Stroke said to be sixth leading cause of death in infants, children.
In an article on the front of the New York Times (1/19, D1) Science Times section, Jonathan Dienst, a reporter with WNBC-TV in New York, discusses pediatric stroke and recounts his child's treatment for and recovery from stroke. Dienst writes that "stroke, by some estimates, is the sixth leading cause of death in infants and children." Some "experts say doctors and hospitals need to be far more aggressive in detecting and treating it." Dienst adds that "Dr. Rebecca N. Ichord, director of the pediatric stroke program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia...said that while conditions like migraines and poisoning could cause similar symptoms, 'front-line providers need to have stroke on their radar screen as a possible cause of sudden neurologic illness in children.'"
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Maintaining Weight Loss with a Supplement
Leptin may play role in weight-loss maintenance therapy.
Bloomberg News (1/19, Waters) reports that, according to a review published online Jan. 19 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, "synthetic versions of the hormone leptin...may yet hold promise for helping obese people keep off weight they manage to lose." In fact, "recent studies have shown bioengineered versions of the hormone may help people who have low levels of it, including those who have lost weight." And, "while most obese and overweight people aren't leptin deficient, the hormone may help them avoid regaining weight if they're able to lose some, said" the study authors.
Bloomberg News (1/19, Waters) reports that, according to a review published online Jan. 19 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, "synthetic versions of the hormone leptin...may yet hold promise for helping obese people keep off weight they manage to lose." In fact, "recent studies have shown bioengineered versions of the hormone may help people who have low levels of it, including those who have lost weight." And, "while most obese and overweight people aren't leptin deficient, the hormone may help them avoid regaining weight if they're able to lose some, said" the study authors.
Childhood Obesity Guidelines
US task force issues new guidelines to fight childhood obesity.
The AP (1/18, Tanner) reported that the US Preventive Services Task Force on Monday issued new guidelines that say "school-aged youngsters and teens should be screened for obesity and sent to intensive behavior treatment if they need to lose weight -- a move that could transform how doctors deal with overweight children." Task Force Chairman Dr. Ned Calonge said the recommendations showed what type of programs can work, but "not whether or not those services are currently available."
USA Today (1/18, Hellmich) added that the USPSTF reviewed "more than a dozen studies" and concluded that obese children "who participated in moderate to high-intensity weight-management programs (frequently with their parents) for 25 or more hours over a six-month period often had improvements in their weight." Reuters (1/19), the Los Angeles Times (1/18, Dennis) "Booster Shots" blog, and the Baltimore Sun (1/18, Brewington) also covered the story.
The AP (1/18, Tanner) reported that the US Preventive Services Task Force on Monday issued new guidelines that say "school-aged youngsters and teens should be screened for obesity and sent to intensive behavior treatment if they need to lose weight -- a move that could transform how doctors deal with overweight children." Task Force Chairman Dr. Ned Calonge said the recommendations showed what type of programs can work, but "not whether or not those services are currently available."
USA Today (1/18, Hellmich) added that the USPSTF reviewed "more than a dozen studies" and concluded that obese children "who participated in moderate to high-intensity weight-management programs (frequently with their parents) for 25 or more hours over a six-month period often had improvements in their weight." Reuters (1/19), the Los Angeles Times (1/18, Dennis) "Booster Shots" blog, and the Baltimore Sun (1/18, Brewington) also covered the story.
Gastric Bypass Prolongs Life
Gastric bypass may increase life expectancy for most patient subgroups.
The Los Angeles Times (1/18, Roan) "Booster Shots" blog reported, "Weight-loss surgery is becoming more popular, as reported earlier this month in the Los Angeles Times." Now, researchers at the University of Cincinnati say they have evidence "that the benefits of surgery outweigh the risks for many severely obese people." Specifically, "gastric bypass increases life expectancy for most patient subgroups," the team pointed out in their Archives of Surgery paper.
Using a mathematical model, the Cincinnati Enquirer (1/18, O'Farrell) reported, "researchers led by Daniel Schauer, an assistant professor of medicine at UC, found the surgery added three years to the life expectancy of the average morbidly obese gastric bypass patient -- a 42-year-old woman with a body mass index (BMI) of 45." A "44-year-old man with the same BMI would gain 2.6 years of life," HealthDay (1/18, Edelson) reported. "'The patients who benefit the most are younger patients who have a lower risk of dying from the surgery and a higher BMI,' Schauer said." Conversely, those "who benefit the least are older patients with a higher surgical risk because of a combination of age and comorbidities."
The Los Angeles Times (1/18, Roan) "Booster Shots" blog reported, "Weight-loss surgery is becoming more popular, as reported earlier this month in the Los Angeles Times." Now, researchers at the University of Cincinnati say they have evidence "that the benefits of surgery outweigh the risks for many severely obese people." Specifically, "gastric bypass increases life expectancy for most patient subgroups," the team pointed out in their Archives of Surgery paper.
Using a mathematical model, the Cincinnati Enquirer (1/18, O'Farrell) reported, "researchers led by Daniel Schauer, an assistant professor of medicine at UC, found the surgery added three years to the life expectancy of the average morbidly obese gastric bypass patient -- a 42-year-old woman with a body mass index (BMI) of 45." A "44-year-old man with the same BMI would gain 2.6 years of life," HealthDay (1/18, Edelson) reported. "'The patients who benefit the most are younger patients who have a lower risk of dying from the surgery and a higher BMI,' Schauer said." Conversely, those "who benefit the least are older patients with a higher surgical risk because of a combination of age and comorbidities."
Weight Loss Drug Caution
FDA says counterfeit version of Alli may harm consumers.
CNNMoney.com (1/18, Rooney) reported, "A counterfeit version of the over-the-counter weight-loss product Alli being marketed online could be harmful to dieters, the US Food and Drug Administration warned." The agency "said the counterfeit Alli was sold in 60 mg capsules as part of a 120 count refill kit." Alli manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline "said tests showed the falsely packaged and labeled products contained a controlled substance called sibutramine."
The Wall Street Journal (1/19, Dooren) reports that sibutramine is the active ingredient in Abbott Laboratories' prescription weight-loss treatment Meridia. The FDA said that "sibutramine...should not be used in certain patient populations or without physician oversight." Glaxo noted that while patients should take Alli three times a day, Meridia should only be taken once daily.
The agency said the fake products is missing a "'Lot' code on its cardboard packaging," MedPage Today (1/18, Petrochko) reported. In addition, the counterfeit has "an expiration date that includes month, day, and year...instead of month and year," and contains "plain foil inner seals as opposed to the genuine article's printed, 'SEALED for YOUR PROTECTION.'"
CNNMoney.com (1/18, Rooney) reported, "A counterfeit version of the over-the-counter weight-loss product Alli being marketed online could be harmful to dieters, the US Food and Drug Administration warned." The agency "said the counterfeit Alli was sold in 60 mg capsules as part of a 120 count refill kit." Alli manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline "said tests showed the falsely packaged and labeled products contained a controlled substance called sibutramine."
The Wall Street Journal (1/19, Dooren) reports that sibutramine is the active ingredient in Abbott Laboratories' prescription weight-loss treatment Meridia. The FDA said that "sibutramine...should not be used in certain patient populations or without physician oversight." Glaxo noted that while patients should take Alli three times a day, Meridia should only be taken once daily.
The agency said the fake products is missing a "'Lot' code on its cardboard packaging," MedPage Today (1/18, Petrochko) reported. In addition, the counterfeit has "an expiration date that includes month, day, and year...instead of month and year," and contains "plain foil inner seals as opposed to the genuine article's printed, 'SEALED for YOUR PROTECTION.'"
Skin Cream Controversy
Skin-lightening creams may cause severe side effects, dermatologists say.
On its front page, the New York Times (1/16, A1, Saint Louis) reported that across the US, dermatologists "are seeing women of Hispanic and African descent, among others, with severe side effects...from the misuse of skin-lightening creams, many with prescription-strength ingredients, which are sold in beauty shops and bodegas and online." Dermatologist Eliot F. Battle Jr., MD, noted that "he treats side effects from lightening creams 'not only containing corticosteroids, but mercury,'" throughout "the entire broad spectrum of women of color." While some "are seeking to lighten dark spots caused by acne" or melasma, other users "seek to lighten their entire face or large swatches of their body, a practice common in developing countries...as a way to elevate one's social standing."
On its front page, the New York Times (1/16, A1, Saint Louis) reported that across the US, dermatologists "are seeing women of Hispanic and African descent, among others, with severe side effects...from the misuse of skin-lightening creams, many with prescription-strength ingredients, which are sold in beauty shops and bodegas and online." Dermatologist Eliot F. Battle Jr., MD, noted that "he treats side effects from lightening creams 'not only containing corticosteroids, but mercury,'" throughout "the entire broad spectrum of women of color." While some "are seeking to lighten dark spots caused by acne" or melasma, other users "seek to lighten their entire face or large swatches of their body, a practice common in developing countries...as a way to elevate one's social standing."
Over the Counter Drug Recall
J&J issues recall of over-the-counter drugs.
The New York Times (1/17, Singer) reported that "McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a division of Johnson & Johnson, announced the recall of several hundred batches of popular over-the-counter medicines" after "receiving consumer complaints about moldy-smelling bottles of Tylenol Arthritis Relief caplets." According to a warning letter from the FDA, the move "came 20 months" after the company "began receiving the complaints." Consumers have since "also reported temporary digestive problems like nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain, the agency said."
The AP (1/18) reported that the recall "includes some batches of regular and extra-strength Tylenol, children's Tylenol, eight-hour Tylenol, Tylenol arthritis, Tylenol PM, children's Motrin, Motrin IB, Benadryl Rolaids, Simply Sleep, and St. Joseph's aspirin." The products include "caplet and geltab products sold in the Americas, the United Arab Emirates, and Fiji." The odor "is caused by small amounts of a chemical associated with the treatment of wooden pallets, [J&J] said."
CQ HealthBeat (1/16, Norman) reported that the FDA "criticized McNeil Consumer Healthcare for failing to act more quickly to expand" the recall following consumer complaints. The warning letter from the agency cited "multiple violations of current good manufacturing practice requirements, and said the company didn't report quality problems to the agency." The Wall Street Journal (1/16, Favole, Dooren) also covered the story.
The New York Times (1/17, Singer) reported that "McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a division of Johnson & Johnson, announced the recall of several hundred batches of popular over-the-counter medicines" after "receiving consumer complaints about moldy-smelling bottles of Tylenol Arthritis Relief caplets." According to a warning letter from the FDA, the move "came 20 months" after the company "began receiving the complaints." Consumers have since "also reported temporary digestive problems like nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain, the agency said."
The AP (1/18) reported that the recall "includes some batches of regular and extra-strength Tylenol, children's Tylenol, eight-hour Tylenol, Tylenol arthritis, Tylenol PM, children's Motrin, Motrin IB, Benadryl Rolaids, Simply Sleep, and St. Joseph's aspirin." The products include "caplet and geltab products sold in the Americas, the United Arab Emirates, and Fiji." The odor "is caused by small amounts of a chemical associated with the treatment of wooden pallets, [J&J] said."
CQ HealthBeat (1/16, Norman) reported that the FDA "criticized McNeil Consumer Healthcare for failing to act more quickly to expand" the recall following consumer complaints. The warning letter from the agency cited "multiple violations of current good manufacturing practice requirements, and said the company didn't report quality problems to the agency." The Wall Street Journal (1/16, Favole, Dooren) also covered the story.
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