News of Interest for Late-in-Life Moms August 11, 2008

News to know:

10 infant deaths tied to cold meds
At least 10 infant deaths in Arizona in 2006 were linked to over-the-counter cough and cold remedies, researchers said.
The findings, published in the journal Pediatrics, do not prove that the medications caused or contributed to the infants’ deaths, but they underscore a recent warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that parents not give cough and cold remedies to children younger than 2.


Pregorexic? Are some pregnant women putting their fetuses at risk?
Some mothers-to-be are embarking on dangerous diet and exercise programs to prevent too much weight gain during pregnancy.
FOXNews.com managing health editor Dr. Manny Alvarez said he's "absolutely" had to tell some of his pregnant patients to eat more. An article in the Daily Mail discussed the growing problem of "pregorexics" in England.
Gaining too little weight during pregnancy is associated with poor fetal growth, lower birth weight and the chance of a baby's being born prematurely, according to a recent study.

Study casts doubts on fertility treatments
A new study in the British Medical Journal questioned the use of two common infertility treatments for couples who have unexplained problems having children.
Researchers tested the effectiveness of a drug that stimulates ovulation and artificial insemination against doing nothing in 580 couples who had no obvious reasons for their inability to conceive. Among the three groups, researchers found little difference in the numbers of couples who had babies.

Dim economy drives women to donate eggs for profit
As the nation's economy is slumping, some fertility clinics say interest in donating has surged.
An egg donor is typically compensated between $5,000 and $10,000. Experts say that although most women donate out of desire to help infertile couples, the financial allure is real.