Children's Health

Bridget Desmukes (center) and her husband, Jeffrey, love having a big, active family. "The kids are always climbing on things, flipping all the time — it's not dull," she says, laughing. Because Desmukes had developed preeclampsia in a previous pregnanc

A Daily Baby Aspirin Could Help Many Pregnancies And Save Lives

3:01pm September 16, 2019

by Selena Simmons-Duffin

Pregnant women at high or even moderate risk of developing the life-threatening condition preeclampsia should consider taking a very small dose of aspirin daily to prevent it, doctors say.

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An FDA committee voted to approve Palforzia, a new treatment for peanut allergy. The treatment is a form of oral immunotherapy intended to desensitize the immune system to peanuts.

Health & Safety

FDA Committee Recommends Approval For New Peanut Allergy Treatment

7:34pm September 13, 2019

by Alex Smith

Many parents testified that their children's allergies had been brought under control by the treatment. But some experts are still concerned about its safety.

Health & Safety

Rape Emergency Declared In Sierra Leone, Then Lifted. Did Anything Change?

3:37pm September 12, 2019

by Mara Kardas-Nelson

Early this year, the president declared an emergency to address the issue of sexual assault — then ended it some months later without explanation. Activists are not happy but are still hopeful.

President Trump speaks to the press with first lady Melania Trump and Acting Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Norman Sharpless (left) and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar in the Oval Office at the White House on Wednesday.

Health & Safety

FDA To Banish Flavored E-Cigarettes To Combat Youth Vaping

11:47pm September 11, 2019

With hundreds of unexplained cases of vaping-related illness, and the sharp rise in youth vaping, the Trump administration is acting to crack down on kid-friendly vape flavors.

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These human embryo-like structures (top) were synthesized from human stem cells; they've been stained to illustrate different cell types. Images (bottom) of the "embryoids" in the new device that was invented to make them.

Scientists Create A Device That Can Mass-Produce Human Embryoids

5:15pm September 11, 2019

by Rob Stein

Researchers hope large numbers of very primitive, embryo-like structures will lead to new insights into early human development and ways to prevent miscarriages and birth defects.

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The rate of uninsured children has risen in the last two years, after declining since 2008.

Health & Safety

Fewer Children Had Health Insurance In 2018 Than Year Before, Census Data Shows

6:30pm September 10, 2019

by Selena Simmons-Duffin

After years of decline, rates of uninsured children on on the rise. Immigrants and Hispanics saw large growth, possibly because of Trump administration policies.

Millions of homes built before 1978 still contain lead-based paint. A report published Monday finds the Environmental Protection Agency is not adequately enforcing laws meant to protect children from lead-laden paint flakes and dust.

Federal Watchdog Warns EPA Is Failing To Enforce Lead Paint Abatement Rules

6:24pm September 09, 2019

by Rebecca Hersher

Home renovations can kick up dangerous dust from lead-based paint. A new report finds the Environmental Protection Agency is not adequately enforcing rules meant to protect kids from lead exposure.

Researchers surveyed people about their happy childhood memories and found that those who had more were much less likely to experience depression later in life.

Health & Safety

Positive Childhood Experiences May Buffer Against Health Effects Of Adverse Ones

4:14pm September 09, 2019

by Selena Simmons-Duffin

Researchers asked adults to reflect back on their happy childhood memories. They found those who recalled more were less likely to have depression in adulthood and had more supportive relationships.

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Joe Bay (center), coach of a New York City "Bootcamp for New Dads," instructs Adewale Oshodi (left) and George Pasco in how to cradle an infant for best soothing.

How A Prenatal 'Bootcamp' For New Dads Helps The Whole Family

9:39pm September 08, 2019

by Juli Fraga

Prenatal classes often focus on Mom-to-be — on her shifting role and emotional needs, along with new skills. But if Dad gets sidelined early into a supporting role, research shows, everybody loses.

UK Biobank has granted 10,000 qualified scientists access to its large database of genetic sequences and other medical data, but other organizations with databases have been far more restrictive in giving access.

How Should Scientists' Access To Health Databanks Be Managed?

11:16am September 06, 2019

by Richard Harris

Medical and genetic data from more than a million Americans are now in scientific databases. Some programs hoard the data, while others share widely with scientists, hoping to speed medical discovery.

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