insidermedicine in 60 - October 30, 2007

From San Francisco - The American Academy of Pediatrics is urging earlier formal screening for autism. The organization recommends that children be screened twice before the age of 2 as autism and its milder version, Asperger's, now affect 1 in 150 children. Warning signs include lack of babbling, failure to make eye contact when one's name is called and lack of smiling. Intervention includes 25 hours of intensive therapy per week.

From Maryland - The FDA has approved a new drug for chronic myelogenous leukemia. The drug Tasigna has been approved for use in patients with CML who are positive for the Philadelphia chromosome. It is indicated in those who have failed other treatments.

From Rochester - While mortality has fallen in the general population, those with rheumatoid arthritis have not experienced the same gains. A study comparing changes in mortality over several decades has shown it to be 35% higher in those with rheumatoid arthritis.

And finally from Arizona - HIV may have come to the US through Haiti in the late 60's. Analyzing HIV DNA from patients in the US who arrived from Haiti in the early 80's, researchers believe that the origin of HIV may have come from the Congo through Haiti and may have resided in Miami for many years.

For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• aap
• autism
• autistic
• spectrum
• disorder
• asperger
• leukemia
• cml
• tasigna
• nilotinib
• arthritis
• HIV
• AIDS
• Africa
• immune
• syndrome