Eczema is a form of allergic dermatitis that causes the skin — usually on the face, elbows and back of knees — to thicken and become inflamed, scaly and itchy. This reaction may be due to synthetic materials, scented perfumes or soaps. Atopic dermatitis is a...
children
Peppermint oil eases IBS, even in kids
After an independent review of several well-designed clinical trials, it is clear that peppermint oil (PO) is an excellent choice for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients with non-serious constipation or diarrhea. For these patients, PO can alleviate general...
Herbs for Kids: Researchers review data on effectiveness of remedies for kids
A study in the March issue of The Journal of Pediatrics reviews the medical literature to provide information about the effectiveness of some of the most common herbal supplements for children. Researchers reviewed studies published from 1960-2003 that tested the...
Antioxidants improve kids’ asthma
According to the World Health Organization, Mexico City has some of the worst air quality in the world. So two local hospitals were motivated to research alternatives to help alleviate asthma symptoms in young children, focusing on how antioxidants may influence the...
Could iron supplements help ADHD?
Supplementing with iron may benefit children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), say researchers from the European Pediatric Hospital in Paris, who found a link between ADHD and iron deficiency. Iron is an essential mineral used to transport oxygen...
Deficient Kids? Study finds most pre-schoolers low in key vitamins
Health-conscious parents who feed their young children the same low-fat diet they consume for better health may inadvertently deprive their children of vitamin E, an important nutrient for growing bodies, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln nutrition scientist warns. A...
Back to Nature for Pediatrics? Physician looks at safe remedies for kids
Looking for natural remedies to help children with nausea, constipation and similar gastrointestinal problems? They’re readily available and they’re safe, says Kathi J. Kemper, MD, MPH, a pediatrics professor at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, and the...
Mineral Medicine: Zinc helps kids recover from pneumonia
The addition of zinc to standard antimicrobial treatment may accelerate recovery from pneumonia, say researchers in this week's issue of the Lancet. Pneumonia is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in children less than five years old. Zinc is reported to...
Food Additives and Hyperactivity: Study suggests “cleaning up” kids’ foods may help
Artificial food colourings and preservatives have a "significant" impact on hyperactivity levels in very young children, say researchers, and removal of these substances could be in the long-term interest of public health. The authors base their findings on over 1,800...
ADHD Breakthrough? Low iron found in many ADHD kids
According to French scientists, many children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have iron deficiency that may be linked to the disease. They suggest that such kids may benefit from iron supplements. Low iron levels cause abnormal functioning of the...