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Hearts out of sync; nutrients in baby food; don't touch the turtles – Morning Medical Update

The top news stories in medicine today.

turtle in shell: © Jeffrey Schwartz - stock.adobe.com

© Jeffrey Schwartz - stock.adobe.com

The rhythm of the heart

Atrial fibrillation is a heart arrhythmia that creates risk of stroke in patients. There are existing drugs and therapies, and researchers in Mayo Clinic’s Heart Rhythm Clinic have introduced a new therapy, pulsed field ablation, to treat it. With approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, they said it “represents a significant milestone in treating” the disorder.

All about the nutrition, baby

A new study found almost 60% of foods made for babies and toddlers did not meet nutrition standards set by the World Health Organization. The research on protein, sugar, fat, calories and sodium included products found at nationally known retailers in North Carolina, but with stores across the nation. Here’s the study and an NPR report on the findings.

Salmonella on the half shell

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are known for snappy wisecracks and chopsocky action. Tiny turtles with shells less than four inches long are known for being adorable additions to family aquariums. But only one poses a risk of salmonella illness to children. Most people recover without treatment, but children younger than 5 years, older adults and those with weakened immune systems may require hospitalization. Tiny turtles are illegal to sell as pets, but they get bought and sold anyway, which prompted a turtle germ warning this month from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fox News also has this report.

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Jay W. Lee, MD, MPH, FAAFP headshot | © American Association of Family Practitioners