Reduced Eye-Patching for Lazy Eye Less Stressful, Just as Effective

Wearing an eye patch for two hours a day instead of six works just as well at improving eyesight in children with lazy eye (amblyopia), according to a new study. This research, appearing in May’s Archives of Opthalmology, is good news for families with children suffering from the most common cause of visual impairment in childhood.

In the study, children under the age of 7 were put in two groups. The first received two hours of daily eye patching and the second, six hours. After four months, the rate of improvement for both groups was the same. All children performed one hour of “near” work – coloring, reading, tracing, etc. – while wearing the patch. The near work was an important part of the prescribed treatment. The researchers, however, say they are uncertain whether there would be the same amount of improvement without the daily near work.

"Prior to these results, many children with amblyopia had to wear an eye patch during school hours," says Dr. Paul A. Sieving, director of the National Eye Institute, a branch of the National Institutes of Health and the organization that sponsored the study. "For these children, the accompanying social and psychological stigma was very real. Many were stared at and teased by other children, which made them feel different. Now, children can look forward to attending school without the patch. This will make them feel better about themselves."

Amblyopia usually begins in infancy or childhood and is characterized by poor vision in an otherwise healthy eye. The brain learns to favor the other eye for reasons such as crossed or wandering eyes or a significant difference in nearsightedness or farsightedness between the two eyes. (5-27-03)

Were Einstein and Newton Autistic?

Did geniuses Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton have autism? According to a recent study published in New Scientist, they might both have shown symptoms of Asperger syndrome, a form of autism that doesn’t involve learning difficulties.

Autism expert, Simon Baron-Cohen, and his colleague analyzed the personality traits of Einstein and Newton to see if they had three key characteristics of Asperger syndrome: obsessive interests, difficulty in social relationships and problems communicating.

While it is impossible to make a definite autism diagnosis of someone who is already dead, Baron-Cohen, based out of Cambridge University, hopes his study may help discover why some people with autism excel in life while others do not.

Autism is inheritable. Signs show that the genes for autism are connected to those that demonstrate a talent for complex systems, such as computer programs or musical techniques. For example, mathematicians, engineers and physicists all tend to have a high rate of autism among their relatives.

Newton could fit a classic description of Asperger syndrome. He hardly spoke, was barely civil to his few friends and would give lectures to an empty room if no one showed up to hear him.

As a child, Einstein was a loner and repeated sentences obsessively until he was 7. Even though he had many friends and was outspoken on many issues as an adult, Baron-Cohen thinks he, too, might have had Asperger syndrome. "Passion, falling in love and standing up for justice are all perfectly compatible with Asperger syndrome," he says. "What most people with AS find difficult is casual chatting – they can’t do small talk."

A psychiatrist from the University of California at San Francisco is not so sure about Baron-Cohen’s findings, however. Trying to diagnose on the basis of biographical information is extremely unreliable, he says. He also thinks that being highly intelligent would have influenced Newton’s and Einstein’s personalities by itself. Elliot points out that Einstein had a great sense of humor, a trait that is virtually nonexistent in people with Asperger syndrome. (5-20-03)

Be True to Your School

If you’re thinking about changing your child’s school, you might want to reconsider. A child who frequently changes schools is more likely to have behavioral health problems than one who doesn’t, according to a new Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center study.

“Transitions can be so disruptive to children that parents need to weigh the potential academic benefit they may get versus the academic, social and emotional impact of making the transition,” says Dr. Mona Mansour, the study’s lead author. The increase in behavioral problems is true for all children, regardless of race, income, maternal education level or any other factor measured in the study.

The Cincinnati Children’s study, presented at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies, involved more than 3,200 children between the ages of 5 and 14. The children were considered “school mobile” if they were 5 to 9 years old and attended two or more elementary schools, or 9 to 14 and had attended three or more schools. Their mothers determined behavior problems by answering questions like “he/she is disobedient” and “he/she has trouble getting along with other students” with “often true,” “sometimes true” or “not true.” The responses were then translated into a score, with higher points equaling more behavior problems.

School mobile children had higher scores of behavioral problems than those children who were not school mobile, reports Dr. Mansour. Although the study cannot state that school mobility causes behavioral problems, it does show that the two are definitely linked. The school mobile children were more likely to have non-married mothers, mothers with low-level school involvement and mothers with symptoms of depression. Also, their mothers had lower perceptions of school expectations than mothers of children who did not change schools often.

Many parents move their children from school to school because of financial reasons, residential moves or to find a school that better meets their children’s needs. The latter is especially true if the child already has behavioral problems. But what the parents don’t realize is that by trying to fix their child’s behavior problems, they could be making them worse.

Dr. Mansour recommends that health care providers talk more with parents about the impact of school changes on children. School districts, also, should consider the potential outcomes of school changes when they formulate their policies. Programs designed to reduce excessive school changes for children may have a positive impact on some children’s behavioral problems. (5-13-03)

Study Links Brain, Spinal Cord Birth Defects With Down Syndrome

A new study suggests a link between neural-tube defects (NTD) and Down syndrome.

NTD are birth defects of the brain or spinal cord caused by abnormal neural-tube development (the neural tube being the origin of the brain and spinal cord) in early pregnancy. Anencephaly (partial or complete absence of the brain) and spina bifida are the most severe NTD, which cause serious physical and mental impairment. Abnormal metabolism of folic acid is an established risk factor for NTD, and it has also been implicated as a possible risk factor for trisomy 21 (the chromosomal abnormality which causes Down syndrome).

For the study, appearing in a recent issue of The Lancet, researchers looked at more than 1000 families, some of whom were at high risk for NTD and some of whom were at high risk for Down syndrome.

They found that infants born to families with a high risk of NTD could also be at an increased risk of Down syndrome and vice versa. There were more than five times the number of pregnancies affected by Down syndrome in families with a high risk of NTD compared with 1.87 expected for women of the same age. There was a similar ratio of increased NTD in the families at risk of Down syndrome (seven compared with an expected incidence of 1.37). (5-06-03)

Homeopathy Not Effective in Treating Asthma

Does homeopathy really work? Not to help children who have asthma, according to a new study in the journal Thorax.

Researchers studied more than 90 children ages 5 to 15 who had mild to moderate asthma, which was treated in the usual way with reliever or preventer inhalers. Classically trained homeopaths, who had been in practice for at least 10 years, also provided homeopathic remedies for the children in up to six sessions over the course of a year. Half the children were given dummy remedies (placebo) instead of homeopathy. Neither the children nor the practitioners knew who would receive which remedy.

Researchers found no evidence that homeopathy had any measurable impact on quality of life. The severity of symptoms lessened among children taking homeopathic remedies, but not to any extent that was significantly greater than placebo.

Homeopathic remedies are used by an estimated 15 percent of children with asthma in the United Kingdom, according to the authors. (5-6-03)

Treating Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease May Reduce Need for Asthma Medications in Children

Children who suffer from both asthma and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may require fewer asthma medications after receiving anti-GERD treatment, says a study published in the April issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP). The study found that medically or surgically treating GERD in children with asthma reduced the need for total asthma medications by more than half.

The study, conducted at West Jefferson Medical Center, is the first of its kind to evaluate the effect of anti-GERD treatment using acid suppressing drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on the requirement for asthma medications in older children with persistent moderate asthma.

During 12 months of observation, all patients in the study (ages 5 to 11) with GERD receiving anti- GERD treatment showed a more than 50 percent reduction in total asthma medications used, and specifically, a more than 50 percent reduction in bronchodilator use. In addition, 89 percent of patients with GERD required no treatment with inhaled corticosteroids, and no patients required use of leukotriene antagonists during the final six months of observation. Patients receiving no anti-GERD treatment showed no change in the use of total asthma medications.

"Children with persistent asthma often take the maximum amount of medications to maintain their asthma, yet they still end up in the emergency room on a regular basis," says Dr. Vikram Khoshoo, pediatric gastroenterologist at West Jefferson Medical Center, New Orleans, La "With anti-GERD treatments such as PPIs, we may help to lighten our patients' asthma regimens and eventually reduce the number of emergency room visits and school days missed." (4-29-03)

Children From 25 States Seek Congressional Support in Dealing With Epilepsy

Young advocates with epilepsy and their families from 25 states converged on Capitol Hill on April 9 to seek support from their Senate and Congressional representatives in their struggle against epilepsy and its medical and social consequences.

The 38 children, who ranged in age from 7 to 16, sought an increase in public health education initiatives to fight discrimination at school and in their communities as well as a renewal of the nation's commitment to medical research.

The visits with congressional representatives are part of the Epilepsy Foundation's new "Kids Speak Up" program, a grassroots campaign to help families of children with epilepsy have their voices heard in the halls of the U.S. Capitol. The program is supported by an educational grant from Abbott Laboratories.

The "Kids Speak Up" families were joined by fellow epilepsy advocates, some 200 total participants, in urging Congress to support greater public health education and community outreach to help their children lead more normal and productive lives.

Many children with epilepsy have experienced ridicule and bullying in school and in their neighborhoods. In some cases, uninformed teachers have ignored the needs of students with epilepsy. Public opinion often supports misinformation on epilepsy. According to a recent national survey conducted on behalf of Abbott Laboratories, the majority of Americans (57 percent) falsely believe that people with epilepsy are a danger to themselves and should be restrained during a seizure.

Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition of childhood and the third most common neurological condition in adults after Alzheimer's and stroke. It affects 350,000 children aged 17 and under in the United States, according to the Epilepsy Foundation. Epilepsy. Despite advances in treatment, however, about one million people of all ages continue to experience seizures or significant side effects from therapy. A 1999 Epilepsy Foundation study showed that epilepsy costs the nation more than $12.5 billion a year. (4-22-03)

Take a Break From the Tube During TV-Turnoff Week

Are your kids too tuned into the tube? Or for that matter – are you? If so, take a break during the annual TV-Turnoff Week 2003 (April 21-27), sponsored by nonprofit group, TV-Turnoff Network. The organization encourages children and adults to watch much less television in order to promote healthier lives and communities.

According to TV-Turnoff Network, a recent a recent Harris poll found more than 90 percent of Americans admit they have soft addictions – seemingly harmless habits like over-eating, compulsive shopping, watching too much TV or surfing the Internet for hours that take our time, zap our energy and keep us from creating a more meaningful life. The poll also found that more than a third said they watch too much TV, and more than half reported too much TV watching in children.

Soft addiction expert Judith Wright has teamed up with TV-Turnoff Week 2003 to encourage millions of children and adults to take a seven-day break from the television and rediscover that life can be more fun, rewarding and even relaxing when we do more and watch less. For many, the Week will become the springboard to making lasting change in their lives: watching less television, choosing what they watch more selectively and engaging in more screen-free activities.

"Families of school-age children that limit TV time report that their children achieve higher grades and social success," says Wright. "They also experience more family closeness, greater creativity and more interactive play at all levels of family involvement." Wright is the author of There Must Be More Than This: Finding More Life, Love, and Meaning By Overcoming Your Soft Addictions (Broadway, 2003).

During TV-Turnoff Week 2002 an estimated 6.4 million people took part in the event in more than 16,000 organized Turnoffs. The lengthy list of supporting organizations for 2003 includes a number of major groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, National Education Association, Boys and Girls Clubs of America and many others.

For more information, log on to www.tvturnoff.org or www.theremustbemore.com. (4-22-03)

Parents Not as Likely to Discuss Children's Anxiety With Doctor

A new study finds that parents are less likely to talk with their family doctor about social anxiety disorders in their children than other issues such as attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder or depression.

The study, presented at the Anxiety Disorders Association of America's 23rd annual meeting, looked at 190 families with children between the ages of 8 to 17.

Researchers found that less than a third of parents who had a child with social anxiety disorder had discussed their child's symptoms with a pediatrician. In contrast, 67 percent parents of children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder and half of parents of children with major depression had disclosed these issues with their pediatricians.

"Despite the signs of social anxiety disorder, many children remain undiagnosed for reasons including lack of communication between parent and pediatrician, time constraints of primary care visits, discomfort discussing psychosocial concerns and limited recognition of anxiety problems," says Denise A. Chavira, PhD, department of psychiatry at University of California at San Diego. "Recognizing and providing appropriate treatment recommendations for social anxiety disorders during primary care visits can have important short- and long-term implications."

Social anxiety disorder is particularly prevalent and debilitating in adolescence. Adolescents with social anxiety disorder have few friends, demonstrate disturbances in school function, experience difficulties with intimate relationships and report elevated alcohol use. Research suggests significant stability of this disorder into adulthood, as well as long-term negative consequences including increased risk for suicide attempts, alcohol abuse, difficulty working, incomplete educational attainment and depression.

The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) is the only national, non-profit membership organization dedicated to informing the public, health care professionals and legislators that anxiety disorders are real, serious and treatable. The ADAA promotes the early diagnosis, treatment and cure of anxiety disorders and is committed to improving the lives of the people who suffer from them. (4-15-03)

Study Confirms Long-Term Effectiveness, Safety of Once-Daily CONCERTA in Children With ADHD

A study of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), who had previously responded to treatment with methylphenidate, has found that once-a-day CONCERTA® (methylphenidate HCl) CII effectively controls ADHD symptoms and maintains a consistent safety profile over one year. The study appears in the April issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

The study, an interim analysis of one of the longest studies to date of continued use of a stimulant medication, indicates that children with ADHD are likely to continue to respond to CONCERTA for up to 12 months. The study looked at more than 400 children ages 6 to 13 with ADHD.

The findings also add to the literature in countering some long-standing beliefs about the effect of methylphenidate, the active ingredient in CONCERTA, as a long-term ADHD treatment. Investigators reported that CONCERTA did not adversely affect growth (weight and height), did not appear to induce or worsen tics, did not adversely affect vital signs (i.e., blood pressure, pulse) and had no clinically meaningful effect on a wide range of blood tests (i.e., red and white blood cell count, liver function tests). Additionally, despite its extended-release pharmacokinetic profile and long duration of action, CONCERTA apparently had little impact on parental perception of sleep quality.

"While it is generally agreed that pharmacological treatment of ADHD may be needed for extended periods, few treatment studies of ADHD extend beyond a few months," says study lead author Dr. Timothy Wilens, director of substance abuse services in the Pediatric and Adult Psychopharmacology Clinics at Massachusetts General Hospital. "This 12-month analysis of a longer-term study establishes the safety and efficacy of CONCERTA over one year and addresses some concerns about the effects of long-term methylphenidate treatment on growth (height and weight), tics, vital signs and sleep quality. Given the chronic nature of ADHD, it is comforting to know that medications such as CONCERTA continue to work in reducing ADHD and associated impairment."

CONCERTA is an extended-release formulation of methylphenidate for ADHD treatment that is designed to last through 12 hours, with just one morning dose. Concerta uses an advanced OROS® extended-release delivery system. The OROS® trilayer tablet is designed to release the medication in CONCERTA in a controlled pattern providing symptom management throughout the day. (4-8-03)

Single Parenthood Increases Risk of Hospitalization, Early Death in Parents, Children

A new study has found that being a single parent increases the risk of hospitalization and early death in mothers, fathers and children.

For a dissertation at Umeå University in Sweden, a researcher traced illness and mortality among about 700,000 mothers and fathers and nearly a million children during the 1990s.

The results indicate that single parenthood entails greater risks of serious ill health (requiring hospital care) and early mortality among mothers, fathers and children. Single mothers showed greater risks when compared with cohabitating mothers. Single fathers, with custody of their children, also had heightened mortality risks, but it was above all single fathers who did not live with their children and single men without children who showed the highest mortality risks.

The greatest rise in risk among both men and women was found in cases of mental illness, suicide and substance abuse. Growing up in a single-parent household seems to mean more than twice the risk of mental illness, suicide/attempted suicide and substance abuse, according to the study, and it was also associated with a lower level of education as an adult.

The researcher attributes some of the increased risk to the fact that single parents have poorer economic and social conditions on average and that a greater share of people with weak health are included in the group. (4-8-03)

Same Gene Found to Cause Mental Retardation in Children, Neurodegenerative Condition in Older Males

Researchers have recently discovered a progressive neurodegenerative condition – resulting in tremor, balance problems and dementia – which may affect as many as one in 3,000 men. At the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting this spring, researchers reported that this condition has now been associated with the same gene that causes fragile X syndrome, the most common heritable form of mental retardation.

According to the researchers, the same gene has been found to cause these two different and independent syndromes, affecting different groups of individuals. Fragile X syndrome is a developmental disorder beginning in childhood, while the newly identified neurological syndrome (Fragile X Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome, or FXTAS) affects mainly male carriers who were not affected by fragile X syndrome retardation and who displayed no symptoms prior to age 50.

Currently, male carriers of the gene do not know they are carriers unless there is an affected grandchild in the family. This is how the researchers have discovered the cases studied to date. Affected individuals have thus far been given other, descriptive diagnoses, such as "atypical Parkinson disease," and have in many cases seen multiple neurologists in their efforts to diagnose their condition.

"We hope that one of the positive outcomes of our investigations will be a greater awareness within the adult neurology community as to the presence of this disorder," says Study Author Dr. Paul Hagerman, MD, PhD, professor of biological chemistry at the University of California Davis School of Medicine. "Heightened awareness may also lead to better family counseling prior to the birth of children affected with fragile X syndrome." (4-01-03)

Get Kids Reading This Summer

Summer is coming and that means your kids get their much-awaited break from school. But is that good for their brains?

According to Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the nation's oldest and largest children's and family literacy organization, experts agree that children who read during the summer gain reading skills, while those who do not often experience learning losses.

To help entice kids to keep their brains working this summer, RIF offers the following tips:

Reading Tips for Parents:

• Combine activities with books: Encourage kids to read books about the activities they get involved in over the summer.
• Visit the library: Help your child get their very own library card.
• Lead by example: Show your kids how much fun you have reading!
• Talk it up: Talk with your kids about what you read – it shows them reading is an exciting, important part of your life.
• Help kids find time to read: When planning summer activities with children, remember to allow for time to read.
• Relax the rules for summer: Let summer be a time when children can read what, when and how they please.
• Have plenty of reading material around: Along with the usual storybooks, be sure to have newspapers, magazines and informational material on hand that might spark the interest of your young readers.
• Use books to break the boredom: Get books that teach kids how to make or do something interesting this summer.
• Read aloud with kids: Take your children to see a local storyteller or, better yet, be one yourself!

Reading Tips for Kids:

• Go somewhere new: The place where you read a book can make the story even more meaningful.
• Read around the house: See how much reading material can be found around the house without opening a book.
• Take a trip through a book: Read about the places you are planning to go this summer before you get there.
• Read books from A-Z: Let the alphabet help you make a summer reading list.
• Keep a reading journal: Write about the books that you read in a summer reading journal.
• Read aloud with adults: Adults need to read just as much as kids do. Read aloud with your parents before bedtime.
• Start a book club: Starting a book club with your friends is a great way to share books and ideas.
• Find a fun series: Find a series of books by an author who you enjoy.

For more information about RIF's Summer Reading Tips, call 877-RIF-READ, visit www.rif.org or e-mail dearrif@rif.org. (4-01-03)

Secondhand Smoke Linked to Childhood Cavities

Here's another reason not to smoke in front of your children – secondhand smoke may cause cavities, according to a new study.

The study, which appears in the March 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, surveyed more than 3500 children ages 4 to 11 who had had both dental examinations and a serum cotinine – a byproduct of nicotine – level measurement.

Researchers found that an elevated cotinine level was significantly associated with both decayed primary teeth and those that had fillings.

The authors concluded that there is an association between environmental tobacco smoke and risk of cavities among children. Reduction of passive smoking is important not only for the prevention of many medical problems, but also for the promotion of children's dental health, they say. (3-25-03)

CDC Activates Emergency Operations in Response to New Pneumonia-like Illness

In response to reports of increasing numbers of cases of an atypical pneumonia that the World Health Organization (WHO) has called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) activated its emergency operations center on Friday, March 14.

As of March 19, WHO has received reports of 264 patients from 11 countries with suspected and probable SARS. Areas with reported local transmission include Hong Kong and Guangdong province, China; Hanoi, Vietnam and Singapore. More limited transmission has been reported in Taipei, Taiwan and Toronto, Canada. Eleven cases have been reported in the United States. The initial cases reported in Singapore, Taiwan and Toronto were among people who all had traveled to China.

Among patients reported worldwide as of March 19, the disease has been characterized by rapid onset of high fever, myalgia, chills, rigor and sore throat, followed by shortness of breath, cough and radiographic evidence of pneumonia. Of the 264 suspected and probable cases reported by WHO, nine (3 percent) people have died.

CDC has been working with the World Health Organization (WHO) since late February to investigate and confirm outbreaks of this severe form of pneumonia in Vietnam, Hong Kong and parts of China.

"The emergence of two clusters of this illness on the North American continent indicates the potential for travelers who have been in the affected areas of Southeast Asia to have been exposed to this serious syndrome," says Dr. Julie L. Gerberding, CDC director. "The World Health Organization has been leading a global effort, in which CDC is participating, to understand the cause of this illness and how to prevent its spread. We do know that it may progress rapidly and can be fatal. Therefore, we are instituting measures aimed at identifying potential cases among travelers returning to the United States and protecting the people with whom they may come into contact."

The WHO issued a global alert about the outbreak on March 12, cautioning that the severe respiratory illness may spread to hospital staff. (3-25-03)

Hospital Offers Tips for Helping Kids Cope With War

Now that war in underway, how can you help your children cope? The staff at Linden Oaks Hospital at Edward in Naperville, Ill., offer the following suggestions:

• Monitor the television! While adults may understandably want ongoing, up-to-date information, children need to be protected from an onslaught of graphic and violent images.
• Give children honest information at their level of understanding.
• Allow them to "lead" the conversation rather than overwhelm them with details.
• Get help for yourself! Your child will sense and feel your anxiety. Be conscious of your own reactions and try not to burden your child with your own shock, anger, fear or grief. Be aware of forcing or wanting a certain response from your child.
• Listen! Don't judge, don't criticize and don't minimize.
• Assure children that they and your family are safe.
• Be available for your children. Play with them while encouraging them to share their thoughts. Remember that children may not discuss issues in the same manner as adults – often, their deepest feelings are revealed during play.
• Fear is OK – it is a normal reaction in these circumstances.
• Some may not immediately show fears/emotions, and this, too, is normal. Children often deal with significant emotions on a bit-by-bit basis. It may take several days or weeks for children to process their reactions. Stay tuned in.
• Mobilize outside support: church, family, friends, schools and community groups.
• Do your best to maintain a normal routine.
• Be careful not to project strong political, ideological, racial or cultural feelings onto children. Reserve these topics for adults.
• Be prepared to answer "Why?" Respond in a manner that allows for discussion and attends to fear and anxiety about the future.
• Understand and remember that we are all Americans and we must help our children not to focus any blame on our neighbors.

Linden Oaks Hospital at Edward provides a wide range of inpatient, outpatient and partial hospitalization behavioral health services including support for depression, chemical dependency, eating disorders, self injury, anxiety disorders and more.(3-25-03)

Scholastic Releases Cover of New Harry Potter Book

Kids – and adults! – anxious to get their hands of the newest Harry Potter book are getting a sneak preview. Scholastic recently released the cover of the much-awaited Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

The cover art was created by Mary GrandPre, the illustrator of all four previous Harry Potter books. GrandPre has also illustrated such notable children's books as Pockets, The House of Wisdom and, most recently for Scholastic, Plum.

The cover is a portrait of 15-year-old Harry Potter holding his wand in front of a series of doors. It is drawn in tones of midnight blue, indigo and flame blue.

Scholastic recently announced that based on high pre-publication demand for the book, a second printing of 1.7 million copies has been added to the already unprecedented first printing of 6.8 million, bringing the total print run to 8.5 million copies. Scholastic has approximately 80 million copies in print of the first four Harry Potter books.

The book will be released June 21. (3-25-03)

Stimulant Treatment of Children With ADHD Reduces Subsequent Substance Abuse

A study by researchers at Harvard University has provided more evidence that using stimulant medications such as methylphenidate to treat children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may reduce their risk of developing drug and alcohol use disorders later in life.

Researchers analyzed six previous studies that had information on childhood exposure to stimulant therapy and later substance use disorders (SUD).

>From the compiled data, researchers found that youths with ADHD, who were treated with stimulants, had an almost two-fold reduction in the risk for developing SUD when compared with youths with ADHD, who did not receive stimulants. Examination of each study individually suggested that stimulant medications might have a protective effect against the development of SUD.

Analysis of studies that reported follow-up into adolescence revealed that youths treated with stimulants were nearly six times less likely to develop SUD than those not treated. However, analysis of studies that followed subjects into adulthood found that those treated with stimulants were about 1.5 times less likely to develop SUD.

Overall, treating ADHD pharmacologically appears to reduce the risk of substance abuse by half. Untreated, ADHD is associated with a two-fold increased risk for developing a substance abuse disorder.

Hence, while not truly immunizing against substance abuse, treating ADHD pharmacologically reduces the risk for drug and alcohol abuse and addiction to the level of risk faced by the general population.

The study, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), is published in a recent issue of Pediatrics. (3-18-03)

Design of New Thermometer Helps Kids, Seniors Take Temperature

Have trouble getting your child’s temperature? A new thermometer could help make the task a little easier.

MEDport, LLC and Timex Licensing Corporation recently unveiled the first in a new series of digital oral fever thermometers – the Timex Accu-Curve Thermometer – developed by three Rhode Island moms.

The Timex Accu-Curve Thermometer features a curved design, which allows the thermometer's temperature-taking tip to comfortably rest on the 'hot spot' under the tongue, the best place for recording a person's body temperature. The thermometer's body, which houses the electronics, is properly balanced so the thermometer's weight doesn't push up and move the thermometer around in the mouth. The result is a quick, accurate, more enjoyable and measurably better temperature-taking experience, according to the company.

"Listening to and working with moms, we have found a safer, better way, using a superior and smart ergonomic design,” says Jeff Jacober, chairman of MEDport LLC. “Our design incorporates other beneficial features such as a large, easy-to-read display and Indiglo® nightlight, which allows a person to take a temperature at night without having to turn on a light."

Jacober also says that the Timex Accu-Curve is an ideal thermometer for seniors who may also have difficulty using traditional straight thermometers. "For someone like my dad who has Parkinson's and has a hard time keeping the tip of the thermometer in the right place, the Accu-Curve is a perfect solution," he says.

For more information, log on to www.medportllc.com. (3-18-03)

What Difference Does an Hour Make in Children's Sleep Patterns?

The modest sleep loss that results from going to bed an hour later than usual can compromise children’s alertness and brain functioning, a new study suggests.

Previous studies of adults have found that sleep deprivation significantly impairs the brain’s executive control system, which helps people organize, prioritize and focus on tasks. But few sleep-deprivation studies have focused on children, and those few have tended to examine extreme rather than modest sleep deprivation.

“The daily struggles between children and their parents usually occur at home and are often limited to modest changes in sleep,” Sadeh says. “Persistent battles on topics such as ‘just one more TV show’ raise the scientific question: ‘What difference does an hour make?’”

To help answer this question, Sadeh and colleagues studied the effects of adding or subtracting one hour of sleep on more than 75 children in fourth and sixth grades. For the first two nights of the five-night study period, the children adhered to their normal sleep pattern, and for the last three nights the children were asked either to extend or reduce their sleep time by one hour.

Children who got an extra hour of sleep actually experienced more night-wakings and a decreased percentage of sleep. Reducing sleep by one hour had the opposite effect: It resulted in decreased night-wakings and an increased percentage of sleep, the researchers found.

Previous researchers have identified these effects as the body’s way of adapting to sleep loss, but in this study, the sleep-deprived children reported significantly higher fatigue ratings in the evening. In addition, their performance on several neurobehavioral tests compared unfavorably with the children who received an extra hour of sleep. The sleep-deprived children’s performance on the reaction time test suffered, and their performance on the recall and responsiveness tests remained stable, while the children with the extra hour of sleep improved their performance on these tests.

The study results are published in the March/April issue of Child Development. (3-11-03)

Window Cords Pose Hazards to Toddlers as Well as Babies

While many parents and caregivers know about the potential dangers window cords can pose to infants, many are unaware that toddlers and young children also can be at risk.

Since 2000, nearly 40 percent of window-cord strangulations reported to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have involved children between the ages of 3 and 6. While cord hazards involving infants are almost always due to placement of a crib or playpen near a window, toddlers frequently become entangled in window cords while climbing furniture to look out a window.

"Toddlers are naturally active and curious, which is why it is so important to restrict access to windows and to make sure window cords are secured up and away from reach," says Carolynn Jennings, deputy director with the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC). Since 1995, the Council has provided consumers with free window cord safety repair kits through their toll-free hotline at 1-800-506-4636.

Jennings says parents should adhere to the following safety rules to eliminate or severely reduce a toddler's access to windows and cords:

• Move all furniture, cribs and climbable items as far away from windows as possible, preferably against another wall.
• Secure all pull-cords out of reach by using a cleat or permanent tie-down device.
• Install cord stops on horizontal blinds and miniblinds to prevent inner-cord access.
• Eliminate looped pull-cords on older (pre-1995) mini-blinds and shades by cutting the loop and attaching safety tassels to the pull-cord ends.

Parents can find additional information and illustrations of window cord hazards and appropriate methods of safety repair at www.windowcoverings.org. (3-11-03)

Online Workshop Educates Parents on Preventing Infections, Preparing for Bioterrorism

A new online workshop teaches Americans of every age how to prevent infections in all areas of life, from homes, businesses and classrooms to what to do if a bioterrorist strikes.

The Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases (PKIDs) workshop is filled with vivid graphics, amazing facts and fun activities for any age. It is a train-the-trainer program offered free of charge to the nation's classrooms, employers, parents and coaches.

The workshop focuses on the following areas:

• Why viruses and bacteria are so good at making us so sick.
• How to prevent infections through standard precautions and immunizations.
• Beware the blood: Fun ways to teach children standard precautions.
• Make your own alcohol disinfectant handrub.
• Why do state governments mandate immunizations?
• How to prepare for a bioterrorist strike.
• How to keep athletes of all ages safe from bloodborne and other infections.
• Why the infected are stigmatized and what protections civil rights laws provide.

"The workshop is designed so anyone can use it to teach others about infectious disease – no teaching certificate is required!" says Trish Parnell, executive director of PKIDs, a national nonprofit organization that supports families touched by infectious diseases and educates the public about disease prevention. "Each section provides a detailed instructional text plus great hands-on learning activities for use in homes, schools and businesses."

The materials were developed in cooperation with leading physicians and public health educators to create an accurate and user-friendly program that is free to the public.

PKIDs' Infectious Disease Workshop can be downloaded or printed for free at www.pkids.org/idw.htm or it can be purchased on CD-ROM for $30 plus shipping and handling by calling 360-695-0293 or e-mailing pkids@pkids.org. (3-11-03)

Training Rewires Brains in Children With Dyslexia, Enabling Them to Function More Normally

For the first time, researchers have shown that the brains of dyslexic children can be rewired – after undergoing intensive remediation training – to function more like those found in normal readers.

The training program, which is designed to help dyslexics understand rapidly changing sounds that are the building blocks of language, helped the participants become better readers after just eight weeks.

Researchers studied 20 dyslexic children ages 8 to 12 whose brains were scanned using functional magnetic resonance imaging before and after participating in the eight-week training program. Their results were compared to a control group of children with normal reading abilities who did not participate in the training.

Brain imaging scans of the children who participated in the training showed that critical areas of the brain used for reading were activated for the first time and that they began to function more normally. Furthermore, additional regions of the brain were activated in what the researchers believe the dyslexics may have used as a compensatory process as they learned to read more fluently.

The findings are also important, say researchers, because it is the first time a commercial product has been proven scientifically to work using standardized educational testing and brain imaging. Scientific Learning`s computer program, Fast ForWord Language, focuses on helping children become more fluent at processing the rapidly changing sounds.

Dyslexia, sometimes called "word blindness," is a common disorder, affecting 5 to 10 percent of Americans. It is defined as a specific difficulty in reading that is severe enough to interfere with academic functioning and cannot be accounted for by lack of educational opportunities, personal motivation or problems in sight or sound. (3-4-03)

Study Finds Third Graders Not Getting Enough Exercise at School

America's young children may not be getting enough vigorous physical exercise through their schools' physical education (PE) programs, suggests the latest analysis by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development.

Researchers found that third grade children in the study only received an average of 25 minutes per week in school of moderate to vigorous activity. Experts in the United States have recommended that young people should participate in physical activity of at least moderate intensity for 30 to 60 minutes each day.

The NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development enrolled just over 1,300 children at birth at 10 research sites throughout the United States. The researchers conduct periodic observations and evaluations of many aspects of the children's lives as they progress from infancy through adolescence. The current analysis was conducted on information gained from direct observations of the children participating in the study while they were in physical activity classes.

The study appears in a recent issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. (3-04-03)

Would Your Child Touch a Gun?

Parents' beliefs about how their children would react to finding a gun may impact whether – and how – they address gun safety issues reports a new study in the February issue of Pediatrics.

According to the study, "'They're Too Smart for That': Predicting What Children Would Do in the Presence of Guns," researchers found that 87 percent of parents surveyed – regardless of gun ownership, geography, race, gender, education level, income or child age – believed that their children would not touch a gun they found.

The researchers specifically investigated how parents reasoned about their children's actions. They concluded that physicians and others who address gun safety topics should think about the issue not only in terms of what the parents believe about guns, but also in terms of what they believe about their child's developmental level and impulse control. (3-4-03)

Many Emergency Room Trips Due to the Common Cold

Parents who are misinformed about the cause and treatments of colds may be more likely to take their children to the emergency room, reports a new study in the February issue of Pediatrics.

The study found colds accounted for 1.6 million emergency room visits in 1998, even though most colds are viral and do not require medical intervention.

Researchers suggest that educating parents about the inappropriate use of antibiotics for treating colds may reduce unnecessary ER visits. (2-25-03)

New Treatment Shows Promise for Treating Crohn's Disease in Children

A study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology shows promising results in treating Crohn's disease in children.

Researchers from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that an antibody currently used to treat adults with Crohn's disease is also effective and safe in treating children with the disease.

In addition to providing significant medical benefits in children, it also has the potential to significantly reduce the need for steroids – a treatment associated with significant side effects. Side effects of current treatments – corticosteroids and drugs affecting immune responses – include acne, weight gain, impaired growth, osteoporosis, the risk of hepatitis and bone marrow suppression.

Crohn's disease, a painful inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, affects more than 100,000 children in the United States, causing emotional and social difficulties in addition to its physical symptoms. It is becoming a common chronic pediatric disease with the average age of onset occurring much younger than before. The average age for diagnosis is 10 to 11 years, though it can also occur during the adolescent and adult years. Symptoms may include pain, severe abdominal discomfort and more than 30 bowel movements each day. Most children with Crohn's disease experience ongoing disease activity over the course of their lives, which may be complicated by the need for prolonged medication and numerous surgeries. (2-25-03)

Group Classes May Help Children With ADHD

Children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and their parents may benefit from group classes that teach behavioral and social skills as a supplement to their medical treatment, a new study suggests.

ADHD, which affects 3 to 5 percent of U.S. school-aged children, is usually treated solely with stimulant medications, which have been proven to help reduce core symptoms, such as hyperactivity. Few physicians currently supplement patient medication with behavior therapy because the effectiveness of this combined approach has not been validated.

Researchers from the Group Health Cooperative’s Center for Health Studies in Seattle, Wash., studied 100 children ages 5 to 12 who had recently been diagnosed with ADHD and were receiving stimulant medication treatment. More than half of the children and their parents were assigned to an eight-week behavioral and social skill class, while the rest did not take a class. At three and six months after treatment began, an independent telephone interviewer spoke to the parents and the teachers of the children to determine the effectiveness of the class.

Compared with those not enrolled in the class, the researchers found that parents enrolled in the behavioral and social skill class reported significantly fewer ADHD symptoms in their children and more consistent use of discipline practices with their children. The primary school teachers of the ADHD study participants, however, reported no differences in symptoms between those enrolled and those not enrolled in the behavioral and social skill class.

The study results are published in the February 2003 issue of the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. (2-18-03)

Restraint Use Rises to Record High Level for Infants and Toddlers

A new survey from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports good news: More children are being restrained during travel than ever before.

An NHTSA survey found that an estimated 99 percent of infants under age 1 are now restrained during travel, up 4 percentage points from 2000. Fully 94 percent of toddlers are now restrained, a 3 percentage point gain over two years ago. Eighty-three percent of children ages 4 to 7 are restrained, with no past data to available for this age group.

“Children are the most vulnerable passengers riding on America’s roadways. It is extremely good news that more of them are now safely secured,” says Dr. Jeffrey W. Runge, NHTSA administrator.

However, Dr. Runge indicated serious concern about other findings from the survey, which shows that many young children continue to ride in the front seat. An estimated 15 percent of infants under age 1 now ride in a front seating position; Ten percent of toddlers ages 1 to 3 ride in the front; and 29 percent of youngsters ages 4 to 7 do so.

Besides indicating increasing restraint use among infants and toddlers, the latest national survey reached these key findings:

• The link between restraint use of drivers and their child passengers remains strong. More than 90 percent of belted drivers also restrain the children traveling in their vehicles. Approximately 70 percent of unbelted drivers restrain their child passengers.
• Male drivers are restraining their children more often than they did two years ago, bringing them to near parity with female drivers. The 2000 survey indicated a 7-percentage-point disparity between men and women. That gap has now been narrowed to about 1 percentage point.
• Parents appear to be more aware of the need for appropriate restraint use based on the age and size of their children. The latest survey indicates lower incidence of “premature graduation” in the use of restraint systems. Premature graduation involves transitioning children to the next stage of restraint system use before they are ready in terms of age or size. For example, infants are placed in forward-facing seats too soon, or children are moved from a child safety seat directly to an adult safety belt too soon, bypassing the booster-seat stage. (2-18-03)

Help Your Child Avoid Cavities

Cavities may be the most common childhood disease, but with a little help from parents, children can avoid them says a new report in the journal General Dentistry.

Cavities, an infectious disease caused by acid-forming bacteria found in dental plaque, destroys the tooth's structure. Young children, ages 1 through 6, are more susceptible to develop cavities because their primary teeth have thinner, weaker enamel and are a prime target for plaque. Primary teeth also have more spaces between teeth where food is more likely to linger, which creates a breeding ground for cavity-causing bacteria.

"Learning about proper oral care should be just as much of a priority as prenatal care. Parents-to-be should take the initiative and ask health care professionals about a baby's oral health," says Shahrbanoo Fadavi, DDS, MS.

How can parents help their children keep cavities at bay?

1. Add more fluoride to children's daily intake. Fluoride strengthens young teeth and can be obtained through toothpaste, fluoridated water, rinses and professional application. Not only does fluoride prevent the development of cavities, it also repairs the early stages of tooth decay (before cavity formation). Therefore, tooth decay is reduced throughout the child's life and so is the cost of dental treatment.

2. Eat a healthy, balanced diet and limit sugar intake. "Promote fruits and vegetables in the household, and remove foods with processed sugars and add teeth-cleaning foods like apples, carrots and celery," says Manuel Cordero, DDS, MAGD, spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry. However, be selective on what you serve.

In addition, limit or eliminate sugary drinks and snacks; the best alternative drink is water. "After eating, these sugary carbohydrates lead to 20 minutes of acid production in the mouth which is the crucial time when cavities form," says Cordero. Replace sweet treats with fruits, and buy sugar-free chewing gum that contains xylitol and sorbitol. Limit intake of carbonated drinks, and use a straw with drinks to prevent sugar contact with teeth.

3. Help implement a dental education program within the school and/or community. Make dental and health education a priority within the school system. Children spend most of their waking hours at school and are easily influenced by others, which can form bad habits. Parents should speak with teachers and school administrators about producing dental and health based programs or workshops that will teach kids about practicing good oral hygiene and nutrition.

"Parents can also teach kids good dental care through imitation. Let your children watch you brush your teeth and then take time to show them how to do it," says Dr. Cordero.

4. Prevent baby bottle tooth decay by becoming aware of nursing patterns. Baby bottle tooth decay is caused by the frequent and long-term exposure of a child's teeth to liquids containing sugars. Among these liquids are milk, formula, fruit juice, sodas and other sweetened drinks. The sugars in these liquids pool around the infant's teeth and gums, feeding the bacteria that cause plaque. Every time a child consumes a sugary liquid, acid attacks the teeth and gums. After numerous attacks, tooth decay can begin.

Never allow children to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, juice or other sweetened liquids. Clean and massage the baby's gums to help establish healthy teeth and to aid in teething. Wrap a moistened gauze square or washcloth around the finger and gently massage the gums and gingival tissues. This should be done once a day.

5. Children should visit a dentist within six months of the eruption of the first tooth. Parents often wait much longer than this for their child's first dental visit. However the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the Academy of General Dentistry recommend children visit a dentist within six months after the first tooth erupts and no later than 12 months of age. During the first visit, parents will learn more about the proper oral care and hygiene measures that is necessary for healthy, young teeth. (2-11-03)

Children With Behavior Disorders More Likely to Suffer Injuries

A new study in the February issue of Pediatrics found that children who suffer Childhood Behavior Disorders (CBDs) are more than one and a half times more likely to sustain a variety of injuries than children without CBDs.

The study also found that the risks extended beyond those that might be directly associated with impulsivity or overactivity.

The study authors suggest that targeted preventive strategies, including parental counseling on injury risk and specialized driving instruction, may be beneficial for this group of children and youth. (2-11-03)

Epilepsy Foundation Warns Parents About Kangaroo Jack

The Epilepsy Foundation is warning parents of children with epilepsy that the recently released Warner Bros. movie "Kangaroo Jack" contains references to epilepsy that may be painful to their youngsters.

The warning, also posted on the Foundation's Web site, describes two instances in the movie when audiences are intended to laugh when characters refer to another as "an epileptic." It describes the two scenes as "a cheap shot at a vulnerable population."

"We're trying to warn families about this so that they can make their own decisions about taking kids with epilepsy to this movie," says Linda Warner, chair of the Epilepsy Foundation's board of directors. "This so-called humor is hurtful to the thousands and thousands of American kids living with epilepsy. Studies show that far too many of them face ridicule and even bullying at school because of having epilepsy. And now they should add to that the experience of a whole audience laughing at it?"

The Foundation has protested to Kangaroo Jack's producers (Warner Bros. and AOL TimeWarner) about the movie's ridiculing of epilepsy and seizures and urged removal of the term "epileptic" in future DVD/VHS and TV distribution.

The Epilepsy Foundation is also concerned about the movie's influence on young people in general. The Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are currently sponsoring a major public education campaign called Entitled to Respect to improve knowledge of epilepsy among the nation's teenagers and improve the social environment for children with epilepsy in the nation's schools.

"The message of Kangaroo Jack completely undermines our campaign and tells kids that it's OK to make fun of epilepsy and seizures," says Patricia Osborne Shafer, RN, MN, who chairs the Foundation's professional advisory board and has a child with epilepsy. Shafer is also an epilepsy nurse specialist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. "I see families torn apart with worry over this condition, and its effects on people's lives. Their suffering is magnified when others make fun of their pain."

Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain which from time to time produces seizures, brief episodes that range from convulsions to fleeting loss of awareness, confused behavior and changes in sensation. An estimated 2.3 million Americans live with epilepsy, including 300,000 children under the age of 14. (2-4-03)

New Award-winning Segment to Join Teletubbies Program on PBS

Are Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po household names in your home? If so, you'll be happy to learn – or at least your kids will – there's a new addition to the popular Teletubbies TV show on PBS.

Teletubbies Everywhere, a new 10-minute segment which starts off the show, features the Teletubbies characters in a simple, graphic setting and introduces first concepts such as numbers, shapes, colors and opposites with clarity and humor at a pace very young children enjoy. Created by international filmmakers, each live-action segment provides an entertaining and innovative new way for American preschoolers to discover the lives, languages, music and customs of children from a variety of cultures and countries.

"Children everywhere will love 'Everywhere'," says David Levine, vice president of corporate and business affairs at Ragdoll, the creator of Teletubbies. "'Everywhere' looks and feels wonderfully different from the original Teletubbies show and will add immensely to the enjoyment of children who already watch the Teletubbies everyday."

Teletubbies Everywhere recently received a BAFTA Award (British Emmy). (2-04-03)

Government to Test Drugs Prescribed to Kids, But Not Yet Tested in Kids

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced that 12 commonly-prescribed drugs will be tested for use in children beginning this year.

Once a drug has been approved for a particular use, physicians may prescribe it for other uses as they deem necessary. Many commonly-available drugs, although approved for use in adults, have never been tested specifically for use in children. The 12 drugs on the list are currently prescribed for children, but their safety and effectiveness has been established only in adults.

The drugs include:

• Azithromycin – an antibiotic used to treat many different types of bacterial infections.
• Baclofen – a muscle relaxant used to relieve the spasms, cramping and tightness of muscles caused by medical problems such as multiple sclerosis or certain injuries to the spine.
• Bumetanide – used to reduce the swelling and fluid retention caused by various medical problems, including heart or liver disease. It also is used to treat high blood pressure. It causes the kidneys to get rid of unneeded water and salt from the body into the urine.
• Dobutamine – a heart-stimulating drug.
• Dopamine – used to treat Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia.
• Furosemide – used to treat swelling and water retention.
• Heparin – decreases the clotting ability of the blood and helps prevent harmful clots from forming in the blood vessels.
• Lithium – treatment for bipolar disorder (extreme mood changes from depression or anger to elation).
• Lorazepam – treatment for anxiety.
• Rifampin – used in combination with other medications to treat tuberculosis and to treat carriers of meningitis-causing bacteria.
• Sodium nitroprusside – a treatment for high blood pressure.
• Spironolactone – a treatment for high blood pressure.

Each drug will undergo about two years of testing, followed by evaluation of test results by the FDA. The testing is called for in the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (BPCA), which was signed into law by President Bush last year. The law provides for HHS agencies to sponsor pediatric tests of certain drugs already approved for marketing but never tested specifically for their effects in children. (1-28-03)

Nonprofit Offers Camp Experience for Children With Hepatitis B or C

Starting this summer, children with hepatitis B or C will have a chance to attend summer camp at two of the top medical camps in the country.

Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases (PKIDs), a nonprofit organization which supports families touched by viral hepatitis and HIV/AIDS, has secured a number of slots for children with chronic hepatitis B or C at two of Paul Newman’s Association of Hole in the Wall Gang Camps in Florida and Upstate New York. The camps specialize in providing a fun, traditional summer camp experience for children and teens with medical needs.

Two years ago, PKIDs was able to send several children with chronic hepatitis to another Newman medical summer camp on a one-time only basis. One of them was Pavel Nolan, now age 13, from Aspen, Colo. Pavel says it was a place where he finally felt “safe” talking about his hepatitis.

The two camps will take chronically infected children between the ages of 6 and 16 who are receiving medical treatment of any sort. PKIDs and the camps will pay travel and camp costs for qualified children – the families pay nothing.

Any parent, caretaker, physician or health care worker who is interested in sending a child to one of these camps should contact PKIDs at 877-55-PKIDs or e-mail pkids@pkids.org for an application. PKIDs is also seeking donations to help defray the costs of sending children to the two camps. (1-28-03)

Advice to Slow Down Does Not Help Kids Who Stutter

"Slow down and relax!"

A new survey shows that this is exactly what most adults tell children who stutter, but leading experts say that strategy can aggravate the problem.

A national survey of 1,000 adults by the Stuttering Foundation found that nearly 90 percent said “slow down and relax” is exactly what they would tell a child who began to stutter. Yet such simplistic advice won’t help stop stuttering and may actually frustrate a child who stutters, say experts at the Stuttering Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention and improved treatment of stuttering.

“Parents should realize that the way they react to stuttering plays an important role in the child’s speech development,” says Lisa Scott Trautman, Ph.D., assistant professor of speech-language pathology at The Florida State University. “If a child senses frustration and impatience when he speaks, his concerns about talking will increase.”

So what are parents to do?

• Remain calm if you hear your child stutter.
• Give the child your attention and listen carefully, allowing him to complete his sentence without interruption.
• Talk in a slow, relaxed way yourself; this will be more effective than any criticism or advice to "try it again slowly."
• Convey that you are listening to what your child says, not how she says it. This will build confidence and likely increase fluency.

For many young children, positive attitudes and reactions of parents and other family members are an effective way to encourage normal fluency. However, if stuttering lasts longer than six months or if it seems fairly severe or worsens, an evaluation by a speech therapist is recommended. The success rate is very high when children begin therapy between the ages of 2 and 5 years old.

For more information and a list of local resources, log on to the Stuttering Foundation Web site at www.stutteringhelp.org or call 1-800-992-9392. (1-21-03)

Stimulants Decrease Risk of Substance Abuse in ADHD Children

Parents concerned that the use of stimulant medication to treat ADHD could increase a child's likelihood of future substance abuse can breathe easier now. A review of several studies found that overall, the use of stimulant medication had a protective effect.

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) reviewed six studies of children, adolescents and adults with ADHD that included followup information on later substance abuse and found that medication treatment for children with ADHD resulted in an almost two-fold reduction in the risk of future substance abuse.

"We know that untreated individuals with ADHD are at a significantly increased risk for substance abuse. And we understand why parents often ask whether stimulant medications might lead to future substance abuse among their children," says Dr. Timothy Wilens, MGH director of substance abuse services in pediatric psychopharmacology and the paper's lead author. "Now we can reassure parents and other practitioners that treating ADHD actually protects children against alcohol and drug abuse as well as other future problems."

The researchers also noted that the protective effect of stimulant treatment for ADHD in childhood was not as strong in young adults as it was in adolescents. While some of this could relate to the fact that adolescents are still subject to parental supervision, the researchers also suggest that past recommendations that stimulant treatment be discontinued in adolescence could cause the protective effect to disappear in subsequent years.

The report appears in the January issue of Pediatrics. (1-21-03)

Nip Head Lice in the Bud

Sometimes parents get more than they bargained for when they travel to visit friends and relatives over the holidays. Head lice, an unfortunate part of raising children today, may have returned home along with the happy memories and yellow credit card slips.

The National Pediculosis Association (NPA) reminds parents to screen for head lice and their eggs (nits) before their children return to the classroom or to childcare after the holiday vacation. Getting lice "out of your hair" is not so difficult if families are prepared with accurate information and effective tools.

The NPA encourages routine screening, early detection and removal of lice and nits to minimize disruption, save money and, most importantly, protect against unnecessary and direct exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, many of which have no benefit because of lice resistance.

The NPA urges a manual and non-chemical approach using the LiceMeister®, comb especially for children who have other medical problems or mothers who may be pregnant or nursing.

Free educational downloads and a limited free offer for the NPA's "Critter Card" to help parents accurately identify head lice and nits are available at www.headlice.org. (1-14-03)

More Children Receiving Health Insurance

The number of children receiving health insurance is continuing to increase according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC conducts an annual survey tracking health insurance and other health indicators for Americans.

The report found that the percent of American children with health insurance continued to increase in the first half of 2002, meaning that a half million more children are now covered by insurance than in the previous year. The improvement comes as more children rely on public coverage for their health care, including the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) created in 1997.

SCHIP is designed to help children without health insurance, many of whom come from working families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid but too low to afford private health insurance. There were 4.6 million children enrolled in SCHIP at some point during fiscal year 2001, the most recent year for which complete state data is available.

Overall, just more than 14 percent of the population was without health insurance coverage in the first half of 2002, about the same as in 2001, and down from about 15 percent in 1997.

Working-age adults were more likely than seniors or children to lack health insurance coverage, with 18.5 percent of those aged 18 to 64 without coverage. In early 2002, about one in three Hispanics lacked health insurance, a far greater percent than the non-Hispanic black population (16.4 percent) and non-Hispanic whites at 10.5 percent.

The complete report is available at www.cdc.gov/nchs. (1-14-03)

Caffeine Likely to Affect Your Child's Sleep

Is your child like trying to wake the dead in the morning? If so, you might want to check their consumption of caffeine, say researchers at the Children's Nutrition Research Center (CNRC) at Texas Medical Center in Houston

"The stimulating effect of caffeine can last up to three to four hours after consumption," says Dr. Janice Stuff, a CNRC nutrition researcher. "As a result, kids who reach for caffeine-containing beverages in the evening can have trouble falling and staying asleep at night, which can make it harder to get them up in the morning."

Caffeine is a mild stimulant considered safe in moderate amounts, according to the CNRC. For older teens and adults, a moderate amount is 200 milligrams per day, or about two 6-ounce cups of coffee. For younger children, experts suggest keeping caffeine levels below 50 milligrams a day, or the amount found in one 12-ounce soda.

To help children improve their beverage choices and sleep, Dr. Stuff offers the following strategies:

• Opt for decaffeinated or caffeine-free versions of soft drinks, coffees and teas. Also, don't forget that beverages like milk, water and fruit juice are part of a healthy diet.
• Downsize soft-drink, tea and coffee purchases.
• Watch the time. Avoid consuming caffeine-containing foods, medications and beverages within four hours of bedtime.
• Check the label. Although two products may seem identical, one may be caffeine-free while the other is not. Also, keep in mind that some citrus-flavored soft drinks contain more caffeine than colas. Caffeine is also a common ingredient in some over-the-counter medications.
• To learn more about caffeine, visit http://ific.org/pdf/CaffeineIFICReview.pdf.
• To find out the caffeine content of common foods, beverages and medications, visit www.cspinet.org/new/cafchart.htm.