Rickets Makes a Comeback

A NYTimes article out yesterday reports cases of rickets showing up in infants and toddlers recently. While rickets is a common childhood disease in many developing countries [1], in the US it is not often heard of.

Rickets is defined as a softening of the bones in adolescence. This can lead to fractures and deformities such as bow-legs and wrist widening. However it is easily preventable with proper nutrition- specifically vitamin D.

And here enters the recent problem- doctors are suggesting that infants aren't getting enough vitamin D, even with proper diet. Dr. Catherine M. Gordon, director of the bone health program at Children’s Hospital Boston, says

"I completely support breast-feeding, and I think breast milk is the perfect food, and the healthiest way to nourish an infant... However, we’re finding so many mothers are vitamin D deficient themselves that the milk is therefore deficient, so many babies can’t keep their levels up. They may start their lives vitamin D deficient, and then all they’re getting is vitamin D deficient breast milk."

Dr. Frank Greer, chairman of the committee on nutrition of the American Academy of Pediatrics, adds that, “Historically speaking, we probably got it from the sun, but now we’re afraid of the sun and we don’t go out as much.”

While rickets is still rare in the US, the number of cases has been cropping up in recent years. Talk to your pediatrician about possibly adding supplements over the wintertime when sun exposure is down and make sure when breast feeding that you are getting adequate amounts of vitamin D yourself.

Salmonella Tomato Warning

Careful all you pregnant moms when ordering your hamburger/veggieburgers. Salmonella is not something you want to get while pregnant.

From WebMD:
The CDC reports that at least 167 people in 17 states have been infected with Salmonella Saintpaul, the salmonella strain involved in the current outbreak.

Those 17 states are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The FDA says it's fine to keep eating the following types of tomatoes from any source: cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, and homegrown tomatoes.
Because of the salmonella outbreak, the FDA advises consumers not to eat raw red Roma, raw red plum, and raw red round tomatoes, or products containing those types of tomatoes.

Another Voice for Postpartum Depression

In May’s Vogue, Gwyneth Paltrow speaks about having postpartum depression after the birth of her son Moses. I applaud her and Brook Shields, who also spoke and wrote about her postpartum depression experience. It is a very common ailment and something that is not to be ashamed of.

From Vogue:
“I didn’t know I had it until after it was over,” the actress, 35, says. “I just didn’t know what was wrong with me.” She suspects her depression stemmed from scaling back on her usual pre-baby treatments like acupuncture. “I felt really out of my body,” Paltrow says after giving birth. “I felt really disconnected. I felt really down … I felt pessimistic.”



For more information on PPD, check out BabyCenter's page, Health and Human Services' Women's Health page, and NIH's MedLinePlus page.

EPA Ruling on Lead Paint

The EPA announced a new ruling that will take effect April 2010 that will require contractors to take special precaution when renovating homes built before 1978, child-care facilities and schools occupied by children under 6 or pregnant women.

James Gulliford, the EPA's assistant administrator for prevention said, "Our goal is to eliminate childhood lead poisoning as a major health concern by the year 2010".

But lead paint is found in more than an estimated 38 million homes and is not easy to deal with- the dust that is made from removing the paint is a major concern and when removing paint off the outside of the house, lead getting into the soil is another issue that must be handled very carefully. To properly deal with this tedious messy task, builders, painters, electricians and others will have to be trained and certified in lead abatement procedures.

Contractors will be prohibited from using sandblasters, torches or other power tools that stir up lead dust. Warning signs to keep residents out of the area until all dust and debris is cleaned up will also be required.

If you have lead paint in your own home consider removing it before you have children. If you are going to remove it yourself, read up on ways to reduce your own exposure. Try to avoid sanding at all costs and always always wear a mask.

The IR paint stripper is a wonderful tool to use in removing lead paint. It heats up and the paint softens and can easily be scrapped off without producing dust and without the use of chemical strippers. The solid lead paint chips are easily swept up and can be disposed of properly. Also look for HEPA vacuums for when you are cleaning any areas that could be affected with lead dust.

Check out The Silent Paint Remover.com for the IR paint stripper and attachments as well as HEPA vacuums, organic paint and organic cleaning products.

Asthma in Children and Spring Cleaning

A recent study published in the European Respiratory Journal reports a link between wheezing and asthma in young children, and their mothers' use of cleaning products such as bleach and air freshener during pregnancy.

The study looked at 14,541 pregnant women and a large variety of lifestyle habits, including the use of household cleaners. Mothers that used bleach, air fresheners and other products during pregnancy and just after birth increased the risk of their child developing persistent wheezing by the age of seven by up to 41%. Authors have taken into account some other factors that lead to asthma such as heredity, environmental factors, animal allergies, pollen, dust mites and acknowledge that this study is only preliminary and more research needs to be done.

A study in New Scientist in 1999 reported that 'in homes where aerosol sprays and air fresheners were used frequently, mothers experienced 25 percent more headaches and were 19 percent more likely to suffer from depression, and infants under six months of age had 30 percent more ear infections and 22 percent higher incidence of diarrhea'.

For for your spring cleaning this year, try these alternatives:

• Baking Soda - cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours.
• Soap - unscented soap in liquid form, flakes, powders or bars is biodegradable and will clean just about anything. Avoid using soaps which contain petroleum distillates and that are labeled "antibacterial"- soap by nature is antibacterial and doesn't needed anything added!
  
• Lemon - one of the strongest food-acids, effective against most household bacteria.
  
• Borax - (sodium borate) cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, cleans wallpaper, painted walls and floors.
• White Vinegar - cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up.
• Kosher Salt and Water- If you need a tougher abrasive on sinks and cast iron pans, sprinkle on kosher salt, and scrub with a wet cloth or sponge.

Resources: EarthEasy.com, Consumers Reports' Eco-labels website, Grist.com, TheDailyGreen.com's DIY Toxin-Free Cleaning Guide

Vaccines In the News

Rueters reports that a vaccine is on the way for strep throat. A research team at the University of California, San Diego, has altered the bacteria that causes strep throat and rheumatic fever to make it safe to use as a vaccine.

Meanwhile, the debate on whether vaccines can cause Autism is still quite a buzz. For the latest on the case in Georgia click here.

A Healthy Green Easter Basket

Stores have had Easter candy out the since the day after Valentines day. But Easter doesn't have to be about marshmellow Peeps, Cadbury Cream eggs and plastic grass. Try these alternatives to make your baskets healthier for you kids and for the environment.

1. Replace some candy with books and other small gift items. A tiny stuffed animal, small puzzle or bubble solution can be just as fun as something sweet and it will last much longer. Silly Putty is already sold in an egg shape! Crayons and an Easter themed coloring book also are cheap and easy.

2. If you are going to do a plastic egg hunt, fill half the eggs with candy and the other half with money. Kids love collecting coins. Put a quarter or a few dimes in a egg and they will be over joyed. Keep the eggs and reuse them next year!

3. Line your basket with real grass (weather permitting) or green felt cut to look like leaves and grass. Green glass decorating beads- the kind that go in decorative vases found at any craft store, would also be a nice way to line your basket. One you have a nice woven basket- save it for next year!

4. Use natural dyes instead of store bought ones, better for the environment and you get a wider range of color options. Boil your eggs in water with a bit of vinegar and one of these ingredients below, then let simmer for at least 15 minutes:

• Purple grape juice (for lavender)
• Red cabbage (for blue)
• Spinach (for green)
• Carrot tops, orange peels or lemon peels (for yellow)
• Yellow onion skins (for orange)
• Beets or cranberries (for pink)
• Red onion skins (for red)
• 

5. Lastly, if you can find local sweet or fair trade chocolate that you like, go for that too!

Brush Those Baby Teeth!

February is upon, and among many things, it is National Children's Dental Health Month. Yes, the American Dental Association wants to raise awareness about the importance of oral health.

To get kids involved you can print out puzzles, word jumbles, cool coloring sheets, meandering maze and a smile calendar from the ADA's webpage.

Check out these great books from the library and read them with your kids. Letting them pick out their own toothbrush (Elmo, Dora, etc) also greatly helps in motivating little ones to brush.

For the littlest ones
Brush Your Teeth Please


Kids 4-8
Clarabella's Teeth by An Vrombaut


The classic
The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist

FDA Says No to Cough Meds

Back in October, drugmakers voluntarily pulled several children's cold medicines off the market based on the FDA investigation that was pending about their safety. Today reports are out that the FDA has made a decision. They are issuing a stern health advisory- to not to give babies under two years of age over-the-counter cold and cough medicine because of potentially "serious and life-threatening side effects." This includes decongestants, expectorants, antihistamines and cough suppressants.

The FDA is looking into OTC meds for children aged 2-11 and should come to a decision on safety by this spring.

Until then try these remedies. NPR asked doctors and reports:

- Always encourage a child by telling him or her that colds are usually short-lived, and that they will feel better in a few days.

- Products containing acetaminophen, such as Tylenol; or products containing ibuprofen, such as Motrin or Advil, can make a sick child more comfortable, when given in the proper dose.

- Saline nose drops or warm steam from a shower can help ease decongestion. Of decongestants and cough medicines on the market, Benjamin says, "There is not anything out there that is effective."

- Ensure the child drinks plenty of fluids.

- If the child is not getting better or is getting worse, reevaluate his or her condition.

- Doctors emphasize the importance of reassuring the child by providing affection, comfort, and understanding.

Anorexia Risk Determined In Utero?

Previous studies have shown that shared family environment has little effect on the development of anorexia, so researchers are now looking at shared intrauterine environment. A new study out this month from researchers in Sweden in The Archives of General Psychiatry suggests that female sex hormones exposure in the womb may have an affect on predisposition to anorexia.

The study looked at twins, same sex twins and opposite sex twins. Researchers observed 51 cases of anorexia among the female twins, 3 among the male twins and 36 among the opposite-sex pairs. What is interesting is that among the opposite-sex twins almost half the cases were in males- a greater number than we normally see as females in general have a 10 times higher risk than males for anorexia. So what does that mean?

"the male member of a male-female twin pair had a risk for anorexia statistically no different from the risk among females... Female sex hormones may influence neurodevelopment and later risk for anorexia, they suggest, and males in that uterine environment would be similarly affected."

For help on anorexia, try AnorexiaHelp.net, HealthyPlace.com, or Anorexia Treatment.

Better for the Kids and the Environment!

A new study out in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by Jianguo Liu, an ecologist at Michigan State University says that "Americans spend an extra $3.6 billion annually on water as a result of the extra households created when people divorce". Other examples they site: running twice as many applicances for the same number of people- two separate AC units, dishwashers, and refrigerators - where there used to be more communal use.

Now, there are plenty of good reasons for divorce- abuse being a very serious one, so I am not suggesting this lightly. Just an interesting factoid. Healthy marriages are always ideal and now here's another (albeit very small) motivation to work things through perhaps.

The MSNBC article can be found here.

Peanut Allergies at 14 months

A recent study published in Pediatrics has caused the American Academy of Pediatrics to now recommend that children with a family history of allergies avoid peanuts until age 3.

Analyzing data from 2000 to 2006 from the Duke University pediatric allergy and immunology clinic, doctors found that food allergies are showing up earlier. The study concluded,

"In the past decade, the ages of first peanut exposure and reaction have declined among peanut-allergic children seen in a referral clinic. Egg allergy is very common in peanut-allergic patients, and sesame seeds should perhaps be considered one of the major food allergens. The decline in the age of first peanut reaction seems to be attributable to earlier exposure."

Dr. Todd Green of the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh was quoted by MSNBC, “There’s a valid reason to delay introduction to products containing peanuts. When kids are older, it can be easier to manage bad reactions. They can tell you right away if their mouths feel funny. For that reason alone, it’s worth delaying exposing your child to a peanut product, especially if a child is at high risk".

If you are worried about the possibilty of food allergies because of family history, go ahead and wait- it certainly doesn't appear to hurt.

Book: Raising Baby Green

A new organic parenting book hit the shelves last month and it has been getting some rave reviews. Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care is a self proclaimed "comprehensive guide to help environmentally conscious parents make healthy product and lifestyle choices".

So who is the author Dr. Greene? Intel named him Child's Health Hero of the Internet, and he has already published one book prior to this one, From First Kicks to First Steps. That's great and all, but doesn't really impress me much. What is more impressive to me is that he is a father of four and a practicing pediatrician. I hate when doctors stop practicing to just write books and sell stuff, being in the office and seeing patients keeps things in perspective and fresh.

While writing his book Dr. Greene kept in mind that we don't want to break the bank in the movement towards organic. Here is Greene has identified 5 foods that will make an impact and are easy to switch. Courtesy of NYTimes:

1. Milk: “When you choose a glass of conventional milk, you are buying into a whole chemical system of agriculture,'’ says Dr. Greene. One recent United States Department of Agriculture survey found certain pesticides in about 30 percent of conventional milk samples and low levels in only one organic sample. The level is relatively low compared to some other foods, but many kids consume milk in large quantities.

2. Potatoes: Potatoes are a staple of the American diet — one survey found they account for 30 percent of our overall vegetable consumption. A simple switch to organic potatoes has the potential to have a big impact because commercially-farmed potatoes are some of the most pesticide-contaminated vegetables.

3. Peanut butter: More acres are devoted to growing peanuts than any other fruits, vegetable or nut, according to the U.S.D.A. More than 99 percent of peanut farms use conventional farming practices, including the use of fungicide to treat mold, a common problem in peanut crops.

4. Ketchup: For some families, ketchup accounts for a large part of the household vegetable intake. About 75 percent of tomato consumption is in the form of processed tomatoes, including juice, tomato paste and ketchup. Notably, recent research has shown organic ketchup has about double the antioxidants of conventional ketchup.

5. Apples: Apples are the second most commonly eaten fresh fruit, after bananas, and they are also used in the second most popular juice, after oranges, according to Dr. Greene. But apples are also one of the most pesticide-contaminated fruits and vegetables. The good news is that organic apples are easy to find in regular grocery stores.

Dr. Greene's website is full of even more useful information.

How Quickly They Pick Stuff Up

Infants and toddlers are amazing in their ability to learn vast amounts in a small amount of time. Their vocab starts with just repeated monosyllabic sounds (da-da is often first) and then grows so fast that you can't keep up and next thing you know they are putting together sentences.

But vocabulary isn't the only thing they are picking up in 18 months. Check out this article from CNN. A mother of two young children had her kids tested for industrial chemicals in their blood and the results were rather unsettling. She speaks on her younger son's results; "He had two to three times the level of flame retardants in his body that's been known to cause thyroid dysfunction in lab rats."

How is that possible? Dr. Leo Trasande, assistant director of the Center for Children's Health and the Environment at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City , speaks on the issue.
"Pound for pound, they eat more food, they drink more water, they breathe in more air... And so [children] carry a higher body burden than we do.

Rates of asthma, childhood cancers, birth defects and developmental disorders have exponentially increased, and it can't be explained by changes in the human genome. So what has changed? All the chemicals we're being exposed to."

What can parents do? Do their best to reduce unnecessary plastics, food preservatives and chemical cleaners and try not to worry. Our children will still likely live long happy lives as the life expectancy rate has only been increasing over the last 150 years.

The President and Birth Control

For the second time, President Bush has appointed a chief of family planning programs at the Department of Health and Human Services who is against birth control. Susan Orr was appointed Monday and will soon have control of $283 million in annual grants. But what does a conservative who is against contraception do with $283 million that normally go to helping low-income families with contraceptive services and counseling. Will it all go to counseling now?

Orr is replacing Eric Keroack, a physician who resigned in March, who was heavily criticized for working at a Christian pregnancy-counseling organization that opposed the use of birth control.

I leave the comments to the best commentator on the web, William Saletan of Slate, who writes:

The new appointee has argued that federal employees' health insurance should not have to cover contraception, "because fertility is not a disease. It's not a medical necessity that you have [contraception]."

Pro-choice reactions: 1) You've got to be kidding us … again. 2) Pssst, right-wingers! 98% of women use contraception! 3) Way to go, geniuses—expect more abortions.

Conservative rebuttals: 1) The new appointee didn't oppose contraception per se; she just wanted "to allow federal employees the option to choose a health benefits plan that did not include family planning coverage." 2) It's not just a moral issue; some employees don't want such coverage "due to their age." 3) We're for "consumer choice of coverage" and "keeping family planning truly voluntary."

Kids Cough Meds are Going, Going, Gone

Drugmakers are voluntarily pulling children's cold medicines off the market today. Consumer Healthcare Products Association said withdrawal was prompted "out of an abundance of caution" and insisted that the products are still safe if used as directed. This move comes after medical experts asked the FDA to consider a full ban on all over-the-counter children's cold medicines as they believe that there is more risk of harm then there is benefit.

Items being pulled off CVS shelves today and soon other pharmacies:

Johnson & Johnson Pediacare Infant Drops
Tylenol Concentrated Infants Drops
Wyeth’s Dimetapp Decongestant Infant Drops
Novartis’ Triaminic Infant & Toddler Thin Strips
Prestige Brands Holdings’ Little Colds Decongestant Plus Cough

Dr. Ari Brown, spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, she told MSNBC, "Usually what we recommend are saline nose drops, humidifiers and time... Truly, these cold viruses, [and the] flu will go away on their own. If you just give it some time, a little TLC and lots of saline nose drops, your child will do just fine." Other doctors have also recommended throwing any infant cold medicines you have at home out. For more alternatives to cold medicine see NPR's article.

Cold Medicine Conundrum

This month the FDA Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee will meet to discuss the safety and effectiveness of cough and cold medicines for children. FDA has warned that children's cold medicines can be harmful if more than the recommended amount is used and are investigating whether the benefits of the medications outweigh the potential risks. In a 356 page review that was published Sept 28th, experts asked the FDA to consider a full ban on all over-the-counter, multisymptom cough and cold medicines for children under the age of 6. Whether or not any policy action will occur will be announced on October 18th. Until then Doctors Ian Paul of Penn State and Danny Benjamin of Duke University give suggestions on treating colds without medicine.

As reported by NPR:

-Always encourage a child by telling him or her that colds are usually short-lived, and that they will feel better in a few days.

- Products containing acetaminophen, such as Tylenol; or products containing ibuprofen, such as Motrin or Advil, can make a sick child more comfortable, when given in the proper dose.

- Saline nose drops or warm steam from a shower can help ease decongestion. Of decongestants and cough medicines on the market, Benjamin says, "There is not anything out there that is effective."

- Ensure the child drinks plenty of fluids.

- If the child is not getting better or is getting worse, reevaluate his or her condition.

- Both doctors emphasize the importance of reassuring the child by providing affection, comfort, and understanding. Benjamin says, "In our household we use a lot of tender loving care."

Grandpa/Dad. Blurring the Lines

The headline reads "Grandad to Father his Own Grandkid" and the gut reaction becomes "HUH?!". A 72 year old British man was asked by his son and daughter-in-law to be a sperm donor since the son has not been able to get his wife pregnant. The couple wanted the child to have the same genetic material as the father, and since he has no brothers, the grandfather was the only male available to donate such genetic material. However, because the grandfather is 72, the donated sperm will not be as good as young sperm. The chances of IVF failure, miscarriage, autism and Down's syndrome are all higher.

If the couple is concerned with genetic material, why wouldn't they choose healthy anonymous sperm over grandpa's? How are they going to explain to the child that he is a half-brother of his own father? What are your thoughts?

Double the Fun

It has long been told that twins run in families, and that more often then not they skip a generation. But how does this hold up scientifically?

Certain genes can predispose a woman to release more than one egg at a time, which would lead to a greater possibility for fraternal twins. This gene can be passed on, so it is indeed hereditary. But what about identical twins? A fertilized egg splits in two producing two children with the same DNA. In that case, scientists have no answer. There is no gene that influences this occurrence and so it is thought of as coincidental if identical twins appear in the same family. As for skipping generations? It's a myth. Passing down the gene that leads to hyperovulation (and hence fraternal twins) can be passed down through the mother or the father. When it is passed down through the father- it appears as though a generation was skipped, but it is simply because the father doesn't ovulate so it goes unnoticed.

For resources on twins:
TwinAdvice.com: created by parents of twins, for parents of twins. Sharing parenting information and experiences among parents who are expecting or raising twins or multiples.

Twin List: Mailing list, FAQs, tons of resources links listed by topic.

National Organization of Mother's of Twins Clubs: founded in 1960 for the purpose of promoting the special aspects of child development which relate specifically to multiple birth children.

Twins Magazine: "the premier periodical for parents of multiples, from twins and triplets to quadruplets, quintuplets and more! Published six times each year, TWINS™ Magazine is the "bible of parenting multiples," loved by moms and dads of twins and higher-order multiples since 1984."

Your Pregnancy and Your Thyroid

Over five million Americans have hypothyroidism and many go undiagnosed. Thyroid dysfunction is particularly common in women of child-bearing age, in fact it is estimated that 2.5% of all pregnant women have some degree of hypothyroidism. If you have have hypothyroidism, or it runs in your family, you should make absolutely sure to bring it up with your doctor. Thyroid needs are likely to change during pregnancy and your hormone levels should be checked each trimester.

When your thyroid, a butterfly shaped gland in the front of your throat, is under active you are not getting enough of the hormone your body needs to run your metabolism and many other things. Symptoms of an under active thyroid include: fatigue, weakness, dry hair, hair loss, cold intolerance, depression, irritability, and abnormal menstrual cycles. Untreated hypothyroidism may also make it harder to get pregnant.

During pregnancy it is important that women with the condition take their replacement thyroid medicine everyday. In a often sited study from the New England Journal of Medicine published in 1999, mothers with undetected hypothyroidism during pregnancy are 4 times more likely to have children with lower I.Q. scores. The more significant the hypothyroidism, the greater the likelihood of developmental problems. Also, women with hypothyroidism are at an increased risk for miscarriage during the second trimester.

Another important thing to remember when taking replacement thyroid hormone, is that you should take it at least three hours apart from when you take your prenatal vitamin. Taking them close together reduces the absorption of the hormone, as does eating high fiber foods or taking antacids. So it is also well advised to take your thyroid replacement on an empty stomach.