#Pediatrics

A sweeping new study from the United States and Canada suggests that radiation from medical imaging could be linked to about one in ten blood cancers diagnosed in children and adolescents, raising alarms about how often imaging tests are used and how much radiation they deliver. The researchers analyzed imaging histories of nearly 3.7 million children born between 1996 and 2016 across six health systems in the U.S. and Ontario, Canada, and estimated that roughly 3,000 cancers in this age group may be attributable to ionizing radiation from imaging such as CT scans and X-rays. The central finding is a clear dose-response relationship: the more radiation exposure a child receives over time, the higher the risk of developing a hematologic malignancy, including leukemia and lymphoma.

A mother watched as her toddler battled a string of infections that never seemed to fit the usual pattern of childhood illness. What began as sleepless nights and worry for a child’s persistent fever and fatigue culminated in a devastating diagnosis: a rare, aggressive cancer known as malignant rhabdoid tumor, identified at Massachusetts General Hospital. The case, though heartbreaking, is now fueling a broader conversation about how such elusive diseases are recognized, studied, and treated. In the wake of this diagnosis, researchers are sharing fresh lines of inquiry into why these tumors arise, how to target them, and why early detection matters so profoundly for families facing the unimaginable.

A recent study examining how young children are treated after an ADHD diagnosis has sparked a global conversation about whether medications are being started too quickly. The research found that a large share of preschoolers—about four in ten aged 3 to 5—were prescribed ADHD medications within 30 days of their diagnosis. In other words, many children are slipping into pharmacological treatment before clinicians have fully explored non-drug approaches or confirmed diagnostic certainty. For Thai families and health professionals watching global trends in child health, the implications are immediate: the question of how we diagnose and treat ADHD in early childhood is not just a foreign policy or research concern; it touches every Thai classroom, clinic, and household.

A simple question—Is whole milk or 2% “healthier”?—has resurfaced as new research challenges old assumptions about dairy fat. A recent explainer in Real Simple set out the basic differences and expert views, noting that whole milk (3.25% fat) has more calories and fat than 2% but otherwise similar nutrients; it also highlighted emerging evidence that full‑fat dairy may fit a heart‑healthy diet for many people. We reviewed the latest studies and official guidance to help Thai readers decide what works best for their households, amid Thailand’s long-running efforts to promote milk drinking and improve child nutrition.

A newly published study has raised alarms among parents, teachers, and health professionals by revealing a clear link between excessive screen time and increased heart health risks in children and adolescents. The research, released in early August 2025 in the Journal of the American Heart Association, adds crucial evidence to ongoing debates about digital device use among youth. As the ubiquity of smartphones, tablets, computers and game consoles continues to reshape how children and teens spend their days—including in urban and rural households across Thailand—doctors caution this is more than a question of eye strain or distraction: it’s about the lifelong health of a new generation.

A landmark study from leading U.S. researchers reveals a stark surge in ‘extremely severe’ obesity among American children over the past decade and a half, igniting alarm among health experts worldwide. Drawing on nationally representative health data, the study, published in JAMA Network Open, found the proportion of kids with the most extreme forms of obesity more than tripled between 2008 and 2023—a trend that poses urgent questions for public health both in the United States and in countries like Thailand where childhood obesity is a rising concern (Gizmodo).

A new study by leading U.S. researchers shows a sharp rise in ultra-high obesity among children over the past decade and a half. Using nationally representative health data, the study in JAMA Network Open found that the share of children in the most extreme obesity categories more than tripled from 2008 to 2023. With about 73 million Americans under 18, this translates to roughly 825,000 children now in the ultra-high BMI range. Ultra-high obesity is defined as BMI levels well above the 95th percentile, reaching Class 4 or Class 5 levels. The trend raises critical questions for Thailand, where childhood overweight and obesity are also rising.

A large international study suggests that autism in toddlers may appear almost identically in girls and boys. Published in Nature Human Behaviour and summarized by Science News, the findings challenge long-held assumptions and could lead to more inclusive, earlier interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The research addresses a key concern: gender-based disparities in diagnosis. Historically, ASD has been diagnosed more often in boys, with global estimates indicating about four boys for every girl. Critics argued that diagnostic criteria, often developed around male presentations, might underdetect autism in girls. The current study counters this by showing near-identical patterns across 18 measures—eye-tracking attention, language development, and basic self-care skills—among 2,618 children aged 1 to 4 years. The lead author, a neuroscientist and co-director of UC San Diego’s Autism Center of Excellence, noted the surprise at how little difference emerged across the assessments.

In a groundbreaking finding that could reshape the way autism is diagnosed in young children, an international research team has discovered that, in toddlerhood, autism presents nearly identically among girls and boys. This revelation, published recently in Nature Human Behaviour and reported by Science News, challenges longstanding beliefs and provides hope for more accurate and inclusive early interventions.

The significance of this discovery lies in its potential to reduce gender-based disparities in autism diagnosis and treatment. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has historically been seen as affecting boys far more frequently—roughly four times as often as girls, according to global statistics (Science News). However, previous studies left uncertainty about whether the symptoms truly differ according to sex, or whether diagnostic criteria—often based on observations in boys—have contributed to underdiagnosis among girls.

In a sweeping new directive, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced plans to remove ingestible fluoride supplements for children from the market, raising concerns and debate among dental health professionals, policymakers, and parents worldwide. The move is driven by new scrutiny over the potential impact of systemic fluoride on children’s gut health and overall development, but it contradicts decades of dental best practices and global recommendations for caries prevention. As Thailand continues to battle high rates of childhood dental decay, this decision has important implications for local public health strategies.

A major policy shift in the United States could reshape how Thailand approaches child dental health. The FDA announced plans to remove prescription fluoride tablets and drops for children in non-fluoridated areas, citing new questions about systemic fluoride’s effects on gut health and development. The move has sparked debate among dental professionals, policymakers, and parents worldwide. In Thailand, where childhood tooth decay remains a pressing issue, the development carries important public health implications.

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 growing debate over ADHD medications is reshaping how clinicians, educators, and parents view attention challenges. New reporting highlights questions about long-term benefits and potential risks of stimulant drugs like methylphenidate and amphetamine-based medicines. While these medications can produce quick improvements in focus and behavior, experts warn that lasting academic gains are not guaranteed and that ADHD itself may reflect a mix of biological and environmental factors.

In many places, including Thailand, ADHD diagnoses are rising. Health authorities emphasize careful assessment to distinguish ADHD from anxiety, trauma, and learning difficulties. Data from researchers suggests that three out of four children diagnosed with ADHD also have another related issue, underscoring the need for a holistic approach. Some scholars argue that ADHD symptoms exist on a spectrum and may not represent a fixed, lifelong brain disorder.

A recent case in the United States is raising alarm among health experts worldwide—including here in Thailand—after a controversial physician contracted measles yet continued to practice medicine, treating children who were never vaccinated against the highly infectious disease. The case, originally reported by Ars Technica, underscored the troubling intersection of vaccine hesitancy and public health, as well as the ongoing risks posed by declining immunization rates among children.

The incident involved an American doctor known for her opposition to vaccine mandates, who was diagnosed with measles after caring for unvaccinated pediatric patients during a local outbreak. Despite clear recommendations from health authorities that infected individuals remain isolated to avoid further transmission, the doctor allegedly kept treating her young patients—many of whom were especially vulnerable to the virus due to their unvaccinated status (source).

A measles case in the United States has drawn international attention, including in Thailand, highlighting how vaccine hesitancy and public health risk intersect. A physician diagnosed with measles continued to treat children who had not been vaccinated, despite clear guidance that infected individuals should isolate to prevent further spread. The incident, originally reported by Ars Technica, underscores ongoing concerns about declining immunization rates and their impact on vulnerable populations.

According to health authorities, the doctor involved has a public stance against vaccine mandates and treated unvaccinated pediatric patients during an outbreak. Local clinics and hospitals faced heightened risk as exposure occurred in settings where unvaccinated children gathered. Public health experts stress that isolation after infection is a critical step to stop transmission, and continuing to care for patients in this state is widely viewed as dangerous and unethical.