MSNBC - Kids and Parenting

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Anesthesia before age 3 raises ADHD risk
Children who go under anesthesia more than once at a young age have higher rates of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to new research from the Mayo Clinic.

USDA mandates healthier school lunches

Millions of schoolchildren in the United States will see more fruit and vegetables and less fat on their lunch plates under new federal standards.Millions of schoolchildren in the United States will see more fruit and vegetables and less fat on their lunch plates under new federal standards.




Microwave popcorn bag chemicals ruin vaccine efficacy
By Rachael RettnerMyHealthNewsDaily A group of compounds used in a variety of products, including water-resistant clothing and microwave popcorn, may prevent childhood vaccinations from working properly, a new study says.



Heartburn drugs don't aid children's asthma
An acid reflux drug often used for hard-to-treat asthma doesn't help children with the breathing disease and may cause side effects, a study in 300 children found.

Calif. cuts whooping cough deaths to zero
For the first time in two decades, no one in California died from whooping cough last year, a public health victory that followed the deaths of 10 babies in 2010.

Kids seek tans, use less sunscreen as they age
As kids go from elementary to junior high school ages, the desire to tan gets stronger while the habit of using sun protection gets tossed out the window, according to a survey that tracked kids' attitudes about the sun over three years.



Kids' brain injuries can cause issues for years

Sam Napadono suffered a traumatic brain injury during a motocross accident three years ago and struggles with memory issues. While it used to be thought kids recovered more easily from such injuries since their brains were still developing, a new study shows the deficits can last for years.Sam Napadono suffered a traumatic brain injury during a motocross accident three years ago and struggles with memory issues. While it used to be thought kids recovered more easily from such injuries since their brains were still developing, a new study shows the deficits can last for years.




Should parents lose custody of super obese kids?
Should parents of extremely obese children lose custody for not controlling their kids' weight? A provocative commentary in one of the nation's most distinguished medical journals argues yes, and its authors are joining a quiet chorus of advocates who say the government should be allowed to intervene in extreme cases.

Study: 1 in 8 low-income parents waters down formula
Many low-income parents feel they must resort to “formula stretching,” to keep their infants fed, even with government food assistance programs, a new study shows.



Babies lip-read, may offer autism clues

For years, the conventional wisdom was that babies learned how to talk by listening to their parents. But a new study shows they're using their eyes, too, and are actually pretty good lip readers. The finding could lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention for autism. For years, the conventional wisdom was that babies learned how to talk by listening to their parents. But a new study shows they're using their eyes, too, and are actually pretty good lip readers. The finding could lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention for autism.