Children's health
24 Apr 2008
Local researchers join international effort to search for the causes of autism
Two thousand families are sought for unique new study Saint Louis University researchers are involved in a multi-site consortium to gather and bank DNA samples from 2,000 autism patients and their families over the next three years. The initiative, called the Simons Simplex Collection (SSC), is the first coordinated effort…
Cancer
24 Apr 2008
Childhood leukemia: tackling the challenge of CNS relapse
Clinicians have achieved a gratifyingly high success rate in treating childhood leukemias—with up to 90 percent five-year survival for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 60 percent for acute myeloid leukemia. Now, a major challenge is to improve treatment of central nervous system (CNS) leukemia in these patients, said Ching-Hon Pui, MD,…
Children's health
24 Apr 2008
Social form of bullying linked to depression, anxiety in adults
Spreading rumors and gossiping may not cause bruises or black eyes, but the psychological consequences of this social type of bullying could linger into early adulthood, a new University of Florida study shows. In a study of 210 college students, UF researchers discovered a link between what psychologists call relational…
Children's health
22 Apr 2008
Children with ADHD should get heart tests before treatment with stimulant drugs
Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) should get careful cardiac evaluation and monitoring – including an electrocardiogram (ECG) – before treatment with stimulant drugs, a new American Heart Association statement recommends. The scientific statement on Cardiovascular Monitoring of Children and Adolescents with Heart Disease Receiving Stimulant Drugs is published…
Cancer
22 Apr 2008
Study offers new hope for children with bilateral wilms tumor
St. Jude physicians have demonstrated that children with bilateral Wilms tumor, a cancer of the kidneys, can retain normal function in both kidneys by undergoing a procedure called bilateral nephron-sparing surgery, even when preoperative scans suggest that the tumors are inoperable. Between 1999 and 2006, all St. Jude patients with…
Children's health
22 Apr 2008
High blood pressure on the rise in teens
The rising rate of obesity among kids and teens is now leading to other health problems in that age group, including diabetes, high blood pressure and vascular damage. Chronic high blood pressure can affect the heart and can cause the pumping chamber (the left ventricle) to become enlarged. Developing high…
Cancer
20 Apr 2008
Outsmart the summer sun at any age
The warmer months entice people of all ages to come forth from their winter havens – and most need to be reminded about the importance of sun protection. From young children to teens to mature adults, there are dozens of simple ways to change skin cancer prevention from a chore…
Children's health
20 Apr 2008
Children with migraines at higher risk for sleep disorders
Children with migraine headaches are more likely to have sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea and lack of sleep, than children with non-migraine headaches, new research shows. "Sleeping problems can exacerbate the problems migraine causes on a child’s health and may hinder a child’s performance at school," study author Dr.
Children's health
18 Apr 2008
Risk factors found for RSV infection in immunocompromised children
St. Jude investigators and collaborators have shown how to predict if a child who is infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) while being treated for cancer or another catastrophic disease is at high risk for developing severe infection. The finding will help clinicians improve guidelines for managing these infected children.
