BPA, Aspirin, Meningitis Top Medical News
By: Jeffrey Campbell
Updated: October 4, 2012
Thyroid and BPA
A new study shows exposure to bisphenol-a can alter thyroid hormone levels in newborn babies.
BPA is a compound found in the lining of canned goods, thermal receipts and some hard plastics. The chemical has been banned in baby bottles. Researchers at the university of California, Berkeley analyzed BPA exposure through urine samples and compared it with thyroid hormone levels in blood samples taken from pregnant women and their infants.
Aspirin and the Brain
A new study indicates low doses of aspirin may protect brain function, at least in women at risk for heart disease.
Researchers in Sweden observed that elderly women who'd been taking a daily aspirin for at least 5 years had a slower decline in their thinking and memory skills than other women.
The patients were all at high risk of heart attacks or stroke.
The aspirin was not found to alter the rate at which patients developed dementia.
Meningitis Outbreak
A specialty pharmacy in Massachusetts is suspected to be the source of a steroid linked to an outbreak of a deadly form of meningitis.
Health officials are now investigating 26 cases of severe meningitis in five states including four deaths.
Officials are trying to track down hundreds of other people in 23 states who got the injections and might be at risk.
The New England compounding center near Boston is recalling hundreds of doses of a steroid compound it made to be injected into the spine.
