Monthly Archives: April 2013

More support for SUPPORT

Posted on 25 April 2013 by Keith Barrington

A new editorial in the PNEJM from 2 PhD ethicists. I specify that as they are not neonatologists, nor pediatricians nor yet medical researchers, and have no conflict of interest of any kind as far as I can see. Yet … Continue reading →

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Adrenal function in critical illness

Posted on 22 April 2013 by Keith Barrington

A very interesting article in the PNEJM that made me question a lot of my ideas; I always like that when it happens. Boonen E, Vervenne H, Meersseman P,  et al: Reduced Cortisol Metabolism during Critical Illness. Prestigious New England Journal … Continue reading →

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Even more SUPPORTive

Posted on 20 April 2013 by Keith Barrington

Another devastating critique of the OHRP ruling regarding the SUPPORT trial is now available. John Lantos, a world leader in pediatric bioethics (and a good friend) has an article  which seems to be open access: ‘OHRP and Public Citizen Are … Continue reading →

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What the….

Posted on 19 April 2013 by Keith Barrington

Unfortunately studies like the new publication in Early Human Development don’t help anyone. Chen L-C, Wu Y-C, Hsieh W-S,  et al: The effect of in-hospital developmental care on neonatal morbidity, growth and development of preterm taiwanese infants: A randomized controlled … Continue reading →

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Neonatal Updates #30

Posted on 19 April 2013 by Keith Barrington

Ichinohashi Y, Sato Y, Saito A, Ito M, Watanabe K, Hayakawa M, Nakanishi K, Wakatsuki A, Oohira A: Dexamethasone administration to the neonatal rat results in neurological dysfunction at the juvenile stage even at low doses. Early Human Development 2013, … Continue reading →

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words fail me

Posted on 19 April 2013 by Keith Barrington

Living not far from the USA but having a much lower rate of gun crime, I am astonished by the success of the gun lobby in the US. Despite 90% of the public being in agreement with the very modest … Continue reading →

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Supporting SUPPORT

Posted on 18 April 2013 by Keith Barrington

A great editorial in the PNEJM today from Jeffrey Drazen, he deconstructs the OHRP ruling about the SUPPORT trial consent form. He ends with this phrase ‘We are dismayed by the response of the OHRP and consider the SUPPORT trial … Continue reading →

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No ethical breakdown here

Posted on 16 April 2013 by Keith Barrington

As I mentioned at the end of my first post about this, the New York Times have jumped into the fray with an editorial entitled ‘An ethical breakdown‘ published today. They take as ‘gospel’ the OHRP findings concerning the study, and show … Continue reading →

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How to show you don’t understand research in critical patients

Posted on 16 April 2013 by Keith Barrington

To continue with my diatribe about the OHRP decision concerning the SUPPORT trial: At one point in the document sent to the University of Alabama, the OHRP quote an editorial by Jay Greenspan: ‘…Although maintaining ranges of hemoglobin oxygen saturation … Continue reading →

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Now we will have to know the results of our research before we start the study

Posted on 16 April 2013 by Keith Barrington

The DHHS Office for Human Research Protections has just issued a ridiculous ruling. According to them the consent forms for SUPPORT were not sufficiently clear about risks of blindness in the higher oxygen group, and the risks of death in … Continue reading →

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