Previous studies have linked advancing paternal and maternal age with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Now a new multinational study of parental age and autism risk published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry finds that the children of teen mothers, older parents, and parents with an age gap of 10 years or more […] More
Breastfeeding offers myriad benefits to mothers and babies. Now a new review of 18 previous studies published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics finds that breastfeeding may lower the risk of childhood leukemia. Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death among children and adolescents in developed countries, with leukemia accounting for 30 percent of childhood […] More
Adding to the overwhelming evidence that vaccines and autism are unrelated, a new study published in the child health-themed issue of the journal JAMA concludes that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is not associated with increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) even among children at high risk for the disorder, notably children with siblings with […] More
With the health benefits of breastfeeding widely documented, new research adds to the growing body of evidence of the importance for babies: Breastfeeding may significantly reduce arsenic exposure in infants. Arsenic is a poisonous substance that occurs naturally in water, rocks, soil, air, plants, and animals. Arsenic poisoning is a medical condition caused by elevated […] More
Adding to the growing body of research on the importance of gastrointestinal microbiota for good health, a new series of studies presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology in Houston, Texas suggests that factors such as gestational age, birth method, and breastfeeding influence the development of the immune […] More
Although many young children continue to take at least one nap daily as older toddlers and preschoolers, new research published in Archives of Disease in Childhood suggests that daytime napping results in poorer sleep quality in young children after age 2. Sleep recommendations for young children include allowing toddlers to take a nap during the […] More
Despite the common saying, pregnant women should not “eat for two.” Children born to mothers who gain too much weight during pregnancy have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes compared with children born to mothers who gain a healthy amount of weight, conclude the findings of new research published […] More
Consuming a low-fat, plant-based vegan diet may reduce the risk of heart disease among obese children and teens through improvements in weight, blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol levels, insulin sensitivity, and high-sensitivity C-reactive, says a new study published in The Journal of Pediatrics. Obesity increases the risk for stroke, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, […] More
The picky eater makes many parents dread mealtimes. Although no scientific definition of picky eating exists, a new study from the University of Illinois published in the Journal of Sensory Studies defines four categories of picky eating through definable preferences and mealtime behaviors and demonstrates that parents define and experience picky eating differently. Explains Sharon […] More
Obesity is a growing health problem among Americans of all ages including young children. The rate of childhood obesity has more than doubled over the past three decades in the United States, putting children at increased risk for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, both major risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Now a […] More
Exposure to the common pyrethroid pesticide deltamethrin during pregnancy may increase the risk of ADHD, says new research published in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). Deltamethrin products are among the most popular and widely used insecticides in the world. Although highly toxic to aquatic life and generally considered […] More
Startling news for parents who feed their infants and toddlers commercially-produced baby foods: A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concludes that the majority of commercial infant and toddler foods including snacks, desserts, and juice drinks contain high levels of salt or sugar. According to the recommendations from the Institute […] More
