The government in the US is now warning parents about another health issue and this time it involves clothing. According to authorities, Carter?s tagless clothing line can cause skin rashes. At this time, there are no recalls of any of the tagless clothing however. The tagless clothing has no tag on the inside of the garment. Instead, they use a heat transferred label inside the clothing to identify size and other information. Dye from this heat transferred label can irritate baby?s sensitive skin.

The warning applies to the 2007 clothing line which contains about 110 million garments. Authorities say that if your child develops a rash after wearing the clothing, that you should discontinue use.

The garments were made in numerous countries around the world and have been sold in various retailers. Some clothing on the shelves may still be from the 2007 line, but most of the clothing has been bought already.

So far, about 400 complaints of rashes have been reported. The affected clothing includes various knit items and also pajamas.

Last week, Chinese officials issued a statement that the issue of melamine-food products is resolved. End of the story.

Well, not quite. As a fellow BOL blogger wrote a few days ago, more and more tainted products have come to light.

The US FDA must have their hands full with the problem. Just a few days ago, the regulatory body issued a health advisory warning against the Taiwanese-made Mr Brown coffee and milk tea.

Thanks to international cooperation, health officials in other countries are sharing information to warn the international community of tainted products they detect. The New Zealand Food Safety Authority, for example, reported a positive melamine test for White Rabbit Creamy Candies imported from China.

In addition, the FDA is also tightening the labelling of imported food products. It is proposed that products refused or rejected entry in a US port be labeled clearly as such. When products are refused entry to the US, they should normally be destroyed.

Some food importers try the so-called “port shopping” strategy of importing – trying to get through another port with less stringent checks. By clearly labelling refused products on official documents as well as on the shipping container, port shopping is avoided. Furthermore, other countries will also then be privy to the import status of the product and can carefully conduct checks of their own.

The problem of melamine-tainted products will cost Chinese companies and multinationals with Chinese subsidiaries millions of dollars. Under the FDA proposal,

“all owners or consignees of refused food would be required to affix a label to the shipping container that reads: “UNITED STATES: REFUSED ENTRY” in clear, conspicuous, print.

Let’s hopethat this proposed labelling will deter unscrupulous import companies from dumping tainted products in ports and countries with less vigilant or dishonest food safety. authorities.

Codeine is a common active ingredient in many painkillers – including those prescribed to women right after a C-section.

However, a recent study by researchers at the University of Western Ontario indicates that codeine may actually present a danger to breastfed infants. This is contrary to what the American Academy of Pediatrics says – that codeine is compatible with breastfeeding.

Codeine itself is harmless. However, it is transformed by the body into morphine, which is the actual substance that eases the pain. The researchers discovered that some individuals have a genetic predisposition that makes their body metabolize codeine faster than normal. In lactating women, this can cause a build up of morphine in the breast milk, thus putting babies at risk of morphine overdose. This predisposition is very rare but it definitely exists and should therefore be taken into consideration when prescribing painkillers to breastfeeding women. With the increasing rates of C-section, more and more women and their babies will be put at risk.

Several cases of babies who have suffered from morphine overdose via breast milk have been reported in Canada and at least one case proved fatal. Morphine overdose leads to central nervous system depression in babies.

The US FDA has just issued a safety alert concerning the long-acting cough depressant Tussionex Pennkinetic Extended-Release Suspension. Its use has been associated with side effects, some of which are life-threatening, both in adults and children.

Some of the warnings issued by the FDA are:

? Tussionex should not be prescribed to children under 6 years old.
? Doctors should clearly explain to the patient or parents of the patient (if the patient is a minor) the correct dosing amount and frequency.
? The drug should not be taken too frequently – an interval of 12 hours or more should separate each dose.
? Proper measuring devices such as a medicine syringe should be used when measuring the medicine. Do not use an ordinary teaspoon or tablespoon.

Tussionex contains the narcotic hydrocodone and the antihistamine chlorpheniramine. Hydrocodone can be dangerous when taken in overdose. Some of the adverse effects associated with this medicine are:

? Breathing problems
? Slow heartbeat
? Sleepiness
? Cold clammy skin

Not-so-good news for those using contraceptive patch (e.g. Ortho Evra).

The FDA just updated the labeling and package insert for this product to include a warning. Based on a recent study, users of this patch have a higher risk of developing venous thromboembolism (blood clots) compared to women using contraceptive pills.

Because the patch is only applied once a week, it has to contain high levels of estrogen to be effective. Using the patch exposes women to approximately 60% estrogen than what you get when you take the pill. High levels of estrogen can lead to a lot of side effects, including blood clots.
This doesn’t mean to say that the patch will no longer be prescribed or will be taken off the market. The warning is simply to make doctors and patients aware of the risk. The patch is still deemed effective and safe when used properly.

So, if you are using the patch, you should discuss your options with your gynecologist.

Source:

FDA News, 18 Jan 2008

This substance is quite well-known and practically present in almost every household. It`s found in your air freshener, in your moth repellent, in that anti-itch gel, or in the balsam you use as chest rub. I`m referring to camphor, that aromatic substance present in many household products and OTC medicines.

The New York Health Department recently issued this warning to parents: Camphor can be very dangerous for children!!! Several cases of camphor intoxication have recently been reported in NYC. Three cases have been confirmed in Bronx and seven others are still being investigated. Fortunately, there were no fatalities.

What we should know is that camphor intoxication does not only come from kids accidentally eating it. It can also occur when it is excessively applied to the skin. Camphor is readily absorbed through the skin and gives you that coolness very similar to menthol. However, unlike menthol, camphor can be toxic. The main signs of camphor intoxication are seizures, tummy ache, vomiting, and agitation.

Deadly Danger: CPSC Urges Parents To Not Place Infants on Air Mattresses

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This is the season when homes fill up with gifts and guests. When traveling, parents may choose alternative sleeping environments for babies. The U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission CPSC is warning families nationwide that air mattresses are too soft for use with sleeping infants. Never place infants to sleep on air mattresses or other soft surfaces such as water beds and adult beds, which are not specifically designed or safe for infant use.

Since 2002, CPSC has received reports of 16 tragic deaths, mostly infants younger than 8 months of age who were placed to sleep on air mattresses: 11 suffocated in a face down position on an air mattress and 5 died due to suffocation after falling into gaps between the mattress and bed frame and mattress and adjacent furniture or wall.

Generic twin-, full-, or queen-sized inflatable mattresses are usually intended for adults and older children. Even properly inflated air mattresses are usually too soft for infants to maintain a clear airway. Air leaks and under-inflation also contribute to incidents.

Wherever your baby sleeps should be as safe as possible. CPSC recommends these safe sleeping tips:

Always place your baby to sleep on his or her back to reduce the risk of SIDS.

Never place baby to sleep on an adult bed. Infants can suffocate on bedding or can become entrapped between the mattress and bed frame or mattress and wall.

When using a crib, make sure it meets current safety standards, has a firm, tight-fitting mattress and tight-fitting bottom sheet.

When using a portable crib or play yard, be sure to use only the mattress or pad provided by the manufacturer.

—

Send the link for this page to a friend The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agencys jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $800 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSCs work to ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSCs hotline at 800 638-2772 or CPSCs teletypewriter at 800 638-8270, or visit CPSCs web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSCs Web site at www.cpsc.gov.