Infants born prematurely have higher death rates in childhood and, if they survive, much less likely to have children of their own in adulthood, according to the largest study of prematurity ever undertaken.

The study, conducted using Norwegian birth data, raises questions about future risks for even tinier babies saved today by modern medicine. Previous studies have shown that premature infants faced many neurological and developmental problems, but the new findings to be reported Wednesday indicate that the problems persist throughout the child's lifetime

Economics drive people to eat more and exercise less, says a new book that provides insight as to why it is difficult to combat obesity.

"There are simply many more incentives to gain weight than to lose it," said Eric Finkelstein, Ph.D., a health economist at Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International and co-author of "The Fattening of America: How the Economy Makes Us Fat, If It Matters, and What to Do About It"

Health experts in England have called on parents to have their infants, particularly those under a year old, to receive their vaccinations to avoid serious illness such as pneumonia and meningitis.

Data showed that one in six children remain unvaccinated and health officials warned that it could lead to an increase in the number of teens and adults who suffer permanent disability due to pneumococcal infection

Amid growing parent concerns over imported toys with lead, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday is urging doctors to be more alert to the signs of lead poisoning.

A government panel is saying that children with blood lead levels lower than the U.S. standard may still suffer low IQs or other problems

Spending a few minutes of treadmill training can help Down syndrome infants walk up to four or five months earlier than with only traditional physical therapy, a new study from the University of Michigan says.

The study, available online in advance of publication in Physical Therapy, suggests high intensity training may help Down syndrome infants begin walking five months sooner than they typically do. High intensity training includes increasing the treadmill belt speed, using longer durations, and adding light weights to the ankles, with intensity tailored to each child