Children's health
07 Aug 2007
27mg Concerta tablets listed on PBS
A new 27mg form of the long-acting stimulant medication Concerta (methylphenidate hydrochloride) has recently been placed on the PBS, available with authority. It is hoped that this will allow for greater flexibility in treatment and better outcomes with fewer side effects. ADHD affects between 3-5% of primary school aged children,…
Children's health
07 Aug 2007
27mg Concerta gives flexibility to treatment of ADHD
ADHD is a condition that affects up to 3-5% of primary school aged children, and can have a dramatic impact on their quality of life – as well as those of their parents. One form of medication shown to be particularly useful in reducing the symptoms of ADHD are stimulants,…
Children's health
03 Aug 2007
A Marker for Cardiovascular Disease May Also Indicate Severity of Cognitive Disability among Children with OSA
C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation that is often used to detect cardiovascular disease, may also indicate cognitive impairment in children with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), according to a new study of children ages 5 to 7. “Children with OSA have increased levels of hsCRP [high-sensitivity C-reactive protein] and also…
Bone
12 Jul 2007
New Genetic Test Advances Detection and Diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy
A new genetic test targeting the most common types of muscular dystrophy – those caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene – is far quicker with greater accuracy and sensitivity than existing tests. It can be used to confirm clinical diagnoses, to test female family members who may be carriers,…
Children's health
11 Jul 2007
Boys with Autism, Related Disorders, Have High Levels of Growth Hormones
Boys with autism and autism spectrum disorder had higher levels of hormones involved with growth in comparison to boys who do not have autism, reported researchers from the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and the University Of Cincinnati College Of…
Children's health
08 Jul 2007
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP)
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) refers to sudden death, with or without epileptic seizure, with no identifiable cause on post mortem.
Children's health
06 Jul 2007
Low Maternal B12 Levels Affect Foetuses
Pregnant women with low levels of vitamin B12 have three times the risk of delivering babies with neural tube defects, according to a new study led by a University of Toronto researcher. “In a population-based, case-control study of more than 500 pregnant women in Ontario, we found the risk of…
Blood
03 Jul 2007
Study Suggests Other Causes for Childhood Brain Aneurysms
A new University of Cincinnati (UC) study questions the commonly held scientific belief that childhood brain aneurysms are caused by trauma, infection or underlying vascular malformations. In a retrospective review of 53 Ohio children with intracranial (brain) arterial aneurysms, Todd Abruzzo, MD, found that the most common type of aneurysm…
Children's health
26 Jun 2007
Stimulants for ADHD
Psychostimulants are medications that increase the amount of chemical messengers to stimulate certain areas of the brain. Psychostimulants can reduce symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.
