When I was young, I didn’t give much thought to my appearance. My mother did. She pulled my long, curly hair into ponytails, pigtails and fishtails. She dressed me in adorable outfits. I wore tights, button downs and seersucker skirts. My patent leather shoes shined. I always looked polished and…
My kids rarely see people’s faces now that everyone is wearing masks. Will their social development be stunted?
As long as you get ample maskless face-to-face time with your kids, and they play with each other without masks, the coverings shouldn't impact their development. Smiles and frowns are only one part of our nonverbal communication repertoire, so emphasize gestures, body language, and tone of voice to compensate. Alternatives…
Victorian child hearing-loss databank to go global: A unique databank that profiles children with hearing loss will help researchers globally understand why some children adapt and thrive, while others struggle
A unique Victorian databank that profiles children with hearing loss will help researchers globally understand why some children adapt and thrive, while others struggle. The Victorian Childhood Hearing Impairment Longitudinal Databank, which has collected information for eight years, is featured in the latest International Journal of Epidemiology. Its data shows…
Low levels of vitamin D in elementary school could spell trouble in adolescence
Vitamin D deficiency in middle childhood could result in aggressive behavior as well as anxious and depressive moods during adolescence, according to a new University of Michigan study of school children in Bogotá, Colombia. Children with blood vitamin D levels suggestive of deficiency were almost twice as likely to develop…
Adolescents who skip breakfast may develop obesity
A paper published in Scientific Reports describes how researchers affiliated with the University of São Paulo’s Medical School (FM-USP) in Brazil and colleagues at institutions in Europe evaluated behaviors leading to weight gain in adolescents. Childhood obesity can favor the premature emergence of health issues such as type 2 diabetes…
Access to contraception not ‘silver bullet’ to stem population growth in Africa
Greater economic development across Africa in the years ahead could cause its population to grow at an even quicker rate than current projections, according to an important new demographic study released today. According to UN estimates, the population of sub-Saharan Africa is set to double by 2050, which could add…
Personal care products send a child to the emergency room every two hours: Researchers urge parents to store these products safely: Locked up, away and out of sight
In homes across the country, there are dangerous products hidden in plain sight on bathroom counters and bedroom dressers. Personal care products like shampoo, lotion, makeup, nail polish and cologne seem like they should be safe since they are intended for use on our bodies. However, in the hands of…
Study identifies dog breeds, physical traits that pose highest risk of biting children
New research at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center identifies dog breeds and physical traits that pose the highest risk of biting with severe injury. Doctors want parents of young children to use this information when deciding which dog to own….
Clinical trial improves treatment of genetic rickets
A new study shows a drug developed in conjunction with investigators at Indiana University School of Medicine to alleviate symptoms of a rare musculoskeletal condition is significantly more effective than conventional therapies. The findings are published in Lancet. X-linked hypophosphatemia, or XLH, is a phosphate-wasting disease that causes rickets and…
Critical errors in inhaler technique common in children with asthma
In the first study to evaluate inhaler technique in children hospitalized for asthma — the group at highest risk for complications and death from asthma — researchers found that nearly half of participants demonstrated improper inhaler use, which means they routinely were not taking in the full dose of medication….
Integrating infant mental health into the neonatal intensive care unit
Bringing a baby into the world involves many firsts — mothers and fathers are discovering their new roles, babies are learning what it means to live outside the womb, and the family is forging a relationship and bonding. What happens when this time of uncertainty is complicated by medical issues?…