News in brief - May 16, 2011

2 tests recommended in screening of overweight children for diabetes

When screening overweight children for type 2 diabetes, physicians should use two tools -- the hemoglobin A1c test and an oral glucose tolerance test, according to a study presented April 30 at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in Denver. The Pediatric Academic Societies consists of four pediatric organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, that co-sponsor the meeting.

Researchers examined clinic charts of 629 overweight children and adolescents who were patients at Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City, Mo., between January 2004 and December 2008. The patients received the A1c test and the oral glucose tolerance screen.

Researchers found that 40% of patients who were identified as having type 2 diabetes through the oral glucose test would have shown a normal glycemic status if just the A1c test had been used.

Washington ends increased radiation testing

The Washington State Dept. of Health has scaled back its radiation monitoring schedule after seven weeks of increased testing in response to problems at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant following Japan's March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Radiation levels from Japan found in Washington's air and rainwater continue to drop and remain so low that they are below any health concern, health officials said on April 28 (www.doh.wa.gov/topics/japan2011.htm).

As a result, health officials are ending rainwater monitoring and reducing air testing from daily to once a week. Federal officials will continue their standard daily air and rainwater monitoring in the state.