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What moms eat before pregnancy affects children epigenetically

Everyone knows that what mom eats when pregnant makes a huge difference in the health of her child. Now, new research in mice suggests that what she ate before pregnancy might be important too. According to a new research report published online in The FASEB Journal, what a group of female mice ate-before pregnancy-chemically altered their DNA and these changes were passed to her offspring. These DNA alterations, called "epigenetic" changes, drastically affected the pups' metabolism of many essential fatty acids.

21 Sep 2012

Child mortality rate nearly halved in Niger since 1998, analysis shows

"Niger has nearly halved the death rate of children below five years old since 1998, a significant drop highlighting the benefits of free universal health care for children and pregnant women as well as increased donor funding for health," according to a analysis published in the Lancet, IRIN reports.

21 Sep 2012

Partially-matched bone marrow transplants can eliminate sickle cell disease in some patients

In a preliminary clinical trial, investigators at Johns Hopkins have shown that even partially-matched bone marrow transplants can eliminate sickle cell disease in some patients, ridding them of painful and debilitating symptoms, and the need for a lifetime of pain medications and blood transfusions. The researchers say the use of such marrow could potentially help make bone marrow transplants accessible to a majority of sickle cell patients who need them.

21 Sep 2012

Physical and mental health improves on moving to lower-poverty neighborhood

Moving from a high-poverty to lower-poverty neighborhood spurs long-term gains in the physical and mental health of low-income adults, as well as a substantial increase in their happiness, despite not improving economic self-sufficiency, according to a new study published in the Sept. 20 issue of Science by researchers at the University of Chicago and partners at other institutions.

21 Sep 2012

USA Today/Gallup Poll shows Obama more trusted on Medicare

Other polls indicate President Barack Obama is faring well in some swing states. GOP nominee Mitt Romney's campaign hopes to shift the focus to federal spending and Medicare issues as Obama and GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan speak today to the AARP.

21 Sep 2012

Partially-matched bone marrow transplants can eliminate sickle cell disease in some patients

21 Sep 2012

Intravenous catheter replacement should take place only when clinically necessary

New research published in the third Article in The Lancet surgery-themed issue suggests that the millions of intravenous catheters used each year can be safely changed only when clinically necessary, overturning 40 years of accepted practice involving routine replacement every 3 days.

21 Sep 2012

New mouse models can help scientists study MCT8 deficiency

New mouse models can help scientists study MCT8 deficiency, an inherited genetic disorder affecting children, according to new data presented at the 82nd Annual Meeting of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) in Québec City, Québec, Canada.

21 Sep 2012

IRIN examines child nutrition, stunting in Asia

"Stunting is a key factor holding back progress on children's well-being, and Asia faces a significant challenge with millions of children under five stunted," according to Save the Children's 2012 Child Development Index (CDI), IRIN reports.

21 Sep 2012

Children with mild to moderate kidney disease have carotid atherosclerosis

A federally funded study led by researchers at Johns Hopkins Children's Center has found that children with mild to moderate kidney disease have abnormally thick neck arteries, a condition known as carotid atherosclerosis, usually seen in older adults with a long history of elevated cholesterol and untreated hypertension.

21 Sep 2012

Radioactive iodine may predispose young thyroid cancer patients to second primary malignancies

Children and young adult thyroid cancer patients who are treated with radioactive iodine have an elevated risk of developing a second primary malignancy, according to new data presented at the 82nd Annual Meeting of the American Thyroid Association in Québec City, Québec, Canada.

21 Sep 2012

Layoffs hit group health in Washington and Boston Children's Hospital

Group Health Cooperative, recognized as a leader in health-care innovations and patient satisfaction, says it must cut $250 million over the next 16 months through layoffs, better cost control and some reorganization at the top. As part of those changes, Richard Magnuson, executive vice president and chief financial and administrative officer, will soon leave the organization.

21 Sep 2012

Thyroid journal publishes new ATA guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism

The American Thyroid Association (ATA) today announced that new clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism are published in the current issue of Thyroid.

21 Sep 2012

Concordia study shows childhood friends can forecast adulthood success

Even on the playground, our friends know us better than we know ourselves. New research has revealed that your childhood peers from grade school may be able to best predict your success as an adult.

21 Sep 2012

State roundup: HCA fined for kickbacks; Minn. rural health care investigation

The Hospital Corporation of America will pay $16.5 million to settle claims that its subsidiaries had paid a diagnostics firm for referrals, violating federal anti-kickback rules, the Justice Department announced Wednesday. HCA subsidiary Parkridge Medical Center and HCA Physician Services, both provided "financial benefits" to a physician group, Diagnostic Associates of Chattanooga, for referrals to the HCA facilities.

21 Sep 2012

Loss of IGSF1 gene function causes central hypothyroidism

Loss of function in the X-linked immunoglobulin superfamily member 1 (IGSF1) gene causes central hypothyroidism, testicular enlargement, and variable prolactin deficiency, according to data presented at the 82nd Annual Meeting of the American Thyroid Association in Québec City, Québec, Canada.

21 Sep 2012

Childhood emotional neglect may increase risk of stroke in later adulthood

The results from a new study by neurological researchers from the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center at Rush University Medical Center suggest that people who were emotionally neglected as children may have a higher risk of stroke in later adulthood.

21 Sep 2012

Study finds nearly 50% decline in child mortality in Niger over the last decade

A study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Niger Countdown Case Study Working Group found that child mortality in Niger-one of the world's poorest countries-declined nearly 50 percent over the last decade.

21 Sep 2012

Viewpoints: Romney's comments point to entitlements' role as big part of 'budget paralysis;' Kristof says candidate inflated 'underlying truth'

Stigmatizing almost everyone with a federal benefit is not just bad politics. It's the worst sort of social stereotyping. But beyond (GOP presidential candidate Mitt) Romney's bluster lies a genuine problem.

21 Sep 2012

Antiwasting supplements provide moderate improvements in child health

Study results show that ready-to-use supplementary food, provided to children at risk for malnutrition as part of a general food distribution program, does not significantly improve child weight.

20 Sep 2012