Tomorrow’s Health: Risk of rheumatic diseases, Black infant mortality rate & MS treatment while breastfeeding

WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – Here’s a look at some of the day’s top health stories. Increased risk of rheumatic diseases Getting COVID-19 increases the risk of autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases for up to a year later. That’s according to a new study which shows the worse the COVID infection, the greater the risk becomes. Researchers say patients recovering from severe COVID should keep an eye out for symptoms including joint pain or swelling. Black infant mortality rate The mortality rate for Black infants is more than double that of white, Hispanic, or Asian babies. New CDC data shows the rate for Black infants is 10.5 deaths for every 1,000 births, while the national average is 5.5. According to the Commonwealth Fund, the U.S. has the highest infant mortality rate among high-income countries. MS treatment while breastfeeding Women with multiple sclerosis can safely take certain medications while breastfeeding. A new study finds treating MS with monoclonal antibodies does not cause developmental delays during a child’s first three years of life. MS affects women two to three times more often than men, and typically develops between 20 and 40 years old. Copyright 2024 WWNY. All rights reserved.