The U.S. News and World Report – Delaney Gracy, M.D.,
As summer winds down, parents and caregivers of children are preparing for the new school year. While your to-do list likely includes getting school supplies, it’s also a great time to add a few important health items to the checklist. (more)
Medical X-Press – Lindsey Tanner
New children’s concussion guidelines from the U.S. government recommend against routine X-rays and blood tests for diagnosis and reassure parents that most kids’ symptoms clear up within one to three months. Signs of potentially more serious injuries that may warrant CT imaging scans include vomiting, unconsciousness and severe, worsening headaches, according to the guidelines released Tuesday. (more)
Medical X-Press – Staff Writer
All children 6 months of age and older should have a flu shot, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says. A flu shot significantly reduces a child’s risk of severe illness and flu-related death, according to the policy statement published online Sept. 3 in the journal Pediatrics. (more)
Medical X-Press – Rachel Bluth
The number of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has reached more than 10 percent, a significant increase during the past 20 years, according to a study released Friday. The rise was most pronounced in minority groups, suggesting that better access to health insurance and mental health treatment through the Affordable Care Act might have played some role in the increase. The rate of diagnosis during that time period doubled in girls, although it was still much lower than in boys. (more)
The Daily Republic – Staff Writer
Any parent knows just how frustrating it is to carefully and thoughtfully pack a school lunch only to have your child return home with a barely eaten wad of bread crust, mashed fruit and vegetables. Getting kids to eat their fruits and vegetables has never been easy, but there are ways to make school lunches healthier and more appealing to kids. (more)