Dramatic Surge Seen in Kids Hospitalized With MRSA

CHICAGO (AP) — The number of children hospitalized with dangerous drug-resistant staph infections surged 10-fold in recent years, a study published in the journal Pediatrics found.

Disease incidence increased from two cases to 21 cases per 1,000 hospital admissions from 1999 to 2008. Most infections were caught in the community, not in the hospital.

The study involved methicillin-resistant staph infections, called MRSA. These used to occur mostly in hospitals and nursing homes, but they are increasingly showing up in other settings in children and adults.

The study involved 25 children’s hospitals; the 10-fold increase in hospitalizations likely occurred nationwide, said Dr. Jason Newland, the lead author and an infectious disease physician at Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Almost 30,000 children were hospitalized with MRSA infections at the hospitals studied during the 10-year period. Most had skin or muscle infections, and 374 youngsters with MRSA died. While Newland said it isn’t clear if MRSA caused those deaths, it can be deadly and is blamed for more than 18,000 deaths in children and adults nationwide each year.

MRSA often begins as a pimple or boil on the skin. It can also spread to other parts of the body, including the bones or lungs, where it can cause pneumonia.

On the Net: Pediatrics: www.pediatrics.org, MRSA: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_data.html.

Wal-Mart Pulls Jewelry Over Cadmium

(AP) — Wal-Mart said May 19 it is pulling Miley Cyrus-brand necklaces and bracelets from its shelves after tests performed for The Associated Press found the jewelry contained high levels of the toxic metal cadmium.

In a statement, Wal-Mart said it would remove the jewelry while it investigates. The company issued the statement along with Cyrus and Max Azria, the designer who developed the jewelry.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. had learned of cadmium in the Miley Cyrus jewelry, as well as in an unrelated line of bracelet charms, in February, based on an earlier round of testing, but had continued selling the items. It said as recently as last month that it would be too difficult to test products already on its shelves.

In its statement, Wal-Mart did not say whether it would also remove the bracelet charms.

Exactly how many of the items have been sold was unclear. The charms — also available exclusively at Wal-Mart stores — were sold under the name “Fashion Accessories,” though Wal-Mart has not said when they began appearing on shelves. The Miley Cyrus jewelry hit stores in December.

Long-term exposure to cadmium can lead to bone softening and kidney failure. It is also a known carcinogen, and research suggests that it can, like lead, hinder brain development in children.

Cadmium in jewelry is not known to be dangerous if the items are simply worn. Concerns come when youngsters bite or suck on the jewelry.

CDPH Issues Citation to Hancock Park Rehabilitation Center

SACRAMENTO (CDPH) — Hancock Park Rehabilitation Center in Los Angeles County has received an AA citation from the California Department of Public Health, the most severe penalty under state law, and a $100,000 fine, the highest possible fine from the state, after an investigation concluded that inadequate care led to the death of a resident.

The facility failed to implement its policy and current nursing procedure, which led to a resident’s death.

All nursing facilities in California are required to comply with applicable state and federal laws and regulations governing health care facilities to ensure the quality of their care.

California has the statutory authority to impose fines against nursing facilities it licenses as part of enforcement remedies for poor care. State citations that require the levy of a civil monetary penalty are categorized as Class B, A or AA. The associated fines range from $100 to $1,000 for Class B, $2,000 to $20,000 for Class A and $25,000 to $100,000 for Class AA. The citation class and amount of the fine depend upon the significance and severity of the substantiated violation, as prescribed and defined in California law.

Information: www.cdph.ca.gov.

USDA Official Visits LAUSD School to Discuss Efforts to Improve School Meals 

WASHINGTON (USDA) — USDA’s Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Deputy Undersecretary Janey Thornton visited Garfield High School in the Los Angeles Unified School District May 19 to meet with school officials and discuss the Obama Administration’s priorities for improving school meals and the health of children across the nation.

Thornton also ate lunch with students and talked with them about the importance of good nutrition.

Congress is considering legislation to bolster the Child Nutrition Act, which authorizes the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, and Summer Food Service Programs. These programs serve nearly 32 million children each school day and work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger.

Improving the Child Nutrition Act is the legislative centerpiece of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign and highlighted in the White House report Solving the Problem of Childhood Obesity Within a Generation, released May 11.

By passing strong reauthorization legislation, with the full $1 billion annual increase requested in President Obama’s budget, the president’s administration hopes to reduce hunger, promote access, and improve the overall health and nutrition of children throughout the country.