An analysis of data from the National Vital Statistics System showed a 61% decline in the rate of children and teens age 19 and younger dying from diabetes-related causes from 1968 to 2009. Improved treatment, greater awareness of symptoms and better disease management education may have contributed to the drop in deaths, CDC researchers said. The findings appear in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. InternalMedicineNews.com (11/1)
CDC: Rate of severe birth complications in U.S. is increasing
October 28, 2012 By
The number of women who experienced severe complications during or after childbirth nearly doubled between 1998 and 2009, CDC researchers found. However, childbirth-related complications and deaths remained uncommon in the U.S., with an estimated 590,000 cases reported in over 11 years. The findings appear in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology. Reuters (10/23
Unintentional injuries are leading cause of child deaths in U.S.
October 24, 2012 By
Unintentional injury claimed the lives of more than 115,000 people aged 19 and younger between 2000 and 2009, making it the leading cause of child death in the U.S., CDC researchers wrote in the Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report. They noted that infants and 15- to 19-year-olds were the most affected age groups and that more than half of the deaths were due to motor vehicle accidents. DoctorsLounge.com/HealthDay News (10/18)
Meningitis cases in U.S. reach 91
October 13, 2012 By
The total number of reported fungal meningitis cases has reached 91, including seven deaths, CDC officials reported Sunday. Nine states have been affected. Federal and state officials are investigating New England Compounding Center’s facility in Framingham, Mass., which made the spinal steroid injections linked to the outbreak. The company has recalled all products made at the facility, and last week federal officials advised against using NECC-manufactured products. Reuters (10/7), The Wall Street Journal (10/7)
CDC: Tainted steroid shots could put thousands in danger
October 13, 2012 By
Up to 13,000 patients across 23 states were treated with steroid shots linked to a fungal meningitis outbreak, CDC officials announced on Monday, but it’s not clear how many of those shots were contaminated. The number of cases reached 105 on Monday, including eight deaths. Symptoms have surfaced one to four weeks after patients were treated with the shots. The Washington Post/The Associated Press (10/8), The Boston Globe (tiered subscription model) (10/8)
