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Prenatal processes gone awry linked to children with autism

A study by researchers at the University of California, San Diego Autism Center of Excellence shows that brain overgrowth in boys with autism involves an abnormal, excess number of neurons in areas of the brain associated with social, communication and cognitive development.

9 Nov 2011

Many parents still place their infants in unsafe sleep settings

The nearly two-decades-long national "back to sleep" campaign that promotes infant safe sleep is credited with reducing the rate of sudden infant death syndrome in the United States.

8 Nov 2011

UC Santa Barbara's ImmuNet project focuses on targeted immunizations for infants, children

The University of California, Santa Barbara announced today that it will receive funding through Grand Challenges Explorations, an initiative created by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that enables researchers worldwide to test unorthodox ideas that address persistent health and development challenges. Professors Elizabeth Belding and Amr El Abbadi in the Computer Science Department will pursue an innovative global health research project, titled "ImmuNet: Targeted Immunizations for Infants and Children".

8 Nov 2011

80% of Melbourne tanning salons allow underage customers

According to a recent survey by the Cancer Council Victoria, solarium operators are flouting rules by allowing teenagers under 18 to use sun beds despite laws banning them from doing so.

8 Nov 2011

Study looks at influence of father's depression on his children

There have been numerous studies that looked at the effect of mother's depression upon her children. But there have been no studies that explore the influence a father's depression on his children.

8 Nov 2011

GAPPS research into causes of preterm births and development of solutions

Thirteen million babies are born prematurely every year, but new funding announced today will allow for pioneering research into the causes of preterm births and the development of solutions so they can be prevented.

8 Nov 2011

High-field MRI can reveal tiny brain injuries in preterm infant

Pediatric neuroscientists at Oregon Health & Science University Doernbecher Children's Hospital are the first to use high magnetic field strength MRI to reveal tiny white matter injuries in the developing brain previously undetectable using standard MRI.

8 Nov 2011

Study finds spinal bleeding in young children with abusive head trauma

A new study found that spinal bleeding is found often in young children who are victims of abusive trauma. The findings support performing complete spine imaging for children undergoing brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for moderate or severe traumatic brain injury and suggest a pathway for distinguishing between abusive and accidental injury.

8 Nov 2011

Study evaluates JIA disease activity after treatment with etanercept

Among patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) who initiated treatment with the drug etanercept, one-third achieved an excellent response, and this response was associated with low measures of disability at study entry, younger age at the onset of JIA, and fewer disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs used before initiating etanercept, according to a study appearing in JAMA.

7 Nov 2011

New data from Novartis' ACZ885 Phase III study on SJIA

Novartis announced today new pivotal Phase III data showing 45% of children with active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) were able to substantially reduce their use of oral corticosteroids (often described as steroids) within 28 weeks of commencing treatment with ACZ885.

7 Nov 2011

MRSA co-infection increases risk of flu-related mortality among children

During the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, many previously healthy children became critically ill, developing severe pneumonia and respiratory failure, sometimes fatal. The largest nationwide investigation to date of influenza in critically ill children, led by Children's Hospital Boston, found one key risk factor: Simultaneous infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) increased the risk for flu-related mortality 8-fold among previously healthy children.

7 Nov 2011

Respiratory problems in homes on the rise due to air freshners

Sales of home air fresheners and scented candles are on the rise and so are respiratory problems in homes where these products are used, according to allergists at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) in Boston, Nov 3-8.

7 Nov 2011

Children with polyarticular JIA benefit from early and aggressive therapy

Children with juvenile arthritis who are treated early and aggressively have better outcomes, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago.

7 Nov 2011

Study finds pregnancy safe for 80% of women with lupus

Promising research led by investigators at Hospital for Special Surgery may offer hope for women with lupus who once thought that pregnancy was too risky.

7 Nov 2011

VBF, BLI hold 14th annual Port Wine Stain and Vascular Birthmarks Conference

The Vascular Birthmarks Foundation (VBF), along with the Beckman Laser Institute (BLI) and Medical Director Dr. J. Stuart Nelson, are holding the fourteenth annual Port Wine Stain and Vascular Birthmarks Conference beginning today at the University of California-Irvine.

5 Nov 2011

Supplemental dose of pneumonia vaccine recommended for age-eligible patients

In a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare providers are being urged to administer a supplemental dose of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine to age-eligible patients as they come in for visits.

5 Nov 2011

Single-parent status, household income linked to increased rate of hospital readmissions of asthmatic children

Financial strain and competing priorities at home may contribute to the greater number of hospital readmissions of children with asthma from single-parent homes compared to dual-parent households, according to a new study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Meeting in Boston, Nov. 3-8.

5 Nov 2011

States lack policies to curb classroom burden of asthma and severe allergies

For over 7 million children with asthma, and 13 million with food allergy or other severe allergies, going to school is a daily risk affecting how well they can – or can't – manage their diseases. Now for the fourth year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has released its annual report assessing all 50 states and the District of Columbia on their leadership and progress on school-based policies that address student asthma and allergy health in more than 100,000 elementary, middle and high schools across the U.S.

5 Nov 2011

Eat'n Park unfolds Caring for Kids Campaign to raise funds for Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh

Eat'n Park is rolling out its 33rd annual Caring for Kids Campaign to raise funds for Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. Beginning today and running through December 11, guests are invited to purchase a raffle ticket for the chance to win a new 2012 Ford Focus.

5 Nov 2011

Appropriate tests, treatments needed for pediatric TB

In this post on the PLoS "Speaking of Medicine" blog, Grania Brigden, the tuberculosis adviser to the Medecins Sans Frontieres Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines, writes that while "[t]his year's Global Tuberculosis Control report shows the beginning of a decline in the global tuberculosis epidemic, ... there is a stark lack of data for children," continuing, "Without a clear estimate of the magnitude of the problem it is hard to motivate governments, researchers and donors."

5 Nov 2011