Pediatrics

Ralph D. Feigin, 70; pediatrician built Baylor and Texas Children's Hospital into major teaching institutions (Los Angeles Times)

29 Aug 2008

Dr. Ralph D. Feigin, the pediatrician who built the Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital into major teaching and research institutions and who wrote the book on children's infectious diseases, died Aug. 14 at The Methodist Hospital in Houston. He was 70.

Exclusive Breastfeeding Increases Child's Risk For Vitamin D Deficiency; Black, Darker-Skinned Children Already Have ... (Medical News Today)

29 Aug 2008

Exclusive breastfeeding can increase a child's risk of developing rickets because breast milk alone does not provide adequate levels of vitamin D, a critical ingredient that helps to absorb calcium and build strong bones, the New York Times reports. Rickets develops when a child's vitamin D levels are too low and is characterized by the curving of a child's legs and the softening of other bones.

Babies need to bulk up (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)

28 Aug 2008

While infant mortality rates have declined with advances in medical care, one important indicator of a baby's health hasn't improved. Babies born in Central Massachusetts are as likely to be underweight as they were eight years ago, according to state figures.