RxPG News : Paediatrics

Teenage fathers are more likely to have babies affected by birth problems

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 17:00:00 PST

Teenage fathers are at increased risk of having babies born with birth problems ranging from pre-term delivery or low birth weight, through to death in or near to the time of delivery, according to new research published on(Thursday 7 February).

Breastfeeding now safer for infants of HIV-infected mothers

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:30:00 PST

An antiretroviral drug already in widespread use in the developing world to prevent the transmission of HIV from infected mothers to their newborns during childbirth has also been found to substantially cut the risk of subsequent HIV transmission during breast-feeding.

Anemia treatment may be a double-edged sword

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST

Erythropoietin has so far been known to doctors as a hormone that boosts red-blood-cell production. Now, a mouse study led by Lois Smith, MD, PhD, an ophthalmologist at Children's Hospital Boston, shows it also keeps blood vessels alive and growing in the eye. The findings not only add a new function to the hormone, but also give doctors a reason to pause before prescribing it to patients with diseases affected by abnormal blood-vessel growth, such as retinopathy and cancer.

Pollution shrinks fetus size: Brisbane study finds

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST

Exposure to air pollution significantly reduces foetus size during pregnancy, according to a new study by Brisbane scientists.

Constipation most common cause of children's abdominal pain

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST

A new study led by a University of Iowa researcher showed that acute and chronic constipation together accounted for nearly half of all cases of acute abdominal pain in children treated at one hospital.

Children with sickle cell disease, silent strokes show some relief with blood transfusions

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST

A group of children who have sickle cell disease and who experience silent strokes showed some relief from the silent strokes with blood transfusion therapy, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found.

Cord blood viable option for kids with life-threatening metabolic disorders

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST

DURHAM, N.C. -- Children born with inherited metabolic disorders that cause organ failure and early death can be treated successfully with umbilical cord blood transplants from unrelated donors and, in some cases go on to live for many years, according to a study led by Duke University Medical Center researchers.

Research team finds link between asthma and depressive disorders

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 05:00:00 PST

Young people with asthma are about twice as likely to suffer from depressive and anxiety disorders than are children without asthma, according to a study by a research team in Seattle. Previous research had suggested a possible link in young people between asthma and some mental health problems, such as panic disorder, but this study is the first showing such a strong connection between the respiratory condition and depressive and anxiety disorders. The findings appear in the November issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Medical College of Wisconsin receives FDA grant

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has awarded the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee a three-year, $1 million Orphan Products Development grant to study infantile hemangiomas � a vascular tumor of the skin or internal organs.

Gauging parent knowledge about teens' substance use

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- New research results from the University at Buffalo�s Research Institute on Addictions (RIA) suggest that most parents are aware of and accurately evaluate the extent of their teenager�s cigarette smoking, marijuana use, drinking and overall substance use.

Getting fathers involved in children's ADHD treatment programs

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- While working with parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at the University at Buffalo, Gregory A. Fabiano noticed something was missing: the fathers. Fabiano, an assistant professor in the Graduate School of Education, made the discovery while still a graduate assistant at the UB Center for Children and Families, which runs a summer treatment program that has helped more than 2,500 children with behavioral, emotional and learning problems. The program uses sports as a way to teach children peer-relationship skills, Fabiano said.

Exercise improves thinking, reduces diabetes risk in overweight children

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Just three months of daily, vigorous physical activity in overweight children improves their thinking and reduces their diabetes risk, researchers say.

Scientists find predisposition to bronchiolitis in some babies

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

LIVERPOOL, UK � 19 October 2007: Scientists have found that a large proportion of infants who suffer from bronchiolitis have an inherent pre-disposition to the disease.

St. Jude identifies the specific cell that causes eye cancer, disproving long-held theory

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Investigators at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified the cell that gives rise to the eye cancer retinoblastoma, disproving a long-standing principle of nerve growth and development. The finding suggests for the first time that it may one day be possible for scientists to induce fully developed neurons to multiply and coax the injured brain to repair itself.

Massive microRNA scan uncovers leads to treating muscle degeneration

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Researchers have discovered the first microRNAs � tiny bits of code that regulate gene activity � linked to each of 10 major degenerative muscular disorders, opening doors to new treatments and a better biological understanding of these debilitating, poorly understood, often untreatable diseases. The study, to be published online this week by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was led by Iris Eisenberg, PhD, of the Program in Genomics at Children�s Hospital Boston. Louis Kunkel, PhD, director of the Program in Genomics and an investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, was senior investigator.

Obese children show early signs of heart disease

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Children who are obese or who are at risk for obesity show early signs of heart disease similar to obese adults with heart disease, a study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has found.

Septic survival

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

While survival rates for sepsis have increased over the past two decades, children under four and those in adolescence remain highly susceptible to the condition. Researchers in The Netherlands have now demonstrated that age and to a lesser extent, gender, are critical factors in whether or not a child sufferer will develop a more severe disease state and survive or not. These findings could help to improve the treatment of sepsis and improve survival rates further still.

Reunion with patient inspires follow-up study on treatment for DiGeorge syndrome

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

More than 20 years ago, doctors at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA performed a successful bone marrow transplant on a baby girl who was born without a thymus gland and was suffering from severe immune deficiency. It marked the first time a bone marrow transplant, rather than a thymic transplant, had been used to treat the genetic condition known as DiGeorge Syndrome (DGS).

UD named a regional research participant in National Children�s Study

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

The University of Delaware has been named a regional research participant in the National Children's Study--the largest long-term study of children's health ever conducted in the United States.

Programs show short-term benefits in helping children maintain weight loss

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Children who lost weight were able to keep it off more effectively by participating in maintenance treatment programs that emphasized behavioral skills or social facilitation, although the effectiveness lessened over time, according to a study in the October 10 issue of JAMA.

Virtual game helps children escape realities of burn unit

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Nurses and physicians at Nationwide Children�s Hospital are using the latest technology to help young burn victims endure the extreme pain of dressing changes and wound care. Instead of traditional distraction devices, such as books and music, Nationwide Children�s Hospital Burn Center is now using virtual reality games to distract patients while nurses attend to the patients� burn wounds.

How pitching changes little leaguers' shoulders

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

At this year's Little League World Series, new rules for the first time forced players to limit the number of times pitchers could throw the ball, and coaches had to strategize how pitchers were used more carefully.

UMass Medical School awarded National Children's Study contract

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

WORCESTER, Mass.�The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) announced today that the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) was awarded a competitive contract to participate in the landmark National Children�s Study (NCS), the largest study to be conducted in the United States to assess the effects of environmental and genetic factors on child and human health. The study will follow 100,000 children from before birth to age 21, seeking information to prevent and treat some of the nation�s most pressing health problems, including autism, birth defects, diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

UCLA to lead local study center in landmark government study of child health

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

The UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities has been selected as one of 22 new study centers for the National Children�s Study, a nationwide project designed to assess the effects of environmental and genetic factors on children�s health in the United States. The study center will manage local participant recruitment and data collection for the largest study of child health ever conducted in the United States.

UT Southwestern investigating hypothermic technique in treating pediatric head injuries

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

DALLAS � Oct. 3, 2007 � UT Southwestern Medical Center has been selected to take part in an $11.5 million multicenter clinical trial that is examining the effectiveness of induced hypothermia as a therapy for brain swelling in children who have suffered severe traumatic brain injuries.

UAB wins $5.7M neurofibromatosis grant

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. � A team of UAB geneticists, doctors and biostatisticians has received $5.7 million from the U.S. Department of Defense to study and test new treatments for neurofibromatosis, or NF.

Childhood TV viewing a risk for behavior problems

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Daily television viewing for two or more hours in early childhood can lead to behavioral problems and poor social skills, according to a study of children 2.5 to 5.5 years of age conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The Hopkins researchers found that the impact of TV viewing on a child�s behavior and social skills varied by the age at which the viewing occurred. More importantly, heavy television viewing that decreased over time was not associated with behavior or social problems. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under age 2 watch no television while children age 2 and older are limited to no more than two hours of daily viewing. The study is published in the October 2007 issue of Pediatrics.

More reports of children having trouble falling asleep than maintaining sleep

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

WESTCHESTER, Ill. � Children have more difficulty initiating sleep than maintaining sleep. Further, parents tend to underestimate their children�s sleep problems. This highlights the importance of having treatment options available to help a child overcome a sleep disorder, according to a study published in the October 1 issue of the journal SLEEP.

Combination of medication and psychotherapy appears most effective for treatment of depressed teens

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

The combination of the antidepressant medication fluoxetine and cognitive behavior therapy appears more effective than either strategy alone for the long-term treatment of adolescents with depression, according to a report in the October issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Babies raised in bilingual homes learn new words differently than infants learning one language

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Infants who are raised in bilingual homes learned two similar-sounding words in a laboratory task at a later age than babies who are raised in homes where only one language is spoken. This difference, which is thought to be advantageous for bilingual infants, appears to be due to the fact that bilingual babies need to devote their attention to the general associations between words and objects (often a word in each language) for a longer period, rather than focusing on detailed sound information. This finding suggests an important difference in the mechanics of how monolingual and bilingual babies learn language.

Study finds post-traumatic stress symptoms in adolescent children of cancer patients

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Barcelona, Spain: A new study by Dutch researchers has found that adolescents may suffer from severe symptoms of post-traumatic stress when a parent is recently diagnosed with cancer and that parents tend to underestimate the problems.

New chemotherapy regimen prolongs survival in difficult-to-treat childhood brainstem gliomas

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Barcelona, Spain: Childhood brainstem gliomas (BSGs) are rare but can be very difficult to treat successfully and they tend to have poor survival rates. However, a team of Spanish researchers have found that a chemotherapy regimen of irinotecan and cisplatin (I/C) produced rapid clinical responses and shrank the tumours by more than 20 percent in all six children enrolled in a clinical trial.

Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids associated with decreased risk of type 1 diabetes

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Preliminary research suggests that in children at increased risk for type 1 diabetes, dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids was associated with a reduced risk of pancreatic islet autoimmunity, which is linked to the development of diabetes, according to an article in the Sept. 26 issue of JAMA.

Parents' participation in medical decisions linked to self-efficacy

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

ANN ARBOR, Mich. � The majority of parents feel they play a significant role in making medical decisions for their child, according to researchers at the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children�s Hospital.

Childhood vaccination may protect adult eyes

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Childhood vaccination for the rubella virus may have also almost entirely eliminated an inflammatory eye disease from the U.S.-born population, according to a study by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh psychiatrist receives prestigious NIH award

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Children�s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC psychiatrist Eva M. Szigethy, MD, PhD, is among a select group of researchers who have been chosen by the director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to receive a prestigious New Innovator Award.

Hazards of using crib bumper pads outweigh their benefits

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

St. Louis, Sept. 18, 2007 -- Although bumper pads are theoretically designed to prevent injury to a baby while in the crib or bassinet, the risk of accidental death or injury to an infant from using them outweighs their possible benefits, according to a new study by pediatric researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Most comprehensive study of mercury in dental fillings begins

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

The presence of mercury in dental amalgams, or fillings, is relatively common knowledge; however, whether its presence affects the neurological system is a debate that has been ongoing for 150 years. A new study beginning in less than a week will � for the first time � study whether prenatal exposure to mercury vapor from fillings affects neurological development.

UCLA/VA partners with ASU to advance biosensor technology for urinary tract infections

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Researchers from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, GeneFluidics Inc. and the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University have received a five-year, $3.2 million award from the National Institutes of Health to help rapidly diagnose and treat urinary tract infections � the most common cause of hospital-associated infection in the United States.

Global Health Project targets reducing AIDS among India's adolescents

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Tampa, FL (Sept. 12, 2007) -- The University of South Florida�s global health initiative to help India build an infrastructure to fight AIDS has been strengthened with a $1.36-million research training grant from the National Institutes of Health.

Soft drinks alone do not affect children's weight

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Soft drink consumption has increased in both the USA and the UK over the years and this has often been blamed for a rise in childhood body mass index (BMI). However, many of the review methodologies investigating the alleged links have been flawed. A recent scientific analysis of a nationally representative sample of children�s diets and lifestyles found no link between the amount of soft drinks children consume and their body weight.

Breastfeeding does not protect against asthma, allergies

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Breastfeeding does not protect children against developing asthma or allergies, says a new study led by McGill University's Dr. Michael Kramer and funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The findings were pre-published online September 11 by the British Medical Journal.

Mutations in the insulin gene can cause neonatal diabetes

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Mutations in the insulin gene can cause permanent neonatal diabetes, an unusual form of diabetes that affects very young children and results in lifelong dependence on insulin injections, report researchers from the University of Chicago and Peninsula University (Exeter, UK) in Sept. 18, 2007, issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, published early online.

Newer antidepressants led to less, not more, teen suicides

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

A new study by researchers at the University of South Florida and University of Illinois suggests FDA mandated warnings about suicide in teens treated with antidepressants could have the unintended consequence of placing more youth at risk.

Environmental stress probed in cardiovascular disease, diabetes

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

How environmental stress contributes to cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes is under study at the Medical College of Georgia.

Fever causing headaches for Aussie parents

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Australian parents need to be educated about managing fever in young children because many give medication incorrectly and often unnecessarily, according to a Queensland University of Technology nursing researcher.

UCLA/RAND study shows that many children of HIV-positive parents are not in their custody

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

A new joint study by UCLA and the Rand Corp. shows that more than half of children with an HIV-infected parent are not consistently in that parent�s custody.

Parents' perceptions can hamper kids' asthma care, study finds

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

The next battle in the war on asthma symptom control could be a psychological one, a new study finds.

Nicotine in breast milk disrupts infants' sleep patterns

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

PHILADELPHIA (September 4, 2007) - - A study from the Monell Chemical Senses Center reports that nicotine in the breast milk of lactating mothers who smoke cigarettes disrupts their infants' sleep patterns.

Ovation further advances development pipeline with new phase III epilepsy study

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

DEERFIELD, Ill., September 4, 2007 � OVATION Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the initiation of a pivotal Phase III clinical trial evaluating clobazam, a unique 1,5 benzodiazapine with significant anticonvulsant properties, as adjunctive treatment for patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), one of the most severe forms of childhood epilepsy that frequently persists into adulthood. In previous studies clobazam was shown to be well tolerated in patients with LGS and met the primary endpoint in a Phase II dose range finding study of a significant reduction in drop (or atonic) seizures compared to baseline. Drop seizures are the most debilitating of the LGS seizures types, which can result in severe trauma to the brain and body. This latest study demonstrates OVATION�s progress in advancing its central nervous system (CNS) development pipeline.

Study documents rapid increase in youth bipolar disorder diagnoses

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

CHICAGO � The estimated number of youth with office visits with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder substantially increased between 1994 and 2003, while adult visits with a bipolar disorder diagnoses appeared to almost double, according to a report in the September issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Adolescents' use of cell phones after bedtime contributes to poor sleep

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

WESTCHESTER, Ill. - The use of modern means of interpersonal and mass communication has become an essential part of being young. Technology has enabled two people to connect with each other virtually anywhere and at any time, a privilege that, according to new research, is often abused by youngsters and cutting into their sleep time. A study published in the September 1 issue of the journal SLEEP finds that cell phone use after bedtime is very prevalent among adolescents, and its use is related to increased levels of tiredness after one year.

Lack of sleep among new school-goers leads to behavioral, cognitive problems

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

WESTCHESTER, Ill. - The first investigation of developmental sleep duration patterns throughout childhood shows that children just beginning school and who get little sleep are more likely to have behavioral and cognitive problems in the classroom, according to a study published in the September 1 issue of the journal SLEEP.

Treating diabetes during pregnancy can break link to childhood obesity

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

August 28, 2007 (Oakland, Calif) -- Treating diabetes during pregnancy can break the link between gestational diabetes and childhood obesity, according to a Kaiser Permanente study featured in the September issue of Diabetes Care.

Gamma globulin effective in treating eye infections caused by adenoviruses

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 28 � Gamma globulin, a type of antibody isolated from blood samples that used to be routinely given to health care workers and international travelers to protect them from infectious diseases, is a highly effective treatment for pinkeye with little apparent toxicity, according to a study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The results of the study, being published in the September 1 issue of the journal Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science and available online now, have significant implications for the treatment and prevention of eye diseases caused by adenovirus infections, such as conjunctivitis.

AASM encourages those student-athletes at risk for developing osa to visit a sleep clinic

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

WESTCHESTER, Ill. � For most children and teens, the beginning of a new school year is just around the corner. Not only will they be hitting the books again after a three-month-long summer break, but many of them will also participate in after-school activities. More research is emerging that sheds light on a serious problem affecting student-athletes nationwide: the number of children and teens who are considered obese is rising dramatically. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), obesity raises the risk of cardiovascular disease and other health problems, and also increases the likelihood of developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Research may unlock mystery of autism's origin in the brain

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. � In the first study of its kind, researchers have discovered that in autistic individuals, connections between brain cells may be deficient within single regions, and not just between regions, as was previously believed.

Nonmedicinal treatment touted for preschoolers with ADHD

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Non-medicinal interventions are highly effective in preventing the behavioral and academic problems associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), according to a five-year study led by researchers at Lehigh University�s College of Education.

Hypertension appears to be frequently undiagnosed in children and adolescents

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

In a study of children and adolescents with hypertension, only about one in four had been previously diagnosed with the condition, according to a study in the August 22/29 issue of JAMA.

Emory and Georgia State researchers study long-term effects of pediatric brain tumors and treatment

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

A team of researchers from Emory and Georgia State Universities has been awarded a four-year, nearly $850,000 grant from the American Cancer Society to study risk factors for long-term social and cognitive problems in adult survivors of pediatric brain tumors. The study will focus on more than 100 adults, currently in their 20s, who have survived at least ten years beyond their initial diagnosis.

As autism diagnoses grow, so do number of fad treatments, researchers say

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

SAN FRANCISCO � Ineffective or even dangerous fad treatments for autism, always a problem, seem to be growing more pervasive, according to researchers who studied the problem.

Informational handout key to giving parents a better understanding of CT radiation risks

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Simply giving parents informational handouts can improve their understanding of the potential increased risk of cancer related to pediatric CT, according to a recent study conducted by researchers from The Childrens Hospital in Denver, CO and Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, CT.

Children of depressed moms do better when dad is involved, SLU researcher finds

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

ST. LOUIS Children whose mothers are depressed are less likely to develop problem behaviors if their fathers are actively engaged in family life, a Saint Louis University researcher finds.

1 of 2 pediatric kidney disease research centers in world established

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded $4.6 million over the next five years to the Medical College of Wisconsin to establish a Research Center of Excellence in Pediatric Nephrology at Childrens Research Institute. As one of only two such Centers in the country, it will build on current groundbreaking research programs at the College and Childrens Research Institute, expediting new and exciting treatments for thousands of children with genetic, acquired or progressive kidney disease.

Baby DVDs, videos may hinder, not help, infants' language development

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Despite marketing claims, parents who want to give their infants a boost in learning language probably should limit the amount of time they expose their children to DVDs and videos such as Baby Einstein and Brainy Baby. Rather than helping babies, the over-use of such productions actually may slow down infants eight to 16 months of age when it comes to acquiring vocabulary, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Washington and Seattle Childrens Hospital Research Institute.

New research discovers independent brain networks control human walking

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

(Baltimore, MD) - In a study published in the August issue of Nature Neuroscience, researchers at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland found that there are separate adaptable networks controlling each leg and there are also separate networks controlling leg movements, e.g., forward or backward walking. These findings are contrary to the currently accepted theory that leg movements and adaptations are directed by a single control circuit in the brain. The ability to train the right and left legs independently opens the door to new therapeutic approaches for correcting walking abilities in patients with brain injury (e.g., stroke) and neurological disorders (e.g., cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis).

Study reveals gaps in vaccine financing for underinsured children

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

A national survey of state immunization program managers reveals gaps in coverage for the current vaccine financing system, suggesting that many underinsured children may not receive recommended vaccinations, such as for pneumonia and meningitis, according to a report in the August 8 issue of JAMA.

Postpartum hospital discharges -- when is the 'right time?'

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

LEBANON, N.H. A landmark nationwide study, published today in the journal Pediatrics, is the first ever to prospectively examine the decision-making process of over 4,000 mothers and their physicians around the readiness of mothers and their infants to leave the hospital after childbirth.

Gene predicts better outcome as cortex normalizes in teens with ADHD

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Brain areas that control attention were thinnest in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who carried a particular version of a gene in a study by the National Institutes of Healths (NIH) National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). However, the areas, on the right side of the brains outer mantle, or cortex, normalized in thickness during the teen years in these children, coinciding with clinical improvement. Although this particular gene version increased risk for ADHD, it also predicted better clinical outcomes and higher IQ than two other common versions of the same gene in youth with ADHD.

Inhaled nitric oxide safe for tiny preemie lungs, UCSF study finds

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

A nationwide study led by researchers at UCSF provides evidence that inhaled nitric oxide is safe and effective for the prevention of the most common type of long-term lung disease of very premature infants.

Does this child have appendicitis? Watch out for key signs

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

A 5-year-old with abdominal pain, nausea and fever may have appendicitis or any of a number of other problems. But how does the childs doctor decide whether to schedule an emergency appendectomy to surgically remove a presumably inflamed appendix a procedure that carries its own risks like any surgery or wait and observe what could be a ticking time bomb that could rupture and kill the patient in a matter of hours Its a classic physicians dilemma, but a new study led by the Johns Hopkins Childrens Center may ease the pediatricians problem-solving and parents anxiety.

MPH improves vigilance performance of ADHD children with poor sleep

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

WESTCHESTER, Ill. -- In the first known study of its kind, an article published in the August 1st issue of the journal SLEEP finds that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and whose sleep efficiency is poor, experience significant improvement on some measures of the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) if they are treated with methylphenidate (MPH).

AASM to school-bound: Sleep is the right ingredient for academic success

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

WESTCHESTER, Ill Returning to the classroom after a three-month break signals that summer is drawing to a close. For children and teens, the end of summer also means an end to the long daylight hours that allows them to stay out later, as well as the long lazy mornings of sleeping in. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) advises children and teens that sleep habits adopted over the summer will need to be changed when school starts in order to ensure proper sleep.

Progesterone injections do not prevent preterm birth in twin pregnancies

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

CHAPEL HILL -- Weekly progesterone injections do not prevent premature births in women pregnant with twins, a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study has found.

Group psychotherapy effective for treating depression of teen girls affected by war in Africa

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Group psychotherapy was effective in reducing depression among displaced adolescent girls who are survivors of war in northern Uganda, though the intervention was not effective for adolescent boys, according to a study in the August 1 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on violence and human rights.

PTSD symptoms linked to more feelings of revenge in former African child soldiers

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Former Ugandan and Congolese child soldiers who have more symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are less likely to be open to reconciliation and more likely to have feelings of revenge, according to a study in the August 1 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on violence and human rights.

Rates of child maltreatment in enlisted soldiers' families greater during combat-related deployments

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Children of enlisted soldiers experience greater rates of neglect and maltreatment during periods of combat-related deployments, according to a study in the August 1 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on violence and human rights.

Study discovers link between increased white matter and poor motor skills in children with autism

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

(Baltimore, MD) A study published in the August issue of the journal Brain demonstrates, for the first time, an association between increased white matter volume and functional impairment in children with autism. Findings from researchers at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Md. reveal that in children with autism, increased white matter volume in the motor region of the brain predicts poorer motor skills. Conversely, in typically developing children, increased white matter volume predicts improved motor skills, with a similar association observed in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The relationship between increased white matter volume and functional impairment, which appears to be specific to autism, may be representative of global patterns of brain abnormality in autism that not only contribute to motor dysfunction, but also to deficits in socialization and communication that define the disorder.

Disparities in infant mortality not related to race, study finds

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

The cause of low birth weights among African-American women has more to do with racism than with race, according to a report by an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

St. Jude study solves mystery of mammalian ears

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

A 30-year scientific debate over how specialized cells in the inner ear amplify sound in mammals appears to have been settled more in favor of bouncing cell bodies rather than vibrating, hair-like cilia, according to investigators at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital.

U-M team identifies gene that regulates blood-forming fetal stem cells

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- In the rancorous public debate over federal research funding, stem cells are generally assigned to one of two categories: embryonic or adult. But that's a false dichotomy and an oversimplification. A new University of Michigan study adds to mounting evidence that stem cells in the developing fetus are distinct from both embryonic and adult stem cells.

New study finds infant hearing test results may predict sudden infant death syndrome

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

SEATTLE: July 26, 2007 One of the greatest medical mysteries of our time has taken a leap forward in medical understanding with new study results announced by Dr. Daniel D. Rubens of Childrens Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle. Rubens study published in July, 2007 in Early Human Development found all babies in a Rhode Island study group who died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) universally shared the same distinctive difference in their newborn hearing test results for the right inner ear, when compared to infants who did not have SIDS. This is the first time doctors might be able to identify newborns at risk for SIDS by a simple, affordable and routine hearing test administered shortly after birth. In the study, medical records and hearing tests of 31 babies who died from SIDS in Rhode Island were examined and compared to healthy babies. Rhode Island has a particularly robust database of newborn hearing test data.

Severe trauma affects kids' brain function, say Stanford/Packard researchers

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

STANFORD, Calif. - The first study to examine brain activity patterns in severely traumatized children showed their brains function differently than those of healthy children, say researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital.

Treating HIV-infected infants early helps them live longer

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Hundreds of thousands of babies around the world are born each year with HIV--more than half a million in 2006 alone. Caring for these children is complicated by the fact that their immune systems are not fully developed in the first year of life, which makes them especially susceptible to rapid HIV disease progression and death. The current standard of HIV care in many parts of the world is to treat infants with antiretroviral therapy--but only after they show signs of illness or a weakened immune system.

Steroid medications don't work in treating lower respiratory infections in children

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Salt Lake City -- The use of steroid medication to treat bronchiolitis a common viral lower respiratory infection in infants does not prevent hospitalization or improve their respiratory symptoms, according to a study published in the July 26 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. The findings by the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) resolve controversy from prior research and are expected to help guide treatment for the most common cause of infant hospitalization.

Discoverer of Sly Syndrome finds way of delivering medicine to fight rare genetic disorder

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

ST. LOUIS -- The scientist who discovered Sly Syndrome nearly four decades ago and a team of colleagues at Saint Louis University are a step closer to finding an approach to treat the rare genetic disease. Sly Syndrome causes bone defects, mental retardation, vision and hearing problems, heart disease and premature death.

Families with autistic children connect with researchers, health care professionals

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Starting out in 1998 with 300 attendees, the National Autism Conference at Penn State is one of the largest conferences of its kind -- not just in the nation, but globally, attracting a diverse audience, including educational and behavioral health professionals, as well as those on the autistic spectrum (AS) and their family members.

Sperm banking before treatment preserves fertility in young male cancer patients

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

A recent study at Hamilton Health Sciences proves that sperm freezing and banking is an effective way to preserve fertility in adolescents and young adult (AYA) males with cancer.

Improvement following ADHD treatment sustained in most children

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Most children treated in a variety of ways for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) showed sustained improvement after three years in a major follow-up study funded by the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Yet increased risk for behavioral problems, including delinquency and substance use, remained higher than normal.

Pediatric ritalin use may affect developing brain, new study suggests

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

NEW YORK (July 17, 2007) -- Use of the attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drug Ritalin by young children may cause long-term changes in the developing brain, suggests a new study of very young rats by a research team at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City.

Gene identified for Crohn's disease in children

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Pediatrics researchers have identified a gene variant that raises a childs risk of Crohns disease, a chronic and painful condition attributed to inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Cardiac patches stimulate regeneration, improve function after heart attack

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

When human hearts are injured, as during a heart attack, healthy tissue normally cant regrow. Researchers now demonstrate in rats that a sponge-like patch, soaked in a compound called periostin and placed over the injury, can not only get heart cells to begin dividing and making copies of themselves again, but also improves heart function. Their findings appear in the July 15 online edition of Nature Medicine.

Prevention programs in school might help kids recognize abuse

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

School-based sexual abuse prevention programs can teach children to recognize mistreatment and might increase self-protective behaviors, according to a new review of studies.

CRP may also indicate cognitive impairment in kids with obstructive sleep apnea

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 09:00:00 PST

C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation that is often used to detect cardiovascular disease, may also indicate cognitive impairment in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to a new study of children ages 5 to 7.

Pediatricians say advice to obese kids and families falls on deaf ears

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

ST. LOUIS Pediatricians who talk to obese patients and their families about losing weight feel their conversation makes little difference in encouraging a lifestyle change, a small Saint Louis University study finds.

Tumor painting revolutionizes fight against cancer

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

SEATTLE: July 15, 2007 -- A tumor paint developed by researchers at Seattle Childrens Hospital Research Institute and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center will help surgeons see where a tumor begins and ends more precisely by illuminating the cancerous cells. The study, published in the July 15, 2007 issue of Cancer Research, shows that the tumor paint can help surgeons distinguish between cancer cells and normal brain tissue in the operating room. The paint is a scorpion-derived peptide called chlorotoxin that is linked to the molecular beacon Cy5.5.Until now there has been no way to allow surgeons to see tumors live during surgery.

Gene discovered for type 1 diabetes in children

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Pediatrics researchers at The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia and McGill University in Montreal have identified a gene variant that raises a childs risk for type 1 diabetes, formerly called juvenile diabetes. As investigators continue to pinpoint genes contributing to diabetes, they have their eyes on providing a scientific basis for designing better treatments and preventive measures for the disease.

ACMG recognizes progress made in newborn screening

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

BETHESDA, MD JULY 12, 2007In support of the latest March of Dimes Newborn Screening Report Card, the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) strongly urges every state to require complete testing of all newborns for a core panel of genetic and congenital conditions. It is estimated that currently more than 500,000 babies annually are still not screened for the full panel of debilitating or life-threatening disorders. In many of these diseases, serious complications such as death or mental retardation are avoidable only through newborn screening, with appropriate follow-up and treatment.

1/3 of community pharmacists don't tell parents they are dispensing off-label drugs to children

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Forty per cent of community pharmacists have dispensed an off-label drug to a child in the last month, according to research published in the July issue of the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

St. Jude study shows temporary improvement of tumor blood flow can improve chemotherapy

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

A treatment for neuroblastoma that lands a one-two punch works best when the second punch is timed to take maximum advantage of the first one, according to results of studies at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. Neuroblastoma is a pediatric solid tumor that arises from cells in the peripheral nervous system.