October 21, 2020

Baby's Heart Rate Reflects Mom's Mental Health

TUESDAY, Sept. 22, 2020 -- Babies of mothers with anxiety or depression can have significantly higher heart rates than normal, a new study finds.

And this might put them at risk for long-term problems, researchers say.

September 29, 2020

Immune System Clues to Why COVID Is Easier on Kids

FRIDAY, Sept. 25, 2020 -- Kids and adults have different immune system responses to infection with the new coronavirus, which may help explain why severe COVID-19 is more common in adults, researchers report.

For their new study, they examined blood and cell samples from patients admitted with COVID-19 symptoms to the Montefiore Medical Center in New York City.

September 29, 2020

Sleep Builds the Brain in the Early Years, Then Maintains It

TUESDAY, Sept. 22, 2020 -- For the very young, sleep builds and strengthens the brain, but it quickly switches to maintenance and repair before a child turns 3, new research shows.

Before about the age of 2½, the brain grows rapidly. And during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep a baby's brain builds and strengthens synapses, which connect neurons to each other so they can communicate.

September 21, 2020

Holidays Can Be a Fright for Kids With Food Allergies

MONDAY, Sept. 21, 2020 -- Parents of kids with food allergies probably won't be surprised to hear that Halloween is an especially risky time for their youngsters.

A new study found that serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) triggered by peanuts jumped 85% when kids were trick or treating. Serious reactions triggered by an unknown tree nut or peanut exposure rose by 70% on Halloween compared to the rest of the year.

September 17, 2020

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

TUESDAY, Sept. 15, 2020 -- 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 survey found. Thirty-seven percent of pediatricians themselves said they often dismissed families for refusing vaccines, and 6% said they would dismiss a family for choosing to spread out crucial early vaccines.

September 17, 2020

Rates of Child Hospitalization Similar Between COVID-19, Flu: Study

TUESDAY, Sept. 8, 2020 -- While adults face raised odds for hospitalization with COVID-19, a new study shows that the risk for kids infected with SARS-CoV-2 is about equal to that seen with influenza.

The researchers found that kids with COVID-19 or the seasonal flu have similar rates of hospitalization, admission to intensive care units (ICUs) and ventilator use.