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Knowing which treatments work and which don't is an important first step in improving children's health care, but it's not enough

University of South Florida pediatrician Dr. Lisa Simpson says she knew enough to ignore a physician’s recommendation that treating repeated ear infections with ear tubes was important to her son’s eventual speech and language outcomes.

14 Sep 2004

Inhaled nitrite spray may help babies diagnosed with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn

Scientists from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center and the Loma Linda University School of Medicine have found that use of an inhaled nitrite spray may help babies diagnosed with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).

13 Sep 2004

Chronic illnesses among children not adequately addressed

Current methods of delivering health care to kids are woefully unable to cope with a pediatric disease pendulum that has swung from acute to chronic illnesses, says a researcher at the Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital.

13 Sep 2004

Corporal punishment can lead to more bad behavior by children

A new University of Michigan study that used stronger statistical controls than previous research lends additional support against corporal punishment, saying the effects can be detrimental to children.

10 Sep 2004

Efforts to prevent school children smoking are not targeted early enough, as children experimenting with tobacco by age seven

New Zealand based research on youth tobacco use suggests that current efforts to prevent school children smoking are not targeted early enough, as it found a significant number are already experimenting with tobacco by age seven.

10 Sep 2004

Program that targets allergens and tobacco smoke in the home resulted in fewer asthma symptoms in children

A program that targets allergens and tobacco smoke in the home resulted in fewer asthma symptoms in children participating in the intervention than in those who were not, according to a new study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in seven metropolitan areas nationwide.

10 Sep 2004

Childhood leukaemia significantly lower in Asia than in Western countries

The incidence of childhood leukaemia in Britain increased dramatically during the twentieth century. The increase has mainly affected the under-five age group, in whom the risk increased by more than 50 per cent during the second half of the century alone.

9 Sep 2004

Tonsil removal has no major benefits over watchful waiting in children with throat infections or enlarged tonsils and adenoids

Effectiveness of adenotonsillectomy in children with mild symptoms of throat infections or adenotonsillar hypertrophy: open, randomised controlled trial, BMJ Online First.

9 Sep 2004

Youth suicide on steady decline in Washington

The rate of youth suicide in our state has significantly declined. The Washington State Department of Health’s Youth Suicide Prevention Program (YSPP) reported a 16 percent decline in suicide among the 15-24 age group over a 10-year period (1993-2002).

8 Sep 2004

Growing up in polluted towns and cities increases risk of lung health issues

Children who grow up in towns and cities with high pollution levels are at increased risk of lung health issues or low functioning lungs. New research suggests that pollutants from vehicle emissions and fossil fuels have an adverse effect on a child's lung development and can also lower childrens lifetime breathing capacity.

8 Sep 2004

Evidence of radiation risk in childhood leukaemia

Delegates at a conference in London yesterday heard how ground-breaking research is now providing evidence that the children of men exposed to radiation may also be at increased risk of developing leukaemia.

8 Sep 2004

Experts consider evidence of link between the rise in childhood leukaemia and increased light at night

International experts will today consider the evidence for a link between the rise in childhood leukaemia and increased light at night at an international scientific conference in London.

8 Sep 2004

Study challenges early age intervention with human growth hormone

A new study counters the prevailing belief that children and adolescents who are extra short have social adjustment problems and fewer friends than children of average height, challenging one rationale for intervening at an early age with human growth-hormone treatment.

7 Sep 2004

Adolescent substance abuse treatment programs lack key elements necessary for effective treatment

Many highly regarded adolescent substance abuse treatment programs lack several key elements believed to be necessary for effective treatment, including strategies for engaging and retaining teens, showing gender and culture sensitivity, and evaluating the success of treatment

7 Sep 2004

Pediatricians feel that universal influenza vaccination for infants is feasible

Most pediatricians and family physicians who completed a nationwide survey agreed that universal influenza vaccination for infants is feasible, according to an article in the September issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

7 Sep 2004

13 percent of U.S. children have had a special health care need

Approximately 13 percent of U.S. children have had a special health care need, and significant proportions of their families experience financial problems related to the child's condition, according to an article in the September issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

7 Sep 2004

Adolescent self-harm often goes unreported

Adolescent self-harm often goes unreported. Serious self-harm (which includes suicide attempts and self-cutting) is one of the top five causes of acute medical admission to hospital, and it is young people aged 16-24 who have the highest admission rates.

7 Sep 2004

Conference – Childhood leukaemia: incidence, causal mechanisms and prevention

The advances in treating childhood leukaemia over the last forty years have been one of cancer’s outstanding success stories – but the fall in mortality has diverted attention from a rise in incidence, a London conference will hear today (Monday 6 September).

5 Sep 2004

Protein-rich teething rusk to help stop children suffering Kwashiorkor

Two food technology students from RMIT University, Australia, who developed a teething rusk for malnourished children in developing countries have won a national award.

4 Sep 2004

Students to be educated on better eating and lifestyle choices

It’s hard for many kids to resist the tasty temptations – cookies, shakes, French fries, soft drinks and pizza – being offered at their school cafeterias that may not be offered at home, and even some not-so-healthy treats tucked away in their brown-bag lunches.

2 Sep 2004