Children’s Health

First-of-its-kind study had Worchester youths create their own narratives about reducing sugary drink consumption, successfully leading to behavior changes and preventing excess weight gain. A new pilot study led by Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) researchers is the first to use youth-produced narratives to empower youth to reduce sugary drink consumption and obesity

Yale investigators have shown that the combination of a vaccine and a medicated cream is a promising strategy to dramatically reduce the recurrence of genital herpes. Their study, co-led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and University of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, was published in the journal npj Vaccines. Herpes simplex virus (HSV)

Though food allergy affects more than 4.8 million children in the United States, no approved preventative treatments currently exist. While experimental desensitization strategies are available in research settings, people with food allergies must avoid known allergens and are advised to carry injectable epinephrine to prevent potentially life-threatening allergic reactions caused by accidental exposures. To help

Cradle cap is a very common skin condition in babies. Gentle oils, massage, and shampooing will usually help the appearance of this benign condition. Cradle cap is a form of the skin condition seborrheic dermatitis that affects babies. It is not usually anything to worry about and will typically clear up on its own. Cradle

Mothers of young children with autism who focus on improving the quality of their own relationship skills–as opposed to teaching developmental skills to their children–experience dramatic improvements in their level of parenting stress and depression. That’s according to a new research study involving Case Western Reserve University. The study, co-authored by Gerald Mahoney, the Verna

The Food and Drugs Administration have approved Strattera and Vyvanse to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults. Strattera (atomoxetine) and Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) have different mechanisms of action to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Strattera is a nonstimulant drug while Vyvanse is a stimulant. There are some differences in their side effects,

A novel palliative care intervention developed at Children’s National Health System for caregivers of children and adolescents with rare diseases has shown preliminary success at helping families talk about potentially challenging medical decisions before a crisis occurs. Our goal was to find out if it the tools we’ve developed are feasible and not too burdensome

A pair of new journal articles by researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine indicate that both genetic and environmental factors play significant roles in the onset of vitiligo, an autoimmune disease that results in the loss of color in blotches of skin. The findings also show that while the tools for scientific

An international collaborative led by Ludwig Cancer Research and Cancer Research UK has identified key areas that are central to uncovering the complex relationship between nutrition and cancer. Advancing research on these core areas using a holistic, cross-disciplinary approach could catalyze progress urgently needed to prevent cancer and improve public health globally. Their main observations

A small amount of mucus in a baby’s poop is likely no cause for concern if there are no other symptoms. However, large quantities of mucus, mucus that appears in several stools in a row, or accompanying signs of diarrhea could each point to an allergy, a gastrointestinal infection, or another problem. The intestines naturally

Physical activity has many well-known health benefits, but its association with lung function in childhood and adolescence is not well understood. A new study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a center supported by “la Caixa”, has for the first time demonstrated an association between regular physical activity during childhood and higher lung-function

New parents are always thrilled when their offspring finally speaks its first words – usually at the age of 12 to 18 months. What parents often don’t know: the regions of the brain that recognize and process speech sounds start to specialize at a much earlier stage. An interdisciplinary working group of the Department of

A new review of Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (PARDS) highlights the lack of data available for standard treatment approaches and adjunctive therapies, leading to significant variability in patient management. This comprehensive review article, which also identifies a great need for studies to generate outcomes data in pediatric patients with ARDS, is published in Pediatric

Stimulant medications are the first-line treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Common symptoms of ADHD include hyperactivity, impulsive behavior, and difficulty paying attention. Recently, researchers have been investigating several different supplements that may help alleviate ADHD symptoms. In this article, we outline the research into some of the more promising hormone, dietary, and herbal

Alexander Wallerson was 12 years old when he saw a popular movie with his mother. Now 26, he remembers that specific day vividly. It was the first time he experienced the signs of multiple sclerosis (MS).”I walked like I was drunk,” says Wallerson, who lives in New Brunswick. “I was limping but not in pain.”

For respiratory infections in children under 12, physicians are increasingly more likely to recommend antihistamines and less likely to recommend cough and cold medicines, a Rutgers study found. Antihistamines are widely used over-the-counter to treat various allergic conditions. However, these medicines have little known benefit for children with colds, and some older antihistamines cause sedation

In a study published July 26 online in the journal Diabetes, physician-researchers from University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine found that the asthma medication montelukast (brand name Singulair) can inhibit early changes in diabetic retinopathy, the eye disease which develops due to diabetes, in a mouse

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. It often develops in early childhood and may continue into adulthood. Research indicates that certain biological and environmental factors can trigger ADHD symptoms. People with ADHD may experience a range of cognitive and behavioral symptoms. Common examples include hyperactivity, difficulty paying attention, and an inability to

Starting six-month-old infants on solid food in the amounts recommended by standard feeding guides may lead to overfeeding, according to a study by scientists at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Solid food feeding guides are produced by infant formula makers, large children’s hospitals and other infant health experts. They are meant to

Neuroblastoma accounts for 15% of total childhood cancer deaths. The survival rate of high-risk neuroblastoma patients is 50%. For the first time, Australian researchers from Children’s Cancer Institute have discovered that a gene called JMJD6 plays an important role in the most aggressive form of the disease. The research is published today in the journal,