More Parents Should Know about RSV, According to Preemie Care

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a serious pediatric disease that occurs annually around the cold and flu season. For at-risk infants, such as those born prematurely or with chronic lung conditions, this common childhood infection is nothing to sneeze at for babies. The symptoms of RSV are similar to a cold at first and can include fever, runny nose, coughing, difficulty breathing, rapid breathing and wheezing. RSV is the most common cause of lower respiratory infection in babies.

“Many parents are not aware that their babies are at risk for RSV disease, so education about this disease is extremely important. Parents should talk with their pediatrician about ways to prevent and protect their babies from RSV disease,” said Dr. Paula Elbirt, assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at Mount Sinai Medical Center School of Medicine.

To learn more about RSV disease and prevention measures, call 1-877-848-8512. Also visit the Preemie Care Web site at www.mostonline.org or the RSV Web site at www.rsvprotection.com.

Great Expectations: Celebrity Babies

Tennis superstars Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf are proud parents to a son, Jaden Gil Agassi, born prematurely in late October. Weighing in at 5 pounds, 14 ounces, the baby is healthy and the new parents are ecstatic. “This is the proudest day of our lives,” Agassi and Graf said in a statement. “We look forward to the joys and challenges of parenthood.”

Supermodel Cindy Crawford and husband Rande Gerber welcomed their second child, a daughter named Kaia, in September. Big brother Presley is 2 years old.

Actor Kelsey Grammer, 46, and his wife, Camille, 33, are expecting a daughter with the help of a surrogate mother. The Grammers turned to a surrogate when it was determined that Irritable Bowel Syndrome would prevent Camille from carrying a pregnancy to term.

AAP Wants Infants in Seats, Not on Laps for Air Travel

All children need their own seats on airplanes -- and children under the age of 2 or weighing less than 40 pounds should be securely fastened in child restraint seats on planes, according to new recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Currently, adults are not required to purchase separate seats for children under age 2, and can instead place young children on their laps during air travel. The Federal Aviation Administration supports the use of safety seats, but does not require them.

Children weighing more than 40 pounds should be secured in their own seat with an aircraft seat belt, says the AAP. Seat belts and child safety restraints are necessary to protect children from the effects of turbulence, which is the leading cause of nonfatal injury to aircraft passengers. (11/5/01)

Handy Information for the Cold and Flu Season

October 15: Washington, D.C. -- According to the Council on Family Health (CFH), Americans average two to four colds per year. So, just in time for the cold and flu season, the CFH reminds sufferers to be smart and responsible when taking cold or flu medicines. More importantly is to have accurate information about how and what to administer to your child. To help, CFH has released a one-page educational sheet, "ACHOO! Medicine Tips for Cold and Flu Season." For more information, go to http://www.cfhinfo.org/educationResources/achoo.html.

The Council on Family Health is a nonprofit organization established more than 30 years ago, dedicated to educating consumers about the proper use of nonprescription and prescription medicines and dietary supplements, home safety and personal health.

Celebrity Births

BORN: "The Piano" actor Harvey Keitel, 62, is the proud father of a new baby girl. Friends say that the mother is a potter named Lisa, but neither Keitel nor his reps returned calls to New York's Daily News inquiring into her last name or the status of their relationship.

Plan Now to Avoid Unnecessary Withholding Taxes

While millions await the promised tax refund, most working taxpayers don’t know they might have saved even more money in the first place if they had taken all of the withholding taxes allowed by the IRS, says Diane Kennedy, CPA and author of “Loopholes of the Rich: How the Rich Legally Make More Money and Pay Less Tax.” Most consumers just aren’t aware they can choose to pay less in taxes by making certain their W-4 forms contain the updated W-4 for withholding filed with their employer, she says.

One item that could signal a change to the amount of taxes withheld is a change in dependents. This could be due to the birth of a child or when a child grows up and leaves home. Either change means an adjustment to Form W-4. Kennedy offers one more tip: “If you always receive a refund, decrease your withholding by increasing your exemptions. If you receive a large refund, you have just given the IRS an interest-free loan. Instead, use the extra money you will get each month to invest.”

Talk with Your Children

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) has published a new brochure with information and tips to help parents talk with their children about issues surrounding an array of brain-related conditions, ranging from Alzheimer's disease to schizophrenia. A free copy of the brochure is available by calling (1-800-882-3718).

Leave Fireworks to Professionals

ROSEMONT, Ill.-- To reduce the risk of hand amputation and other fireworks-related injury, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is urging people not to handle, ignite or transport these devices -- even if their state permits it.

"An exploding firecracker can devastate a person's life in a flash," says Academy first vice president Vernon T. Tolo, MD, a Los Angeles orthopaedic surgeon. "Fireworks should be off limits to all except qualified personnel. The risk is too great. Firecrackers can misfire. A wind shift might change the rocket's direction or what seems to be a 'dud' suddenly explodes. Most of these injuries could be prevented."

Hospitals and doctors' offices treated an estimated 16,700 fireworks-related injuries in 2000 among youth under age 25 years, according to the latest statistics from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Because of potential peer pressure, children need to be supervised by adults at all times at these events. "Under no circumstances should children play with firecrackers or sparklers," says Dr. Tolo.

Cloning Legislation

Washington, DC -- The White House is a proponent of banning all forms of human cloning, whether it's for reproduction or for medical research, an administration official told legislators.

According to CNN, the official addressed members of a House subcommittee considering two bills that would restrict cloning. One would ban all forms of human cloning, while another would restrict cloning intended to create a pregnancy but allow some research. (06-18-01)

Moms Not Following Recommendations

More than 70 percent of American women do not follow new recommendations that they exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months, ABCNews.com reports. Marketing pressing by infant formula companies, lack of social support and workplaces that are non-conducive to breastfeeding are the reason, lactation experts say. The formula companies disagree and insist that they do recommend breastfeeding. (06-10-01)

Sad Loss For Love

A pregnant Courtney Love reportedly bled for several days before miscarrying her baby in Vancouver. She was working on the set of a movie entitled "24 Hours" when her director insisted she receive medical attention. The father of the baby was not named. A spokeswomen for Love claimed the pregnancy was in its very early stages. (05/20/01)

Rocking Babies

Bono (real name Paul Hewson), lead singer for the band U2, and wife Ali welcomed their third baby, a boy, to the world. Born in Dublin, he remains nameless as of yet.

Lars Ulrich, drummer for Metallica, became a father again May 6th. Layne Ulrich weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces. Layne is the second son born to Lars and Skylar Ulrich.

Is Playground Wood Toxic?

Environmentalists are concerned about the possibility of potentially toxic chemicals from playground wood leaking into soil and causing harm to children, CNN.com reports. Arsenic is one of the components of chromated copper arsenate, or CCA, which is a preservative commonly applied to the pressure-treated wood used to build playground equipment.

Some environmentalists worry the chemicals could be abosorbed into the soil, exposing children to dangerous levels of toxic substances. They want the government to ban CCA-treated wood for playground equipment.

Industry groups and government agencies say the wood is safe. However, the Environmental Protection Agency plans to conduct a new study of wood treated with CCA along with an inquiry into its use on playground equipment.

Massachusetts Governor Has Twins

Acting Massachusetts Gov. Jane Swift gave birth by C-section Tuesday, May 15 to healthy twin girls, hospital officials said.

Swift is the nation’s youngest governor at 36 and the first governor to give birth while in office. According to CNN.com, Dr. Leila Schueler, the governor's doctor, said Lauren Alma Hunt was born Tuesday at 9:11 p.m., weighing 6 pounds and measuring 17 inches. Her sister, Sarah Jane Hunt, was born at 9:12 p.m., weighing more than 5 pounds and measuring about 17 inches. Schueler said she believes the twins are fraternal, rather than identical.

Swift took office April 10, after President Bush appointed then-Gov. Paul Cellucci as ambassador to Canada. At the time, Swift was the lieutenant governor.

Swift is married to Chuck Hunt, who is a stay-at-home dad for their 2-year-old daughter, Elizabeth.

New Studies Show Breastfed Babies Less Likely to Become Obese

Children fed breast milk in infancy may be at a lower risk for obesity later in life, according to two new studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association this week.

Although other factors, such as the nursing mother's weight and the socio-economic status of the family were said to be important in the government study conducted by Mary Hediger, a biologist at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the study suggests that breastfeeding may modify these risk factors. The results showed children who were breastfed were 16 percent less likely to be overweight.

The second study, conducted by Harvard researchers, showed children who were breastfed were about 20 percent less likely to be obese compared to children who were fed formula. The author of the study, Dr. Matthew Gillman, speculates that breastfed babies may be better able to regulate their feedings at the breast -- stopping when satisfied, compared to formula fed babies who may be encouraged to finish the bottle after hunger has subsided. This study also suggested that the longer a child was breastfed, the greater the risk for obesity was reduced.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that mothers breastfeed their infants exclusively (without supplementation of other foods) for the first 6 months of life, and continue to breastfeed for a full year after the introduction of other foods. (05-16-01)

Black, Hartman Have Baby Girl

Country music superstars and sweethearts Clint Black, 39, and Lisa Hartman Black, 44, welcome their first baby into the family. Lily Pearl Black's birth was announced to the world during the Country Music Awards to the delight of the spectators. (05-16-01)

Never Too Old?

Rupert Murdoch, 70, and his third wife, Wendy Deng, 31, are expecting their first child together. Murdoch has four children from previous marriages, while Deng has one. (05-16-01)

Sad Loss for Kinnear and Labdon

Actor Greg Kinnear, 37, and his wife, Helen Labdon, 31, have lost the baby that they were expecting this summer, according to USA Today. A spokeswoman for the couple told USA Today that Labdon was about 5 months pregnant with their first baby when she miscarried. Kinnear is currently shooting the film "We Were Soldiers Once -- And Young," with Mel Gibson. (05-16-01)

Julio Iglesias Welcomes Twins!

Iglesias, 57, and girlfriend, Miranda Rijnsburger, have proudly announced the birth of their twin daughters in Los Angeles. Julio and Miranda add the twins to their current brood of two sons, ages 2 and 3. Iglesias has three adult children from a previous marriage.

James Cameron Announces Birth of Baby

James Cameron, 46, and his fifth wife, Suzy Amis, 39 have announced the birth of their baby. Cameron, Oscar winner for "Titanic," has an 8-year-old daughter by his ex-wife Linda Hamilton.

Phil Collins Becomes a Father Again

Phil Collins, 50, and his wife Orianne, 28, had their first child together: Nicholas Grev Austin. The newest Collins was born in Geneva, Switzerland where his parents currently reside. Phil and Orianne, his third wife, have been married for two years. Collins has three children from two previous marriages. (05-01/01)

The Taylors' Twins Have Arrived!

James Taylor, 53, and wife, Caroline Smedvig Taylor, 46, entered into the world of twins after a surrogate gave birth to two healthy boys. As yet unnamed, the Taylors will call them Taylor Twin No. 1 and Taylor Twin No. 2 until they make a final decision.

Twins Custody Battle Rages On

British court Justice Andrew Kirkwood has ruled for the 9-month-old American twin girls caught in a custody battle to return to their native state of Missouri. Alan and Judith Kilshaw, a British couple, found the twins via the Internet and paid a baby broker in order to adopt them. The Kilshaws are considering an appeal. The girls' biological mother, Tranda Wecker, has stated she wants her children back. However, a U.S. court awarded custody to the natural father, Aaron Wecker, in February. Meanwhile, the twins will remain in the custody of the state of Missouri until a court there makes a final decision regarding their care. (4-16-01)

Study Confirms Safety of MMR Vaccine

A study in the March 7 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association supports the assertion that the MMR vaccine, which protects children against measles, mumps and rubella, does not cause autism. The link between the MMR and autism has been a subject of debate for the past few years because the illness is often diagnosed around the same time the vaccine is administered.

Researchers from the California Department of Health Services in Berkeley studied rates of immunization in children born between 1980 and 1994 who signed up for California kindergartens -- approximately 600 to 1900 kids per year. Researchers studied the number of autism cases reported to the California Department of Developmental Services during the same time period. They found that the number of kids with autism increased by 373 percent, while the number of kids who were given the vaccine increased by only 14 percent. The researchers conclude that this proves no correlation between the MMR and autism.

Babyface and L.A. Reid revisit parenthood together

Longtime partners in the music industry, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds and Arista president Antonio "L.A." Reid, shared more than just music recently. Coincidentally, both their wives had babies on the same day, but on separate coasts. Edmonds and his wife, Tracey, had a boy, Dylan Michael, in Los Angeles. The same day in New York, Reid's wife, Erica, gave birth to Arianna Manuelle. Edmonds and Reid launched LaFace records more than 10 years ago, which claims such stars as TLC, Toni Braxton and Usher.

ER's Dr. Corday has a girl

Alex Kingston, who plays Dr. Elizabeth Corday on NBC's medical drama 'ER,' and her husband of two years, Florian Haertel, are now the proud parents of a baby girl. Kingston's publicist reports that mother and daughter are doing well. Kingston's pregnancy was written into the ER script, as she and fiance Dr. Mark Greene are expecting a baby.

Tracy Lawrence Soon to be Proud Papa

Country singer Tracy Lawrence and his third wife, Becca, are expecting a baby. The due date will be kept a secret, as Lawrence likes his private life to remain as such. However, he did reveal that his wife is expecting a girl. Lawrence has also reportedly said that he wants a house full of kids.

Twins for the Taylors!

James Taylor, 52, and his wife of one month, Caroline Smedvig, 47, will be the proud parents of twins in April when a surrogate, reportedly a family friend, gives birth. The twins are Taylor's and Smedvig's biological children, and will be child number three and four for Taylor. He has two adult children with former wife Carly Simon.

Baby Number Two For Foster

Jodie Foster revealed to gossip columnist Liz Smith that, indeed, baby number two is on its way and due in November, 2001. Foster currently has a 2-year-old son, Charlie. Foster, 38, has not revealed the identity of Charlie's father, and declines to do so again with this pregnancy.

Shania Twain Expecting First Child

Country music star Shania Twain, 35, and her husband, Robert "Mutt" Lange, are expecting their first child. The couple, who've been married since 1993, make their home in Geneva, Switzerland.

PEOPLE magazine has reported that Twain raised her three younger siblings following the death of her parents in a car accident. At the time, Twain was only 21 years old. Twain was adopted by her Indian stepfather, and her name "Shania" means "I'm on my way" in Ojibwa dialect.

Celebrity Births

Amy Brenneman, star of the CBS show "Judging Amy" and wife to television director Brad Silberling, gave birth to a 7 pound, 12 ounce baby on March 20, 2001. The couple named the baby girl, their first child, Charlotte.

On March 19, 2001, Hollywood actress Elizabeth Shue gave birth to a girl, named Stella. This is her second child with husband Davis Guggenheim.

On March 12, 2001, Amy Grant, country singer and wife to Vince Gill, gave birth to her fourth child. This is the couple's first child together after one year of marriage. They named her Corrina.

Camryn Manheim, from "The Practice" gave birth March 6, 2001 to her first child, Milo Jacob. She reportedly had a natural labor and delivery and it is speculated that she plans to raise this child as a single mom.

Pierce Brosnan and his fiance Keely Shaye Smith had a baby boy on February 27, 2001. They named him Paris Beckett Brosnan. The couple reportedly plan to wed this summer.

It's Twins for Pacino and D'Angelo

Al Pacino, 60, and girlfriend Beverly D'Angelo, 49, proudly announced the birth of their twins on Thursday, January 25 in Los Angeles. The twins, a boy and a girl, weighed in at a little over 5 pounds each. Pacino and D'Angelo have been dating for the past few years, and Pacino has never been married. However, he does have an 11-year-old daughter from a previous acting teacher. D'Angelo, a first-time mother, was previously married to an Italian duke for 11 years. (02.02.01)

Drug Study Halted Due to Harmful Effects on Premature Infants

Doctors at the National Institute of Child Health and Development halted a study of the drug dexamethasone on premature infants due to it causing decreased growth and spontaneous perforations in the babies’ intestines.

Dexamethasone is an anti-inflammatory drug regularly given to premature infants in an effort to thwart chronic lung disease. However, this most recent study shows that dexamethasone is more likely to cause serious health problems in preemies, rather than aid their lungs. (01/17/01)

Infant Prescription Cold Medicine Recalled

WASHINGTON -- Great Southern Laboratories is recalling 6,135 one-ounce packages of Cydec Drops, an infant prescription cold medication. The recall is due to an error in the dosage instructions printed on the product’s label. Only bottles in lot number 02950 are affected, and were distributed to pharmacies starting December 19.

Cydec Drops are manufactured by Great Southern for Cypress Pharmaceutical, and the package carries the Cypress name. If the dosing instructions are followed as printed, five times the proper dosage could be administered, with a possibility of causing serious illness or death. (01.13.01)

Early Hearing Tests Crucial for Babies

NEW YORK -- Approximately three of every 1,000 American babies are born deaf or hearing impaired. Due to unreliable hearing tests and some hospitals failing to screen newborns for hearing impairment, babies often going months or even years before their problem is discovered. A child's long-term success in school and in life may be threatened due to this delay. When undiagnosed children reach their school years, they are often labeled as "slow" or as having "behavior problems."

Without proper testing, it's difficult to tell between a deaf 3-month-old and a hearing 3-month-old. This is because all babies, regardless of hearing ability, vocalize for the first 6 months. One study claims that detection by 6 months is key -- before delays in language development impair learning.

For an accurate diagnosis, parents can request an auditory brain-stem response test (ABR), in which clicking sounds sent through earphones are measured in the child's brain. Otoacoustic emissions testing (OAE) is another effective method that some medical facilities use as well. Both tests are non-invasive and fairly inexpensive. If a hearing impairment is suspected, it's never too early to have your baby tested. (11.28.00)

Severity of Bronchiolitis May Be Genetically Determined

ENGLAND -- Recent research indicates that the severity of the common childhood infection bronchiolitis may be genetically determined.

Bronchiolitis is a respiratory infection which affects nearly all children by age 2. It is primarily caused by RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus. Bronchiolitis is one of the most common reasons for hospital admission in very young children.

Researchers used DNA tests from families who had children hospitalized with bronchiolitis, DNA from the children themselves and newborn cord blood from the general population to determine their results. This biological information was collected in order to look for variants of the IL-8 gene, or interleukin 8 gene. IL-8 is a powerful chemical that is involved in inflammatory processes in the body, and previous research has shown that airways infected with RSV contain high levels of IL-8.

The data shows that half of the British population carried the genetic variant IL-8. The data furthered reveals that the carriers of the variant have approximately twice the risk of developing bronchiolitis. (11.19.00)

W.A.T.C.H. Releases Nominees for "10 Worst Toys List"

BOSTON -- World Against Toys Causing Harm, Inc. (W.A.T.C.H.) released its nominees for the 28th annual "10 Worst Toys" list just in time for the holiday shopping season. Consumer advocates and trial attorneys Edward M. Swartz and James A. Swartz compiled this year's list.

The goal of W.A.T.C.H. is to make parents aware of toys that pose a danger to their children. The organization points out that it's easy to see how a toy sword may be a danger, but more difficult to see how seemingly harmless toys aimed at babies may send up a red flag. In 1999, the CPSC reported at least 16 toy-related deaths, and an estimated 152,600 toy-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms.

W.A.T.C.H. reminds parents that the toys listed below were dangerous enough to make their list; however, it is not an inclusive list covering all hazardous toys on the market today.

Nominess for the "10 Worst Toys List"

1. The Bart Simpson Action Set
   Hazard: Potential for eye injuries.
2. Classic Horror Psycho Saw
   Hazard: Potential for psychological harm and impact injuries.
3. Sesame Street's Check-up Ernie
   Hazard: Potential for choking.
4. Jungle Gym Jump-o-lene
   Hazard: Potential for broken bones, suffocation or other serious injuries.
5. Disney's Mickey Jack-in-the-Box
   Hazard: Potential for choking.
6. Warner Bros. character plush clocks
   Hazard: Potential for laceration and ingestion injuries
7. Baby Looney Tunes Pull Back and Go Friction Vehicle
   Hazard: Potential for asphxiation
8. Ansa Doll's Big Box of Bottles
   Hazard: Potential for eye and puncture wound injuries
9. Military Bazooka
   Hazard: Potential for hearing loss.
10. Little Big Truck
    Hazard: Potential for choking.

Prepare for Holiday Driving: Driving While Drowsy is Like Driving Drunk

Studies show that sleep-deprived drivers have reactions like those of people who have been drinking alcohol. In recent surveys, more than half of adult drivers admitted to driving while drowsy.

Younger drivers, ages 18 to 29, were more likely to drive drowsy than other age groups. Almost one quarter of these young drivers said they actually fell asleep at the wheel during the past year. Adding to the danger, younger drivers were also more likely to drive faster when they felt drowsy.

Sleep experts recommend at least eight hours of sleep each night in order to function properly. The National Sleep Foundation issued the following tips to ensure safe holiday driving: Get a good night's sleep before a trip, take along a passenger who'll stay awake with you, schedule regular stops every 100 miles, avoid medications that may impair performance, recognize signs of fatigue, pull off into a safe area and take a power nap if needed, drink a caffeinated beverage to prompt short-term alertness, walk around or do a few exercises to get rid of grogginess. (11.15.00)

Research Results Reveal the Power of DHA in Breastfed Babies

WACO, TEXAS -- Breastfed children whose mothers took a DHA supplement for four months after delivery scored a mean of eight points higher on a standard test of psychomotor development than similar infants whose mothers received a placebo, according to the Baylor College of Medicine. Researchers there reported the results of their study on the impact of DHA (a fatty acid present in high concentrations in the brain and retina) supplementation of breastfeeding mothers on the development of their infants.

The results of the Baylor study echo support for an earlier Australian study which suggested that DHA supplementation of breastfeeding mothers was linked to developmental advantages for their infants.

Martek Biosciences Corporation, which provided partial funding for the Baylor study, announced that it will fund an extension of the study to examine the developmental status of the same infants at age 5. (11/14/00)

Seinfeld Has a Daughter -- the Master of His Heart's Domain

(NEW YORK) -- Jerry Seinfeld, 46, and wife Jessica Sklar, 29, announce the birth of their daughter, Sascha. The healthy baby girl was born Tuesday morning, November 7. Sklar had a natural delivery with Seinfeld by her side. For Seinfeld, Sascha will now become the Master of his Heart's Domain.

Seinfeld and Sklar met at a West Side health club and have been married since December. This followed her highly publicized divorce from Eric Nederlander after only a few months of marriage. (11.8.00)

One Conjoined Twin Dies Due to Surgery

(LONDON) -- A 20-hour surgery to separate conjoined twins Jodie and Mary resulted in the death of Mary. Jodie is said to be in critical, yet stable, condition. The twins were joined at the abdomen and shared one pair of lungs and one heart.

Mary was deemed incapable of existing independently, and died shortly after being separated from her sister's aorta. Doctors say the next few days will decide Jodie's fate. The twins' parents, who were court-ordered to comply with the surgery, have made no public comments regarding the outcome. (11.7.00)

"Babies First" Initiative Formed by Wal-Mart, Pampers and AAP

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart, The Pampers Parenting Institute and The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have joined forces to create "Babies First," a national continuing education program spotlighting important children's health issues. Wal-Mart has set a goal of reaching 10 million parents by the end of October. This in-store program will reach parents both nationally and internationally, due to Wal-Mart's global operations.

"Babies First" events and promotions will be held on the local level in Wal-Mart stores, and hosted by community leaders. Pediatricians, firefighters and others will give topical lectures and disperse informational booklets on health and safety. The goal of "Babies First" is to have every child grow up happy and healthy. (10/24/00)

Conjoined Twins to be Separated

LONDON -- Conjoined twins Jodie and Mary, born August 8, 2000, are due to be separated in the next two to three weeks against the wishes of their parents. The surgery will save the life of one girl, while killing the other. The twins are joined at the abdomen and share one pair of lungs and one heart.

The parents of Jodie and Mary went to Britain from their native Malta seeking expert assistance for their children. British courts ruled in favor of the doctors last month, and said that the twins could be separated against the wishes of their parents. Devout Catholics, the parents stated that the doctors should not decide which girl lives and dies, it should be up to God. The parents have chosen to keep their identity a secret due to the publicity of the case. They will not appeal the decision. (10/24/00)

Disposable Diapers Blamed for Male Infertility

A small study printed in the October issue of the British journal Archives of Disease in Childhood suggests that disposable diapers may be the cause of the apparent rise in male infertility. Other experts disagree with this theory. Researchers measured the outside scrotal temperature of infants and toddlers wearing plastic-lined disposable diapers and found an increase of 2.1 degrees F compared to when they wore cotton diapers. While scrotal temperature is a factor in adult male infertility, there is no data suggesting temperature changes in infancy can cause infertility. (9/26/00)

Matlin's a Mom Again

Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin, 35, who guest-starred as political consultant Joey Lucas on "The West Wing" last season, gave birth to her second baby, a boy, at an undisclosed hospital September 13. The father is husband and policeman Kevin Grandalski. The baby is welcomed home by big sis Sarah Rose, 4. (09/13/00)

Pacino and D'Angelo Expecting Twins

Oscar-winner actor Al Pacino, 60, and actress Beverly D'Angelo, 48, are reportedly expecting twins to arrive later this year. This will be D'Angelo's first time as a mother, and Pacino's second time around as dad. He has one daughter, 11-year-old Julie Marie, with acting teacher Jan Tarrant. (09/13/00)

A Girl for Tori Amos

Singer-songwriter Tori Amos has given birth to her first baby at age 37. Amos and her husband of two years, Mark Hawley, are now the parents of a baby girl, according to the New York Post. The child, yet to be named, is being breastfed. A spokesperson tells the paper Amos chose to breastfeed because, "An ounce of breast milk is more potent than the finest tequila." (09/05/00)

America's Health Policies Failing Women, Study Says

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- America’s policy makers are letting women down with inadequate, ineffective and inconsistent health care policies that too often focus on illness rather than on health, according to a new Report Card on women's health.

The study, released by the National Women's Law Center non-profit organization, assessed the overall health of women at the state and national levels by examining 32 health indicators such as life expectancy and insurance coverage. Researchers give failing grades to eight states and the District of Columbia. Hawaii -- where 7.5 percent of women are uninsured -- ranked first overall, followed by Vermont, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Colorado, Connecticut, Washington, Utah and New Hampshire, with Kansas and South Dakota tied for tenth place. Texas -- where 28 percent of women are uninsured -- ranked among the lowest, with Tennessee, Oklahoma, West Virginia, South Carolina, Arkansas, Kentucky, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.

The study finds that nationally, nearly 14 percent of women do not have health insurance. Researchers recommend increased focus on preventive measures such as smoking cessation, nutrition, physical activity, domestic violence prevention and screening for diseases and conditions. Fewer than half the states require private insurers to cover pap smears and cervical cancer screening. (08/22/00)

Pain Felt By Newborns Could Alter Reaction to Pain Later in Life

BETHESDA, MARYLAND -- Newborns who experience tissue injury and pain during critical periods of development may undergo a permanent rewiring of their nervous system that increases their sensitivity to pain later in life, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health. The study, which appears in the July 28 issue of Science, calls attention to the need to assess the long-term effects of pain and tissue injury on human newborns.

"Although we have yet to directly link animal research findings to what happens in human infants, one is tempted to speculate that similar changes as those identified in the animals may occur in newborn humans exposed to pain and inflammation," says Dr. M. A. Ruda, principal investigator on the study and chief of NIDCR's Cellular Neuroscience Section.

In their study, Dr. Ruda and her colleagues used newborn rat pups to explore the effect of tissue injury and pain on the development of pain pathways. An irritant was injected into the left hind paw of the pups to induce swelling. One group received the injection when they were one day old, an age equivalent to 24 weeks gestation in humans. A second group received the injection 14 days after birth, equivalent to adolescence in humans.

When the animals were examined as adults, it was found that rats who received the left hind paw injection on day one had an increase in the density of nerve fibers in the structure in the spinal cord that propels pain signals to the brain. Spinal cord segments also exhibited an increase in pain input on the treated side, including areas that normally would not be expected to display this. The picture was very different for the rats that received the injection on postnatal day 14. The patterns of nerve fibers in this group looked like those of normal rats.

Each year, more than 400,000 babies in the United States are born either prematurely or at a low birth weight. Of these, 25,000 are considered to be extremely premature -- born at 27 weeks of gestation or less. While 10 or 15 years ago most of these micropreemies did not live, it is no longer unusual for them to survive, thanks to advances in medical technology. Yet medical procedures used to keep them alive and monitor their progress may cause pain and tissue injury. Heel sticks to draw blood, the insertion of IV lines and nasogastric tubes, and the use of ventilators are some of the modern technologies and procedures that are both miraculous and difficult.

There has been considerable debate over the existence of pain in newborns and its management. As late as the mid-1980s, surgery was performed on infants without benefit of anesthesia, the belief being that even if babies did experience pain, they would forget about it. Since then, studies of the biological response to pain and the facial expressions of newborns during traumatic procedures document that they do indeed respond to pain. Today, pain from traumatic surgeries in newborns is carefully managed with anesthesia and analgesics. (7/26/00)

New Campaign Aims to Reduce African-American SIDS Rates

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Gerber Products Co. have released a new national survey showing that African-Americans are more likely to place their babies to sleep in ways that increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The survey found that more than half of African-American parents place their babies to sleep on their stomachs or sides and African-Americans are more likely to place soft bedding such as quilts, comforters or pillows in the crib with their infants. National infant mortality statistics show that African-American babies are twice as likely to die from SIDS as other babies.

The campaign, also involving Black Entertainment Television (BET) and the Health Resources and Services Administration's Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC), includes a television public service announcement about placing babies to sleep safely that will air nationwide, baby safety showers to be held at community and migrant health centers, and special programming to be televised on BET this fall.

The survey found that only 31% of African-American parents place their babies to sleep on their backs as recommended by CPSC and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

While almost half of Caucasians say they get information about sleep position from their physician or a nurse, African-Americans say they tend to get such information more from family members such as a grandmother. The survey found that 47% of Caucasian parents and 43% of parents overall put their babies to sleep on their backs. (7/19/00)

A Superbaby for Superman

Actor Dean Cain, best known for his role as TV's Superman, became a father June 11. Son Christopher Dean Cain was born in Los Angeles. The mother is Cain's sometimes-girlfriend, model Samantha Torres.

Celine Dion Expecting

After singing superstar Celine Dion, 32, temporarily left her career to try to become pregnant, she has announced that she and husband Rene Angelil, 58, are expecting their first child in February. The pregnancy was achieved with the help of infertility specialists, and Dion's doctors have said the couple has a "30 to 40 percent chance" of having multiples.

Angelil recently tested cancer-free after a difficult battle with the disease.

Celebrity Births! Starring...

Gold-medal Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Rhetton, 32, and husband Shannon Kelly, 34, are expecting their third child in August. The baby will be welcomed into their Houston home by siblings Shayla, 5, and McKenna, 3.

Actress Kristin Scott Thomas (The English Patient), 39, and husband Francois Olivennes, 41, are also expecting baby number three in August. The couple has two other children together: Hannah, 12, and Joseph, 9.

Singer/actress Vanessa Williams, 37, and L.A. Laker husband Rick Fox, 30, have announced the birth of their first child, Sasha Gabriella, on May 1. This is the fourth child for Williams and the second child for Fox.

Actor Jet Li, 37, and wife Nina, 38, are celebrating the birth of their first baby, a daughter, on April 19. (5/16/00)

Preemie Survival Rates Underestimated

Physicians often underestimate survival and freedom from handicap in infants born prematurely, according to a study published in the May issue of the journal Pediatrics.

Researchers surveyed a cross-section of obstetricians and pediatricians in the United States with a questionnaire designed to test their knowledge of survival and handicap rates of infants born at 23 to 36 weeks gestation.

Both obstetricians and pediatricians underestimated survival rates from 24 through 35 weeks of gestation and freedom from serious handicap from 23 through 36 weeks of gestation. On the average, doctors labeled "optimists" accurately predicted neonatal survival. Obstetricians who underestimated neonatal survival would less often administer antenatal corticosteroids, perform a Cesarean section for fetal distress and transfer a mother to a tertiary center. Pediatricians who underestimated neonatal survival would less often use mechanical ventilation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, inotropes, intravenous fluids, thermal support, and oxygen supplementation.

Researchers also found that underestimation of an infant's outcome was associated with restriction in the use of appropriate interventions to save the infant. (5/1/00)

A Second Tot for Travolta

Actor John Travolta and actress wife Kelly Preston welcomed daughter Ella Bleu into the world April 3 in Los Angeles. Ella's older brother, Jett, is 8. (4/13/00)