Changes to Psychiatry’s Bible Could Widen Definition of ADHD

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HealthDay News — When the latest version of what is considered the “bible” of psychiatry is unveiled in May, experts believe several changes in it will broaden both the definition and diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder — or ADHD.But experts also differ on whether the shifts in thinking about this neurodevelopmental disorder will be a good thing.Dr. James Norcross, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, outlined the major changes that should be coming in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5, which is published by the American Psychiatric Association.

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FDA Approves New Multiple Sclerosis Drug

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(HealthDay News) — A new drug called Tecfidera has been approved to treat adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.

The approval is based on the results of two clinical trials showing that patients who took Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) capsules had fewer MS relapses than those who took an inactive placebo. One of the trials also showed that a worsening of MS-related disability occurred less often in patients who took the drug than in those who took the placebo.

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Temporary Henna Tattoos May Leave Permanent Damage

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(HealthDay News) — As thousands of college students head to sunny spots for spring break, getting temporary tattoos may seem like a fun thing to do. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that they can cause blisters and permanent scarring.

While the ink used for permanent tattoos is injected into the skin, temporary tattoos are applied to the skin’s surface. Temporary tattoos often use “black henna,” which may contain a coal-tar hair dye containing p-phenylenediamine (PPD), an ingredient that can cause dangerous skin reactions in some people.

By law, PPD is not permitted in cosmetics intended to be applied to the skin, the FDA noted.

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Fit Kids May Dodge Fractures in Old Age

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HealthDay News — Physically active children may be at lower risk for fractures when they grow older, according to a new study from Sweden. The findings add to evidence that regular daily exercise can improve childrens health now and in the future, the researchers said.”Exercise interventions in childhood may be associated with lower fracture risks as people age, due to the increase in peak bone mass that occurs in growing children who perform regular physical activity,” the studys lead author, Dr. Bjorn Rosengren, of Skane University Hospital in Malmo, said in a news release.

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ADHD Treatments Not Working for Most Young Children

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HealthDay News — Most young children being treated for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ADHD — either with or without medication — still have serious symptoms of their condition, according to a new long-term study.The neurobehavioral disorder interferes with the ability to concentrate. ADHD also causes restlessness, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior, which can have lasting effects on childrens intellectual and emotional development.”ADHD is becoming a more common diagnosis in early childhood, so understanding how the disorder progresses in this age group is critical,” study lead investigator Dr. Mark Riddle, a pediatric psychiatrist at the Johns Hopkins Childrens Center, said in a Hopkins news release. “We found that ADHD in preschoolers is a chronic and rather persistent condition, one that requires better long-term behavioral and pharmacological treatments than we currently have.”

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Non-Drug ADHD Treatments Don’t Pan Out in Study

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(HealthDay News) — Many parents pursue costly and time-consuming treatments to help their children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Now, a new study finds little evidence that non-drug interventions reduce key symptoms of ADHD.

A multinational team of experts identified no positive effects from psychological treatments including mind exercises (cognitive training), neurofeedback and behavioral training (positive reinforcement). And the researchers discovered only small benefits associated with dietary treatments: supplementation with omega-3 and omega-6 free fatty acids, and elimination of artificial food coloring.

Still, parents shouldn’t be discouraged, said study co-author Dr. Emily Simonoff.

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Obesity May Be Linked to MS Risk in Children

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HealthDay News — Overweight or obese children, particularly adolescent girls, may face a higher risk for developing multiple sclerosis, new research suggests.And the heavier they are, the greater the risk, the study authors added.The findings are preliminary, but other health risks of being overweight or obese include increased risk for high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease — even in children.

via Obesity May Be Linked to MS Risk in Children.

More U.S. Children Diagnosed With ADHD

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HealthDay News — More and more U.S. children are being diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, a new study suggests.Exactly why these rates are climbing isnt clear. But increased awareness of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ADHD, is likely a contributing factor, the study authors said.According to the new findings, the rate of children who were diagnosed with ADHD jumped by about 24 percent between 2001 and 2010. This increase was most pronounced with white children, and there was a 90 percent increase in ADHD diagnosis among black girls during the same time frame.

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Screen Time Near Bedtime Means Less Sleep for Kids

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(HealthDay News) — Children and teens who spend time watching television, playing video games or using the computer right before bedtime are likely to take longer to fall asleep than those who watch less or none, according to new research.

And that could add up to a sleep deficit, experts said.

“Reducing screen time in this pre-sleep window could be a good strategy for helping kids go to sleep earlier,” said study leader Louise Foley, who was a researcher at the University of Auckland in New Zealand at the time of the study.

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Study Finds Low Flu Vaccine Rates in U.S. Kids

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HealthDay News — Flu vaccination rates among U.S. children were lower than expected over a recent five-year period, a new study reports.The findings were released in the midst of the current flu season, with 47 states now reporting widespread illness, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health officials recommend that all children 6 months and older get the flu vaccine.

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