Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Experts Fear Vaccination-Like Backlash From Study Linking Ultrasounds, Autism
A new study suggesting that first-trimester fetal ultrasound may contribute to the severity of autism symptoms heightens a dilemma facing obstetricians: How to halt the widespread overuse of fetal ultrasound without scaring women away from this important medical procedure. The study, published Sept. 1 in the journal Autism Research, is the latest in a series of highly limited studies that raise questions about the safety of fetal ultrasound. (Helliker, 9/19)
In other news about children's health聽鈥
The study, published recently in the American Journal of Public Health, covered third- and fourth-grade students at three Texas elementary schools. Some sat at traditional desks, while others used a 鈥渟tand-biased鈥 desk, which had a footrest and stool so children could get off their feet when needed. After two years, those at standing desks experienced a 5.2 percent decrease in their body mass index percentile than those using traditional school desks. (BMI or body mass index is a measurement of body fat and an indicator of obesity.) The rates were adjusted for grade, race and gender. (Buck, 9/19)
There has been a disturbing increase in suicide rates among elementary school-age black children in recent years in the United States, and yet researchers aren't quite sure why. When compared with early adolescents, younger children who die by suicide are more likely to be black boys who hang or suffocate to death, suggests a new paper published in the journal Pediatrics on Monday. (Howard, 9/20)
The biggest mistake parents make is over dosing. Part of the problem is the spoons and measuring cups the parents use are not accurate, and researchers suggest using a syringe instead. (Neighmond, 9/19)
Research findings show that teens' inability to get out of bed before 8 a.m. is a matter of human biology, not a matter of attitude. At issue here are the sleep patterns of the teenage brain, which are different from those of younger children and adults. Due to the biology of human development, the sleep mechanism in teens does not allow the brain to naturally awaken before about 8 a.m. This often gets into conflict with school schedules in many communities. (Wahlstrom, 9/19)
