http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/teen_health/ Just for teens. Read articles about teenage pregnancy, contraception methods, and other teen health and sexuality issues. Also find new research and information on adolescent development. en-us Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:05:01 EST Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/teen_health/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117094937.htm A new study shows that three-stage graduated driver's licensing (GDL) policies save lives and prevents injuries throughout the Midwest. The research also shows how states could save more teen lives and avoid thousands of teen motor vehicle injuries by modifying their GDL policies to include new, proven components. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117094937.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116143623.htm Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug by adolescents, with almost 42 percent of high school seniors admitting to having experimented with it. Many studies have focused on parents as being the best avenue for preventing adolescent marijuana use; however, the strength of the relationship between monitoring and marijuana usage has been unclear. According to a meta-analysis, there is in a fact a strong, reliable link between parental monitoring and decreased marijuana usage in adolescents. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116143623.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083930.htm Youth development programs that tackle deprivation and help children and young people enjoy school are successful in reducing teenage pregnancy rates. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091113083930.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109173400.htm Teenage women who are obese may be more than twice as likely to develop multiple sclerosis as adults compared to female teens who are not obese, according to a new study. Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109173400.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091112131844.htm Contrary to more conservative customs, exercising up to the end of pregnancy has no harmful effect on the weight or size of the fetus, according to a new study. This study also shows a positive relationship between the weight of sedentary mothers before pregnancy and the size of their babies. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091112131844.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111200217.htm Texas Children's Hospital is the nation's first pediatric hospital to discharge a child while on an intracorporeal ventricular assist device (VAD), a feat previously accomplished only at adult institutions. The patient, 16-year-old Francisco "Frank" De Santiago, who was implanted with a mechanical heart pump called the HeartMate II on May 19, 2009, was discharged on Oct. 29, 2009. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111200217.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016141409.htm Alcohol and drug use are known contributors to adolescents engaging in dangerous sexual activity. Yet, research suggests that fewer than half of pediatricians report screening patients for such at-risk behaviors. A new diagnostic test allows clinicians to quickly and accurately screen teens for high risk drug and alcohol use. Now, researchers have established that the same test can also identify teens who more likely to be engaging in high risk sexual behaviors. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091016141409.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102171417.htm Penicillin and several other antibacterial medications commonly taken by pregnant women do not appear to be associated with many birth defects, according to a new report. However, other antibiotics, such as sulfonamides and nitrofurantoins, may be associated with several severe birth defects and require additional scrutiny. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102171417.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102172439.htm Infants born to women who received influenza vaccine during pregnancy were hospitalized at a lower rate than infants born to unvaccinated mothers, according to preliminary results of an ongoing study. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102172439.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026161834.htm A genetic study has examined the association between a polymorphism of the µ-opioid receptor (OPRM1) gene and alcohol misuse among adolescents. Results suggest that teens who carry the G allele (A118G) of the OPRM1 gene are at increased risk for alcohol problems because they experience alcohol as more pleasurable or rewarding than teens without A118G. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026161834.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027085300.htm Even one cigarette has serious adverse effects on young adults, according to new research. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091027085300.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091021172655.htm Rats exposed to high doses of amphetamines at an age that corresponds to the later years of human adolescence display significant memory deficits as adults -- long after the exposure ends, researchers report. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091021172655.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091021100738.htm A new study suggests that maternal smoking may increase the level of distress of newborns. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091021100738.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091010113638.htm Tackling smoking during pregnancy may help to reduce socio-economic inequalities in stillbirths and infant deaths by as much as 30 to 40 per cent, according to a new study. Smoking during pregnancy has been clearly linked to stillbirth and infant deaths, and smoking rates during pregnancy vary markedly with socio-economic position. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091010113638.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091012135504.htm Teenage boys in Sweden take less responsibility than girls for preventing the spread of chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections, according to a new study. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091012135504.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091012225814.htm For the first time, researchers have demonstrated that it is possible to successfully recruit and retain a large number of adolescent smokers from the general population into a smoking intervention study and, through personalized, proactive telephone counseling, significantly impact rates of six-month continuous quitting. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091012225814.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008192733.htm Researchers studied the drinking habits of 9,833 15- to 16-year-olds in the North West of England, finding that excessively low cost alcohol products and illicit purchase are strongly related to harmful underage drinking. Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008192733.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930132702.htm New research looks at the specific ways parents and peers influence teenagers to smoke, drink and use marijuana in combination. Sat, 03 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930132702.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001081223.htm Mothers who smoke during pregnancy put their children at a higher risk of psychotic behavior, according to a new study. Researchers studied more than 6,000 children aged for psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions. They found the risk of psychotic symptoms was highest in those children whose mothers smoked most heavily in pregnancy. Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001081223.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090923133014.htm Adolescent depression and anxiety disorders are two distinct psychiatric disorders, according to a recent study. Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090923133014.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921161803.htm Many indoor tanning businesses require parental consent for teenagers to use their facilities, but most would allow young tanners more than the government-recommended amount of exposure during the first week, according to a new report. Facilities with specific state laws regarding parental consent or accompaniment were more likely to require these steps. Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921161803.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916173326.htm As part of efforts to understand drug abuse, researchers are finding that adolescent rats appear to be less vulnerable to the long-term effects of withdrawal and relapse in certain types of drug use than rats that take the drugs in adulthood. Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916173326.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915100953.htm Using data collected in two longitudinal studies, researchers found that parents typically adjust the way they discipline their children in response to their children's cognitive abilities, using less physical discipline (spanking, slapping, hitting with an object) over time. Researchers also found that when parents' use of physical discipline continues through childhood, by the time their children are teens, they're more likely to have behavior problems. Wed, 16 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915100953.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090908084610.htm Consumption of contraband cigarettes among adolescent daily smokers in Canada accounts for 17 percent of all cigarettes smoked by this age group, and rises to more than 25 percent in Ontario and Quebec. This behavior may be undermining tobacco-prevention strategies, as they focus on taxation and minimum age restrictions to curb and prevent smoking. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090908084610.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901091735.htm Researchers have found new evidence showing that parents play a key role in whether or not their adolescent children who experiment with tobacco progress to become daily smokers before they graduate from high school. Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901091735.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090826191852.htm Allowing teens to work too many hours in the wrong environment can be dangerous for their sexual health by fostering conditions that lead them to older sex partners, a new study shows. Fri, 28 Aug 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090826191852.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090820175857.htm A new study has found a striking correlation between teenage viewership and the frequency of alcohol advertising on cable television. The findings show that ads for beer, spirits and "alcopop" aired much more frequently when more teens were watching. Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090820175857.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090817142855.htm A new study of nearly 1,000 low-income families in three major cities found that one in four children between the ages of 11 and 16 reported having sex, with their first sexual intercourse occurring at the average age of 12.77. Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090817142855.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090819064029.htm Research indicates that the social stigma that surrounds lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) teens leads to a variety of health risks such as substance use, risky sexual behaviors, eating disorders, suicidal ideation, and victimization. Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090819064029.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810161913.htm Women with epilepsy who have seizures during pregnancy appear more likely to give birth to pre-term, small or low-birth-weight babies than women without epilepsy, according to a new report. Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810161913.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810025253.htm Researchers have found that teens who are smokers are also more likely to binge drink. They say both these behaviors need to be addressed together as one health risk. Tue, 11 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810025253.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090729144028.htm Around one in five young people in the U.S. have a current mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder. About half of all adults with mental disorders recalled that their disorders began by their mid-teens and three-quarters by their mid-20s. Early onset of mental health problems have been associated with poor outcomes such as failure to complete high school, increased risk for psychiatric and substance problems, and teen pregnancy. Thu, 30 Jul 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090729144028.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090727204829.htm It would make sense that teenage mothers have a lot of psychological stress in their lives, but a new study shows that the distress comes before the pregnancy, not because of it. Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090727204829.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090716093125.htm Teens who drink heavily are more likely than their peers to have behavioral and attention problems and suffer from anxiety and depression, a Norwegian study has found. Mon, 27 Jul 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090716093125.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630075309.htm Women with cystic fibrosis can have fertility treatment to help them have babies without any long-term adverse effects on either themselves or their children, researchers have found. Women with cystic fibrosis often have thick cervical mucus preventing them from becoming pregnant naturally. However, a pregnancy can be achieved by the use of intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF). Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630075309.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090716113245.htm Expectant mothers who are obese are much more likely to suffer from minor complications such as heart burn and chest infections during pregnancy, a study suggests. Research found that obese mothers-to-be were nearly 10 times more likely to suffer from chest infections, and more than twice as likely to suffer from headaches and heartburn, compared with pregnant women of a healthy weight. Fri, 17 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090716113245.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090715074938.htm What is going on in teenagers' brains as their drive for peer approval begins to eclipse their family affiliations? Brain scans of teens sizing each other up reveal an emotion circuit activating more in girls as they grow older, but not in boys. The study shows how emotion circuitry diverges in the male and female brain during a developmental stage in which girls are at increased risk for developing mood and anxiety disorders. Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090715074938.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707201220.htm A government-backed youth development pilot program in England, aimed at reducing teenage pregnancies, drunkenness or cannabis use, didn't reduce teenage pregnancies and other outcomes and might have increased pregnancies, according to research. Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707201220.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090703110637.htm A mother's weight and the amount she gains during pregnancy both impact her daughter's risk of obesity decades later, according to a new study. Sun, 05 Jul 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090703110637.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701122708.htm Researchers have determined that movie characters who smoke, regardless of whether they are "good guys" or "bad guys," influence teens to try smoking. Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701122708.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625133207.htm If a lump is found in the breast of an adolescent girl, she often will undergo an excisional biopsy. However, breast cancer is rare in adolescents, and the vast majority of teenage breast lumps are benign. A recent study suggests that a breast ultrasound might eliminate the need for biopsy in many cases. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625133207.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629081124.htm Researchers found that one in seven adolescents believe that it is highly likely that they will die before age 35, and this belief predicted that the adolescents' would engage in risky behaviors. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629081124.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090623150133.htm Greater influence over everyday life, emotional support, and cultural and recreational activities help to enable teenage girls to withstand stress. Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090623150133.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622163033.htm New research has found substantial reductions in binge drinking since the national drinking age was set at 21 two decades ago, with one exception: college students. The rates of binge drinking in male collegians remain unchanged, but the rates in female collegians have increased dramatically. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622163033.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618084306.htm Between 2003 and 2007, the progress made in the 1990s and early 2000s in improving teen contraceptive use and reducing teen pregnancy and childbearing stalled, and may even have reversed among certain groups of teens, according to a new study. Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618084306.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615102032.htm Because peak bone mass is not achieved until the third decade of life, it is particularly important for young adults to consume adequate amounts of calcium, protein and vitamin D found in dairy products to support health and prevent osteoporosis later in life. Researchers now report that young people actually reduce their intake of calcium and dairy products as they enter their twenties. Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615102032.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610124424.htm Hormonal changes early in pregnancy cause maternal postpartum anxiety and behavior changes that can lead to a delayed onset of puberty in both birth and adoptive daughters, according to a new study conducted in mice. Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610124424.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608125105.htm When it comes to concussions, children and teens require different treatment, according to international experts. The new guidelines say children and teens must be strictly monitored and activities restricted until fully healed. These restrictions include no return to the field of play, no return to school, and no cognitive activity. Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608125105.htm