PARENTS LAX ABOUT SUN PROTECTION FOR TODDLERS
A research study this month showed that while only about 22% of infants receive a sun burn in the first year of life, this number jumps up to 54% in the second year of life according to this research survey.

Dr. Sears comments: I see this in my office. Parents are so careful during the first year, but as outside playtime increases, many parents forget some simple precautions to avoid sunburn. Click here for a reminder on how to protect your child from sunburns and decrease your child’s risk of later skin cancer.

STEM CELL TRANSPLANT CURES RHEUMOTOID ARTHRITIS
A 58-year-old women who suffered this disease in 38 of her joints was finally cured of this life-long condition by receiving a transplant of stem cells from a sibling.

Dr. Sears comments: Every year new uses are being found for stem cells. Banking a newborn’s umbilical cord stem cells is a wise investment for a family’s future. Click here for more info.

LOW VITAMIN B12 INTAKE MAY CONTRIBUTE TO BIRTH DEFECTS
A new study showed that women with low levels of B12 in their blood are more likely to have a baby with spina bifida (a condition that causes spinal cord dysfunction). It has long been known that taking folic acid supplements decreases the chance of this birth defect, and this research suggests that B12 supplements may be equally important.

KIDS ARE TOILET TRAINING AT A LATER AGE THAN IN PREVIOUS DECADES
New research shows that only 50% of kids are toilet trained by age 3. In the 1950s, 97% of kids were trained by age 3. Researchers found that the later a child began training, the later it was achieved. Constipation was another factor that delayed training. Kids who started training earlier did achieve training at a younger age, but it took longer to go through the training process.

Dr. Sears comments: Click here for more info on potty training.

SUGARY SOFT DRINKS RAISE RISK OF DIABETES
A new study of 91,000 women showed that those who drank at least 1 soda each day had an 80% increased risk of diabetes.

Dr. Sears comments: When large amounts of sugar are consumed, the body pumps out insulin to take care of the sugar. If this goes on day after day, the body’s insulin producing system eventually wears out, and diabetes sets in. Click here to read more about how to eat only healthy sugars.

MUSIC LESSONS ARE GOOD FOR THE MIND
A study of 144 six-year-olds showed that those who took either piano or singing lessons for one year scored 7 points higher than peers who did not take such lessons.