Children's Health

Scientist He Jiankui was criticized by colleagues after his claim to have created gene-edited babies became public. Three leading scientific organizations are calling for more controls.

Scientists Say Gene-Edited Babies Claim Is 'Wake-Up Call' For World

9:25pm December 13, 2018

by Rob Stein

U.S. National Academy of Medicine, U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and Chinese Academy of Sciences call for international gene-editing standards. Critics blast statement as inadequate.

Teens' biological clock drives them to stay up late and sleep in. Most school start times don't accommodate that drive.

Sleepless No More In Seattle — Later School Start Time Pays Off For Teens

4:11pm December 12, 2018

by Patti Neighmond

American teens are chronically sleep deprived, in part because of early school start times. But how much difference can a later start make? As Seattle's school district found out, it can help a lot.

For years, pregnant women have been routinely excluded from medical studies, a practice that has left unanswered questions about how best to treat many health conditions during pregnancy.

Research Gaps Leave Doctors Guessing About Treatments For Pregnant Women

5:34pm December 10, 2018

by Alison Kodjak

To protect a developing fetus from experimental drugs or treatments that might cause birth defects, pregnant women aren't included in many clinical trials. But that limits the safety evidence, too.

Angela Lautner, who lives in Elsmere, Ky., has Type 1 diabetes and is an advocate for affordable insulin.

'We're Fighting For Our Lives': Patients Protest Sky-High Insulin Prices

2:19pm December 10, 2018

by Bram Sable-Smith

The price of insulin keeps going up. For people with Type 1 diabetes, high prices can be a life and death issue. Now a grassroots movement is pushing for change.

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Health & Safety

Pakistan Ousts 18 Aid Agencies. Human Rights Minister Tweets 'They Must Leave'

4:47pm December 07, 2018

by Diaa Hadid

The groups asked to close down operations include Catholic Relief Services, World Vision and Plan International.

The Trump administration is giving schools more flexibility in the meals they serve. Critics say the rollback on school lunch rules is bad for kids' health.

Health & Safety

More Salt, Fewer Whole Grains: USDA Eases School Lunch Nutrition Rules

1:03pm December 07, 2018

by Allison Aubrey

Advocates say the Trump administration's rollback of nutrition requirements could lead to school meals that are inconsistent with federal dietary guidelines.

There has been a backlash since Chinese scientist He Jiankui's claim that he edited genes in embryos that became twin girls.

Outrage Intensifies Over Claims Of Gene-Edited Babies

12:28pm December 07, 2018

by Rob Stein

Concerns over a Chinese scientist's claim that he created the first gene-edited babies grow with more questions about whether it worked and the possible harm he may have inflicted on the twin girls.

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Childhood infections may increase the risk of developing certain mental illnesses in childhood and adolescence.

Infections May Raise The Risk Of Mental Illness In Children

1:07pm December 05, 2018

by Rhitu Chatterjee

A large study of Danish kids finds that childhood infections are linked with a higher risk of developing some mental illnesses. The risk is highest in the months immediately following the infection.

Offering therapy to children in need at school makes sense, says Sarah Nadeau, who adopted two girls from a family that struggled with addiction, because sometimes school is the only stable place they have.

School-Based Counselors Help Kids Cope With Fallout From Drug Addiction

9:05am December 05, 2018

by Rachel Gotbaum

More than 50 Massachusetts schools are participating in a new program that brings counselors in to help children deal with the stress and trauma of living in families struggling with drug addiction.

Schoolchildren in Namibia, which scored high marks for "child-friendliness" in a new ranking of African countries.

Health & Safety

Africa Takes A Tough Look At Africa — And The Way It Treats Its Children

5:00am December 04, 2018

by Joanne Lu

A new "child friendliness" index praises such countries as Namibia and Lesotho — and "names and shames" poor performers.