Mental, Behavioral and Development Health

A new report looks into how environmental exposures can negatively impact an adolescent’s perceived stress.

When treating patients with anorexia nervosa and malnourishment, the current standard of care involves starting with low calories and then advancing with caution. A new investigation examines whether a higher calorie refeeding protocol could be more beneficial to patients with no increase in adverse events.

Eating may become disordered for some pediatric patients. A presentation at the virtual 2020 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition gives guidance on how to identify and manage eating disorders in pediatrics.

For children experiencing suicidality, a quick and accurate assessment can mean a world of difference. A presentation at the virtual 2020 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition offers a look at a tool that can help clinicians.

Puberty can be scary for any teenager, but for the transgender teenager it can be an absolute minefield. A presentation at the virtual 2020 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition sheds light on how to provide appropriate, necessary care to this population.

Traumatic stress can be difficult to diagnose. A presentation at the 2020 virtual American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition offers insight on how to effectively find the diagnosis.

Gender-affirming medical care can improve mental health outcomes for gender incongruent children. An investigation looks at how age of presentation can impact those outcomes.

Previous research has shown adverse neuropsychiatric outcomes among infants who are born preterm and postterm. An investigation examines the outcomes of children born at term.

Many things in childhood can have a lifelong impact. A new study sheds light on how peer marginalization can impact cardiovascular outcomes in adulthood.

A mother’s health during pregnancy and in the first weeks following delivery can have an impact on her future health. A new report looks at how her mental health could also impact her child’s development through not only infancy, but childhood and adolescence.

The mental health of immediate family members can have an impact on the remaining family. A recent report offers insight on how maternal depression impacts a child’s development.

A good approach to knowing when a child needs referral for mental health evaluation, the Pediatric Symptom Checklist has evolved over the years to better screen children.

Eating disorders can be devastating and could lead to damage or even death. Can digital cognitive behavior therapy help?

The total psychological toll of the COVID-19 pandemic may not be known for years, but a report sheds some light on how it’s impacted the families of hourly employees in some of the industries hardest hit by the lock-downs.

Different therapy techniques, including careful exposures, can help children with food allergies overcome crippling anxiety over allergic reactions, according to a new report.

Active shooter drills have become a fact of life for America’s school children. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued a policy statement on them.

Mental health can have a major impact on a person’s life. A report looks at how mental health problems in early life can have a toll on some health behaviors.

Psychiatric hospitalization can be a necessary step to keep children safe, along with follow-up care after discharge. A study looks at whether timely follow-up can help lower the risk of suicide.

Technology can help improve access to care. A new report examines whether videoconferencing group therapy can help the parents of seriously ill children.

Social distancing and refraining from hoarding behavior have been common social behaviors since the beginning of the pandemic. A report examines how teenagers are engaging in these pandemic-related behaviors.

Sleep is a teenager’s best friend, but so many things can reduce the helpfulness. A new investigation looks into the impact of outside artificial light on adolescent sleep health.

A recent report followed thousands of siblings to see if genetics or environment played a greater role in depression development in high-risk children.

Dogs have many benefits for children. An investigation examines how life with a dog may improve emotional development.

Anxiety is common in childhood, but when it becomes a problem help is need. A presentation at the 2020 Virtual Conference on Pediatric Health Care offers guidance.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued a statement on keeping children safe from the potential harms of advertising.

The great unknown caused by COVID-19 has led to many questions and few answers. The one certainty is that pediatrics will have to change in order to ensure proper care.

A report examines whether children and adolescents who have severe obesity have differences in certain psychological and behavioral attributes than their peers.

New consensus guidelines clarify the procedural guidance for investigation, certification, and reporting of sudden unexplained pediatric deaths to help medical professionals and families through these crises.

Many parents worry that when they drop their child off at day care, they are setting their offspring up for less than optimal lifelong outcomes. A Canadian investigation indicates that parents may not need to worry so much.

Recent events have highlighted how racism and discrimination harms many. The American Academy of Pediatrics has provided some guidance for parents on how to discuss the issue in an age-appropriate matter.