| News for pediatricians and other child health professionals |  |
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- FDA warns about side effects of Zyprexa in children
The FDA warned physicians that adolescents taking the antipsychotic drug olanzapine, or Zyprexa, may be more likely to gain weight and have metabolic problems compared with adults. The drug, while widely prescribed, is not approved for children under age 13, and the FDA said physicians should consider long-term potential risks when prescribing it for adolescents. Los Angeles Times/Booster Shots
(1/29)     
- AAP releases recommendations for minor stem cell donors
The AAP has published in Pediatrics recommendations on the criteria that should be met when minors are being considered as hematopoietic stem cell donors, including that the potential donor and recipient should have a strong, personal relationship. The recommendations also include appointing a donor advocate for the potential donor and that the donor should be involved in the whole decisionmaking process, when possible. Medscape (free registration)
(1/29)
| Pediatric Health Care | | |
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- Weight gain may worsen sleep apnea in children
An increase in waist size may worsen obstructive sleep apnea in children, according to Chinese researchers who followed 56 children with mild OSA for two years. The study also found more children who had worsening OSA also had large tonsils at the beginning and end of the study. Yahoo!/Reuters
(1/29)
- Ecstasy is more deadly for younger users, British study says
People who died from taking ecstasy were younger and healthier than those whose deaths were caused by amphetamines, according to a British study. People ages 16 to 24 seemed particularly vulnerable to the effects of ecstasy, and researchers said one factor may be that teens' brains are still developing. Reuters
(1/29)
| Trends & Technology | | |
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- HHS considers potential downsides of EHR incentive programs
HHS plans to create an expert panel that will be tasked with fixing any "potentially harmful unintended consequences" of its incentive programs designed to speed up the adoption of EHRs among providers. "A sense of responsibility for activities we support, historical experience, as well as mounting evidence of unexpected problems, demand that we consider potential downsides," the agency said in a notice. Government Health IT magazine
(1/2010)
- Intervention tests obesity prevention for youths
An obesity prevention study at Chicago's Rush University Medical Center is testing whether a long-term intervention can help children and even families lose weight and adopt healthier habits. The year-long program includes weekly sessions with a nutritionist, exercise trainer and physician, who all push for major lifestyle changes in hopes of preventing children from becoming obese. USA TODAY/The Associated Press
(1/31)
| Health Policy & Regulations | | |
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- Republicans call for bipartisan work on health reform
Republicans expressed willingness to start a new round of bipartisan negotiations for health reform legislation amid attempts by Democrats at procedural maneuvering to pass the Senate version of the bill. "Let's start over on common sense steps that we can take to make our system work better," said House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., meanwhile, said lawmakers should "go back to the drawing board" and restart talks in "a transparent, bipartisan manner." The Washington Post/44 blog
(1/31), Politico (Washington, D.C.)/Politico Live blog
(1/31)
- Democrats may shift focus to health insurance reform
Instead of rushing to pass a comprehensive health reform bill, Democrats might focus first on health insurance reform, according to White House officials. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has said the House could soon vote on some of the more popular provisions of the health reform bill but clarified that the shift in focus "doesn't mean that it is a substitute for doing comprehensive" legislation. CNN
(1/31)
- Experts weigh pros, cons of Medicaid coverage for children
 Some lawmakers say Medicaid is stretched too thin and doesn't offer effective coverage, but experts say the coverage for children is the exception. Former AAP President Dr. Jay E. Berkelhamer said Medicaid is required to offer a standard package of preventive care benefits for children, whereas private insurance coverage is "all over the map." American Medical News (subscription required)
(2/1)
| The Last Word - News from the AAP | | |
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AAP national committee member vacancies
Nominations are being sought to fill member vacancies on AAP national committees for the 2010-2011 term. The deadline for receipt of all materials is March 1. Vacancies include:- Committee on Adolescence
- Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect
- Committee on Child Health Financing
- Committee on Drugs
- Committee on Federal Government Affairs
- Committee on Fetus and Newborn
- Committee on Infectious Diseases
- Committee on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention
- Committee on Membership
- Committee on Medical Liability and Risk Management
- Committee on Nutrition
- Committee on Native American Child Health
- Committee on Pediatric AIDS
- Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Committee on Pediatric Research
- Committee on Pediatric Workforce
- Committee on State Government Affairs
- Steering Committee on Quality Improvement and Management
- Private Payer Advocacy Advisory Committee
- Violence Prevention Subcommittee
Detailed information and forms are available on the AAP Member Center.
| SmartQuote | | |
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 | Cease to be a drudge, seek to be an artist."
--Mary McLeod Bethune,
American educator and civil rights leader
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This news roundup is provided as a timely update to AAP members and other health professionals about child health topics in the media.
Links to articles are provided for the convenience of pediatricians who may find them of use in discussions with patients or colleagues.
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