Reduced Eye-Patching for Lazy Eye Less Stressful, Just as Effective

Wearing an eye patch for two hours a day instead of six works just as well at improving eyesight in children with lazy eye (amblyopia), according to a new study. This research, appearing in May’s Archives of Opthalmology, is good news for families with children suffering from the most common cause of visual impairment in childhood.

In the study, children under the age of 7 were put in two groups. The first received two hours of daily eye patching and the second, six hours. After four months, the rate of improvement for both groups was the same. All children performed one hour of “near” work – coloring, reading, tracing, etc. – while wearing the patch. The near work was an important part of the prescribed treatment. The researchers, however, say they are uncertain whether there would be the same amount of improvement without the daily near work.

"Prior to these results, many children with amblyopia had to wear an eye patch during school hours," says Dr. Paul A. Sieving, director of the National Eye Institute, a branch of the National Institutes of Health and the organization that sponsored the study. "For these children, the accompanying social and psychological stigma was very real. Many were stared at and teased by other children, which made them feel different. Now, children can look forward to attending school without the patch. This will make them feel better about themselves."

Amblyopia usually begins in infancy or childhood and is characterized by poor vision in an otherwise healthy eye. The brain learns to favor the other eye for reasons such as crossed or wandering eyes or a significant difference in nearsightedness or farsightedness between the two eyes. (5-27-03)

Food Fight: Mealtime Struggles

Do you have trouble getting your little one to eat what you give them? If so, you’re not alone.

A study commissioned by the Captain Birds Eye company investigated the eating habits of children in the United Kingdom. The research shows that children aren’t afraid to voice their opinions at mealtimes, and that many of them use refusal of foods as a way to assert their independence.

The study reveals that more than 60 percent of children are reluctant to try new foods. More than a third will only eat a few kinds of foods, and that same number will not eat their dinner at night because they are too full from snacks.

Parents themselves may be hindering their child’s blossoming taste buds. More than 90 percent of parents say their children won’t eat any vegetables without being coaxed, according to the study. But getting upset, providing an alternative or offering a bribe of dessert or other favored foods may help fuel the child’s negative attitude toward the meal.

Attitudes toward food are learned early in childhood, explains Dr. Pat Spungin, child psychologist. “When mums offer a sweet or pudding for eating nutritious food they are inadvertently reinforcing the idea that these foods are not very pleasant because they have to be bribed to eat them," says Dr. Spungin. "In turn, mums place the power back in the hands of the child by resorting to these tactics, so invariably mothers are rewarding fussiness.”

Children can be one of two types of eaters – adventurous or cautious – expert nutritionist, Fiona Hunter, has discovered from an analysis of 100 children’s mealtime diaries. Adventurous eaters are more likely to try unusual foods, such as mangoes or curry. However, 90 percent of the children analyzed fall into the cautious eater category. These children had more of a tendency to choose unhealthy foods over more healthy ones.

So what can you do if your child is a cautious eater and you don’t want to use bribery to get him or her to eat what you serve? Get creative. Some methods other parents have tried to get their kids to eat new or healthy foods include using recipes that disguise vegetables or insisting that their child’s favorite hero or celebrity would eat the food. (5-20-03)

Raise Your Kids to Be Respectful Cyber Citizens

With all the time kids are spending online and on the Internet, it might be a good idea to make sure yours know how to be good cyber citizens. www.playitcybersafe.com, that offers tips for parents on ways to talk to their children about respect for creative works online and the importance of using the computer safely and responsibly.

"The Internet can seem like a free-for-all for children,” says Diane Smiroldo, vice president of public affairs for BSA. It is “a place without rules, and this can lead to trouble and sites not recommended for children, as well as illegal behavior like downloading copyrighted works including software, music and games," she says.

According to a study done at St. Louis University about behavioral development, says BSA, the 9 to 12 age range is a “very reasonable” age to try to tackle cyber ethics. Experts say this is the age range when children can begin to understand abstract concepts like privacy rights and can understand the consequences of their actions.

The BSA offers these five tips for parents who want to talk to their children about cyber ethics:

• Be Involved: Know what games and software your children are using and know where they got them. Let kids know that if a friend offers to copy software for them, it may be illegal to do so. Tell them to ask for help if they are unsure.
• Inform Yourself: The Internet has many resources, including BSA’s Web site, where you can go to learn more about intellectual property, copyright and the legal and ethical uses of software.
• Talk About It: Don’t think your children aren’t listening. In conversation, talk about the software and music your children use and who owns the copyright. Define terms like “copyright,” “license agreement” and “software privacy” (if you don’t know these terms, inform yourself first). Show your kids what a copyright symbol looks like, and tell them what it means – that the material is owned by someone and can’t be copied without permission.
• Put Your Foot Down: Establish a family rule that no duplicating of copyrighted software, games or movies is allowed at home or anywhere else.
• Reward Good Behavior: Compliment your kids when they exhibit good cyber behavior. If possible, give them rewards like extra computer time or some other incentive.

Testosterone and Your Marriage

A Penn State study published in the March issue of the Journal of Family Psychology finds that positive or negative communication in your marriage depends on your own testosterone levels (relative to others of your gender) and your spouse’s.

This study – the first one to measure both a husband’s and wife’s testosterone – found, for example, that when a wife has higher testosterone (compared with other women) and her husband has lower testosterone (compared with other men), the wife is a more adaptive social support provider to her husband. In contrast, when both partners have lower testosterone levels, the husband is more positive and less negative when discussing marital issues and is a better support provider.

Researchers videotaped more than 90 couples married an average of 11 months in their living rooms having a conversation about a marital problem. The researchers analyzed the videotaped conversations as well as saliva samples provided by the couples to test their testosterone levels. (5-20-03)

Your Home: A Danger Zone for Children

Researchers of two new studies at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have found that home is the most common location for children to be injured in the United States and that most injuries resulting in a trip to the emergency room for children and adolescents occur at home. It also shows that residential injuries are a leading cause of death for this age group, especially for African Americans.

This study, presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting, found the following:

• Between 1985 and 1997, almost 3,000 children and preteens died each year as a result of unintentional injury at home.
• Between 1993 and 1999, children and adolescents under age 20 made four million trips to emergency rooms in the United States.
• Almost one in 10 emergency room visits for a residential injury was for a moderate or severe injury.

Dr. Lanphear’s study shows that nearly 70 percent of deaths in children and adolescents in the United States between 1985 and 1997 were the result of unintentional home injuries. African American children had a death rate that was twice as high as that of white children. Deaths were due, in descending order, to burns or fires, submersions or suffocations, poisonings and falls.

The study also shows that injury rates were greatest for children under 5 and for boys.

The second study found that residential injuries cause nearly 15 percent of all children’s and adolescents’ trips to the emergency room and almost 40 percent of unintentional injury visits between 1993 and 1999. The study shows that falls caused the most home injuries.

"Children's health is inextricably linked with housing," says Dr. Bruce Lanphear, director of the Children's Environmental Health Center at Cincinnati Children's. "Unfortunately, despite evidence that residential exposures have a dramatic impact on children's health, housing is largely ignored as a public health problem. Our research is aimed at making housing and the environment safe for children." (5-20-03)

Be True to Your School

If you’re thinking about changing your child’s school, you might want to reconsider. A child who frequently changes schools is more likely to have behavioral health problems than one who doesn’t, according to a new Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center study.

“Transitions can be so disruptive to children that parents need to weigh the potential academic benefit they may get versus the academic, social and emotional impact of making the transition,” says Dr. Mona Mansour, the study’s lead author. The increase in behavioral problems is true for all children, regardless of race, income, maternal education level or any other factor measured in the study.

The Cincinnati Children’s study, presented at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies, involved more than 3,200 children between the ages of 5 and 14. The children were considered “school mobile” if they were 5 to 9 years old and attended two or more elementary schools, or 9 to 14 and had attended three or more schools. Their mothers determined behavior problems by answering questions like “he/she is disobedient” and “he/she has trouble getting along with other students” with “often true,” “sometimes true” or “not true.” The responses were then translated into a score, with higher points equaling more behavior problems.

School mobile children had higher scores of behavioral problems than those children who were not school mobile, reports Dr. Mansour. Although the study cannot state that school mobility causes behavioral problems, it does show that the two are definitely linked. The school mobile children were more likely to have non-married mothers, mothers with low-level school involvement and mothers with symptoms of depression. Also, their mothers had lower perceptions of school expectations than mothers of children who did not change schools often.

Many parents move their children from school to school because of financial reasons, residential moves or to find a school that better meets their children’s needs. The latter is especially true if the child already has behavioral problems. But what the parents don’t realize is that by trying to fix their child’s behavior problems, they could be making them worse.

Dr. Mansour recommends that health care providers talk more with parents about the impact of school changes on children. School districts, also, should consider the potential outcomes of school changes when they formulate their policies. Programs designed to reduce excessive school changes for children may have a positive impact on some children’s behavioral problems. (5-13-03)

Wheezing and Daycare Attendance

A study in the American Thoracic Society’s May 2003 American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that daycare attendance in the first year of life is associated with an increase in wheezing in the first six years of life among children born to mothers who suffer from asthma. Recurrent wheezing at age 6 was defined in the study as two or more episodes of wheezing during the previous year.

Seven associates out of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Mass., studied 453 children birth to 6 years old who had a parent with a history of hay fever, allergies or asthma. The infants were recruited for the study between September 1994 and August 1996. The researchers gathered their information through telephone questionnaires conducted with the primary caregivers of the infants.

The researchers found that the relationship between daycare attendance in the first year of life and wheezing in the first six years of life is significantly greater if a child’s mother has asthma. Children without a maternal history of asthma who attend daycare in early life show a decreased risk of wheezing and asthma by age 6. There was no significant finding for children with a paternal history of asthma.

"To our knowledge, this is the first study to show maternal history may influence the relation between daycare attendance in early life and childhood asthma," says Dr. Juan Celedón, one of the authors of the study.

Previous studies in this area have shown protective effects of daycare attendance in the development of asthma in young children. But the researchers of this study claim that the increased risk of respiratory tract infections in children is one reason for the earlier, contradictory findings. (5-13-03)

Prevent Dog Bites With These Tips From PETA

There’s no such thing as “child-proofing” a dog, but heeding vital precautions goes a long way in preventing dog bite-related injuries and fatalities, says PETA. During National Dog Bite Prevention Week (May 18-24), PETA is offering advice on raising non-aggressive pups.

The following tips, says PETA, can improve dogs’ lives and save kids’ lives:

• Spay or neuter. “Intact” dogs are three times more likely to bite. Call 1-800-248-SPAY for low-cost spay/neuter programs in your area.
• If Buster’s a “backyard dog,” bring him inside. The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association reports that 17 percent of dogs involved in fatal attacks on humans between 1979 and 1998 were restrained on their owners’ property at the time of the attack.
• Never, ever sentence a dog to life on a chain. (It’s illegal in several communities and restricted in others.) Not only could your dog hang or choke on his chain, he’s a sitting duck for abusers, thieves, wildlife and animals running at large. More than a fourth of fatal dog attacks are by chained dogs.
• Give your dog plenty of exercise and social contact – frequent games of fetch, walks, lots of toys and “play dates” in the dog park can help prevent him from becoming overly defensive of his “territory.”
• Enroll your dog in a humane obedience class. If he’s been banished to the outdoors because of behavioral problems, training can help (while chaining will only make problems worse).

For more tips on raising a safe and happy dog, visit HelpingAnimals.com. (5-06-03)

Homeopathy Not Effective in Treating Asthma

Does homeopathy really work? Not to help children who have asthma, according to a new study in the journal Thorax.

Researchers studied more than 90 children ages 5 to 15 who had mild to moderate asthma, which was treated in the usual way with reliever or preventer inhalers. Classically trained homeopaths, who had been in practice for at least 10 years, also provided homeopathic remedies for the children in up to six sessions over the course of a year. Half the children were given dummy remedies (placebo) instead of homeopathy. Neither the children nor the practitioners knew who would receive which remedy.

Researchers found no evidence that homeopathy had any measurable impact on quality of life. The severity of symptoms lessened among children taking homeopathic remedies, but not to any extent that was significantly greater than placebo.

Homeopathic remedies are used by an estimated 15 percent of children with asthma in the United Kingdom, according to the authors. (5-6-03)

Report Finds Children, Senior Citizens Likely to be Victims in Fatal Crashes Involving Pedestrians

Nearly one in five pedestrians killed on America's roadways is the victim of a hit-and-run crash, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The report, NHTSA's most recent analysis of pedestrian fatalities, indicates that young children, as well as seniors, are especially likely to be the victims of fatal crashes involving pedestrians. More than a fifth of all children ages 5 to 9 killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians, and the age group with the highest rate of pedestrian fatalities are those 70 and over.

Almost 175,000 pedestrians died on U.S. roadways between 1975 and 2001, according to the report. Pedestrian fatalities now account for about 12 percent of all deaths related to motor vehicle crashes in the country.

Alcohol plays a significant role in deadly pedestrian crashes. Alcohol involvement among pedestrians in such crashes is 37 percent; for drivers, it is 18 percent.

The new NHTSA report analyzes the incidence of pedestrian fatalities in single vehicle crashes, which accounted for more than 90 percent of all pedestrian fatalities. The report focuses on pedestrian fatalities between 1998 and 2001.

For the complete report, log on to the agency's Web site at the agency's website at: www.nhtsa.gov. (4-29-03)

Treating Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease May Reduce Need for Asthma Medications in Children

Children who suffer from both asthma and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may require fewer asthma medications after receiving anti-GERD treatment, says a study published in the April issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP). The study found that medically or surgically treating GERD in children with asthma reduced the need for total asthma medications by more than half.

The study, conducted at West Jefferson Medical Center, is the first of its kind to evaluate the effect of anti-GERD treatment using acid suppressing drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on the requirement for asthma medications in older children with persistent moderate asthma.

During 12 months of observation, all patients in the study (ages 5 to 11) with GERD receiving anti- GERD treatment showed a more than 50 percent reduction in total asthma medications used, and specifically, a more than 50 percent reduction in bronchodilator use. In addition, 89 percent of patients with GERD required no treatment with inhaled corticosteroids, and no patients required use of leukotriene antagonists during the final six months of observation. Patients receiving no anti-GERD treatment showed no change in the use of total asthma medications.

"Children with persistent asthma often take the maximum amount of medications to maintain their asthma, yet they still end up in the emergency room on a regular basis," says Dr. Vikram Khoshoo, pediatric gastroenterologist at West Jefferson Medical Center, New Orleans, La "With anti-GERD treatments such as PPIs, we may help to lighten our patients' asthma regimens and eventually reduce the number of emergency room visits and school days missed." (4-29-03)

Take a Break From the Tube During TV-Turnoff Week

Are your kids too tuned into the tube? Or for that matter – are you? If so, take a break during the annual TV-Turnoff Week 2003 (April 21-27), sponsored by nonprofit group, TV-Turnoff Network. The organization encourages children and adults to watch much less television in order to promote healthier lives and communities.

According to TV-Turnoff Network, a recent a recent Harris poll found more than 90 percent of Americans admit they have soft addictions – seemingly harmless habits like over-eating, compulsive shopping, watching too much TV or surfing the Internet for hours that take our time, zap our energy and keep us from creating a more meaningful life. The poll also found that more than a third said they watch too much TV, and more than half reported too much TV watching in children.

Soft addiction expert Judith Wright has teamed up with TV-Turnoff Week 2003 to encourage millions of children and adults to take a seven-day break from the television and rediscover that life can be more fun, rewarding and even relaxing when we do more and watch less. For many, the Week will become the springboard to making lasting change in their lives: watching less television, choosing what they watch more selectively and engaging in more screen-free activities.

"Families of school-age children that limit TV time report that their children achieve higher grades and social success," says Wright. "They also experience more family closeness, greater creativity and more interactive play at all levels of family involvement." Wright is the author of There Must Be More Than This: Finding More Life, Love, and Meaning By Overcoming Your Soft Addictions (Broadway, 2003).

During TV-Turnoff Week 2002 an estimated 6.4 million people took part in the event in more than 16,000 organized Turnoffs. The lengthy list of supporting organizations for 2003 includes a number of major groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, National Education Association, Boys and Girls Clubs of America and many others.

For more information, log on to www.tvturnoff.org or www.theremustbemore.com. (4-22-03)

Parents Not as Likely to Discuss Children's Anxiety With Doctor

A new study finds that parents are less likely to talk with their family doctor about social anxiety disorders in their children than other issues such as attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder or depression.

The study, presented at the Anxiety Disorders Association of America's 23rd annual meeting, looked at 190 families with children between the ages of 8 to 17.

Researchers found that less than a third of parents who had a child with social anxiety disorder had discussed their child's symptoms with a pediatrician. In contrast, 67 percent parents of children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder and half of parents of children with major depression had disclosed these issues with their pediatricians.

"Despite the signs of social anxiety disorder, many children remain undiagnosed for reasons including lack of communication between parent and pediatrician, time constraints of primary care visits, discomfort discussing psychosocial concerns and limited recognition of anxiety problems," says Denise A. Chavira, PhD, department of psychiatry at University of California at San Diego. "Recognizing and providing appropriate treatment recommendations for social anxiety disorders during primary care visits can have important short- and long-term implications."

Social anxiety disorder is particularly prevalent and debilitating in adolescence. Adolescents with social anxiety disorder have few friends, demonstrate disturbances in school function, experience difficulties with intimate relationships and report elevated alcohol use. Research suggests significant stability of this disorder into adulthood, as well as long-term negative consequences including increased risk for suicide attempts, alcohol abuse, difficulty working, incomplete educational attainment and depression.

The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) is the only national, non-profit membership organization dedicated to informing the public, health care professionals and legislators that anxiety disorders are real, serious and treatable. The ADAA promotes the early diagnosis, treatment and cure of anxiety disorders and is committed to improving the lives of the people who suffer from them. (4-15-03)

Single Parenthood Increases Risk of Hospitalization, Early Death in Parents, Children

A new study has found that being a single parent increases the risk of hospitalization and early death in mothers, fathers and children.

For a dissertation at Umeå University in Sweden, a researcher traced illness and mortality among about 700,000 mothers and fathers and nearly a million children during the 1990s.

The results indicate that single parenthood entails greater risks of serious ill health (requiring hospital care) and early mortality among mothers, fathers and children. Single mothers showed greater risks when compared with cohabitating mothers. Single fathers, with custody of their children, also had heightened mortality risks, but it was above all single fathers who did not live with their children and single men without children who showed the highest mortality risks.

The greatest rise in risk among both men and women was found in cases of mental illness, suicide and substance abuse. Growing up in a single-parent household seems to mean more than twice the risk of mental illness, suicide/attempted suicide and substance abuse, according to the study, and it was also associated with a lower level of education as an adult.

The researcher attributes some of the increased risk to the fact that single parents have poorer economic and social conditions on average and that a greater share of people with weak health are included in the group. (4-8-03)

Warm Weather May Mean More Emergency Room Trips

Warm, sunny weather drives up the numbers of children requiring emergency care finds a study in Emergency Medicine Journal.

In a study of a children's hospital in Scotland over three months, researchers found that warm, sunny weather consistently drove up the numbers of children requiring emergency care for injuries all three months. Weekends, public and school holidays made no difference.

On average, the authors noted that attendances for emergency treatment were 30 percent higher between April and September than in the winter months. In the winter, medical conditions tended to predominate. (4-01-03)

Sports Medicine Organization Warns Against Use of Ephedra

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is cautioning parents, coaches and youth sports governing organizations to be aware of the hazards of the use ephedra, the herbal supplement recently implicated in the death of Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Steve Bechler, among youth.

The consumption of ephedra, also known as "ma huang," leads to increases in metabolism and in heart rate, according to ACSM. People who exercise and/or train for competition in sporting events are exposed to risk because ephedra may impair the body's ability to cool itself, thereby increasing the potential for heat-related illness during exercise, says the organization.

"Young people don't sweat as much as adults, so they don't have the same ability to naturally adjust their body temperatures while exercising," says ACSM President Edward T. Howley, Ph.D., FACSM. "ACSM is particularly concerned that products containing ephedra are so readily available to children and adolescents who may not be aware of these dangers."

Howley also notes young athletes often use ephedra for weight loss or to enhance athletic performance and are placing a greater emphasis on peak performance at an earlier age. "There are many factors which may negatively influence a young athlete's decision to use products containing ephedra," he says. "It is critical that we stress more appropriate methods of increasing physical fitness and gaining the competitive advantages they seek."

ACSM joins other concerned organizations that have publicly cautioned against the use of ephedra. Concern centers on increased risk of heart irregularities, disturbances of the central nervous system, gastrointestinal problems and stroke. Although some athletes may consume ephedra in an attempt to improve their athletic performance and reach physical goals, says the ACSM, the risks far outweigh any potential benefits. (4-01-03)

Get Kids Reading This Summer

Summer is coming and that means your kids get their much-awaited break from school. But is that good for their brains?

According to Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the nation's oldest and largest children's and family literacy organization, experts agree that children who read during the summer gain reading skills, while those who do not often experience learning losses.

To help entice kids to keep their brains working this summer, RIF offers the following tips:

Reading Tips for Parents:

• Combine activities with books: Encourage kids to read books about the activities they get involved in over the summer.
• Visit the library: Help your child get their very own library card.
• Lead by example: Show your kids how much fun you have reading!
• Talk it up: Talk with your kids about what you read – it shows them reading is an exciting, important part of your life.
• Help kids find time to read: When planning summer activities with children, remember to allow for time to read.
• Relax the rules for summer: Let summer be a time when children can read what, when and how they please.
• Have plenty of reading material around: Along with the usual storybooks, be sure to have newspapers, magazines and informational material on hand that might spark the interest of your young readers.
• Use books to break the boredom: Get books that teach kids how to make or do something interesting this summer.
• Read aloud with kids: Take your children to see a local storyteller or, better yet, be one yourself!

Reading Tips for Kids:

• Go somewhere new: The place where you read a book can make the story even more meaningful.
• Read around the house: See how much reading material can be found around the house without opening a book.
• Take a trip through a book: Read about the places you are planning to go this summer before you get there.
• Read books from A-Z: Let the alphabet help you make a summer reading list.
• Keep a reading journal: Write about the books that you read in a summer reading journal.
• Read aloud with adults: Adults need to read just as much as kids do. Read aloud with your parents before bedtime.
• Start a book club: Starting a book club with your friends is a great way to share books and ideas.
• Find a fun series: Find a series of books by an author who you enjoy.

For more information about RIF's Summer Reading Tips, call 877-RIF-READ, visit www.rif.org or e-mail dearrif@rif.org. (4-01-03)

Secondhand Smoke Linked to Childhood Cavities

Here's another reason not to smoke in front of your children – secondhand smoke may cause cavities, according to a new study.

The study, which appears in the March 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, surveyed more than 3500 children ages 4 to 11 who had had both dental examinations and a serum cotinine – a byproduct of nicotine – level measurement.

Researchers found that an elevated cotinine level was significantly associated with both decayed primary teeth and those that had fillings.

The authors concluded that there is an association between environmental tobacco smoke and risk of cavities among children. Reduction of passive smoking is important not only for the prevention of many medical problems, but also for the promotion of children's dental health, they say. (3-25-03)

CDC Activates Emergency Operations in Response to New Pneumonia-like Illness

In response to reports of increasing numbers of cases of an atypical pneumonia that the World Health Organization (WHO) has called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) activated its emergency operations center on Friday, March 14.

As of March 19, WHO has received reports of 264 patients from 11 countries with suspected and probable SARS. Areas with reported local transmission include Hong Kong and Guangdong province, China; Hanoi, Vietnam and Singapore. More limited transmission has been reported in Taipei, Taiwan and Toronto, Canada. Eleven cases have been reported in the United States. The initial cases reported in Singapore, Taiwan and Toronto were among people who all had traveled to China.

Among patients reported worldwide as of March 19, the disease has been characterized by rapid onset of high fever, myalgia, chills, rigor and sore throat, followed by shortness of breath, cough and radiographic evidence of pneumonia. Of the 264 suspected and probable cases reported by WHO, nine (3 percent) people have died.

CDC has been working with the World Health Organization (WHO) since late February to investigate and confirm outbreaks of this severe form of pneumonia in Vietnam, Hong Kong and parts of China.

"The emergence of two clusters of this illness on the North American continent indicates the potential for travelers who have been in the affected areas of Southeast Asia to have been exposed to this serious syndrome," says Dr. Julie L. Gerberding, CDC director. "The World Health Organization has been leading a global effort, in which CDC is participating, to understand the cause of this illness and how to prevent its spread. We do know that it may progress rapidly and can be fatal. Therefore, we are instituting measures aimed at identifying potential cases among travelers returning to the United States and protecting the people with whom they may come into contact."

The WHO issued a global alert about the outbreak on March 12, cautioning that the severe respiratory illness may spread to hospital staff. (3-25-03)

Hospital Offers Tips for Helping Kids Cope With War

Now that war in underway, how can you help your children cope? The staff at Linden Oaks Hospital at Edward in Naperville, Ill., offer the following suggestions:

• Monitor the television! While adults may understandably want ongoing, up-to-date information, children need to be protected from an onslaught of graphic and violent images.
• Give children honest information at their level of understanding.
• Allow them to "lead" the conversation rather than overwhelm them with details.
• Get help for yourself! Your child will sense and feel your anxiety. Be conscious of your own reactions and try not to burden your child with your own shock, anger, fear or grief. Be aware of forcing or wanting a certain response from your child.
• Listen! Don't judge, don't criticize and don't minimize.
• Assure children that they and your family are safe.
• Be available for your children. Play with them while encouraging them to share their thoughts. Remember that children may not discuss issues in the same manner as adults – often, their deepest feelings are revealed during play.
• Fear is OK – it is a normal reaction in these circumstances.
• Some may not immediately show fears/emotions, and this, too, is normal. Children often deal with significant emotions on a bit-by-bit basis. It may take several days or weeks for children to process their reactions. Stay tuned in.
• Mobilize outside support: church, family, friends, schools and community groups.
• Do your best to maintain a normal routine.
• Be careful not to project strong political, ideological, racial or cultural feelings onto children. Reserve these topics for adults.
• Be prepared to answer "Why?" Respond in a manner that allows for discussion and attends to fear and anxiety about the future.
• Understand and remember that we are all Americans and we must help our children not to focus any blame on our neighbors.

Linden Oaks Hospital at Edward provides a wide range of inpatient, outpatient and partial hospitalization behavioral health services including support for depression, chemical dependency, eating disorders, self injury, anxiety disorders and more.(3-25-03)

Scholastic Releases Cover of New Harry Potter Book

Kids – and adults! – anxious to get their hands of the newest Harry Potter book are getting a sneak preview. Scholastic recently released the cover of the much-awaited Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

The cover art was created by Mary GrandPre, the illustrator of all four previous Harry Potter books. GrandPre has also illustrated such notable children's books as Pockets, The House of Wisdom and, most recently for Scholastic, Plum.

The cover is a portrait of 15-year-old Harry Potter holding his wand in front of a series of doors. It is drawn in tones of midnight blue, indigo and flame blue.

Scholastic recently announced that based on high pre-publication demand for the book, a second printing of 1.7 million copies has been added to the already unprecedented first printing of 6.8 million, bringing the total print run to 8.5 million copies. Scholastic has approximately 80 million copies in print of the first four Harry Potter books.

The book will be released June 21. (3-25-03)

Design of New Thermometer Helps Kids, Seniors Take Temperature

Have trouble getting your child’s temperature? A new thermometer could help make the task a little easier.

MEDport, LLC and Timex Licensing Corporation recently unveiled the first in a new series of digital oral fever thermometers – the Timex Accu-Curve Thermometer – developed by three Rhode Island moms.

The Timex Accu-Curve Thermometer features a curved design, which allows the thermometer's temperature-taking tip to comfortably rest on the 'hot spot' under the tongue, the best place for recording a person's body temperature. The thermometer's body, which houses the electronics, is properly balanced so the thermometer's weight doesn't push up and move the thermometer around in the mouth. The result is a quick, accurate, more enjoyable and measurably better temperature-taking experience, according to the company.

"Listening to and working with moms, we have found a safer, better way, using a superior and smart ergonomic design,” says Jeff Jacober, chairman of MEDport LLC. “Our design incorporates other beneficial features such as a large, easy-to-read display and Indiglo® nightlight, which allows a person to take a temperature at night without having to turn on a light."

Jacober also says that the Timex Accu-Curve is an ideal thermometer for seniors who may also have difficulty using traditional straight thermometers. "For someone like my dad who has Parkinson's and has a hard time keeping the tip of the thermometer in the right place, the Accu-Curve is a perfect solution," he says.

For more information, log on to www.medportllc.com. (3-18-03)

Madonna Takes up Writing

It seems like every celebrity these days has written a children's book, but did you ever imagine Madonna would be one?

It seems the material girl is adding author to her list of credits. According to the Associated Press, Penguin Group announced Monday that the singer has written five illustrated story books for young readers aged 6 and above.

The first title, The English Roses, will be published in hardcover in September and distributed simultaneously worldwide, Penguin Group said. No further details were given.

"Madonna is an artist with a universal appeal, and these books will touch children of all backgrounds everywhere in the world," says Chairman and Chief Executive John Makinson.

Penguin Group has bought the English language rights to the five books, each of which will feature a different celebrated illustrator, from Callaway Editions, the New York-based publisher of illustrated books, which will publish the books in the United States. (3-11-03)

What Difference Does an Hour Make in Children's Sleep Patterns?

The modest sleep loss that results from going to bed an hour later than usual can compromise children’s alertness and brain functioning, a new study suggests.

Previous studies of adults have found that sleep deprivation significantly impairs the brain’s executive control system, which helps people organize, prioritize and focus on tasks. But few sleep-deprivation studies have focused on children, and those few have tended to examine extreme rather than modest sleep deprivation.

“The daily struggles between children and their parents usually occur at home and are often limited to modest changes in sleep,” Sadeh says. “Persistent battles on topics such as ‘just one more TV show’ raise the scientific question: ‘What difference does an hour make?’”

To help answer this question, Sadeh and colleagues studied the effects of adding or subtracting one hour of sleep on more than 75 children in fourth and sixth grades. For the first two nights of the five-night study period, the children adhered to their normal sleep pattern, and for the last three nights the children were asked either to extend or reduce their sleep time by one hour.

Children who got an extra hour of sleep actually experienced more night-wakings and a decreased percentage of sleep. Reducing sleep by one hour had the opposite effect: It resulted in decreased night-wakings and an increased percentage of sleep, the researchers found.

Previous researchers have identified these effects as the body’s way of adapting to sleep loss, but in this study, the sleep-deprived children reported significantly higher fatigue ratings in the evening. In addition, their performance on several neurobehavioral tests compared unfavorably with the children who received an extra hour of sleep. The sleep-deprived children’s performance on the reaction time test suffered, and their performance on the recall and responsiveness tests remained stable, while the children with the extra hour of sleep improved their performance on these tests.

The study results are published in the March/April issue of Child Development. (3-11-03)

Online Workshop Educates Parents on Preventing Infections, Preparing for Bioterrorism

A new online workshop teaches Americans of every age how to prevent infections in all areas of life, from homes, businesses and classrooms to what to do if a bioterrorist strikes.

The Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases (PKIDs) workshop is filled with vivid graphics, amazing facts and fun activities for any age. It is a train-the-trainer program offered free of charge to the nation's classrooms, employers, parents and coaches.

The workshop focuses on the following areas:

• Why viruses and bacteria are so good at making us so sick.
• How to prevent infections through standard precautions and immunizations.
• Beware the blood: Fun ways to teach children standard precautions.
• Make your own alcohol disinfectant handrub.
• Why do state governments mandate immunizations?
• How to prepare for a bioterrorist strike.
• How to keep athletes of all ages safe from bloodborne and other infections.
• Why the infected are stigmatized and what protections civil rights laws provide.

"The workshop is designed so anyone can use it to teach others about infectious disease – no teaching certificate is required!" says Trish Parnell, executive director of PKIDs, a national nonprofit organization that supports families touched by infectious diseases and educates the public about disease prevention. "Each section provides a detailed instructional text plus great hands-on learning activities for use in homes, schools and businesses."

The materials were developed in cooperation with leading physicians and public health educators to create an accurate and user-friendly program that is free to the public.

PKIDs' Infectious Disease Workshop can be downloaded or printed for free at www.pkids.org/idw.htm or it can be purchased on CD-ROM for $30 plus shipping and handling by calling 360-695-0293 or e-mailing pkids@pkids.org. (3-11-03)

Study Finds Third Graders Not Getting Enough Exercise at School

America's young children may not be getting enough vigorous physical exercise through their schools' physical education (PE) programs, suggests the latest analysis by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development.

Researchers found that third grade children in the study only received an average of 25 minutes per week in school of moderate to vigorous activity. Experts in the United States have recommended that young people should participate in physical activity of at least moderate intensity for 30 to 60 minutes each day.

The NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development enrolled just over 1,300 children at birth at 10 research sites throughout the United States. The researchers conduct periodic observations and evaluations of many aspects of the children's lives as they progress from infancy through adolescence. The current analysis was conducted on information gained from direct observations of the children participating in the study while they were in physical activity classes.

The study appears in a recent issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. (3-04-03)

Would Your Child Touch a Gun?

Parents' beliefs about how their children would react to finding a gun may impact whether – and how – they address gun safety issues reports a new study in the February issue of Pediatrics.

According to the study, "'They're Too Smart for That': Predicting What Children Would Do in the Presence of Guns," researchers found that 87 percent of parents surveyed – regardless of gun ownership, geography, race, gender, education level, income or child age – believed that their children would not touch a gun they found.

The researchers specifically investigated how parents reasoned about their children's actions. They concluded that physicians and others who address gun safety topics should think about the issue not only in terms of what the parents believe about guns, but also in terms of what they believe about their child's developmental level and impulse control. (3-4-03)

Many Emergency Room Trips Due to the Common Cold

Parents who are misinformed about the cause and treatments of colds may be more likely to take their children to the emergency room, reports a new study in the February issue of Pediatrics.

The study found colds accounted for 1.6 million emergency room visits in 1998, even though most colds are viral and do not require medical intervention.

Researchers suggest that educating parents about the inappropriate use of antibiotics for treating colds may reduce unnecessary ER visits. (2-25-03)

New Harry Potter Book to Break First-Printing Records in U.S.

Fans waiting for the next Harry Potter book shouldn't have any trouble getting a copy once it is released. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will break all first-printing publishing records in the United States with an unprecedented first printing of 6.8 million copies Scholastic, Inc. has announced.

The book, scheduled for release on June 21, 2003 (mark your calendars!), is nearly 900 pages, more than 255,000 words and 38 chapters.

"The demand at retail and pre-orders by customers for the new Harry Potter book have been absolutely phenomenal," says Barbara Marcus, president of Scholastic Children's Books. "With this level of anticipation for J.K. Rowling's masterful new adventure, we want to make sure that all Harry Potter fans can get their copies on June 21."

Scholastic also announced a first printing of 350,000 copies of a Deluxe Edition of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix especially targeted to the Harry Potter collector's market. The Deluxe Edition will be designed with a full-case cloth cover with gold embossing which will slide into a special slip box. Priced at $60, the Deluxe Edition will have printed-end sheets and pages with special deckled edges.

When Scholastic released Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in July 2000, it became the fastest-selling book in history. Within 48 hours, three million copies were sold and Scholastic went back to press for an additional three million immediately. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, in hardcover and paperback, has sold over 16 million copies since being released.

All four Harry Potter books published by Scholastic in the United States in hardcover and paperback have sold a total of nearly 80 million copies since September 1998, when the company first released Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. (2-18-03)

Restraint Use Rises to Record High Level for Infants and Toddlers

A new survey from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports good news: More children are being restrained during travel than ever before.

An NHTSA survey found that an estimated 99 percent of infants under age 1 are now restrained during travel, up 4 percentage points from 2000. Fully 94 percent of toddlers are now restrained, a 3 percentage point gain over two years ago. Eighty-three percent of children ages 4 to 7 are restrained, with no past data available for this age group.

“Children are the most vulnerable passengers riding on America’s roadways. It is extremely good news that more of them are now safely secured,” says Dr. Jeffrey W. Runge, NHTSA administrator.

However, Dr. Runge indicated serious concern about other findings from the survey, which shows that many young children continue to ride in the front seat. An estimated 15 percent of infants under age 1 now ride in a front seating position; 10 percent of toddlers ages 1 to 3 ride in the front; and 29 percent of youngsters ages 4 to 7 do so.

Besides indicating increasing restraint use among infants and toddlers, the latest national survey reached these key findings:

• The link between restraint use of drivers and their child passengers remains strong. More than 90 percent of belted drivers also restrain the children traveling in their vehicles. Approximately 70 percent of unbelted drivers restrain their child passengers.
• Male drivers are restraining their children more often than they did two years ago, bringing them to near parity with female drivers. The 2000 survey indicated a 7-percentage-point disparity between men and women. That gap has now been narrowed to about 1 percentage point.
• Parents appear to be more aware of the need for appropriate restraint use based on the age and size of their children. The latest survey indicates lower incidence of “premature graduation” in the use of restraint systems. Premature graduation involves transitioning children to the next stage of restraint system use before they are ready in terms of age or size. For example, infants are placed in forward-facing seats too soon, or children are moved from a child safety seat directly to an adult safety belt too soon, bypassing the booster-seat stage. (2-18-03)

Help Your Child Avoid Cavities

Cavities may be the most common childhood disease, but with a little help from parents, children can avoid them says a new report in the journal General Dentistry.

Cavities, an infectious disease caused by acid-forming bacteria found in dental plaque, destroys the tooth's structure. Young children, ages 1 through 6, are more susceptible to develop cavities because their primary teeth have thinner, weaker enamel and are a prime target for plaque. Primary teeth also have more spaces between teeth where food is more likely to linger, which creates a breeding ground for cavity-causing bacteria.

"Learning about proper oral care should be just as much of a priority as prenatal care. Parents-to-be should take the initiative and ask health care professionals about a baby's oral health," says Shahrbanoo Fadavi, DDS, MS.

How can parents help their children keep cavities at bay?

1. Add more fluoride to children's daily intake. Fluoride strengthens young teeth and can be obtained through toothpaste, fluoridated water, rinses and professional application. Not only does fluoride prevent the development of cavities, it also repairs the early stages of tooth decay (before cavity formation). Therefore, tooth decay is reduced throughout the child's life and so is the cost of dental treatment.

2. Eat a healthy, balanced diet and limit sugar intake. "Promote fruits and vegetables in the household, and remove foods with processed sugars and add teeth-cleaning foods like apples, carrots and celery," says Manuel Cordero, DDS, MAGD, spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry. However, be selective on what you serve.

In addition, limit or eliminate sugary drinks and snacks; the best alternative drink is water. "After eating, these sugary carbohydrates lead to 20 minutes of acid production in the mouth which is the crucial time when cavities form," says Cordero. Replace sweet treats with fruits, and buy sugar-free chewing gum that contains xylitol and sorbitol. Limit intake of carbonated drinks, and use a straw with drinks to prevent sugar contact with teeth.

3. Help implement a dental education program within the school and/or community. Make dental and health education a priority within the school system. Children spend most of their waking hours at school and are easily influenced by others, which can form bad habits. Parents should speak with teachers and school administrators about producing dental and health based programs or workshops that will teach kids about practicing good oral hygiene and nutrition.

"Parents can also teach kids good dental care through imitation. Let your children watch you brush your teeth and then take time to show them how to do it," says Dr. Cordero.

4. Prevent baby bottle tooth decay by becoming aware of nursing patterns. Baby bottle tooth decay is caused by the frequent and long-term exposure of a child's teeth to liquids containing sugars. Among these liquids are milk, formula, fruit juice, sodas and other sweetened drinks. The sugars in these liquids pool around the infant's teeth and gums, feeding the bacteria that cause plaque. Every time a child consumes a sugary liquid, acid attacks the teeth and gums. After numerous attacks, tooth decay can begin.

Never allow children to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, juice or other sweetened liquids. Clean and massage the baby's gums to help establish healthy teeth and to aid in teething. Wrap a moistened gauze square or washcloth around the finger and gently massage the gums and gingival tissues. This should be done once a day.

5. Children should visit a dentist within six months of the eruption of the first tooth. Parents often wait much longer than this for their child's first dental visit. However the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the Academy of General Dentistry recommend children visit a dentist within six months after the first tooth erupts and no later than 12 months of age. During the first visit, parents will learn more about the proper oral care and hygiene measures that is necessary for healthy, young teeth. (2-11-03)

New Award-winning Segment to Join Teletubbies Program on PBS

Are Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po household names in your home? If so, you'll be happy to learn – or at least your kids will – there's a new addition to the popular Teletubbies TV show on PBS.

Teletubbies Everywhere, a new 10-minute segment which starts off the show, features the Teletubbies characters in a simple, graphic setting and introduces first concepts such as numbers, shapes, colors and opposites with clarity and humor at a pace very young children enjoy. Created by international filmmakers, each live-action segment provides an entertaining and innovative new way for American preschoolers to discover the lives, languages, music and customs of children from a variety of cultures and countries.

"Children everywhere will love 'Everywhere'," says David Levine, vice president of corporate and business affairs at Ragdoll, the creator of Teletubbies. "'Everywhere' looks and feels wonderfully different from the original Teletubbies show and will add immensely to the enjoyment of children who already watch the Teletubbies everyday."

Teletubbies Everywhere recently received a BAFTA Award (British Emmy). (2-04-03)

Government to Test Drugs Prescribed to Kids, But Not Yet Tested in Kids

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced that 12 commonly-prescribed drugs will be tested for use in children beginning this year.

Once a drug has been approved for a particular use, physicians may prescribe it for other uses as they deem necessary. Many commonly-available drugs, although approved for use in adults, have never been tested specifically for use in children. The 12 drugs on the list are currently prescribed for children, but their safety and effectiveness has been established only in adults.

The drugs include:

• Azithromycin – an antibiotic used to treat many different types of bacterial infections.
• Baclofen – a muscle relaxant used to relieve the spasms, cramping and tightness of muscles caused by medical problems such as multiple sclerosis or certain injuries to the spine.
• Bumetanide – used to reduce the swelling and fluid retention caused by various medical problems, including heart or liver disease. It also is used to treat high blood pressure. It causes the kidneys to get rid of unneeded water and salt from the body into the urine.
• Dobutamine – a heart-stimulating drug.
• Dopamine – used to treat Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia.
• Furosemide – used to treat swelling and water retention.
• Heparin – decreases the clotting ability of the blood and helps prevent harmful clots from forming in the blood vessels.
• Lithium – treatment for bipolar disorder (extreme mood changes from depression or anger to elation).
• Lorazepam – treatment for anxiety.
• Rifampin – used in combination with other medications to treat tuberculosis and to treat carriers of meningitis-causing bacteria.
• Sodium nitroprusside – a treatment for high blood pressure.
• Spironolactone – a treatment for high blood pressure.

Each drug will undergo about two years of testing, followed by evaluation of test results by the FDA. The testing is called for in the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (BPCA), which was signed into law by President Bush last year. The law provides for HHS agencies to sponsor pediatric tests of certain drugs already approved for marketing but never tested specifically for their effects in children. (1-28-03)

Most Backpack Injuries Due to Tripping

Did you know that the back is not the body part most commonly injured due to backpacks?

A new study in the January issue of Pediatrics found instead that most children were injured by tripping over the backpack, usually causing foot and ankle or wrist and elbow injuries.

Twenty-two percent of the group studied were hurt in the head or face (mostly lacerations). Injuries to the hand, an additional 14 percent, included punctured fingers from pencils and fractures from the backpack falling on their hand. Wrist and ankle sprains were also common, as were shoulder strains.

Back injuries made up 11 percent of the total, with lumbar strain being the most common back injury.

According to the study authors, telling children to keep backpacks off the floor and not to use them to hit each other could prevent more than 40 percent of backpack injuries. (1-28-03)

Advice to Slow Down Does Not Help Kids Who Stutter

"Slow down and relax!"

A new survey shows that this is exactly what most adults tell children who stutter, but leading experts say that strategy can aggravate the problem.

A national survey of 1,000 adults by the Stuttering Foundation found that nearly 90 percent said “slow down and relax” is exactly what they would tell a child who began to stutter. Yet such simplistic advice won’t help stop stuttering and may actually frustrate a child who stutters, say experts at the Stuttering Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention and improved treatment of stuttering.

“Parents should realize that the way they react to stuttering plays an important role in the child’s speech development,” says Lisa Scott Trautman, Ph.D., assistant professor of speech-language pathology at The Florida State University. “If a child senses frustration and impatience when he speaks, his concerns about talking will increase.”

So what are parents to do?

• Remain calm if you hear your child stutter.
• Give the child your attention and listen carefully, allowing him to complete his sentence without interruption.
• Talk in a slow, relaxed way yourself; this will be more effective than any criticism or advice to "try it again slowly."
• Convey that you are listening to what your child says, not how she says it. This will build confidence and likely increase fluency.

For many young children, positive attitudes and reactions of parents and other family members are an effective way to encourage normal fluency. However, if stuttering lasts longer than six months or if it seems fairly severe or worsens, an evaluation by a speech therapist is recommended. The success rate is very high when children begin therapy between the ages of 2 and 5 years old.

For more information and a list of local resources, log on to the Stuttering Foundation Web site at www.stutteringhelp.org or call 1-800-992-9392. (1-21-03)

Nip Head Lice in the Bud

Sometimes parents get more than they bargained for when they travel to visit friends and relatives over the holidays. Head lice, an unfortunate part of raising children today, may have returned home along with the happy memories and yellow credit card slips.

The National Pediculosis Association (NPA) reminds parents to screen for head lice and their eggs (nits) before their children return to the classroom or to childcare after the holiday vacation. Getting lice "out of your hair" is not so difficult if families are prepared with accurate information and effective tools.

The NPA encourages routine screening, early detection and removal of lice and nits to minimize disruption, save money and, most importantly, protect against unnecessary and direct exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, many of which have no benefit because of lice resistance.

The NPA urges a manual and non-chemical approach using the LiceMeister®, comb especially for children who have other medical problems or mothers who may be pregnant or nursing.

Free educational downloads and a limited free offer for the NPA's "Critter Card" to help parents accurately identify head lice and nits are available at www.headlice.org. (1-14-03)

More Children Receiving Health Insurance

The number of children receiving health insurance is continuing to increase according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC conducts an annual survey tracking health insurance and other health indicators for Americans.

The report found that the percent of American children with health insurance continued to increase in the first half of 2002, meaning that a half million more children are now covered by insurance than in the previous year. The improvement comes as more children rely on public coverage for their health care, including the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) created in 1997.

SCHIP is designed to help children without health insurance, many of whom come from working families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid but too low to afford private health insurance. There were 4.6 million children enrolled in SCHIP at some point during fiscal year 2001, the most recent year for which complete state data is available.

Overall, just more than 14 percent of the population was without health insurance coverage in the first half of 2002, about the same as in 2001, and down from about 15 percent in 1997.

Working-age adults were more likely than seniors or children to lack health insurance coverage, with 18.5 percent of those aged 18 to 64 without coverage. In early 2002, about one in three Hispanics lacked health insurance, a far greater percent than the non-Hispanic black population (16.4 percent) and non-Hispanic whites at 10.5 percent.

The complete report is available at www.cdc.gov/nchs. (1-14-03)

Caffeine Likely to Affect Your Child's Sleep

Is your child like trying to wake the dead in the morning? If so, you might want to check their consumption of caffeine, say researchers at the Children's Nutrition Research Center (CNRC) at Texas Medical Center in Houston

"The stimulating effect of caffeine can last up to three to four hours after consumption," says Dr. Janice Stuff, a CNRC nutrition researcher. "As a result, kids who reach for caffeine-containing beverages in the evening can have trouble falling and staying asleep at night, which can make it harder to get them up in the morning."

Caffeine is a mild stimulant considered safe in moderate amounts, according to the CNRC. For older teens and adults, a moderate amount is 200 milligrams per day, or about two 6-ounce cups of coffee. For younger children, experts suggest keeping caffeine levels below 50 milligrams a day, or the amount found in one 12-ounce soda.

To help children improve their beverage choices and sleep, Dr. Stuff offers the following strategies:

• Opt for decaffeinated or caffeine-free versions of soft drinks, coffees and teas. Also, don't forget that beverages like milk, water and fruit juice are part of a healthy diet.
• Downsize soft-drink, tea and coffee purchases.
• Watch the time. Avoid consuming caffeine-containing foods, medications and beverages within four hours of bedtime.
• Check the label. Although two products may seem identical, one may be caffeine-free while the other is not. Also, keep in mind that some citrus-flavored soft drinks contain more caffeine than colas. Caffeine is also a common ingredient in some over-the-counter medications.
• To learn more about caffeine, visit http://ific.org/pdf/CaffeineIFICReview.pdf.
• To find out the caffeine content of common foods, beverages and medications, visit www.cspinet.org/new/cafchart.htm.

New Software Helps Parents Discuss Drugs and Alcohol

Not sure how to broach the topic of drugs and alcohol with your kids? A Florida attorney has developed software to help such parents talk to their kids about this difficult topic.

Raymond G. Ferrero III, who has worked for nearly a decade representing adolescents and adults suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, developed the Drug CD because he says he was tired of getting involved too late in the process. "I always felt that if I could have reached a child or reached a parent before addiction became a problem within the family that somehow I could have done something positive," he says. "The Drug CD is my solution."

The double-CD set uses plain facts, a non-judgmental approach and an interactive format to educate and guide families into open dialogue about drugs and alcohol. The Drug CD includes:

• Access to a nationwide directory of federally-endorsed treatment centers, searchable by state and zip code
• Lessons in how to detect substance abuse at home, school and work
• Digital (crime-lab) photographs to help identify today's most commonly abused drugs
• Comprehensive interactive drug and alcohol reference guide
• Eight video interviews with teens and parents who live with addiction and substance abuse
• Answers and advice from three experts in the field
• A searchable, clinical reference guide to drug use, abuse and addiction