Child car seat safety: Expert shares dos and don’ts to protect kids from accident injuries

Car accidents are a leading cause of death for kids. In 2021, 710 children in the U.S. under the age of 13 were killed in vehicle crashes, and more than 100,000 were injured, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Among those who died, more than a third of the kids were not properly restrained. And in a national survey by Cars.com, 60% of parents said they have struggled with car seat installation.

To mark National Child Passenger Safety Week and National Seat Check Saturday, Cars.com’s certified child safety seat technician, Jenni Newman, shared with Fox News Digital her "dos and don’ts" for proper car seat installation.

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Read on for these important tips. 

"As your child grows, you’ll need to adjust the harness straps’ location in infant seats, convertible seats and combination seats," said Newman, who is based in Chicago.

A child in a rear-facing seat should have the harness straps positioned at or below the shoulders, she advised. When forward-facing, the straps should be at or above the shoulders.

It’s important for parents to know when to go from rear-facing to forward-facing, Newman said.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children’s car seats remain rear-facing as long as possible to better protect the head, neck and spine in the event of an accident.

"Keep your child rear-facing until they reach the car seat’s height or weight limit," Newman said.

Child car seats can be installed using either the vehicle’s built-in seat belt or the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children).

Since 1999, federal law has required top tether anchors in new cars and top tether straps on all front-facing child seats, according to Consumer Reports.

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Since 2000, lower anchors have been required in almost all cars and light trucks, and all car seats made on or after Sept. 1, 2002 have the corresponding hooks.

Some parents think using both the LATCH system and the seatbelt will add security — but Newman said that’s not true. 

"Choose one option and go with it," she said. 

"If you choose to install via the seatbelt, make sure to follow the extra step of locking the seat belt retractor to prevent the seat from moving around."

The top tether anchor is often forgotten because it’s usually on a seat back or somewhere not as visible as the lower anchors, Newman noted. 

"For forward-facing car seats, it’s essential to connect the tether strap to the tether anchor," she said. 

"This limits a child's head and neck movement in the event of a crash."

It can be easy to overlook the small registration card that comes with every new car seat, but Newman said it’s an important tool in keeping your child safe. 

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"Registering your car seat allows the car-seat manufacturer to alert you in the event of a recall," she noted. 

If you’ve misplaced the registration card — or if you’re not sure whether you registered the seat — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a tool that provides the online registration link for each car-seat maker.

"Before you install a car seat, make sure to read both the car seat manual and the car owner’s manual for some help," Newman said. 

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"Be sure to read through both thoroughly and follow the instructions to the letter."

"If you’re unsure if you’ve installed your child’s car seat correctly, get help," Newman said. 

You’ll often be able to find a certified child passenger safety tech at a local fire department, police station or car dealership, she suggested.

"Seat checks are free, but make sure to bring your car seat’s owner’s manual, car’s owner’s manual and your child or children," she advised. 

"We recommend calling beforehand to make an appointment and confirm a technician is on site."

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Jamaica declares Dengue fever outbreak with hundreds of confirmed and suspected cases

Health officials in Jamaica have declared an outbreak of the dengue fever Saturday with at least 565 suspected, presumed and confirmed cases in the Caribbean nation. 

Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness says the outbreak comes as its National Surveillance Unit "advised that Jamaica has surpassed the dengue epidemic threshold for July and August and is on a trajectory to do the same for the month of September." 

"The dominant strain is Dengue Type 2, which last predominated in 2010," it said. "There are no dengue-related deaths classified at this time, however, six deaths are being investigated." 

Health officials say there currently are at least 78 confirmed cases of the mosquito-borne disease in Jamaica. 

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"Meanwhile, approximately 500 temporary vector control workers have been engaged and deployed across the island to high-risk communities along with 213 permanent workers," the Ministry of Health and Wellness also said. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says dengue viruses are "spread to people through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito." 

About one in four people infected will get sick, with mild symptoms including nausea, vomiting, rash, aches and pains, according to the CDC.

Recovery takes about a week. 

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Around 1 in 20 people infected will develop severe dengue, which the CDC says "can result in shock, internal bleeding, and even death." 

"The Ministry and Regional Health Authorities have made the necessary preparations for a possible outbreak," said Christopher Tufton, the Minister of Health in Jamaica. 

The Ministry is warning the public in Jamaica that the Aedes aegypti mosquito "breeds in any containerized environment" that can hold water, such as drums, tires, buckets and animal feeding containers. 

"Persons are urged to play their part in ensuring that the cases are minimized by monitoring water storage containers for mosquito breeding, keeping surroundings free of debris, destroying or treating potential mosquito breeding sites, wearing protective clothing, using mosquito repellent and, as much as possible, staying indoors at dusk with windows and doors closed," it also said. 

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Type 2 diabetes a much greater risk for 'night owls' than for early birds, a 'startling' new study finds

Early risers could have a leg up on their health and well-being.

A recent study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Massachusetts revealed that "night owls" are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to morning people.

The research, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine on Sept. 12, found that night owls are 54% more likely to develop "unhealthy lifestyle habits."

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As a result, people who prefer to stay up later at night and wake up later in the morning are also 19% more likely to develop diabetes.

The study researched the chronotypes — or the time of day people tend to gravitate toward — among 63,676 nurses ranging in age from 45 to 62.

Among all participants, 11% identified themselves as having a "definite evening" chronotype — while 35% said they had a "definite morning" chronotype.

The participants filled out a "Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire" every two years from 2009 to 2017, according to the research. 

The questionnaire measured lifestyle behaviors such as diet quality, physical activity, alcohol intake, body mass index (BMI), smoking and sleep duration.

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None of the participants had a history of cancer, cardiovascular disease or diabetes at the start of the study.

"Incident diabetes cases" were self-reported and confirmed through an additional questionnaire.

Results showed that middle-aged nurses with an evening chronotype were more likely to report unhealthy behaviors leading to increased diabetes risk compared to morning chronotypes.

These unhealthy lifestyle habits included smoking, inadequate sleep, lack of physical activity and low-quality diet, according to a report from Medical News Today.

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Before factoring in socioeconomic factors and lifestyle habits, people with an evening chronotype were at a whopping 72% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Board-certified emergency medicine physician Joe Whittington, M.D., was not involved in the new research but discussed the findings in an interview with Fox News Digital. He noted that the increased risk for evening chronotypes is "startling."

"But even more [startling] is the persistent 19% elevated risk after accounting for lifestyle factors," he said. 

"This implicates inherent physiological or genetic traits tied to one's chronotype."

The California-based Whittington pointed out the "interesting nuance" discovered in this study: that diabetes risk is elevated among nurses who are working day shifts instead of those who are working night shifts.

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"This raises the possibility that a mismatch between chronotype and work schedule amplifies type 2 diabetes risk," he said.

The doctor, who has nearly two million followers on TikTok, suggested that there may be a "few theories" to explain the significance of chronotype syncing.

"Chronotypes are entangled with the body's circadian rhythm, which governs critical physiological processes like hormone secretion," he said. "Any misalignment in these hormones can disrupt glucose metabolism."

He went on, "Adding another layer of complexity is the role of melatonin, commonly known as the sleep hormone, which has been shown to influence insulin secretion."

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"Night owls with delayed melatonin secretion patterns may experience difficulties in glucose tolerance — thereby raising their diabetes risk."

Quality of sleep is a "major concern" for night owls, Whittington emphasized, especially when many people are expected to wake up early for work and other ongoing commitments.

"Poor sleep quality has been directly associated with insulin resistance, a well-established precursor to diabetes," he said. 

"Not to mention, chronotype is partly genetically determined, raising the possibility that some individuals may be genetically predisposed to both evening preferences and diabetes."

"Emerging research also suggests that the gut microbiome, which plays a significant role in metabolism, has its own circadian rhythm that could be affected by disruptions in the sleep-wake cycle," the doctor added.

Although these findings may seem concerning for night owls, Whittington listed some measures people can take to reduce type 2 diabetes risk, including syncing up your schedule, focusing on sleep hygiene, exercising, managing stress and paying attention to diet.

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"Aligning your work schedule with your natural circadian rhythm can offer significant health benefits," he said. "Focusing on sleep hygiene, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and setting up a calming bedtime routine, can also prove beneficial."

"Exercise, particularly when done in the morning, can serve as a reset button for your internal clock while simultaneously enhancing insulin sensitivity," he noted. "A balanced diet rich in fiber, proteins and healthy fats can also go a long way toward stabilizing blood sugar levels."

"Stress management techniques like mindfulness and meditation can be effective in regulating the hormonal imbalance often seen in altered circadian rhythms," the doctor noted.

If lifestyle adjustments do not lead to improvements, Whittington said that "it may be advisable to consult a health care professional for a more targeted intervention."

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Trans children who took puberty-blocking drugs had mental health issues, UK study found

Taking puberty-blocking drugs has been shown to cause mental health issues in trans children, according to a recent analysis from the University of Essex.

In re-examining the results of a previous study, the U.K. researchers determined that one-third of the youth with gender dysphoria (GD) experienced a decline in mental health after taking triptorelin.

Sold under the brand name Trelstar, triptorelin is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist that reduces the amount of certain hormones in the body.

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The original study, which came from NHS's Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) at Tavistock and University College London Hospitals (UCLH) in 2021, analyzed 44 children between the ages of 12 and 15 who took puberty-blocking drugs.

The children were all deemed "psychologically stable," but all of them had been classified as having gender dysphoria, with a "high likelihood of extreme psychological distress with ongoing pubertal development," the study authors wrote in the journal entry discussing the findings.

At the time, the researchers determined that the drugs had no impact on the kids’ mental health over a 36-month follow-up period.

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The new analysis of the study, however, determined that 34% of the trans youth experienced a decline in mental health while taking puberty blockers.

At the same time, 37% reported no change in mental health and 29% noticed an improvement.

To determine the extent of mental health changes, the researchers looked at emotional factors (anxiety, depression, social withdrawals and somatic complaints) as well as behavioral signals, such as attention problems and aggressive behaviors, according to the researchers. They also analyzed sleep difficulties.

While the original study combined the overall average of all kids’ mental well-being, the new analysis looked at each child’s individual psychological health, which revealed more variation among them.

"This is the first analysis of U.K. data on children aged 12 to 15 with GD taking puberty blockers demonstrating individual level change as opposed to testing differences between group averages," the study authors wrote in a journal entry describing the findings. "As such, this analysis gives a fuller picture of the benefits and risks of treatment."

"We recommend that these approaches be incorporated into new gender dysphoria services being established in the U.K., as well as new research studies being designed," they added.

The new analysis was posted to medRxiv, a preprint service for health studies, but has not yet been peer-reviewed.

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The study did have some limitations. It included a small sample size of youth and there was no control group. There was also a limited dataset available for the children who were studied.

Also, the results show association but not necessarily causation, as there may have been other factors that could have affected the children’s mental health.

A spokesperson from Tavistock and Portman Trust, which conducted the original study, provided the following statement to the Daily Mail:

"We are grateful to all of the clinicians and academics who have contributed to this study over the years, and we welcome new peer-reviewed analyses of the evidence around how to support these young people."

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"The analysis plan for the original study was independently produced by experts in medical statistics, and the underlying data was published so that other researchers might conduct further analyses."

Fox News Digital has reached out to Tavistock and Portman Trust for further comment.

Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity expert, was not involved in either of the studies, but shared with Fox News Digital that he was not surprised by the impact of puberty blockers on kids’ mental health.

"The human brain — and in particular the developing brain — is particularly sensitive to and reliant on circulating hormone levels to function optimally," said Osborn.

Sex hormones like testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone — the ones that were suppressed in the study population using triptorelin — also play a major role in mood regulation and cognition, the doctor noted.

"Optimal progesterone levels are also important for sleep, whereas low levels are associated with insomnia and mood lability (mood swings)," Osborn said.

Additionally, estrogen levels affect neurotransmitters in the mood centers of the brain, thus impacting emotional experiences, the doctor noted.

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"Estrogen also plays a central role in cognition and our sense of general well-being — for both men and women," Osborn said. "Men and women need progesterone and estrogen for optimal brain development and function."

Testosterone is also largely responsible for mood and well-being, the doctor went on — and a lack of it can lead to fatigue, irritability and poor sleep hygiene.

"Bottom line? Not only our bodies, but our brains, function best with optimal hormone levels," Osborn concluded. 

"Lowering their levels artificially with medications like triptorelin is potentially dangerous and only contributing to the escalating mental health burden in America."

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Global polio eradication effort faces challenges in meeting 2023 targets

The global effort to end polio is likely to miss two key targets this year on the path towards defeating the virus, according to an independent strategic review.

The aim in 2023 was to interrupt the transmission of wild polio in the two countries where it is still endemic, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and do the same for a variant form of polio known as "vaccine-derived" that is causing outbreaks elsewhere.

The Independent Monitoring Board, a group of polio experts who oversee the work of the U.N.-backed Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), said neither target would be hit this year.

The GPEI agreed on both counts, citing insecurity in key locations as one of the remaining challenges and stressing in a statement responding to the review that ending the vaccine-derived outbreaks is likely to take the most time.

Wiping out polio, a viral disease that can cause paralysis, has been a key global health aim for decades. Cases have been reduced by more than 99% since 1988 thanks to mass vaccination campaigns, but making polio the second infectious disease ever to be completely eradicated, after smallpox in 1980 – has proved more difficult.

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"But it can be done. And we need to make sure we finish the job," said Aidan O'Leary, director of polio eradication at the World Health Organization, a GPEI partner alongside governments and funders like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

There have only been seven cases of wild polio reported this year, five in Afghanistan and two in Pakistan.

O'Leary said interrupting transmission of this form of polio was likely to happen by early 2024, just a few months after the target.

This meant the hope of a conclusive end to polio by 2026 remained alive, at least for wild polio, he said in a phone interview with Reuters on Thursday.

However, outbreaks linked to vaccine-derived polio are more challenging, he said. This form of polio can occur when children are immunized with a vaccine containing a weakened version of the live virus. They are protected, but the weakened virus excreted by these immunized children can spread and mutate among an unvaccinated population, ultimately becoming harmful.

Such viruses have recently paralyzed nearly 50 times more children than wild poliovirus, the monitoring board review said.

The GPEI aims to focus its vaccination and surveillance efforts on the areas where these kinds of polioviruses are concentrated: the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, north western Nigeria, south-central Somalia, and northern Yemen, O'Leary said.

"This is what is needed to shift the game," he said. "Clearly the timelines are under review ... but we can do what has to be done."

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Is it just a mosquito bite — or could it be 'skeeter syndrome'? Here's what to know

If a pesky mosquito bite just doesn't seem to go away, it could be something else — namely, skeeter syndrome.

Skeeter syndrome, according to the Cleveland Clinic, is "a large local allergic reaction to mosquito bites marked by significant inflammation." 

The syndrome can be described as a severe allergic reaction to a mosquito's saliva, the Cleveland Clinic's website stated. 

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Some people experience swelling so badly that they have trouble moving, the clinic noted. 

Others may develop a fever. 

Dr. Tania Elliott, chief medical officer at Nectar, a New York health tech company that sells at-home allergy tests and treatments, told Fox News Digital that while skeeter syndrome is rare, it "can affect people of any age, but most commonly affects young children." 

Those who have skeeter syndrome will experience large welts after they're bitten by a mosquito.

These welts "last longer than a typical mosquito bite, and can blister and even bruise," Elliott said. 

"The reaction can last up to two weeks and can look like an infection," she said.

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Some people with skeeter syndrome think they actually have cellulitis or a bacterial infection, the expert noted.

If people suspect they have skeeter syndrome, they should treat their mosquito bites with "supportive care," which could include corticosteroid creams, said Elliott. 

"In severe cases, oral steroids are indicated," she said. 

An allergist can determine if a person has skeeter syndrome — and then advise the best treatment. 

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Although skeeter syndrome is found in people of all ages, those who are younger are at a higher risk, as they do not have a fully developed immune system, the Cleveland Clinic website indicated.

A person can develop skeeter syndrome, or suddenly begin showing extreme reactions to mosquito bites, at any age. 

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"You may have had typical reactions to mosquito bites all your life, but then suddenly develop an allergy to the saliva," stated the Cleveland Clinic.

Changes within the immune system can trigger this change, the clinic said. 

Another possibility is that someone is highly allergic to the saliva of certain types of mosquitoes — but not others.

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Melatonin warnings: Nearly half of parents give it to their kids to help them sleep, but experts urge caution

As a growing number of American parents are giving their kids melatonin to help them fall asleep, some experts are warning of potential risks.

Nearly half (46%) of parents in the U.S. have given melatonin to a child under the age of 13, and almost one-third (30%) of parents have given the supplement to a teen over the age of 13 to help him or her fall asleep, according to a recent survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).

Providing melatonin to children might seem like a natural solution — but a 2022 AASM health advisory warns against using it for children because melatonin is not regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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The rise in melatonin use has also led to a spike in reports of melatonin overdose, calls to poison control centers and emergency room visits among children, the AASM has stated.

Dr. Anne Marie Morse, a pediatric neurologist in Danville, Pennsylvania, was not surprised to hear about the high prevalence of melatonin use among kids.

"We've seen that in pediatrics, it is much more likely for there to be a prescription to help a child sleep as opposed to adults," she said in an interview with Fox News Digital. 

"So, it doesn't surprise me that even before a prescription is given, a parent is asking, ‘What can I do myself? What can I get my hands on to be able to help my child sleep?’"

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"Because when your child's not sleeping, the whole house isn't sleeping and it can be extraordinarily disruptive," she added.

Overall, Morse sees melatonin as relatively safe. But she emphasized the need to talk with a doctor before doling it out.

"If you're going to give your child any supplements, you should really have a conversation with your physician first, to make sure it’s the right solution for the problem you’re experiencing," she said. "The doctor can also discuss dosing and how long to utilize it."

As a sleep physician who sees kids and adults, Morse said she "commonly" utilizes melatonin, especially for teenagers who have a delayed sleep phase, meaning that their circadian rhythm has shifted much later than what it should be. 

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"Melatonin can be very helpful in shifting the circadian rhythm," she said. 

When using it for that purpose, Morse usually recommends much lower doses — sometimes as low as 0.3 to 0.5 mg — and using it further away from bedtime.

When using melatonin just for the purpose of helping someone fall asleep, she said she may recommend higher dosing — anywhere between 1 and 10 mg — and recommend taking it closer to bedtime.

As far as how long melatonin is used, Morse said it depends on the patients. 

"Research has demonstrated that some populations, such as individuals with autism spectrum disorder, require longer-term treatment with melatonin," she said.

One of the biggest concerns is that melatonin is a hormone produced by the brain, Morse noted, and could potentially influence other hormones the body produces. 

In animal studies, melatonin has been shown to affect the sex hormones, which can influence the timing of puberty, she warned.

"That's why we tend to be cautious about long-term use if it's not necessary," she said.

Morse’s typical approach is to start the medication, identify whether there's a benefit within three months, then take away the melatonin and gauge whether the benefit is still there. 

"The goal is to partner any medication with behavioral strategies that make the medication less necessary for long-term use," she said.

Another potential concern, Morse noted, is that there is a "high degree of variability" in how much melatonin may be in any given product. 

In a recent study from earlier this year, it was found that there could be anywhere from half of what was being stated on the bottle to as much as four times the amount, she said. 

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"The challenge is that because it's not a regulated substance in the U.S., there is a lack of predictability," she said.

To reduce the risk, Morse recommended starting with the lowest available dose.

"That way, you know the child won’t get too high of a dose, because there really is no way to predict how much the bottle is going to have."

A study in April by the Cambridge Health Alliance revealed that some melatonin gummies — which can be more appealing to kids — contained amounts far in excess of what the label indicated.

"If consumers decide to try melatonin — particularly if giving it to children — they should seek out a product that is certified by either USP (United States Pharmacopeia) or NSF (formerly the National Sanitation Foundation, now NSF International), as that is the only way to be certain that the product is accurately labeled," study author Dr. Pieter Cohen, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Somerville, Massachusetts, told Fox News Digital at the time.

Although melatonin is a natural hormone, it is possible for people to have adverse effects from taking too much, Morse confirmed.

"In 2022, there was a 600% increase in poison control calls related to taking too much melatonin," the doctor said. 

"Thankfully, there hasn’t been any evidence that it can cause something like respiratory depression, coma or death — but it can cause adverse effects like oversedation, nausea and grogginess the next day," she noted.

One study has suggested that melatonin in high doses and for prolonged periods of time could potentially increase the risk of seizures, Morse said, but "that has not been replicated."

While melatonin has a role in improving sleep, the doctor noted that it doesn’t treat all types of sleep disorders.

"Just like any medical disorder, it is important to make sure that you're identifying and treating the right one," she said. "Make sure to talk with your physician and see a sleep doctor if necessary, to make sure you're getting the appropriate treatment."

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Dr. Laura Purdy, a board-certified family medicine physician in Miami, Florida, reiterated that the long-term effects of melatonin on kids aren’t known, as there isn’t yet enough research.

"I would use caution on things we don’t know more about long-term," she told Fox News Digital. "It’s hard to say whether the short-term benefits outweigh the possible risks."

Potential short-term risks include increased bedwetting, agitation and mood swings, fatigue and drowsiness, stomach pains and nausea, Purdy warned. 

"Long-term risks that are being looked into more include worries about negative impacts on your child’s growth and development," she added.

"There are other ways to help your child fall asleep that I suggest trying first," she said. "If you have any questions or concerns, consult your doctor."

As far as how much sleep kids need, Morse said it varies by age.

"Generally, the younger you are, the more sleep you require," Morse said. "The pattern and duration of sleep changes over time."

Newborn babies need around 14 to 17 hours a day, fragmented across the 24-hour period, she said.

Five-year-old children generally need 10 to 13 hours of sleep at nighttime.

For adolescents, around eight to 10 hours of sleep is needed.

"All of these are given in a range because it's not one size fits all," Morse said.

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The quality of a child’s wakefulness during the day can also help parents understand the personalized amount of sleep that is needed.

"If you're noticing impaired quality of wakefulness, which can look like moodiness, irritability, inappropriately falling asleep or reemergence of naps" — that can indicate the need to see a sleep doctor, Morse said.

Good sleep hygiene is also important, Morse said — while it might not fix existing sleep problems, it can prevent them from developing. 

"Sleep hygiene refers to behaviors prior to bedtime that align with sleepiness," she said.

That might mean having a consistent "wind-down" routine each night that will trigger the child's brain to associate it with going to sleep. 

"That can start with simple things like brushing teeth and washing up, putting on pajamas and then doing a relaxing activity, whether it's reading a book, listening to relaxing or lulling music, or doing some light stretching," Morse said.

For parents of children who tend to be more wound-up or anxious, additional activities, like writing in a "worry journal" before bed, can help promote better sleep.

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