|Back to Back Issues Page|
News from Baby Medical Q&A, Issue #056
May 01, 2011
New Questions and Answers
Question: I see a lot of info on congenital toxoplasmosis, but what happens if an infant comes in contact with it between 1 month and 1 year?
Answer: Congenital toxoplasmosis is something that a baby is born with because his or her mother had the infection during pregnancy.
Healthy babies who come into contact with toxoplasmosis usually have minimal symptoms from it as the immune system removes the parasite from the body. If the baby is not healthy or has immune problems, then babies can get seriously ill.
To see the signs of serious illness in a baby, go to the Sick Baby page.
Question: My 14 month old child accidentally consumed mercury from a clinical thermometer that I use at home. What should I do? I did consult a paediatrician but he said they can do nothing to help me. Please give me advise on this matter and what effects will occur to my child as she only 1 years and 2 months at the time this accident happened.
Answer: The elemental form of mercury (liquid) is poorly absorbed by the gut so ingestion is usually not associated with toxic effects, which is good news for your daughter.
Chronic mercury poisoning can cause many toxic effects in the body and there are treatments with chelating agents for that situation.
You daughter should be fine if she ingested a small amount of the liquid mercury on one occasion and she is not exposed to mercury in any form as a rule.
Question:My grandchild who is nearly 4 months old constantly spits up his formula. However, with whole milk he doesn't do this. What harm would it be not to give a baby formula and give him whole milk instead?
Answer:Cow's milk (whole milk included) does not have the correct nutrients for a growing baby and is not recommended until after 12 months of age.
You need to try different formulas until you find one your baby will drink. If the "spitting up" is a big problem, an anti-reflux medication may help - see Reflux page for information and see your doctor for treatment.
What is imperative, though, is that you stop giving whole milk and you give an approved infant formula if breast feeding is not an option for you.
Question:I was recently told my my 7 month old daughters doctor that she has a 'high palate'. Is this a trait that is passed down from a parent or could it just have happened?
Answer: A high palate in itself is not a problem but it can be seen in some syndromes, like Marfans syndrome. This condition is usually seen in families and as well as a high palate there are usually very long limbs and there can be heart and eye problems.
If your daughter has only a high palate and no other problems, then I wouldn't be concerned.
News and UpdatesAveeno oatmeal based products improve mild to moderate eczema
Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream has been shown to improve mild and moderate eczema in infants and todders. Oatmeal can also be added to the bath as well as moisturiser to the skin.
Reference: Lee PW, Krakowski A, Chayavichitsilp P, Nebus J, Wallo W, Eichenfield LF. Evaluating thetolerance and efficacy of a colloidal oatmeal cream and cleanser in infants and children with atopic dermatitis. Poster presented at: 34th Annual Meeting of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology; July 9-12, 2008; Snowbird, UT.
Have you seen this website?
ISAAC - this is the site of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. They have result of the many multi-national studies they have performed. The work of this group is quite amazing and they have challenged many long held beliefs about asthma and allergies.
Go to Baby Medical Questions and Answers
|Back to Back Issues Page|