Doctors are reminding mothers that caffeine is transmitted through breastmilk, and may have consequences for their baby’s behavior. A recently published interview with a breastfeeding expert has raised questions about how babies metabolize caffeine, highlighting gaps in the research literature. Babies are not able to metabolize or excrete caffeine very well, so a breastfeeding mother’s… [Continue Reading]
Nursing Home Visits Reduces Hosptial Use by Asthmatic Children
February 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A community program developed to improve the care of children with asthma has shown remarkable success, according to a study of the program published today. The initiative involves home visits by nurses, and significantly reduced the frequency of hospital visits by asthmatic kids. Nearly 1 in 10 children have asthma, according to government statistics, and… [Continue Reading]
Differences in the Brain Structures of Autistic Children Are Detectable From Six Months of Age
February 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Differences in the brains of autistic children are detectable from a very early age, according to a new study. Scientists performed imaging of brain activity in infants at high risk of developing the disease, and found certain differences in the way the brains of children that go on to become autistic are structured. A new… [Continue Reading]
Obese Children More Likely to Suffer from Bone Fractures
February 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Children who are obese have a significantly increased risk of a certain class of bone fracture, according to new research. The study noted that the likelihood is much higher of fracturing the growth plate, the zone of new bone growth in kids, and most of the injuries are due to low-impact accidents. Obese children are… [Continue Reading]
Eating Fish During Pregnancy Linked to Positive Cognitive and Motor Abilities in Infants
January 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A new study examining diet and infant health suggests that fish forms a healthy part of the diet during pregnancy, and is linked to better results on tests of cognitive and motor function. Scientists found a correlation between quantity of certain healthy fatty acids found in fish, and infant test results. Can pregnant women improve… [Continue Reading]
Banning Junk Food Advertising to Children Could Make Big Difference in Obesity, Experts Say
January 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Advertising junk food to children is often cited as a major obstacle in the fight against obesity. New evidence suggests that a national ban would lead to a reduction in consumption of low quality foods. A study of the diets of children in Quebec, where junk food advertising was illegal, suggests the ban resulted in… [Continue Reading]
Study Casts Doubt on Link Between Junk Food at School and Childhood Obesity
January 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment
It’s a popularly held belief that having easy access to junk food in school is linked to the epidemic of childhood obesity. A new study casts doubt on that idea, however. Researchers followed a group of individuals throughout their childhood, and find no association between the availability of junk food in middle school and the… [Continue Reading]
Iron Essential in Teens’ Diets For Brain Functions Throughout Life
January 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Iron is a mineral essential for a healthy circulation and many other body systems, and researchers are now reporting that adequate levels are also necessary for proper brain development. Getting enough iron as a teenager, the study has found, has a significant impact on brain structure and function in adulthood. Iron is a popular topic… [Continue Reading]
Protein Discovered That Plays A Critical Role in Muscle Structure, Mutations Linked to Muscular Dystrophy
January 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The role of a protein essential for muscle cell structure and function has been identified. Researchers are reporting the function of the protein, called LARGE, is to modify an important protein that is present in the membrane of muscle cells. Mutations of the gene are linked to multiple types of muscle diseases that run in… [Continue Reading]
Maternal Diet Affects Offspring’s Metabolism and Diabetes Risk
January 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A mother’s diet during pregnancy has a significant impact on the baby’s health, new research indicates. The study found a molecule whose levels change when maternal diet is of poor quality. The molecule is linked to fat metabolism, and high levels correlated with a reduced ability to store fat in the right kinds of cells…. [Continue Reading]