Treating autism spectrum disorder as early as possible requires an early diagnosis which current medicine struggles to provide, but a new computer tool offers an opportunity to improve, not to mention helping to differentiate ASD and ADHD, as is also necessary. Researchers from the Kennedy Kieger Institute and Nottingham Trent University developed CAMI (Computerized Assessment…
We continued to feel a deep sigh within us when we hear the word COVID in just about any context, but hearing it connected with our children provokes an even deeper frustration with 2020’s ongoing gift to the world. In this study, British researchers aimed to pin down better statistics on how Long COVID was…
We are complex organisms, affected by the interplay between our exposome and our nutritional status in light of our genetics. Children with autism don’t appear by random chance, like a number drawn out of a hat, but as a result of their genetics interacting with what enters their bodies whether for good or for bad.…
We live in a chaotic world where children’s mental health is declining, and therefore we need more common-sense approaches like this nature study promotes. Before you say “Well duh!”, just stop for a moment and appreciate that this study gives you some hard evidence that children need more time outside. With so much pressure on…
While there was once a time long ago when smoking was promoted for everyone, eventually tobacco cigarettes were linked with adverse health outcomes for babies born to smoking moms. As access to cannabis grows across the U.S., questions arise whether this type of smoking will also be a problem for the next generation of children…
Australian researchers released their findings: babies born to moms who were considered obese during pregnancy had changes to their hearts through alterations in their thyroid hormone. With the increasing rates of cardiometabolic disease like diabetes and coronary artery disease, our society needs to understand all the factors that go into this epidemic. Recommending adults to…
As a functional medicine pediatrician, I have a responsibility to both treat the young patients in front of me as well as advocate for the well-being of children in society. Obviously, there is considerable overlap between these two roles. As I evaluate studies and research findings in order to apply new discoveries in either arena,…
As allergic diseases become more common in children, researchers hunt for causes and cures to prevent not only ER visits, but deaths as well. Endless debate between the genetic (nature) and the environmental (nurture) camps has raged- as well as the argument between the hygiene theory adherents and the nay-sayers. This study points towards a…
For any of you who have been told that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) does not approve a therapy and therefore that doctor won’t prescribe it, you are likely missing a patch of hair from where you pulled it out in frustration. You or a loved one were ill and hurting, but the FDA’s…
While pots and pans come in handy for cooking, their namesakes’ causing of significant morbidity in children disrupts many childhoods, as well as the sleep of many parents. POTS stands for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome while PANS stands for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. This latter condition crosses over with PANDAS, Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated…