Child Health News

RSS

Bullying widespread in elementary students

Nine out of 10 elementary students have been bullied by their peers, according to a simple questionnaire developed by researchers at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and the Stanford University School of Medicine.

15 Apr 2007

A report for the ten year strategy for the reduction of vitamin and mineral deficiencies

A new report by AED Center for Nutrition and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) for the Food and Nutrition Bulletin shows that while cost-effective interventions to reduce vitamin and mineral deficiencies have existed for more than 20 years, significant micronutrient deficiencies still plague many countries, increasing maternal and child mortality and slowing brain development in children.

15 Apr 2007

Asthma can lead to psychosocial disadvantages for children in our society

Much of the research surrounding childhood asthma has sought new approaches to managing the disease.

15 Apr 2007

The passing of 'honest sex education policy' applauded

Yesterday, the Washington State House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 5297 by a vote of 63-34, paving the way for comprehensive sex education -- education that includes scientifically accurate information on abstinence and the health benefits of birth control and condoms -- to be taught in the state's schools.

15 Apr 2007

Voluntary standards reduce infant fatalities and injuries

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) is pleased to report a reduction in infant fatalities and injuries due to the effectiveness of standards developed by the ASTM International (ASTM), formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials.

15 Apr 2007

65 per cent of Cree preschoolers in northern Quebec overweight or obese

Childhood obesity is increasing among the general population in Canada, but the statistics are even more alarming among First Nations, Inuit and Metis children.

14 Apr 2007

For healthier eating habits switch the TV off at meal times

Sitting down as a family to share meals is an unquestioned benefit in more ways than one.

12 Apr 2007

Rising vaccine costs put kids at risk

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is alarmed that the soaring costs of vaccines combined with lower reimbursements from insurance companies will lead to the under- immunization of the nation's children and unnecessary outbreaks of preventable diseases.

11 Apr 2007

Protecting brains of premature infants - new approach needed

A study of how the brain of a premature infant responds to injury has found vulnerabilities similar to those in the mature brain but also identified at least one significant difference, according to neuroscientists and neonatologists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

11 Apr 2007

PAHO promotes regional efforts to reduce traffic injuries and deaths among youths

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) will sponsor a series of events from April 23 to 29 aimed at increasing awareness of the devastating impact of traffic crashes in the Americas. The events will be held both at PAHO headquarters in Washington, D.C., and in member countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

11 Apr 2007

Waist measurement a better guide to obesity

New research by Canadian scientists suggests that doctors should add a tape measure to their key diagnostic tool kit.

10 Apr 2007

Power lawn mower injuries crop up with change of season

Spring is here, the sky is blue, the grass is green and it's time to give that lawn a trim. But beware: Lawn mower injuries are a seasonal threat to children and the leading cause of amputations in adolescents, say specialists from the Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Maryland's designated pediatric trauma center where the most severe injuries are treated.

9 Apr 2007

Mediterranean diet for children means fewer allergic symptoms

The benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been further enhanced with the latest research by scientists from Greece, Spain and the United Kingdom.

8 Apr 2007

Study shows beneficial effects of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in children

Routine infant immunisation with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) has caused a 39% fall in all-cause pneumonia hospital admission rates for American children aged under two years, according to an Article published in this week's edition of The Lancet.

8 Apr 2007

Newborn screening programmes for cystic fibrosis should be adopted internationally

Newborn screening for cystic fibrosis saves on treatment costs and would offset the actual costs of the screening programme.

8 Apr 2007

Weak immune response critical to disease that causes most infant hospitalizations

The most common cause of infant hospitalization in the United States, respiratory syncytial virus, infects virtually all children by age two.

7 Apr 2007

UCLA research project targeting teens who leave home and their families

When emotions swell between teenager and parent, both sides sometimes say and do things they later wish they could take back.

7 Apr 2007

New standards could cut number of malnourished children on feeding programs

The introduction of new standards to assess nutrition in children could lead to confusion and a cut in the numbers of malnourished children eligible for emergency feeding programmes, warn researchers in the British Medical Journal.

7 Apr 2007

Parents can help improve their children's habits by improving their own eating and physical activity habits

Teens who are most physically active and consume the most calories are the leanest, researchers say.

7 Apr 2007

Beneficial effects of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in children re-emphasized

Routine infant immunization with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) has caused a 39 percent fall in all-cause pneumonia hospital admission rates for American children under 2, according to an article published in this week's edition of The Lancet .

7 Apr 2007