Fever during pregnancy increases risks of autism, developmental delays

From Los Angeles Times (5/23):

Babies born to mothers who had a fever during pregnancy were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed later with autism or developmental delays than those whose mothers didn't have a fever, a study in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders found. Researchers said taking medication to treat the fever slightly reduced the risk of developmental delays and significantly reduced the risk of autism.

http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-fevers-pregnancy-autism-20120523,0,6934232.story

Autism is often undiagnosed until age 5 or older, study shows

From WebMD (5/24):

U.S. researchers looked at school-aged children with special health care needs and autism spectrum disorder and found that more than half of them were diagnosed with autism at age 5 or older. They also reported that more than 50% of the children received at least one psychiatric drug. The study was published in the NCHS Data Brief.

http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/news/20120523/most-children-with-autism-diagnosed-at-5-or-older

Maternal Obesity May Increase Risk for Autism

From Journal Watch, May 16, 2012 | Louis M. Bell, MD

More evidence that maternal metabolic conditions during pregnancy are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in children.

http://pediatrics.jwatch.org/cgi/content/full/2012/516/1?q=etoc_jwpeds

Is the CDC taking a small first step away from a "one-size-fits-all" vaccination policy?

Can vaccines be more useful for some people than for others?

Revised Recommendations for Vaccines Are Being Phased In, CDC Report Says

http://www.forbes.com/sites/gerganakoleva/2012/05/11/revised-recommendations-for-vaccines-are-being-phased-in-cdc-report-says/

How Working the Muscles May Boost Brainpower

From the NY Times, May 9, 2012:

How Working the Muscles May Boost Brainpower
By GRETCHEN REYNOLDS

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/09/how-working-the-muscles-may-boost-brainpower/

Breast-feeding may boost diversity of healthy gut bacteria in babies

From MyHealthNewsDaily.com (4/30):

Researchers examined stool samples from 12 babies and found that those who were breast-fed had a wider range of gut bacteria than those who were formula-fed. Furthermore, the immunity genes responsible for protecting gut tissue from foreign invaders were more active among breast-fed babies, researchers reported in the journal Genome Biology.

http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/2520-breast-feeding-babies-gut-bacteria.html

Study: Bullying of students with disabilities may lead to depression

From Disability Scoop (4/30):

Bullying and exclusion by peers are more likely than any other factor to lead to depression for students with developmental disabilities, a new study shows. "Professionals need to be particularly alert in screening for the presence of being bullied or ostracized in this already vulnerable group of students," researcher Margaret Ellis McKenna said at the Pediatric Academic Societies meeting.

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2012/04/30/kids-fallout-bullying/15491/

Prenatal stress may lead to iron deficiency in newborns

From: PhysiciansBriefing.com/HealthDay News (4/30)

Mothers who were under stress during the first trimester of pregnancy had lower cord ferritin levels and cumulative distribution of cord ferritin than a control group, an Israeli study showed. The findings were presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies meeting.


http://www.physiciansbriefing.com/Article.asp?AID=664134

Do you want to know if GMOs are in your food?

Check out CT GMO Labeling Bill Resource & Advocacy Center

http://righttoknowct.org/

http://fairfieldgreenfoodguide.com/2012/04/05/ct-gmo-labeling-bill-resource-advocacy-center/