Home · Health · Sep 23 archive
Study Links Genital Aphthosis to Systemic Diagnoses in Children
Confirmed
In Short: A new study published in Medscape found that children presenting with recurrent oral aphthosis, commonly known as canker sores, were more likely to have systemic or chronic diagnoses if they also had genital aphthosis during their initial evaluation.
Recurrent fever and tonsillitis or pharyngitis were found to be independently associated with lower odds of systemic disease in these children.
Kennedy Jr., speaking at a conference for Children’s Health Defense, an anti-vaccine organization, emphasized the need for a more comprehensive understanding of autism, stating, “We are asking what drives the different forms of autism, and why developmental trajectories differ, why some children regress, and which interventions work for them.”
The study also highlighted a significant link between congenital ptosis, or a drooping eyelid, and ADHD in children. Among the 850 children studied, those born with ptosis were almost three times more likely to have ADHD.
Researchers noted that the risk was higher among boys, children diagnosed with ptosis after age 1, those who underwent ptosis surgery, and those with residual eyelid drooping after surgery.
In a separate study, Fiji recorded a dramatic increase in HIV diagnoses, with 2,016 new cases in 2025, compared to just 125 cases in 2019. This rise is also affecting pregnant women, with an estimated 2% living with HIV.
Another study published in Med (a peer-reviewed journal owned by Cell Press) explored the correlation between prenatal exposure to the plastic additive DEHP and children's behavioral traits at ages two and four.
The researchers began collecting data before the children were born, aiming to understand the complex questions surrounding the rise in autism and ADHD diagnoses, and the potential impact of chemicals in plastics on brain development.
What this adds
The study's reliance on medical records to identify ADHD cases may have missed children with milder symptoms or those who were never formally diagnosed.
What's confirmed
- Recurrent fever and tonsillitis or pharyngitis were found to be independently associated with lower odds of systemic disease in these children.
- The study also highlighted a significant link between congenital ptosis, or a drooping eyelid, and ADHD in children. Among the 850 children studied, those born with ptosis were almost three times more likely to have ADHD.
- Researchers noted that the risk was higher among boys, children diagnosed with ptosis after age 1, those who underwent ptosis surgery, and those with residual eyelid drooping after surgery.
- In a separate study, Fiji recorded a dramatic increase in HIV diagnoses, with 2,016 new cases in 2025, compared to just 125 cases in 2019. This rise is also affecting pregnant women, with an estimated 2% living with HIV.
- Another study published in Med (a peer-reviewed journal owned by Cell Press) explored the correlation between prenatal exposure to the plastic additive DEHP and children's behavioral traits at ages two and four.
- The researchers began collecting data before the children were born, aiming to understand the complex questions surrounding the rise in autism and ADHD diagnoses, and the potential impact of chemicals in plastics on brain development.
What's still developing
- In children presenting with recurrent oral aphthosis, the presence of genital aphthosis during initial evaluation was associated with an increased likelihood of a systemic or chronic diagnosis.
- Kennedy Jr. announced Thursday a new effort to improve autism diagnoses, arguing that the current model is outdated, too time-intensive, and overreliant on professionals with limited availability.
- Relying on medical records to identify ADHD cases may have missed children with milder symptoms or those who were never formally diagnosed.
- It's another chapter in the ongoing search for answers to some pretty complex questions, like why autism and ADHD diagnoses are on the rise, and why so many children around the world seem to be afflicted with behavior problems, and what the chemicals in plastics could be doing to our brains.
- Robert Kardashian’s children later opened a medical centre focused on esophageal health in his honour.
- Doctors say untreated esophagitis can increase the risk of developing Barrett’s esophagus, a condition linked to esophageal cancer.