Medscape has reported the results of 3 studies presented during the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology (AAAAI) Annual Meeting. Continue reading Research on Chinese herbals for asthma and allergy
Category Archives: Children
100% fruit juice does not lead to overweight
Ever heard someone say that drinking fruit juice is no better than drinking sugar water, and it just makes you fat?
Researchers from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas say there’s no association between consumption of 100% fruit juice and overweight in children or adolescents. Continue reading 100% fruit juice does not lead to overweight
Food-allergic children at Halloween
The American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology offers tips for creating a safe Halloween for food-allergic children. Continue reading Food-allergic children at Halloween
Prenatal use of folic acid and child development
The benefits and risks of folic acid fortification of food – once thought to be clear — are being debated again.
In this study from researchers at the University of Iowa, the effects of prenatal use of folic acid (and other dietary supplements) on child development at 3 years of life were evaluated. This summary focuses on the folic acid results. Continue reading Prenatal use of folic acid and child development
Music and exercise in children with severe burns
Researchers from Shriners Hospitals for Children in Galveston, Texas studied the effects of adding music and exercise to a rehabilitation program in children with thermal injury. Continue reading Music and exercise in children with severe burns
Effects of vitamin A on vaccination in children
Vitamin A supplementation at birth has been associated with decreased mortality in areas endemic for vitamin A deficiency. But studies suggest that taking vitamin A supplements might influence the immune response to vaccines.
Researchers from the UK and Denmark reanalyzed data on the effect of vitamin A supplementation on mortality in children given a tuberculosis (Bacille Calmette-Guérin [BCG] vaccine) or measles vaccine. Continue reading Effects of vitamin A on vaccination in children
Anthroposophy for children with chronic disease
Anthroposophic treatment for pediatric chronic disease is provided by physicians and differs from conventional treatment in the use of special therapies (art therapy, eurythmy [rhythmical movement], rhythmical massage therapy) and special medications.
Results of a study from the Institute for Applied Epistemology and Medical Methodology, in Freiburg, Germany are reported here. Continue reading Anthroposophy for children with chronic disease
Parents as a risk factor for poor asthma control
Telephone interviews conducted by researchers at Boston University in Massachusetts point to parents as a significant contributor to poor asthma control in their children. Continue reading Parents as a risk factor for poor asthma control
American Academy of Pediatrics’ position on CAM
The Task Force on Complementary and Alternative Medicine has published a review of everything a pediatrician ever wanted to know about CAM.
Here are just a few of the highlights. Continue reading American Academy of Pediatrics’ position on CAM
CBT + sertraline reduces anxiety in children
 Both cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and sertraline (Zoloft) reduce anxiety in children with anxiety disorders.
Combined, they achieve better response rates. Continue reading CBT + sertraline reduces anxiety in children
Educating families to keep their kids fit
Researchers at the University of Florida in Gainesville report that obese children lose weight when their parents receive training on nutrition, exercise, and behavior management.
It also helps when the kids participate. Continue reading Educating families to keep their kids fit
Probiotic effects on cold and influenza symptoms
An international group of researchers report that taking a dietary probiotic for 6 months reduced the signs and symptoms of colds, and prescription drug use in children. Continue reading Probiotic effects on cold and influenza symptoms
Treating ADHD with a walk in the park
 “In the general population,” say researchers from the University of Illinois, “attention is reliably enhanced after exposure to certain physical environments, particularly natural environments.”
 Why not try it in kids with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? Continue reading Treating ADHD with a walk in the park
School-based physical activities and obesity
There’s no effect on body mass index (BMI) or on other anthropometric measures such as weight, height, and waist size.
But that’s only part of the story according to researchers from the BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia who reported their findings during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2008 National Conference and Exhibition. Continue reading School-based physical activities and obesity
Benefits of yoga in asthmatic children
Researchers from the Chung Jen College of Nursing, in Taiwan report improved physical fitness of school-age children with asthma. Continue reading Benefits of yoga in asthmatic children
Omega-3 supplementation in autistic adults
Researchers from the University of Pavia in Italy report the results from a small study. Continue reading Omega-3 supplementation in autistic adults
Making “fast food” healthy
 Burger King is promoting 3 new meal combinations as part of its BK Kids Meal options. Continue reading Making “fast food” healthy
Benefits of individualized asthma care
 Spending just 30 minutes with the patient improved adherence to asthma treatment and control over the disease, according to researchers at the University of California, San Francisco. Continue reading Benefits of individualized asthma care
Facemasks reduce the spread of influenza-like illness
 Influenza-like illness is similar to the flu, and more severe than cold-like symptoms.
Researchers from Australia report that it’s a challenge, but when parents wear a facemask they have a reduced risk of getting influenza-like symptoms from their children. Continue reading Facemasks reduce the spread of influenza-like illness
The limits of choice in selecting healthy meals
Simply “adding 1 or 2 healthy items to a menu is essentially the worst thing you can do,” according to researchers from Duke University, in Durham, North Carolina in a press release.
What are the implications for school food programs? Continue reading The limits of choice in selecting healthy meals