Babies born at below average weight are at greater risk of developmental problems, but early use of supplements may lower that risk.
Child Development
A Blood Test for Autism?
Earlier detection of autism, relying on markers in the blood, may help more children to take advantage of helpful behavioral therapies.
Flame Fighting Chemicals Abundant in House Dust and Sofas
Chemicals are commonly added to furniture, carpeting, and even electronic devices to limit the risk of fire. But at what cost?
In a Rush to Mature: Study Finds Boys Hitting Puberty Earlier than Ever
First girls, now boys. Puberty is Inching ever deeper into childhood
Drugging Poor Kids to Boost Grades in Failing Schools: One Doc Says Yes
Why are so many poor kids taking risky psychiatric medications? A front-page story in Tuesday’s New York Times offers one surprising answer: some pediatricians are prescribing drugs — medications to treat ADHD — to try to …
Should Teachers Be Allowed to Spank Students?
A Texas school district changes its corporal-punishment policy — by expanding rather than limiting teachers’ rights to paddle students. Is spanking really the best way to discipline kids?
Snoring at Night May Affect Kids’ Daytime Behavior
As any parent knows, an exhausted child is an ill-behaved one. So it’s no surprise that a new study finds that young children who snore persistently — which can disrupt the quality of their sleep — are more likely to have …
Antipsychotic Prescriptions in Children Have Skyrocketed: Study
The dramatic rise of antipsychotic prescribing in youth occurred in conjunction with the illegal marketing of the drugs by their makers, resulting in multibillion-dollar settlements with the government
Psychological Abuse: More Common, as Harmful as Other Child Maltreatment
Psychological abuse — including demeaning, bullying and humiliating — may be the most prevalent form of child maltreatment. Yet it’s among the hardest to identify or to treat
Severely Obese Kids Have Heart Disease Risk Factors as Early as Age 2
A Dutch study finds that high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar are the norm, not the exception, among severely overweight children and adolescents
The Lasting Effects of Neglect: Altered Brain Structure in Children
Fortunately, good foster care can help neglected children catch up developmentally, in part
How Bullying and Abuse May Age Children Prematurely
A hard life can age you, literally, researchers say. In fact, children who are exposed to violence at a young age show changes in their DNA equivalent to several years of premature aging.
Mom’s Exposure to Air Pollution Can Increase Kids’ Behavior Problems
Prenatal exposure to pollutants in city air is linked to later anxiety, depression and behavior problems in children.
