Sound Medicine -- January 12, 2002

This week IU doctors discuss:

Infant digestive disorders and antibiotics

Cochlear implants in children

Cervical cancer and cytotechnology

Infant digestive disorders and antibiotics

To begin the program, co-hosts Barbara Lewis and Dr. Ora Pescovitz meet with Barbara Mahon, M.D., assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Mahon recently authored a study connecting the common antibiotic erythromycin with pyloric stenosis, a disorder that causes infants to projectile vomit.

Resources

Read more about pyloric stenosis at Kidshealth.org.

Find out about other gastrointestinal disorders common in children at the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders.

Cochlear implants in children

The IU School of Medicine's Dr. Richard Miyamoto is a pioneer in the field of cochlear implantation. Cochlear implants allow many deaf individuals to hear -- often for the first time. He has been implanting these life-changing devices in the ears of adults and children for many years. Dr. Miyamoto is department chair of Otolaryngology at the IUSM.

Resources

The IUSM Department of Otolaryngology Web site serves as a hub of information on cochlear implants and infant language development.

Cervical cancer and cytotechnology

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. We note it by meeting with cytotechnologist Barbara Frain who talks about new ways of detecting cervical problems. She explains how early diagnosis of cervical cancer can be made in the cytotechnology lab where cells are microscopically examined for abnormalities. Frain is clinical assistant professor at the Indiana University School of Allied Health. She works in the IU cytotechnology laboratory, one of the few operating in the Midwest.

Resources

The National Cancer Institutes's CancerNet site provides a thorough overview of this disease, including risk factors, statistics, and clinical trial information for patients and health professionals.

A site designed for current and recovering cervical cancer patients is the Center for Cervical Health. It includes information on patients's rights and a lively explanation of the Pap test.

Curious about cytotechnology? Learn more about the field from the American Society for Cytotechnology.

Indiana University's Department of Pathology offers a one-year program in cytotechnology.

Call-in topic: the brain.
In the last decade science has made great strides in brain research. Email or call in a question for Dr. Richard Restak, an expert on brain development -- especially in adolescents and schizophrenics.

Call (317) 274-IU4U, or email us at soundmed@iu.edu.

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This week's Medical Mystery — a preventable illness that begins in childhood

There's a disease stalking our children, one that may show up soon, or not for many years, but one we can do something about now. It's a disorder parents can help prevent. What's this preventable illness that begins in childhood?

Find out.

Weekly Notebook: Prevent cervical cancer with a Pap test

Cervical cancer is nearly 100% preventable. One of the most important things women can do to reduce their risk of cervical cancer is to receive regular screening with a Pap test.

• Pap testing should begin with the onset of sexual maturity.
• Pap testing should be repeated at least every three years.
• Women who are past menopause still need regular Pap tests.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Preventative Services Task Force.