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Botox maker agrees to pay $600 million for misbranding

The Associated Press: "Allergan Inc., the maker of wrinkle-smoothing Botox, has agreed to pay $600 million to settle a yearslong federal investigation into its marketing of the top-selling, botulin-based drug. The Justice Department and the company said Wednesday in a statement it will plead guilty to one misdemeanor charge of 'misbranding,' in which the company's marketing led physicians to use Botox for unapproved uses. Those included the treatment of headache, pain, spasticity and cerebral palsy in children.

3 Sep 2010

Lack of sleep linked to depression and anxiety disorders in young

According to Australian research, youngsters getting inadequate sleep are at risk of mental ailments. Researcher Nicholas Glozier of the University of Sydney said, the increase in incidence of mental ailments in the young has been puzzling health experts. The answer may lie in inadequate sleep.

2 Sep 2010

Parents tend to underreport their children's weight, find researchers

As the U.S. launches its first-ever National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month today, scientists say the problem may be even more widespread than was thought. Researchers have found that parents tend to underreport their children's weight. Estimates of obesity and body mass index based on parent-supplied data may miss one in five obese children.

2 Sep 2010

Researchers dispute study findings that show greater incidence of surgery for children with CD

A new multi-center study of 854 children with Crohn's disease shows a 5-year cumulative risk of bowel surgery is significantly lower than reported in recent studies. The findings of the study, led by Hasbro Children's Hospital, also indicate that children diagnosed between ages 13 and 16 had an increased risk of bowel surgery, and that a common treatment that begins at diagnosis, immunomodulator therapy, did not alter the risk of surgery.

2 Sep 2010

Survey: 65% of parents look to schools to help reinforce importance of oral health

Two-thirds (65%) of parents are looking to schools to help reinforce the importance of oral health, saying it is extremely or very important for schools to teach children about taking care of their teeth, according to a new public opinion survey commissioned by Oral Health America.

2 Sep 2010

Vision and eye health are key to students' classroom ability

Healthy eyes and vision are necessary for school success and an enjoyable life. Parents naturally want to help their children learn and succeed in school and enjoy life. Vision and eye health are key to students' ability to do well in the classroom, on the playground, in sports and when studying at home.

2 Sep 2010

HIV-infected children who receive HAART require revaccination: Researchers

HIV-infected children receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy may require revaccination to maintain immunity against preventable diseases. There remains no standard or official recommendation on revaccination of children receiving HAART, an effective intervention in reducing morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected children.

2 Sep 2010

Increased physical activity can reduce cardiovascular risk in children from lower socio-educational background

A year-long study into the effects of increased physical activity at school has shown that children's fitness levels and body composition do improve with daily participation in sport - and particularly so for children from deprived backgrounds. Obesity among children and young people continues to rise across Europe and brings with it the very real risk of increased blood pressure, higher blood-fat values and impaired glucose tolerance.

2 Sep 2010

Focused health actions may promote optimal food consumption behaviour, intense physical activity pattern

The University of Athens Medical School has conducted a comprehensive study to evaluate the relationship between diet quality, levels of physical activity and key lifestyle characteristics amongst a group of 12-17 year old schoolchildren. The objective was to determine the most appropriate health actions to reduce the risks of long-term cardiovascular disease. The study concludes that almost half of Greek schoolchildren have a low quality diet, while just 6 percent adhere to the traditional Mediterranean diet along with high levels of physical activity.

2 Sep 2010

March of Dimes supports Congressional Briefing on infant mortality

Very low birthweight and very preterm infants are more likely to die if they are not born at hospitals with neonatal intensive care units specially equipped to care for seriously ill newborns, in contrast to similar babies born at those specialized facilities.

2 Sep 2010

Anxiety in school is seasonal and age dependent: Pediatric psychiatrists

With summer fading, anxiety is on the rise for some students anticipating the return of school. But it isn't just the first days of classes that can provoke angst -- anxiety in school is seasonal and age dependent, say pediatric psychiatrists.

2 Sep 2010

U.N. Secretary-General, UNAIDS Executive Director highlight role NGOs can play in achieving MDGs

During the 63rd U.N. Department of Public Information/NGO Conference on Monday in Melbourne, Australia, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon "call[ed] on delegates to do more to save the lives of mothers and babies," the Australian Associated Press/Sydney Morning Herald reports (Alexander/Rose, 8/30).

2 Sep 2010

Postterm birth increases cerebral palsy risk: Study

While preterm birth is a known risk factor for cerebral palsy, an examination of data for infants born at term or later finds that compared with delivery at 40 weeks, birth at 37 or 38 weeks or at 42 weeks or later was associated with an increased risk of cerebral palsy, according to a study in the September 1 issue of JAMA.

2 Sep 2010

Preterm infants born in lower-level hospitals show high mortality rates: Study

An analysis of data from previously published studies indicates that very low-birth-weight and very preterm infants not born in highly specialized, level III hospitals have an associated higher likelihood of neonatal and predischarge death compared to similar infants born at level III hospitals, according to an article in the September 1 issue of JAMA.

2 Sep 2010

USFDA grants Sun Pharma subsidiary approval for generic Strattera capsules ANDA

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced that USFDA has granted its subsidiary an approval for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) to market a generic version of Strattera ®, atomoxetine hydrochloride capsules.

2 Sep 2010

Emergency department visits for concussions in young athletes on the rise

A new study from Hasbro Children's Hospital finds visits to emergency departments for concussions that occurred during organized team sports have increased dramatically over a 10-year period, and appear to be highest in ice hockey and football. The number of sports-related concussions is highest in high school-aged athletes, but the number in younger athletes is significant and rising.

31 Aug 2010

Over one-half of babies in poverty raised by mothers living with depression

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has raised added concern about a study released by The Urban Institute that shows more than one-half of babies in poverty are being raised by mothers living with depression - creating parenting and child development challenges.

31 Aug 2010

Halozyme identifies strategy to reintroduce HYLENEX

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. today announced the completion of its root cause investigation regarding HYLENEX manufacturing and has identified a corrective action plan and regulatory strategy to reintroduce HYLENEX to the market. Halozyme and Baxter are finalizing the materials for a meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to seek concurrence with the reintroduction strategy.

31 Aug 2010

Dedicated web site for PKU medical education to be launched at 2010 SSIEM Annual Symposium

PKU specialists around the world can now count on a brand-new, authoritative website entirely dedicated to this rare genetic disorder, which affects one out of every 10,000 to 20,000 live births worldwide.

31 Aug 2010

Infants born by early elective C-section likely to have health problems: Study

Medical experts point to a disturbing trend of expectant mothers who are choosing to deliver their babies for non-medical reasons before 39 weeks of pregnancy.

31 Aug 2010