Low-Birth-Weight Causes Chronic Problems
Extremely premature babies face many risks of complications as they grow. New research shows that these complications can cause permanent mental and physical problems that may not present until 8 years of age.
A study in JAMA (Jul 20) compared 219 low-birth-weight children to 176 normal birth-weight children born between 1992 and 1995. Of the first group, 14% had developed cerebral palsy, 21% had asthma, 38% had IQ scores under the retardation threshold, 47% had poor motor skills, 10% had extremely poor eyesight, and two-thirds had "poor adaptive functioning" and "functional limitations".
The latter group was two to three times less likely to develop these conditions.
These findings raise an ethical controversy regarding decisions to continue or cease intensive care of these babies after birth.
2005 Alcohol Abuse Guide Available
The 2005 edition of Helping Patients Who Drink Too Much: A Clinician's Guide, released by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, is now available at no charge both in print and online. Previous guides have focused solely on primary care providers. The 2005 version also targets mental health clinicians. This change was made in recognition of the fact that alcohol abuse is more common in patients suffering from mental health disorders than in the general public.
The new guide is also more streamlined. It helps the provider assess symptoms by using a single question about heavy drinking days. It offers efficient, step-by-step suggestions that aid providers in conducting interventions, screenings, assessments, and patient care management.
More information is available at http://www.niaaa.nih.gov.
Diabetics More Prone to Common Ailments
A recent Dutch investigation has found that people with diabetes run a higher risk of common infections than nondiabetics. This study, reported in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, examined 705 adults with type 1 diabetes, 6,712 with type 2, and 18,911 nondiabetics. This study group was significant because previous studies did not differentiate the types of diabetics.
The researchers discovered that infections occurring in the upper respiratory tract, including the ears and throat, were equally prevalent in all groups. However, the diabetic groups had a higher risk of developing lower respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia. The diabetic groups also were more likely to develop bacterial and fungal skin infections, though the type 1 group had a slightly higher risk than the type 2 group. The diabetic groups were also more prone to urinary tract infections than the nondiabetic group.
Healthcare providers are strongly encouraged to educate diabetic patients that they are at a greater risk for these maladies. Diabetic patients should know how to lower their susceptibility to these infections and when it is necessary to seek medical care to prevent the development of more serious conditions.
Flu Pandemic Could Infect Millions
Influenza has been taken for granted by both patients and practitioners. Normally, influenza has only been a concern for elderly patients, patients with weakened immune systems, and very young children. However, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) now urges healthcare providers to take influenza seriously and become educated on how to prevent the disease.
Avian influenza, or "bird flu" (the H5N1 virus), is responsible for the deaths of millions of birds and dozens of people in Asia. Experts now worry that the virus could mutate into a strain that could directly and easily transmit between humans. This could result in a pandemic infecting and possibly killing tens of millions of people across the globe.
There is no way for experts to determine a timetable for this potential disaster. Therefore, healthcare providers must exercise caution when educating themselves and patients. It is important to raise enough concern for the public to take the threat seriously, but not so much that it creates chaos.