Children's Health:Antibiotics alone can be a safe, effective treatment for children with appendicitis ♦ Drug use trends remain stable or decline among teens

Antibiotics alone can be a safe, effective treatment for children with appendicitis Using antibiotics alone to treat children with uncomplicated acute appendicitis is a reasonable alternative to surgery when chosen by the family. A new study has found that three out of four children with uncomplicated appendicitis have been successfully treated with antibiotics alone at one year follow-up. Compared to urgent appendectomy, nonoperative management was associated with less recovery time, lower health costs and no difference in the rate of complications at one year.

Drug use trends remain stable or decline among teens A new American survey shows decreasing use of a number of substances, including cigarettes, alcohol, prescription opioid pain relievers, and synthetic cannabinoids ('synthetic marijuana'). Other drug use remains stable, including marijuana, with continued high rates of daily use reported among 12th graders, and ongoing declines in perception of its harms.

Helping children at high risk for aggressive behavior found to have long-term benefits A new longitudinal study examines an intervention for children at high risk of developing behavior problems. It found that teaching soft skills, such as self control, prevented criminal and delinquent problems later in life.

Cartoon characters bear fruit Cartoon characters are often used to market so-called junk food to children. However, new research from Italy suggests that the same technique might be used to nudge preschoolers into eating more fresh fruit and vegetables too.