A recent study disproves any link between autism and the MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine is used to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella. It was first introduced in 1963 and has reduced the rate of infection for measles from up to four million people newly infected each year to only 55 cases reported during … Continue reading “Autism is Not Linked to the MMR Vaccine”
More measles cases have been reported in the United States since January 1, 2008 than during the same period in any year since 1996, according to a report recently released in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Between January 1 and July 31, 2008, 131 cases were reported to … Continue reading “Failure to Vaccinate Leads to the Most U. S. Measles Cases Reported Since 1996”
Many of the popular new toys for young children involve electronics like TV and computers and claim to help them learn. Videos like Baby Einstein are now a staple in many homes, but are they really helping children learn? According to research, babies don’t comprehend what they see on screen until they are 18 to … Continue reading “Playtime in a Digital Age”
Nearly one third of children nationwide are overweight and many parents are in denial about their child’s weight problem. Parents may think their child will “grow out of it” or that it’s in their genes. However, parents should take the health risks of being overweight seriously. There are even simple things they can do to … Continue reading “Childhood Obesity”
Utah’s laws regarding child car seat laws have recently changed. After May 5th, 2008, any child who is under eight years old is required to use a car seat or booster seat. Once children reach age eight or are 4’9,” they are allowed to use a seat belt. Booster seats are relatively easy to use—you … Continue reading “Changes to Car Seat Laws”
New research may change the advice given to mothers regarding infants and food allergies. In August 2000, the AAP stated mothers should avoid certain foods like cow’s milk, eggs, and nuts while breast-feeding. It also released a schedule for introducing these foods into a child’s diet. However, the January 2008 issue of the journal, Pediatrics, … Continue reading “Allergy Advice Changed for Infants”
The Federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program recently gave compensation to a child with mitochondrial disease. This led to people questioning whether vaccines or other environmental factors would bring on or worsen autism-like symptoms in children. The media has not accurately represented this case. It was a unique and isolated event which does not change the … Continue reading “Autism and Immunizations”
Using data reported to the California Department of Development Services from 1995 to 2007, researchers from the California Department of Health compared the prevalence of autism with exposure to Thimerosal. Their results were published this week in the Archives of General Psychiatry (Jan. 2008). The data showed that the prevalence of autism for children at … Continue reading “Thimerosal Not Linked With Autism”
Immunizations have saved millions of lives and prevented hundreds of millions of cases of disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The best way to protect our children and the community from disease is by choosing to immunize. Immunizations are a safe and effective way to prevent illness by strengthening the immune … Continue reading “Why Immunize?”
In the last year, three new vaccinations were introduced to protect children from disease. These include the Gardasil vaccine (Human Papillomavirus vaccine), the RotaTeq vaccine (prevents severe rotavirus), and the Menactra vaccine (protects against bacterial meningitis). Gardasil is a new vaccine approved by the FDA to prevent cervical cancer in females ages 9 to 26. … Continue reading “New Immunizations”