News of Interest to Moms October 7, 2009

News to know:
Health secretary tries easing flu vaccine fears
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius declared the H1N1 flu vaccine safe and said it was important to protect the more vulnerable population such as children and pregnant women from the H1N1 flu.
Sebelius recommended people go to Flu.gov for information about H1N1.

Autism is on the rise (or is it?)
According to two new studies, the number of kids diagnosed with autism or a related disorder in the U.S. is close to 1 in 100, not the previously estimate 1 in 150 children.

The new statistic sparks continued debate: How many more children actually have autism now than had it in the past? And what are the underlying causes? The new numbers don't just fail to resolve either of these debates—they turn up the heat on both.

Internet addiction linked to ADHD, depression in teens
Children who are depressed, hostile, or have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or social phobia are more likely to become addicted to the Internet than their peers, according to a new study.

Internet addiction usually includes symptoms such as:
~spending a lot of time on the Internet (especially more time than intended)
~an inability to cut back on usage
~a preoccupation with online activities
~symptoms of withdrawal such as anxiety, boredom, or irritability after a few days of not going online.

Researchers found that ADHD and hostility were linked to Internet addiction in children in general. In girls -- but not boys -- depression and social phobia also predicted problems.