Monday, March 13, 2000
Baby-death study questioned
CDC report cites problems with statistics, samples
The Associated Press
CLEVELAND — A new study has called into question a 1997 medical investigation that concluded mold from damp wood sickened 10 children, killing one, in a cluster of inner-city neighborhoods.
The report, released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, found flaws in the 1997 study and said the conclusions were not proven. It promised more research on possible causes.
The original study contains problems in statistical analysis and collecting air samples in homes, among other shortcomings, the report said.
The centers called for further investigation to determine whether an association exists between the mold and a lung ailment that causes bleeding in the lungs of infants who inhale mold spores.
Even without knowing what causes the disease, Dr. Tom Sinks, the CDC's associate director for environmental health, said parents should not ignore the presence of mold in their homes.
“Regardless of whether there is an association or not, we still recommend that people prevent mold exposures that could cause adverse health effects,” Dr. Sinks said.
The original study was conducted by CDC researchers, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and University Hospitals researchers.
The first study was begun after a cluster of 10 cases emerged in the Cleveland area in 1993 and 1994. The study examined 10 infants who lived within six miles of University Hospitals, one of whom died.
Researchers concluded that the infants became sick because of the presence of a toxin-producing mold and water damage in the home.
The Cleveland physician who has treated many of the children suffering from the disease, called pulmonary hemosiderosis, disputed the newest CDC findings.
Dorr Dearborn, a pediatric pulmonary specialist at University Hospitals' Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, participated in the 1997 study criticized in the CDC report.
“I still stand behind our initial field investigation,” Dr. Dearborn said. “It was not perfect, but the deficiencies are insufficient to say that our basic conclusion is wrong.”
He and other local health officials say the CDC conclusions won't halt research to identify and clean up homes containing the mold, which feeds on moist wallboard, paper or wood products.
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