BPA exposure may be associated with wheezing in children
2011-05-01
(Press-News.org) Exposure to the chemical bisphenol A during early pregnancy may be associated with wheezing in children, according to a Penn State College of Medicine researcher.
Bisphenol A, or BPA is a chemical found in many consumer products, including plastic water bottles and food containers. It is present in more than 90 percent of the U.S. population, suggesting widespread exposure. Experimental research suggests that prenatal BPA exposure causes asthma in mice, but no data exists for humans.
Adam Spanier, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of pediatrics, studied 367 children, 99 percent of whom were born to mothers who had detectable BPA levels in their urine during pregnancy. These parents then reported any incidents of wheezing on a twice-yearly basis for three years.
At six months, the odds of wheezing are twice as high for children with mothers who had higher BPA than those who had mothers with lower BPA levels. However, the effects may have diminished as the children aged.
Researchers then looked at the levels of BPA in the women during certain times of their pregnancies and any association with wheezing in their children. The researchers reported their findings today (May 1) at the Pediatric Academic Societies' annual meeting in Denver.
Higher BPA concentrations in the urine of the pregnant women at 16 weeks were associated with wheezing in their babies. However, concentrations of BPA at 26 weeks or at birth were not associated with wheezing in their children.
"This suggests that there are periods of time during pregnancy when the fetus is more vulnerable," Spanier said. "Exposure during early pregnancy may be worse than exposure in later pregnancy."
The researchers believe that more research is needed to study the correlation between BPA and wheezing in children.
"Consumers need more information about the chemicals in the products they purchase so they can make informed decisions," Spanier said. "Additional research is needed in this area to determine if changes should be made in public policy to reduce exposure to this chemical."
INFORMATION:
Other researchers who contributed to this work are Allen Kunselman, M.S., Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine; Robert S. Kahn, M.D., M.P.H., Richard Hornung, Dr.P.H. and Bruce P. Lanphear, M.D., M.P.H., Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences supported this project.
END
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
2011-05-01
It can be quite jarring for a parent or caregiver to look in the rearview mirror while driving and see their child roaming around the backseat free of their safety restraints. A study on child self-unbuckling by Yale School of Medicine researchers reveals that most children who first unbuckle were age three and under and that many children unbuckle while the vehicle is in motion—putting them at a 3.5-fold increased risk for serious injuries.
"We found that young children might acquire the motor skills to unbuckle from restraints before developing the cognitive ability ...
2011-05-01
If you have knowledge of fraud against the government, you can become a whistleblower and file a qui tam lawsuit. Under the False Claims Act, whistleblowers can file claims on behalf of the government to recover lost money from the fraudulent actions of the defendant. These are very complex claims and require the assistance of an experienced qui tam attorney.
Where and When to File your Qui Tam Lawsuit
The False Claims Act is a federal law, and as a result, your case can generally be filed in a federal court. However, some states have also enacted their own False ...
2011-05-01
Nurses who care for patients with dementia now have a tailored approach to dental hygiene for their charges, thanks to a pilot study by a team of nurses.
"Poor oral health can lead to pneumonia and cardiovascular disease as well as periodontal disease," said Rita A. Jablonski, even though these illnesses are not usually associated with the mouth. According to Jablonski, assistant professor of nursing, Penn State, persons with dementia resist care when they feel threatened. In general, these patients cannot care for themselves and need help.
Jablonski and her team introduced ...
2011-05-01
Science is finally confirming what grandma knew all along: infants wake up taller right after they sleep.
Findings from the first study of its kind measuring the link between daily growth and sleep show the two are inextricably linked. Specifically, growth spurts are tied to an increase in total daily hours of sleep as well as an increase in the number of daily sleep bouts, the time from the onset of sleep until awakening.
"Little is known about the biology of growth spurts," says Michelle Lampl, MD, PhD, Samuel C. Dobbs professor of anthropology, Emory University, ...
2011-05-01
Denver, Colo. (May 1, 2011) -- A drug commonly used to treat kidney cancer may increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy for mesothelioma, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology.
Temsirolimus, a kinase inhibitor, blocks the action of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a protein that regulates cell growth, which can slow tumor growth. It's used to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma.
But researchers in Austria have found that temsirolimus also may slow the growth of malignant pleural mesothelioma cells. Mesothelioma, a ...
2011-05-01
A new kind of sensor could warn emergency workers when carbon filters in the respirators they wear to avoid inhaling toxic fumes have become dangerously saturated.
In a recent issue of the journal Advanced Materials, a team of researchers from the University of California, San Diego and Tyco Electronics describe how they made the carbon nanostructures and demonstrate their potential use as microsensors for volatile organic compounds.
First responders protect themselves from such vapors, whose composition is often unknown, by breathing through a canister filled with ...
2011-05-01
There has been numerous requests from Hawaii residents for a kama'aina discount for the "Invitation To Foodies" culinary seminar at the Makena Beach and Golf Resort on Maui. This seminar benefits three Maui non-profits. The non-profits are the Friends of the Children's Justice Center of Maui, Haku Baldwin Center and Ka Lima O Maui.
As sponsors of the event, TasteHawaiiOnline.com had to first consider how a discount would affect the quality of the seminar, the lecturers, the presentations and the food.
Local chef personalities are asked to share their knowledge ...
2011-05-01
Each May, since 1988, National Foster Care Month has raised awareness for millions of Americans across the country. Originally purposed to recognize and show appreciation to foster parents throughout the nation, National Foster Care Month has transferred that focus towards the needs of the children, specifically the teenagers, aging out of the system. Today, National Foster Care Month continues to broaden awareness, uniting individuals and organizations through strong support and recruitment programs nationwide.
When parents can not keep their children due to crisis, ...
2011-05-01
Polaris Software Lab Limited (POLS.BO), a leading global Financial Technology company, today announced the fourth quarter and annual results for FY 2010-11. The company delivered strong and stable results led by impressive product wins, multiple large engagements with leading Tier 1 global banks & financial institutions and further consolidated its market presence in key business geographies.
Key Performance metrics
For the quarter ended 31 March 2011, Revenue grew by 9% Q-o-Q to Rs. 437.53 crore from Rs. 399.9 crore and 25% Y-o-Y to Rs. 437.53 crore from Rs. 351.04 ...
2011-05-01
From tanks to taxis and tuk-tuks to time-travelling Deloreans, happy couples are no longer content, it seems, to ride off into the sunset in a white limo or a vintage Rolls.
These days, it's as much about making a statement as getting to the church on time.
After all, what is a wedding for if it's not to attract attention? Well, that and ever-lasting love, of course...
While Kate will arrive at Westminster Abbey in the 1977 Rolls-Royce that was damaged by protesters in London in December, and depart as a Duchess in the horse-drawn carriage used by Charles and Diana, ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
[Press-News.org] BPA exposure may be associated with wheezing in children