A Bit Of Reassurance On Lyme Disease

Tick bites generate fears of Lyme disease in every parent, but this study of
99 children finds that one of Lyme's complications -- arthritis -- has a
good prognosis. Researchers led by Robert Sundel, MD, a rheumatologist at
Children's, found that 77 percent of children were cured with less than 3
months of antibiotic treatment. The remainder were also ultimately relieved
of their arthritis, though additional treatment (usually one month of
intravenous antibiotics) was required. As long as children were treated
until joint inflammation was fully controlled, there were no long-term
problems.


Children's Hospital Boston is home to the world's largest research
enterprise based at a pediatric medical center, where its discoveries have
benefited both children and adults since 1869. More than 500 scientists,
including eight members of the National Academy of Sciences, 11 members of
the Institute of Medicine and 12 members of the Howard Hughes Medical
Institute comprise Children's research community. Founded as a 20-bed
hospital for children, Children's Hospital Boston today is a 397-bed
comprehensive center for pediatric and adolescent health care grounded in
the values of excellence in patient care and sensitivity to the complex
needs and diversity of children and families. Children's also is the primary
pediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. For more information
about the hospital and its research visit:
childrenshospital/newsroom.

Children's Hospital Boston