Drinking Non-cow’s Milk Leads to Lower Vitamin D Levels in Children

Children who drank non-cow’s milk, such as soy milk, rice milk, or almond milk, were found to have lower levels of vitamin D compared to children who drank fortified cow’s milk according to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Targeted vitamin D supplements may be necessary to fortify the diets of children who do not drink cow’s milk.

Read the full report here.

New Study Finds ADHD Medications Do Not Stunt Kids’ Growth

The findings of a new study suggest that children’s ADHD medications, such as Adderall and Ritalin, will not stunt their growth. The study followed three groups of children, one with ADHD taking stimulant medications, one with ADHD not taking medication, and one without ADHD and not on medication. The individuals were tracked from childhood through adulthood. At the conclusion of the study, the group taking ADHD medication did not show any difference in adult height from the other groups.

Read more about the study on WebMD

Intervention Can Help Teens with Depression

A collaborative care intervention team of depression care managers can lead to significant improvements in depression symptoms in teenagers according to a study by The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

With up to 20% of adolescents experiencing an episode of major depression by age 18, treatment is important to help reduce symptoms in teenagers. 100 teens that screened positive for depression from Washington State primary care practices received collaborative care or usual care for 12 months.

The study found that after 12 months the teenagers who received collaborative care showed significant improvement compared to those who received usual care. The study’s findings are important since JAMA estimates that few teenagers with depressive symptoms receive any evidence-based treatment.

View the online study.

Family Dinners May Help Reduce Cyberbullying’s Harmful Effects in Teens

Teens who are victims of cyberbullying are more likely to have mental health and substance use problems, while regular family dinners appear to moderate these negative health effects, a JAMA Pediatrics study suggests.

Roughly 19,000 students aged 12 to 18 completed surveys about cyberbullying and family dinners, a proxy for family communication. Teens who said they were often cyberbullied had two to five times the risk for mental health and substance use problems as those who were never cyberbullied.

– See more at: http://www.jwatch.org/fw109239/2014/09/02/family-dinners-may-help-reduce-cyberbullyings-harmful?query=pfwRS#sthash.3L7XO1Hy.dpuf

Helping Children Return to School After an Extended Absence

Returning to school after an extended hospital stay or other illness-related absence can be stressful for children, particularly if they have just received a new medical diagnosis. Children’s Mercy Hospital of Kansas City offers parents tips on helping ease a child’s transition back into the classroom.

Maintain Communication

Parents should remain in communication with school officials about their child’s condition and absences, as well as discussing these issues with the child. Let the school know if the child needs any special medication or other accommodations once they have returned to school.

Encourage Routine

With all the other changes happening, helping your child maintain a normal daily routine can help ease anxiety. Set certain times for homework and bedtime, and stick to those times every day when possible.

Develop a Coping Plan

Talk to your child about returning to school and any fears or concerns he might have. Together, work to develop coping ideas for situations that might come up, such as explaining an illness to curious classmates.

Read additional tips for parents and educators from Children’s Mercy Hospital.

The Challenges After Surviving a Childhood Disease

For millions of teens and young adults, finding a doctor to treat them as they grow up is hard. The Wall Street Journal explores the issue of transitioning from a children’s hospital or pediatrician’s office to an adult care doctor after surviving a childhood disease such as cancer or cystic fibrosis.

Read the full article on The Wall Street Journal.