Strollerderby : children's health

PCBs Found in Air Near Several Schools

Shannon LC Cate — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 21:00:00 GMT

"Most" of the air samples taken at 40 schools around Chicago were contaminated with PCB-11, says the Chicago Tribune. Banned over 30 years ago, polychlorinated biphenyls are highly toxic and linked to diseases like cancer, liver and kidney damage.

Though PCBs are known to linger in ecosystems, "bio-magnifying" in the fatty tissue of animals, researchers were surprised to find this particular type of PCB (11), as it was never specifically manufactured back before the chemicals were banned. There is some suspicion that the the source is yellow paint or factories that produce yellow paint of yellow pigments for paint, as that was a known source of PCBs in the past.

Why schools in particular as affected is also a mystery, though many schools are located in formerly industrial areas.

In Light of Jett Travolta Tragedy, The Truth About Kawasaki Syndrome

Jen Chaney — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:02:00 GMT

Much has already been written all over the Web, including here within the Babble blogs, about the terribly sad death of Jett Travolta. Unlike those who have (again) raised questions about whether the son of John Travolta and Kelly Preston actually had autism that went untreated, I don't want to speculate or make any allegations, especially during a time of what is undoubtedly immense grief for that family. But I do want to address a health issue that both Travolta and Preston have spoken openly about in regard to Jett: Kawasaki syndrome.

The disease has been mentioned so often as part of the coverage of the young Travolta's death that many parents may be confused about what it is and whether it's something from which their children could potentially suffer. So here are a few basic facts, along with links to other resources that can provide more information.

Kawasaki syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that, according to the Scientific American, usually affects children under the age of 5. Its cause is unknown, but we do know it is much more prevalent in boys, particularly those of Asian descent. However, the odds of your child getting it remain relatively small: Only 9 to 19 children out of 100,000 contract Kawasaki syndrome here in the U.S.

Before you start freaking out about whether your son or daughter has it, here are some of the symptoms: red eyes, a fever over 101 that lasts for several days, a rash on the torso and swollen lymph nodes. However, as this blog post on the U.S. News and World Report site notes, Kawasaki syndrome can often be hard to diagnose because those symptoms closely resemble the ones caused by the flu.

The biggest danger that Kawasaki syndrome presents is potential cardiac problems, but those can be prevented if it is diagnosed and treated right away. However, as a doctor told the Scientific American, Kawasaki patients often must be medically monitored for 10 to 20 years because the disease can have long-term effects on the heart. The upshot: It's serious business, but it's also by no means fatal, as long as it's recognized for what it is and handled appropriately.

So how does this all relate back to Jett Travolta? His parents say he had Kawasaki syndrome as a toddler. While there does is not definitive medical evidence that it causes seizures -- which is what ultimately led to Jett's death -- Travolta and Preston do believe that the condition resulted in lasting health issues for their son. They also contend that the chemicals from household cleaning products may have been the Kawasaki culprit, which is why Preston has been very outspoken on the issue of keeping such products away from very young children.

In fact, several years ago, Preston and the other woman most people think of as the leading lady in John Travolta's life -- his "Grease" co-star, Olivia Newton-John -- came to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness about that very subject on behalf of the Children's Health Environmental Coalition. I was covering an event for People magazine at the National Press Club where both women spoke, and I distinctly remember listening to Preston talk about her son's health problems when, suddenly, she completely broke down in tears. Considering the pain and emotion she felt then, I can't even imagine how she is feeling right now, with her son gone.

Again, it's not entirely clear that Jett's exposure to things like carpet cleaner caused his Kawasaki syndrome (although some studies have suggested a connection between the two), or that Kawasaki syndrome is in any way responsible for his untimely death. But here are the takeaways from all of the above that I think we can agree on: as Preston and Newton-John stressed, we should all protect our kids from exposure to chemicals as much as we can. It's just a smart thing to do.

If we have any definitive reason to think our child might have Kawasaki syndrome, we should consult a doctor right away. And at least once a day, every day, we should pause to really look at and appreciate our kids, even when they refuse to sit in their booster seats and throw pieces of turkey all over the dining room. (Not that this happened to me yesterday or anything.)

As frightening as this is to consider, our kids can be taken away from us unexpectedly, for any number of reasons. And that's why we have to do our best to stay educated, keep them healthy and love them as fiercely and fully as we can.

Some more resources on Kawasaki syndrome:

From the American Heart Association

From the CDC

From Children's Hospital of Boston

How Gross Are the Grocery Carts Your Kids Suck On? Um, Pretty Gross.

Jen Chaney — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:28:00 GMT

Most of us assume that grocery cart handles are pretty germy things. How disgusting are they? Researchers at the University of Arizona found that they contain more saliva, bacteria and fecal matter than most public toilets.

Yes, I'm talking about the same shopping cart handle your kid recently wrapped his mouth around like a pacifier. Ewwwwww doesn't even describe it.

But as our own Madline Holler mentioned this week and ABC News reported yesterday -- some grocery stores are trying to make those nasty-ass carts much more sanitary. How? By installing car-wash-like machines that spray them with a sanitizing mist, thereby eliminating 99 percent of germs. It's like giving your shopping cart a Purell shower just before you head to the cereal aisle.

On one hand, I think this is a great idea. If these grocery receptacles are truly that filthy, then getting rid of the yuck factor -- especially during cold and flu season -- is a healthy, wonderful thing to do. On the other hand, part of me says, really? Have we become so uptight that we have to make our grocery carts lather, rinse and repeat? Last I checked, kids have been drooling and sneezing on these things for several decades and somehow, we've all survived.

So far only 20 stores nationwide -- including the one in Chevy Chase, Md., not far from my home, that is featured in the ABC News piece -- have these apparatuses. With the economy in its current state, I doubt many grocery chains are going to invest in these machines right now. But if you could have one in your local store, would you want it? Or do you think we're taking our obsession with cleanliness a little too far?

Add a comment and let us know. But please, disinfect your hands before you type.

Image: PureCart Systems Via ABC News

Smokers No Longer Allowed Foster Children

Brett Singer — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:45:00 GMT

The East London borough of Redbridge will no longer allow smokers to be foster parents.

From The Scotsman:

The ban, which was passed unanimously at a cabinet meeting of Redbridge Council last night, means that children in the east London borough will not be placed with foster carers who smoke after January 2010.
Councillors say the move is crucial in protecting children.

I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, children shouldn't be inhaling second-hand smoke because it is a health risk. On the other hand, this is discrimination, isn't it? I'm actually a big smoker's rights guy in certain areas. For example, I think it should be legal for me to start an airline that lets people smoke – Up In Smoke Air. Make smoking illegal on commercial flights, fine. But why can't I start a business where the whole point is to give smokers a place to go? (I'm not a smoker, but I was for many years.)

Another publication, Business Report, has a little more info on the ban:

"Some people will feel it is an intrusion on personal freedoms," said councillor Michael Stark. "But we also know that smoking increases the risk of serious illness in childhood.
"On balance, we have decided children in our care shouldn't grow up breathing second-hand smoke."
...
A spokesperson for Forest, a pro-smoking group, said: "It's going to exclude people who could be outstanding foster parents.
"It sends out an insidious message that smokers in general are unfit parents and I don't think any politician has the right to do that."

Look, it's a nasty, unhealthy habit that has proven to be unhealthy for children (and everyone else) to be around. But is it better for kids to stay in a potentially worse situation? And if this ban is OK, doesn’t that open the door for banning other behaviors? I'm slightly surprised at my reaction to this story, actually. What do you think – is it OK for a government to ban smokers from being foster parents? Or is that going too far?

Source: The Scotsman, Business Report,

Image: Church Times

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Babble Podcast for November 3, 2008

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Jay Thomas Reunites With Out of Wedlock Son

A Wedding at a Children's Hospital

Jen Chaney — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:27:00 GMT

Here's a story that may make you tear up a little on a Monday morning. A former patient at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago -- a place where as a 10-year-old, she underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor -- got married at the hospital over the weekend.

Lindsay Anderson and her fiance, Josh Leve, said "I do" in the courtyard of the hospital, while 100 guests and many current young patients and staff members watched. The bride told the Chicago Sun-Times that she wanted to "give the kids here . . . an ounce of hope that their lives will come full circle like mine did."

A portion of Anderson's tumor was removed when she was 13-months-old, and the rest was taken out at Children's when she was 10. She is now 22 and in solid health.

Perhaps this story will give some hope to parents who have a child with a serious medical condition. Further reason to rejoice: If your son or daughter follows in Anderson's footsteps and decides to wed at a hospital, you will save SO much money on the reception.

Seriously, though, congratulations to the new couple and kudos to them for using their happy day to bring joy to others.

Photo Credit: John J. Kim/Sun-Times

"Shot Down": Babble Investigates the Anti-Vaccination Movement

JasonAvant — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 12:36:00 GMT

Show of hands: how many of your kids have had polio? Measles? Mumps? I'd venture to guess that most of you have vaccinated your kids against those and other diseases. There are a surprising number of parents who are opting out of vaccinations, and to many parents (myself included), that decision is seen as irresponsible and fraught with peril - not only for the child in question, but other kids who may come into contact with those who have not been vaccinated.

Over at Babble, reporter Liza Featherstone contributes a thoughtful but tough look at the anti-vaccination movement. She explores the myriad of reasons why some parents choose not to give their kids shots; chief among these are fears of autism, side effects, and actually contracting the disease that the vaccine was supposed to prevent. According to Featherstone, such fears are based on misinformation, inference, and flawed logic. Indeed, she wonders how it that people are "more willing to believe a random article on the internet than scientists who have spent their lives studying vaccines."

The problem here, notes Featherstone, is that the choice to not vaccinate has repercussions beyond one's own child. Featherstone cites outbreaks of whopping cough in Colorado, a state with a considerable number of "vaccine resistors" (also of note but not mentioned in the piece: an outbreak of mumps in the Midwest last year and another outbreak of measles in Boston - in the measles case, the outbreak was traced back to a computer programmer from India, a country where only 56% of the population is thought to be vaccinated against the disease. Gee.) So - to vaccinate, or not? Tell us what you think.

Kansas Senior Citizen Pays For Community Pool With Recyclables

Patti — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 13:34:00 GMT

If there is a single example of how it takes a village to raise a child, Maisie Devore embodies it. The octogenarian decided that her hometown of Eskridge, Kansas needed a pool for the children of the community, and set out to make it happen. She drove around in her truck for over thirty years collecting cans, which she redeemed at the recycling center, and every penny went toward the eventual construction of what came to be dedicated as Maisie's Pool in 2001. She's still out there gathering trash to help pay for the pool's maintenance, but you can help ease her burden by visiting maisiespool.com and contributing. In a world of rising childhood obesity, poor health, and diminishing funds available for community recreational programs, Maisie Devore is a true hero. See the YouTube video of Maisie's story below.

Lead Lunch Boxes Safe Again? Only for Brunch

Mike Adamick (Cry It Out!) — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 19:56:00 GMT

The Associated Press story yesterday about lead-tainted lunch boxes has left the government agency in charge of lead testing in a furor. "We are not evil-doers!" the agency shrieked. OK, maybe not. Still, they're pissed.

The story said the agency, the Consumer Protection Safety Commission, tested lunch boxes, found high levels of lead in some but then gave the go ahead to fill them up with Twinkies and Suzie-Qs (mmmm Suzie-Qs). The Food and Drug Administration got into the act, telling manufacturers to stop killing children and baby seals. Even Wal-Mart banned some boxes.

Plain Jane Mom pointed out the agency's response to the uproar. The CPSC said its testing showed all was well with the lunch boxes and that it wasn't covering up anything for political or nefarious purposes. The agency backed up its record for getting medieval on lead in toys, clothes, etc. -- a well-documented fact -- but I'm still not going to buy any vinyl lunch boxes for my kid. They may not have found lead at "hazardous levels" -- but limiting lead at any level is my concern.

Siren Thong Song Thwarts Girls Development

Mike Adamick (Cry It Out!) — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 22:44:00 GMT

A few days after my daughter was born a friend called, "Just remember what Chris Rock said: Your job is to keep her off the pole." Great. Thanks. It wasn't enough to worry about breastfeeding problems; I also had to worry about my newborn's career choice and whether it would involve brass poles, dim lights and too revealing clothes -- or none at all.

Turns out my friend and Chris have a point. Today's girls grow up in a sexualized atmosphere that is stunting their development -- both intellectually and sexually. Though anyone who's ever seen a music video might say, "Duh?" -- it's still an eye opener to hear it from scientists. Sex pressure leads to depression, eating disorders, poor academic performance, shaving your head and generally acting like a moron.

From Bratz dolls to the Pussycat dolls, young girls are bombarded by the idea that only sex matters -- and it's messing with their minds. How I'm going to thwart this process in an age of Internets, big-screen TVs and dumb-ass movies is beyond me.

TV: It's The Devil, Apparently

Patti — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 14:10:00 GMT

The Scotsman has a pretty comprehensive article on the many ills of television: autism, obesity, myopia, ADD and more--all the fault of television. What makes this scare article a little different from the others is that it zooms in on the production of melatonin, a hormone responsible for regulating sleep and also linked to the onset of puberty. Melatonin production can be suppressed by too much exposure to bright lights, and television may just be a bright enough light to affect it. Exposure to anything that affects melatonin production may not only cause erratic sleep, but might affect the immune system, the body's ability to ward off cancer-causing cell mutations, and could affect a child's natural timeframe for puberty. There are also significant links to excessive television watching and a person's metabolism, as well as links to Alzheimer's Disease.

And I wish that were the gist of it, but there's oh, so much more. Dole out the television judiciously, won't you?