middle-school children whose parents restrict access to R-rated movies are substantially less likely to start drinking than their peers who are allowed to see such films, a new study suggests.

26 Apr 2010

Urging school children to pay attention to dairy intake may be too late to optimize their bone health: Research

We all know that eating a calcium-rich diet is important for keeping our bones healthy and strong. This concept is clearly on display in any elementary school cafeteria where the walls are decorated with colorful posters with celebrity icons encouraging children to make sure they drink milk every day.

26 Apr 2010

Peer counseling can help improve breastfeeding in overweight or obese women

Breastfeeding is best, but what happens when something goes wrong? And why do so many women struggle with this "natural" process even after carefully following all the well-meaning advice they've gotten from their health care providers? Not surprisingly, some women have more difficulty than others and there are many factors associated with experiencing breastfeeding problems - especially in the first week after birth.

26 Apr 2010

Toddler dies after seasonal flu shot – health authorities on alert

Last Friday, Australia's Chief Medical Officer Professor Jim Bishop had announced his decision to suspend free seasonal flu vaccinations after more than 20 under-five kids mainly in Western Australia developed reactions to the shots. They developed fever, vomiting and convulsions. One of the children was reported to be severely ill.

25 Apr 2010

IPEMA compiles list of 5 important steps to help ensure safety of children on playground

With the recent announcement of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move initiative to battle childhood obesity, The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association is reminding parents and caregivers of the importance of providing an hour of free play outdoors in a safe play environment during National Playground Safety Week (April 26-30).

24 Apr 2010

ADA Foundation holds Give Kids A Smile Awards Gala in Washington, DC

The American Dental Association Foundation held its third annual Give Kids A Smile Awards Gala in Washington, DC, April 13, honoring two members of Congress and awarding several grants to programs that benefit underserved children.

24 Apr 2010

Novel clinical research approaches for rapidly identifying and preventing congenital cardiovascular defects

Structural and functional congenital cardiovascular abnormalities present at birth are the leading source of all congenital defects encountered in live births. Nearly half a million children in the United States have structural heart problems ranging in severity from relatively simple issues, such as small holes between chambers of the heart, to very severe malformations, including complete absence of one or more chambers or valves.

24 Apr 2010

Overweight adolescent children tend to follow weight-control strategies of their parents: Study

When parents maintain a healthy body image and weight-control strategies, overweight adolescent children tend to follow their example, a new study reveals.

24 Apr 2010

Myths and facts about pediatric cancer

"Your child has cancer." They are words every parent can't imagine hearing.

24 Apr 2010

Programs to address care for children born with SCD during adulthood

Forty years ago, children born with sickle cell disease (SCD) were not expected to live past their teenage years. Today, medical advances are allowing children to live well into adulthood, raising concerns over who is going to care for these patients as adults. However, programs are underway to address these concerns, as reported in the March/April edition of Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, published by the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON).

24 Apr 2010

"Extremely preterm children" at higher risk for later psychiatric disorders

Significant advances in the neonatal intensive care have resulted in increased survival rates of children who are born at less than 26 weeks of gestation, so termed "extremely preterm children". Notably, however, improved survival rates have been accompanied by a higher risk for later cognitive, neuromotor, and sensory impairments in these children.

24 Apr 2010

Children need to be immunized against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases: Secretary of Health

Pennsylvania parents are strongly urged to protect their children by making certain they are fully immunized against preventable diseases, Secretary of Health Everette James said today to mark the start of National Infant Immunization Week, April 24-May 1.

24 Apr 2010