First USDA-Certified Organic Infant Formula

If you’ve been waiting for an organic brand of formula to feed to your infant, you won’t have to wait much longer.

Horizon Organic Holding Corporation unveiled the first and only USDA-certified organic infant formula earlier this month. The company, which markets the leading brand of certified organic foods, will make their product available starting this fall. The organic formula will be launched first on the West Coast and will be sold in powder form at natural food stores, specialty retailers and some supermarkets.

Horizon Organic Infant Formula with Iron is produced without the use of antibiotics, growth hormones or pesticides, says the company. The manufacture of the formula is closely monitored to ensure compliance with both the FDA requirements for infant nutrition and the USDA’s organic standards. Horizon Organic is the only current producer of USDA-certified organic lactose, an essential ingredient in milk-based infant formula. (5-27-03)

Brooke Shields Gives Birth

Brooke Shields and husband, Chris Henchy, had their first baby – a girl – on Thursday morning, May 15, according to E! online. The birth comes three weeks after the loss of Shields’ father, who passed away from prostate cancer.

Shields and Henchy started dating in 1999, shortly after her breakup with husband, Andre Agassi. They became engaged in 2000 and were married in 2001. E! online reports that the couple apparently tried for several months before conceiving.

Shields is said to be taking a self-imposed maternity leave to be a stay-at-home mom. Henchy, a sitcom writer for ABC, will be starting on a brand-new project, a romantic sitcom called I’m With Her, which is based on his marriage to his famous wife. (5-27-03)

Vitamin D Supplementation in Breastfed Infants

According to La Leche League (LLL), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now recommends that, starting in the first two months of life, exclusively breastfed infants have a minimum of 200 IU of vitamin D per day.

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for humans, but it’s usually obtained through casual exposure to sunlight, not foods, say experts at LLL. Vitamin D – actually a steroid hormone, not a vitamin – is produced in the body after exposure of the skin to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation in sunlight. Vitamin D deficiency and rickets, a bone-softening childhood disease, are two consequences of inadequate vitamin D intake, they say.

According to LLL, your breastfed infant is at greater risk for vitamin D deficiency or rickets if they fit any of these categories: low maternal levels of vitamin D, indoor confinement during the day, darker skin pigmentation, living in urban areas where tall buildings and pollution block out the sun’s rays, seasonal variations in UVB rays and covering too much of the body when outside, including using too much sunscreen.

“No known risks of vitamin D supplementation exist at the level recommended by the AAP,” says Cynthia Good Mojab, MS, IBCLC, RLC, research associate in the Publications Department of La Leche League International. “However, no research has actually investigated whether vitamin D supplementation during the first six months has any negative consequences for infant health, such as vomiting and aspiration when supplementation is not tolerated, harmful alterations of the infant gut or increased risk of infection.”

If you are concerned about your infant’s chances of vitamin D deficiency or about the use of vitamin D supplements, LLL recommends talking to your health care provider about what is best for your child. (5-20-03)

Safety of Infants Sleeping on Their Backs Confirmed

A recently published study in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine confirms the notion that putting infants to sleep on their backs is not only safe, but also beneficial in some cases.

Studies in the past have concluded that putting a baby to sleep on its back reduces its risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The current study additionally reports that back-sleeping babies are not at increased risk for health problems, and they are less likely than stomach-sleeping babies to develop stuffy noses, fevers or ear infections.

"Otitis media [ear infection] causes suffering in infants and young children, costs the American public an estimated five billion dollars per year and results in overuse of antibiotics,” says Dr. James F. Battey, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., director of the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders. “The research showing that putting infants on their backs to sleep is saving lives is now revealing an outstanding additional benefit, the reduction of otitis media in infants."

For more than 20 years, a campaign to encourage parents to put their children to sleep on their backs to reduce SIDS deaths in the United States and other countries has lowered the SIDS death rate by about 40 percent.

Many physicians and caregivers in the United States, however, still have reservations about putting infants on their backs to sleep. Some feel infants sleep better on their stomachs. Others are worried about babies choking on their vomit. This most recent study into back sleeping vs. stomach sleeping was conducted to try to rule out any possibility that back-sleepers are at any health disadvantage compared to stomach-sleepers.

Researchers studied more than 3,500 U.S. infants at 1, 3 and 6 months of age. At 1 month of age, they found back-sleeping infants were less likely to have had fever than stomach-sleeping infants. At 6 months, back-sleepers had less stuffy noses than stomach-sleepers. At 3 and 6 months, back-sleepers visited the doctor less often for ear infections than stomach-sleepers. And at 6 months, mothers reported less sleep problems for infants placed to sleep on their backs than those who were placed to sleep on their stomachs. None of the infants choked on their vomit during the study.

Researchers of the study are not sure why back-sleeping infants have fewer health problems than stomach-sleepers. One suggestion is that because stomach-sleeping infants have higher mouth and throat temperatures than back-sleeping infants, they may be more susceptible to the bacteria that cause ear infections and colds.

The study was funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders, both part of the National Institutes of Health. (5-20-03)

Season of Birth, Ethnicity May Affect Birth Weight and Infant Growth

The May issue of the Journal of Nutrition published a study that found significant differences among babies of different U.S. ethnic groups in terms of their birth weights, weight gains in the first four months and the season in which they were born.

"To our knowledge, this is the first description of seasonal variation in infant weight gain in a western society," says Dr. Nicolas Stettler, M.D., co-author of the study and a pediatric nutritionist at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. "Previous studies have focused on birth weight or on infant growth in low-income countries where food intake is directly linked to agriculture and the seasons."

The study’s findings could be important because it is thought that patterns of weight gain in early infancy may predict obesity, diabetes and other cardiovascular problems as adolescents or adults. Previous research by this same study’s author showed that rapid early infant weight gain increase the risk of being overweight at 7 years old by as much as 25 percent.

Researchers from The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and two other institutes in Great Britain studied a multiethnic group of some 24,000 infants that were born full-term at 12 different sites in the United States between 1959 and 1965. They found that black infants born in the summer and fall had lower birth weights than those born in the winter and spring. They also found that the weight gain during the first four months of life for black and Puerto Rican infants born in the fall was much lower than those born in spring and summer. However, there was no difference reported in the weights and weight gains of white infants.

"A possible reason for the variation between ethnic groups could be related to health care access," says Dr. Stettler. "Higher levels of prenatal and infant care among whites during this era may have evened out seasonal differences in that group. This study further emphasizes the importance of appropriate prenatal and postnatal care for all infants." (5-13-03)

Dr. Spock's Advice Studied on His 100th Birthday

On May 2, popular baby doctor Benjamin Spock would have turned 100. The world-famous pediatrician changed the face of parenting with his words of practical advice and his conviction to use instinct as a guide. A University of Alberta researcher has analyzed Dr. Spock and particularly how his advice on infant feeding changed over his decades of work.

Dr. Spock had always been an advocate of breastfeeding and even more radical was his recommendation to nurse the baby on demand rather than on a strict schedule. The U of A's Stephanie Knaak studied the changes from Spock's first edition of his book, Baby and Child Care, to his last, noting that the importance of breastfeeding was always apparent, but the doctor's reasons for why to nurse changed.

Dr. Spock's book was first published at the start of the World War II baby boom and soon became an authoritative and reliable guide for parents. With its nearly 50 million copies in more than 40 translations, the book is said to be second in sales only to the bible, according to the University of Alberta.

"At first Dr. Spock argued that the main focus of breastfeeding was for nutrition or food, but he changed his ideas to say that breastfeeding is just as important for bonding," says Knaak, a researcher in the Department of Sociology. "He didn't offer any assurances for bottle feeders in terms of bonding, and that surprised me a bit."

In the 1968 edition, Dr. Spock devoted an entire page, saying that while he was in favor of breastfeeding, bottle-feeding was still acceptable, says Knaak, "but after that one edition, those encouraging words to parents who used bottles was dropped."

Another interesting change over the decades was with the evolution of science in terms of infant feeding. In several of Dr. Spock's early editions, he listed a recipe for homemade formula that included the ingredients evaporated milk mixed with sugar, a far cry from today's advanced blend. (5-06-03)

Wheezing and Daycare Attendance

A study in the American Thoracic Society’s May 2003 American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that daycare attendance in the first year of life is associated with an increase in wheezing in the first six years of life among children born to mothers who suffer from asthma. Recurrent wheezing at age 6 was defined in the study as two or more episodes of wheezing during the previous year.

Seven associates out of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Mass., studied 453 children birth to 6 years old who had a parent with a history of hay fever, allergies or asthma. The infants were recruited for the study between September 1994 and August 1996. The researchers gathered their information through telephone questionnaires conducted with the primary caregivers of the infants.

The researchers found that the relationship between daycare attendance in the first year of life and wheezing in the first six years of life is significantly greater if a child’s mother has asthma. Children without a maternal history of asthma who attend daycare in early life show a decreased risk of wheezing and asthma by age 6. There was no significant finding for children with a paternal history of asthma.

"To our knowledge, this is the first study to show maternal history may influence the relation between daycare attendance in early life and childhood asthma," says Dr. Juan Celedón, one of the authors of the study.

Previous studies in this area have shown protective effects of daycare attendance in the development of asthma in young children. But the researchers of this study claim that the increased risk of respiratory tract infections in children is one reason for the earlier, contradictory findings. (5-13-03)

Breastfeeding Multiplied – Nursing Twins, Triplets or More!

Research in recent years has shown that breast milk is beneficial for babies because it contains all the nutrients needed for the first four to six months of life and helps protect against many illnesses.

But what if you have twins, triplets or more? Can you still breastfeed successfully?

Certainly, say experts from the National Organization of Mothers Of Twins Clubs (NOMOTC), a nonprofit organization headquartered in Thompson Station, Tenn. Breastfeeding multiples just takes a little more effort and commitment on the part of the mother to be successful.

Tending to her own health is the first step for a new mom breastfeeding multiples. Eating properly, getting plenty of fluids and resting often are all important. Nutritionists recommend a 3000-calorie diet daily for moms breastfeeding twins, including foods high in protein and at least a quart of milk. The NOMOTC suggests extra help at home during the first few weeks while establishing a feeding routine for the babies.

You can feed twins at the same time or one-on-one, but feeding triplets or more requires some planning. A feeding chart can be helpful until you get established on a routine. Just remember to do whatever works best for you and your babies.

Even multiples born prematurely can be breastfed (although you might have to start off by pumping milk if they are not able to latch on). And the breast milk is easier for premature babies to digest – an added incentive for struggling moms.

Sources such as NOMOTC, La Leche League, hospital lactation consultants and local clubs for mothers of multiples can be great resources for help in breastfeeding multiple infants.

For additional information on NOMOTC and its resources and products, contact the NOMOTC Executive Office at nomotc@aol.com. (5-13-03)

Zeta-Jones, Douglas Welcome Baby Girl

It's one of each now for Catherine Zeta-Jones and hubby Michael Douglas.

The couple welcomed baby girl Carys (pronounced KEHR'-is) Zeta Douglas on April 20, Easter Sunday, weighing 6 pounds, 12 ounces, according to the Associated Press. Jones delivered in Ridgewood, N.J.

"They're all doing fantastic," Cece Yorke, said the actress' Los Angeles publicist.

The couple also has a 2 1/2-year-old son, Dylan Michael. It's the second child for Zeta-Jones and third for Douglas, who has 24-year-old son, Cameron, from a previous marriage. (4-29-03)

Study of Sheep Finds Undernourishment of Mother Leads to Preterm Birth

Even modest restrictions in maternal nutrition around the time of conception can lead to premature births and long-term adverse health effects for offspring, according to new research.

In a study of sheep, researchers divided them into two groups: one which was fully nourished prior to mating and during the entire gestational period and one which was underfed and maternal body weights were reduced 60 days prior to mating and for an additional 30 days after conception.

The researchers found that even after nutrition was returned to normal, fetuses of undernourished ewes had accelerated maturation of their adrenal glands, prompting their premature delivery by about one week, on average. In some cases, the ewes delivered as much as 15 to 20 days early.

The researchers were surprised to find, however, that the undernourishment of ewes did not create growth restrictions in the offspring. Lambs delivered early by underfed mothers were the appropriate weight and size for their gestational development, although naturally smaller than full-term lambs.

While preterm birth is a problem throughout the world, the researchers note that the incidence of preterm birth in affluent Western societies has increased over the past decade and remains the No. 1 cause of perinatal illness and death. They suggests the problem may have to do with women who diet prior to pregnancy for fear they'll be unable to shed the excess weight afterward.

"Women need to think about proper diet and food intake before they even know they're pregnant, because proper nutrition after pregnancy may not compensate for the lack of it beforehand. Even a modest restriction around the time of conception could have far-reaching consequences," says Dr. John Challis, professor of medicine and physiology at the University of Toronto and one of the study authors. (4-29-03)

Model Kathy Ireland Welcomes Third Child

Model mom, Kathy Ireland, featured in the May issue of Pregnancy magazine, delivered her third child, a daughter named Chloe, in March according to E! Online.

Ireland and husband, Dr. Greg Olsen, are also the parents of Erik, 9, and Lily Marie, 5. The couple have been married for almost 15 years.

Ireland, 40, is the CEO of Kathy Ireland Worldwide, a 10-year-old company providing maternity clothes, swimwear, sleepwear, shoes, home furnishings and more. (4-22-03)

Braxton Adds to Brood

R&B singer, Toni Braxton, recently gave birth to her second child, according to E! online.

Braxton, 34, delivered a boy, Diezel Ky Braxton Lewis, in Atlanta on March 30, weighing 6 pounds, 4 ounces.

Braxton and her husband, Keri Lewis, already have one child, a 1-year-old boy named Denim. (4-22-03)

Consumer Reports Announces Results of Child Car Seat Tests

Car seats have come a long way since Consumer Reports' (CR) first crash-tested them for the magazine's August 1972 issue and rated 12 out of 15 of them Not Acceptable, saying the restraints "proved shockingly inadequate."

Results of CR's most recent tests of child seats, published in the May 2003 issue, show that parents now have excellent choices in all car-seat categories. But CR also found that some of the new LATCH seats, which have been redesigned with lower anchors and a top tether to make them easier to install and thus more likely to be used correctly, had design flaws or were difficult to make fit securely.

CR evaluated 25 car seats, including 14 infant or convertible car seats and 11 booster seats, priced from $20 to $230, for their crash protection, ease of use and fit to vehicle. The ratings and full report can be accessed free online at www.ConsumerReports.org.

CR's test results underscore the importance for parents of checking the fit of any car seat they are considering in their own car and to make sure that the seat is easy to use before committing to buying it. Conversely, if parents are buying a new car, they should take their child seats with them to make sure they fit properly.

CR also recommends that parents look for local car-seat inspection sites to ensure their seats are installed correctly. Parents can find the nearest site by visiting www.seatcheck.org.

The May issue will be available April 8 wherever magazines are sold. To subscribe to Consumer Reports, call 1-800-234-1645. (4-22-03)

Study Suggests Maternal Depression, Not Antidepressant Use, Lowers Nursing Infant Weight Gain

Breastfeeding moms suffering from postpartum depression should not hesitate to seek medical treatment, even if it involves the use of antidepressants, says the author of a new study on the effect of antidepressants on nursing infants.

The study, which looked at more than 70 breastfeeding mothers treated for a mood or anxiety disorder with an antidepressant in the six months following pregnancy, is the first to compare the impact of maternal depression vs. antidepressant use on the physical development of nursing infants.

Researchers at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute found that maternal depression, not antidepressant use, affects infant weight gain in the first six months after birth.

The study showed that exposure to antidepressant medication through breast milk had no effect on infant weight gain compared with national norms calculated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In contrast, infant exposure to maternal depression lasting two months or more significantly lowered infant weight gain compared with infants of mothers with major depression lasting less than two months and with the CDC norms.

"Our findings emphasize the importance of screening for depression and treating the disorder in new mothers," says Dr. Victoria Hendrick, lead investigator and director of the institute's Pregnancy and Postpartum Program. "Less than one-third of women who suffer major depression postpartum actually are identified by medical professionals as depressed. There is a tremendous amount of under-diagnosing and under-treatment."

Depression in the first six months postpartum affects about 12 percent to 15 percent of new mothers. Symptoms include low self-esteem, feelings of inadequacy as a parent, inability to enjoy the baby or usual activities, lack of energy, insomnia even when the baby is sleeping, problems with concentration and irritability.

The study appeared in the April edition of the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. (4-22-03)

Sehorn, Harmon Announce Pregnancy

Former Law and Order star, Angie Harmon, and husband Jason Sehorn, former all-pro defensive back with the New York Giants, announced they are expecting their first child in October, according to E!

Harmon most recently appeared in the movie Agent Cody Banks.

The couple married in 2001. (4-22-03)

Mother-Infant Bed Sharing Associated With Increase in Infant Heart Rate

Sharing your bed with your baby is becoming an increasingly common practice, and a new study has found that bed-sharing may increase a baby's heart rate.

Researchers studied 35 healthy mother-infant pairs for three nights in a sleep laboratory with video recording. The results showed that mother-infant bed sharing affected heart rate and variability in a state-specific manner. Analyses showed a significant night effect where heart rate during bed sharing was higher than during solitary sleeping in all sleep stages but not waking.

These effects on heart rate and variability are likely related to sensory or psychological stimuli unique to the bed sharing environment, or conversely, to the lack of those stimuli in the solitary condition, say the study authors. Increases in heart rate could be an indication of increased sympathetic activity, possibly resulting from some specific feature of the bed sharing sensory or psychological environment, they say. (4-15-03)

Teens Who Were Low Birth Weight Babies Score Lower on Academic Exams

Severely underweight babies grow into adolescents who achieve lower exam grades, finds research in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.

Researchers studied more than 300 16-year-olds, half of whom weighed 1500 grams or less at birth (normal birth weight is between 2500 and 3500 grams).

Researchers found that the normal birth weight group scored significantly more points, overall and for each subject examined, on the General Certificate of Secondary Education in England.

In terms of exam grades, the normal birth weight group scored almost half a grade higher for each subject, achieving an average subject result between grade C and D, while this was between D and E for the low birth weight group.

The normal birth weight group achieved significantly better grades for mathematics and statistics and higher grades in general science, English and English Literature. Both groups achieved similar results for geography and history.

The authors conclude that very low birth weight clearly affects subsequent intellectual and academic performance, which may influence employers’ selection criteria, as well as the chances of entering further education. (4-15-03)

Folic Acid-Iron Supplements Reduce Risk of Low Birth Weight

Multiple vitamin supplements during pregnancy may not be any more effective than folic acid-iron supplements in reducing the risk of low birth weight babies, according to the results of a study by researchers with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for Human Nutrition (CHN).

For the study, which was conducted in rural Nepal, CHN researchers gave more than 4,900 pregnant women one of the following daily supplements: folic acid, folic acid-iron, folic acid-iron-zinc or a multiple micronutrient supplement containing folic acid, iron and zinc and 11 other micronutrients. All participants received vitamin A, with a control group receiving vitamin A alone.

The findings showed that supplementation with folic-acid iron reduced the incidence of low birth weight by 16 percent, and the multiple micronutrient supplements reduced low birth weight by 14 percent. Folic acid-iron-zinc supplementation and folic acid supplementation alone had no significant effect on birth size.

While researchers are optimistic that they are making progress, they say more work is needed to understand the health effects of antenatal micronutrient use among mothers before being widely adopted in the developing world.

The study was published in a recent issue of the British Medical Journal. (4-8-03)

Smoking During Pregnancy Linked to Lower Birth Weight

A British researcher has discovered one more reason why women shouldn't smoke when pregnant – it damages the placenta and reduces the baby's birth weight.

The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation and the first to evaluate fetal growth and placental blood flow throughout smoking pregnancies, followed more than 1500 mothers.

Researchers found that placenta of smokers was damaged, and blood flow to the fetus was reduced. In addition, the babies of smokers were on average more than 5 ounces lighter than non-smokers.

"These profound effects of smoking on fetal development are irreversible and may cause impairment in the health and well-being of the offspring in later life," says Dr. Peter Hindmarsh of University College in London, who led the study. "In particular, the reduced brain size that we saw in smokers’ babies could lead to impaired cognitive ability of the child." (4-8-03)

Report Finds Hospitals Can Improve Care of Premature Babies

Hospital trusts could substantially improve the quality of care provided to premature babies, according to a recent report by the Confidential Enquiry into Stillbirths and Deaths in Infancy (CESDI).

The report, entitled Project 27/28, looked at the quality of care of premature babies born at 27-28 weeks gestation. CESDI identified a number of deficiencies in the care of babies born prematurely. These included:

• Problems with expertise/proficiency in neonatal resuscitation
• Poor ventilatory and cardiovascular support of the preterm baby in the first week of life
• Poor intubation skills of staff
• Substandard early thermal care
• Delays in administration of surfactant therapy

All these problems were more frequent in the babies who died, and although these babies were sicker at birth, it was concluded that in many cases improvements in care may have improved the outcome of these babies.

CESDI found improvements were also needed in antenatal care. The recommendations are targeted at problems observed more frequently in the mothers of babies who died, in particular:

• How the baby is assessed for well-being
• When to refer for specialist review
• The efforts made to administer corticosteroids

Better communication between obstetric, midwifery and neonatal unit staff is required, according to the report, and neonatal staff should be involved earlier in the care of women expecting to deliver prematurely. Record keeping was often found lacking in key areas of clinical care, particularly the delivery and transfer arrangements, they found.

Most premature babies were born in units that could provide appropriate neonatal care. One in four mothers required transfer before delivery, and 1/10 of babies were transferred between hospital units in the first week of life.

But a lack of clear standards in the referral and transfer system of mothers and babies (before and after-labor) was found, despite national recommendations on this being made in 1996. At times this put both the mother and baby at risk. The report calls on the Department of Health to support the establishment of managed clinical networks that might improve outcomes for premature babies. (4-01-03)

Secondhand Smoke Linked to Childhood Cavities

Here's another reason not to smoke in front of your children – secondhand smoke may cause cavities, according to a new study.

The study, which appears in the March 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, surveyed more than 3500 children ages 4 to 11 who had had both dental examinations and a serum cotinine – a byproduct of nicotine – level measurement.

Researchers found that an elevated cotinine level was significantly associated with both decayed primary teeth and those that had fillings.

The authors concluded that there is an association between environmental tobacco smoke and risk of cavities among children. Reduction of passive smoking is important not only for the prevention of many medical problems, but also for the promotion of children's dental health, they say. (3-25-03)

Americans Living Longer, Infant Mortality Rate Unchanged

Americans' life expectancy hit an all-time high in 2001, according to a new report released by U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson.

The report from HHS' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that life expectancy hit a new high of 77.2 years in 2001, up from 77 in 2000, and increased for both men and women as well as whites and blacks. For men, life expectancy increased from 74.3 years in 2000 to 74.4 years in 2001; for women, life expectancy increased from 79.7 years to 79.8 years. Record high life expectancies were observed for white men and for both black men and women.

The report also found that the national age-adjusted death rate decreased slightly from 869 deaths per 100,000 population in 2000 to 855 deaths per 100,000 in 2001. There were declines in mortality among most racial, ethnic and gender groups.

"This report highlights some encouraging progress, including a continued reduction in death rates from the nation's three leading killers – heart disease, cancer and stroke," Secretary Thompson says. "At the same time, it reminds us that we need to do more to reduce the health disparities that disproportionately affect certain racial and ethnic groups."

Among leading causes of death, there were declines in mortality from heart disease (nearly 4 percent), cancer (2 percent), stroke (nearly 5 percent) and accidents/unintentional injuries (nearly 2 percent). The biggest decline in mortality among leading causes of death was for influenza/pneumonia (more than 7 percent).

The report shows that mortality increased for some leading causes of death, including: kidney disease (3.7 percent), hypertension (3 percent) and Alzheimer's disease (5 percent). In addition, the infant mortality rate remained unchanged between 2000 and 2001, at 6.9 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.

The full report is available at www.cdc.gov/nchs. (3-25-03)

CDC Activates Emergency Operations in Response to New Pneumonia-like Illness

In response to reports of increasing numbers of cases of an atypical pneumonia that the World Health Organization (WHO) has called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) activated its emergency operations center on Friday, March 14.

As of March 19, WHO has received reports of 264 patients from 11 countries with suspected and probable SARS. Areas with reported local transmission include Hong Kong and Guangdong province, China; Hanoi, Vietnam and Singapore. More limited transmission has been reported in Taipei, Taiwan and Toronto, Canada. Eleven cases have been reported in the United States. The initial cases reported in Singapore, Taiwan and Toronto were among people who all had traveled to China.

Among patients reported worldwide as of March 19, the disease has been characterized by rapid onset of high fever, myalgia, chills, rigor and sore throat, followed by shortness of breath, cough and radiographic evidence of pneumonia. Of the 264 suspected and probable cases reported by WHO, nine (3 percent) people have died.

CDC has been working with the World Health Organization (WHO) since late February to investigate and confirm outbreaks of this severe form of pneumonia in Vietnam, Hong Kong and parts of China.

"The emergence of two clusters of this illness on the North American continent indicates the potential for travelers who have been in the affected areas of Southeast Asia to have been exposed to this serious syndrome," says Dr. Julie L. Gerberding, CDC director. "The World Health Organization has been leading a global effort, in which CDC is participating, to understand the cause of this illness and how to prevent its spread. We do know that it may progress rapidly and can be fatal. Therefore, we are instituting measures aimed at identifying potential cases among travelers returning to the United States and protecting the people with whom they may come into contact."

The WHO issued a global alert about the outbreak on March 12, cautioning that the severe respiratory illness may spread to hospital staff. (3-25-03)

Car Seat Instruction Manuals too Complicated

Did you have trouble understanding the instructions that accompanied your child's car seat? You're not the only one.

A new study in the March issue of Pediatrics found that the instruction manuals for these child safety seats are written at a level that exceeds the reading skills of most consumers.

The study, "How Readable Are Child Safety Seat Installation Instructions?" determined the materials were written at an average reading level of 10th grade. Yet health literacy experts recommend that materials be targeted to the fifth- or sixth-grade level.

Previous research has found that properly installing child safety seats can reduce fatal injuries by 71 percent and hospitalizations by 67 percent. (3-25-03)

Seinfeld Welcomes Baby No. 2

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld and wife, Jessica Sklar, welcomed their second baby into the family fold March 1, according to E! Online.

Julian Kal Seinfeld was born in Manhattan weighing 6 pounds, 7 ounces.

"Mom, dad, Sascha and Baby are all happy and healthy," said Seinfeld family spokeswoman Elizabeth Clark in a statement.

Julian is the couple's second child. Daughter, Sascha, is 2. (3-11-03)

Infants Placed in Unaccustomed Sleeping Position at Higher SIDS Risk

Infants accustomed to sleeping on their backs who are then placed to sleep on their stomachs or sides are at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), greater than the increased SIDS risk of infants always placed on their stomachs or sides, according to new research.

The study, which appears in a recent issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology, also shows that infants sleeping on their sides are at an increased risk of SIDS. The researchers think that a large part of the risk may be due to the instability of the side sleeping position and the tendency for infants sleeping in this position to turn onto their stomachs.

The study is the first to examine the relationship between infant sleeping position and SIDS in a racially diverse U.S. population. Before the current study, evidence of the link between stomach sleeping and SIDS risk was based largely on overseas studies, where populations and cultural practices are different from those in the United States. (3-11-03)

Pacifiers May Detract From Breastfeeding

A new study in the March issue of Pediatrics found that the use of pacifiers during the neonatal period was detrimental to exclusive and overall breastfeeding.

To enhance breastfeeding practices, the World Health Organization discourages pacifiers and bottle-feeding. However the causal effect of artificial nipples on breastfeeding has never been proven.

Researchers also showed that there was no advantage to cupfeeding for providing supplements to the general population of healthy breastfed infants, but it may have benefited infants who required multiple supplements or who were delivered by Cesarean section. (3-11-03)

Online Workshop Educates Parents on Preventing Infections, Preparing for Bioterrorism

A new online workshop teaches Americans of every age how to prevent infections in all areas of life, from homes, businesses and classrooms to what to do if a bioterrorist strikes.

The Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases (PKIDs) workshop is filled with vivid graphics, amazing facts and fun activities for any age. It is a train-the-trainer program offered free of charge to the nation's classrooms, employers, parents and coaches.

The workshop focuses on the following areas:

• Why viruses and bacteria are so good at making us so sick.
• How to prevent infections through standard precautions and immunizations.
• Beware the blood: Fun ways to teach children standard precautions.
• Make your own alcohol disinfectant handrub.
• Why do state governments mandate immunizations?
• How to prepare for a bioterrorist strike.
• How to keep athletes of all ages safe from bloodborne and other infections.
• Why the infected are stigmatized and what protections civil rights laws provide.

"The workshop is designed so anyone can use it to teach others about infectious disease – no teaching certificate is required!" says Trish Parnell, executive director of PKIDs, a national nonprofit organization that supports families touched by infectious diseases and educates the public about disease prevention. "Each section provides a detailed instructional text plus great hands-on learning activities for use in homes, schools and businesses."

The materials were developed in cooperation with leading physicians and public health educators to create an accurate and user-friendly program that is free to the public.

PKIDs' Infectious Disease Workshop can be downloaded or printed for free at www.pkids.org/idw.htm or it can be purchased on CD-ROM for $30 plus shipping and handling by calling 360-695-0293 or e-mailing pkids@pkids.org. (3-11-03)

Ripa Delivers the News to Regis Live

The public has been watching Kelly Ripa's growing belly day by day on Live With Regis & Kelly, waiting for the big moment. And it has finally arrived – Ripa called the show just after delivering a baby boy, Monday, to give Regis the news.

Ripa and husband, Mark Consuelos, welcomed Joaquin Consuelos, who weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces, on Feb. 24.

“Mark and I are so excited to share our news with everyone,” Ripa said. “We are the proud parents of a healthy baby boy! We can't wait to bring Joaquin home to meet all of our friends and family.”

Ripa is taking a maternity leave and will return to LIVE at the beginning of May. The couple, who married May 1, 1996, also has a 5 1/2 year old son, Michael, and a 1 1/2 year-old daughter, Lola. (3-4-03)

Cognitive Abilities of Prematurely-Born Children Significantly Improve With Age

Many studies have found that children born prematurely with very low birth weight have an increased risk of neurological problems, including cognitive handicaps. New research, however, shows that most of these children improve significantly on tests of cognitive function during early childhood and score within the normal range on tests of verbal comprehension and intelligence by age 8.

In the study, which appears in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers at Yale University's School of Medicine examined nearly 300 children who weighed 600 to 1250 grams at birth. They also tested these children using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised (a test of verbal comprehension) and Wechsler intelligence scales when they reached 3, 4 1/2, 6, and 8 years of age.

Most of the children improved significantly on both verbal comprehension and intelligence tests between their 3rd and 8th birthdays, the researchers found.

"These results are the first indication that the brain may recover from injury over time in these children," says lead investigator Dr. Laura Ment. Verbal comprehension scores increased by more than twice as much in this group of children as would be expected in the normal population, she adds. (2-25-03)

Many Emergency Room Trips Due to the Common Cold

Parents who are misinformed about the cause and treatments of colds may be more likely to take their children to the emergency room, reports a new study in the February issue of Pediatrics.

The study found colds accounted for 1.6 million emergency room visits in 1998, even though most colds are viral and do not require medical intervention.

Researchers suggest that educating parents about the inappropriate use of antibiotics for treating colds may reduce unnecessary ER visits. (2-25-03)

Lunden to Raise Twins Born to Surrogate

Former Good Morning America host, Joan Lunden, said she and her husband, Jeff Konigsberg, are becoming parents to twins born to a surrogate mother, according to the Associated Press. The children, a boy and a girl, are due in mid-June.

Lunden, 52, has three daughters ranging in age from 15 to 22 from her first marriage.

She'd tried to get pregnant with Konigsberg through in vitro fertilization but was unsuccessful. Then they turned to the Center for Surrogate Parenting in Los Angeles. "It seemed kind of strange in the beginning when you've never been involved in it," Lunden told CNN's Larry King. But she and Konigsberg agreed that the result, having children, mattered most.

She said she's going public because she realized people would be curious. "I've lived my entire life in the public eye. To think I could come under the radar and not have it noticed is a little unrealistic," she said.

But some things will remain private, such as whether the sperm and egg used to grow the embryo implanted in the surrogate are biologically Konigsberg's and Lunden's. (2-18-03)

Breastfeeding Mom Launches Internet Breastfeeding Store

A "mompreneur," Sherry Bonelli, recently announced the debut of her new Web site, which offers breastfeeding and baby products for busy moms. Breastmilk.com features products from breast pumps to baby slings, all tested personally by Bonelli.

A veteran breastfeeding mom herself (she nursed her son for 14 months and is currently breastfeeding her 4-month-old twin girls), Bonelli prides herself on only selling products she has personally reviewed and/or tried herself. “If I wouldn’t use it, I won’t sell it,” says Bonelli. “I don’t sell just anything. I really try to find the best products on the market and make those products available at affordable prices. We even offer free shipping.”

Sherry launched her first web site, www.MommysThinkin.com, in 1999 after the birth of her first son. “Mommy’s Thinkin’ was started because of a breastfeeding product I invented after I had my first son," says Bonelli. "I invented the peek-a-boo breastfeeding strap and began to sell peek-a-boos from my Web site. I soon realized that I needed to add additional products to my store in order to grab people’s attention and have a better-rounded product offering.”

Products she has recently added include the Whisper Wear Hands-Free Breast Pump and The Ultimate Baby Wrap sling.

A one-woman show, Sherry designs the Web sites, does product research, works with vendors, handles customer relations and even boxes and ships out the orders. She’s also working on her next site launch – look for www.PregnancyStore.com in April 2003. “I describe myself as a breastfeeding/entrepreneur/stay-at-home-working mom," says Bonelli. "I’m busy with my kids and busy with my business. That’s how I like it.” (2-18-03)

A Beautiful Mind Stars Expecting Baby

It looks like the two stars of A Beautiful Mind have a beautiful baby on the way.

According the E! Online, the publicist for Jennifer Connelly, 32, has confirmed that she is pregnant, but has declined to share the due date. The father of the baby is Paul Bettany, 31, who played John Nash's make-believe college roommate in A Beautiful Mind.

The couple was married over the holidays. This is the first child for Bettany and the second for Connelly, who has a 5-year-old son. (2-18-03)

Restraint Use Rises to Record High Level for Infants and Toddlers

A new survey from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports good news: More children are being restrained during travel than ever before.

An NHTSA survey found that an estimated 99 percent of infants under age 1 are now restrained during travel, up 4 percentage points from 2000. Fully 94 percent of toddlers are now restrained, a 3 percentage point gain over two years ago. Eighty-three percent of children ages 4 to 7 are restrained, with no past data available for this age group.

“Children are the most vulnerable passengers riding on America’s roadways. It is extremely good news that more of them are now safely secured,” says Dr. Jeffrey W. Runge, NHTSA administrator.

However, Dr. Runge indicated serious concern about other findings from the survey, which shows that many young children continue to ride in the front seat. An estimated 15 percent of infants under age 1 now ride in a front seating position; 10 percent of toddlers ages 1 to 3 ride in the front; and 29 percent of youngsters ages 4 to 7 do so.

Besides indicating increasing restraint use among infants and toddlers, the latest national survey reached these key findings:

• The link between restraint use of drivers and their child passengers remains strong. More than 90 percent of belted drivers also restrain the children traveling in their vehicles. Approximately 70 percent of unbelted drivers restrain their child passengers.
• Male drivers are restraining their children more often than they did two years ago, bringing them to near parity with female drivers. The 2000 survey indicated a 7-percentage-point disparity between men and women. That gap has now been narrowed to about 1 percentage point.
• Parents appear to be more aware of the need for appropriate restraint use based on the age and size of their children. The latest survey indicates lower incidence of “premature graduation” in the use of restraint systems. Premature graduation involves transitioning children to the next stage of restraint system use before they are ready in terms of age or size. For example, infants are placed in forward-facing seats too soon, or children are moved from a child safety seat directly to an adult safety belt too soon, bypassing the booster-seat stage. (2-18-03)

Second Supermodel Delivers in London

For the second time in a week a supermodel has delivered a baby in London. This time it was Elle Macpherson.

According to E! Online, Macpherson delivered a baby boy named Aurelius Cy Andrea on Feb. 4. The baby weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces.

This is the second child for Macpherson, 39, and her fiancé, Arpad Busson. Son, Flynn, will be 5 on Valentine's Day.

Claudia Schiffer delivered her baby Jan. 30. (2-11-03)

Help Your Child Avoid Cavities

Cavities may be the most common childhood disease, but with a little help from parents, children can avoid them says a new report in the journal General Dentistry.

Cavities, an infectious disease caused by acid-forming bacteria found in dental plaque, destroys the tooth's structure. Young children, ages 1 through 6, are more susceptible to develop cavities because their primary teeth have thinner, weaker enamel and are a prime target for plaque. Primary teeth also have more spaces between teeth where food is more likely to linger, which creates a breeding ground for cavity-causing bacteria.

"Learning about proper oral care should be just as much of a priority as prenatal care. Parents-to-be should take the initiative and ask health care professionals about a baby's oral health," says Shahrbanoo Fadavi, DDS, MS.

How can parents help their children keep cavities at bay?

1. Add more fluoride to children's daily intake. Fluoride strengthens young teeth and can be obtained through toothpaste, fluoridated water, rinses and professional application. Not only does fluoride prevent the development of cavities, it also repairs the early stages of tooth decay (before cavity formation). Therefore, tooth decay is reduced throughout the child's life and so is the cost of dental treatment.

2. Eat a healthy, balanced diet and limit sugar intake. "Promote fruits and vegetables in the household, and remove foods with processed sugars and add teeth-cleaning foods like apples, carrots and celery," says Manuel Cordero, DDS, MAGD, spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry. However, be selective on what you serve.

In addition, limit or eliminate sugary drinks and snacks; the best alternative drink is water. "After eating, these sugary carbohydrates lead to 20 minutes of acid production in the mouth which is the crucial time when cavities form," says Cordero. Replace sweet treats with fruits, and buy sugar-free chewing gum that contains xylitol and sorbitol. Limit intake of carbonated drinks, and use a straw with drinks to prevent sugar contact with teeth.

3. Help implement a dental education program within the school and/or community. Make dental and health education a priority within the school system. Children spend most of their waking hours at school and are easily influenced by others, which can form bad habits. Parents should speak with teachers and school administrators about producing dental and health based programs or workshops that will teach kids about practicing good oral hygiene and nutrition.

"Parents can also teach kids good dental care through imitation. Let your children watch you brush your teeth and then take time to show them how to do it," says Dr. Cordero.

4. Prevent baby bottle tooth decay by becoming aware of nursing patterns. Baby bottle tooth decay is caused by the frequent and long-term exposure of a child's teeth to liquids containing sugars. Among these liquids are milk, formula, fruit juice, sodas and other sweetened drinks. The sugars in these liquids pool around the infant's teeth and gums, feeding the bacteria that cause plaque. Every time a child consumes a sugary liquid, acid attacks the teeth and gums. After numerous attacks, tooth decay can begin.

Never allow children to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, juice or other sweetened liquids. Clean and massage the baby's gums to help establish healthy teeth and to aid in teething. Wrap a moistened gauze square or washcloth around the finger and gently massage the gums and gingival tissues. This should be done once a day.

5. Children should visit a dentist within six months of the eruption of the first tooth. Parents often wait much longer than this for their child's first dental visit. However the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the Academy of General Dentistry recommend children visit a dentist within six months after the first tooth erupts and no later than 12 months of age. During the first visit, parents will learn more about the proper oral care and hygiene measures that is necessary for healthy, young teeth. (2-11-03)

March of Dimes Launches New Fight Against Prematurity

Washington, D.C. – Citing the dramatic rise in the number of babies born prematurely in this country, the March of Dimes today launched a $75 million, five-year national campaign. The campaign’s goals will be to increase awareness of the growing problem and decrease the rate of premature birth. In 2001, more than 476,000 babies, or nearly 12 percent of live births, were born too soon – before 37 completed weeks – in the U.S.

“The annual rate of babies born prematurely has risen 27 percent since 1981, and this rate is unacceptably high,” says Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, March of Dimes president. “Many of these babies come into the world with serious health problems. Those who survive may suffer life-long consequences, from cerebral palsy and mental retardation to blindness.”

Prematurity has also been identified as the leading cause of neonatal death (within the first month of life) in the U.S.

Dr. Howse notes that most Americans today are unaware of the magnitude of this health problem. In a recent March of Dimes national survey of 1,967 adults, only 35 percent of respondents identified prematurity as “very serious” or “extremely serious.” In the same survey, more than 50 percent believed the rate of preterm birth is declining or about the same.

The results of this survey are published in the February issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. The results of a similar survey of 605 pregnant women appears in this month’s issue of Contemporary OB/GYN.

“Prematurity is a common and serious problem,” says campaign honorary chair Dr. Louis W. Sullivan, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. “Women and their doctors need to address the known risks. Although African-American women are more likely to experience a premature birth, these births cut across all socio-economic and cultural barriers. These babies come from every community.”

Dr. Sullivan also notes that prematurity imposes financial burdens on insurers, businesses and families. In 2000, hospital charges for 23,000 prematurity-related infant stays totaled $1.2 billion. The average charge was $58,000 per baby, compared to $4,300 for a typical newborn stay. ¹

The net cost of health care for treatment of preterm newborns covered by employer health plans has been estimated at $4.7 billion – equivalent to approximately two percent of corporate after-tax profits.² On January 30th the March of Dimes will release data showing the national hospital bill for premature births.

The March of Dimes goals are to increase public awareness of the problem of prematurity from 35 to 60 percent, and to decrease the rate of preterm birth by at least 15 percent, to no more than 10.1 percent. The 2001 rate is 11.9 percent.

If the rate in 2001 had been 10.1 percent, an estimated 73,000 babies would have been spared a premature birth.

The March of Dimes campaign will invest $75 million over the next five years and will raise new funds to support research into the causes and treatment of prematurity, says Dr. Howse. The campaign will also advocate for an increase of $10 million annually in federally funded research into the causes of prematurity.

Our history, our track record and our mission to improve infant health uniquely qualify the March of Dimes to call the question,” says Dr. Howse. “But this will be a tough campaign – more difficult than finding the vaccine for polio, and folic acid education. We can’t do this alone, we need the support of the American public, health professionals, the corporate community, and federal and state government officials.

“We need to educate women about preterm labor, work with medical personnel to support risk detection, invest more federal and private research dollars and expand access to health care in order to find out why this is happening to our mothers and babies. For thousands of families every year, the answers can’t come soon enough.”

Partnering with the March of Dimes in this effort are the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN).

Also joining the campaign are corporate sponsors CIGNA, FedEx and the Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute. Media sponsors include Meredith Publishing’s American Baby Group and Working Mother Media.

In addition, more than 25 professional, consumer and government organizations across the U.S. will assist in communicating the March of Dimes educational messages.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at www.marchofdimes.com, its Spanish language Web site at www.nacersano.org, or call 1-888-MODIMES. (1-30-03)

¹ Derived from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for 2000, a component of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. The diagnosis code includes short gestation and low birthweight

² Chollet J, Newman JF, Sumner AT. The Corporate Cost of Poor Birth Outcomes. Center for Risk Management and Insurance Research, Georgia State University, 1992.

Study Finds Formula Manufacturers Violating International Marketing Code

Manufacturers of formula milk are violating the international code of marketing of breast milk substitutes in west Africa, say researchers in a recent issue of the British Medical Journal.

Two survey teams monitored compliance with the code, adopted by the World Health Assembly in 1981 to ensure the proper use of breast milk substitutes, in the African countries Togo and Burkina Faso.

Violations included no statement on the superiority of breastfeeding, no instructions for appropriate preparation or storage, no warning against health hazards of inappropriate use and pictures, drawings or text idealizing use.

They also found that six health facilities had received donations of breast milk substitutes, and health providers in five health facilities had received free samples of breast milk substitutes and promotional gifts from manufacturers. Promotional materials for commercial breast milk substitutes were found in seven health facilities, and special displays to market commercial breast milk were found in 29 sales and distribution points.

Forty commercial breast milk substitutes violated the labeling standards of the code including some manufactured by Danone, Nestle and eight other national and international manufacturers.

Protection of breastfeeding from commercial exploitation should be among the highest priorities for the international community, write two pediatricians in an accompanying editorial. They discuss how we should monitor compliance with the code, how we should train health workers and how we should combine support for breastfeeding with a recognition of the risk of maternally-transmitted HIV infection. (2-04-03)

Study Finds Boys More Difficult to Deliver

Women are more likely to encounter complications during labor and delivery when they are having a boy, according to a new study in a recent issue of the British Medical Journal.

Researchers examined data from more than 8000 singleton births from 1997 to 2000 at a Dublin hospital. Women who had inductions were not included.

They found that boys were significantly more likely to require oxytocin (a hormone that stimulates contractions), blood sampling and instrumental vaginal delivery or Cesarean section.

Since baby boys have a significantly larger head size than baby girls, the authors suggest this may contribute to the duration of labor and the higher incidence of operative delivery. (2-4-03)

Sadie Frost, Wife of Jude Law, Suffering Postpartum Depression

The wife of actor Jude Law, Sadie Frost, is suffering from severe postpartum depression, according to the Associated Press, and has checked into a London clinic.

Frost, 34, was admitted to the $1,600-a-night Cromwell Hospital over the weekend, immediately after returning to Britain from Los Angeles, where newspaper reports said she'd marked her wrists in a "suicide scare."

In a statement released Thursday through publicist Simon Halls, Law said his wife was "feeling very blue" after the premature birth of their third child, Rudy, in September.

"This depression can be a serious thing, and it has left Sadie feeling very sad and run down and she is just trying to get a handle on it," Law said in the statement. "She has had so much on her plate recently and realizes she needs help and to catch her breath. Not only does she have to look after four children – including a baby – she runs a successful business and has been overseeing the refurbishment of our new house."

Frost appeared in Bram Stoker's Dracula in 1992, and she is well known in Britain for her "Frost French" designer underwear.

Law, 30, has returned to the couple's north London home to care for their three children – Rudy, son Rafferty and daughter Iris – and Frost's son Finlay from her previous marriage to Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp. (2-4-03)

Schiffer Delivers Baby by C-section

Claudia Schiffer gave birth in London on Jan. 30 to a baby boy by Cesarean section, according to Reuters.

The baby is the first child for the supermodel, 32, and her husband, filmmaker Matthew Vaughn.

The couple's spokesperson said the baby weighed 7 pounds, but is so far unnamed. She also said Schiffer wanted a natural delivery but had a Cesarean on the advice of her doctors. "Claudia crushed one of her feet in an accident in November and has been on crutches ever since, so doctors advised her against a natural delivery," she said.

"Both parents are utterly thrilled at the birth of their first child, and both mother and baby are doing very well," she said, adding that Vaughn was planning to stay the night at the hospital with his wife and child. (2-4-03)

Frequent Feedings Over 24 Hours Triple Likelihood of Disrupted Night Sleep for Babies

A new study finds that feeding your newborn frequently in a 24-hour period may keep him from sleeping through the night later on.

Researchers studied 600 babies from 1 to 12 weeks of age and found that the single most significant factor in babies failing to sleep through the night at 12 weeks was having been given more than 11 feeds over 24 hours during the first week of age. These babies were almost three times as likely to wake repeatedly as babies fed fewer times. They also had more fussing/crying bouts at night.

However, researchers found that those "at-risk" babies whose parents participated in a behavioral program were more likely to sleep through the night. The program entailed: maximizing the difference between night and day environments by minimizing light and social interaction at night; settling a sleepy baby in a cot and avoiding feeding or cuddling at night; and once the baby is developing normally, gradually delaying feeds when the baby wakes at night from the age of 3 weeks.

The authors conclude that it is possible to identify babies who will develop sleeping problems later on, for whom a behavioral program could be helpful. But they note that elements of the program run counter to widely used childcare practice. (2-4-03)

New Award-winning Segment to Join Teletubbies Program on PBS

Are Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po household names in your home? If so, you'll be happy to learn – or at least your kids will – there's a new addition to the popular Teletubbies TV show on PBS.

Teletubbies Everywhere, a new 10-minute segment which starts off the show, features the Teletubbies characters in a simple, graphic setting and introduces first concepts such as numbers, shapes, colors and opposites with clarity and humor at a pace very young children enjoy. Created by international filmmakers, each live-action segment provides an entertaining and innovative new way for American preschoolers to discover the lives, languages, music and customs of children from a variety of cultures and countries.

"Children everywhere will love 'Everywhere'," says David Levine, vice president of corporate and business affairs at Ragdoll, the creator of Teletubbies. "'Everywhere' looks and feels wonderfully different from the original Teletubbies show and will add immensely to the enjoyment of children who already watch the Teletubbies everyday."

Teletubbies Everywhere recently received a BAFTA Award (British Emmy). (2-04-03)

Signs of Reduced Blood Oxygen Levels in Preemies May Predict Low IQs

Biochemical signs of reduced blood oxygen levels (hypoxia) soon after birth are associated with lower IQs and language skills in premature babies, according to a new study.

The study, which appears in the January issue of Neuropsychology, looked at more than 50 children who were born prematurely. Half of the group exhibited the signs of mild to moderate hypoxia after birth, while the other half did not.

There was a significant relationship between blood pH soon after birth and later cognitive and language skills, say the researchers. For example, the preterm group who exhibited the signs of mild to moderate hypoxia scored about 10 to 11 points lower on verbal and visuospatial tests than the group who did not exhibit hypoxia signs – a large discrepancy.

For now the authors speculate that, in babies born prematurely, even minor risk may be associated with damage to the periventricular white matter deep inside the brain. (1-28-03)

Government to Test Drugs Prescribed to Kids, But Not Yet Tested in Kids

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced that 12 commonly-prescribed drugs will be tested for use in children beginning this year.

Once a drug has been approved for a particular use, physicians may prescribe it for other uses as they deem necessary. Many commonly-available drugs, although approved for use in adults, have never been tested specifically for use in children. The 12 drugs on the list are currently prescribed for children, but their safety and effectiveness has been established only in adults.

The drugs include:

• Azithromycin – an antibiotic used to treat many different types of bacterial infections.