Miscellaneous Research

• Kangaroo Care Helps Preemies Grow and Develop Better
• Physical and Emotional Impact of Schoolyard Bullies
• Curious, Overactive Toddlers Shown to Have Higher IQ’s
• Most Kids Who Have Not Had Chickenpox by Age 10 are Immune to the Virus
• Sunshine: Too Much, Too Little, or Just Right
• Study Show Kids Still Get a Big Dose of Nicotine Even When Parents Smoke Outside
• Exercise, Not Calcium Intake, Builds Teen’s Bones
• Children Who Watch TV, More Likely to Bully
• Spanking May Increase Violent Behaviour
• Antibiotics May Cause Intestinal Obstruction in Kids
• TV Watching Linked to Violent Behaviour
• Antidepressants

Kangaroo Care Helps Preemies Grow and Develop Better

We can learn a lot from nature. A mother kangaroo carries her baby in a pouch on her body and now researchers believe this type of care is effective for premature infants. To explain, if a baby is carried in a pouch against their mother’s chest as much time during the day as possible instead of being in an incubator, the infants were found to be more alert and the mothers had less depression. Dr. Feldman in Israel studied 146 premature infants and the research was published in the July issue of Pediatrics. At 3 months, "kangaroo parents" provided a more secure home environment than the "incubator only" babies, and at 6 months the "kangaroo" babies scored higher on mental and motor developmental testing. This is an example of how attachment parenting can greatly benefit both parents and infants.

Physical and Emotional Impact of Schoolyard Bullies

Bullying ranges from teasing and name-calling to physical attacks and happens in nearly every school around the globe. The August 1999 edition of the British Medical Journal published two studies about the health effects of bullying that came from nearly a world apart -- Finland and Australia. The studies defined bullying as "the intentional abuse of power by one or more children to inflict pain or cause distress to another child on repeated occasions". The journal reported that kids who considered themselves bullies or victims of bullying more commonly experienced abdominal pain, headaches, bedwetting, sleep problems, anxiety, insecurity, and depression. When you hear of ongoing symptoms like these, it pays to find out what's happening in the schoolyard.

Curious, Overactive Toddlers Shown to Have Higher IQ’s

A study of 3-year-old behavior showed that those who were labeled as "overactive, stimulation-seeking, and curious" scored 12 points higher on IQ testing and had better reading skills at age 11.

Most Kids Who Have Not Had Chickenpox by Age 10 are Immune to the Virus

A Canadian study in 2001of over 2000 fourth-graders showed that 92% had already experienced chickenpox. Among kids without a known history of the illness, 63% showed immunity on blood testing. One purpose of the study was to assess the need for additional vaccinations to follow up the originals. Based on these results, if all older children without a history of chickenpox got the shot, two-thirds of these shots would be given unnecessarily.

Sunshine: Too Much, Too Little, or Just Right

We have learned that the farther people live from the equator, the higher the likelihood of developing Multiple Sclerosis [MS]. Now a study appearing in the August 9, 2003 issue of the British Medical Journal by finding that sun exposure during childhood, especially between 6 and 15 years of age appears to protect people from later developing MS. This study looked at recent and childhood sun exposure. Childhood sun exposure, especially in the winter months, seems to be protective. The study only assessed a moderate amount of sun exposure because excessive sun exposure during the high UV times during the day carries its own side effects. A moderate amount of sunshine, fresh air and outdoor play is good for children. Like many things, balance and moderation are the key.

Study Show Kids Still Get a Big Dose of Nicotine Even When Parents Smoke Outside

If you think that taking your smoking habit outside solves the passive second hand smoke exposure paradox, we have news for you. Researchers tested the urine of 360 preschoolers whose parents smoke only outside and found their nicotine levels were twice as high as 430 kids from non-smoking households. In homes where parents smoke indoors the levels were 15 times higher. Though smoking outside lowers a child’s exposure to nicotine and other toxic chemicals, the levels are significant. If anyone in your household is smoking, get help to quit.

Exercise, Not Calcium Intake, Builds Teen’s Bones

A decade long study shows that its not calcium intake which increases bone density in adolescents and teens but rather regular exercise. In fact, calcium supplement intake showed no impact on bone density whatsoever. There have been other studies rendering similar results and it is known that weight-bearing exercise and sports during the teen years, prevents osteoporosis later in life. This study showed that even brisk walking 30 minutes every day helps build bone density in teens.

Children Who Watch TV More Likely to Bully – Study

A recent study performed by the University of Washington has found that the more television 4-year-old children watch is directly co-related to their likelihood of becoming a bully. Conversely, children whose parents spend more quality time with them are less likely to bully. According to the April issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine the more emotionally supportive parents are of their children, the more likely they will be well-adjusted and experience a healthy emotional well-being.

Spanking May Increase Violent Behaviour

Though spanking is an effective short-term solution to stopping a behavior, the long-term consequences are not worth it. A Columbia University psychologist analyzed 88 different research studies on spanking. Children who were spanked were more likely to show aggression, anti-social behavior, and be abusive to children and spouses later in life.

Antibiotics May Cause Intestinal Obstruction in Kids

Intussusception is the most common form of intestinal blockage in kids and a small study has shown that taking antibiotics may be a contributing factor of this disease. The researchers in Alabama, U.S.A. looked at 93 kids who were admitted for intussusception. It was found that 1 in 4 of these children had taken antibiotics in the past 48 hours. When these 93 kids were compared to 350 kids who came to the ER for other reasons, it was found the kids who had taken antibiotics were four times more likely to have intussusception. Kids who took a particular type of antibiotics, called cephalosporins, were 20 times more likely to have the problem.

TV Watching Linked to Violent Behaviour

A seventeen year study has found that the amount of TV watched during childhood is related to the instance of violent behavior in later years. One specific result was that 14-year-old boys who watch more than 3 hours of TV each day were twice as likely to commit a violent assault or engage in a violent fight by the age of 22, verses boys who watch less than 1 hour of TV each day. Similar, but not as dramatic, results were seen for girls.

Antidepressants

Study 1: New Warning About Taking Paxil During Pregnancy

Paxil is one of the most popular anti-depressant drugs today and it was also assumed that Paxil was safe to take during pregnancy. However recent reports of newborns experiencing jitteriness and excessive crying when moms used Paxil during pregnancy have surfaced. Moreover, the jitteriness and excessive crying are symptoms of Paxil withdrawal. Researchers at the University of Toronto recently reported results of a very small study of 55 women who took Paxil during the 3rd trimester of their pregnancy. At birth, their babies experienced more breathing and low blood sugar problems compared to a group of 54 babies whose moms either took Paxil only during the 1st or 2nd trimester, or not at all. All these newborn complications resolved within 1 to 2 weeks with no lasting effects. The 3rd trimester Paxil group also had a much higher incidence of premature delivery.

Study 2: SSRI Antidepressants Unpublished Research Data Show Suicide Risk in Kids

Researchers reviewed data from six unpublished studies that showed SSRI antidepressants have not shown to be effective in children. Alarmingly so, these drugs have also been liked to suicidal tendencies later in life. Though drug companies knew of this data for years, they chose to conceal it. Though these drugs are only legally prescribed for children under 18, many doctors prescribe them to younger children anyway.

Study 3: Prozac Taken During Pregnancy can Harm Baby

A review of research on Prozac (an SSRI) has revealed that babies of mothers who took the drug during pregnancy can be born early, have a lower birth weight, be jittery or unusually sleepy at birth, and have respiratory problems. Paradoxically, researchers have also noted that untreated depression during and after pregnancy also poses a health risk to a mother.