Children who eat more fast food meals have lower IQ compared to those who eat freshly-cooked meals regularly, according to researchers at University of London. A study conducted on 4,000 Scottish children between the ages of 3 and 5 years found childhood nutrition plays an important role on IQ; this was after considering previous intelligence, wealth and social status. Researchers at Goldsmiths, University of London examined whether main meals affected…

Children who are emotionally neglected during their childhood years are more likely to suffer strokes as adults, says a new study carried out at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. The latest study also found that such children are likely to suffer with psychiatric disorders owing to an association between emotional neglect and stroke. The study was carried out amongst 1,040 participants who were 55 years of age or…

High sodium diet can lead to high blood pressure in children and teens, shows a new research from the CDC. It was found that the sodium intake in children and teens is as high as adults and it was not from salt but mostly from processed and packaged foods and restaurant foods.

Nearly one in three children in the United Kingdom live under a parent who is a binge drinker. The figure equates to between 3.3 million to 3.5 million children living under a parent, who downs 6 more drinks on a single occasion for women or eight for men. Other statistics on the report show that 1/5th of the 3.5 million children live under a hazardous drinker. 79,000 babies aged under…

Researchers at the University of Aberdeen will conduct a new study to find out if soups enhanced with Vitamin E rich foods will reduce the risk of asthma in children. This soup is intended for pregnant women as scientists believe it could help prevent childhood asthma. The national average of vitamin E consumption is 8mg per day but experts say 15mg per day would be more beneficial. Previous studies have…

Doctors from Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow have issued a public alert stating that the liquitabs used in washing machines and dishwashers have caused near fatal injuries in children. Five children, all under the age of two, were admitted in the hospital after they had bitten into or squeezed the tabs. All these children had chemical burns to their eyes or throats. In children, who had swallowed the…

Children who have no siblings have 50% increased risk of being overweight compared to children who have, suggests a new study. The results held true even after researchers considered other factors such as parent’s weight and the child’s birth weight. It was also found that children who have siblings late in life are also likely to be overweight. There seems to be an association between the age gaps of siblings…

Even a single dose of anaesthesia can be harmful says a new study published in the Journal Pediatrics. This study adds to the earlier concerns about the use of general anaesthesia in children. According to the researcher Lena Sun MD, a paediatric anaesthesiologist at Columbia University Medical Center in New York, if children need to have surgery, parents must weigh all the risks and benefits beforehand. Many recent studies have…

Whooping cough outbreak in England and Wales has claimed life of five infants and infected 2,466 people this year, the Health Protection Agency has revealed. Concerned over the biggest outbreak in 20 years, Health Protection Agency is in talks with government to launch a booster vaccination programme, under which teenagers and pregnant women could be given a whooping cough booster jab to protect babies.

Every child in Britain from two to 17-year-old will be offered influenza vaccine on NHS after scientists concluded that preventing youngsters from spreading the virus to old people could save 2,000 lives a year in the UK. Members of the public could be drafted-in to immunise children at school due to a shortage of nurses, it emerged. Under the £100 million vaccination programme, which will roll out till 2014, vaccination through a nasal spray will…