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The number of women who drink alcohol while pregnant is not decreasing, according to a 15-year study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Approximately one in eight women drank any amount of alcohol while pregnant, the study says.

The drinking patterns persisted despite repeated warnings from surgeons general about the dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant. The surgeons general have told pregnant women, and women who may become pregnant, to abstain from alcohol consumption in order to eliminate the chance of giving birth to a baby with alcohol-related birth defects.

The CDC analysis, as well as a study also published by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, shows that far too many women use substances (especially alcohol) during their pregnancies. The CDC study, "Alcohol Use Among Women of Childbearing Age, United States, 1991-2005," is in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

The CDC study also found that one of every 50 pregnant women engaged in binge drinking each year during the 15 years. "Exposure to alcohol can cause lifelong physical and mental disabilities that are preventable by avoiding alcoholic drinks while pregnant," says Edwin Trevathan, director of the CDC's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. "All women should know that there is no known safe amount of alcohol to drink or safe time to drink it during pregnancy. We encourage all women to pay attention to the surgeon general warnings."

The study found that pregnant women most likely to report any alcohol use were 35-44 years of age (17.7 percent), college graduates (14.4 percent), employed (13.7 percent), and unmarried (13.4 percent). Pregnant women who binge drink were more likely to be employed and unmarried than were pregnant women who did not binge drink. This study did not examine the reasons why women are still drinking while pregnant.

Any alcohol use was defined as at least one drink of any alcoholic beverage in the past 30 days. Binge drinking was defined as having five or more drinks on at least one occasion in the past 30 days.

"By screening and advising women about the risks of drinking while pregnant, health care providers can play a key role in reducing rates of fetal alcohol syndrome," says Clark Denny, a CDC epidemiologist and primary author of the study. "This study revealed that there is still a great need for health care professionals to routinely ask all women who are pregnant or at risk of being pregnant about their alcohol consumption."

For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/fasd.

Also learn more by reading the following articles:

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Why Moms-to-be Shouldn't Even Have "Just One"

Non-alcoholic Drinks for Pregnancy: Spirits of the Season for Mom-to-be

Conquering Addictions: Breaking Bad Habits for a Healthy Pregnancy

(6-30-09)

When should a parent schedule a comprehensive eye assessment for a baby? Clinical research has shown that at 6 months, the average baby has reached a number of critical developmental milestones, making this an appropriate age for the first eye and vision assessment.

According to the American Optometric Association's (AOA) 2008 American Eye-Q survey, which tracks public knowledge and understanding of a wide range of issues related to eye and visual health, only 13 percent of parents make sure their children receive a comprehensive eye assessment in their first year.

It's estimated that one in 10 children is at risk from an undiagnosed eye or vision problem that, if left untreated, can lead to difficulties later in school or even permanent vision loss. Additionally, many children at risk for eye and vision problems are not being identified at an early age, when many of those problems might be prevented or more easily corrected.

Infant eye and vision assessments offer early detection of vision and eye health problems and are critical to a child's development. Through the Optometry's Charity – The AOA Foundation's public health program, InfantSEE, optometrists provide a one-time, comprehensive eye assessment to infants in their first year of life, typically between the ages of 6 and 12 months. These assessments are provided at no cost to all families, regardless of families' ability to pay or access to insurance coverage.

"Many eye conditions have no visual symptoms so detection by a parent or in a well-baby checkup may be difficult," says Dr. Glen Steele, optometrist and chair of the InfantSEE committee. "Therefore, an early comprehensive vision assessment is the best way to ensure your baby has healthy eyes and appropriate vision development – now and in the future."

"The good news about a trip to the optometrist is that most babies seem to enjoy the 'games' we use to determine whether their visual development is progressing normally and their eyes are healthy," says Dr. Steele.

Since infants cannot speak, optometrists perform several non-invasive tests that evaluate visual acuity, refraction, motility, alignment, binocularity and overall eye health. As detailed below, these tests can identify signs of vision problems, such as strabismus (crossed-eyes), amblyopia (lazy eye) and diseases of the eye.

Family health history is also an important part of an infant's eye assessment. An optometrist will want to know about the parents' vision problems as well as the broader family's eye and medical history, developmental history and demographic data. Factors that may indicate a baby is at significant risk for visual impairment include the following:

Premature birth, low birth weight or oxygen used following birth

Family history of eye diseases such as retinoblastoma (eye cancer), congenital cataracts or metabolic or genetic disease

Drug or alcohol use during pregnancy

Sexually transmitted diseases, cytomegalovirus or HIV

Difficult or assisted labor, which may be associated with fetal distress or low Apgar scores

In addition to sharing findings with the parents, the doctor of optometry may send summary information to the infant's pediatrician, family physician or other appropriate practitioners to report and explain any significant condition(s) or concerns diagnosed in the assessment.

To learn more, visit InfantSEE.org.

(6-30-09)

Celebrities helped create a generation free of HIV at the 20th annual A Time For Heroes Family Picnic, held June 7 in Los Angeles in support of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. More than 80 of Hollywood's best-known names volunteered their time as "heroes" working carnival-style game booths and interacting with guests and families.

Drawn from the worlds of film, television, fashion, sports and music were such attendees as Heidi Klum, Mark Wahlberg, Dwyane Wade, Billy Crystal, Sharon Stone, Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Tony Hawk, among many others. The day was topped off with a musical performance by superstar and Disney recording artist Miley Cyrus. The fun-filled day combined play with purpose as guests also learned about the Foundation's 20-year history of battling pediatric AIDS and helping children and families around the world. The event raised more than $1.3 million for the fight against pediatric AIDS.

Kids and families were dazzled with many activities and surprises including:

An incredible concert performance by Miley Cyrus and her full band on the main stage.

The Disney UP storytelling area where carnival attendees were read to by celebrities and special guests such as Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, Melissa Joan Hart, Henry Winkler and Selena Gomez.

A Disney Channel Backstage area where guests were given the full star treatment.

The Disney-Pixar Toy Story area, where guests experienced the secret life of toys.

Becoming fashion designers at the Michael Stars Tee Shirt Customization Station.

Soap making at Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day area.

Denim decorating with 77kids by American Eagle.

Getting their photos on the cover of the world's most popular magazine at the People Photo Booth.

Following the yellow brick road and designing ruby slippers in the Wizard of Oz area.

Working with celebrity Heroes to create special Generation-Free Kits to be sent to mothers and babies in Africa.

Face painting, hockey, basketball, football booths and many others.

For more information, visit www.pedaids.org.

(6-23-09)

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) has announced new oral health guidelines for expectant mothers and infants following its 62nd Annual Session in Honolulu, Hawaii. The guidelines call for all pregnant women to receive counseling and oral health care during pregnancy, and also that infants receive an oral health risk assessment and oral care by their first birthday. These steps will contribute to optimal oral health for both mom and baby.

"There is evidence associating periodontal disease and increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight," says AAPD's Immediate Past-President Dr. Beverly Largent. A recently published study found significant differences between women treated for periodontal disease and those who were not treated. The findings suggest that incorporating periodontal care may result in improved pregnancy outcomes.

"Because premature births have become the No. 1 obstetric problem in the United States, we felt the need to provide more guidance about necessary oral care for expectant moms, in addition to promoting oral health as a key part of pregnant women's overall health," says Dr. Largent.

The guidelines are based on studies that suggest that proper dental care during the perinatal period may help prevent preterm and low birth weight babies and is an important aspect of overall health for pregnant women – allowing them to enter delivery in optimal health. Many women, however, are unaware of the implications poor oral health can have on themselves and their babies and often don't seek oral care during pregnancy.

Additionally, mothers with poor oral health may be at greater risk of infecting their children with the bacteria that causes cavities, increasing their children's caries risk at an early age. Because cavities in infants are preventable, determining which mothers are at the highest risk improves opportunities for preventive intervention.

"Every expectant mother should receive a comprehensive oral health evaluation and risk assessment," says Dr. Largent. "Dental treatment is safe throughout pregnancy, and this is a time when expectant mothers need to be screened for oral risks, counseled on proper oral hygiene and receive necessary dental treatment."

The updated guidelines also address proper oral care for infants and toddlers, the age group most susceptible to early childhood caries (ECC), which is an infectious but preventable disease that causes tooth decay and potentially more serious health issues. When left untreated, ECC can affect speech and communication, eating and dietary nutrition, sleeping, learning, playing and quality of life – even into adulthood. The guidelines outline how simple changes in a mother's oral hygiene, diet, use of topical fluoride and sharing of eating utensils can significantly reduce a child's risk for ECC.

Additionally, because physicians, nurses and other health care professionals see expectant or new mothers and their infants on a regular basis, the AAPD guidelines also encourage health care professionals to talk to their patients about proper oral care. In addition, the AAPD recommends that curriculum at medical, nursing and allied health professional programs include education in perinatal and infant oral health.

For more information on perinatal and infant oral health or to view the updated guidelines, visit www.aapd.org.

(6-23-09)

Parents magazine has revealed the exclusive findings from its first-ever 10 Best Fast-Casual Family Restaurants survey. At a time when many household budgets don't allow for meals out at sit-down restaurants and fast-food places aren't exactly known for healthy menus, "fast casual" restaurants, a hybrid of the two, are increasingly popular with families across the country. Fast-casual restaurants provide quick meals, usually made from healthier ingredients, served in a more upscale setting.

The results of the 10 Best Fast-Casual Family Restaurants survey are the culmination of a two-month study that examined 50 restaurant chains nationwide. Parents focused on honoring restaurants with a variety of healthy kids' menu offerings, family-friendly conveniences and overall value.

According to the Parents survey, these are the 10 Best Fast-Casual Restaurants:

1. Cosi
147 locations in 19 states

2. Jason's Deli
210 locations in 27 states

3. Noodles & Company
205 locations in 18 states

4. Fazoli's
260 locations in 26 states

5. Panera Bread
1,264 locations in 40 states

6. Zpizza
91 locations in 16 states

7. Atlanta Bread
103 locations in 24 states

8. Corner Bakery Cafe
115 locations in 11 states

9. Taco Del Mar
260 locations in 20 states

10. McAlister's Deli
283 locations in 22 states

"These days, tight household budgets make going out to eat as a family a real treat," says Dana Points, editor-in-chief of Parents. "The 10 restaurants on Parents' list are affordable, healthy and family-friendly."

Each restaurant answered a 25-question survey and submitted nutritional information for all of the items on their kids' menus. Parents then examined the calories, fat and sodium in each dish on the menu. Healthfulness and range of choices on the kids' menu made up 70 percent of each restaurant's score. The survey, which made up the remaining 30 percent of each restaurant's overall ranking, included questions about family conveniences, value promotions and kid-friendly features.

(6-23-09)

Giving birth to a low birth weight baby may be reduced by taking multivitamins vs. supplements of iron and folic acid, as it's recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Researchers analyzed data from more than 36,000 women and their infants. They found that taking a multivitamin, which already contains iron and folic acid, reduced the risk of having a low birth weight baby by 17 percent. The research was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

(6-23-09)

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research has announced the launch of PD Online Research (pdonlineresearch.org), a resource-rich virtual workplace that MJFF hopes will become a vibrant Web-based community of PD researchers and funders collaborating and conversing across the globe. MJFF's goal in developing the site is simple: quicker knowledge turns and therefore faster progress in developing transformative new therapies for people with Parkinson's disease.

PD Online is a direct outgrowth of the MJFF's awareness that its own convening power – which brings together hundreds of research professionals at scores of in-person meetings every year – is in many ways as important to research progress as is its funding. "Extending the incredibly productive and efficient interactions we see at our meetings to the Web via a scientific social/professional network will provide a platform for thousands of research professionals across the world. It will let them engage daily on key hurdles and hot topics, hopefully accelerating progress and breakthroughs in PD drug development," says Katie Hood, CEO of the MJFF.

The site, which has been conceptualized and built by MJFF in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital and the Initiative in Innovative Computing at Harvard University, is a one-stop shop for both an overview of the state of Parkinson's disease research as well as deep dives into top therapeutic targets and technical issues. The Foundation also hopes PDOR will help drive even better decision-making about PD research investment, helping public, nonprofit and private PD investors access a larger pool of experts than ever before, and in the process make smart and timely decisions about the research paths they choose to pursue.

PD Online Research content is offered as a free resource to the general public. But since MJFF's primary focus is on building a technical hub for Parkinson's research, only scientists, clinicians, allied health care professionals directly engaged in scientific research and investment decision-makers interested in Parkinson's disease in the public, nonprofit and private sectors will have the ability to post directly to the site.

Other interested parties, including people with Parkinson's and their families and members of the general public, will have the ability to read content and discussions and are invited to submit ideas and questions about PD science and therapeutic development to the PD Online team, who will add this input to the PD Online mix where it can help drive discussion and debate forward.

"PD Online will be successful if we can develop a committed and active community all tied to the same goal of accelerating a cure," says Dr. Gene Johnson, chief scientific advisor to MJFF. "But community members really need to believe in the value of the site not only for the greater good, but for their own work. We believe this is possible given the quality of the platform we've developed, and we're excited to see how the community evolves and speeds progress going forward."

Learn more at www.michaeljfox.org.

(6-16-09)

Celebrity volunteers who led more than one million people in March for Babies this spring are urging the public to continue to help the March of Dimes raise urgently needed funds for programs that help moms and babies.

"As a mom who had a premature child, I know firsthand the toll that premature birth can take," says Sherri Shepherd, co-host of The View and National Spokesperson and California Chapter March for Babies Chair. "Give hope to babies and families by joining me in supporting the March of Dimes." Shepherd led the walk in Los Angeles on April 25, 2009.

The March for Babies raises funds to support research to find answers to the serious problems that threaten babies and community-based programs that bring comfort and information to families whose babies were born sick or prematurely.

The March of Dimes is making a special effort now to raise another $10 million so that all of the lifesaving research grants recently approved by an expert committee can be funded. Shepherd, along with fellow celebrity volunteers, is urging the public to visit marchforbabies.org to make a donation today.

Joining Sherri Shepherd in Los Angeles were actress Camille Winbush, of the ABC Family series The Secret Life of the American Teenager, the newest March of Dimes Team Youth volunteer and longtime local volunteer and Latina superstar Dayanara Torres. This year, Nancy O'Dell, co-host of Access Hollywood, and a group of Hollywood Moms appeared in a public service ad to support March of Dimes March for Babies.

Kicking off the Miami walk on April 25 was singer, actress and mother Jennifer Lopez, Honorary Chairperson of March for Babies. Lopez also joined the March of Dimes and sanofi pasteur in a national public awareness campaign to help protect the health and wellness of adults and infants called "Sounds of Pertussis."

Celebrities also joined the Nashville, Tenn., March for Babies event on April 19 with Grammy Award winner Kelly Clarkson and Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman inspiring walkers and volunteers. Clarkson, March of Dimes National Team Youth Ambassador, walked with her own team as part of her ongoing support of the foundation. Kidman, a first-time volunteer, spoke from the stage to thank all walkers and families for their dedication to the mission of the March of Dimes.

In New York City, NY Giants Quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning walked on April 26 along with Division leaders. Manning is the New York City Celebrity Honorary Chair and helped generate more than $100,000 in new sponsorship for March for Babies.

Former Washington Redskins player Brian Mitchell and Olympic Gold medalist Kerri Strug walked in Washington, D.C., on April 26. Mitchell, a March of Dimes national celebrity volunteer, served as the National Capital Area's Honorary Celebrity Chair for March for Babies this year. Strug has been active with year-round March of Dimes National Team Youth volunteer initiatives, as well as March of Dimes events in Washington, D.C., and Atlanta.

In Baltimore, Greg Gumbel, CBS sportscaster and Honorary March of Dimes Trustee, spent his birthday, May 3, walking alongside March of Dimes President Dr. Jennifer Howse. The Hall Family, March of Dimes 2009 National Ambassador Family, helped kick off the event, along with many dedicated volunteers.

The Boston March for Babies on May 9 got a boost from the participation of New England Patriots running back Laurence Maroney and Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis.

Join these dedicated celebrities and walkers by getting involved in the March for Babies and other upcoming March of Dimes fundraising events. For more information, visit www.MarchForBabies.org.

(6-16-09)

The first-ever national estimate among a nationally representative sample of U.S. children reveals that 3 out of every 1,000 children between the age of 6 and 17 in the United States have been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome (TS), according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

The study, "Prevalence of Diagnosed Tourette Syndrome in Children in the United States, 2007," found that a TS diagnosis is three times more common in boys than in girls, and approximately twice as common in children between 12 to 17 years as those aged 6 to 12 years. Among children with TS, 27 percent were reported as having moderate or severe TS, and 79 percent of children had also been diagnosed with at least one additional mental health or neurodevelopmental condition.

Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder that typically begins during early childhood, with symptoms being most severe between the ages of 10 and 12 years. TS is characterized by recurring multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic. Tics are involuntary, repetitive, stereotyped, usually sudden and rapid movements or vocalizations that may be suppressed for short periods of time.

"TS and tic disorders have been linked to higher rates of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and impairments associated with these conditions, such as learning disabilities and problems with peer relations," says Dr. Rebecca Bitsko, Health Scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Given the high number of children diagnosed with TS who have another mental health or neurodevelopmental condition, it is necessary to further study the relation between these conditions."

Further, the data show that non-Hispanic white children are more than twice as likely as non-Hispanic black children or Hispanic children to have a parent-reported TS diagnosis.

"Having an estimate of the number of U.S. children who are diagnosed with TS is a first step toward understanding the overall impact of this condition in the population," says Dr. Bitsko. "Further research must examine differences in access to health care for children with TS in different population groups, the impact of TS on the quality of life, long term outcomes for children with TS, and strategies for reducing the impact of conditions associated with TS."

For more information about Tourette Syndrome and other birth defects, call toll free 1-800 CDC-INFO.

(6-16-09)

Dr. Jennifer Howse, president of the March of Dimes, issued the following statement:

"Approval of H.R. 1256, the 'Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act,' by the U.S. Senate is an important step forward for public health and improving the chance that infants and children will have a healthier start in life.

"Giving the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate tobacco products will help reduce the number of new smokers, particularly women and adolescents. Cigarette smoking during pregnancy poses many risks for pregnant women and their children, including increased risk of premature delivery.

"The Foundation has activated thousands of volunteers and staff from every state in the nation and urged them to contact their U.S. Senators and Representatives with a message to vote 'YES' on this landmark bill.

"We look forward to quick resolution of minor differences between the Senate and House bills so that it can be sent to the President's desk before the July 4th congressional recess."

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose volunteers and staff work to improve the health of infants and children by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education and advocacy. Visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.

(6-16-09)