As parents, we do everything we can to help our kids grow up healthy. But the reality is health conditions can occur no matter how much you care for your child. Chromosomal abnormalities that occur in utero can lead to a variety of ailments. Environment, lifestyle choices, and exposure to toxins can also adversely affect a child’s health.
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New or expectant moms may worry about having a pet with a new baby in the house, but a recent study on the effects of a furry pet on a baby’s health shows that Fido may just be a baby’s best friend when it comes to health.
A new study suggests that having a family dog or other furry pet may help your baby avoid allergies and obesity later in life. The results of the study by researchers at the University of Alberta in Alberta, Canada were recently published in the journal Microbiome.
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By Lisa Pecos
The important role of vitamin D in a child’s early years was making headlines just last year after a study linked a lack of the vitamin to an increase in allergies and asthma in children. A new study has found the vitamin plays an important role before a baby is even born and has linked low levels of vitamin D to autism.
Chromosomes are structures that carry our genetic material, and more specifically, genes. They are located within every cell of our body, within a structure called the nucleus. When there is an abnormality in the structure or number of one or more chromosomes, this is called a chromosomal anomaly, or abnormality. These abnormalities can occur either at the time of fertilization or during pregnancy and cause negative effects on the growth and development of the baby.
A chromosomal abnormality differs from a single-gene genetic disorder in that an individual can have the normal number of chromosomes, 46, that are structurally sound and still have a genetic disorder. This is because there is a mutation of only one gene, located on a chromosome, that does not affect the structure or number of chromosomes.
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Getting shots can be tough on parents and babies, but there are ways that you can comfort your baby during shots and make the entire experience, during and after, easier.
Before the Appointment
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As a new parent, you’re going to see and experience all kinds of things that you never have before, which can be both exciting and a little scary all at once. Chances are you’ll notice every last little thing about your new bundle of joy and some of these things may freak you out, for lack of a better term. While being alert and aware of potential issues is a good thing as a new parent, knowing what not to worry about can help make this special time a little easier.
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A baby in Texas was born or the second time recently, 12 weeks after having had surgery to remove a tumor.
The mother, Margaret Boemer, of Plano, Texas, went in for what was supposed to be a routine ultrasound at 16 weeks only to be told that her unborn baby had sacrococcygeal teratoma. Though sacrococcygeal teratoma is the most common type of tumor in newborns, it is actually a rare condition that affects only one in every 35,000 births.
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Your body goes through a lot during pregnancy and childbirth, so it’s only natural that you’ll feel some discomfort after giving birth. Feeling sore and fatigued is perfectly normal, but other discomfort may be a sign of postpartum complications.
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Mothers-to-be generally hope to have a natural birth; giving birth when it’s time rather than having to be induced. From old wives tales to warnings about the risks of induced labor to mother and baby, the idea of an induced labor has been a cause of anxiety for expectant mothers. A recent Tel Aviv University study, has found that there is little justification for those fears because induced labor carries no more risk than spontaneous delivery.
The Study
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New evidence from a Brazilian study has the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urging parents of infants exposed to Zika virus during pregnancy to undergo hearing testing.
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