These stories of special interest to MCH members were recently featured on www.msnbc.com:

·         OB-GYN guidelines often based on opinion, weak data:  A new study from Columbia University published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology reported that, out of 717 practice recommendations by ACOG, only about 30 percent were based on randomized controlled trials. About 38 percent came from observational studies, of limited value, and 32 percent were solely based on expert opinion. An editorial in the same issue pointed out that ACOG guidelines compare favorably with those in other branches of medicine, and are based on extensive reviews of medical literature, excluding experts with financial conflicts of interest, and including all stakeholders, including physicians from other specialties and patients.

·         More kids showing up in ERs after taking parents’ meds: A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics shows that between 2001 and 2011, emergency room visits among children five years old or younger for unintentional exposure to medication increased 28 percent, and admissions increased by 36 percent. The number of children in this age group only increased by 8 percent during this period. The vast majority of the cases involved children finding and ingesting adult medication, not dosing errors, which were uncommon. Experts say storing medication in locked cabinets away from children would help decrease the problem, but changes in packaging would also help.

·         Breast-feeding makes new mothers mama bears: The September issue of Psychological Science included a new study finding that nursing mothers are about twice as defensive as bottle-feeding mothers or women without children when confronted with a threat. Study participants played a competitive computer game against a research assistant playing a rude and aggressive study participant, who always lost. Winners were allowed to blast their opponent with an annoying sound. Breast-feeding mothers blasted their opponents twice as long and loud as other women. The study suggests that lactation (not just motherhood) equips mothers to deal more calmly and effectively with potential threats.