Health Highlights: Feb. 23, 2006

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay:

Compounds May Slow Parkinson''s Disease

The antibiotic minocycline and the muscle-related compound creatine may slow the progression of Parkinson''s disease, suggests a pilot study funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

The study included 200 people in the earliest stages of Parkinson''s disease who did not yet require any medication to control symptoms. The disease didn''t seem to progress as rapidly in patients who took either minocycline or creatine as it did in patients who took a placebo, the Associated Press reported.

The findings were published online this week in the journal Neurology and presented Thursday at the World Parkinson Congress in Washington, D.C.

It''s believed the two compounds may reduce a type of cellular stress or combat inflammation that can damage cells.

Minocycline is a prescription antibiotic while creatine is available in dietary supplements. However, researchers noted that creatine products in stores may not be as potent as those used in the study, the AP reported.

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Industry Withheld Data on Chromium-Related Lung Cancer Risks

The chromium industry withheld important data on the links between hexavalent chromium and lung cancer when it presented research to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) last year, concludes a study by researchers at George Washington University and consumer advocacy group Public Citizen.

The study, published in the journal Environmental Health, charged that the chromium industry withheld the data because it was worried about stricter workplace regulations, the Associated Press reported.

About 380,000 jewelers, steelworkers and welders in the U.S. are exposed to hexavalent chromium on the job, the researchers said.

The study found that industry data submitted to the OHSA suggested that only the highest -- and not intermediate -- levels of exposure to the carcinogenic metal resulted in a significantly higher risk of lung cancer, the AP reported.

The revelation about the withheld data comes about a week before OHSA is set to issue a new standard on acceptable workplace levels of chromium. It''s not clear what impact this study will have on that.

Current regulations limit chromium workplace levels to 52 micrograms per cubic meter. The OHSA supports restricting levels to 1 microgram per cubic meter, slightly lower than what''s considered intermediate exposure. Public Citizen wants levels capped at 0.25 microgram per cubic meter, the AP reported.

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South Dakota Senate Approves Abortion Ban Bill

In what''s viewed as a potential direct challenge to the legality of abortion in the United States, South Dakota''s Senate on Wednesday approved a ban on all abortions, except when the mother''s life is in danger.

The bill was passed by a vote of 23-12 and on Thursday headed to the House, which already approved similar legislation, the Associated Press reported.

Under the bill, a doctor in South Dakota who performs an abortion could be put in prison for up to five years. The legislation is meant to target the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.

Critics say the bill is unconstitutional and too extreme and others expressed concern that the bill did not include exceptions for abortions in cases of rape or incest, the AP reported.

If the bill becomes law, Planned Parenthood said it will take the issue to court. The organization operates the only clinic that does abortions in South Dakota.

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U.S. Panel Recommends Flu Shots for Children Ages 2 to 5

U.S. children ages 2 to 5 should get flu shots, the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended Wednesday.

The panel also recommended regular flu shots for people who provide in-home and out-of-home care for children ages 2 to 5. Committee members voted against encouraging all Americans to get a flu shot, citing the need for further study and planning, the Associated Press reported.

The committee''s advice is normally accepted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which issues vaccination guidelines to doctors and hospitals.

Currently, flu shots are recommended for children ages 6 months to 23 months, people 65 and older, pregnant women, and people of all ages with chronic health problems. This recommendation would add 5.3 million healthy U.S. children to the list, the AP reported.

The panel''s decision was welcomed by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID).

"This augmented vaccination approach is a positive step toward protecting an increased number of children from this serious respiratory illness and its dangerous complications," Dr. Carol J. Baker, NFID president elect, said in a prepared statement.

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Metal Particles Prompt Baby Formula Recall

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a nationwide recall for some GENTLEASE powdered infant formula that may contain metal particles up to 2.7 millimeters in size.

The recall affects 41,464 24-ounce cans of formula with lot number BMJ19, use by 1 Jul 07, which can be found on the bottom of the can. Anyone with a can from this batch of formula should not use the product and should contact manufacturer Mead Johnson at 1-888-587-7275.

While no injuries have been reported, the presence of the metal particles could pose a serious risk to an infant''s throat or respiratory system if an infant inhaled the formula, the FDA said.

Any injuries would likely show up within three to four hours after using the formula and symptoms would vary depending on whether there is damage to the throat or lungs. Coughing, difficulty swallowing or difficulty breathing may be signs of throat damage. Coughing and difficulty breathing could be signs of damage to the lungs.

Anyone who has fed formula from this batch to their baby and has concerns about their baby''s health should contact their doctor for advice, the FDA said. The agency and Mead Johnson are investigating how the metal particles ended up in the formula.

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Last Updated: Feb. 23, 2006