A Third Of Pediatricians Still Don't Do Developmental Screenings

Pediatricians are far more likely to screen children for developmental delays than they were in the early 2000s, but many still fail to follow guidelines recommending that all kids be checked. Read More ;

Pediatric experts recommend label change for ADHD drug Focalin

An FDA advisory panel said Novartis' Focalin should carry a warning about a risk of suicidal thoughts in children receiving the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder treatment. The agency identified eight cases of the adverse effect in the past six years. FDA staff and advisers also recommended that Focalin's label warn about angioedema and anaphylaxis risk. Reuters (1/30)  http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/30/us-fda-adhd-idUSTRE80T1WI20120130

FDA say synthetic dyes may exacerbate ADHD in children

  

FDA experts who reviewed previous studies on food coloring said data suggest artificial dyes in food can exacerbate symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in some children. The preliminary analysis comes in advance of an FDA panel meeting this week on a petition filed by the Center for Science in the Public Interest to ban synthetic dyes in food. Reuters (3/25) http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/25/us-food-dyes-idUSTRE72O4S920110325

Study: Benefits of Drugs for Children w/ AHHD may be Limited

Parents and teachers found improvements in core ADHD symptoms among 5- to 6-year-old children who took atomoxetine compared with a placebo group, according to a 101-participant study in Pediatrics. However, patients taking atomoxetine had an increased risk of appetite loss, gastrointestinal upset and sedation, and 62% of those who received the drug were still classified as moderately, markedly or severely ill, the study found. Modern Medicine/HealthDay News (3/22) http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Modern+Medicine+Now/Atomoxetine-of-Limited-Value-in-Young-Children-Wit/ArticleNewsFeed/Article/detail/712852?contextCategoryId=40159

Artificial Food Dyes

FDA panel: No proof that food coloring makes children hyperactive
An FDA advisory panel, in an 8-6 vote, said food with artificial dye doesn't need a special warning label. The panel cited insufficient evidence that consuming such dye would cause hyperactivity in children. The decision comes in the wake of FDA scientists saying children who already have behavioral problems might be negatively affected by artificial dye. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (3/31), CNN/The Chart blog (3/31), HealthDay News (4/1) http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/31/more-research-needed-on-food-dyes-fda-panel-says/
http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=651471