HEALTH

PITTSBURGH — Women deficient in vitamin D early in their pregnancies are more likely to deliver babies with lower birth weights, according to research released last week by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.

The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, will be reported in the January print edition of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

SAN BRUNO, Calif. — Biocodex last week sought to set the record straight regarding the use of probiotics with antibiotics. 

"There is a common myth that probiotics can't be used with antibiotics," stated Kerry Neville, a registered dietitian in Seattle. "In fact, there are different probiotic options available that can be beneficial before, during, and after antibiotic use, like Florastor."

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. — A new product from the PediaCare line is designed to keep children hydrated when they have a cold or flu.

Prestige Brands Holdings announced the launch of PediaCare Cold & Flu Hydration, designed to ensure children get needed fluids and electrolytes. The product replenishes nutrients lost from illness and provides immune-boosting antioxidants, with less sugar than sports drinks, soda and juices.

LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles-based entrepreneur says he's built a better breath mint.

The breath tablet InFresh promises to "systematically eliminate" bad breath rather than masking it, as other products do. The product is a concentrated tablet that uses chlorophyll to eliminate the causes of bad breath, creater Elias Chavando said. Chavando came up with the idea in 2000 and worked with physicians and homeopathic product experts to develop it.

GUILFORD, Conn. — A sheet designed to fade and flatten C-section scars is available at Buybuy Baby stores, the manufacturer said.

ScarAway Silicone C-Section scar sheets used to be available only through hospitals but are now available at Buybuy Baby stores nationwide and online, manufacturer Mitchell-Vance Labs said.

PLANO, Texas — As an extension of Dr Pepper Ten, the soft drink company will launch 10-calorie versions of five of its biggest soda brands, beginning January 2013. Sunkist, 7-Up, Canada Dry, RC Cola and A&W Root Beer are all getting makeovers.

Unlike other artificial sweeteners, the 10-calorie sweetener mix used by Dr Pepper Snapple Group contains enough high-fructose corn syrup to appeal to those consumers who have reservations about the taste of diet drinks, the company said.

NEW YORK — Predictions of a more active flu season are coming true as temperature differences have helped drive flu activity, a Citibank financial analyst wrote.

In a letter to investors, Citi Research analyst Deborah Weinswig wrote that influenza virus activity in the week ended Dec. 8 increased year over year for the ninth consecutive time this season and increased significantly compared with last week — up 28.3% compared with last week's 20.7%.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — A single lot of a congestion-relief product has been recalled due to bacterial contamination found in a sample, the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.