Researchers found that kindergartners who watched 1-2 hours of TV daily were 50-60% more likely to be overweight and 58-73% more likely to be obese compared to those watching less than an hour. The study suggests limiting childhood TV viewing could help combat childhood obesity.
The American Academy of Pediatrics celebrates seven significant research achievements that have led to prevention and treatment strategies for diseases such as rotavirus, Haemophilus influenzae type b, SIDS, and acute lymphocytic leukemia. These advancements have saved millions of lives and improved child health worldwide.
A study found that 7% of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) resolved their symptoms, but most continued to struggle with social and emotional challenges. The children who showed improvement had normal cognition, but residual learning and behavioral issues persisted.
A two-phase intervention at an inner-city school increased purchases of healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and plain white fat-free milk by 20-62%. The study suggests using emoticons and small prizes to entice students to make healthier choices in school cafeterias.
Research reveals that children aged 14 and younger are treated in US emergency rooms for playground-related injuries over 200,000 times annually. When caregivers are distracted by electronic devices, including cell phones, their children are more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors on the playground.
A study found that babies as young as 6 months are being exposed to mobile devices, and by 1 year, one in seven toddlers is using them for at least an hour a day. Most 2-year-olds were also using mobile devices regularly.
A new study presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting found that providing students with a collection of self-selected books at the end of the school year can improve reading achievement, particularly for low-income students. Results showed no significant difference in reading scores between intervention and control ...
New research shows that state laws banning texting while driving led to a significant reduction in teens using their cell phones behind the wheel, but 30% of teens still admitted to texting. Experienced drivers, especially those over 16, were more likely to use their phones while driving.
A recent study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found that teenagers who survive self-poisoning are at a significantly increased risk of dying by suicide in the following decade. Half of all suicides among these teens occurred more than three years after their initial episode, highlighting the need for targeted prevention efforts.
A recent study found that exposure to books and stories in early childhood is associated with differences in brain activity. Greater home reading was linked to stronger activation of areas critical for oral language and later for reading. Visualization also plays a key role in narrative comprehension, allowing children to 'see' the story.
A study found that many magazine images and stock photos of infants show them sleeping on their stomachs or with soft objects, increasing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Only about half of the stock photos and a third of magazine pictures depicted safe sleep environments according to AAP guidelines.
Over 7,000 pediatric leaders will attend the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting, showcasing original research on child health topics. The meeting features a wide range of presentations, including sessions on bullying, teen texting and driving, and health care for immigrant children.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is revisiting its policy on toddler screen time as technology advances. Pediatricians Dr. Dimitri Christakis and Dr. Donald Shifrin will debate the topic at the AAP National Conference & Exhibition, with both agreeing that hard rules are challenging to implement.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announces the launch of the American Academy of Pediatrics' updated early literacy toolkit, Books Build Connections. The toolkit aims to help doctors talk with parents about early communication, reading, and singing to promote young children's brain development and vocabulary building.
A study found that thousands of youth caregivers in the US face significant challenges, including school failure and poor health. The caregivers, who are often girls between 12 and 15 years old, spend up to 4 hours per day caring for family members with physical or mental illnesses.
A survey of over 50,000 US mothers aged 18-50 found that the top reasons for extended breastfeeding were nutritional benefits, social bonding, and enjoyment. The American Academy of Pediatrics presented this study to highlight the importance of breastfeeding beyond infancy.
A study found that while most youth baseball coaches are familiar with pitch counts, only a small percentage consistently use them to limit pitches and monitor athlete safety. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting pitches for young athletes to prevent overuse injuries.
Two studies presented at a pediatric sports medicine symposium found that many parents lack knowledge about concussions, leading to delayed diagnosis and inadequate treatment. The studies reveal common misconceptions about concussion symptoms and diagnosis, emphasizing the need for education and proper evaluation.
A new web-based system can track illness trends and improve public health response to outbreaks by allowing child care centers to report illnesses to local public health departments. The system was tested at four early learning centers in Michigan and found to detect disease outbreaks more quickly than traditional methods.
Research by high school students found that high media multitaskers outperformed low multitaskers when filtering out distractions, while struggling to focus on single tasks without distractions. The study suggests that digital natives may develop enhanced working memory and perform better in distracting environments.
A study of 267 families found that nearly all parents made at least one critical error in using a car safety seat, putting their newborns at risk. The most common errors included loose harnesses and incorrect installations.
A recent study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that 93% of splints used on children were applied incorrectly, causing skin irritation and poor healing. The most common errors included direct application of elastic bandages to the skin and improper positioning of the splint.
Overuse of medical tests and treatments can cause unnecessary harm to children, says a pediatrician. The Choosing Wisely campaign has identified over 250 procedures that are considered overused or inappropriate in pediatrics.
A study found that pregnant women who watched TV during meals were five times more likely to expose their infants to TV during feeding. Younger mothers and those not exclusively breastfeeding also faced this increased risk. The study suggests that reducing mealtime TV viewing during pregnancy may help prevent childhood obesity.
Children with ADHD experience higher rates of trauma than those without ADHD, according to a new study. Researchers found that 17% of children with ADHD had four or more adverse childhood experiences, compared to 6% of children without ADHD.
Research demonstrates a clear link between screen violence and increased aggression in real life, highlighting the importance of minimizing exposure to violent media. Leading pediatricians and researchers will discuss ways to address public health implications of media violence at the Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting.
A recent study reveals that black and Hispanic children with autism are more likely to experience developmental regression, losing language, motor, or social skills. This phenomenon is observed at a rate of 27%, with black children being twice as likely to regress compared to white children.
A recent study found that rates of infant immunization with pertussis-containing vaccine did not increase during a pertussis epidemic in Washington state. Despite high risk, vaccination rates remained stable before and during the epidemic, suggesting that conventional wisdom about vaccine acceptance may be challenged.
New research highlights stigma as a primary cause of bullying and ostracism in children's mental health, linked to depression, anxiety disorders, and lower quality of life. Experts will discuss prevention and intervention strategies at the Pediatric Academic Societies meeting.
A study found that premature birth between 34-36 weeks' gestation results in differences in brain structure and cognitive skills compared to full-term births. Late preterm children showed more social, behavioral, and academic problems, as well as slower processing speed and difficulties with visuospatial reasoning.
A study implemented an electronic tool to review pediatric patients' medication history at admission, reducing medication errors by 50%. The tool improved recording of medication history from 89% to 93% and decreased error rate from 5.9 to 2.5 errors per 1,000 admissions.
Pediatricians using motivational interviewing techniques successfully reduced children's body mass index (BMI) percentiles over a 2-year period. The study, conducted with the American Academy of Pediatrics, found that this approach can be a powerful tool to help healthcare practitioners address child obesity.
A recent study found that approximately 200,000 high school students who are bullied bring weapons to school. The researchers discovered that youths who have been victimized in multiple ways are up to 31 times more likely to carry a weapon on campus than those who have not been bullied.
A new study shows that children with vesicoureteral reflux who receive antimicrobial prophylaxis have a substantially reduced risk of UTI recurrences compared to those receiving a placebo. The study found that prophylaxis was most effective in children with fever and bladder/bowel dysfunction at baseline.
A survey of young adults and parents found that many young parents use e-cigarettes to reduce harm to others, while also believing they are less harmful than regular cigarettes. The study highlights concerns about the risks of e-cigarette use and exposure to vapor, particularly among nonsmokers.
The American Academy of Pediatrics hosts a symposium on firearm injury prevention in children, highlighting the need for high-quality research to inform policy change. New studies will focus on epidemiology, risk factors, preventable accidents, and counseling programs.
A study found that children in an obesity intervention who lived closer to a supermarket ate more fruits and vegetables. The distance from a supermarket affected the success of the interventions, with those living farther away experiencing larger increases in body mass index.
Research shows that childhood poverty can lead to adult poor health through epigenetics and toxic stress. The American Academy of Pediatrics is working to address this issue through policy, education, and healthcare reform.
Higher rates of binge drinking among lesbian and gay adolescents may be linked to minority stress caused by discriminatory experiences, leading to poor health outcomes. The study found internalized homophobia and community connectedness as significant predictors of binge drinking.
A study found that maternal smoking during the first trimester is linked to an increased risk of congenital heart defects, particularly among older women and heavy smokers. The research suggests that smoking during pregnancy may account for up to 1-2% of all heart defects.
A recent study by the American Academy of Pediatrics reveals that African-American and Afro-Caribbean youth face racial discrimination, which is associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and social phobias. The study found that experiences with discrimination were linked to higher rates of mental health problems in both...
A study of over 1,000 mothers found that many families are not following recommended safe infant sleep practices, including high-risk behaviors like bed sharing and stomach sleeping. The rates were highest among black and Hispanic families, highlighting a need for targeted interventions to reduce infant mortality.
Researchers found that nightmares or night terrors are more common in children who reported being bullied, indicating significant distress. The study suggests that parents and healthcare providers should be aware of this potential indicator of bullying and consider it when assessing a child's mental health.
A recent study found that supine sleeping, which reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), is less common among preterm infants than full-term babies. Only about two-thirds of term infants nationwide are placed on their backs to sleep, and this rate is even lower for preterm infants.
Using substances at school is linked to increased odds of serious health risks such as depression and intimate partner violence. Students who used alcohol or marijuana on campus had a higher chance of experiencing these issues compared to those who used substances only out-of-school.
A study found that nearly one in five Ivy League college students misused prescription stimulants to help them study and write papers. The misuse was often viewed as a common occurrence on campus, with 37% of those who used stimulants believing more than 30% of their peers had done the same.
A study found that pediatricians can successfully promote safe driving agreements between teens and parents using a web-based Checkpoints TM program. Nearly 4,000 parents were reached, resulting in over 2,100 website visits and an average of 3.5 minutes spent on the site.
A recent study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that young athletes who spend twice as much time in organized sports than free play are more likely to be injured. The study also found that those who specialize in a single sport for extended periods are at a higher risk of overuse injuries.
A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that different helmet brands and custom mouth guards did not reduce concussion risk in high school football players. The study tested various mouth guard brands, including custom-fit mouth guards, and new and older football helmets.
Research finds that early skin-to-skin contact in the delivery room significantly increases exclusive breastfeeding rates, particularly when mothers intend to breastfeed exclusively. Skin-to-skin contact and maternal intention are strongly associated with successful breastfeeding outcomes.