News of Interest for Moms July 20, 2009

News to know:

Exposure to common pollutant in womb might lower IQ
A new study suggests high prenatal exposure to a common airborne pollutant, such as automobile exhuast, may lower children's IQ scores by the time they are 5 years old.

The study concurs with previous findings involving pollutants, known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Other research indicated that exposure to PAHs while still in the womb may cause lung damage and boost the risk for developing childhood asthma.

Teens risk health with night texting, talking
Too much technology can actually be detrimental to teens' health, according to a specialist in sleep disorders.

Teenagers have access to their friends 24 hours a day, thanks to cell phones and social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook. This can lead to a lack of sleep, which can cause numerous problems for teens, including:
~headaches
~impaired concentration
~weakened immune systems
~crankiness
~increased use of nicotine or caffeine
~hyperactive behavior often misconstrued as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Half of all bathtub injuries involve toddlers
120 kids a day in the U.S. ended up in hospital emergency rooms because of slips or falls in bathtubs, according to a recent study.

Emergency rooms treat an average of more than 43,000 kids annually for these types of injuries, according to the study, which will be published in the August issue of Pediatrics. Children 4 years old and younger accounted for more than half of all bathtub and shower related injuries--and in most cases, parents were watching their kids.