Health Diaries » Child and Teen Health » August 2006

August 16, 2006

Abraham Cherrix Wins Chemotherapy Reprieve

Abraham Cherrix, the 16-year-old boy who has been fighting for his right to forgo chemotherapy in his battle against Hodgkin's disease, has been granted the right to undergo an alternative treatment (Hoxsey therapy). His family reached a settlement with state officials today, the same day they were set to go to trial. He will be able to continue the Hoxsey treatment and see a new oncologist who is open to alternative treatments. His lawyer said:

"It's a wonderful resolution. They wanted to force us back to the old doctors and force us back into chemotherapy. Now, we can move from the courtrooms to the treatment rooms, where this battle really needs to be fought."

Va. Teen Can Forgo Chemotherapy

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August 13, 2006

Separated Twins Breathing on Their Own

Formerly conjoined twins Kendra and Maliyah Herrin are breathing on their own after undergoing 26 hours of surgery only a few days ago. They still have a lot of recovering to do, but it looks promising for them so far.

Kendra and Maliyah Herrin, 4, were removed from ventilators about 3:45 p.m., said Primary Children's Medical Center spokeswoman Laura Winder, who called it "wonderful progress ... It's a little sooner than perhaps we expected, but (doctors) said all along we would listen to how they were responding and follow their lead."

Separated Twins Breathing On Own After Surgery

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August 4, 2006

Autism in Girls Caused by Different Genes

Researchers at the University of Washington say the genes that causes autism in girls may be different than those that cause the disorder in boys. Autism is more common in boys and the new gene discovery may explain that discrepancy.

"And because autism is rarer in females, it may take more risk genes for a female to have autism. There also is the possibility that there might be a biological difference in autism for females versus males."

Different genes may cause autism in girls: study

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