Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Study Finds Link Between SIDS Risk And Biochemical Marker
Fox News: SIDS Breakthrough? Possible Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Biomarker Identified
Babies at risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) could be identified through a biochemical marker, a new study published in The Lancet’s eBioMedicine finds. SIDS is the unexplained death of a seemingly healthy baby less than a year old, typically during sleep, according to the Mayo Clinic. The CDC reports SIDS accounted for 37% of infant deaths in the United States in 2019. Researchers investigating the cause of SIDS at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead (CHW) in Australia said they identified the first biochemical marker that could help detect babies more at risk of sudden infant death syndrome while they are still alive. (McGorry, 5/13)
On the hepatitis outbreak —
Stat: Puzzling Pediatric Hepatitis Cases Echo An Earlier Mysterious Illness
In early April, when word began to circulate that hospitals in the United Kingdom were seeing unexplained hepatitis cases in very young children, some physicians and researchers on this side of the Atlantic experienced a moment of déjà vu. Kevin Messacar and colleagues at Children’s Hospital Colorado found themselves remarking on how reminiscent the unfolding investigation was of a medical mystery they’ve been enmeshed in for the past eight years — acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM, a polio-like condition in children. (Branswell, 5/16)
On the baby formula shortage —
Politico: Infant Formula Shortage 'Is Very Personal For Us,' Buttigieg Says
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Sunday his own family has felt the impact of a national shortage of infant formula. In an interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Buttigieg defended the Biden administration’s steps to address the formula shortage as parents struggle to locate formula across the country and the supply crunch increasingly consumes the attention of the White House and Congress. (O'Brien, 5/15)
The Texas Tribune: Baby Formula Shortage Hits Texas’ Poorest Mothers
Each day, Ashley Beattie and her fiancé spend hours driving around Bell County looking for baby formula to feed her eight-month-old son. First H-E-B, then Walmart, then Target. She searches until she can find something. On Tuesday, a friend alerted her that there were eight cans of Enfamil Gentlease at a nearby Sam’s Club. The brand meant Beattie, one of nearly 200,000 Texas moms whose lower income qualifies her to have her formula purchases paid for through the Texas Women, Infant and Children, or WIC, program, had to quickly calculate how much that would put her budget behind yet again. “I feel stressed,” Beattie said. “It's hard, it's a lot of money being taken out of pocket.” (Beeferman, 5/13)
And a candy recall —
CBS News: Skittles, Starburst And Life Savers Gummies Recalled Over Possible Metal Strips
Certain varieties of Skittles, Starburst and Life Savers gummies have been voluntarily recalled over the possibility of "a very thin metal strand embedded in the gummies or loose in the bag," Mars Wrigley announced Friday. The company said it hasn't received any reports of anyone falling ill from the products, which were made a third party and distributed in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. (Tursi, 5/16)
