Phthalates: The Latest

Here's an update on a post from this summer about Congress's decision to ban phthalates from toys and other children's products. Studies have indicated that these chemicals may cause reproductive problems in kids. But parents should be aware that the new ban doesn't take effect until February 10, so it to won't apply to holiday gifts. Furthermore, regulators from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the agency that the new law was designed to reform, have decided that if the product was produced before that date, it's in the clear. Some consumer groups are crying foul, saying that decision runs counter to the spirit of the law. After all, if parents buy toys in March, how are they to know whether it was produced before or after February 10? On the other side of this, of course, are the toy companies, who are still struggling with how they will comply with the law. More studies on phthalates' effects on human health are no doubt eagerly awaited by all.

Drinking While Pregnant: Not Black and White

Remember those occasional sips of wine you had while you were pregnant? Or was it just me? Well, there's no reason to feel guilty about it, according to new research involving more than 12,000 kids. It showed that moms who had the equivalent of one drink a week while pregnant did not increase their chances of having babies with mental impairments or behavioral problems. In fact, their kids were less likely to have those sorts of issues and performed better in some tests than the children of teetotalers. I should emphasize that this is about light drinking--so moms-to-be, back away from the tequila shots!

Teen Delinquency All Media's Fault

Sounds like a headline from The Onion, doesn't it? And yet, studies were reported in the most recent issue of Pediatrics that linked the media to harmful teen behaviors. One study, which tracked more than 700 adolescents for three years, shows that teens who watch a lot of television involving sex are much more likely than their peers to get pregnant or get someone pregnant. Apparently other studies have found links between watching steamy TV and early sexual activity and sexually-transmitted diseases, but this is the first one that links to pregnancy.
Another study indicates that children and teens who play violent video games show increased physical aggression for months (!) afterward. The authors looked at data from the United States and Japan and found similar effects in both countries, which is interesting because Japan has a lower crime rate than we do. The American Academy of Pediatrics already recommends limiting children's TV, computer and video game time to one or two hours a day, but officials there are revisiting the recommendation and plan to release a new statement on media violence next year.

Can Bedroom Fans Lower SIDS Risk?

SIDS is such a terrifying prospect for any new parent that it's no wonder there seem to be so many scientific studies on it. Doctors have pointed to a number of ways to lower the risk: Put babies to sleep on their backs, for example, and avoid surrounding them with loose or thick bedding. Now there's something new to think about: bedroom fans. A recent study found that infants sleeping in a room with a moving fan had a 72 percent lower risk for SIDS than their fanless fellow babies. The theory is that the fan circulates air and lessens the chance that a baby will re-inhale his or her own breath. Fresh air means more oxygen. Before dashing out to the Walmart to plunk down for a new fan though, parents should note that the study is far from conclusive and needs to be backed up by other studies.
In other baby and toddler health news, major players in the cough and cold medicine industry have agreed to put labels on their products warning that they are not for use in children under 4, following an FDA recommendation that parents avoid giving cold meds to their young kids.

FDA's BPA SNAFU

Remember how the FDA said BPA is safe? Well, an advisory panel to the agency thinks maybe not. The panel seems to concur with the idea that FDA analysts relied too heavily on industry-funded studies and excluded other important evidence. Now what? To sum up an FDA statement: More research is already moving forward. Also, don't panic.
The National Institutes of Health has a handy BPA summary here.
Actually, I agree with the not panicking part. Some baby gear stores have been offering free swaps: Bring in your baby bottles and trade them for BPA-free plastic or glass. Good deal!