Meeting the Challenges of Type 1 Diabetes in the Teen Years

• February 20, 2021
• Full Page

Diabetes is never an easy disease to manage, but coping with type 1 diabetes can be a particularly difficult challenge for teens.

The transition from childhood to adolescence can be hard on both kids and parents, the JDRF (formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundati...

Cold Facts on Avoiding Snow and Ice Dangers

• Robert Preidt
• February 19, 2021
• Full Page

Severe winter weather has a grip on much of the United States, which increases the risk of injuries from slipping on ice, shoveling, sports such as skiing and sledding, and car crashes.

"One of the most frequently seen causes for visits to the emergency room this time of...

Tougher State Gun Laws, Less Gun Violence Among Teens: Study

• Robert Preidt
• February 18, 2021
• Full Page

States with more gun laws have less youth gun violence, new research reveals.

For the study, the researchers examined data from several states from 2005 to 2017, and found that kids were less likely to be armed in states with more gun laws, and more likely to carry a wea...

New Rabies Prevention Treatment Also Works in Kids: Study

• Robert Preidt
• February 16, 2021
• Full Page

Getting bitten by a dog or wild animal is frightening, especially for kids, but a new study may help relieve some of the worry about catching rabies.

The rabies prevention treatment KEDRAB is safe and effective for patients 17 and younger, a groundbreaking pediatric clin...

When Will Kids Get the COVID Vaccines?

• February 15, 2021
• Full Page

For parents with questions about COVID-19 vaccines and children, Johns Hopkins Medicine experts offer answers.

While vaccinations for adults are underway in the United States, clinical trials for the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration-authorized COVID-19 vaccines ha...

Speeding on U.S. Roads Is Taking Thousands of  Teenagers' Lives

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• February 8, 2021
• Full Page

Nearly half -- 43% -- of all fatal car crashes involving teens and their passengers are the result of speeding, a new automobile safety report reveals.

The finding stems from an in-depth analysis of all fatal motor vehicle accidents across the United States between 2015 ...

Anchor It! Toppling TVs, Furniture Can Injure and Kill Kids

• Robert Preidt
• February 3, 2021
• Full Page

It only takes a second.

Experts are warning that unsecured televisions, bedroom dressers and other heavy furniture can crush, maim and even kill curious children, and the issue may only worsen during stay-at-home lockdowns.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Sa...

Kids Aren't Scared by Medical Workers' PPE, Study Finds

• Robert Preidt
• January 26, 2021
• Full Page

Kids aren't scared when surgical staff wear personal protective equipment (PPE), and many feel reassured by use of the gear, researchers say.

Anxiety is common before, during and after surgery, and can result in complications such as pain and delayed recovery. Concerns h...

Hand Sanitizer Is Harming Kids' Eyes, Often Seriously

• Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
• January 25, 2021
• Full Page

The explosive rise in use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers during the COVID-19 pandemic has had a dangerous, unintended consequence: eye injuries among children.

Using data from French poison control and a children's hospital in Paris, researchers reported that acci...

Child Car Seat Safety Tip: Skip Puffy Winter Coats

• January 23, 2021
• Full Page

Puffy coats have their place, but it's not inside a car seat.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers a variety of tips for keeping your little ones safe and warm while traveling by car.

The first is to avoid dressing children in puffy coats or snowsuits be...

Toddler Tantrums? Pediatricians Offer Tips to Curb Bad Behavior

• Cara Murez
• January 20, 2021
• Full Page

Toddler behavior won't always be good. Outbursts are normal.

Yet, you can also use those aggravating moments to help shape your little one's behavior, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Start by teaching the "house rules," the AAP advises. Put a...

Should Your Child Get a COVID Test?

• January 15, 2021
• Full Page

If you're trying to decide whether to have your child tested for COVID-19, talk with your pediatrician, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests.

Children and teens with COVID-19 symptoms should be tested immediately. This is especially important if they're goin...

New Year, New Tips for Keeping Your Kids Safe and Healthy

• January 10, 2021
• Full Page

A new year can be a fresh start for you and your kids -- and perhaps no year has needed a fresh start more than this one. So, a leading doctors' group is offering parents tips for a healthy "reset" in 2021.

Get immunized. First of all, the American Ac...

Study Finds No Benefit From Supplemental Oxygen During Labor

• Amy Norton
• January 5, 2021
• Full Page

For decades, women have commonly been given oxygen during childbirth, but a new research review finds little evidence it benefits newborns.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that women be given supplemental oxygen when fetal heart monitor...

More Kids Injured by Tiny Magnets After Sales Ban Was Lifted: Study

• Alan Mozes
• November 24, 2020
• Full Page

Small, powerful magnets in toys like Buckyballs building sets and jewelry kits are causing an alarming number of serious pediatric injuries in the United States, new research warns.

Analyzing national data, researchers found an 80% rise in these injuries to children from...

Parents' Age Key to Whether Kids Get Vaccinated Against COVID, Study Finds

• Cara Murez
• November 23, 2020
• Full Page

As scientists worked on COVID-19 vaccines, other researchers were addressing a question: Once shots are available, will parents vaccinate their kids against the new coronavirus?

The answer: Younger parents are much less likely than older ones to plan to vaccinate their c...

Add Kids to COVID Vaccine Trials, Pediatricians' Group Says

• Robert Preidt
• November 20, 2020
• Full Page

Children should be included in COVID-19 vaccine trials at the earliest possible stage, a leading group of U.S. pediatricians says.

If that's not done, youngsters' lives could be at risk, according to the 67,000-member American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

"If we d...

COVID in Pregnancy Won't Affect Obstetric Outcomes: Study

• Steven Reinberg
• November 19, 2020
• Full Page

Pregnant women with COVID-19 have little risk of developing severe symptoms, as do their newborns, a new study finds.

In fact, 95% of these women have good outcomes, and just 3% of their babies test positive for COVID-19, researchers say.

"For 5% of COVID-19-positi...

Thin Ice: Global Warming May Be Raising Drowning Risks

• Cara Murez
• November 18, 2020
• Full Page

More children and young adults are drowning in winter lakes because of warming temperatures that create unstable lake ice, a new study finds.

A team of international researchers examined several decades of data, including 4,000 drownings and population information from t...

Almost 1 in 5 Parents Are 'Vaccine Hesitant,' Study Finds

• Serena Gordon
• November 9, 2020
• Full Page

Nearly one in five American parents described themselves as "hesitant about childhood shots" in 2019, a new U.S. government study finds.

That was fewer than the one in four who expressed hesitancy about vaccines in 2018.

The new research found real consequences fro...

Microplastics Are Seeping Out of Baby's Bottle, Study Shows

• Dennis Thompson
• October 19, 2020
• Full Page

New parents preparing a bottle for their baby should know the infant may ingest unwanted microplastics along with the nourishing formula, a new study warns.

High levels of microplastic particles are released from baby bottles during formula preparation, researchers d...

An Expert's Guide to Safe Sleeping for Your Baby

• Robert Preidt
• October 15, 2020
• Full Page

To keep your baby safe while sleeping, experts recommend practicing the "ABCs" of sleep.

Babies should sleep alone, on their back and in a crib. That's the best way to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

SIDS is the unexplain...

It's Tough to Change the Minds of 'Vaccine-Hesitant' Parents, Study Finds

• Amy Norton
• October 14, 2020
• Full Page

When parents have concerns about the safety of childhood vaccinations, it can be tough to change their minds, as a new study shows.

The study involved "vaccine-hesitant" parents -- a group distinct from the staunch "anti-vaxxer" crowd. They have worries about one or ...

Your Guide to a Safe and Happy Halloween

• Robert Preidt
• October 10, 2020
• Full Page

The truly scary thing about Halloween this year is that it's occurring during a pandemic, but there are safe ways to celebrate, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says.

Suggestions include: virtual costume parties; physically distant, outdoor costume parades; H...

Kids' Hospitalizations Accompany Rising Unemployment Rates: Study

• Robert Preidt
• October 9, 2020
• Full Page

COVID-19 has led to widespread job loss in the United States. And now a new study reports that when unemployment rates rise, so do hospitalizations of children.

For the study, researchers analyzed 12 years of data (2002 to 2014) from 14 states. They found that for e...

ATV Vehicles a Danger on Paved Roads, and at Night

• Cara Roberts Murez
• October 7, 2020
• Full Page

Off-road vehicles are meant for exactly that -- riding on rough terrain including mud, sand and uneven ground.

A new study found that combining two questionable ideas -- driving all-terrain and other off-road vehicles on paved roads in the dark -- is particularly dan...

Pandemic Silver Lining: Steep Drop in Kids' Fractures

• Alan Mozes
• October 7, 2020
• Full Page

In a rare bit of good news tied to the coronavirus pandemic, researchers say pediatric fractures plummeted by nearly 60% this past spring.

Investigators say the finding likely reflects the sudden evaporation of organized sports and curtailed playground use due to...

'Anti-Vaxx' Movement Shifts Focus to Civil Liberties

• Steven Reinberg
• October 7, 2020
• Full Page

Facebook chatter from the anti-vaccination movement now frames the issue as one of civil liberties, a new study finds.

As a COVID-19 vaccine gets closer to becoming a reality, opposition from so-called anti-vaxxer groups could become a political movement, researcher...

Plan Ahead to Keep Halloween Safe for Kids With Asthma, Allergies

• Robert Preidt
• October 6, 2020
• Full Page

This Halloween may be especially challenging for parents of children with asthma and allergies, as they also have to guard against COVID-19.

"Every year we send out tips on how to keep your kids with allergies and asthma symptom-free as they celebrate one of their fa...

Fall in the Southeast Means Guarding Against Fire Ant Stings

• Robert Preidt
• October 6, 2020
• Full Page

The sting of fire ants can be painful and even deadly -- and the threat rises during fall across the southeastern United States.

At this time of year, fire ants move to warm surfaces such as concrete slabs or asphalt roads, according to the American College of Allerg...

More Than 1 in 3 U.S. Pediatricians Dismiss Vaccine-Refusing Families

• Serena Gordon
• September 15, 2020
• Full Page

Parents who choose to forgo or delay their children's vaccinations may quickly find themselves without a pediatrician.

Just over half (51%) of pediatric offices in the United States have a policy to dismiss families that refuse childhood vaccines, a nationwide s...

Pandemic Unleashes 'Startling' Rise in Dog Bites

• Serena McNiff
• September 9, 2020
• Full Page

Lockdowns gave people lots to growl about. Their dogs may have felt a bit more aggressive, too.

A pediatric emergency department in Colorado saw nearly three times as many children with injuries from dog bites this spring compared to last year at the same time, promp...

COVID-19 Precautions Extend to Car Seats, Seat Belts

• Robert Preidt
• September 4, 2020
• Full Page

Face masks and hand-washing are a good start, but to protect your kids from the coronavirus you'll need to up your game on the road, too, a leading pediatricians' group says.

There are a number of things parents should do to protect children from COVID-19 infection w...

With COVID Vaccine in Works, 1 in 5 Americans Doesn't Believe in Shots

• Steven Reinberg
• August 28, 2020
• Full Page

As many as 20% of Americans don't believe in vaccines, a new study finds.

Misinformed vaccine beliefs drive opposition to public vaccine policies even more than politics, education, religion or other factors, researchers say.

The findings are based on...

When Parents, Grandparents Don't Agree on Childrearing Choices

• Steven Reinberg
• August 17, 2020
• Full Page

Disagreements between parents and grandparents over parenting choices like discipline, meals and TV time can strain family relationships, a new poll finds.

When kids stay with grandparents, relaxed rules can cause friction with the child's parents, child health expe...

Strict, Costly Measures Needed to Reopen Schools: Study

• Steven Reinberg
• August 11, 2020
• Full Page

As debate intensifies over reopening schools during the coronavirus pandemic, Stanford University experts offer some tips to make the return to classrooms safer.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has highlighted the importance of kids returning to the classrooms.

As in Adults, Minority Kids Hit Hardest by COVID-19

• Amy Norton
• August 7, 2020
• Full Page

U.S. minorities have been particularly hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic, and a new study suggests kids are no exception.

Researchers found that at one community testing site, nearly half of Hispanic children and teens were positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that ...

Will Your Kid Play School Sports This Fall? Here's Some Guidance on Doing It Safely

• Robert Preidt
• August 6, 2020
• Full Page

If you're thinking about letting your child resume sports while the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage, a leading pediatricians' group says there are a few things you should consider.

To help families make informed decisions, the American Academy of Pediatrics (A...

Breastfeeding OK After Mom Has Anesthesia, Experts Say

• Steven Reinberg
• August 3, 2020
• Full Page

It's perfectly safe to breastfeed after a mom receives anesthesia, new British medical guidelines say.

And she can start as soon as she's alert and able to do so, according to just-published guidelines from the U.K. Association of Anaesthetists.

"The guide...

Child Care Stresses, Hunger Are Harming U.S. Families During Pandemic

• Alan Mozes
• July 29, 2020
• Full Page

With everyday life turned upside down, efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are taking a toll on the well-being and health of American families, a new poll reveals.

More than 1,000 parents nationwide were surveyed in early June.

"Without question, COV...

With Safety Steps, Moms Unlikely to Pass COVID-19 to Newborns: Study

• Robert Preidt
• July 24, 2020
• Full Page

Mothers are unlikely to pass COVID-19 to their newborns if they follow recommended precautions, a small study suggests.

"We hope our study will provide some reassurance to new mothers that the risk of them passing COVID-19 to their babies is very low. However, larger...

Expert Tips to Help You Beat the Heat

• Robert Preidt
• July 23, 2020
• Full Page

With much of the United States blanketed by a heat wave this week, the American Red Cross offers some survival tips.

Each year, extreme heat kills more than 600 people in the United States. And many others are at risk of heat-related illness, especially adults aged 6...

Does Medical Marijuana Help or Harm Kids With Cancer?

• Amy Norton
• July 13, 2020
• Full Page

Parents are increasingly interested in whether medical marijuana can help their children with problems like cancer-related pain and nausea -- but there's concern about interactions with their medications and a general lack of research.

That's one of the main takeaway...

With Social Distancing, Schools Should Be Safe to Reopen This Fall, Experts Say

• Dennis Thompson
• July 10, 2020
• Full Page

Kids should be able to safely return to reopened schools this fall, resuming their studies with little risk that they will contribute to the COVID-19 pandemic, some infectious disease experts argue.

The scientific evidence so far indicates that children do not tend t...

How the Pandemic Is Changing Summer Camp

• Robert Preidt
• July 8, 2020
• Full Page

If your children are going to summer school or camps this year, you may need to prepare them for safety precautions that will be in place due to the coronavirus pandemic, an expert says.

"Social interaction, engaging learning opportunities and physical activity are c...

Injuries Shoot Up After Fireworks Laws Loosened in West Virginia

• Robert Preidt
• July 3, 2020
• Full Page

West Virginia loosened fireworks sales rules in 2016. And since then, the state has seen a 40% boom in fireworks-related injuries, researchers say.

The regulation change made it easier for people to buy Class C fireworks such as Roman candles, bottle rockets and ...

Asthma, Allergies Plus Pandemic May Pose 4th of July Challenges

• Robert Preidt
• July 2, 2020
• Full Page

The coronavirus pandemic makes planning for July 4th a challenge this year, especially if someone in the family has allergies or asthma, an allergy expert says.

"This summer will see modifications in how people celebrate Independence Day," said Dr. J. Allen Meadows, ...

Seizures After Vaccination Don't Affect Kids' Development: Study

• Steven Reinberg
• July 1, 2020
• Full Page

Kids who have a fever-related seizure after getting a vaccine won't have developmental and behavioral problems as a result, according to a new study.

These so-called febrile seizures do not affect children's development whether they occur after a vaccination or not,...

A Safer 4th Is One Without Backyard Fireworks

• Robert Preidt
• July 1, 2020
• Full Page

If you plan to celebrate Independence Day, you might want to reconsider setting off fireworks, Prevent Blindness suggests.

There are other, safer ways to mark the United States of America's birthday, according to the nonprofit eye health and safety group. It noted th...

2 in 3 Parents Would Send Kids to School in Fall: Survey

• Steven Reinberg
• June 30, 2020
• Full Page

About two-thirds of U.S. parents say they'll send their kids to school again this fall, and most also support COVID-19 testing and social distancing policies for schoolchildren, a new survey finds.

Among parents, only about 12% said they would not send at least o...