Dayton, OHIO (PRWEB) April 14, 2014 Dayton Childrens Hospital neurology division earned designation by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers as a Level 3 center for the treatment of complex pediatric epilepsy. Receiving the designation certifies that Dayton Childrens has the professional expertise and facilities to provide the highest level medical evaluation and treatment for patients with complex epilepsy. Dayton Childrens is one of only 160 designated epilepsy centers in the United States. "We are very proud of this designation, shares Gogi Kumar, MD, medical director for neurology. Parents want to know that their child is receiving the absolute best quality when looking for treatment options, explains Gogi Kumar, MD, medical director for neurology. This designation is proof that we have the absolute best quality of epilepsy treatment and care in our region." Epilepsy centers provide a team approach to the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy with the overall goal to control and reduce the frequency of seizures for patients. Epilepsy is a disease of the central nervous system, affecting 2.5 million Americans, in which electrical signals of the brain misfire. These disruptions cause temporary communication problems between nerve cells, leading to seizures. Each year, Dayton Childrens cares for more … Continue reading →

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 14-Apr-2014 Contact: Emma Thorne emma.thorne@nottingham.ac.uk 44-011-595-15793 University of Nottingham Children and young adults with epilepsy are more likely to suffer broken bones, burns and poisonings compared to those without the neurological disorder, new research has found. The study, led by academics at The University of Nottingham and funded by the National Institute for Health Research, shows that young people with the condition are at significantly greater risk of being poisoned by medication, leading the authors to call for further research into whether these poisonings are intentional. The results, taken in tandem with previous research findings, highlight the need for further research into whether young people with the condition are at greater risk from an overdose, accidental or intentional, of their epilepsy drugs or other medication. And the researchers say that doctors and other healthcare professionals should use the results of the study to help warn epilepsy patients of the increased risk associated with their illness. The study, published in the latest edition of the journal Pediatrics, found that young people with epilepsy were more than twice as likely to be poisoned by medication. This jumped to four times the risk in patients aged between 19 and 24 … Continue reading →

Most children with autism are well past their fourth birthday by the time they're diagnosed with the condition, according to new government data. Their parents and teachers may have raised red flags earlier, but it takes months or years to confirm suspicions with a formal diagnosis. And therapy rarely starts without one. "The school wouldn't do anything for us until we had a diagnosis," said Kimberly Vincent, of Wallingford, whose daughter Rebekah was diagnosed at age 6. That's why researchers are trying to come up with new strategies for diagnosing autism spectrum disorders as early as possible. Last month's release of new government data showing autism spectrum disorders now affect one in 68 kids provided an extra push and sense of urgency, several experts said. "The real question is how far can you take it down," said Dr. Fred R. Volkmar, chairman of the Child Study Center at Yale University and chief of child psychiatry at Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital. There's little doubt, he and other researchers said, that early therapy the earlier and more frequent the better can make a profound difference for most people with autism. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced in March that … Continue reading →

Results of the study were published online April 14 and in the May print issue of Pediatrics. Play Video How early can a child be diagnosed with autism? Researchers at the University of California are trying to identify markers in children as young a... "We found prenatal SSRI exposure was almost three times as likely in boys with autism spectrum disorders relative to typical development, with the greatest risk when exposure is during the first trimester," said study co-author Li-Ching Lee, an associate scientist in the department of epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, in Baltimore. While the study found an association between prenatal use of SSRI antidepressants and autism risk in boys, it did not prove cause-and-effect. The study authors were quick to point out that there are risks to both the mother and fetus from untreated depression. "It's a complex decision whether to treat or not treat depression with medications during pregnancy," Lee said. "There are so many factors to consider. We didn't intend for our study to be used as a basis for clinical treatment decisions. Women should talk with their doctors about SSRI treatments." Other experts said the overall risk of having a … Continue reading →

GRANGER In March the Centers for Disease Control released new data about the number of children being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Since 2008, the numbers increased by 30%. Now, one in 68 children is diagnosed with having Autism, that's up from one in 88 six years ago. To keep up with the growing need, Michiana facilities are expanding. Two years ago, the Sonya Ansari Autism Learning Center opened a new facility in Granger. Recently, they expanded again into St. Joseph, Michigan. Both facilities are at or near capacity. Researchers haven't been able to pinpoint why more children have Autism. Some experts say certain factors might lead to the disorder. In Granger, a therapist says early intervention and therapy is key. "There's the theory that we're just better at diagnosing, there is more awareness so parents are more tuned into the early signs," said Cathy Stapleford of the ALC. "Then there are different environmental factors, there are all kinds of theories floating around, but the one thing we do know is ABA is an extremely effective method, and we're going to become more and more needed as time goes by." Today, children are being diagnosed as young as 15-18 months … Continue reading →

Published: Sunday, April 13, 2014 at 11:56 p.m. Last Modified: Sunday, April 13, 2014 at 11:56 p.m. Facts FAST ASSESSMENT Do a FAST assessment of whether someone has had a stroke. Look for sudden changes, as listed below, that occur in someone's behavior. FAST stands for: - Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? - Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? - Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is his or her speech slurred or strange? - Time: Call 911 immediately if you observe any of these signs. To recognize stroke in yourself or others, be alert for these changes: - Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body. - Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. - Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Excerpt from: Quick Treatment for Stroke Key to Recovery for Young Mother Visiting Polk County … Continue reading →

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 14-Apr-2014 Contact: Kim Barnhardt kim.barnhardt@cmaj.ca 613-520-7116 x2224 Canadian Medical Association Journal Stroke patients managed by a pharmacist had a 12.5% improvement in blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol levels compared with a control group, according to a clinical trial published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). Patients who have a stroke or "mini stroke" (transient ischemic attack) are at high risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Management of high blood pressure and cholesterol after a stroke is important because it can substantially reduce the risk of a negative event; however, many patients receive suboptimal care. Some evidence indicates designated "case managers" could better manage patients to reduce the risk. Researchers undertook a randomized controlled trial to determine if a pharmacist case manager could improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels in people who had had strokes or mini strokes. The trial included 279 adult participants in Edmonton, Alberta, who either received care from a pharmacist or a nurse (control group) who managed the case over a 6-month period. About 60% of participants were 65 years of age or older and 58% were men. Both nurses and pharmacists counselled participants on diet, smoking, exercise and other lifestyle … Continue reading →