Why Are Some Kids Unvaccinated?
In the July 6 issue of Pediatrics, a team of researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Immunization Program noted that in 2001, only an estimated 62% of all children aged 19 to 35 months were fully vaccinated. More than 2 million children (36%) were not fully vaccinated in 2001, and 0.3% were not vaccinated at all.
In a study of 150,000 children, researchers found that undervaccinated children tended to be African American, have a young, unmarried mother without a college degree, and live in poverty. Unvaccinated children tended to be Caucasian and have a married mother with a college degree.
Past studies indicate two barriers to vaccination-lack of (1) adequate medical care and (2) affluent, educated parents who question the need for vaccines. Those who refuse vaccines often do not trust medical staff. The researchers noted that there have been outbreaks of measles and polio in the United States as a result of the lack of vaccinations.
Teen Suicide Linked to Chemical Level
There is new hope for reducing teen suicides according to a recent study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. The study found that levels of the chemical protein kinase C (PKC) were lower in the brains of teenagers who committed suicide than teens who died of other causes. The finding could help scientists develop drugs to reduce teen suicide or screening tests to identify at-risk teens.
Earlier studies found that PKC is related to mood disorders. In the new study, researchers used samples from the Brain Collection Program of the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center. Of 17 suicide victims, 11 had problems with depression, schizophrenia, bad conduct, and drug or alcohol abuse. The presence of these problems was not related to PKC levels, however. If these results hold up in larger studies, a PKC blood test may be possible to identify teenagers at risk for suicide.
Soy HRT Substitute Disappoints Millions
According to findings reported in the July 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, soy, once hoped to be a safe alternative to hormone replacement therapy for millions of women, does not slow postmenopausal declines in physical and mental health in older women. The natural phytoestrogens in soy may still benefit younger menopausal women.
A team of researchers from the University Medical Center in Utrecht, Netherlands, gave 202 Dutch women aged 60 and older either 25 g of soy protein or a non-soy milk powder daily for 1 year. The women were tested before and after the study to assess bone mineral density, cholesterol levels, and mental sharpness. Soy had no effect on any of these factors after the 1-year period. These results may mean that soy is only helpful in relieving menopausal symptoms early in the process and its ultimate role may be as complementary therapy used with low-dose estradiol.
OTC Cough Syrup No Better Than Sugar
According to researchers, many over-the-counter cough drugs are no better than sugar syrup. Researchers found the most common non-prescription cough suppressant dextromethophan (often listed as DM) is no better than placebo in providing nighttime cough relief to children. Adolescents trying to get high also commonly abuse this drug.
One hundred children aged 2 to 18 months with upper respiratory infections were given either a commercial preparation cough syrup or simple syrup. According to the study, there was significant improvement for all symptoms over night, for both the cough syrup group and placebo group. Researchers said that regardless of treatment, the natural history of an upper respiratory infection favors resolution of symptoms with time. One lead author suggested saline nose drops, good hydration, and humidified air instead.