We all need some sun exposure; it’s our primary source of vitamin D, which helps us absorb calcium for stronger, healthier bones. But it doesn’t take much time in the sun for most people to get the vitamin D they need, and unprotected exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause skin damage, eye damage,… Continue reading
Tag: children
For children with Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Children exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) early in life later had a diminished immune response to diphtheria and tetanus vaccinations, according to a study published online June 20 ahead of print in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP). This result suggests that PCB exposure during the first years of life, a critical period in… Continue reading
What would I do if my child were raped?
Rape — forced, unwanted sexual intercourse — can happen to males and females of any age. Rape (also called sexual assault) is about power, not sex. A rapist uses actual or threatened force or violence to exert control over another human being. Some rapists use drugs or alcohol to take away a person’s ability to fight back. Rape… Continue reading
How to motivate your child in school age to be active
The Hour of Power Sixty minutes — that’s how much physical activity kids should get each day. But as kids get older, increasing demands on their time can make getting a full hour of exercise a challenge. And some kids get caught up in sedentary pursuits like watching TV and surfing the Internet. Even doing a… Continue reading
All for heat illness
Our bodies, which create a tremendous amount of internal heat, are normally cooled through sweating and radiating heat through our skin. Under certain circumstances, such as unusually high temperatures, high humidity, or vigorous exercise in hot weather, this natural cooling system may begin to fail, allowing internal heat to build up to dangerous levels. The result may… Continue reading
The testimony of children may be influenced by co-witnesses
When children report about an event they can be highly accurate. But if they talk to other witnesses, children’s testimony may become tainted. A doctoral thesis from the University of Gothenburg examines children’s vulnerability to co-witness influence, and presents a new method that can help child witnesses to provide more detailed witness reports. Emma Roos… Continue reading
New methods in immunizations
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), in a revised policy statement, says increasing immunization coverage for children, teens, and young adults should be promoted more aggressively to achieve better immunization rates. The AAP says data from the 2007 National Immunization Survey indicates that about 90% of children between 19 months and 35 months old have… Continue reading
DTaP and Tdap Vaccines /Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis/
DTaP is a vaccine that lets children younger than 7 develop immunity to three deadly diseases caused by bacteria: diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis). Tdap is a booster immunization that offers continued protection from those diseases for adolescents and adults. Diphtheria is a respiratory disease that can cause breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and… Continue reading