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NEUROLOGIST'S SUSPENSION IS UPHELD

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PANEL SAYS DOCTOR PRESENTS `DANGER TO PUBLIC HEALTH'

STEVEN GOLDSMITH

A state panel has reaffirmed its decision to bar a Seattle neurologist from practicing medicine until it conducts a hearing on his controversial methods in giving psychotropic drugs to patients as young as 4 years old.

Dr. Daniel Stowens was found by the state Medical Quality Assurance Commission to "present immediate danger to the public health, safety and welfare," according to an order released yesterday.

The 21-page order said Stowens, 49 ((age)), exceeded recommended dosages of behavioral medications for his young patients, while failing to regularly check their blood chemistry and heart functions.

The death from anti-depressants last year of one of his patients, 6-year-old Domico Presnell, was described in a recent Post-Intelligencer series, "Medicating Foster Care."

"The practices reflect a serious lack of attention to important details inherent in treating medically complex, vulnerable patients," according to the order from the five-member panel, signed by chairwoman Estelle Connolly.

However, Stowens' attorney, Thomas Fain, said the Ivy League-educated neurologist will have a better chance to clear his name when the board reviews the merits of the charges in June. Fain said he will seek to educate the medical board members on the specialized and changing practices in pediatric neurology.

He said he was "flabbergasted" that the panel was not persuaded by evidence presented in a March hearing.

At the hearing, Stowens presented a medical journal article and testimony from experts that blood tests and electrocardiogram checks are unnecessary and unhelpful in monitoring patients on anti-depressants.

University of Washington toxicologist Dr. William Robertson testified that Domico appeared to have died of a sudden overdose of the anti-depressant amitriptyline - not from the chronic high dose prescribed by Stowens.

However, Dr. Christopher Varley said the autopsy left it unclear whether the child had taken more pills than prescribed.

Yesterday's announcement was particularly painful to members of the Stowens Support Group, a network of about 100 parents around the state who say their children have been dramatically helped by Stowens.

"There are so many kids whose lives he's saved - literally," said Ruth Mertz of Pasco.

Mertz said Stowens was the first doctor to correctly diagnose her son, now 14, and find medicines that help him.

1997 Apr 26