The AAP and Dr. Tayloe: Ignoring a generation of sick kids

By Anne Dachel

It was recently announced that Dr. David Tayloe is taking over as the active president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.  (HERE)

In an article by Phyllis Moore there was a lot of talk about what Tayloe will be doing in the coming year.  Readers were told that most of his work will include "speaking engagements, administrative duties and, after the election, lobbying legislators and Congress."

Tayloe said that he intends to focus on 5 main areas this coming year -- "Medicaid payments, vaccine financing issues, fair payment of pediatricians, retail-based health clinics and funding medical students' education." 

While Tayloe didn't actually name any health concerns he has regarding America's children, he did say, 'We have absolutely got to convince the government to educate the public that vaccines are good.  Vaccines do not cause autism and we're not afraid of the truth -- if something's wrong with a vaccine, we would pull it. It's ridiculous to argue with a bunch of Hollywood actors about this.'

'We're not afraid of the truth'? 

This comes from someone who's been in the midst of the autism-vaccine debate yet has adamantly refused to acknowledge that autism is now an epidemic of unprecedented proportions.  He's continued the mantra of "vaccines are safe...vaccines save lives," despite the growing number of parents everywhere who attribute their child's autism to the vaccinations they received.  The comments of former NIH head, Dr. Bernadine Healy, on both NBC and CBS about the lack of good studies have been ignored by the new AAP head.

I can't imagine an organization more out of touch with reality.  In case Tayloe hasn't been following the news lately, there's a lot for the president of the AAP to be concerned about. 

Science Daily just reported on the alarming increase in the use of drugs to control diabetes among our children. (HERE) telling us, "America's tweens and teens more than doubled their use of type 2 diabetes medications between 2002 and 2005, with girls between 10 and 14 years of age showing a 166 percent increase." 

The increase in diabetes is directly related to rise in obesity among kids.  Emily R. Cox, Ph.D., RPh, senior director of research at Express Scripts told readers that if not addressed, 'many of these children will carry these chronic conditions into adulthood.'

The article by Anna Boyd, Drug Prescriptions For US Children Rising At Alarming Rates, (HERE) based on one from the latest edition of the AAP journal, Pediatrics, certainly sounds scary.  Here Emily Cox was quoted again, this time saying, 'We've got a lot of sick children. What we've been seeing in adults, we're also now seeing in kids.'

"About 176,500 children and adolescents younger than 20 have diabetes, and 2 million teenagers have blood glucose levels higher than normal, a condition called pre-diabetes, according to the latest statistics of the American Diabetes Association."
USA Today reported on the latest health findings too. (HERE)

In Number of kids on medication jumps alarmingly, reporter Liz Szabo wrote, "Doctors also saw big increases in prescriptions for high cholesterol, asthma and attention deficit and hyperactivity. There was smaller growth for drugs for depression and high blood pressure."

The reason all these increases are making the news is because of information about prescription records.  Boyd wrote, "The findings were based on insurance claims for 3.2 million children aged 5 to 19. According to them, use of drugs for type-2 diabetes doubled in children, while cholesterol-lowering medications rose by 15 percent between 2002 and 2005. More exactly, six out of 10,000 children are suffering from diabetes, a condition closely linked to obesity. That suggests that at least 23,000 privately insured children in the US are now taking diabetes medications, the researchers said. And the bad news doesn't end here, as the obesity rate is on the rise both in adults and children. According to recent statistics, about 17 percent are obese and the future does not look promising."
It's incredible that the new AAP president seems unaware of all this.  The business of writing prescriptions for kids might be booming, but this is a looming disaster.  Tayloe claims the AAP is not afraid of the truth.  Really?  The truth is we're well on our way to becoming a nation of the chronically ill and disabled. 

If the outdated rate of one in 150 for autism (based on studies of eight year olds back in 2000 and 2002) isn't a crisis for Tayloe, at least the alarming number of kids with additional health problems should be.  Pediatrics also said (HERE), "Prescriptions for asthma increased 46.5 percent, while those for attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity leapt 40 percent and were three times more prevalent among boys than girls. Cholesterol treatments rose 15 percent."

In Food Allergies Rising Dramatically for American Kids, (HERE), the latest from the CDC reveals, "More American children than ever are developing allergies to some of the most common items in the nation's food supply. According to their latest report, the number of children with food allergies has jumped by 18% in the last ten years. And they fear this is more than likely an underestimation of the real situation."

How much worse can our kids' health get?

Golly, you'd think the premier medical organization for children would be sounding an alarm over so many sick children.  We have the most medicated, vaccinated kids in the world and some of the sickest. 

The AAP moves slowly however.  The autism rate started to explode at least fifteen years ago and at the annual meeting of the AAP in Oct. 2007, they came up with a plan to address the epidemic that they attribute to "better diagnosing."  The AAP told their pediatricians that they should be looking for the signs of autism at well-baby checks. They even went so far as to list the five symptoms to look for.

I guess we can expect that Tayloe and the AAP will remind doctors to do more testing for diabetes and food allergies as a way to combat these new health problems.
--
Anne Dachel is Media Editor of Age of Autism.

Comments

[Stagmom]

Lisa, what about Smarmy Krap - was he in trouble too??? David Tayloe's father lost the LARGEST MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CASE in the state of NC because of a vaccine injury. It was his NURSE who adminstered the vaccine though, not he. It's googleable, I'm not telling tales out of school. Not Jr. - SENIOR.

[Lisa]

Meeting him briefly at Larry King in April 08', I really don't see the new AAP as a do-er. He is a figure head for the pupeteer to guide the message that is scripted.

The best part was watching him hold his cell phone, cower in a corner and hear garbled yelling at him after his appearance on Larry King. I guess they did not like his performance.

[L Land]

5 main areas - Money, money, money, Money and Money. Easy to remember.

I wonder where all those cigarette ad execs work now? Pharma?

[Kelli Ann Davis for Craig -- Randy's Spilling the Beans -- Again]

“btw - just saw an ad for Treximet - take Imitrex, add a dash of Naproxen, and voila - "Treximet" - sheeeesh - wonder what they paid for that clever new moniker (picturing 2 guys in the back room at the ad agency with a bunch of scrabble pieces and a pop-o-matic...)”

Randy,

No wonder you got kicked out of *the club* by Craig – I’m guessing that spilling the beans on what *really* takes place behind closed doors in all those high-level, big-wig, pow-wow meetings probably won’t score you any additional brownie points with the guys and it may even extend your banishment from the "Man's Club".

But thanks for the info. Always wondered how those nifty names were selected ;-)

[Garbo]

What I always wonder is why all the AAP doctors are so blindly obedient when they are being led over the cliff like lemmings. You would think that there are members out there who know/see/acknowledge the truth. Where are they? If a bunch of physicians got together and revoked their memberships en masse, would it have any impact? Do they think they have a prayer of reforming the AAP from the inside when their dues are a tiny part of the budget? Are they all just dim bulbs, or are they greedmeisters happy to look the other way in order to make even more money of kids that they've made sick in the first place? After all, they gotta pay those med school loans, right? 'Screw first do no harm, I need a new Benz, so you need some shots! No? Well the AAP told me to tell you to take a hike, loser.'

[Gatogorra]

I wonder what the Obama administration is going to make of Tayloe's selective blindness? Time will tell.

Weighing the cow doesn't make it fatter, as they say. That a plan at address the epidemics in child health issues should center on testing (so a doctor can say, "Zounds! I was right! This kid IS toast!"?) is tragic. I guess they're just rubbing their hands together for the kickbacks on antipsychotics they're going to rake in (except in Massachusetts, where there's a stronger gift ban) for each child triaged, since this is the only "treatment" the average pediatrician will dispense.

[Twyla]

In addition to teaching about early signs of autism, I wish the AAP would educate pediatricians on early signs of vaccine sensitivity. I have been reading Barbara Loe Fisher & Harris Coulter's book "A Shot in the Dark" and there are hearbreaking accounts of babies who had increasingly severe reactions to each DPT shot (severe swelling/redness at the vaccine site, inconsolable screaming for hours, very high fevers etc.) culminating in an even worse reaction to the third or fourth DPT vaccine followed by permanent brain damage and disability.

This is just one example of how our medical organizations do not adequately focus on vaccine safety. Even when the manufacturer's materials list certain reactions as precluding further vaccines, the pediatricians would continue on obliviously, saying, "Oh, that's just a normal reaction. Don't worry about it."

When the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act was passed in 1986, manufacturers and doctors were shielded from normal tort liability and instead claims are paid through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, limited to $250,000 instead of millions, and funded by a surcharge on vaccines. The decreased fear of liability should have enabled admission of problems so that the problems could be corrected. Instead, the lack of tort liability seems to have resulted in increased denial and less incentive to address problems.

Dr. Tayloe's outlook is sickening. Thank you for this article and links, Anne.

[Randy]

"And lipitor is going to be injected into Skittles soon, I'm told! They'll call it Skittltor."

Kim that was priceless. Coffee almost did an "out-the-nose"

On that note, for anyone who's interested, the EnglishMojo site has a short series of articles about the amount of time and money spent "designing" a drug's trade name (though none of the names mentioned are as good as Kim's)

http://englishmojo.com/?p=106

btw - just saw an ad for Treximet - take Imitrex, add a dash of Naproxen, and voila - "Treximet" - sheeeesh - wonder what they paid for that clever new moniker (picturing 2 guys in the back room at the ad agency with a bunch of scrabble pieces and a pop-o-matic...)

[Michlyn]

Very nice Anne! It is disturbing and furthermore, it makes me a bit crazy that the pediatricians see it every day but just do not get it. I do not have a physician for my children here, but did have to book a "well" (nice name... your child is well and you know it and then you leave the office and they are sick)visit for general check-ups for school (exemption in place, but needed general height, weight stuff). He was so harsh and his statements were violent but SO contradictory... He really had no idea who he had unleashed on until I opened up my big binder of biochemical and genetic tests and informed him of the facts. He stated how many patients he had in his practice and the considerably low incidence of autism. I happen to be friends with many many people who have their children exclusively in his care (we are part of an organization where he is the "official" pediatrician), so as a compromise- I offered to him that if he would sign my physical, then I would give him a report as to what I see when I am surrounded by all of these kids who are in his care (who don't have AUTISM, per se or autistic Sx)... well let's see... There is a 75 pound 5 year old who has horrid shiners- looks like he has been punched, he flaps his hands when he runs, he drools and is that kid that no one wants their children around (mom has NO clue, just says he makes her insane), family of 3- son with tons of inflammation in his face and Dx- ODD, severe agression, sleep disorder- on meds, daughter just Dx type 1 diabetes (just turned 6)and 2 and 1/2 year old in private speech therapy/has no language/parents didn't want early intervention. Family of 3- two have eczema and one Dx ADHD- the other throws tantrums every time I see him- and all three have tubes in their ears and one just had tonsils out. And it goes on and on and on... one 5 month old just spent several nights in the hospital with severe respiratory infection... another child has cystic fibrosis (and if you have read Jill James' papers on glutathione depletion in CF, then the same elements that apply to our children may apply here as well)... but it's not "autism"- so there is no vaccine injury, because that is the only buzz that you hear. The Dr. did sign my physical but told me that I was going to feel horrible as a mother if one of my unvacc'd children dies of one of these diseases, because I was misinformed on the safety and efficacy... and that he couldn't see any of my children again until they were up-to-date and the office had it on file. I smiled the biggest smile, stated that we practice wellness and there would never be a situation where I would need to see him again. Refused the blow-pops for the kids, took them in and scrubbed their hands good in the bathroom! What an approach! My two year (unvaccinated) has never had a runny nose or an ear infection BUT did get the MEASLES (all the MMR kids shedding the virus) this week. Early Sx started on Sunday-mouth sores and red/swollen convunctiva (I thought maybe hand/foot/mouth at first)... fever spike and cranky cranky on Monday- rash came that night and slowly progressed Tuesday and Wednesday... today she is feeling much better and is more herself and the rash is fading in the same order it presented itself. Lots of liquids, love and a little homeopathy and she already looks healthier today than ever (important milestone in immune health... what a novel idea). While, like many of you, we have spent a TON of money and even more time and effort to reverse the effects of the MMR on my 6 year old. The recovery of this measles bit has made me feel stronger and even more confident that I have given the best gift possible to my little one. And hey, she's two... she won't even remember feeling yucky for a few days!

[Ben's Dad]

Questions for Dr.Tayloe
We all know that vaccines have saved lives, and have had some problems.
What is the biggest problem that can occur with vaccine manufacture and delivery?
Can vaccine safety be improved right now?
How are vaccine manufacture lots distributed and reported against?
What are the big cost factors in vaccines?
If patients were willing to pay more, could they get a safer product?
Are doctors encouraged to give the safest vaccines available?
Could you discuss the results of vaccinated vs. unvaccinated studies?
Is mercury a neurotoxin, and are its affects reversible?
Do kids with GI or other issues expel mercury at the same rate as kids who do not have these issue?
What percent of pediatricians warn their patient’s parents about the risks associated with vaccines that are on the warning label?
What sort of screening do doctors do now for mitochondrial issues prior to vaccination?
Why are we vaccinated against a set of likely flu viruses and not all flu viruses?
Should advocates of vaccines and all medicines be required to disclose their direct and indirect financial stake in the products they recommend?
Who would this affect?

[Kristin]

They aren't looking because they already have the answers--just read the Simpsonwood Transcript. They knew, they covered it up and now they act like that never happened. If they really didn't know what was disabling a generation of children in the country they would be acting like this was an emergency. This would be the absolute top priority. But they already know and if they shared that publicly there would be such a financial loss to these people and not to mention probably jail time for many that they just pretend to keep on trying to find the cause. There may be other contributing factors but vaccines are what put almost every one of these kids over the edge. They will never admit this. They have too much to lose.

[Peter]

"...prescriptions for high cholesterol, asthma and attention deficit and hyperactivity."

Hey aren't those the same people that advertise in Pediatrics?

[nhokkanen]

Just what IS the AAP's mission? All five of Tayloe's agenda items serve its dues-paying members, not the children used by that trade group like little human shields.

Google "Teamsters" "union" and "autism" and you'll find many articles on that union's charity drives and awareness education.

Which would you rather have looking out for your children's welfare?

[CJ's Mommy]

yeah... ya really shouldnt argue w/hollywood actors (like jenny mccarthy) on national television shows (like larry king) where you might look like you have no clue... or that maybe you just dont WANT to have a clue!

i really just dont understand how the health of our children, our future, isn't THE biggest thing the most URGENTLY addressed situation. it's not even talked about.. i just really dont understand.

[Maggie]

Don't forget the obese children with the bad arteries that was all over the news yesterday.

What could be causing such problems? Perhaps, mercury is damaging the arteries as has already been established by research. Sorry, folks, nobody who got those mercury laden vaccines is coming out undamaged.

[biomedmom]

Isn't this the son of a man whose practice was sued because of vaccine injury?

[AnneS]

Anne, great great piece! AAP is so out of touch.

"vaccine financing issues"...
Vaccines are already at an all-time high, according to CDC, so why focus on vaccines?
Or does he mean he wants the big ticket items (gardasil) covered and in the schedule?

[MinorityView]

http://www.aap.org/donate/fcfhonorroll.htm

this says it all!

[So True]

Anne, great piece.

[Claudine Liss]

And we all know how the children in the HomeFirst practice are doing...HEALTHY...no diabetes, no arthritis, no asthma etc...and NO VACCINES
www.HomeFirst.com

Great article!
Claudine