#ChildHealth

In a sobering assessment this week, a leading US infectious disease expert declared that the world may have moved into a “post-herd immunity” era for measles, as vaccination gaps spark resurgent outbreaks across multiple countries. The statement comes as the United States faces its worst measles outbreak in decades, with more than 930 cases reported this year alone—a harbinger that the protective barrier of community immunity is crumbling (The Guardian, MSN).

Recent research and expert opinion from leading child health advocates underscore a growing crisis in sex education: parents are increasingly reluctant to discuss sexual health with their children, while the availability of formal sex education in schools continues to decline. This trend, highlighted in a recent article by a renowned sexual health expert in the Philadelphia Inquirer, has profound implications for both Western and Thai families, particularly as children turn to unregulated online sources or even pornography in place of accurate, age-appropriate information (inquirer.com). The article draws upon decades of international research supporting the benefits of parent-led sex education and offers urgently needed strategies for parents who wish to guide their children responsibly.

A groundbreaking new study has found that preschool children’s brains respond differently when stories are shared through live book reading versus on a screen, suggesting that how children experience stories may impact key aspects of their social and cognitive development. The research, published in the journal Developmental Science, used advanced neuroimaging technology to observe children’s brain activity during both types of storytelling—a live reading from a book and a recorded story paired with images on a screen (PsyPost).

The formative years from age 5 to 12—often referred to as “middle childhood”—are gaining critical attention in new research, pushing back against long-standing misconceptions that these years are merely a pause between the milestones of early childhood and adolescence. Recent analyses, highlighted by scholars and major health organizations, are reframing this period as a dynamic stage that lays the foundation for lifelong mental, academic, and social well-being [Psychology Today].

Long viewed as a “waiting room” in both scientific literature and public perception, the years between 5 and 12 have not received the same focus as the “first 1,000 days” or the dramatic changes of adolescence. Yet, experts now warn this oversight could be costing societies dearly, especially as recent studies have detailed how brain development, emotional regulation, cognitive skills, and social habits solidify during these so-called “quiet years”. For families and educators in Thailand—where cultural values emphasize respectful quietude and conformity in young students—such findings are especially significant.

A recent BBC investigation has found that many of the most popular baby food pouches on the UK market are worryingly low in key nutrients, raising alarms about their suitability as a major part of infants’ and toddlers’ diets. The revelations come amid increasing global reliance on packaged baby foods, including in urban Thai households, as parents seek convenience during the busy years of early childhood.

Laboratory testing of 18 products from leading brands, such as Ella’s Kitchen, Heinz, Piccolo, Little Freddie, Aldi and Lidl, uncovered a pattern: many pouches were low in critical nutrients like vitamin C and iron, while some contained more sugar than an infant should consume in one day. This investigative report echoes similar concerns previously voiced by nutritionists in Thailand and supports growing evidence from peer-reviewed studies on the nutritional deficits of commercial baby foods (BBC News).

Chile’s bold efforts to curb childhood junk food consumption have sparked international attention, prompting the question: if Chile can do it, why can’t the UK—or, indeed, Thailand? The South American nation’s sweeping package of regulations, focusing on marketing and labeling, has spurred a dramatic decline in unhealthy snack intake by children. This development has brought fresh hope to public health officials worldwide grappling with rising obesity rates among the youth.

A recent spotlight on children’s body image, highlighted by The Guardian’s feature “‘Mummy, Charlie called me fat today’: how to talk to kids about body image,” has reignited concern about how body shaming affects youngsters’ self-esteem worldwide—including here in Thailand. As schoolyard taunts become increasingly common and social media deepens pressure on appearance, experts stress that how adults respond can have profound implications for a child’s mental health and future relationship with their body.

Global efforts to combat childhood malnutrition are facing a dangerous setback as disruptions in US government funding threaten the distribution of Plumpy’Nut, a ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) that has transformed survival rates for severely malnourished children. Experts warn that millions could be left without this critical lifeline, triggering renewed concern across regions already suffering humanitarian emergencies.

For families like those in northeastern Nigeria, the stakes are heartbreakingly clear. After losing her husband to violence and fleeing her village, one mother found her two-year-old son failing to thrive on inadequate rations in a displaced persons camp. It was only after receiving Plumpy’Nut—an energy-dense peanut paste fortified with vitamins and minerals—that her son rapidly recovered from acute malnutrition, illustrating the product’s vital role on the frontlines of humanitarian care (source: NPR).

Millions of children in the United States are diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and the vast majority are prescribed stimulant medications such as Ritalin and Adderall. However, a new wave of research reported by NPR and detailed in The New York Times Magazine raises pressing questions about the effectiveness and long-term consequences of these treatments, as well as the very nature of ADHD itself (NPR, 2025).

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed last year that more than 11% of American children had received an ADHD diagnosis—a record high, and a dramatic increase from the early 1990s figure of just 2 million. In 14-year-old boys, the rate soars to 21%. These statistics portray a nation deeply invested in identifying—and medicating—children with ADHD. But why are diagnoses rising, and are treatments truly serving those diagnosed?

A wave of new research is shedding light on the intriguing ways that your birth order—whether you’re a firstborn, middle child, youngest, or only child—can impact not just your personality, but also your risks for certain mental and physical health conditions. The longstanding folk wisdom about eldest siblings being responsible, middle children overlooked, and youngest siblings more carefree has some scientific roots—but the picture is far more complex, with direct relevance for families in Thailand and around the world.

A groundbreaking international study suggests that the type of protein you consume at different life stages could be the key to living a longer, healthier life. Published in Nature Communications and spotlighted by EatingWell on April 24, researchers found that animal-based proteins may be critical for child survival, while plant-based proteins are linked to healthier longevity in adulthood—a finding with important implications for Thailand, where dietary habits are rapidly evolving in both urban and rural communities (EatingWell).

Recent headlines have focused public attention on Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now serving as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, after he made sweeping statements about measles, autism, vaccines, and the impact of diet on health—claims that have sparked controversy internationally and resonate even among Thai readers navigating similar public health debates. As widespread measles outbreaks and concerns over rising autism rates draw renewed focus on medical facts and myths, a thorough examination of the latest research provides crucial context for Thai families, educators, and policymakers.

A growing number of parents are finding themselves overwhelmed and exhausted by the search for the “right” therapist for their children—especially for conditions like ADHD, where behavioral outbursts can create urgent family stress. This was the central story in a recent episode of Slate’s “Care and Feeding” parenting podcast, where hosts responded to a mother tired by seemingly endless therapy trials and the ongoing struggle to find support for her daughter’s behavioral needs. Her dilemma reflects a wider phenomenon now drawing attention in new research and news: ‘therapy shopping’—the often stressful, confusing, and time-consuming search for effective mental health care—is exacting a heavy toll on families everywhere (Slate Podcast).

A wave of new research is sending shockwaves through the pediatric and parenting communities worldwide, revealing that many babies and young children may be routinely exposed to harmful chemicals while they sleep—potentially threatening their brain development. Studies published by the University of Toronto, widely reported by leading outlets such as Medical Xpress, CNN, and NDTV, found that children’s mattresses often emit worrying quantities of phthalates, flame retardants, and other substances linked to a host of neurological and developmental disorders, triggering calls from scientists for urgent action by manufacturers and regulators (MedicalXpress, CNN, NDTV).

A small American town’s resistance to childhood vaccinations has turned into an international public health warning, as a measles outbreak sweeps through the community, resulting in the deaths of at least two children and serious illness for many more Mirror, Apr 15, 2025. The outbreak inundated local hospitals, rekindled global debates about vaccine misinformation, and now stands as a sobering lesson for countries like Thailand, where vaccine confidence is increasingly challenged by online conspiracy theories and social media rumors.

A recent Canadian study has sounded a global alarm by revealing that millions of children’s mattresses—commonplace items in bedrooms around the world, including Thailand—may be leaching hazardous chemicals linked to brain damage during sleep. Experts are now urging urgent action from parents and regulators everywhere, highlighting the dangers posed by flame retardants and phthalates found in these products, even as manufacturers claim compliance with safety standards (Daily Mail).

This discovery matters deeply to Thai families because a significant proportion of children and infants in the kingdom spend roughly one-third of their lives sleeping, a period critical for both brain health and overall development. Culturally, Thai parents take great care to provide safe, peaceful sleeping environments—sometimes including traditional practices such as “luk khoon” (rocking the baby to sleep) and being careful about bedding materials. Yet, research reveals not all mattresses are as safe as they appear, especially when manufactured with chemicals regulated only loosely in Thailand and many other countries.

In a startling revelation, a recent study by child health experts underscores the gravity of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with more than three million child deaths attributed to drug-resistant infections in 2022 alone. This surge in fatalities starkly illustrates AMR’s role as a formidable global health menace, uniquely threatening children in Africa and Southeast Asia. AMR occurs when microbes adapt, rendering antibiotics ineffective, a scenario that significantly imperils public health worldwide.

In an exciting development, a Brazilian study has highlighted cannabidiol (CBD) as a potential supplement in easing autism symptoms in children and young adults. Researchers from the University of São Paulo have found that oral CBD intake led to significant improvements in social skills, reduced aggression, and eased tantrums among young participants. This promising research, presented at the 2025 European Congress of Psychiatry, suggests that CBD could be incorporated into autism treatment plans alongside traditional therapies. However, experts remain cautious, calling for larger trials to confirm these findings.

The threat of measles is looming larger than ever with rising unvaccination rates posing significant public health risks worldwide. An enlightening report by The New York Times describes the grim reality of measles infection, specifically targeting unvaccinated children. Given the highly infectious nature of this virus, the findings are particularly poignant for Thailand, where vaccination campaigns have been critical in the past.

Measles, known as one of the most infectious viruses globally, requires no direct contact to spread. A simple stroll through a room where an infected individual was present could lead to transmission through inhaled droplets. The report highlighted that 90% of unvaccinated individuals exposed to measles will contract it. For Thailand, where public spaces such as markets and schools are pivotal in daily life, understanding this transmission dynamic is crucial in preventing outbreaks.