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Parenting a Child With Down Syndrome is Positive Experience

Surveys show that many parents feel that raising their child who has Down Syndrome is a fulfilling and rewarding experience. This research is being talked about at the same time that news of a new, non-invasive, test for Down Syndrome becomes available. Three separate surveys were conducted by doctors at Children’s Hospital in Boston. These surveys were given to around 2,044 parents or guardians of children who had Down Syndrome. A total of 79% of them reported that their outlook on life was more positive because of their child who had this particular special need. Researchers think that most people … Continue reading →

What Causes Down Syndrome?

It might surprise you to learn that “Down Syndrome” is the most commonly occurring genetic condition causing mental retardation in humans. Approximately 1 in 733 babies are born with the syndrome, and approximately 350,000 people have Down Syndrome in the United States alone. It was given its name when a physician, Dr. John Langdon Down, published an accurate description of the features and similarities of people with the syndrome in 1866. He was then considered the “father” of the disorder, and it was given his name. Why does it occur? Down Syndrome occurs because of an error in cell division, … Continue reading →

Crib Bumpers Are Dangerous

Crib bumpers are decorative. They help make a baby’s crib look softer, warmer, and more visually appealing. Unfortunately, crib bumpers can also be dangerous. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents not use any crib bumpers at all. The AAP has a lot of great advice for parents. Follow that advice, and you can help to keep your baby safe. Many parents have heard the “back to sleep” advice from the AAP. The simple phrase makes it easy for parents to remember to place their baby on his or her back for sleep – and to do that … Continue reading →

Plenty of Special Needs Proms Happening This Year

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Last year, at around this time, I noticed that there were a lot of high schools that were holding special needs proms. This year, this lovely trend is continuing. In addition to proms that are specifically for teenagers and young adults who have special needs, there seems to be more acceptance of high schoolers with special needs attending the official school prom. Here are a few stories about proms from this year. In Houston, Texas, eighteen year old Amber House did not think she would be going to her prom. Amber has Down Syndrome, and plenty of friends. Her parents … Continue reading →

Melinda : Second Smallest Preemie in America

Melinda Star Guido was born weighing only nine-and-a-half ounces. She is one of the smallest babies that was ever born in the entire world, and the second smallest baby to be born in the United States. She is surviving, growing, and expected to be able to go home by New Year’s. At birth, Melinda weighed less than a can of soda. She was small enough to fit into the palm of her doctor’s hand. She was born 24 weeks premature because there was a problem with the placenta. Due to that problem, Melinda wasn’t able to get enough nutrition, blood, … Continue reading →

Chicken Jerky Treats Cause Canine Illness

Resist the begging, for chicken treats at least I always hate reporting sad stories, but when it comes to alerting pet owners to dangerous food contamination or anything similar, the facts are too important to ignore. According to MSN Vitals, the Food and Drug Administration has released a warning about the danger of chicken jerky dog treats. At first I thought this was yet another pet food recall, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Instead, it appears that chicken jerky treats for dogs, no matter the brand, might cause serious canine illness. The warning was issued after the … Continue reading →

Extending Grace to Our Children

The other day I blogged about messing up, big time, as a parent. It will affect where my daughter goes to high school and I had been a little worried about what she was going to say when she found out that I was the one responsible. It really shouldn’t have come as a surprise but she wasn’t mad at me. We have a really good relationship and she knows what my intentions are, so she saw it for what it really was…a mistake. It got me thinking about the times my children have messed up, the mistakes they have … Continue reading →

Inductions for Women Suffering from Pre-eclampsia

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A new study concludes that women suffering from pre-eclampsia should be induced after 37 weeks of pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia occurs when a pregnant woman develops high blood pressure and has the presence of protein in her urine. It can be very dangerous if left untreated. It was found that inducing labor in women beyond 37 weeks cut the risks of severe high blood pressure and the need for cesarean section. In addition, women who had induced labor had a 29 percent lower risk for developing poor maternal outcome, which may include death, eclampsia, pulmonary edema, progression to severe high blood pressure, … Continue reading →

Cord Blood Banking

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When you are pregnant, it is likely that your doctor’s office will give you an information packet about cord blood banking. After your baby is born, the blood from the umbilical cord can be stored for up to ten years in cryogenically sealed containers. Cord blood is rich in high quality stem cells, which can be used to treat many different diseases. These diseases include certain types of cancers, myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloproliferative disorders, marrow failure syndromes, blood disorders, inherited platelet abnormalities, histiocytic disorders, inherited metabolic disorders, immune deficiencies, and other diseases like osteoporosis. Cord blood can either be donated or … Continue reading →

Falls and Brain Injury

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Breaking a hip isn’t the only thing to fear when an older adult has an unintentional fall. Brain injury can cause long-term problems, affect how a person functions, and even impact emotional well-being! Some unpleasant statistics from a U.S. Centers for Disease Control study: Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from a fall resulted in nearly 8,000 deaths in seniors and more than 50,000 hospitalizations in 2005. The death and hospitalization rates for TBI increase as age increases. The average hospital stay for an older adult with a fall-related TBI is four days. The average cost of a hospital stay for an … Continue reading →