Childrens Health breast milk protects against intestinal disease in preemies ♦ Reducing school bus pollution improves children's health ♦ Danger in using car seats, sitting and carrying devices for sleeping infants

How breast milk protects against severe intestinal disease in preemies The immune-boosting properties of breast milk have long been known. Now a team of scientists says experiments in mice reveal how breast milk works to ward off the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a devastating intestinal disorder.

Can a parent's concerns predict autism? New research shows that many parents notice signs of autism spectrum disorder in their infant children far before an official diagnosis. The study concludes that parental concerns for their children starting as early as six months of age can be predictive of autism spectrum disorder.

Reducing school bus pollution improves children's health Use of clean fuels and updated pollution control measures in the school buses 25 million children ride every day could result in 14 million fewer absences from school a year.

Danger in using car seats, sitting and carrying devices for sleeping infants Sleep-related deaths are the most common cause of death for infants 1-12 months of age. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants sleep on their back on a firm mattress, without loose bedding. However, many parents use sitting or carrying devices, such as car seats, swings, or bouncers, as alternative sleeping environments, which could lead to potential injury or death. Researchers now describe how the improper use of these items can lead to infant deaths. The elapsed time from when the infants were last seen alive to when they were discovered ranged from as little as four minutes to up to 11 hours.