children
Latest about children
![Picture of a young girl sat on a bed while her mother puts a blue surgical mask on her face. The mother is also wearing the same kind of mask. They are in a bedroom with a large window in the background, a mirror behind the mother on the right-hand side of the image and in the background there are some shelves, one of which has a pot plant on it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hTUYUQPcLGje8NWrGHWhZD-320-80.jpg)
Did pandemic lockdowns stunt kids' immune systems long-term?
By Emily Cooke published
Common illnesses spiked in kids as COVID-related social distancing policies were lifted. But experts say this doesn't reflect a long-term change in children's immune systems.
![Child with curly brown hair sits at a table with a pencil and looks at a smart speaker on the table, as if to ask it a question](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bCqbh9QNCGLBEXpanMJJSV-320-80.jpg)
Many kids are unsure if Alexa and Siri have feelings or think like people, study finds
By Joe Phelan published
A small study in Scotland suggests many kids overestimate the agency and intellect of AI assistants like Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant.
![Father carries his daughter who buries her head into his shoulder in front of a doctor in the foreground](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KGnXzBJwaxG6BPuA7Kwg6H-320-80.jpg)
4 genes' activity could be key to faster appendicitis diagnosis
By Emily Cooke published
An analysis of children's gene activity suggests that more severe forms of appendicitis can be distinguished from milder cases based on the activity of four genes.
![Photo of a teddy bear sitting on a bed in a darkened room with light coming through a window](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ffkcbwCakpgBARaSPrjLX3-320-80.jpg)
Seizures may be a cause of sudden unexplained child deaths
By Stephanie Pappas published
Footage from the nursery cameras of children who died of explained causes suggests that seizures are likely implicated in the tragedies.
![A happy toddler boy sits in his mother' lap as a pediatrician leans over with a stethascope to listen to the child's heart](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9XktzQcvp6DDq8xUhmg3ri-320-80.jpg)
New algorithm dramatically cuts unnecessary antibiotic use in kids
By Nicoletta Lanese published
An algorithm reduced rates of antibiotics use in kids treated at Tanzanian primary care facilities without compromising their chances of getting better.
![a woman sits on a bench holding a baby wrapped in a blanket, whose face is turned from the camera](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CAvtXWmQPcurFsWa2A3PBi-320-80.jpg)
Kids under 5 with HIV are dying at high rates. Here's why.
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Among people on HIV meds, young children are the likeliest to die, often due to late diagnosis or treatment interruptions.
![Mother applies hand sanitizer to her young daughter outdoors. Both are wearing protective face masks](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kkdKsvjYB4o8pnbi9wVG7R-320-80.jpg)
China's respiratory outbreak is 'expected' and not caused by new virus
By Emily Cooke published
Evidence suggests the outbreak is being caused by several known pathogens, the World Health Organization said.
![close-up photo of dark red melatonin gummies spilling out of a plastic jar onto a table](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iEGFx8WGqFi9KTbLBKoa37-320-80.jpg)
Kids' use of melatonin 'exceedingly common,' Colorado study finds
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Researchers have raised concerns about the high number of kids and preteens consistently taking melatonin, because the long-term safety of the sleep aid has not been well-studied.
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