In The News
News, practice updates, and commentary.
February 2010 Employee of the Month
Congratulations to Robin LaRochelle, RMA, February's Employee of the Month!
January Employee of the Month
Congratulations to Susan Isles Morton, January's Employee of the Month
Flu Vaccine Recall
Health officials are recalling hundreds of thousands of doses of H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine after tests indicated they may not be potent enough to protect against the virus.
Fearing a Flu Vaccine, and Wanting More of It
A physician gives his perspective on people's conflicting feelings on the H1N1 flu vaccine. Taken from the NY Times.
Joint Statement--Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, and Vision
Vision Therapy again found to be ineffective: In the August 2009 issue of the Journal of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Association of Certified Orthoptists issued a joint statement reaffirming their prior position that vision therapy does not have a place in the treatment of learning disabilities, dyslexia or reading problems. The article defines and describes the various disabilities that can result in difficulty learning to read and discussed why vision therapy does not have a place in the treatment of these disorders. The academy members conclude that “scientific evidence does not support the efficacy of eye exercises, behavioral vision therapy, or special tinted filters or lenses …and that these therapies should not be recommended.”
Incidence of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children with Autism: A Population-Based Study
Gastrointestinal disorders in autistic children likely related to behavioral issues: A study in the August, 2009 issue of the Journal of Pediatrics compared the incidence of a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms in autistic children with a control group of children who do not have autism. Constipation and difficulties with feeding and food choice were more common in the autistic children, but there was no difference in other gastrointestinal problems. The researchers concluded that there was likely a neurobehavioral rather than a primary organic gastrointestinal cause for these symptoms in autistic children.
Your Baby Is Smarter Than You Think
Don't worry too much about the academic details of learning for your little ones; they learn by being little scientists at work, building their problem-solving skills!
Massachusetts Department of Public Health advises avoidance of BPA containing plastics
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is advising parents and caretakers of children up to two years old to avoid the use of products that contain BPA for making or storing infant formula and breast milk. DPH is further advising pregnant and breastfeeding women to avoid products that may contain BPA.
Supplements for Athletes Draw Alert From F.D.A.
Federal regulators warned consumers on Tuesday not to use body-building products that are sold as nutritional supplements but may contain steroids or steroidlike substances, citing reports of acute liver injury and kidney failure.
Catherine Bartlett wins the AAP 2009 National Conference & Exhibition (NCE) heroes award
Last fall the AAP launched a campaign to find stories of the every day pediatric heroes among us. After receiving hundreds of entries and MUCH deliberation, Dr. Bartlett along with three other pediatricians were selected by the NCE Planning Group Executive Committee to be sent to the 2009 NCE in Washington, DC October 16-20. We are all so proud of her. Below is the nomination essay by Sandra Soderberg.
Cindy Mayo retires after 20 years of service to NAP
Our wonderful long-time practice administrator at Northampton Area Pediatrics, has retired after 20 joyful years of serving the children of western Massachusetts.
NAP All Stars participate in the Garden's 10th Annual Walk to Remember
A team of 17 Northampton Area Pediatrics Employees and their family members helped raise money for the Garden by participating in their 1 mile walk on Sunday morning, June 7th.
Screening for Rare Genetic Disorders Now Routine in Newborns
With the advent of a technique called tandem mass spectrometry, we know have the means to identify many conditions from just a tiny sample of blood from the newborn. Although the conditions are rare, they are treatable and, in many cases, life saving to the otherwise healthy appearing newborn.
Babies Know: A Little Dirt Is Good for You
In studies of what is called the hygiene hypothesis, researchers are concluding that organisms like the millions of bacteria, viruses and especially worms that enter the body along with “dirt” spur the development of a healthy immune system. Several continuing studies suggest that worms may help to redirect an immune system that has gone awry and resulted in autoimmune disorders, allergies and asthma.
MMR doctor Andrew Wakefield fixed data on autism
The doctor who sparked the scare over the safety of the MMR vaccine for children changed and misreported results in his research, creating the appearance of a possible link with autism, a Sunday Times investigation has found.
