Thursday, February 18, 2010

Four year old and grandmother killed in hyperbaric chamber fire

No scientific evidence exists that hyperbaric oxygen treatment provides any benefits to children with cerebral palsy.

On May 1, 2009, a four year old boy with cerebral palsy was burned to death when the hyperbaric chamber in which the boy was being "treated" exploded in flames. His grandmother who was with him, died of her injuries the next day.

http://www.examiner.com/x-25472-Madison-Healthy-Living-Examiner~y2010m2d17-Four-year-old-boy-and-his-grandmother-killed-in-hyperbaric--chamber-fire
February 17, 2010, 12:07 pm
Easing the Tics of Tourette’s Syndrome
By THE NEW YORK TIMES


...In other cases, medications that were initially developed to help patients with seizure disorders have been helpful for people with Tourette’s. Periodic injections of botulinum toxin, or Botox, into specific muscle groups can also be helpful for localized tics. .....

An interesting converstation about tics and Tourette's

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Concussions extra dangerous to teen brains

(CNN) -- Max Conradt was used to defensive linemen hurtling their 300-pound frames at him week after week. He was a high school quarterback, the team leader who took his licks and got back up.

That is, until the wrenching hit that changed everything.

"It was a vicious hit," said Ralph Conradt, Max's father. "A really bad hit."

Afterward, the 17-year-old got up slowly, staggered for a few seconds, and continued to play. When the game ended, he limped toward the sideline.

...

"It's the group we need to worry about most," said Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, chairman of the American Academy of Neurology Sports Neurology Section, adding that fewer than half of high schools have access to athletic trainers.

"If there is any suggestion of a concussion, we need to take kids out of the game," said Dr. Stan Herring, team physician for the Seattle Seahawks. "The consequences [of not doing so] can be devastating or even fatal."

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/02/03/concussions.teen.brains/
1 in 30 N. Texas school athletes in study has suffered concussion

12:00 AM CST on Friday, February 5, 2010

By KAREL HOLLOWAY / The Dallas Morning News
kholloway@dallasnews.com

A limited study of 15,000 North Texas athletes has found that about one in 30 has suffered concussions since 2008, according to researchers with the Texas Health Presbyterian system.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/healthscience/stories/DN-concussions_05met.ART.State.Edition1.4b95c1b.html

Monday, February 08, 2010

I am having my first chemodenervation/"Botox" clinic at Memorial Hermann Children's Hospital this month. This article got my attention.

Incidence of Cerebral Palsy on Rise in United States
Released: 2/8/2010 12:00 PM EST Source: Loyola University Health System
Newswise — Cerebral palsy (CP) has increased in infants born prematurely in the United States, according to data presented by researchers from Loyola University Health System (LUHS). These findings were reported at the 30th Annual Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in Chicago. They also were published in the latest issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

http://www.newswise.com/articles/incidence-of-cerebral-palsy-on-rise-in-united-states

Saturday, February 06, 2010



Introducing Orli Chaya Rotenberg (Chaya Zahava bat Yaakov v' Leah)

Happy Dreams!!


Friday, February 05, 2010

Children's Grass Roots Organization Sending Medical Supplies to Haiti

We are collecting medical & children's supplies for Diquini Adventist Hospital and several affiliated orphanages around Port-au-Prince, Haiti.This is what we need.

http://sites.google.com/site/houstonmitzvah/

Mitzvah Medical Supplies for Haiti’

JHV: MICHAEL C. DUKE

Beren Academy students Mika Kol, Netanya Ronn, Adina Passy, Coral Vaknin, Hannah Attal, Yari Garner, Netanya Abramson, Rebecca Attal and Keren Golan worked diligently after school on Jan. 27 to pack 13 cases of supplies for earthquake victims in Haiti.By MICHAEL C. DUKE 04.FEB.10RMBA students, Girl Scouts add to aid shipment for earthquake victimsThe final bell of the day already has rung, but nearly a dozen kids have stayed after school to volunteer for a special project. Dressed in their blue-and-white school uniforms, these Robert M. Beren Academy students buzz around the front foyer, carrying armloads of bandages, over-the-counter medicines, antibiotic ointments, sandals and crutches. Working in teams, the students deposit like things into piles, count the items and place them into cardboard boxes.“We’re sending medical supplies to Haiti – there was a terrible earthquake there,” explained Beren fifth-grader, Netanya Abramson, as she paused over a 50-gallon bin, full of donated items from Houston’s Jewish community.

More Here...http://www.jhvonline.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=96&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=8359&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1291&hn=jhvonline&he=.com

Thursday, February 04, 2010


Wow!! She's wonderful - 2/2/10. 7 lb 8 oz. Name to follow - still counting votes.

Monday, February 01, 2010

Big News - Evidence Basis for CP Treatment

Finally, the AAN has published an analysis of the evidence for medications used for spasticity. Botulinum toxin injections (Botox) have CLASS A evidence supporting safety and efficacy. Oral baclofen's literature support is uncertain.

Editorial - I have been using chemodenervation with botulinum toxins for ten years with robust response and minimal side effects. I perform the procedure in the office and under sedation when needed. The key is setting realistic expectations and finding the right dose.

Practice Parameter: Pharmacologic treatment of spasticity in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (an evidence-based review)


Objective: To evaluate published evidence of efficacy and safety of pharmacologic treatments for childhood spasticity due to cerebral palsy.

Methods: A multidisciplinary panel systematically reviewed relevant literature from 1966 to July 2008.

Results: For localized/segmental spasticity, botulinum toxin type A is established as an effective treatment to reduce spasticity in the upper and lower extremities. There is conflicting evidence regarding functional improvement. Botulinum toxin type A was found to be generally safe in children with cerebral palsy; however, the Food and Drug Administration is presently investigating isolated cases of generalized weakness resulting in poor outcomes. No studies that met criteria are available on the use of phenol, alcohol, or botulinum toxin type B injections. For generalized spasticity, diazepam is probably effective in reducing spasticity, but there are insufficient data on its effect on motor function and its side-effect profile. Tizanidine is possibly effective, but there are insufficient data on its effect on function and its side-effect profile. There were insufficient data on the use of dantrolene, oral baclofen, and intrathecal baclofen, and toxicity was frequently reported.

Recommendations: For localized/segmental spasticity that warrants treatment, botulinum toxin type A should be offered as an effective and generally safe treatment (Level A). There are insufficient data to support or refute the use of phenol, alcohol, or botulinum toxin type B (Level U). For generalized spasticity that warrants treatment, diazepam should be considered for short-term treatment, with caution regarding toxicity (Level B), and tizanidine may be considered (Level C). There are insufficient data to support or refute use of dantrolene, oral baclofen, or continuous intrathecal baclofen (Level U).