Ever since humans developed thumbs, mothers and fathers alike have had to decide whether to let their infant suck on it. As humans have approached the modern era, they have created various appliances, such as the pacifier, to take the place of the thumb. However, the problem still exists: should people introduce their baby to the Binky or make him or her do without it? However, this issue has a more complicated answer than “yes” or “no.” Undoubtedly, pacifiers “make the world a little quieter,” but when used more than a couple years, many potential problems often present themselves, which such as an increased risk of middle ear infections, negative effects on speech and dental problems, as well as problems with breast feeding for both the infant and the mother.
One unfortunate consequence is that infants can experience frequent occurrences of middle-ear infections, some that require months to overcome with the aid of antibiotics. In an August 2009 article in USA Today, statistics show that there are roughly 13 million annual cases of ear infections in children under five (Szabo). Of these 13 million cases nationwide, researchers question the role that pacifiers play in reoccurring middle ear infections. Recent research has linked the use of a pacifier to increased frequency of acute otitis media (AOM), or reoccurring middle-ear infections. According to Karen Olsson of U.S. News and World Report Magazine, a study composed of 484 infants was conducted at the University of Oulu, where it was found that “children who did not use the pacifier on a regular basis had 33 percent fewer episodes of acute otitis media.” Although the study shows a high correlation, critics might argue that the findings do not necessarily translate t...
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The writing style of the author is quite interesting to me. Atul Gawande’s honesty, a major aspect of his writing style, beautifully highlights the good and bad of any medical profession. For example, Gawande’s argument over the use of patients for resident training
In 1978, a neonatologist came up with the idea that would help with the shortage of resources. He thought that the contact between the mother and baby provide easy breastfeeding and warmness for the baby. This caused research to be started. There was research done in 1989 where they compared 35 infants that had skin-to-skin contact and 36 infants who had normal contact. In that study they found that lactation lasted longer in the kangaroo care group. The articles found that the patient with kangaroo care also showed less hesitancy when leaving the hospital. They felt better prepared for their jobs as parents.
Amirthalingam G. Strategies to control pertussis in infants (2013) Arch Dis Child 98(7):552-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ archdischild-2012-302968. PMid:23698594
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McMillan, Julia A., Ralph D. Feigin, Catherine DeAngelis, and M. Douglas Jones. Oski's Pediatrics, Principles & Practice. Williams & Wilkins, 2006.
Neonatal intensive care units are normally thought as a safe place for a neonatal to be, but there are instances where the neonatal develops an infection in their fragile bodies. This paper examines the ways that they could develop infections that harm them. The ANA states, “individuals who become nurses are expected to adhere to the ideals and morals norms of the profession and also to embrace them as a part of what it means to be a nurse.” (Code of Ethics, n.d.). German NICUs participated in a study of very low birth weight infants (VLBW) from 2006-2011 and found that an outbreak of severe neonatal infection occurred within a period of time in the same center in four different patients (Schwab, 2014).
...y Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Committee on Early Childhood, 2000. 15 May 2011. Web.
Vaccinations have significantly reduced the disease rate throughout the world. Usually, vaccines prove to be between 90 and 99 percent effective. This reduces disease and mortality rate by thousands every year (Jolley and Douglas 1). On average, vaccines save the lives of 33,000 innocent children every year (“Vaccines” 1). In addition, if a vaccinated child did contract the vaccine’s targeted illness, that child would, in general, have more mild symptoms than an unvaccinated child that contracts the same illness. These vaccinated children will have less serious complications if they do contract the disease; they will be much more treatable, and have a lower risk of death (Jolley and Douglas 2). The risks of not vaccinating greatly outweigh the small risks of vaccination. Diseases like measles and mumps can cause permanent disability. While there i...
Protecting Our Communities: Why Vaccines Should be Mandatory For Parents, hearing their children cry is like a stab to their heart. The restless nights are full of anguish for the parents, and pain for a child with measles. This disease, and many like it, can be completely eradicated simply by allowing children to get vaccinated. Throughout history, plagues and diseases have jeopardized civilizations and cultures. Modern medicine now provides protection against these diseases; it is a shame some parents still refuse this life saving aid.
Viral infections are potential causes both congenital and acquired hearing loss (1,2,3,4), and vaccination has been associated with decreased prevalence of hearing impairment (5). However, despite promising prospect of vaccines in prevention of hearing loss, literatures exist which described cases of hearing impairment attributable to vaccination (6,7,8,9,10,11). These reports can be controversial, given the important role of vaccination in primary prevention of communicable diseases. Therefore, objective evaluation of existing reports is of paramount importance to validate or refute the link between vaccination and hearing loss.
• Clean all pacifiers and bottle nipples in hot water or a dishwasher after each use.
... role of infant-directed speech with a computer model. Acoustical Society of America, 4(4), 129-134.
Mothers who decide their job is to stay at home and raise their children instead of continuing with their career, argue that there are many negative effects of daycare. One of the negative consequences of sending a child to daycare is that he or she is at a greater risk for becoming ill more often. CNN contributor Denise Mann (2010) wrote that babies under two and a half years old are diagnosed with more ear and respiratory infections in a day care center than at home. Mann also shared a story about a working mother of two who was constantly at the hospital or doctor’s office with her sick daughters. The doctor told the mother that although her daughters were sick at that time, their immune systems would be stronger by the time they began to attend elementary school. Children who attend day care have a health advantage, even though it may not seem like an advantage at that time. The doctor stated that the child...
Caspi, A., Harrington, H., Milne, B., Amell, J., Theodore, R., & Moffitt, T. (2003). Children's