Jerry Chan

Researchers at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in California have also announced that their findings indicate “using a fan while a baby is sleeping appears to significantly cut the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)” by as much 94 percent, according to a Wall Street Journal article. Though the exact cause of SIDS remains unknown, the research results are consistent with a theory that the fatal condition might result from babies re-inhaling “ exhaled carbon dioxide trapped near their airways from bedding or sleeping on their stomachs.” Heretofore the primary preventative measure advised by doctors was to always place sleeping infants on their back, but this new advice, along with using a pacifier and keeping windows open now seem to be the most sensible advice for avoiding tragedy.

Researchers at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in California have also announced that their findings indicate “using a fan while a baby is sleeping appears to significantly cut the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)” by as much 94 percent, according to a Wall Street Journal article. Though the exact cause of SIDS remains unknown, the research results are consistent with a theory that the fatal condition might result from babies re-inhaling “ exhaled carbon dioxide trapped near their airways from bedding or sleeping on their stomachs.” Heretofore the primary preventative measure advised by doctors was to always place sleeping infants on their back, but this new advice, along with using a pacifier and keeping windows open now seem to be the most sensible advice for avoiding tragedy.

The New Scientist reports that recent studies on mice suggest "vitamins and supplements that mothers-to-be take to protect their kids from birth defects could predispose children and even grandchildren to asthma" – a phenomenon that could explain the mysterious rise in the rates of asthmatic children in more developed countries.

While these findings may seem alarming, the article points out that although “mice who ate the supplement-rich diet delivered pups with some signs of asthma,” other genetic factors may be at play and more research needs to be conducted on expectant mothers themselves. 

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The New Scientist reports that recent studies on mice suggest "vitamins and supplements that mothers-to-be take to protect their kids from birth defects could predispose children and even grandchildren to asthma" – a phenomenon that could explain the mysterious rise in the rates of asthmatic children in more developed countries.

While these findings may seem alarming, the article points out that although “mice who ate the supplement-rich diet delivered pups with some signs of asthma,” other genetic factors may be at play and more research needs to be conducted on expectant mothers themselves. 

• Read more

Every summer my sister treks halfway around the world from her home in Oslo, Norway to Beijing to visit my mother and me. This annual tradition the last six years, has been an especially important one since our father passed away in early 2002. 

These past two times have been particularly special to my family because both my sister and I have both had kids within the past year and a half. My nephew Emil-Alexander was born in the early spring of 2007, and I was lucky enough to see him twice last year: the first time in Norway last July, and just a few weeks later when my sister came here to Beijing to visit.

My half-Norwegian-half-Chinese-American nephew is, as you’d imagine, adorable. Though he was born a few weeks premature, he has grown into a feisty, friendly and inquisitive little toddler – especially here in Beijing, where both and he and his mother have been staying with Lao Lao (姥姥, grandma) over the past two weeks. 

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Every summer my sister treks halfway around the world from her home in Oslo, Norway to Beijing to visit my mother and me. This annual tradition the last six years, has been an especially important one since our father passed away in early 2002. 

These past two times have been particularly special to my family because both my sister and I have both had kids within the past year and a half. My nephew Emil-Alexander was born in the early spring of 2007, and I was lucky enough to see him twice last year: the first time in Norway last July, and just a few weeks later when my sister came here to Beijing to visit.

My half-Norwegian-half-Chinese-American nephew is, as you’d imagine, adorable. Though he was born a few weeks premature, he has grown into a feisty, friendly and inquisitive little toddler – especially here in Beijing, where both and he and his mother have been staying with Lao Lao (姥姥, grandma) over the past two weeks. 

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2008 may be the Year of the Rat, but so far it’s seems more like the Year of the Panda as China’s most famous furry icon dominates headlines and the silver screen. 

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2008 may be the Year of the Rat, but so far it’s seems more like the Year of the Panda as China’s most famous furry icon dominates headlines and the silver screen. 

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It started with a small, hard lump in Marianne’s neck – my mother noticed it one day, when our baby was just two months old, and brought it to our attention. We felt it beneath the skin – a noticeable bulge along the ligament running up to her left ear – and a gnawing suspicion crept into our minds.

Over the next few weeks our baby continued to grow happily and healthily, but the hard lump remained there, though diminished in size.

At her monthly check-up the doctor advised that we simply wait and see (“Could be something she outgrows”), and if it was still a concern, to take her to see a pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital (The Capital Institute of Pediatrics, 首都儿科研究所) by Ritan Park. 

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It started with a small, hard lump in Marianne’s neck – my mother noticed it one day, when our baby was just two months old, and brought it to our attention. We felt it beneath the skin – a noticeable bulge along the ligament running up to her left ear – and a gnawing suspicion crept into our minds.

Over the next few weeks our baby continued to grow happily and healthily, but the hard lump remained there, though diminished in size.

At her monthly check-up the doctor advised that we simply wait and see (“Could be something she outgrows”), and if it was still a concern, to take her to see a pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital (The Capital Institute of Pediatrics, 首都儿科研究所) by Ritan Park. 

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