February 11, 2012: Kindergartners Who Can Pay Attention May Reap Benefits Later
Study showed the skill served them well in later grades

February 10, 2012: When Mom Has Pregnancy Diabetes, Breast-Feeding Curbs Child Obesity
Long-term study found lower BMI in children breast-fed at least 6 months

February 10, 2012: Study Weighs Pros, Cons of Home or Hospital Birth
More seizures, lower Apgar scores found in home

February 10, 2012: Chemo During Pregnancy Doesn't Seem to Harm Baby
Study suggests treatment of expectant mothers is feasible after first trimester

February 08, 2012: Screening Moms-to-Be for Thyroid Trouble May Not Help Offspring
Study finds intervening early in pregnancy had no effect on children's mental function later

February 08, 2012: Quality Day Care Predicts Later Parental Involvement in School
Mothers whose kids attended good day care were more involved in their children's schools later on

February 07, 2012: Letting Baby Eat Finger Foods May Spur Healthier Weight
Babies who are spoon-fed purees more likely to prefer sweets, become overweight, study says

February 06, 2012: Spanking Produces Troubled Kids, Study Contends
Punishment linked to more aggression in children, two decades of research shows

February 03, 2012: Why Human Brains Are Smarter Than Chimp Brains
Synapses in key brain region continues to develop much longer in babies than in primates, study finds

February 03, 2012: Health Tip: Teach Your Toddler Good Behavior
Suggestions for disciplining your little one

February 02, 2012: Stroke Can Impact a Child's Language, Hand-Eye Coordination
Problems lingered 10 months after the stroke, research finds

February 01, 2012: Child Abuse, Neglect a Major Public Health Problem: CDC
Report found it costs U.S. $124 billion a year; overall price tag similar to diabetes, stroke

January 31, 2012: For Kids, Laughter Really May Be the Best Medicine
Scans show that humor activates parts of the brain linked to resilience, well-being in children

January 31, 2012: When Mom-to-Be's Overweight and Smokes, Risk for Birth Defects Rises
This combination more than doubled odds of heart damage in newborn, study finds

January 30, 2012: Nurturing Moms May Help Their Child's Brain Develop
Study found toddlers with loving mothers had more growth in key brain area

January 30, 2012: Study Looks at Possible HIV Drugs-Birth Defect Link
More research needed into unconfirmed association between antiretrovirals and cleft lip/palate

January 26, 2012: Brain Activity May Help Predict Autism Before Age 1: Study
Differences in responses to eye contact detected in brains of at-risk infants as early as 6 months

January 26, 2012: Testosterone Exposure May Explain Boys' Language Delay
Male hormone levels before birth appear linked to speech differences, study contends

January 25, 2012: Less Salt, More Veggies in School Lunches: USDA
New rules call for healthier foods but some say changes don't go far enough

January 25, 2012: Kids' Snacks Can Be Healthy <i>and</i> Inexpensive
New study at YMCAs finds food combinations that satisfy budgets, nutrition guidelines

January 25, 2012: 'Inner Dialogue' Might Aid People With Autism
Learning strategy may help with planning, functioning independently, small study says

January 24, 2012: Can Low Birth Weight Raise Autism Risk?
In twins study, smaller size was associated with greater risk

January 24, 2012: Common Household Chemicals Might Harm Kids' Immunity
Study found lower response to vaccines in those with higher levels of PFCs in their blood

January 23, 2012: Dyslexia's Brain Changes May Occur Before Kids Learn to Read
Study findings might help identify at-risk children at younger age

January 23, 2012: Only 1 in 4 Young Teens Uses Sunscreen Regularly, Study Finds
Sunburn in childhood a major risk factor for skin cancer, experts note

January 20, 2012: Experts Weigh Changes to Definition of Autism
The goal: to create a clearer diagnosis of what constitutes the disorder; many could be affected

January 17, 2012: Drinking Late in First Trimester May Be Most Hazardous
But no alcohol use is safe during pregnancy, study finds

January 17, 2012: Health Tip: Stop Your Child's Thumb-Sucking Habit
The practice can be harmful to teeth

January 16, 2012: Is Continued Lip-Reading an Early Sign of Autism?
Researchers say that typically developing infants focus on a speaker's eyes after age 1

January 14, 2012: Healthy Children, Safe Homes a Winning Combination
From checking for radon to selecting seafood, you can lower chemical exposure

January 12, 2012: Children Exposed to HIV Before Birth at Risk for Language Delay
Researchers recommend routine screening for communication problems

January 05, 2012: Missed Naps Could Put Toddlers at Risk for Mood Disorders
Study found lack of sleep hampers ability to express feelings

January 05, 2012: Health Tip: Is it Time to Potty Train?
Signs your little one is ready

January 04, 2012: 'Safety-First' Playgrounds Linked to Bored, Inactive Kids: Study
Review of daycares suggests many preschoolers play less now, but safety experts support newer equipment

December 27, 2011: More Schooling Might Raise IQ
Intelligence quotient isn't fixed at birth, and can increase with education, study suggests

December 26, 2011: Mother-Toddler Bond May Influence Teen Obesity
Prevention strategies should go beyond eating, exercise, study suggests

December 23, 2011: Toddlers Don't Seem to Listen to Own Voices to Correct Speech
But study finds 4-year-olds, adults do adjust their pronunciation that way

December 22, 2011: Noisy Toys Might Harm Kids' Hearing
If held too close to the ear, these toys might cause permanent damage, researchers say

December 22, 2011: Does Your Teen Constantly Challenge You?
The good news is teens' assertiveness may help them resist peer pressure, study finds

December 21, 2011: Scientists Probe the Origins of Dyslexia
Differences in how people process sounds might be one cause of this learning disability, study suggests

December 20, 2011: Early Food Choices Seem to Influence Taste for Salt Later
Infants fed starchy foods at 6 months of age tended to prefer salty flavor by preschool: study

December 19, 2011: Discerning Gift-Givers Look for Toys That Offer More Than Fun
Some of the best choices spur imagination and exercise, experts say

December 19, 2011: Choosing a Toy? Think 'Kid-Powered'
These are gifts that offer open-ended chances for children to explore, imagine and play

December 13, 2011: Working Moms Happier, Healthier Than Stay-at-Home Peers: Study
Those with part-time jobs better able to balance work, family, researchers find

December 12, 2011: Blink Patterns May Be a Window Into Autistic Mind
Watching a video, toddlers with autism reacted to action, not emotional content

December 09, 2011: Behavior Problems May Surface in Preemies by Preschool
These kids might benefit from early targeted help, researchers say

December 09, 2011: Broadway Strikes an Autism-Friendly Chord
Sold-out performance of 'The Lion King' was adjusted to suit needs of kids with the disorder

December 06, 2011: If Parents Drink and Drive, Their Kids May Too: Study
Teens' risk for motoring under the influence rose with parents' bad example, researchers found

December 06, 2011: Most Doctors Don't Tell Parents Kids Are Overweight
Or health care providers are speaking up, but message isn't sticking, study finds

December 05, 2011: Abuse in Childhood May Alter Teen Brain
Study found reductions in 'gray matter,' with changes differing by gender