KIDS' HEALTH UPDATES

Recent News and Articles of Interest to Parents

February 2003

Combination Vaccine Approved : The FDA has recently approved a vaccine which combines DTaP , Hepatitis B and Inactive Polio. Dosage administration would be at 2, 4 and 6 months thus eliminating six injections. Reports show a somewhat increase in the incidence of fever with this combined product verses the individual shots.In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts where the vast majority of childhood immunizations are obtained through the state it remains to be seen whether this new combination vaccine will be available to the pediatric offices.

New Flu Vaccine :A new intranasal flu vaccine to prevent influenza A will soon become available. It will be approved for the ages 5 years – 49 years. It is somewhat discouraging that this new vaccine is not approved for the age groups who perhaps would be most at risk and reap the greatest benefits from immunization: the very young and the elderly. I would imagine that further studies will be needed or refinements made before this vaccine can reach all susceptible individuals.

Another ‘New’ Treatment for ADD/ADHD : Currently being tested with promising results is a methylphenidate transdermal patch as reported by Barbara Boughton ,contributing editor, in January 2003 edition of Pediatric News. Methylphenidate is the generic name for the active ingredient of Ritalin . This new method of delivery seems to be helpful in conjunction with other behavioral modalities to deal with this disorder. It appears that lower doses of the drug delivered by the patch are more effective than comparable dosing orally. This provides an interesting and perhaps useful way for treating this disorder. It would perhaps eliminate oral dosing at school and may provide a more steady level of this medication. We will await further testing and news.

January 2003

New ADD/ADHD Drug on Horizon : I have recently filled out an online physician survey about a new drug for the treatment of ADHD/ADD to be marketed as Strattera (generic I believe is Atomoxetine ). Through the survey I learned that this drug is a non controlled substance unlike all the other mainstays of treatment and reportedly has >24 hour efficacy. This would be a great boon for once a day or twice a day treatment which actually will carry over into the activities and homework time. It would also eliminate the need to obtain a new written prescription monthly. The side effects were reported as minimal although it could enhance the effects of albuterol on blood pressure and heart rate and have some effects on urinary retention or hesitancy. Is this too good to be true?? We will see. Currently I believe this drug will be available in January 2003 and marketed by Eli Lilly.We at Pediatric Specialists as well as parents of affected children will wait with great anticipation for further information.

AAG

Pneumococcal Vaccine : From Pediatric News comes an article by Miriam Tucker in which a report in the reduction in invasive disease from pneumococcus      ( Strep pneumoniae ) by two thirds. This is a direct effect of the use of pneumococcal vaccine ( Prevnar ) which children are now receiving at 2, 4 and 6 months. Because of the nationwide shortage the last dose at one year has been withheld. This is great testimony to the value of this immunization.

Varicella (Chickenpox): Again on the immunization front, the same writer as above in Pediatric News reports a 70% reduction in hospitalizations for complications of chickenpox since the vaccine has become available. Of some further interest was the fact that the hospitalizations in those who did not receive the vaccine was also decreased. This was interpreted as what is called herd immunity where immunized individuals shed enough virus to elicit some immune response in contacts who never received the vaccine directly.

Pierced Ears: From Infectious Diseases in Children is an article reporting an increased incidence of complications and infections in piercing the ear cartilage verses the ear lobe. The typical spring loaded guns are not recommended for this procedure and in some states may be illegal.