News of Interest for Late-in-Life Moms October 22, 2008

News to know:

1.6 million cribs recalled after 2 infant deaths
Delta Enterprises recalled nearly 1.6 million cribs after 2 infants suffocated when they got stuck in a gap created when the movable side came off of its guide track.
In response to the recall, the Consumer Product Safety Commission urged parents to inspect older drop-side cribs for safety problems.
The accidents involved safety pegs meant to prevent the drop side from lowering too far and slipping off the track. If these pegs are not installed, or fail to engage, the drop-side can detach and create a dangerous gap where babies can get stuck.

No-scalpel vasectomy reversal on horizon
Men who want to have a vasectomy reversed may soon be able to opt for a "mini-incision, no-scalpel" operation, according to surgeons at Mount Sinai Hospital at the University of Toronto. They have used the procedure with success in 10 cases.
The smaller incision results in fewer complications than the more invasive approach requiring a larger incision.

Studies: Lack of sunlight, cell phones damage male fertility
Two separate studies warned men about possible ways they are damaging their fertility: not getting enough sunlight or talking too much on their cell phone.
Australian researchers looked at 800 men with fertility problems and found that almost a third of the men had lower than normal levels of vitamin D. Because sunlight is the major source of vitamin D, researchers believe that a lack of sunlight may damage sperm.
In a separate study, researchers at the University of Newcastle found that excess cell phone use may eliminate sperm. Their findings back up previous research completed by U.S. researchers.

Here's a great blog post by Dr. Walt Larimore: Tips on giving over-the-counter (OTC) cold medications to children over 4 years old.

News of Interest for Late-in-Life Moms, June 30, 2008

News to know:


Grandmother, 47, gives birth to naturally conceived triplets

Janelle Perry, a grandmother from Queensland, Australia, has given birth to naturally conceived triplet boys. Cooper, Kyle and Jordan were born at 34 weeks' gestation by caesarean section last week.
Doctors are "99.9 percent certain" the boys are identical. Perry now has eight children: four children in their 20s from a previous marriage, a daughter, Rebecca, 4, with her husband Robert, and two grandchildren.

U.S. panel gives OK to 2 new combo vaccines

A federal advisory panel endorsed two new combination vaccines designed to reduce the number of needle sticks young children must endure to get the recommended immunizations. The vaccines are:

• a four-in-one shot made by GlaxoSmithKline, offering protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio, which is given to preschoolers
• Sanofi Pasteur's five-in-one shot for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and illness due to Haemophilus influenzae type b, or HiB. Children get four doses by age 2.

Cervical cancer shot not cleared for older women

The U. S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has not approved Merck's application to expand marketing of its cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil to women ages 27 through 45. The agency said there are issues which prevent approval at this time.

Jardine cribs recalled after 4 children trapped

About 320,000 Jardine cribs sold by Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us stores were recalled because four children became trapped.
The wooden slats and spindles on the crib frames can break, allowing children to get trapped in the remaining gap.