October 19, 2020

Music Classes Strike a Chord in Kids' Brain Development: Study

FRIDAY, Oct. 9, 2020 -- Learning to play a musical instrument helps fine-tune kids' brains, researchers say.

In a new study, 40 children (aged 10 to 13) performed memory and attention tasks while their brain activity was monitored with functional MRI. This type of imaging scan detects small changes in blood flow within the brain.

October 9, 2020

Pediatricians' Group Tackles Racism in Health Care

THURSDAY, Oct. 8, 2020 -- As the struggle against racism continues to simmer across the United States, the American Academy of Pediatrics took a hard look at racial gaps in health care for children during its recent annual meeting.

"We know racism is a social determinant of health, and it's a public health issue, so we spent a great deal of time focusing on that," Dr. Elizabeth Murray, a pediatrician with the University of Rochester Medical Center, said during a recent HD Live! interview.

September 17, 2020

Kids Can Have Coronavirus And Antibodies at Same Time: Study

TUESDAY, Sept. 8, 2020 -- The new coronavirus and antibodies that fight it can be in children's bodies at the same time, surprised researchers have found.

"With most viruses, when you start to detect antibodies, you won't detect the virus anymore. But with COVID-19, we're seeing both," said Dr. Burak Bahar, director of laboratory informatics at Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C.

September 2, 2020

Pandemic Learning Can Strain Children's Eyes

THURSDAY, Aug. 27, 2020 -- If your child will be doing online learning this school year, you need to take steps to protect them from eye strain, the American Academy of Ophthalmology says.

"I really have seen a marked increase in kids suffering from eye strain because of increased screen time. Good news is most symptoms can be avoided by taking a few simple steps," pediatric ophthalmologist Dr. Stephen Lipsky, a clinical spokesperson for the academy, said in an academy news release.

September 2, 2020

Time Spent in Nature Boosts Kids' Well-Being

MONDAY, Aug. 31, 2020 -- Whether camping, hiking or gardening, connecting with nature has many benefits for children's well-being, a new study suggests.

"There is strong evidence that children are happier, healthier, function better, know more about the environment, and are more likely to take action to protect the natural world when they spend time in nature," said researcher Dr. Louise Chawla, professor emerita at the University of Colorado, Boulder.