A roundup of recent newspaper stories about children's health...
Monday, May 21:
Debating
the Use of Prenatal Testing in Abortion Decisions
This New York Times article discusses ethical issues that arise when expectant
parents face a choice of abortion after prenatal testing shows the fetus
will have a disability. (NY Times, 5/13/07, by Harmon)
Doctors
Develop Cholesterol Check for Kids
Researchers have charted the levels of good and bad cholesterol for children,
which will allow doctors to test cholesterol levels earlier in high-risk
kids. The researchers say that the new indicator levels are important
because, with the rise in childhood obesity, more kids are at risk for
high cholesterol. They also note that the numbers in place for adults
do not accurately reflect children's risks. (Forbes, 5/13/07)
Prescription
Study Shows Increase in Diabetes for Girls
A study of adolescent prescription drug use has shown that the number
of girls ages 10 to 19 taking drugs for Type 2 diabetes nearly tripled
from 2001-2006. Researchers pointed out that Type 2 diabetes does not
normally occur until adulthood, and said the results are a troubling consequence
of higher childhood obesity rates. (AP, 5/15/07, by Johnson)
Doctors
Sharpen Focus on Infant Mental Health
Doctors and scientists increasingly are looking for signs of autism and
attention deficit disorder in infants. These experts hope that an earlier
diagnosis will lead to intensive behavioral training at an early age,
to prevent later expression of the disorders. (AP, 5/14/07, by Tanner)
Study:
Most College-Prep Courses Don't Prepare Students
A new study has shown that only 25 percent of students who have completed
the full regimen of reco mmended college-prep courses in high school are
actually prepared to do college-level work. Researchers suggest that the
rigor of high school courses offered is too low to prepare students and
that more emphasis should be placed on the difficulty of assignments.
(NY Times, 5/16/07, by Arenson)
Column:
Dispelling Myths About the HPV Vaccine
This New York Times column by Jane Brody addresses common objections to
and fears about the HPV vaccine, which protects against a virus that can
cause cervical cancer. The article argues that the objections to the vaccine
could be extended to other vaccines that are not generally considered
unacceptable, and that vaccinating women also protects men from infection.
(NY Times, 5/15/07, by Brody)
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