(October 26, 2009 - Insidermedicine)

From Boston - According to a report published in the journal Pediatrics, many children in the US do not get adequate vitamin D. Researchers studied nearly 3,000 blood tests of children aged 1-11. They found that at least 1 in 5 children were Vitamin D deficient, an aspect that raises their risk for other medical problems such as brittle bones.

From Oklahoma - Scientists have identified a new way to treat internal bleeding, according to a report published in the journal Nature Medicine. Researchers discovered how certain proteins enter the blood stream and damage blood vessel lining, leading to internal bleeding. In pre-clinical trials, scientists used an antibody to disrupt this process and block the proteins. The trials showed promising results with no side effects, a discovery that could prove life saving for both car crash victims and soldiers injured in combat.

And finally, from Washington - The FDA has approved emergency use of an intravenous flu treatment. The drug--called Peramivir, the only antiviral treatment given intravenously--can be used on both children and adults. However, it is to be used only when the patient is non-responsive to oral or inhaled antivirals, and treatment through inhalation or enterally is not expected to be effective or feasible.