Strokes have spiked in the U.S. among pregnant women and new mothers, probably because more of them are obese and suffering from high blood pressure and heart disease, researchers report.
Hospitalizations for pregnancy-related strokes and “mini strokes” jumped from about 4,100 in 1994-95 to around 6,300 in 2006-07, a 54 percent increase, researchers said, extrapolating from figures in a large federal database.
“That is a very, very alarm-raising statistic that we need to take extremely seriously,” said Dr. Olajide Williams, a neurologist at Columbia University and Harlem Hospital and an American Stroke Association spokesman.
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Reston, Va. (June 29, 2011) A new treatment option may soon be available for children with neuroblastoma according to research published in the July issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. The study tested the principle that combined positron emission tomography and X-ray computed tomography (PET/CT) may be used to select children with primary refractory or relapsed high-risk neuroblastoma for treatment with a molecular radiotherapy known as 177Lu-DOTATATE. This therapeutic option was found to be viable option for children with neuroblastomas.
Neuroblastoma is a cancerous tumor that develops from nerve tissue in infants and children.
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The new recommendations call for each meal to have one serving of fruit and two servings of vegetables. The emphasis is on including more dark green and orange vegetables and limiting starchy vegetables. Fried vegetables, such as french fries and potato chips, are not recommended.
The guidelines also suggest at least half the grain products be rich in whole grains, and recommend against soft drinks and candy.
Juice is not permitted for children under age 1 and is limited to one serving a day for older kids and adults. Read more…
In January, Michigan adopted new rules that require three additional vaccines for students entering sixth grade and others age 11 to 18 who are changing districts.
Those shots include the vaccines for chickenpox, meningococcal disease, tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, also known as whooping cough. Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis are covered by a single vaccine called Tdap.
The vaccines are available from pediatricians, family doctors or at county health departments.
The new rules are intended to reduce the spread of contagious diseases. Doctors said meningococcal disease is a form of meningitis that can lead to the loss of limbs or even death.
Health officials are especially concerned about the recent increase in cases of whooping cough. Read more…