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UMC in Lubbock Refutes Claims of Newborn Babies Being Exposed to Measles
Following a national report that claimed newborn babies were exposed to measles at University Medical Center in Lubbock, the hospital on Monday told EverythingLubbock.com the measles patient did not have contact with any other patients or enter the NICU.
A national report on March 14 stated a woman who was in labor was infected with the measles, and doctors did not realize until she had already been admitted. The headline claimed newborn babies in the hospital were exposed to measles.
“Last week, a patient with measles was present in the building; however, they did not have direct contact with any other patient and did not enter the NICU,” UMC said in a statement. “Out of an abundance of caution, UMC has implemented a temporary masking requirement for all visitors who enter our patient care areas on the 1st and 2nd floor in the Children’s Hospital to further protect our patients.”
The Pandemic Ruined High School for Them. They’re Learning to Live Again.
Stuck in their bedrooms, the class of 2021 missed important rites of passage — first job, first car, first date. Now young adults, they’re making up for what they missed at 16.
By the fall of 2020, many of the seniors at Oakland Technical High School had become nocturnal.
Already confined to their homes for half a year and desperate for fun, they stayed up all night. They were making TikToks, watching porn, playing Fortnite. In the monotony of the pandemic lockdown, “time didn’t matter, I suppose,” said Nadav Stamper-Kurn, so they found ways to socialize even if they were alone. Nadav built a bespoke server to play Minecraft with friends and viewed simulations of the life he was not able to participate in. He watched the YouTuber David Dobrik travel and party with his jokester crew, and all nine seasons of “The Office.”
Ruby Chan-Frey, perpetually not studying for the SAT and then marinating in her stress, frequently watched movies with friends on Discord until sunrise. Eventually, she took up running, setting out at 11 p.m. When she returned at 1 a.m., she’d sometimes encounter her father in the kitchen. “I’d be like, ‘Oh. Hey,’” she told me.
Illinois School Religious Exemptions for Measles Vaccine up 90% Over the Past Decade
Last year, more than 25,000 Illinois students — from both public and private schools — received a religious exemption for the measles vaccine. That’s up about 90% from a decade before, according to data from the Illinois State Board of Education.
Other states, like Texas, allow for exemptions based on a “reason of conscience,” like a religious belief. Those exemptions led to lower vaccination rates in Texas’ Gaines County, where the state’s largest measles outbreak in 30 years began and spread among the county’s Mennonite Christian community.
In Illinois, religious exemptions are the only non-medical exemption families can seek.
Back in 2015, Illinois made it more difficult to receive religious exemptions. The state passed a law that made parents and guardians submit an exemption form that both details the “specific religious beliefs” that conflict with immunization and requires them to get the form signed by the child’s health care provider. It’s then up to the school to decide if the objection is valid or not.
Florida Senate Passes Comprehensive Bill on Autism, With a Goal to Understand Its Prevalence
Today autism is considered to affect one in 36 individuals. The Florida Senate unanimously passed a measure aimed at improving the lives of children with autism and their families.
The bill works to increase early detection and intervention, while filling in the gaps in educational opportunities. One part of the bill is directed at research to learn why autism is increasing.
According to Stuart Republican Sen. Gayle Harrell, the bill sponsor, Florida has more than 20,000 preschoolers and more than 66,000 schoolchildren diagnosed with autism.
“And we look at the services we are providing for them,” she said. “Is it adequate? Is it enough? Are we really doing what the state of Florida needs to do to diagnose, treat and provide services to individuals with autism? And this bill is the next step — an amazing, big step.”
Study Shows How Autism-Linked Picky Eating Causes Serious Vitamin Deficiencies
In a recent review article in the journal Nutrients, researchers in the U.S. explored micronutrient deficiencies (other than isolated vitamin C deficiency, though cases where vitamin C deficiency co-occurred with other deficiencies were included) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
They identified 44 cases discussed in 27 studies and found that deficiencies in vitamins A, B, and D, as well as iron and calcium, are most common. Vitamin E, zinc, and iodine (2.4% of cases) accounted for relatively few instances, though these often occurred alongside other deficiencies.
Micronutrients are critical for brain development, immune function, and growth. Thus, deficiencies in these nutrients can cause neurodevelopmental issues, infections, and stunted growth. Estimates suggest that between 1% and 10% of children in the United States have micronutrient deficiencies, but children with ASD may be at higher risk.
Potential Carcinogen Found in 6 Popular Acne Products, Prompting Recall: FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced a voluntary recall of six widely available acne treatments, saying the products had “elevated levels” of benzene, a known carcinogen.
The agency announced that after concerns were raised about levels of benzene in products containing benzoyl peroxide, they tested 95 acne products with the ingredient. While most had “undetectable or extremely low levels of benzene,” six products showed “elevated levels” of benzene.
Benzoyl peroxide is effective in treating acne, according to the Cleveland Clinic, because it “works by decreasing inflammation and killing or preventing the growth of bacteria on your skin.”
FDA Warns of Misuse of Laughing Gas Sold in Colorful, Flavored Canisters
U.S. health officials are tracking a rise in injuries tied to the misuse of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, including some brands that are sold in small canisters containing flavors like blueberry, strawberry and watermelon.
The Food and Drug Administration on Friday warned consumers that inhaling the gas for its euphoric effects can cause dangerously low blood pressure, leading to loss of consciousness and injuries. The agency flagged a number products sold in colorful packaging at gas stations, vape shops and online including Cosmic Gas, Galaxy Gas and MassGass.
Nitrous gas is traditionally used as a sedative for patients in dental offices and hospitals. It’s also found in pressurized cans of whipped cream. But teens and adults have long misused those products to get high. The gas can briefly disrupt oxygen flow to the brain.
