They found about 17 percent had been discharged in under 30 hours. Looking at the experience of more than 2,000 infants readmitted to the hospital in the first month of life versus more than 8,600 not readmitted, the researchers found that newborns discharged early were about 1.2 times more likely to be rehospitalized within 7 days for any of several medical conditions, mainly jaundice, dehydration and infections, with the risk falling off slightly after two and three weeks. Dr. Paula Braverman and colleagues at the University of California San Francisco, who conducted a sweeping review of research on early discharge published in the journal Pediatrics two years ago, noted in an editorial that neither study looked at what sort of follow-up care the infants were getting. Tens of thousands of Americans, many of them in the military, were given nasal radium treatments years ago, a treatment that may increase their risk of developing cancer and other medical problems today. One scientist's quest to bring this to light has finally led to government promises to investigate and help those affected.
Anxiety disorders can wreak havoc with family life, but help is available.
Molecular biologists at the University of Colorado have developed the first map of human chromosome 18, including genes associated with several forms of cancer. There's new evidence about the harm of second-hand smoke. In the near future, stitches for most wounds could be a thing of the past. Doctors find an adhesive closes wounds more quickly and helps them heal as well. Researchers identify a defect in heart cells that may explain why the muscle loses its ability to pump blood in people suffering from hypertension and perhaps other types of heart failure.