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By wire services
Published February 22, 2005

GUM DISEASE HAS long been suspected of playing a role in heart disease and stroke. Now, a new study appears to make the relationship more solid.

Writing in the journal Circulation, researchers report that people with gum disease are more likely to have changes in the carotid artery - a sign of atherosclerosis. The researchers measured the levels of 11 bacteria from the mouths of more than 650 volunteers. After taking into account known risk factors for vascular disease like hypertension, they looked for a link between various combinations of bacteria and thickening of the carotid artery, which they measured with ultrasound. One explanation may be that gum disease, like any other chronic infection, puts a stress on the body's immune system that can gradually lead to vascular disease, the study said. So should people who want to avoid a heart attack reach for the dental floss? The lead author of the study was cautious, noting that while an association between the bacteria and vascular disease seemed clear, the bacteria had not yet been proved to cause illnesses other than gum disease.

"GROWTH IS PERHAPS the most sensitive indicator of a child's overall health," according to researchers in the February Journal of Pediatrics. "Growth failure may be the first and only sign of underlying disease in a child." The study was led by Dr. Adda Grimberg of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The researchers reviewed the records of 278 children referred to the hospital's growth center and found that there were twice as many boys as girls. When a child is small, it often has nothing to do with a medical problem. Despite this, a growing number of parents, especially those with boys, have begun seeking growth hormone therapy for them. But below-normal growth can also be sign of problems like kidney disease, inflammatory bowel syndrome or a genuine hormone deficiency. The study found that 41 percent of the girls referred to the growth center had an underlying disease, compared with 15 percent of the boys.

THE CENTERS FOR disease Control and Prevention provides updates on influenza throughout the country at www.cdc.gov/flu The site contains information targeted to health care professionals, as well as influenza fact sheets and health education materials intended for the public. You can also call 1-800-232-4636, the CDC's influenza hotline, in English and Spanish.

TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT health and fitness doesn't have to be boring. Children's Sesame Street pals Grover, Elmo, Zoe and Cookie Monster have gotten together for Happy Healthy Monsters $9.98/VHS, $12.98/DVD, a new video that teaches kids about healthful eating and exercise. Kids can work out with a jumping and dancing routine, and chef Cookie Monster teaches the benefits of a balanced diet and nutritious snacks. Singers Wyclef Jean and India.Arie pitch in their musical talent to sing nine songs with the Sesame Street characters. For more information, visit www.sesameworkshop.org

[Last modified February 21, 2005, 16:31:02]