A new study found that hospitals caring for seriously ill children rely heavily on public payers like Medicaid and CHIP. The research suggests that reducing federal funding for these programs could destabilize specialty care referral networks, particularly affecting privately-insured children with chronic conditions.
A new study found that longer maternity leave duration increases breastfeeding success throughout the first year of life in military populations. Active duty mothers under a 12-week policy had a significant increase in breastfeeding duration and exclusivity, while no difference was seen with a six-week policy.
Two new studies reveal increased trends in medical claims by transgender youth and the need for more training among pediatricians. Researchers found that primary care pediatricians have poor knowledge of existing guidelines, but expressed high levels of interest in additional training.
A new study examining factors associated with sexual coercion among 10th graders in a rural high school found that sexual coercion was reported by 18 percent of students. The research identified predictors including age, race, ethnicity, prior substance use, and controlling relationship behaviors.
Research finds that placental ALLO levels increase during pregnancy, especially in preterm births, which may affect fetal brain development. Higher ALLO levels have been linked to improved neurological outcomes in some cases.
Researchers used eye tracking to assess receptive language in typically developing children and those with neurodevelopmental delay. The study found that eye tracking can be a feasible tool for evaluating word comprehension in young children, with significant implications for diagnosing developmental delays.
A recent study found that mothers of infants born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) have a higher prevalence of mental health diagnoses in the first two months postpartum. Mothers with a history of substance use disorders are more likely to experience co-occurring psychiatric and mood disorders.
A recent study found that 40% of parents experiencing depression at NICU discharge had persistent symptoms six months later. Young, poorly educated, and multi-child families are particularly vulnerable to prolonged depression. Mental health screening and services should be targeted towards these high-risk groups.
A new study found that almost half of pharmacies in Texas have an age requirement for purchase and over half require consultation prior to buying emergency contraception. The study also revealed inadequate pharmacy staff knowledge about the effective use of levonorgestrel (LNG) 1.5mg oral tablet, a common form of emergency contraception.
States with stricter firearm laws have lower rates of firearm-related deaths in children, according to a new study. The research found that states requiring universal background checks for firearm purchase had significantly lower median mortality rates compared to those without such laws.
A new study found that at-risk adolescents are less likely to post about depressive symptoms on social media as they mature. The research suggests a decrease in posts describing depression symptoms between adolescence and young adulthood.
A new study uses the COstatus monitor to directly measure cardiac output in neonates, providing a more accurate and less invasive way to gauge heart function. The results show that cardiac output can be precisely measured in the first two weeks of life with no adverse events.
A recent study found that erythropoietin (EPO) helps protect and repair vulnerable preterm brains by modifying genes essential for neurogenesis. The research, conducted at Children's National Hospital, identified five key genes involved in the development of the nervous system and responding to environmental stressors.
A new study found that children exposed to second-hand marijuana smoke have a higher rate of emergency department visits and otitis media episodes compared to those with no smoke exposure. The study also revealed an association between secondhand marijuana smoke exposure and increased child health issues.
A recent survey of 582 adolescents aged 13-17 found that nearly half reported not being asked about sex by their primary care providers, while only 13% received sexually transmitted infection screening. Meanwhile, 90% of parents reported discussing sex with their adolescents, but only 39% reported the same.
A survey of pediatricians found that delays in receiving influenza vaccine from private and VFC stock pose problems, with 56% delaying vaccinations for patients whose vaccines are out of stock. This highlights the need for systematic changes to address these delays and increase uptake of influenza vaccine among children.
A new study found that abused rural children are younger, more likely to have public insurance, and live in zip codes with lower median household incomes. The study used the 2012 Kids' Inpatient Database and U.S. Census data to analyze rates of child physical abuse hospitalizations across urban-rural categories.
Research suggests that the volume of carbohydrates, proteins, and calories consumed by very low birthweight preemies significantly contributes to increased brain volume and white matter development. However, specific nutritional approaches to support these infants' developing brains require further investigation.
A study found that only a minority of transgender teens and their parents are willing to delay hormone therapy to preserve fertility, with parents being significantly more likely to consider this option. The majority of youth and parents cited wanting more information as a major factor in their decision.
A new study examines the effectiveness of the ScreenQ tool in measuring screen-based media use in children. The research found that the ScreenQ demonstrated strong internal consistency and good reliability.
Researchers found that children exposed to SSRIs before birth had better executive functions, even after controlling for mother's mood. The study suggests a potential developmental advantage but also raises concerns about increased anxiety.
A recent study found that late preterm infants (LPTs) are at a higher risk of morbidities and hospital stays due to their physiological immaturity. The research investigated the role of indications of delivery in determining common neonatal morbidities, with results showing that LPTs experience different outcomes despite experiencing s...
A new study found that increased childhood stress negatively impacts school performance, while strong protective factors lead to better outcomes. The research analyzed over 65,000 children aged six to 17 and discovered a significant correlation between adverse childhood experiences and poor academic performance.