Daily HealthBeat Tip - May 16, 2007

What’s in a name

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

The first time Mom or Dad call their baby by name and the baby responds, it’s a good feeling.

But if Baby doesn’t respond at age one, there may be trouble. Sally Ozonoff of the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute says not responding could be a sign of a developmental issue such as autism.

``If a child didn’t respond once or twice, it’s really nothing to worry about. But if a parent noticed that their child consistently doesn’t turn around when they call their name, they should bring that information to their pediatrician right away.’’ (12 seconds)

Ozonoff says not responding doesn’t necessarily mean autism. But she says that, if it is autism, treatment is best started very young.

Her study, which was supported by the National Institutes of Health, was in Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

Last revised: May, 16 2007