Welcome!

This is going to be the repository for our Pregnancy, Infants and Children Research Projects.  This is an experiment to see if we can get a common blog working as a class by adding many authors to a single blog.

The assignment was for each student to select a topic relating to pregnancy, infants, or children.  No two topics can be the same and topics must include research with sources.  Students will log in to the blog individually and post their articles with at least one picture.

Students: Before posting your page, please wait for instructions.  I will ask you to add specific "Tags" to your story which will be how people will locate your page from Internet searches or from the main page.

Instructor: Robert Griffith
Kelseyville High School
Kelseyville, CA

Children and MRSA

 

Children And MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus also known as MRSA, is a common bacteria found in the nose, throat or skin.  MRSA is a concern today because it can be harder to treat than other infections and it's infecting healthy people, including children -- not just those with weakened immune system, as in the past. This type of MRSA is called community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). That's because it affects people in the community, outside of hospitals and nursing homes. And, with more people infected with community-associated MRSA, more children with MRSA have been admitted to hospitals.

Who's most at risk of getting MRSA? Children  who come into close contact with other people in places like:

·         day care centers

·         playgrounds

·         locker rooms

·         classrooms and other school settings

·         Gymnasiums

·         workout facilities

In these kinds of settings, MRSA is more likely because kids have skin-to-skin contact and may share equipment or toys that have not been cleaned. Children are also more likely to have frequent scrapes or bug bites -- potential entryways for infection.

It can be severe or deadly for those with compromised immune systems, like young children and babies, and it is resistant to many antibiotics currently used to treat bacteria. Signs of MRSA in infants include fever and a boil, wound, or skin infection that does not heal with normal treatment. MRSA can compromise nearly every system of the body, and an infant infected with the MRSA bacteria can present a multitude of symptoms common with any bacterial illness. General pain and lethargy, coughing, and difficulty breathing.

 

The first sign of MRSA in infants is often a pimple-like sore that resembles an insect bite and includes drainage or pus. Redness, pain, or tenderness often accompanies the sore or sores, and a fever might also be noted. Impetigo, a common skin disease in infants, can also be caused by the MRSA bacteria. The signs of impetigo include fluid filled blisters that most commonly present on the diaper area, buttocks, and face. When an infant or child possesses a skin infection, rash, or blemish that does not respond to treatment, the child's caregiver should consult a physician.

Although MRSA is an alarming prospect, the steps to prevent it are simple and affordable. Here are tips on how you and your children can protect yourselves:

Wash hands often. Teaching your children to wash their hands, and washing your own hands with soap and water will help stop all kinds of infections, including MRSA, from spreading. When soap and water aren't available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer especially when handling a new born baby.

Use bandages when needed. Keep sores and cuts covered and clean until they heal.

·         Don't touch sores. Teach children not to touch or play with sores and scabs—theirs or other children's. Also, don't let children scratch their skin so much that they create tiny breaks in it; use an anti-itch cream on some areas if necessary. This is particularly important if they get chickenpox or another itchy disease.

·         Don't share personal items. Teach children not to share personal items such as towels, just as adults shouldn't share razors or other skin care items.

·         Be careful around hospitalized individuals. When visiting loved ones in the hospital or a residential care facility, practice good personal hygiene and avoid touching catheters, ports, and IVs where they enter the skin. Wash your hands with soap after you leave the room. Teach children to do the same.

·         Teach prevention tips for athletes. Student athletes may need to take additional steps to prevent infection, including:

·         Shower immediately after competition or practice, especially after contact sports. Always shower before getting into a whirlpool with other athletes.

·         Keep equipment and supplies clean, and wash uniforms after each use.

·         Make sure sanitizing products are available for cleaning mats and other shared sports equipment. Check with coaches and other adults to be sure that these are used.

·         Don't compete in contact sports if you have a wound that is open or bleeding. Keep all cuts and scrapes covered

                                                                Links:

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/mrsa-and-staph-infections-in-children

http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/Encyclopedia/Content.aspx?ContentTypeID=160&ContentID=49

Marijuana While Pregnant

Marijuana While Pregnant

Is smoking marijuana while pregnant bad for the baby? I've been doing some research on this topic and yes smoking marijuana while being pregnant is bad for the baby. It kills the baby's brain cells. Researchers studied marijuana effects on mice and brain tissue from human fetuses, and found that the active ingredient in marijuana,THC, interferes with the formation of connections between nerve cells in the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain responsible for higher thinking skills and forming memories.

Effects of prenatal marijuana exposure could even last into adulthood. The drug could have direct effects, or it could sensitize the brain to future drug exposure or neuropsychiatric illnesses.Previous long-term studies have shown that children exposed to marijuana in the womb may have an increased risk of showing cognitive effects, seeking out drugs, or having attention deficit disorder, anxiety or depression, according to the study.

Would you like to see your baby born with a disorder? I know I wouldn't, this could affect your baby in many ways, they would have problems learning and maybe even give the teachers a hard time. Also when they get older one wouldn't want to see their children smoking pot or being out of control.






References

http://www.livescience.com/42853-marijuana-during-pregnancy-baby-brain.html
 http://adai.uw.edu/marijuana/factsheets/reproduction.htm

Drinking While Pregnant

Drinking While Pregnant

      Is drinking while pregnant harmful to the baby? What are the effects of alcohol to the fetus? How much alcohol is harmful to the baby? How much are women able to drink? Does alcohol make the fetus have better mental health? There are many questions that are asked to this specific subject and there many different answers that are given. Many people believe that women should stay completely away from alcohol while others think that a little bit of alcohol is okay and won't harm the baby.
       Doctors don't actually know how much alcohol is good or bad for the baby that is why they tell every pregnant women to lay off of drinking. There are many people that don't believe that a little sip can cause harm and some people believe that it can but in reality know one actually knows since there are so many different things that can happen when you drink. So many studies have been going on to this specific topic and many have seen that it is bad but there are others that say the exact opposite ad that can confuse many people.
       Many risks come when drinking while pregnant. Your baby can have a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders describes problems related to alcohol before birth. The worst result of alcohol is fetal alcohol syndrome. It is a condition of poor growth and can happen in the womb and after giving birth. Women should watch out on what they drink since its not only their life they are affecting but the babies as well. Drinking alcohol can cause the baby that is developing to become still and die in the womb or it can cause miscarriages. The baby will have high dosage of alcohol in its system since it is barely able to break down the alcohol content in its blood. it can cause the baby to have learning disabilities, mental and physical health problems.

        Alcohol is a big deal breaker when it comes to being pregnant because women usually having a couple sips here and there but there are others that drink more. There are many things that doctors will tell you and some answers that one might not expect. According to some studies, drinking while pregnant can be a good thing because it make the baby have better mental health. This doesn't mean that one should get drunk. Just moderate drinking can be good, but does this mean that it is okay to drink when caring a baby?
Doctors have seen that many women prefer not to drink but they still want an occasional sip here and there in holidays, but they still ask if that little sip is harmful. Some doctors say that having a little sip is okay as long as you don't over do it, but there are still many risks like fetal alcohol syndrome and the child not developing right, or even causing a miscarriage. Women should lay off alcohol until the pregnancy is over and done. It is healthier for you and the baby.

Bibliography

Drinking Alcohol During Pregnancy
Reviewed by the Baby Center Medical Advisory Board
http://www.babycenter.com/0_drinking-alcohol-during-pregnancy_3542.bc

New study shows no harm from moderate drinking in pregnancy, but experts urge caution
Meghan Holohan
http://www.today.com/moms/new-study-shows-no-harm-moderate-drinking-pregnancy-experts-urge-2D11849699

Drugs and pregnancy By Nicole Evelyn Pagan

Studies show that taking any kind of drug like, Cocaine, weed, speed, meth, heroin, PCP and LSD, methamphetamine, amphetamine, and ect can cause a lot of birth defects like underweight births, premature births, stillborn birth, withdraw syndrome, behavior problems in early childhood, brain structure changes that persist into early adolescence, physical and mental problems, stroke in an unborn fetus resulting in brain damage or even death, and miscarriage.

to find out more information please visit these web sites

http://www.webmd.com/baby/drug-use-and-pregnancy

http://www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/services/documents/speed.pdf

http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/illegaldrugs.html 

http://www.sidsandkids.org

http://adai.uw.edu/marijuana/factsheets/reproduction.htm

Birthing naturally vs. Hospital Birth

                                                                                                                                 

                         Birthing in the Wild vs. Hospital Birthing

In the wild, animals have babes every day with no help except for their instinct. It is a completely natural and beautiful thing. Birthing naturally will prove to the mother of the child that if she could do this than she could do anything. You most of the time should not need major medications to get you through the birth. Humans now think they need special treatment to have a child, when really the motivation is in your mind and soul.  There are tricks to this though; you’ve got to make sure you’re the most comfortable. Making plans is the best thing; they also make plans in naturally in the wild.

In today’s life style, giving birth naturally will most likely not be in the wild. There are not very many people who are all natural anymore, which is sad to say but true. So if you’re planning to give birth naturally well it will be close natural unless you go to desperate measures to make sure you’re having your child totally natural. Having birth alone is probably not wise unless you are certain you can handle it or if you know you have to because of some event. Try and have someone who knows what they’re doing as well as you do in case of any complications.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/508912-how-to-cope-with-labor-pains-naturally/

Orange County Doula, CPSS

Educator www.dreamdeliveries.com

You might want to take a class on breathing techniques because you are not going to get the usual medication they give you.  You need a great pain coping plan to help you through labor pains. Other unexpected events might happen during before and after birthing that you need to be prepared for. When labor pains start, a good thing to do is walk around. It will help to ease the pains you will be experiencing. Be sure to practice relaxation because being relaxed helps the tenseness ease a bit. Rely on your partner. Having help through labor will make it easier so you won’t need pain medication. Also another thing is to keep your mind occupied.

When you’re in labor try to switch positions every now and then. Try squatting, standing, kneeling, sitting on the toilet, or birthing ball.  You could also get a massage to help ease the pain and to also take your mind off of labor pains. Distract yourself using anything you enjoy, such as music, movies, talking, etc. Get in the bath tub, Jacuzzi, or some kind of sterile water, it will also do a great deal of helping with labor pains. Hypnotize yourself, there are classes for this.  

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/508912-how-to-cope-with-labor-pains-naturally/#ixzz2Q5chb5i9

http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_center/childbirth/natural_childbirth.html

Unnatural birthing can include side effects from labor pain drugs or other things might go wrong. People say that it is safe to have a baby in the hospital, well have you ever thought of all the germs or the side effects of medication for labor pains. Man y babies have died over the years being born in hospitals. The staff even can make mistakes, and the life of a baby could be taken in one slight second.

Drugs for labor pains could cause many problems, such as drugged babies breathe, with narcotics.  Epidurals disturb the laboring process, they will slow or appear less of the ability to squat and it opens pelvic plane by 20 to 30 percent. This could also affect the baby’s coming through the pelvis. It could also lower the mothers blood pressure and that would cause the baby to have lack of oxygen through the placenta. This can cause emergency help to save the baby’s life.

The staff can also make mistakes by giving the wrong medications to the mother or the child, they could also take a brief break and the baby could choke and die. This has happened a few times with our family and friends.

http://icpa4kids.org/Wellness-Articles/dangers-of-hospital-births-why-birthing-in-a-hospital-can-cause-more-problems-than-it-solves.html

 

Premature Births and Babies - Emily Roper

Every year in the United States, nearly 500,000 babies, that's 1 out of every 9 babies, or about 12.8% of babies born, are born prematurely, according to the CDC. An organization called Tommy's, has a set of definitions pertaining to the different levels of severity of the preterm birth.

The CDC also states that "the earlier a baby is born, the more severe his or her health problems are likely to be. Although babies born very preterm are a small percentage of all births, these very preterm infants account for a large proportion of infant deaths. More infants die from preterm-related problems than from any other single cause. Some premature babies require special care and spend weeks or months hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Those who survive may face lifelong problems such as— intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, breathing and respiratory problems, visual problems including retinopathy of prematurity, hearing loss, feeding and digestive problems." It's been proven that "girls may also be more likely to survive very early premature birth, as are babies born in singleton vs. multiple pregnancies."

Risk Factors

According to the CDC, there are certain risk factors that play a role in whether a baby will be born preterm or not. These risk factors include: "having a previous preterm birth, on average, black women are about 50% more likely to have a premature baby compared to white women, carrying more than one baby (twins, triplets, or more), problems with the uterus or cervix, chronic health problems in the mother, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and clotting disorders, certain infections during pregnancy, cigarette smoking, alcohol use, or illicit drug use during pregnancy."

Warning Signs

The CDC also gives some warning signs to help a woman know if she is going into labor prematurely. Some of the signs are: "contractions (the abdomen tightens like a fist) every 10 minutes or more often, change in vaginal discharge (leaking fluid or bleeding from the vagina), pelvic pressure—the feeling that the baby is pushing down, low, dull backache, cramps that feel like a menstrual period, abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea."

Statistics

Length of Pregnancy	Likelihood of Survival
23 weeks	17%
24 weeks	39%
25 weeks	50%
26 weeks	80%
27 weeks	90%
28-31 weeks	90-95%
32-33 weeks	95%
34+ weeks	Almost as likely as a full-term baby
Sources: March of Dimes, Quint Boenker Preemie Survival Foundation

Out of the nearly 500,000 babies that are born prematurely, 22% will develop a severe disability, such as cerebral palsy, 24% will develop a moderate disability, such as special needs, 34% will develop a mild disiability, such as a low IQ or bad vision, and only 20% will have no problems.

Preterm Births as a Percent of All Births By State, 2010

 

Preterm Births as a % of Births:

· Lowest state: Vermont: 8.4%

· Highest State: Mississippi: 17.6%

· Lowest Territory: Guam: 18.0%

· Highest Territory: Virgin Islands: 12.7%

 

 

 

http://www.cdc.gov/features/prematurebirth/

http://www.statisticbrain.com/premature-birth-statistics/

http://miscarriage.about.com/od/pregnancyafterloss/a/prematurebirth.htm

http://www.statehealthfacts.org/comparemaptable.jsp?ind=39&cat=2

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/prematurebabies.html

http://www.tommys.org/page.aspx?pid=387

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/health/25stat.html?_r=0

http://www.preemiesurvival.org/info/

http://www.marchofdimes.com/baby/premature_indepth.html

http://www.miraclebabies.org.au/premature-sick-babies/what-is-prematurity/statistics/

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs363/en/

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/story/2012-05-02/CDC-preterm-premature-births/54692356/1

http://www.marchofdimes.com/peristats/pdflib/998/FL.pdf

http://americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/prematurelabor.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20583678

http://www.uri.edu/news/releases/?id=5874

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001562.htm

 

 

 

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome by Le Anna Dossman

Le Anna Dossman

SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME

“Many more children die of SIDS in a year than all who die of cancer, heart disease, pneumonia, child abuse, AIDS, cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy combined,” http://sids-network.org/facts.htm. Sudden infant death syndrome is when a young baby between the ages of one too twelve months old suddenly stops breathing while sleeping and dies. This happens every day every hour about seven thousand babies a year.

SIDS strikes without warning and has no cure  and no doctors can predict that it will happen. SIDS happens to babies that are perfectly healthy and has nothing medically wrong with them. There are ways to try to reduce the risks of your baby dying from SIDS.

 “Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a medical term that describes the sudden death of an infant which remains unexplained after all known and possible causes have been carefully ruled out through autopsy, death scene investigation, and review of the medical history.”  http://sids-network.org/facts.htm

There is no way to prevent SIDS but here are some ways to help reduce the chances: making sure that your baby is sleeping in his or her crib (make sure the crib has a firm mattress with a tight-fitting sheet) and is asleep on their back, also there should be nothing in the crib with your baby including blankets if you can keep them warm without one, make sure your babies face is uncovered, no smoking around your baby and do not overheat or overdress.” Recent studies have begun to isolate several risk factors which, though not causes of SIDS in and of themselves, may play a role in some cases. We share this information with you in the interest of providing parents with the latest medical evidence from research in the U.S. and other countries in the hope of giving your baby the best possible chance to thrive.”  http://sids-network.org/facts.htm

“SIDS prevention strategies include a well-ventilated sleeping room and putting infants on their back to sleep.^[4] Pacifiers and tummy time can help reduce known risk factors.^[5] Despite the gradual expansion of medical knowledge on SIDS causes and risk factors, definitive diagnosis remains difficult; infanticide and child abuse cases may be misdiagnosed as SIDS due to lack of evidence, and caretakers of SIDS victims are sometimes falsely accused of foul play.^[6][7] Accidental suffocations are also sometimes misdiagnosed as SIDS and vice versa.”^{[8”] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudden_infant_death_syndrome}

Doctors have eliminated certain things that they know that SIDS is not. SIDS is not caused by external suffocation, choking or vomiting, it is also not contagious. Children do not suffer when they pass away from SIDS. It can also not be predicted and it is not a new thing it is referred to as the old testament because it has been around since the beginning of mankind.

Adoption

Adoption has many pros, as well as some drawbacks. Adoption touches people in different ways, depending on their perspective and roles in the individual's life. Adoption is the "social, emotional, and legal process in which children who will not be raised by their birth parents become full and permanent legal members of another family." Adoption is not a simple process, it is a lifelong commitment for everyone involved, with legal and emotional impacts.

Determining one's eligibility to adopt is based on a few different requirements. Most people are eligible to adopt, despite age, income, sexual orientation, or marital status. Also, having a disability does not necessarily disqualify a parent. And there is a "process of mutual assessment and preparation by the prospective adoptive parents and social worker or agency, called a home study." Also, foreign countries may have different/specific requirements and/or restrictions for families who want to adopt from their country. Another more specificity is often Faith-based agencies, they may make different requirements for families adopting through their agency.

There are many things families need to consider before making the decision to adopt a child. For example, many people and or couples consider adoption because of infertility issues. Before adopting a child, a person or the family needs to consider all negatives and positives involved with adoption. One way to better prepare yourself is communicating and asking questions with other families who have adopted. This helps families determine if and what type of adoption is right for their family. Some of the different types of adoption and choices to be made in adoption. are adopting children through a public agency (foster care), adopting children from other States, adopting infants through a licensed agency, independent adoption, and adopting a child from another country.

Despite the fact that all kids are different, kids who wait a long time to be adopted often share similar characteristics. These characteristics include: being part of a sibling group who needs to be placed together within a family, being an older child, being a part of a minority group, or having a disability. These children are often referred to as having "special needs" or needing "special care." However, states often define special needs differently for the children's eligibility to receive adoption assistance when adopted from the U.S. foster care system.

Despite the type of adoption or company/group/agency that assists families in the process (public agency, licensed private agency, attorney or adoption facilitator), virtually all families are required to complete the home study process before going on with the adoption. The main goal of a home study is to make sure that "each child is placed in a suitable home and that good matches are made between children and families." They also help to ensure that the possible future homes agree with/are up to State and local laws for the placement of the child/children and that parents and families are educated about adoption and have the necessary information.

Also, adoptive parents need to be aware that there are certain citations which may require an open adoption. Openness in adoption "refers to the amount of contact among birth parents and relatives, adoptive parents, and the adopted person." The amount of contact and communication may range from little or no contact; "to mediate contact through a third party, anonymous email, or post office box; to ongoing communication with shared identifying information; to occasional in-person contact, holiday visits, or regular communication and visitation" when all parties wish it to happen.

Adoption is not a simple decision, it is a lifelong process. Families often need additional support even after the adoption is finalized. Families may need services as a child develops and as "normal development, adjustment, and adoption-related issues arise." It is important that the adoptive parents know how to deal with the children along with helping them cope with grief and loss, recognize and get help for post adoption depression, find needed services, and get financial assistance.

So, despite the fact that adoption has many pros and cons, it is up to the adoptive family to ensure that the pros outweigh the cons. Adoption touches people in different ways, depending on their perspective and roles in the individual's life. It is a decision to become full and permanent legal members of another family. Adoption is not a simple process; it is a lifelong commitment for everyone involved, with legal and emotional impacts.


Sources
http://www.childsworld.ca.gov/pg1302.htm
http://www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/
http://www.adoption.org/
http://www.adoptionfacts.org/
http://www.adoptionservicesinc.com/facts.html