Recently, the FDA warned parents and caregivers about how an infant or child could be accidentally given an overdose of vitamins, particularly Vitamin D, using Accurate Vitamin D Supplmentation™ due to a faulty medicine dropper, which would allow more than a 400-International Unit drop to pass through it to the infant's mouth.

The FDA also advises manufacturers of liquid Vitamin D supplements that droppers accompanying  liquid Vitamin products should be clearly and accurately marked for 400 international units (IU). "In addition, for products intended for infants, FDA recommends that the dropper hold no more than 400 IU." (FDA, June 15, 2010) 

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says the easiest way for parents and caregivers to avoid giving too much liquid vitamin is to use a medicine dropper that only allows 400 IU/dose to pass through to the infant.  The AAP also "recommended a dose of 400 IU of Vitamin D Supplement per day to breast-fed and partially breast-fed infants." (AAP Pediatric Nutrition Handbook, 6th edition, p.466).  The concern is that too much Vitamin D given at a time during infancy can ultimately cause kidney damage.  "Excessive amounts of Vitamin D can be harmful to infants, and may be characterized by nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, excessive thirst, frequent urination, constipation, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, muscle and joint aches, confusion, and fatigue, as well as more serious consequences such as kidney damage." (AAP, June 15, 2010)

Healthcare professionals, parents and caregivers are urged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of medicine to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program and this can be done by going to the website:

www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm or calling: 1-800-332-1088.

Toy/Jewelry Recalls To Note:

Rhino Toys Inc. recalls Beado Hand-held Bead Playtoys.  About 5,500 of the Beado Hand-held Bead Playtoys have been sold between March and May 2010 for about $12 each. The toy is a colorful playtoy for young children with model number 1501 and date code 02910 04323A.  It was manufactured in China and sold to specialty toy retailers throughout the U.S.  The  toys' plastic wires can detach from the hubs due to insufficient adhesive, allowing the beads to slide off. The loose beads pose a choking hazard to young children

Approximately 66,000+ pieces of Cadmium Coated Beaded Jewelry made by "SmileMakers" has been recalled by the CPSC. Manufactured in China, the metal substrate in the jewelry contains high levels of Cadmium, which can cause health issues, especially in children.  If you have these beads (bracelets/necklaces), return or dump them! For additional information, contact SmileMakers toll-free at (877) 390-5470 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.  (I'm not Smiling!)

Perhaps the most significant thing that happened this week in Washington, is the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted (5 to 0) July 14, 2010, to approve proposed new mandatory standards to address the hazards posed by full-size and non-full-size cribs.   We have been monitoring the safety hazards with these cribs which range from drop-side hardware or other drop-side entrapment issues to failures of the mattress support and detachment or breakage of the crib slats. All of these defects can create hazardous gaps allowing a baby to become entrapped and suffocate or fall out of the crib.        

Childsafetyblog.org is smiling.