Toxic Metal in Kids’ Jewelry From China (NYTimes.com)
January 16, 2010 by cbowman
Filed under Kids' Health
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: January 10, 2010
Filed at 11:25 p.m. ET
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Barred from using lead in children’s jewelry because of its toxicity, some Chinese manufacturers have been substituting the more dangerous heavy metal cadmium in sparkling charm bracelets and shiny pendants being sold throughout the United States, an Associated Press investigation shows.
The most contaminated piece analyzed in lab testing performed for the AP contained a startling 91 percent cadmium by weight. The cadmium content of other contaminated trinkets, all purchased at national and regional chains or franchises, tested at 89 percent, 86 percent and 84 percent by weight. The testing also showed that some items easily shed the heavy metal, raising additional concerns about the levels of exposure to children.
A spokesman for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which regulates children’s products, said Sunday that the agency ”is opening an investigation” and ”will take action as quickly as possible to protect the safety of children.”
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Her: Teen Depression – Signs, Symptoms and How to Help
December 28, 2009 by cbowman
Filed under Kids' Health
By Charlotte L Bowman
January 2010
Moodiness. Growth spurts. Acne. It’s tough being a teenager.
If you spend much time around an adolescent, you’re sure to witness a bad mood or bout of melancholy. But, what if your teenager is suffering from depression? Would you recognize the symptoms? Would you know what to do if you spotted the warning signs?
Be sure to pick up a copy of the January 2010 issue of Her magazine and read my interview with Dr. Joseph Zanga, chief of pediatrics at The Medical Center in Columbus. Dr. Zanga shares the symptoms and warning signs of teen depression and gives tips on how you can help.
As swine flu vaccine runs dry, US wonders ‘what if?’
November 3, 2009 by cbowman
Filed under Kids' Health
by Karin Zeitvogel Karin Zeitvogel – Mon Nov 2, 5:30 am ET
WASHINGTON (AFP) – Mothers with young children and pregnant women are being turned away from swine flu vaccination clinics in the United States, some in tears, many utterly frustrated by the shortage of vaccine.
But it could have been much worse.
The new strain of H1N1 flu could have been much more virulent, and it could even have been bird flu — which, because of the way America produces flu vaccine — could have wreaked havoc.
Months back, when a swine flu vaccine was still just a glimmer in scientists’ eyes, health officials were driving home the message that children, especially those with underlying health conditions like asthma, and pregnant women were at great risk of dying from H1N1 influenza and should be first in line for innoculation.
But after rolling out the vaccine early last month, the authorities ran into a problem: there wasn’t enough to go around.
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New Study in Pediatrics Puts Autism Prevalence at 1 In 91 U.S. Children, 1 In 58 Boys
October 7, 2009 by cbowman
Filed under Kids' Health
Reprinted from AutismSpeaks.org
October 7, 2009
A new study published October 5, 2009 in the American Academy of Pediatrics’ journal Pediatrics found a parent-reported autism prevalence rate of one in every 91 American children, including one in 58 boys.
The study used data gathered as part of the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), a national survey directed and funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In the NSCH study, more than 78,000 parents of children aged 3 to 17 years were asked whether their child currently had an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis – including autism, Asperger’s syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder, or another ASD or whether their child had been given that diagnosis in the past, but was no longer diagnosed with ASD.
The CDC announced that an updated report from their Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network would be released by the end of the year with their preliminary results showing that approximately 1% of children in their study have an ASD. Since the ADDM study is not expected to be published for several months, we do not believe the official CDC estimate will change until that time.
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