Date: May 4th 2005

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Baby 411 E-News: Ear piercing, bug spray, RSV, metabolic screening

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BABY 411 NEWS UPDATE: May 2005
The free eNewsletter for the readers of BABY 411
http://www.Baby411.com
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In this issue:
1. Ear piercing
2. New bug spray recommendations
3. RSV infection is serious for young and old
4. New metabolic screening recommendations for newborns
5. Quality time

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1. When is the right time to get your child’s ears pierced?

According to a study published in the May issue of Pediatrics, people who are prone to keloids (see below) should either get their ears pierced BEFORE age 11 or not at all. Keloids are thick scars that form when wounded skin is healing. They occur more commonly in darker pigmented individuals. If you or someone in your family has a problem with these, think twice about ear piercing.

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2. New insect repellant recommendations:

The Centers for Disease Control revised their recommendations regarding products that effectively protect us from mosquito bites and subsequently, West Nile Virus. Products that contain “DEET” (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) have been the gold standard.

Now, the CDC has added Picaridin (KBR 3023) and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus to the list of effective insect repellants. The ‘Cutter Advanced’ brand of repellant contains picaridin as its active ingredient. Note: Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus is NOT approved for use in kids under age 3.

For more info on insect repellant use for kids, see: [http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/insect_repellent.htm]

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3. RSV infections in the young and old:

Many of your babies went through the unpleasant experience of having RSV or ‘bronchiolitis’ this winter. It is a common viral respiratory infection that arrives every year in epidemic fashion. Babies who are born prematurely are at higher risk of complications from the infection, including wheezing and pneumonia.

What is news here is that elderly patients have been suffering along with babies with this infection. Frequently, these patients are diagnosed with the flu or a flu-like illness, but we are realizing that they, too, have RSV infection and can get quite sick. According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, 178,000 elderly people are hospitalized with RSV infections annually and 14,000 die.
Bottom line: If your baby or young child has been diagnosed with RSV, keep the grandparents at a distance—particularly if they have chronic health problems.

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4. More on metabolic screening:

We have discussed expanded metabolic screening in both Baby 411 and a prior e-newsletter, but here is an update.

A government advisory committee consisting of genetic and metabolic specialists has recommended that all newborns be screened for a total of 29 metabolic disorders via a blood specimen obtained in the first two weeks of life. Currently, each state individually mandates the number of tests performed by their state health departments (and no state is doing all 29 tests!). This recommendation will likely trigger legislative discussions in several states.

For the time being, you can get your baby tested for these serious diseases through private laboratories. The cost varies from $25-$90 depending on the lab. Want details? See the section on optional newborn screening in Baby 411.

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5. Quality time

Here is a nice story for all of you working moms. A study released in the April issue of the journal, Child Development, found that it was the quality (not the quantity) of the time parents spent with their children that had the greatest impact on bonding, social skills, and development. The study’s author, Dr. Aletha Huston, says it best: “There are a lot of different ways in which children can be treated well, including in families where mothers are employed.”

Now, go enjoy your kids and quit feeling guilty!!


Happy Mother’s Day!
Ari Brown, MD and Denise Fields
Authors of Baby 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for your Baby’s First Year

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