Tag Archives: children

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 14

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As I have told many of my patients, I would write immediately when NC sees its first Measles case.

Well, North Carolina has its first measles case: The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed a case of measles in a child who was visiting Forsyth and Guilford counties. The child became ill while traveling to NC from another country where measles outbreaks have recently been reported. To protect the individual and their family’s privacy, no additional information about this individual will be released. This is the first confirmed case of measles in the state in 2025. NCDHHS is recommending all unvaccinated individuals ages one year and older receive measles vaccination to protect themselves and those around them. (NCDHHS)

So, it is finally in NC. If you are still on the fence of whether to vaccinate, the issue is now truly pressing.

From the CDC:

U.S. Hospitalizations in 2025

12% of cases hospitalized (148 of 1227)

Percent of Age Group Hospitalized

Under 5 years: 20% (72 of 355 cases) 50% of the total hospitalized. Highest risk bucket.

5-19 years: 8% (35 of 455)

20+ years: 10% (40 of 404)

Age unknown: 8% (1 of 13)

Deaths 3

And a story on Insurance Hell.

Enjoy,
Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 13

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Literature Review

1) An exciting phase three trial with the CETP inhibitor Obicetrapib has shown serious promise for ASCVD and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). “In BROADWAY, a pre-specified AD sub-study was designed to assess plasma AD biomarkers in patients enrolled in the BROADWAY trial and evaluated the effects of longer duration of therapy (12 months) with a prespecified population of ApoE3/4 or 4/4 carriers. The sub-study included 1727 patients, including 367 ApoE4 carriers. The primary outcome measure was p-tau217 absolute and percent change over 12 months. Additional outcome measures included neurofilament light chain (“NFL”), glial fibrillary acidic protein (“GFAP”), p-tau181, and Aβ42/40 ratio absolute and percent change over 12 months. NewAmsterdam observed statistically significant lower absolute changes in p-tau217 compared to placebo over 12 months in both the full ITT population (p<0.002) and in ApoE4 carriers (p=0.0215).” (NAMS)

Obicetrapib has shown significant LDL and Lp(a) lowering effects as well in early trials. I will be watching this discovery closely as it may be a game changer for these diseases. “In the BROADWAY trial, more than 2,500 participants with established heart disease or genetic high cholesterol were given either Obicetrapib or a placebo, in addition to their regular cholesterol medications. After 12 weeks, those on Obicetrapib had dropped their LDL cholesterol by 32.6 per cent and Lp(a) by 33.5 per cent on average – many achieved guideline-recommended targets for the first time.” (Sci Tech Daily) The drop in Lp(a) is the profound result as this is a massive risk factor for ASCVD and to date is not moveable by statins and most used meds.

2) GLP1 drugs and risk for macular degeneration?… and more

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 12

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There is a quiet truth written in the tomes of family life that science keeps confirming over and over. It’s worth pausing to reflect on.

A warm bond between a father and child lights a path toward a steady, grounded adulthood. Studies show kids with an emotionally present dad, someone who’s there with a hug or a knowing nod, are less likely to stumble into behavioral trouble. Boys, especially, often look to their fathers as a mirror, shaping themselves in the image of a dad they feel close to. It’s a simple gift: presence breeds strength, presence breeds exploration of self, presence breeds knowing, presence breeds growth in all things for men.

Now, here’s a twist you might not expect. The old-school image of the rugged, masculine dad, stoic and commanding, was once thought to mold boys into the same mold. But research, like a wise teacher, reveals otherwise. A boy’s masculinity isn’t forged by a father’s stern hand; it’s an innate spark, flickering or bold regardless of style. As a Stoic father might counsel, we can’t control the nature we’re given, only how we nurture it. So, let’s release the pressure to force a mold and instead guide with patience. This theory follows the excellence of The Carpenter and the Gardener by Gopnik…. and a recipe.

Enjoy

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 9

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Today, I’m diving into a fascinating article by Scott Zimmerman and Russel J. Reiter, titled Melatonin and the Optics of the Human Body, published in Melatonin Research (2019). This piece flips the script on what we thought we knew about melatonin, light, and how our bodies interact with the sun’s rays. It’s a game-changer, especially for how we think about kids’ health in our modern, screen-filled indoor living world.

First, what is melatonin? Melatonin is a hormone made from the essential amino acid, tryptophan. It was first isolated from a cow’s pineal gland. It is an old molecule as primitive bacteria made melatonin probably 2.5 billion years ago. Its synthesis in bacteria and eukaryotes is a common linkage. Most of us know that melatonin is the “sleep hormone,” produced by the pineal gland in the brain when it gets dark at night, signaling to our bodies that it’s time to wind down and prepare to sleep. It’s the chemical expression of darkness, driving our circadian rhythms and helping us catch those precious brain cleansing moments. Zimmerman and Reiter argue that this is only half the story or maybe even less than half. For decades, research has hyper-focused on pineal melatonin that is regulated by visible light hitting our retinas. Blue visible spectrum light in the early morning suppresses pineal melatonin, which is why we should dim those screens before bed. But here’s where it gets interesting, the pineal gland isn’t the only place melatonin is made, and darkness isn’t its only trigger. Our bodies are producing melatonin in ways we’re just starting to understand, and it’s tied to light in a way that was unexpected and evolutionarily fascinating. As with all things in science and evolution, we learn what we did not know and it all makes sense once the aha moment occurs…. and a literature review. Oh and a recipe.

Dr. M

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #13 Repost – Dr. Peter Rowe, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Long Covid

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Welcome to Dr. M’s Women and Children First, where we dive into the latest insights on health and wellness for women and children. Today, we’re honored to have Dr. Peter Rowe, a world-renowned expert from Johns Hopkins University, joining us to unravel the complexities of chronic fatigue.  Dr. Peter Rowe is a Professor of Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is the inaugural Sunshine Natural Wellbeing Foundation Professor of Chronic Fatigue and Related Disorders and serves as the Director of the Chronic Fatigue Clinic at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. His areas of clinical expertise include chronic fatigue syndrome and other disorders characterized by fatigue and orthostatic intolerance. Dr. Rowe and his colleagues were the first to describe the relationship between chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and treatable orthostatic intolerance syndromes, as well as the association between Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and CFS. In this episode, Dr. Rowe and I dive deep into CFS and long Covid for both the parent and the clinician. We set the stage for a better understanding of this complex disorder in order to encourage earlier diagnosis and better therapy. From its impact on daily life to cutting-edge approaches for management, Dr. Rowe brings decades of expertise to help us understand this challenging condition. 

Please Enjoy,

Dr. M

 

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 5

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Picture this, a tiny, 30 nm, relentless RNA virus named norovirus slips into your life, uninvited, and turns your gut into a battlefield. It’s not the flu. Forget that “stomach flu” misnomer. It’s a Caliciviridae family member, a nonenveloped, single-stranded RNA ninja that thrives in making chaos. As a pediatrician, I’ve seen it wreak havoc in kids and parents alike, and it’s a master of surprise.

It just played Risk in my GI tract last week. Not Fun!

Let’s unpack how it infects, spreads, and toys with us humans, straight from the AAP’s Red Book (2024) and other research. Norovirus causes an estimated 1 in 15 US residents to become ill each year as well as 71,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths annually, predominantly among young children and the elderly.

Norovirus doesn’t knock, more so it sneaks in, needing under 100 viral particles to ignite trouble. You’re sipping contaminated water, munching an oyster from a shady bay, or your toddler’s unwashed hands after a playdate deliver the payload. It’s mostly fecal-oral, stool to mouth via food, water, or surfaces. But don’t sleep on aerosolized vomit. One hurl in a crowded daycare, and airborne particles linger, landing on toys, doorknobs, you name it for days. Did I say lingering! Smart viral spread!

Gorilla warfare is on!

Dr. M

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #88 – Michael Collins – Sugar Addiction

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Today we’re tackling a topic that hits close to home for so many of us, sugar addiction and its impact on our kids and ourselves.

We’ve got an incredible guest joining us: Michael Collins, the author of The Last Resort Sugar Detox Guide: Learn How To Quickly and Easily Detox from Sugar and Stop Cravings Completely. Michael is a former sugar addict who’s been sugar-free for over 30 years, and he’s helped thousands break free from sugar’s grip through his work as the founder of SugarAddiction.com. He’s also raised two children sugar-free from the womb to age six—a feat that’s as inspiring as it is eye-opening. In this episode, Michael will share his journey, the science behind sugar’s addictive pull, and practical strategies to detox for good, especially for families navigating the modern food landscape. Whether you’re a parent worried about your child’s sugar intake or someone struggling with cravings yourself, you won’t want to miss this.

Dr. M

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