All Eyes Are On Zika But A Far More Common Threat To Babies Lurks In Shadows
Experts say cytomegalovirus -- which causes hearing loss, microcephaly, intellectual deficits and vision abnormalities -- affects more people than Zika, but no one is talking about it. In other news, a study lays out the importance of well-child visits.
The New York Times:
CMV Is A Greater Threat To Infants Than Zika, But Far Less Often Discussed
Laura Sweet had no idea that she had contracted a virus that would leave her daughter, Jane, deaf by her first birthday. During her second pregnancy, doctors had warned her against alcohol and changing kitty litter. They had said to avoid sushi and cold cuts. But nobody — not her obstetrician, nor her midwife — mentioned cytomegalovirus. (Saint Louis, 10/24)
The Wall Street Journal:
New Reasons Not To Miss A Well-Child Visit
Is your child up-to-date at the pediatrician’s office? Regular well-child visits during the first three years of childhood are critical to identify health, behavioral and developmental problems that could have long-lasting effects into adulthood. But parents don’t always follow the recommended schedule, which includes about a dozen appointments by the time children turn 3. And children who miss out on visits are more likely to be admitted to the hospital with preventable problems, studies show. (Landro, 10/24)
