Prenatal exposure to endocrine disruptors and behavioral problems in children

INSERM: An epidemiological study carried out by Inserm on families from the EDEN cohort (500 boys born between 2003 and 2006 and their mothers) shows that exposure during pregnancy to certain phenols and phthalates is associated with behavioral problems in boys between 3 and 5 years of age. The most worrying compounds in this respect are bisphenol A, triclosan and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). The results of this study have recently been published in Environmental Health Perspectives.

Exposure to certain insecticides linked to childhood behavioural difficulties

BMJ: Exposure to a particular group of chemicals widely used in pest control for people, pets, and crops, may be linked to behavioural difficulties in 6 year olds, suggests research published online in Occupational & Environmental Medicine. Pyrethroids are synthetic chemicals which are found in a range of products, including treatments for head lice, scabies, and fleas, and some mosquito repellants. They are a safer alternative to organophosphates. But like many classes of insecticides, they work by damaging nerves, and concerns have recently been raised about the potential impact of children’s exposure to them.

Sleep training and attachment: Not uncaring...a challenge!

Behavioral Pediatrics: Behavioral sleep training techniques for infants, particularly extinction and graduated extinction strategies based in psychological learning theory, have existed, and been successfully implemented, for many decades. However, despite longstanding evidence that these strategies improve both infant and parent sleep and regulation, several factors result in reluctance of both parents and practitioners. Most immediate, is the stress experienced by parents while first initiating the extinction-based methods. Nothing makes your heart give in more, than your crying infant. More underlying philosophical concerns, are that use of these techniques may lead to undue stress on the infant (as represented by elevated cortisol levels) and irreparable damage to the parent-child attachment relationship.

Avoid a child's accidental exposure to a medication

To help avoid a child's accidental exposure to any medication, parents and other caregivers should:

1. Store medicines in a safe location that is too high for young children to reach or see. 
2. Never leave medicines or vitamins out on a kitchen counter or at a sick child's bedside. 
3. If a medicine bottle does have a safety cap, be sure to relock it each time you use it. 
4. Remind babysitters, houseguests, and visitors to keep purses, bags, or coats that have medicines in them away and out of sight when they are in your home. 
5. Avoid taking medicines in front of young children because they like to mimic adults.

Source: Food and Drug Administration
27-10-2012