The achievement might even have implications for the fight against bioterrorism, experts say, since U.S. health officials now classify the parasite as a "category B" organism that could be dumped into public water supplies.
That's the conclusion of a Penn State Children's Hospital study in the October issue of Pediatrics.
"The first 10 days after birth is a medically risky time for new babies. The most common reasons for infant hospital readmissions or trips to the ED in that time period are jaundice and dehydration, both of which are usually preventable," Dr. Ian Paul, an assistant professor of pediatrics, said in a prepared statement.
"Our study suggests that a low-cost home nurse visit can significantly reduce the need for comparatively expensive hospital and ED services for jaundice and dehydration and, most importantly, prevent babies from getting sick," Paul said.
