Kids' mental health, social media's impact, RSV, and iron deficiency. It's a lot to keep up with. I'm Dr. Matt, an Australian paediatrician. In this debut Child Health Brief, I decode the latest research on these critical topics, giving you clear, evidence-based takeaways for your family. This is your guide to the science behind the headlines.

Stay informed, not overwhelmed.

🆕 Download your free Child Health Brief PDF Includes: • All references from today’s episode • Extra research & studies • A parent-friendly checklist • My clinical insights → https://tinyurl.com/Child-Health-Reivew

Show Notes:

Welcome to the debut episode of Kids Health, Decoded by Dr Matt. In this special Child Health Brief, I'm decoding the latest research to give you the clear, evidence-based insights you need to make confident decisions for your family.

In This Episode, We Decode:

• (00:40) Social Media & Tween Mental Health: A look at new data from a study of 12,000 children that found a sobering link between increased social media use and a later rise in depressive symptoms.

• (02:20) The Silent Risk of Iron Deficiency: We explore new findings showing that over 1 in 10 newborns may have low iron stores at birth, and what parents of at-risk babies should ask their GP.

• (04:08) A New Shield Against RSV: An update on Australia's new, free RSV prevention programs, including the highly effective nirsevimab and Abrysvo vaccines that are now available to protect infants and newborns.

• (06:25) The Fitness & Focus Myth: Does more exercise actually improve a child's focus? We bust a common myth and discuss what parents should really look at first if attention is a concern.

  
  

Go Deeper on Substack & YouTube:

If you want to go deeper on any of the topics we've discussed today, the best place to do that is on my Substack drmattpaed.substack.com - There, you'll find the full, in-depth Child Health Brief with links to all the studies, my clinical notes, and a parent-friendly checklist to guide your next steps. It's completely free to subscribe, and the link is in the show notes below.

You can also watch the full video breakdown of all this research on my YouTube channel. Just search for 'Kids Health, Decoded by Dr Matt' on YouTube.com/@drmattpaed - Make sure to subscribe on both platforms so you can stay informed, not overwhelmed.

Coming Next Month:

Get ready, because next month we're launching our full monthly format for Kids Health, Decoded. We'll be starting with our new segment, Decoding YOUR Feed, where we'll tackle the viral trends filling your social media, including the "Sephora Kids" phenomenon and the dangerous "Egg Crack Challenge." We'll follow that with The RESEARCH, Decoded, and finish with The DEEP Dive, where we will decode one of the most confusing and emotionally charged topics for new parents: the tongue-tie controversy.

Subscribe now so you don't miss it.

Stay informed, not overwhelmed.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.#ParentingTips #ChildHealth #EvidenceBasedParenting #ChildDevelopment #ParentingResearch🔍 Full list of studies & resources featured:JAMA Netw Open – Social Media Use & Tween DepressionPAS Conference – Iron Deficiency in NewbornsMJA & NewsGP – RSV Prevention Data (REVIVE Study, WA)Queensland Health RSV Program FactsheetBMC Pediatrics – Fitness vs Focus in 10-year-oldsRCH Iron Deficiency Clinical Guidelines https://www.rch.org.au/clinicalguide/guideline_index/iron_deficiency/ Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry – ADHD Traits & Game PreferencesWorld J Pediatr – Nirsevimab Expert ConsensusWorld J Clin Pediatr – Culturally Adapted Autism ScreeningActa Paediatrica – Human Milk Fortifier & Gut Health in Prems