Newly FDA-Approved Drug a Game Changer for Postpartum Depression

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October 28, 2023

A photo of a newborn baby. — Image by user18526052 on Freepik.

Postpartum depression (PPD) can affect any mom and carries with it significant risks. In the past, there have not been many options for effectively treating PPD, but a new medication called zuranolone (brand name Zurzuvae), recently approved by the FDA specifically for postpartum depression, promises to be a game changer. Although the drug is not yet available at the time of this writing, it is expected to be available before the end of 2023.

What is postpartum depression (PPD)?

According to local psychiatrist Dr. Agha Shahid, about 15% of moms will have postpartum depression; the number may even be as high as 20%. Postpartum depression (PPD) is like major depression in that symptoms can include sleep disturbances, loss of energy, changes in appetite, feelings of desperation or despondency and a general inability to function.

The main difference between major depression and PPD is the pregnancy involved. With PPD, the patient may not be able to take care of their new baby, affecting their ability to bond with the baby as well as potentially affecting the baby’s health. With both PPD and major depression, the most serious concern is suicide.

Postpartum depression can affect any mom. According to Shahid, there are always risk factors, such as genetics or having poor social support, but it is important to recognize that any mom can be affected.

What makes zuranolone unique

What makes zuranolone unique is how rapidly it works; patients will begin feeling better within two or three days. Another benefit, according to Shahid, is that it is a short-term treatment; the patient will only be on the medication for fourteen days. In contrast, other antidepressants may take a couple of weeks before they even start working; meanwhile, the patient is suffering.

The only other drug currently approved specifically for postpartum depression is brexanolone (Zulresso), which is given intravenously and costs around $35,000. Thus, a concern with zuranolone will be pricing and how insurance companies will cover it. Shahid stated that cost will be very important, as he believes the medication should be available to every mom who is suffering from postpartum depression and that no mom should have to suffer.

Given the benefits of zuranolone, future studies may expand its use, but for now, it is only approved for postpartum depression.

Correct diagnosis, early diagnosis, early treatment

Shahid stated that the key is “early diagnosis, early treatment.” He emphasized, though, that it is not just an early diagnosis that is important but a correct one. Ultimately, the goal is to reduce or eliminate the patient’s suffering quickly. Without quick and effective treatment, there are a number of residual negative effects, including the mom’s relationship with the baby, as well as social functions of the family as a whole. The most concerning risk with postpartum depression is suicide.

“Nobody needs to suffer postpartum depression and get to the point where they become suicidal,” Shahid said

He added that when the diagnosis is correct, zuranolone would be appropriate for any mom who is suffering.

Shahid stressed that postpartum depression is not a weakness. It is his hope that this new medication will not only help moms, but will also help in eliminating any stigma attached to postpartum depression.

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Early Diagnosis of Tongue-Tie is Key

By

Karen L. Zickes

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October 28, 2023

Photo of newborn baby fingers — Sleeping baby clenches his parent's fingers; Soft focus and blurry

Labial frenum and lingual frenum refer to the soft tissue in your mouth that either connects the upper lip with the upper gum (labial), or the base of your tongue with the floor of your mouth (lingual). Babies are sometimes born with one or the other or both being too short, or taut, impeding mobility of the tongue or lip; hence the terms tongue-tied or lip-tied.

Breastfeeding issues related to tongue-tie

Dr. Timothy Voss is a pediatric dentist with a practice in Maumee, Ohio. He has much experience in treating infants and children with tongue or lip-tie. According to Voss, infants with tongue-tie have great difficulty nursing because the upper lip and tongue have such restrictive movement that the infant is unable to latch on correctly. Tongue-tie can also cause issues with swallowing, breathing or speech as the child gets older.

First and foremost, Voss stresses the importance of working with a lactation consultant. Voss said Northwest Ohio has some of the best lactation consultants around and could not stress enough the importance to work with them first before taking the next step.

If bottle feeding, a different type of nipple may work for your baby. After all efforts and possible solutions have been exhausted, a procedure may be needed to resolve the issue.

Toddlers and adults may have issues related to tongue or lip-tie

Though rarer than infants experiencing feeding difficulties, occasionally toddlers develop difficulties with speech due to tongue or lip-tie. Some adults may develop issues with lip-tie because the frenum may be so tight it actually begins to pull the gums away from the teeth. These patients are far less common than infants under four months of age.

Frenectomy sounds scarier than it is

After working with pediatricians and lactation consultants the next step is to see a pediatric dentist who treats tongue and lip-tie. A frenectomy is a procedure that simply removes the frenum. Voss has remained a leader in this practice having started using a non-contact laser in 2015. The laser works quickly and painlessly and is over in less than two minutes.

Voss performed over 600 frenectomies in 2022. He travels to watch the best work, as well as travels to lecture about tongue and lip-tie and the procedure to fix it.

“They {infant patients} end up with us usually in their first four months,” said Voss.

The procedure takes place right in the dental office. The infants are swaddled and a topical anesthetic is applied. Immediately following the couple minute procedure, the infant is given to mom to nurse immediately. There are no sutures or bleeding since a laser is used, rather than a scalpel.

Quick recovery

After the procedure it may take the infant a bit of time to figure out the correct way to nurse, but working closely with a lactation consultant will help get them nursing properly very soon. Though the infant will not feel pain during or after the procedure, their tongue will feel fatigued as it is being used more than it has ever been used before. “It’s a lot like finding new strength in muscles. The tongue gets sore from over utilizing muscles,” said Dr. Voss. Frequent breaks/rests while nursing will help give the tongue as rest at first. The soreness goes away relatively soon as the tongue adjusts to its new mobility.

Whether or not your child needs a frenectomy will be determined after evaluating several factors and many people have been consulted. Parents will work with their child’s pediatrician, lactation consultants, and the pediatric dentist to be sure of the best course of action.

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Ohio Legislators Looking to Amend House Bill 8: “Parents Bill of Rights”

By

Molly Klima

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October 27, 2023

people walking in a hallway. — Photo from Pexels.

In June, the Ohio House of State of Representatives passed an amendment, 65 in favor to 29 opposed, split along party lines. The amendment of House Bill 8 is also known as the “Parents Bill of Rights”. This was introduced to the Ohio State Senate on September 12 and has been referred to the Education Committee.

House Representatives Sarah Carruthers (R-Hamilton) and D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron) introduced the bill, which supporters are hoping to create greater transparency between the education system and parents.

As written in House Bill 8, this would “require public schools to adopt a policy on parental notification on student health and well-being and instructional materials with sexuality content.”

The original proposal was worded as “sexually explicit content” and was changed to “sexuality content” shortly before being voted on. Within this bill, sexuality content, “means any oral or written instruction, presentation, image, or description of sexual concepts or gender ideology.” This does not apply to the state required education regarding venereal disease education, child sexual abuse and sexual prevention program that is already being provided according to the Ohio Revised Code section 3313.60 (A)(5).

Schools already send home notification before the child sexual abuse program is presented to students, with the option to opt out of the content. The bill does not state that certain subjects cannot be taught, only that teachers must notify parents ahead of time with an option to opt their children out of these lessons.

Schools also notify parents in the event of injury and illness. Parents are often notified if their student is showing a pattern of bullying or are being bullied. Educators and school counselors are mandated reporters, meaning they are legally obligated to report to parents and law officials when a student poses a threat to harm themselves or someone else.

Supporters of this bill insist that is not an anti-gay bill and are simply requesting to be kept in the know about the content being taught at school and made aware of students who are requesting to be identified as a different gender.

As reported by Fox 8, Rep. Sara Carruthers has stated, “The Parents’ Bill of Rights is about informing parents that, yes, you get to know more about your child’s learning, and we are not keeping you out. Many parents right now feel unwelcomed and disenfranchised and that is what the bill is targeting.”

Potential risks and concerns

Concerns are this amendment causes a greater breach in confidentiality between students and school staff. Teachers and school counselors alike are often used as a listening ear or resource for students trying to process issues they may not feel comfortable or safe discussing with parents.

Despite supporters’ best efforts to say this does not “force outing,” LGBTQ+ advocates don’t see a way around that.

Jourdyn McQueary, Executive Director of Equality Toledo said, “I think the way it reads now does include forced outing. Part of the language is more generalized, yes, but they are being required to report a student making a request to identify as a different gender, with a definition of biological sex included.”

According to Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services, LGBTQ+ students account for 9% of the high school population. LGBTQ+ youth suicide attempts and ideation are well above their heterosexual peers, with 45% expressing suicidal ideation and 35% reporting suicide attempts.

But if this bill ends up on the governor’s desk and signed, schools will only be able to maintain confidentiality if they believe contacting parents or guardians will put the child at risk of abuse or neglect. The amendment specifically states this cannot be based on the parent’s or guardian’s political or religious affiliation, but no other criteria to demonstrate how educators will determine whether or not they will endanger the child by doing so.

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Toledo Holds First Brick Convention

By

Mary Genson

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October 21, 2023

pexels-enric-cruz-lópez-7444980 — Photo from Pexels.

All LEGO enthusiasts are encouraged to join the fun at the very first Toledo Brick Convention. The convention will take place on Oct. 28-29 at Glass City Center, 401 Jefferson Ave.

This event is open to all ages and builders of all skills and interests.

Some of the proceeds of this event will go towards Creation for Charity to provide new LEGO sets for underprivileged children during the holidays. Creation for Charity is an all volunteer non-profit.

At the event, guests will see massive LEGO displays, meet LEGO masters and pro LEGO artists, shop brick vendors and create it in the brick pits. There will be several displays and fun experiences for people of all ages to enjoy.

Special guests include Master LEGO Artists Tom Jacobson and ACPin and Master LEGO Creators Abbie Bocan and E.J. Bocan III.

On Saturday, October 28 and 29, Session I will take place from 10am–1pm and Session II will take place from 2-5pm.

Each session will include the same exhibits and activities.

Tickets can be purchased online. General Admission Tickets are valid for the chosen ticket day and time period only. Children 2 and younger are free. Tickets are $15 online, $18 at the door. Guests are encouraged to buy tickets early since they are expected to sell out.

Glass City Center, 401 Jefferson Ave. glasscitycenter.com

UT Professor’s New Book Provides a Safe Space for Conversations about Climate Change

By

Brandy Browne

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October 21, 2023

P_Many_HeadShoulders — Photo of Paul Many.

University of Toledo professor Paul Many has previously published seven books with well-known publishers Random House and Bloomsbury.

His book, “The Great Pancake Escape,” won a Los Angeles Times’ Best Children’s Book of the Year award. Many’s latest book, “My Breathing Earth,” takes a unique spin on teaching children about the environment. Toledo Area Parent sat down with Paul to learn more.

“‘My Breathing Earth’ was a challenge since air is invisible and the only way we ‘see’ it is when it affects something else, like causing leaves to rustle, or if it contains something like dust. I owe a lot to Tisha Lee, the illustrator, for the clever and subtle ways she showed these effects,” Many said.

I’ve written the book to be different from many other books that deal with climate in that it doesn’t try to “teach” anything. No one — adults or children — likes having a finger waved at them and told they must know or do something. But, by following a little girl and her sister through their day from the time she greets the air fluttering her eyelashes in the morning, until night when it pulls the clouds away so the moon can light her room, I try to simply show her experience as she exults in her young life in the air she so freely breathes.

Paul also notes that “My Breathing Earth” encourages readers to take note of something we often take for granted — the air around us. Many children may feel anxious hearing about climate change and changes in the environment in the news.

Many notes, “If they are expressing what you believe to be realistic concerns acknowledge these concerns but attempt to reassure them. Despite the reality of such change, many believe some of its effects can be mitigated to some degree and/or humans will adapt. So assure them that the final chapter hasn’t been written and people are working to make things better. Dooming and despairing of climate change can be as harmful as denying such change if it leads to despair and inaction. Humans have managed to become an important life form on the planet through adapting themselves and shaping their environments.”

“My Breathing Earth” contains a section at the end where young readers are encouraged to take steps to help Earth “breathe better.”

Thinking about how youth can become more involved in protecting the environment and minimizing damage to the environment, Paul asserts, “you might start by asking what kinds of things could be done in your own household that your child could be responsible for or participate in. My daughter got us to recycle more when she was younger and lately got us to start composting food scraps like banana peels and apple cores.”

(Tip from Paul: Keep daily amounts in a container in the freezer and when it’s full add to the composter of your choice outdoors. If you live in an apartment look for community gardens or farmers markets that may take such waste.)

While “My Breathing Earth” does not aim to tell children what to believe about climate change, it does provide a safe space for conversations within families about climate change and the ever changing environment in an age-appropriate manner. Below is a list of resources recommended by Paul Many himself for supporting parents having conversations with children in these areas.

Resources:

Is It Too Late to Prevent Climate Change

What are the most important things kids can do to prevent global warming?

NASA Climate Kids

Tools for Young Climate Activists

13 Ways to Save the Earth

The Joys of Toys Toy Drive Provides Toys for Children on Christmas

By

Mary Genson

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October 20, 2023

Photo provided by Mike Kimble from the city of Toledo Facebook.

Ten years ago, three friends who worked for the city of Toledo decided to start a toy drive for Lucas County Children Services.

Each year, The Joys of Toys Toy Drive collects donations to go towards buying toys and things for these children to open on Christmas.

Mike Kimble, one of the organizers of The Joys of Toys Toy Drive said, “Every single penny goes to Lucas county children services.”

On Dec. 7, they will drop off all of the donations at WTOL 11. The day before they drop off the toys, they go shopping and spend all of the money for the kids’ presents at Ollie’s Bargain Outlet.

The first year Kimble said they had about $700 or $800 donated but each year it has gotten better. Kimble said last year they had nearly $4,000 to spend on toys.

“It’s 100% about the children. It’s a fun thing and this is our 10th year so we have been trying to make this the best year ever,” Kimble said.

They also collect donations through a raffle where they offer big gifts including a 7 day stay in a 5 star condo anywhere in the continental United States, Cuisinart 28 inch rectangular griddle, booze bucket and Android watch. In addition to the large prizes they offer, they also collect gift cards from local bars and restaurants to give out at the raffle.

The Joys of Toys Toy Drive is close to Kimble’s heart due to his own experiences of not having anything to open on Christmas morning.

“I know what it is like to wake up at Christmas with little or nothing,” Kimble said.

Kimble has made it his mission to put toys in the hands of children who would not otherwise have anything to open on Christmas.

Kimble said he and his co-sponsor Paul Cooper do not do this for recognition or awards, they only do it for the kids.

They have also partnered their fundraising efforts with local businesses such as Bubba’s 33 and Buff City Soap. Bubba’s 33, 3534 Secor Road, Toledo, will offer a free large pizza for every toy brought in for the drive.