Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:
Court Decision Expected on Whether Charlie Gard Can Die at Home
A decision on whether terminally ill U.K. baby Charlie Gard can go home to die is expected Wednesday.
The 11-month-old’s parents asked a High Court judge to grant them their “last wish” for their son to die at home in west London, USA Today reported.
The infant has a rare genetic disease that has left him brain damaged, deaf and blind, and unable to breathe on his own.
On Monday, Charlie’s parents ended a months-long court fight to take their son to the United States for an experimental treatment, USA Today reported.
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Opioid Addiction Treatment During Pregnancy Can be Safe
Treatment for opioid addiction during pregnancy can be safe, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says.
It was believed that such treatment during pregnancy was too risky for both the mother and fetus, posing threats such as stillbirth and fetal stress, CNN reported.
However, the opioid crisis in the United States prompted the ACOG to take another look at what is called medically assisted treatment (MAT), which slowly weans addicts off opioids with the aid of other medications and behavioral therapy.
While there is some risk to the pregnant woman and her unborn baby, MAT has been associated with better prenatal care, fewer complications during pregnancy, and improved compliance to addiction treatment, CNN reported.
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