A recent meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) under the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) took an unexpected turn. Instead of the usual data-driven discussions, the CDC scientists found themselves defending vaccine safety and effectiveness against skeptical queries. The meeting, held over two days, saw new committee me...
The COVID-19 pandemic brought about significant changes in how children access health care. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was a big deal. It made sure that kids could keep their Medicaid coverage without interruptions. This was a game-changer for many families. It ensured that children had steady access to health services during a time of great...
The FDA has started the process to take away fluoride pills for kids from the market. These pills are different from fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash. Kids swallow these pills, and they have never been okayed by the FDA. There's worry that swallowing fluoride can mess up the good bacteria in a child's tummy. This is a big deal because a kid's tummy bacteria are still...
Vitamin D is a hot topic in health circles. It is a nutrient that our bodies produce when exposed to sunlight. But what happens when sunlight is scarce? This is a big deal for kids living in places where winter is long and dark. Researchers wanted to find out if giving kids vitamin D supplements during winter could help them avoid getting sick with respiratory infect...
The importance of nutrition in shaping a child's gut microbiome and overall health is a hot topic. It is clear that what kids eat affects the tiny world inside their guts. A recent study in China shed light on how different foods influence the gut microbiome and metabolism in children aged 2 to 12. The study focused on plant-based diets and their impact on gut bac...
Managing a rare genetic disorder like X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) in children can be challenging. This condition affects how the body handles phosphorus, leading to issues with bone growth and overall health. Over the past five years, the medical community has made significant strides in understanding XLH. This includes how it shows up, the problems it can c...
The WINSS program, which kicked off in March 2023, is all about giving kids a healthier future. This program is unique because it combines traditional and alternative therapies to take care of kids' physical, emotional, and developmental needs. It focuses on five key areas: well-being, interactions and inflammation, nutrition, sleep, and steps (physical activity). Th...
Dental sealant programs in schools have long been a lifeline for kids who might not otherwise see a dentist. These programs do more than just help kids' teeth; they also gather important data. This data can help track how well dental care is reaching kids and where it's falling short. When schools shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, it wasn't just classes that we...
Finland's new Children's Hospital caused a stir when it opened in 2018. The funds for this huge project came from a massive charity drive. This method of raising funds is not something new, it's a return to a previous time when charities played a big role in hospitals. The hospital is a break from the ordinary. For a long time, Finland has a system of publicly funde...
Imagine a little girl in a pink sweater waving goodbye through a dirty bus window. She is not leaving for a fun trip, but because she is one of the 37 sick and injured patients, mostly children with cancer, finally allowed to leave Gaza for much-needed medical treatment. Gaza’s hospitals are in ruins, and it has been nine months since anyone could evacuate. ...