Northwell Health - Plainview & Syosset Hospitals

Issue 1 2017

Look North is a magazine published by the Northwell Health System. This publication features health and wellness information geared toward healthcare consumers in the Long Island and New York City region.

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mom thing Dads also get postpartum depression (PPD). Sometimes it lasts until their baby is a year old. Not just a The rate of PPD in new fathers is only slightly lower than in new mothers, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. Expectations and responsibilities that come with parenting are often to blame when either parent is affected. Fathers' hormone levels change after birth, too. A drop in their testosterone levels and rise in estrogen and prolactin levels can cause depression. Awareness of risk factors and symptoms makes the condition easier to spot. Risk factors for PPD in men include personal or family history of clinical depression or depressive episodes; lack of sleep; a stressful birth experience; and feeling overwhelmed at work and home. PPD symptoms in men include: – increased anger, frustration and irritability; – fatigue; – unexplained sadness or crying; – isolation from loved ones; – alcohol or drug misuse or abuse; – trouble concentrating or feeling motivated; and/or – impulsive or risk-taking behavior. Treatment includes individual or group counseling as well as drug therapy. For information about treatment options, visit bit.ly/postpartumhelp. Environmental causes of autism New research reveals how fetal surroundings can contribute to the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is often diagnosed in early childhood and refl ects a wide range of symptoms. As with all developmental brain disorders, a combination of environmental and genetic factors affect whether a child will have ASD. No single environmental or situational trigger explains the rise in diagnosis, but factors that may contribute include: – Parental age. Babies of fathers in their 50s and older have a relative risk that is two-thirds higher than babies born to dads in their 20s, according to a 2015 study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. – Pollution. Prenatal exposure to certain pesticides or air pollution, such as that found near freeways and other highly traffi cked areas, can result in impaired mental and motor functions, according to the International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health. – Maternal infection or disease. This applies to mothers who develop infections, like rubella, or gestational diabetes. Researchers know little about how a baby's in utero environment contributes to the risk for ASD. A study underway at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research hopes to help determine the risk in children born to mothers with autoimmune disease during pregnancy. The National Institutes of Health's Environmental Infl uences on Child Health Outcomes initiative has provided a $3 million grant for this study, which will follow 4,500 pregnant women at Northwell Health for two years. For diagnosis and treatment of developmental and behavioral issues, contact the specialists at Cohen Children's Medical Center at–516-802-6100. northwell.edu 15 For him To fi nd a physician near you, call 888-321-DOCS.

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