Update: Mount Sinai NICU Closed

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As reported this morning the NICU in Toronto was closed due to an infection outbreak. Not much information was available at that time about the particulars of the infection or how many babies were effected.

Here is what was reported this afternoon:

Four other infants have tested positive for serratia but are showing no signs of sickness. They have been isolated, are being closely watched and tests are under way to see if they all suffer from the same strain.

Until the babies are clear of the bacteria, the level 3 neonatal unit will try not to accept any infants, said Dr. Allison McGeer, Sinai’s director of infection control.

“Four babies are colonized with it but they are not sick,” she said.

While the level 3 neonatal unit remains closed, Sunnybrook’s NICU — located in Women’s College Hospital — and the Hospital for Sick Children will handle the patient overflow. Expectant moms who are experiencing high risk pregnancies may also be transferred to Kingston, Ottawa or Hamilton if space becomes a problem in Toronto.

Sick Kids can only accommodate babies and not birthing mothers. If none has the capacity, mothers could be sent to Buffalo for care.

It’s been about four years since Sinai’s nursery has seen a death due to serratia, McGeer said.

Serratia causes fever and a drop in blood pressure that causes a lack of blood flow to organs. “We don’t know how the baby acquired the infection,” said McGeer, who added that is now the subject of an investigation. However, the bacteria can be transferred by touch.

The 30-year-old unit has a problem with overcrowding, which makes infection control more of a challenge. There is about 60 square feet of space for each neonatal intensive care bed in the level 3 unit and by today’s standard, that should be about 150 square feet.

Mount Sinai is currently set to begin construction of a new neonatal unit in June, part of a $150 million capital project.

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Mt. Sinai Neo-Natal Unit Closed

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This will be the second time a NICU was closed in Toronto in 3 months. In March, Women’s College had to close their unit due to vast spreadling infection.

According to 640 news part of the neo-natal unit at Toronto’s Mt. Sinai Hospital has been closed after a baby died of a highly feared bacterial infection.

The premature infant died on the weekend of blood poisoning and another infant has contracted the harmful pathogen that causes severe infections.

But Dr. Allison McGreer says the second infant isn’t seriously ill.

Still the area for Mt. Sinai’s most fragile babies remains closed as a precaution and extra stiff hygenic measures are in place for other areas of the hospital.

Related Articles:

Women’s College Hospital – NICU Closed

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Pregnant Moms Told To Skip Iron Supplements

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Pregnant women are being warned that unless they are anaemic, say doctors, extra iron could cause her to develop high blood pressure, which in turn may lead to her baby being born smaller.

For more than 20 years, mothers-to-be have been advised to take iron supplements, although the Food Standards Agency now recommends they get the mineral from a balanced diet rather than tablets.

The study, by researchers at Tarbiat Modares University in Tehran and published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, examined 727 women who had normal levels of iron in their blood.

It found women taking iron supplements during pregnancy were more likely to develop high blood pressure and to have a baby that was small for its gestational age.

Professor Philip Steer, the journal’s editor-in-chief, said: “Anaemia in women is often associated with low birth weight and pre-term births but that does not mean women should be popping iron pills, or any vitamin pills indiscriminately, to prevent poor pregnancy outcomes.

“Women should ensure that they receive proper advice on diet and nutrition from their doctors.”

Robert Fraser, spokesman for the charity WellBeing of Women, who specialises in nutrition in pregnancy at Sheffield University, said: ‘In many developing countries a substantial proportion of pregnant women are iron-deficient. But in countries like Britain most people are not anaemic.

“Routine supplementation was recommended 25 years ago, which is why mothers often ask their pregnant daughters why they’re not taking iron tablets.

“But the majority of women don’t need to unless they have been told there is a specific reason.”

Pregnant women who are suffering stress ‘transmit’ the effect to their unborn child as early as 17 weeks, scientists have discovered.

They have matched the level of stress hormones found in the mother’s blood to those in the amniotic fluid surrounding the foetus. It is the first time the link has been established at such an early stage in pregnancy.

Previous research already suggests stress hormones have an effect on foetal brain development and a child’s future behaviour.

The research, led by Professor Vivette Glover at Imperial College London, and Dr Pampa Sarkar, of Wexham Park Hospital in Berkshire, took samples of blood and amniotic fluid from 267 pregnant women.

In both samples, levels of the stress hormone cortisol were found, acording to the report, published today in the journal Clinical Endocrinology.

Previous research has already found babies exposed to high levels of the hormone in the womb had lower IQs at 18 months than other children of the same age.

It also doubles the risk of a child developing hyperactivity and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder by the age of four.

I was warned against taking ‘elemental’ iron while I was pregnant by my homeopathic doctor. If you must take iron while pregnant he recommended liquid iron, which can be mixed into smoothies or juice, by floradix.

Please check with your doctor before taking anything while you are pregnant. He/she will be able to tell you if such substances will harm your baby.

SOURCE

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Shiloh’s 1st Birthday

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Miss Shiloh Jolie Pitt celebrated her 1st birthday on May 27th. Us magazine is celebrating her big day by putting her on the cover of next weeks magazine.

It should come as no surprise that the Jolie-Pitt clan went all out to celebrate Shiloh’s first birthday in Prague.

After all, making birthdays special is important to Angelina Jolie, whose late mother Marcheline Bertrand (who died of cancer in January) devoted boundless energy to celebrating her children’s big day. “[She] would spent weeks to plan the right birthday party, and write four drafts to get the right birthday card ready,” Jolie recently told Dateline NBC’s Ann Curry.

At the family’s special rental in the Czech Republic capital, where Jolie, 32, is on location shooting the thriller Wanted, the clan gathered to celebrate Shiloh’s big day. Jolie had to work that morning, but was home by 2 p.m. to be with her daughter.

An assortment balloons were ordered in an array of colors was ordered as well as cookies and a cake.

Shiloh is Brad and Angelina’s only biological child. They have 3 adoptive children Maddox, 5, from Cambodia, Zahara, 2, from Ethiopia and most recently Pax, 3, from Vietnam.

All of their children are cute, but Shiloh may be one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen (second only to my son). She was lucky enough to get every good gene available between her parents.

We hope she had a great birthday.

The new issue of usmagazine is on sale this Friday.

SOURCE
PHOTOCREDIT:(2nd photo – 1st half)Bauer-Griffin.Com; (2nd photo – 2nd half)Kaffee/Massie/SplashNews.com

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Oligears

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I found these neat connecting gears that are magnetic from architect Daniel Oakley. Your child can construct cars, spinning tops, or stick to the fridge and put the gears outside.

This crazy toy can go together many different ways, providing your child endless hours of design and play.

I found the gears at oliblock.com for $37 for 11 gears.

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A Nice Day In The Park

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Mariska Hargitay and son August, 11 months, spend some time together during the filming of Law and Order SVU in New Jersey.

SOURCE:People June 4, 2007

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Introducing Ireland’s Most Famous Newborns Rocco and Jay

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Thrilled parents Nicky Byrne and his wife Georgina Ahern hold their newborn twins Rocco and Jay, while her father, the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, beams with pride.

The twins have just recently been able join their parents at home after needing to spend some extra time in the NICU. Rocco and Jay arrived six weeks early, by caesarean on April 21st.

Shortly after their birth the ecstatic 28-year-old revealed he would love them to follow in his musical footsteps rather than politics like their grandfather. “When Georgina was pregnant I used to sing to her and now the boys are born I am still singing to them,” said Nicky, who is clearly hoping his talent rubs off on the duo.

Rocco’s middle name, Bertie, is in honour of the Irish prime minister, while Jay Nick was named after Nicky’s dad. “I am sure Bertie will babysit his two grandchildren, he is well capable… there is no better man for caring for the two babies,” says the boyband star, who enjoys a close relationship with his famous father-in-law.

SOURCE

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Is Your Bathseat Safe?

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As infants get bigger and more independent many parents looks for a way to transition them from the baby tub to a sitting position in the tub.

There are any products out there that will assist your baby to sit and enjoy the water, but are they safe?

A drowning hazard is associated with the use of infant bath seats and bath rings. In Canada, since 1983, the use of these products has been linked to the drowning deaths of at least 12 babies. It has also been linked to at least 23 near-miss drownings.

Infant bath seats and bath rings are made to hold babies in a sitting position in the bathtub. The products usually have a plastic seat or ring to support the baby. Suction cups are often used to hold the seat or ring in place on the bottom of the bathtub. Some models use an arm that attaches the seat to the side of the bathtub.

These products are NOT SAFETY DEVICES, but they give caregivers a false sense of security. Babies seem well supported and safe in the products. This results in a caregiver leaving the baby alone in the bathtub for only seconds, or leaving the baby in the care of an older child. The reality is that it takes only seconds for a baby to drown, even in shallow water. A caregiver will not hear a baby struggle; babies drown silently.

Babies in infant bath seats or bath rings have drowned when:

• the suction cups became loose and the seat tipped over;
• the baby slipped through a leg opening of the seat; or
• the baby tried to climb out of the seat.

No matter what model of infant bath seat or bath ring is used, a baby in the product must be carefully supervised and within arm’s reach AT ALL TIMES.

What you can do

• Carefully watch young children in the bath at all times. Always keep them in sight and within arm’s reach.
• When bathing a young child, if you have to leave the room for any reason, ALWAYS TAKE YOUR CHILD WITH YOU.
• Never leave a young child in the bath under the care of an older child.
• If you choose to use an infant bath seat or bath ring, know that THE PRODUCT WILL NEVER KEEP AN UNSUPERVISED BABY SAFE, even for a few seconds. Keep your baby in sight and within arm’s reach AT ALL TIMES.
• If you choose to use an infant bath seat or bath ring, know that these products should never be used with a baby that is unable to sit up on their own, and they should no longer be used once a baby can pull themselves up to a standing position.
• An infant bath seat or bath ring should be checked before each use for signs of damage or wear. Do not use a damaged or worn product.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Consumer Product Safety,
Health Canada

Tel.: 1-866-662-0666

SOURCE

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RECALL:Fisher-Price Rainforest Infant Swings Recalled Due to ENTRAPMENT Hazard

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Rainforest Open Top Take-Along™ Swings

Units: About 112,000 (an additional 15,000 were sold worldwide)

Importer: Fisher-Price, of East Aurora, NY

Hazard: Infants can shift to one side of the swing and become caught between the frame and seat, posing an entrapment hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Fisher-Price has received 60 reports of the infants becoming entrapped, resulting in cuts, bumps, bruises and red marks.

Description: This recall involves Portable Rainforest Take Along Swings with a palm tree mobile and two hanging plush toys. The swings are approximately 23-inches-high and have two carry handles on the left and right sides. Model numbers K7203, K7192 and K7195 are included in the recall. Model numbers are located under the right handle on the swing. No other collection of Rainforest swings or products are included in this recall.

Sold at: Discount department stores and toy stores nationwide from November 2006 to May 2007 for about $65.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the swing and contact Fisher-Price for instructions on how to return it to receive a voucher for a replacement product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Fisher-Price toll-free at (888) 303-5631 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.service.mattel.com

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Coco Hits The Beach With Daddy And Auntie Jen

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Jennifer Aniston, Cox-Arquette, David Arquette and Coco take a stroll on the beach in Malibu, CA on Memorial Day.

Photos Courtesy of AND property of FLYNET(Thankyou!)

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