Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Universal Autism Screening Not Recommended By Task Force
For years experts have urged physicians to screen infants and toddlers for autism in order to begin treatment as early as possible. But now an influential panel of experts has concluded there is not enough evidence to recommend universal autism screening of young children. The findings, from a draft proposal by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force published Monday, are already causing consternation among specialists who work with autistic children. (Caryn Rabin, 8/3)
An influential U.S. health panel said on Monday it needs more evidence to support universal screening for autism in young children who show no developmental problems, in a departure from recommendations issued by other medical groups. The proposed guideline, from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent, government-backed panel that recommends whether to adopt screening tests for various conditions, applies to children aged 18 to 30 months who show no signs of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). (Seaman, 8/3)
An influential federal health panel said Monday there鈥檚 not enough scientific evidence to recommend for or against widespread screening for autism in children who don鈥檛 show signs of this developmental disorder. With the draft recommendation, the United States Preventive Services Task Force again finds itself at odds with highly organized advocacy groups. The panel also is in the midst of revising its recommendation on mammography, which call for widespread screening only in women ages 50 to 74. (Young, 8/3)
In other children's health developments, a study links聽extreme picky eating聽to聽future anxiety or depression. And researchers say that kids who suffer head injuries are more likely to develop attention issues聽-
Children鈥檚 picky eating may not be as harmless as is commonly believed. A new study found that moderate and severe cases of selective eating were associated with elevated symptoms of anxiety and depression in later years. Moderate cases also were associated with symptoms of separation anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. (Reddy, 8/3)
One of the frequent trials of parenthood is dealing with a picky eater. About 20 percent of children ages 2 to 6 have such a narrow idea of what they want to eat that it can make mealtime a battleground. A study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics shows that, in extreme cases, picky eating can be associated with deeper trouble, such as depression or social anxiety. (Harris, 8/3)
Children who suffer an injury to the brain -- even a minor one -- are more likely to experience attention issues, according to a study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics. The effects may not be immediate and could occur long after the incident. (Eunjung Cha, 8/3)
