Child Health News

RSS

Infant brain activity shows faster maturation after general anesthesia

New research published today in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) finds that prolonged and/or repeated exposure to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) anesthetic agents (sevoflurane, propofol) for infants in the first two months of life resulted in an accelerated maturation of brain electrical activity patterns evoked by visual stimuli when recorded at 2-5 months of age, compared to infants who did not have early general anesthesia exposure.

30 Jul 2025

Experimental drug found to be safe and effective in treating children with MIS-C

In a small trial, Mass General Brigham researchers found a drug designed to treat Celiac disease supported a more rapid return to normal activities for patients following COVID.

30 Jul 2025

Single injection of gene therapy at birth may offer lasting protection against HIV

A new study in Nature shows that delivering a single injection of gene therapy at birth may offer years-long protection against HIV, tapping into a critical window in early life that could reshape the fight against pediatric infections in high-risk regions.

30 Jul 2025

Innovative technologies push pediatric MRI beyond diagnostics

From fetal stages through adolescence, the b;rain undergoes rapid, layered development—from basic motor skills to complex emotional regulation.

30 Jul 2025

Immigrant kids detained in ‘unsafe and unsanitary’ sites as Trump team seeks to end protections

A child developed a rash after he was prevented from changing his underwear for four days. A little boy, bored and overcome with despair, began hitting himself in the head.

30 Jul 2025

Vaping recreates 1970s smoking uptake rates in UK teens

UK teens who currently vape are as likely to take up smoking as their peers in the 1970s, despite a substantial fall in the prevalence of teenage smoking over the past 50 years, suggests a long term intergenerational study published online in the journal Tobacco Control.

30 Jul 2025

Vegan teens exercise more often than meat-eating peers, study finds

A nationwide Austrian study of nearly 9,000 teens reveals distinct health behaviors and motivations among vegetarian, vegan, and omnivorous students. Vegan and vegetarian youth are more likely to report higher fruit, vegetable, and activity levels, but still fall short of daily exercise targets.

29 Jul 2025

Prenatal phthalates lower boys' verbal IQ but lift girls' performance IQ, Canadian study reveals

Prenatal exposure to certain phthalates, especially DiDP, was linked to slightly lower IQ scores in preschoolers, with boys appearing more vulnerable. Other phthalates, like MMP and MBzP, showed small positive associations, but mixture effects were not significant.

29 Jul 2025

New research provides the first clinically relevant overview of childhood brain tumors

Childhood brain tumor survival depends on the type of tumor. Comparing survival rates across countries is difficult, because brain tumors aren't recorded in the same way everywhere in Europe. A new study led by the Princess Máxima Center is helping to change that. For the first time, the research provides a clear and clinically relevant overview of survival outcomes for children with brain tumors.

29 Jul 2025

What’s better for your gut: lean beef or chicken? Science weighs in

A crossover trial in healthy young adults found that both lean chicken and beef diets reduced gut microbial richness, but only chicken caused significant diversity loss. The study highlights that lean local beef may have a milder impact on the gut microbiome than chicken.

29 Jul 2025

Malnutrition crisis deepens in the Gaza Strip

Malnutrition is on a dangerous trajectory in the Gaza Strip, marked by a spike in deaths in July.

28 Jul 2025

Fearing Medicaid coverage loss, some parents rush to vaccinate their kids

For two decades, Washington, D.C., pediatrician Lanre Falusi has counseled parents about vaccine safety, side effects, and timing. But this year, she said, the conversations have changed.

28 Jul 2025

Outpatient therapy offers hope for young eating disorder patients after hospitalization

Eating disorders affect more than 5% of young people, and they have one of the highest mortality rates of any mental illness.

28 Jul 2025

Infants and preschoolers show unique signs of long COVID

Infants, toddlers and preschoolers exhibit symptoms of long COVID, but the symptoms can be different and more difficult to identify in these children, according to Rutgers Health research.

23 Jul 2025

How much does online negativity really affect your mind?

Negative comments on social media can significantly increase anxiety and lower mood in adults, according to a new experimental study. Younger adults are particularly susceptible to the psychological effects of online negativity.

23 Jul 2025

Forever chemicals cross placenta and breast milk affecting babies’ immunity

New research reveals that tiny amounts of PFAS-widely known as "forever chemicals"-cross the placenta and breast milk to alter infants' developing immune systems, potentially leaving lasting imprints on their ability to fight disease.

23 Jul 2025

Teen tobacco use linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety

Adolescents who use either e-cigarettes or conventional tobacco products (CTP)-like cigarettes, cigars, hookah and pipes-are significantly more likely to report symptoms of depression and anxiety than teens who don't use tobacco products at all, according to a study published this week in the open-access journal PLOS Mental Health by Noor Abdulhay of West Virginia University, USA, and colleagues.

23 Jul 2025