Have More Kids, Lose More Teeth

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24880051/from/ET/

A German folk saying, "every child costs the mother one tooth" appears to be backed up by a recent research survey. Across socioeconomic classes researchers found a correlation between the number of children and the number of teeth a mother was missing; the more children, the more missing teeth. There was a difference between the number of teeth in each class, but the increase was notable for each additional child.

No conclusive results as to the cause have yet been determined, but there were some good suggestions in the article.

Women are more prone to gingivitis during pregnancy, when the response of the oral tissues to the bacteria in the mouth is altered, Russell said.

Gingivitis occurs when bacteria build up between the teeth and gums, causing inflammation and bleeding. Untreated, it can lead to more serious gum disease and eventually tooth loss.

In addition, Russell said women may be less likely to see a dentist while pregnant, perhaps in part because they want to avoid dental X-rays due to concern over radiation exposure.

Women with multiple children may also forgo their own dental care, possibly due to lack of money or time, Russell said.

Coxsackievirus Killed 5 US Infants in 2007

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24791141/from/ET/

At least 5 babies in the US were killed in 2007 by a variation of the same family of viruses that causes hand, foot and mouth disease in China. The Coxsackievirus struck within a week of birth in each of the 5 cases, and investigations indicated that in each case the mother was infected.

Early symptoms include listlessness, lack of appetite and fever. In a tiny percentage of cases, the virus can overrun the liver, heart and lungs and cause bleeding in the brain.

There is no medicine or vaccine against the virus. Hand-washing, disinfection and other cleaning measures are the best protection, CDC officials said.

Bacteria May Be Related to SIDS

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24879770/from/ET/

Researchers have found potentially dangerous bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli in nearly half of all babies who died of SIDS. Researchers are still trying to determine whether the bacteria were related to the deaths or merely correlate to other conditions that may be to blame - heat or poor ventilation. At the very least it's another clue in the search for a cause, and hopefully one day a cure.

At birth, mothers transfer some of their antibodies against infection to their babies. But when babies are from 8 to 10 weeks old, the maternal antibodies have nearly run out and the babies typically have not started producing enough of their own.

That could make them particularly vulnerable to bacterial infections, said James Morris, a pathologist at the Royal Infirmary in Lancaster, who co-authored an accompanying commentary in the journal.

SIDS typically strikes when babies are between 8 and 10 weeks old.

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Pete Wentz Baby Announcement

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20080529/D90V8HV00.html

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Pete Wentz have officially announced, via Wentz's blog, that they are expecting their first child. The blog claims that they wanted to wait until after the first trimester before making any official announcement.

'Missionary' Couple Arrested in Mexico For Child Trafficking

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jSKpo31jwHln1OcAm5SRX0cyToDQD90URA500

A 64-year old man and his 25-year old wife have been arrested in Mexico under suspicion of buying and selling more than a dozen children aged 2 and under. The couple is accused of illegally buying babies from Mexican women for sale in the US for a profit.

The man in question said he was a missionary helping pregnant mothers unable to pay for their medical costs and the expense of raising a child.

San Diego Woman's Former Employee Attempts Baby Abduction

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20080528-0719-1bo28babyattempt.html

A former employee of a San Diego woman tried to take her 2 month old baby from her as she was standing outside her apartment complex around 11 pm Monday. She managed to hold onto the baby until her husband showed up to join the confrontation. The potential abductor fled the scene, knocking the husband over with his car.

The husband was not injured, and police are seeking the suspect.

Canadian Couple Offers Baby For Sale

http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSCOO85501120080528

A couple in Canada have been arrested for listing their 7 day old baby girl on Craigslist for $10,000. The ad allegedly described the baby as "very cute" and "unexpected" and that the parents couldn't afford the baby and so were seeking a good home.

The couple have claimed that the advertisement was a hoax, but the parents are still being questioned and the baby has been given to social workers for care.

Woman Sues Playtex Over BPA Disclosure

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24863343/

A woman in Arkansas has filed a federal lawsuit seeking class action status against Playtex Products claiming that the company didn't adequately disclose that its plastic bottle products use BPA.

A Playtex spokeswoman cited a general statement by the company that says U.S. and worldwide regulatory bodies continue to deem BPA safe.

Newborn Baby Girl in UK Weighs over 14 lbs

http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=206793

A woman in East London gave birth on Monday to a baby girl weighing 14.6 lbs! The baby was delivered by caesarian section after failing to align properly in the womb for delivery. The baby may make history as being the heaviest ever born in the province.

Supermarket Staff Try To Save Baby's Life

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/incoming/article3745219.ece

Despite valiant efforts by supermarket staff in Belfast in the UK, a baby rushed inside with breathing problems died in the hospital later. The family rushed in with the four month old, and while the father used his cell phone to call for emergency assistance a store manager tried to administer first aid.

A source at the store said: “I didn’t see what happened but I have been told the staff who were helping the baby and the parents did a magnificent job. They did all they could.”

German Woman Freezes Baby

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jDWobA9UCyYtYDr61w5fvX9LSV-gD90UIFBO0

A German woman who believed that her baby had died put the baby into a freezer, and three or four weeks later told police that she had done it. An autopsy showed that the baby was alive when it had been put into the freezer, and the woman has been taken into custody while the case is investigated.

Confirming Why Lead Matters

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/bal-te.lead28may28,0,3377971.story

Two new studies about lead exposure in children is linked to a substantial amount of brain matter loss and increases the likelihood of criminal behavior. One study followed test subjects from the womb into their 20s the study found that the average brain matter loss was 1.2% - the amount seems minimal, until you realize that the loss occurs from areas of the brain that control impulse control, emotional regulation, judgment and the anticipation of consequences.

The higher their blood lead concentrations during childhood, the study found, the more likely the subjects were to be arrested during adulthood, especially for violent offenses. The correlations held even when the data were controlled for such factors as the mother's IQ, education and socioeconomic status.

The other study tracked the statistical correlation between lead levels and arrest rates.

for every increase of 5 micrograms per deciliter in a child's blood lead level, there was a 30 percent increase in arrest rate for violent offenses.

"we have seen effects of lead below 5 micrograms [per deciliter]." They include attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity, and conduct and cognition disorders. The federal "action" standard for medical concern remains 10 micrograms.

10 Surprising Places With Germs

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24511171/from/ET/

When you're busy taking care of your newborn the last thing you want to contend with is catching a cold, or worse, passing a cold onto your baby! The article above includes 10 surprising places that germs can be found, including your bed (surprising advice - don't make your bed!), as well as your shower curtain.

Baby Locks Himself in Car, Sleeps Through Rescue

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/05/27/sleeping-baby-s-car-rescue-91466-20976220/

A woman in South Wales in the UK gave her car keys to her 12 month old to play with while she loaded the car. What seemed an innocent way to amuse her baby turned into a substantial problem when the baby pressed the "lock" button on the key fob and locked himself inside, where he then proceeded to take a nap.

Eventually the crowd and the firefighters managed to get a pair of poles through the window and press the unlock button, so the baby slept right through the rescue.

German Woman Offers Baby For Sale

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/ebay-baby-german,news-1470.html

A German woman with an overactive sense of humor and too much time on her hands has found that the state takes a dim view of certain jokes. She posted an ad on eBay listing her baby for sale, and when eBay users tipped off the police the baby was taken into custody and the woman has been ordered to undergo psychiatric review while the police try to determine whether it was truly a joke or an attempt at human trafficking.

German police got several calls from people who had seen a listing that read, “Baby — collection only. Offering my nearly new baby for sale, as it has gotten too loud. It is a male baby, nearly 28in (70cm) long and can be used either in a baby carrier or a stroller.”

She claims that she just wanted to see if anyone would make a bid, but no bids were made.

Floppy Friends Horse Toys Recalled

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08285.html

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Floppy Friends Horse Toys

Units: About 300

Importer: Toy Investments Inc., d/b/a Toysmith, of Auburn, Wash.

Hazard: Surface paint on the toy horse contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled horse toy has a push up base. When the base is pushed up, the toy horse is floppy. When released, the toy horse stands up straight. The horse is brown and white and the base is green with orange, red flowers and dark blue flowers.


Sold at: Hobby stores, gas stations, gift shops and toy stores nationwide from February 2008 through April 2008 for about $4.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy away from children and return it to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Toy Investments Inc. at (800) 356-0474 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Website at www.toysmith.com

Sure Grip Paint Brushes Recalled

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08283.html

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Yellow Sure Grip Paint Brushes

Units: About 900

Importer: Early Childhood Resources LLC, of Mt. Laurel, N.J.

Hazard: Surface paint on the handle of the yellow paint brushes contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The paint brushes were sold in multi-color packages of four. Only the yellow brushes are included in the recall. The paint brushes have a rounded cylinder body with tan bristle tip brushes and measure about 4 inches in height.


Sold by: Early Childhood Resource distributors, including teacher supply stores nationwide from May 2007 through December 2007 for about $4.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled paint brushes and contact Early Childhood resources to receive a free replacement product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Early Childhood Resources (888) 227-9028 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.ecr4kids.com

Tinker Bell Wands Recalled

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08282.html

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Tinker Bell Wands

Units: About 8,000

Retailer: Disney Store, of Pasadena, Calif.

Importer: Hoop Retail Stores LLC, of Secaucus, N.J.

Hazard: The paint on the pearl beads in the flowers of the wands contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled Tinker Bell wands are green and light up and sound when a button in the handle is pressed. The top of the wand has white plastic flowers, a green bow, and a pin with Tinker Bell’s face on it.


Sold at: Disney stores nationwide from April 2007 through October 2007 for about $13.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy away from children and return it to a Disney Store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Disney Store toll-free at (866) 902-2798 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.Disneystore.com

Pirates of the Caribbean Sleeping Bags Recalled

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08278.html

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Pirates of the Caribbean Sleeping Bags

Units: About 4,100

Retailer: Disney Store, of Pasadena, Calif.

Importer: Hoop Retail Stores LLC, of Secaucus, N.J.

Hazard: The surface paint on the sleeping bag’s zipper pull contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled Pirates of the Caribbean sleeping bags have a cartoon pirate design of Davey Jones and Jack Sparrow on the front. Style number F1652B0003 is printed on the logo label inside the sleeping bags. The sleeping bag with the skull art design is not included in this recall.


Sold exclusively at: Disney stores nationwide from April 2007 through October 2007 for about $25.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled sleeping bags away from children and return them to any Disney Store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Disney Store toll-free at (866) 902-2798 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.disneystore.com

Baby Mall Online Gets a New Look

http://www.babymallonline.com

One of Newborn News Corner's partner sites, primarily selling baby clothes, has redesigned their website and developed a new look! Baby Mall Online has brightened up their logo and changed their overall color scheme, as well as updating a lot of the actual pages.

Product pages now have easy to select swatches for color and size options, and category listings are more spaced out for easier browsing!

They've still got the same great prices, coupon codes still work, and checkout is pretty much the same, but the look and feel of the site is completely different! Take a moment and check out the new look!

Home's Most Toxic Places, Lawn is Number 1

http://living.health.com/2008/04/22/the-most-toxic-places-in-your-home/

Alexandra Zissu & Deirdre Dolan have a new book called The Complete Organic Pregnancy that outlines a lot of suggestions on ways to reduce manmade chemicals from your home and living environments, and the site above includes quite a number of suggestions about some of the most toxic places in your home.

The most toxic place that they list is a well manicured lawn. The chemicals used in many insecticides, for example, are chemical "cousins" of sarin gas. Many herbicides are chemically close to Agent Orange.

Other places listed as toxic hotbeds include under the kitchen sink, your child's toy box, your closet, any room still under renovation, your bed, the cat's litter box, and your home office.

Check out the link to see details on each of these areas, including the lawn details.

Use Warm Olive Oil for Earaches

http://living.health.com/2008/04/29/secret-natural-ingredient-surprising-new-uses-for-olive-oil/

For children over 2 years old a good way to treat ear aches is by using warm olive oil, according to Rachel Lewis, MD, a pediatrician at Columbia University Medical Center. Use 2-4 drops for a child, and 5-10 for adults.

Baby Blankets Recalled

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08275.html

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Lil’ Snugglers™ Children’s Blankets

Units: About 74,000

Manufacturer: Douglas Co., of Keene N.H.

Hazard: The blanket’s satin edge can come loose, posing a strangulation hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has 18 reports of the satin separating from the blanket. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled children’s blankets are 14 inches square with an animal head sewn in the middle. The satin border around the outside edge is about one inch wide. The blankets were sold in the following styles:

Style Number	Description	P.O. Number
1327	Cream Lamb	Only blankets with a P.O. number of 1330 or below are included in this recall
1328	Cream/Tan Horse
1329	Green Frog
1330	Pink Horse
1331	Blue Bear
1332	Yellow Giraffe
1333	Tan Pup
1339	Yellow Duck
1341	Brown Monkey
1351	Pink Bear

The style number, followed by the P.O. number, is identified on a white tab sewn into the blankets behind the Douglas red label.


Sold by: Specialty stores nationwide and on the Web from April 2005 through December 2007 for about $12.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take the blankets away from children immediately and return it to Douglas for a free replacement blanket or credit toward another item of equal value.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Douglas Co. at (800) 992-9002 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.douglastoys.com, or email the firm at linda@douglastoys.com

Cowboy on a Horse Toy Recalled

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08272.html

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Cowboy on a Horse Little Rider Toys

Units: About 6,000

Importer: Master Toys & Novelties Inc., of Los Angeles, Calif.

Hazard: Surface paint on the shoe and pants of the rider toy contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall includes a battery operated cowboy riding a horse toy. The model number 8610B is located on the product packaging. The horse and rider together measure about 8.5 inches in height by 7.5 inches in length. The rider is wearing blue pants and a red shirt and the horse is brown. Only Little Rider Toys with UPC code 603678086101 printed on the product packaging are included in the recall.


Sold at: Dollar and discount stores nationwide from April 2007 through January 2008 for between $5 and $7.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take these recalled toys away from children and return it to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Master Toys & Novelties Inc. at (800) 237-5020 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Website at www.mastertoys.com

Woman in St. Paul Gets Shot, Gives Birth

http://www.startribune.com/local/19054974.html?location_refer=Outdoors

A pregnant woman in St. Paul, MN gave birth on Sunday after a bullet struck her and the fetus. The baby, born six weeks early, is under anesthesia and listed in serious condition, but both mother and baby are expected to survive.

The shot was fired into an apartment shared by the woman and her boyfriend, and may have been connected to a dispute in the residence late Saturday, though it is still uncertain whether the shot was targeted at the woman or at her boyfriend.

Pregnancy Stress May Increase Baby's Asthma & Allergy Risk

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/18/AR2008051801087.html

A new study presented at the American Thoracic Society's 2008 International Conference, in Toronto has drawn the conclusion that an expectant mother exposed to high levels of stress may have a baby that is more likely to develop asthma or allergies later in life.

The study, which was funded by a grant from the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, included 315 expectant mothers and their infants. All of the mothers lived in an urban environment.

"Moms who had elevated levels of stress had children who seemed to be more reactive to allergens, even when exposed to low levels of allergens," said study co-author Dr. Rosalind Wright, an assistant professor of medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston.

Wright's colleague, and another author of the study, Junenette Peters, said that stress may make women more susceptible to allergens because it "may make the cells more permeable" so that even low levels of exposure trigger a reaction. And, women whose immune systems are altered by stress may, in turn, pass down that trait to their infants.

CPSC Issues Window Hazard Reminder

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08270.html

With the arrival of the warmer spring weather, families across the nation are opening their windows to let the fresh air in. This pleasant feeling can quickly turn tragic in households with small children. In recent weeks, several children have fallen from windows. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning parents and caregivers to take precautions to keep children from falling from windows.

"CPSC staff is aware of at least 18 falls from windows through media reports, including two deaths, involving small children since April," said CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Nord. "We are issuing this warning so parents will take the necessary steps to prevent these incidents from happening."

These deaths and injuries frequently occur when kids push themselves against window screens or climb onto furniture located next to an open window.

From 2002-2004, CPSC staff received an average of 25 reports a year of fatalities associated with falls from windows. Children younger than five years of age account for approximately one-third of these reported fatalities. For all age categories, more males died from window falls than females.

To help prevent injuries and tragedies, CPSC recommends the following safety tips:

1. Safeguard your children by using window guards or window stops.
   
   
   • Install window guards to prevent children from falling out of windows. (For windows on the 6th floor and below, install window guards that adults and older children can open easily in case of fire.)
   
   
   • Install window stops so that windows open no more than 4 inches.
   
   
2. Never depend on screens to keep children from falling out of windows.
   
   
3. Whenever possible, open windows from the top -- not the bottom.
   
   
4. Keep furniture away from windows, to discourage children from climbing near windows.

Infant Rattles Recalled

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08268.html

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Tumble Tower Infant Rattles

Units: About 7,000

Manufacturer: Manhattan Group LLC, of Minneapolis, Minn.

Hazard: The blue plastic end caps of the rattle can break, resulting in small parts, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: Manhattan Group has received two reports of the blue plastic end caps breaking. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled Manhattan Toy™ baby rattle is 5 inches long and made of clear plastic with blue end cap pieces. The two clear handles feature colorful beads inside and brightly colored rings on the outside. A blue face spins on a purple post inside the rattle center when it is turned.


Sold at: Gift and specialty stores nationwide, mail order catalogs, and the Internet from September 2007 through April 2008 for about $15.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take the toys away from young children and return them to the store where purchased for a refund or contact Manhattan Group to exchange the rattles for another toy.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Manhattan Group toll-free at (800) 541-1345 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.manhattantoy.com

Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt Expecting Twins

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20200092,00.html

Thursday, May 15th's episode of the Today Show includes an interview with Angelina Jolie & Jack Black in which Jack inadvertently blurts that Angelina is expecting twins. Excerpts are to be aired Wednesday, May 14th on Access Hollywood.

Mother of 17 is Expecting Again

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/24537885/?GT1=43001

A woman in Arkansas had a Mother's Day surprise for her family - she's pregnant with their 18th child!

With two sets of twins, Michelle, 41, has gone through 15 pregnancies that ended in 13 natural deliveries and two Caesarean sections.

Breast-feeding Reduces Risk of Arthritis

http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Breast_feeding_Lowers_Risk_Of_Rheumatoid_Arthritis_17541.html

A new study published in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases by Swedish researchers found that women who breastfed for 13 months or more had a lower risk of developing Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Possible explanations for the protective effect of breast feeding include long-term immunomodulation, such as the development of progesterone receptors on lymphocytes, dysregulated hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, and differences in cortisol concentrations.

The study also found that taking oral contraceptives, which are suspected to protect against the disease because they contain hormones that are raised in pregnancy, did not have the same effect. Also, simply having children and not breast feeding also did not seem to be protective.

NYC Woman Abandoned Baby on Mother's Day

http://www.silive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/news-34/121068324838710.xml&storylist=simetro

A 31 year old woman from Queens has been arrested by the New York City Police Department for abandoning her newborn baby girl on Mother's Day.

Allegedly, Hua Zheng left her baby outside another resident's place, wrapped in a blanket alongside a diaper bag. Despite the neglectful treatment, the baby is listed in stable condition at Flushing Hospital.

------- UPDATE, May 15, 08 -------
http://www.northcountrygazette.org/2008/05/14/baby_abandoned/

Zheng allegedly further admitted that she left the location without seeing anyone discover or retrieve the baby or, thereafter, notify the pastor or anyone else of the baby’s whereabouts.

"New York’s ‘Safe Haven’ Law allows a parent to leave a child not older than five days with an appropriate person or in a suitable location where the parent promptly notifies an appropriate person of the child’s location"

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/05/15/2008-05-15_mom_who_dumped_baby_how_about_me-2.html

"Honestly, I am more concerned about myself right now," Hua Zheng, 31, told a police officer who told her the girl was okay, prosecutors said.

Autism & Vaccine Trial Resumes Testimony

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/05/12/autism.vaccine.case/

Testimony resumed on Monday in a long-running case between the US government and the parents of autistic children who contend that early childhood vaccinations are to blame for their children's condition.

At issue is the question of whether a mercury-based preservative that was used up until 1999 is to blame for autism. A recent study in the journal Pediatrics has shown that ethyl mercury, produced when the body metabolizes thimerosol, the preservative in dispute, does not remain in the body for a long enough period to reach a toxic buildup level. See this previous Newborn News Corner posting for further details.

Top Baby Names of 2007

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/05/10/baby.names.ap.ap/index.html

For the 12th year in a row the most popular baby girl's name is Emily. For the 9th year in a row the most popular baby boy's name is Jacob.

The full list of top ten names includes a variety of other Biblical or spiritual and philosophically significant names.

Boys:	Girls:
Jacob Michael Ethan Joshua Daniel Christopher Anthony William Matthew Andrew	Emily Isabella Emma Ava Madison Sophia Olivia Abigail Hannah Elizabeth

17-Year Old Californian Gives Birth in Shower

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jJ1p7TwGTIMkPzEDqkncaizRwuQAD90EJLQO0

17 year old Xochitl Parra gave birth in her shower at 5:30 am, and then walked 4 blocks to the hospital with the baby still attached by the umbilical cord. She was alone and getting ready for school when the contractions started. With the phone disconnected she couldn't call 911, and she didn't want to wake her neighbors at that hour, so she decided to walk and jog to the nearby hospital.

"I was just a little nervous" when the labor began, Xochitl Parra said Friday from St. Mary Medical Center as she cradled her 8-pound, 3-ounce son, Alejandro.

The boy was normal and "eating like a champ," said Dr. Jose Perez, director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Small Doses of PFCs Found in Breastmilk

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080430203049.htm

A team of researchers at University of Amherst in Massachussetts has found that the chemicals used to make non-stick cookware and stain-resistant fabrics, called PFCs and thought to be a possible cancer contributor, are turning up in a variety of places, including in mother's breastmilk.

“While nursing does not expose infants to a dose that exceeds recommended limits, breast milk should be considered as an additional source of PFCs when determining a child’s total exposure.”

Munchkin Bottle & Food Warmers Recalled

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08263.html

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Deluxe Bottle and Food Warmers

Units: About 5,000

Manufacturer: Munchkin Inc., of North Hills, Calif.

Hazard: The bottle and food warmers can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Munchkin has received nine reports of units overheating, several of which ignited, causing damage to countertops. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the Munchkin Deluxe Bottle and Food Warmer with Pacifier Cleaning Basket 2-in-1 Design, model #13301 and lot number TP-1487. The product is used to warm food and bottles of various sizes. The set includes a main basket, a lift-out basket, an adapter ring, and a measuring cup. “Munchkin” is located on the front of the warmer and “TP-1487” is located on the bottom. Only warmers bearing lot number “TP-1487” are included in this recall.




Sold at: Various retailers nationwide and company’s catalog from June 2007 through April 2008 for about $20.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using bottle and food warmers with lot number TP-1487 immediately and contact Munchkin to receive a free replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact customer service toll-free at (866) 619-8673 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.munchkin.com

Day Care & Children's Center Swingsets Recalled

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08568.html

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Playground Swing Sets

Units: About 17,300

Manufacturer: Playworld Systems Inc., of Lewisburg, Pa.

Hazard: The clevis bearing on the swing set can wear, causing the swing to detach and the user to fall.

Incidents/Injuries: No incidents or injuries have been reported.

Description: Swing sets involved in this recall have the following part numbers:

8 ft 2-Unit Standard Swing	0248	5 in Arch Swing w-8 ft Top Rail	0287
8 ft Standard Duty Swing Add-A-Bay	0230	5 in Arch Swing 2-Unit Add-A-Bay	0370
10 ft 2-Unit Standard Swing	0249	3-1/2 in Arch Swing w-8 ft Top Rail	0288
10 ft Standard Duty Swing Add-A-Bay	0231	3-1/2 in Arch Swing Add-A-Bay	0375
8 ft 2-Unit Heavy Duty Swing	0270	2-3/8 in Arch Swing w-7 ft Top Rail	0120
8 ft heavy duty swing add-a-bay	0232	2-3/8 in Arch Swing Add-A-Bay	0121
10 ft 2-Unit Heavy Duty Swing	0259	7 ft Early Childhood T-Swing	0290
10 ft Heavy Duty Swing Add-A- Bay	0233
8 ft Single Post Swing Assembly	0295
8 ft Single Post Swing Add-A- Bay	0296

Sold by: Authorized dealers sold the swing sets to day care centers and children’s learning centers nationwide from January 2007 through February 2008 for about between $770 and $3,100.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the swing from the swing set until a free repair kit is installed. The company has sent direct mail notices to consumers.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Playworld Systems at (800) 233-8404 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.playworldsystems.com

10 Million Babies Die Yearly Lacking Basic Health Treatment

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hGVgEgtiR3f7W5SWan-AVrlG-v2gD90G070G0

Save the Children's new global report shows that 200 million children under age 5 do not get basic health care, which leads to nearly 10 million deaths annually.

Use of existing, low-cost tools and knowledge could save more than 6 million of the 9.7 million children who die yearly from easily preventable or curable causes, the report said.

They include antibiotics that cost less than $0.30 to treat pneumonia, the top killer of children under 5, and oral rehydration therapy — a simple solution of salt, sugar and potassium — for diarrhea, the second top killer.

The top three among the 55 developing countries ranked in the survey are the Philippines, Peru and South Africa — all surveyed for the first time. Indonesia and Turkmenistan tied for fourth.

Laos, Yemen, Chad, Somalia and Ethiopia were found doing the worst among developing countries, the report said.

Pregnant Women Face Social Obstacles

http://in.news.yahoo.com/ani/20080507/r_t_ani_hl/thl-pregnant-women-face-hostility-when-a-3b18f0d.html

A pair of new studies finds that pregnant women face informal, often subtle discrimination, and at the same time are treated with overfriendly and patronizing behavior by retail staff when shopping.

The hiring study was written by Eden King of George Mason University, and the retail shopping study by Michelle Hebl of Rice University.

"The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 prohibits formal discrimination against pregnant women in all federal jobs and in companies with 15 or more employees," says King, assistant professor of psychology.

"Unfortunately, when people suppress their discrimination in one arena, it may emerge in another-subtle interpersonal cues such as avoidance of eye contact or lack of warmth," King added.

In the study the assistant entered the store to either apply for a job or to do some shopping would wear a pregnancy prosthesis. A secret observer was also in place to verify the accuracy of the report from the assistant. Each was asked to mark the response of the staff as hostile (rude, anxious & short) or as patronizing (pet names, overfriendliness & touching).

King and Hebl's results showed that pregnant women who went into retail stores asking for help finding a gift more often found themselves victims of behavior such as overfriendliness, physical touching and being called "honey" or "sweetie."

Breastfeeding Brings Increased Child IQ Scores

http://in.news.yahoo.com/ani/20080506/r_t_ani_hl/thl-breastfeeding-boosts-kids-iq-3b18f0d.html

A new study in the May issue of Archives of General Psychiatry has found that exclusively breastfeeding seems to increase children's scores on IQ tests even up through the 1st grade of education.

Mothers who visited a facility promoting breastfeeding were more likely to feed their infants only breast milk at age 3 months (43.3 percent vs. 6.4 percent in the control group) and at all ages through 1 year. At age 6.5, the children in the breastfeeding group scored an average of 7.5 points higher on tests measuring verbal intelligence, 2.9 points higher on tests measuring non-verbal intelligence and 5.9 points higher on tests measuring overall intelligence.

While the research was able to note the statistical difference by using two different clinics, one encouraged breastfeeding and the other did not, there is still some uncertainty as to whether the benefits come from chemical components in the breast milk or from the additional interactive time mothers spend with their breastfeeding infants.

Essential long-chain fatty acids and a compound known as insulinlike growth factor I, both found in breastmilk, could be responsible for the cognitive differences.

On the other hand, the physical or emotional component of breastfeeding may lead to permanent changes affecting brain development. Breastfeeding also may increase verbal interaction between mother and child, which could improve children's cognitive development.

First Borns Treated More Strictly by Parents

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24397323/?GT1=43001

A new study in the latest issue of the Economic Journal has found evidence to back up the old belief that first-born children are more likely to be perfectionist, reliable, and adherent to rules. The reason cited is that parents are more strict with a first-born child in order to 'set an example' for younger siblings.

The oldest kid in the family really does bear the brunt of parental strictness, while the younger brothers and sisters generally coast on through.

First-borns who dropped out of school were 20 percent less likely to be getting most of their annual income from their parents than younger siblings in the same situation, Hao and her team found after reviewing annual surveys, involving more than 7,000 kids each year, conducted from 1979 to 1994 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In addition, the researchers found, first-born daughters who got pregnant as teenagers were 30 percent less likely to be getting most of their money from their parents than younger female siblings.

Despite parents' good intentions to maintain the same level of severity with all of their children, the authors of the study found that parents are either more lenient or more worn out when it comes to setting rules for the younger children, and so the younger ones do grow up to be more likely to take risks.

One Third of US Parents Lack Baby Info

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24454489/from/ET/

Almost a third of parents in the US, across all ages and demographics, are surprisingly uninformed about infant development. The result is that those babies are being deprived of mental stimulation.

A national survey by the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York that included parents of 10,000 9-month old babies found that 31.2% of the parents had a low level of understanding of infant development milestones and stages, or what the parents should be helping out with.

"But once a baby is born, an astonishing number of parents are not only unsure of what to anticipate as their child develops, but are also uncertain of when, how or how much they are to help their babies reach various milestones, such as talking, grabbing, discerning right from wrong, or even potty-training," said Paradis, who presented her findings at Pediatric Academic Society meeting in Honolulu.

Mother in Germany Arrested for Infanticide

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hsUSwR5Ai6n-HWj3tNdxUNA3zDyQD90FJ0S00

A 44 year old German woman was arrested on suspicion of killing her own babies. Her grown children found the infant bodies in a freezer when they cleaned it out after attempting to locate some frozen pizza while their parents were away for the weekend.

Apparently the woman was able to conceal the pregnancies from her neighbors and family due to already being overweight.

The three infants are believed to have been born alive, but authorities were awaiting autopsy results to determine how they died, said Johannes Daheim, a spokesman for prosecutors investigating the case.

SafeKids USA Shows Drop in Accidental Deaths

http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/28157/

Safe Kids USA released a new report this week showing that the rate of deaths from accidental injuries in children 14 and under is down by 45% from 1987 - 2007.

Only 58 percent of parents with children 14 and under report their child being involved in a serious accident or getting seriously injured as a major concern - a seven percentage-point drop since 1987.

There is little change from 1987 to 2007 in the amount done by parents to ensure their child's safety - due to reasons varying from parents actually feeling the chance of their child being seriously injured is slim (especially fathers); to reporting that taking all the necessary steps are a hassle; to 20 percent of low income families (household income levels under $25,000) saying many safety devices such as fire extinguishers and bike helmets cost too much. Yet when parents do take action, they are not always taking the right steps every time their child is at risk of injury. For example, 31 percent of households with children 14 and under do not consistently ensure their children ride in the back seat of a car all the time; 24 percent do not consistently supervise their children around the water all the time and 18 percent do not always ensure their children (under 10 years of age) are with an adult when crossing the street.

In addition, the report demonstrates that among children ages 14 and under, accidental death rates are declining except for the childhood suffocation death rate which has increased by 21 percent. (This is partly due to a re-categorization of deaths previously attributable to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.)

SIDS & Bedsharing Unresolved at Recent Conference

http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/health/926131,sids050108.article

Having your baby sleep in your bed with you is seldom a good idea, but there's not yet any conclusive evidence that it's dangerous, only a general uneasiness with the practice. A recent conference entitled "Breaking the Cycle: A Safe Sleep Summit" failed to reach any conclusive determinations, but did raise the subject of infant sleep safety and how it's analyzed.

"We know that 80 percent of sudden infant deaths are related to their sleep environment. We need to focus on the preventability of these deaths, no matter what they're called in the statistics,'' said Dr. James Kemp, a researcher on infant sleep safety at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Only one-seventh of the nearly 5,000 infants who die without obvious cause each year are attributed to accidental asphyxiation. Most are blamed on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Some Pregnant Women Drink Secretly

http://news.smh.com.au/pregnant-women-drink-on-the-sly-survey/20080426-28ow.html

The American Journal of Obsetetrics & Gynecology from April 2008 has a new study by Swedish researchers who examined 103 pregnant women and questioned them about their alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The participants then had their hair and urine analyzed to determine their truthfulness.

However, hair tests detected alcohol use in 19 of the women, with levels in seven suggestive of heavy drinking. Based on the results, 25 per cent of the women did in fact drink alcohol during pregnancy, but just 8.7 per cent admitted to doing so on the AUDIT questionnaire.

9 had admitted to drinking during pregnancy. 6 said they'd drank once a month or less, while the other 3 reported that they'd drank 2-4 times per month.

Breastfeeding Rates Over 75 Percent

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24387268/

The US Centers for Disease Control has reported that around 77% of women are breastfeeding their babies, at least for awhile.

The percentage of black infants who were ever breast-fed rose most dramatically, to 65 percent. Only 36 percent were ever breast-fed in 1993-1994, the new study found.

For whites, the figure rose to 79 percent, from 62 percent. For Mexican-Americans, it increased to 80 percent, from 67 percent.

The study found that the more educated and well-off a woman was, the more likely that she breastfed her baby, and that breastfeeding rates have been increasing since the early 1990s.

Lowe's Children's Storage Bins Recalled

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08260.html

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Children’s Storage Bins

Units: About 84,000

Importer: L G Sourcing, Inc., of North Wilkesboro, N.C.

Manufacturer: Magus Industry Co. Ltd., of Taiwan

Hazard: Surface paint on the storage bins could contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled storage bins are wooden with scalloped edges and were sold in pastel green or pink. Item number 226782 (pastel green storage bin) or 226781 (pink storage bin) is located on the bottom of the storage bin. No other storage bins or colors are included in this recall.



Sold at: Lowe’s retail outlets nationwide from March 2007 through February 2008 for about $6.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled storage bins away from children and return them to any Lowe’s store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact L G Sourcing toll-free at (866) 493-6563 anytime, or visit www.lowes.com