Newsletter

From United Press International:

Cuddling helps babies recover from pain

Very preterm babies could benefit from skin-to-skin cuddling with their moms before and during painful procedures, a Canadian study said.

The study, published in the journal BMC Pediatrics, babies receiving kangaroo mother care recovered from the pain within a couple of minutes, whereas the incubator babies were still suffering at more than three minutes.

From the BBC News:

High-calorie diet linked to boys

A woman's diet around the time of conception may influence the gender of her baby, research suggests.

The study suggests a high-calorie diet at this time - and regular breakfasts - might increase the odds of a boy.

Europe-wide food colour ban call

A food safety watchdog has called for a Europe-wide ban on six artificial food colourings after research found a link with hyperactivity in children.

Cleaning 'improves mental health'

Working up a sweat while performing household chores may not just improve the cleanliness of your home, but your mental health too, a survey suggests.

Heart risk may be set in the womb

Babies whose mothers develop pre-eclampsia in pregnancy may be at greater risk of cardiovascular disease in later life, a study suggests.

Baby sleep 'link' to weight risk

Lack of sleep and regular TV viewing increases the risk of babies and toddlers becoming overweight, a US study says.

Foetal test rules out rhesus jab

A test for spotting a mismatch between the blood of a pregnant woman and her baby could prevent thousands from undergoing unnecessary treatment.

Fear over child tranquilliser use

Increasing numbers of UK children are being prescribed unlicensed anti-psychotic drugs, research suggests.

Vets 'at risk from miscarriage'

Female vets over-exposed to the anaesthetics, X-rays and pesticides they use could be raising their chances of miscarriage, research suggests.

Long-term risk of premature birth

Babies born prematurely may suffer the health consequences all the way through to adulthood, a major study suggests.

An analysis of nearly 1.2m births in Norway revealed those born early were more likely to die as children and less likely to reproduce as adults.

Wheeze 'link' to baby milk powder

Prolonged exposure to baby milk powder increases the risk of breathing problems, including wheezing and breathlessness, a study has found.

Alcohol ban advised for pregnancy

Women should not drink any alcohol during pregnancy, NHS adviser the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has said.

It says if they must drink, they should not do so in the first three months and should limit consumption to one or two units once or twice a week afterwards.

It brings NICE in line with government advice and replaces previous guidance saying small daily amounts were fine.

Stressed parents 'make kids ill'

Parents with stressful lives may be making their children as well as themselves vulnerable to illness, research suggests.

A University of Rochester study, reported by New Scientist, found sickness levels were higher in children of anxious or depressed parents.

From BBC News:

Male fertility 'set in the womb'

Low sperm count may be linked to development in the womb Male fertility problems are determined in the womb, research from the University of Edinburgh suggests.

Common genital disorders, low sperm count and testicular cancer could all be linked to hormone levels early in pregnancy, studies in rats suggest.

From CBS2 News:

High Doses Of Folic Acid May Lead To Colon Cancer

Folic acid is in many of the foods we eat every day. It can prevent birth defects, but now research is linking it to an increase in colon cancer.

From CBS News:

Helping Infants Suffering From Pain

As recently as 15 years ago, it was thought that newborns were not developed enough to feel or remember pain. Amazingly, newborns often received little or no anesthesia for most medical procedures - even surgery.

From the BBC:

Acupuncture 'boosts IVF chances'

Acupuncture may increase the success rates of fertility treatment, according to a study.

Child dads 'birth problems link'

Babies fathered by teenagers are more likely to be unhealthy at birth, a study suggests.

Beetroot 'may cut blood pressure'

Drinking 500ml of beetroot juice a day can significantly reduce blood pressure, UK research suggests.

Supplements 'reduce malaria toll'

Cheap dietary supplements could protect young children from malaria, research suggests.

The study, published in Nutrition Journal, found giving children vitamin A and zinc cut incidence of illness by a third.

Pre-birth schizophrenia risk fear

Women who endure severe stress early in pregnancy may be more likely to have children that go on to develop schizophrenia, research suggests

Unborn twins 'kicked out cancer'

A mother who found she had a tumour while pregnant was saved by her unborn twins' kicking, doctors have said.

'Morphine babies' feel more pain

Premature babies may require many painful procedures Premature babies who receive morphine may grow up to be more sensitive to pain, a study on rats suggests...

"But ultimately we are interested in the option which causes the least amount of harm. The mortality rate is higher for unsedated babies, not to mention the fact that it would be totally unacceptable to wilfully expose newborn infants to severe pain."

From the BBC:

Med diet 'cuts baby asthma risk'

The Mediterranean diet is rich in fruit and vegetables Pregnant women who eat a Mediterranean diet may help protect their children from asthma and other allergies, researchers say.

Filming reveals Czech children still caged

The Czech Republic banned the use of cage-like beds in children's care homes a year ago, under international pressure. But as Clive Myrie reports for the Ten O'Clock News, secret filming shows the use of the beds goes on.

Chewing gum weight loss warning

Sorbitol in "sugar-free" chewing gum is a laxative Too much "sugar-free" chewing gum can lead to severe weight loss and diarrhoea, doctors warn.

From NBC:

Woman gives birth in pants

A Connecticut woman and her newborn twins are doing fine despite their unusual birth.

On Wednesday, Larryette Thomas, unexpectedly gave birth with one of the tiny boys born inside her pants.

From the BBC:

China reinforces one-child stance

More and more wealthy couples are ignoring the one-child rule Hundreds of people in central China have been expelled from the Communist Party for violating the one-child policy, state media has reported.

Disturbed sleep link to diabetes

A disturbed night's sleep may increase the risk of developing diabetes, US research has suggested.

The US team discovered that volunteers who were roused whenever they were about to fall into the deepest sleep developed insulin resistance.

Dark chocolate 'not so healthy'

A top medical journal said any health claims about plain chocolate may be misleading.

Aid plan for India's 33m widows

India's Minister for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhury has outlined ambitious plans to help the country's young widows.

India's dominant Hinduism frowns on widows remarrying and they often see their social and economic power eroded.

Government figures show there are 33 million widows in India - many of them poor and some very young.

'Medical myths' exposed as untrue

Some claim drinking eight glasses of water a day leads to good health, while reading in dim light damages eyesight.

In pictures: 'Natural caesarean'

Doctors at Queen Charlotte's hospital in London are pioneering "natural caesarean" births with the aim of making the surgery less traumatic for mother and baby.

'Why were my babies too early?'

Around 43,000 babies are born prematurely in the UK every year, which is a major cause of infant death.

Studies have shown that nearly half of extremely premature babies who survive develop a disability or learning difficulty.

Another third develop mild impairments, such as the need to wear glasses by the time they reach six years old - double the average rate.

Caesareans 'may harm lung growth'

Babies born by elective Caesarean section are much more likely to develop breathing problems, a Danish study examining 34,000 deliveries suggests.

Researchers found they were up to four times more likely to have respiratory problems than those born naturally, or by emergency Caesarean section.

Doctors urge folic acid progress

A group of UK doctors has urged the government to proceed with the move towards fortifying flour with folic acid to prevent birth defects...

But the government called for a further review of recent studies linking folic acid to colon cancer.

Curvier spines aid pregnant women

Both men and women have a curve in the lower section of their spines, but in women, the Harvard researchers found, the curve extends over a longer section of spinal vertebrae.

The difference lets women adjust their posture to keep themselves in balance and in less discomfort from lower back pain, even in the last few months of pregnancy, when the abdomen can weigh almost 7kg more than normal.

World 'must do more' for children

Children go hungry most often in South Asia More must be done more quickly to make the world fit for children by 2015, the UN children's agency, Unicef, has said.

Fertility falls with weight gain

An overweight woman's chance of getting pregnant steadily falls as her weight increases, a major study has found.

Gaps in maternity care 'worrying'

Thousands of women are left alone during and shortly after labour, leaving them feeling vulnerable and potentially at risk, a survey shows.

Pregnancy link to active children

Mothers who are active during pregnancy end up having children who do more exercise, research shows.

The Bristol University-led study of 5,500 11 to 12-year-olds, ruled out any biological factors, the British Medical Journal reported.

Mother can keep birth 'a secret'

A woman who became pregnant after a one-night stand has been given the right to keep the birth a secret from the father.

Girls 'link weight to happiness'

Girls as young as seven believe being slim and attractive will mean you are more happy, popular and successful, research suggests.

A study published by Girlguiding UK found girls associated being overweight with being bullied and sad.

Childhood is 'happy not toxic'

Scaremongering by adults has created a false impression of a "toxic childhood", says England's Children's, Schools and Families Secretary.

Ed Balls, issuing a counterblast to pessimistic views of childhood, says the "vast majority of children feel happy and safe".

Babies 'show social intelligence'

At the age of six months, most babies have barely learnt to sit up, let alone crawl, walk or talk.

But, according to new research, they can already assess someone's intentions towards them, deciding who is a likely friend or enemy.

From MSNBC:

Want to lose that baby weight? Get some sleep

Researchers presented a conundrum to new mothers on Monday, saying that women who want to lose the extra weight gained in pregnancy should try to get more sleep.

They found that mothers who slept five hours or less a day when their babies were six months old were three times more likely than more rested mothers to have kept on the extra weight at one year.

'Later puberty' in stable family

Girls who live in stable, supportive homes may experience puberty later than those who come from more stressful backgrounds, US research suggests.

Pregnancy smoking fertility link

Smoking while pregnant reduces the fertility of boys by affecting a key testis gene, researchers say.

Drugs for ADHD 'not the answer'

Treating children who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with drugs is not effective in the long-term, research has shown.

Placenta 'fools body's defences'

The placenta acts like a parasite to avoid attack by a mother's immune system, researchers have discovered.

From MSNBC:

Breast-feeding good for the heart's health

Numerous studies have shown babies whose mothers breast-fed them enjoy health advantages over formula-fed babies. These include fewer ear, stomach or intestinal infections, digestive problems, skin diseases and allergies, and less likelihood of developing high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.

Now, a study presented at an American Heart Association meeting found that breast-fed babies are better off in two important heart disease risk factors as adults than bottle-fed babies — levels of "good" HDL cholesterol and body mass index.

From the BBC:

Baby survives attempt to end life

A boy has been born healthy and well even though at one point doctors thought it would be better to end his life to save that of his twin brother.

Gene 'links breastfeeding to IQ'

A single gene influences whether breastfeeding improves a child's intelligence, say London researchers.

From CBS News:

Lack of Sleep May Lead To Fatter Kids

Researchers have found that every additional hour per night a third-grader spends sleeping reduces the child's chances of being obese in sixth grade by 40 percent.

From MSNBC:

TB vaccine sickens some HIV-infected children

WASHINGTON - A vaccine aimed at protecting children in developing countries from deadly tuberculosis may be sickening and killing some vulnerable infants infected with the AIDS virus, researchers said on Friday.

Breast-feeding isn't such a drag on breasts

The results of the study, presented this week at a conference of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, showed no difference in the degree of breast ptosis (or sagging) between women who breast-fed and those who didn't.

The main factors that did affect sagging were age, smoking status and the number of pregnancies a woman has had.

Woman takes out ad to sell breast milk

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - A woman who doesn't want her breast milk to go to waste has taken out a newspaper ad in hopes of selling it. Martha Heller, 22, of Tiffin, took out the ad in The Gazette, offering 100 ounces of her breast milk for $200 or the best offer.

From the Boston Globe:

Disputing need for circumcision

'Such shall be the covenant between Me and you and your offspring to follow which you shall keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised," God tells Abraham in Genesis.

But the head of the Circumcision Resource Center in Boston, which discourages circumcision, said that few Jews perform the procedure for religious reasons and that it is not necessary as a mark of Jewishness.

From the BBC:

'They thought I was cursed'

Each year, 100,000 women who give birth in poor countries develop a devastating condition which leaves them incontinent and ostracised.

Obstetric fistula, a hole linking the vagina with the bladder or rectum, occurs when women - often underdeveloped teenagers - are in labour for days.

'Clear smoking link' to cot death
[crib death/SIDS]

Almost nine out of ten mothers who lose a baby to cot death smoked while pregnant, say researchers.

The Bristol University team said the risk also increased with every hour babies were exposed to passive smoke after birth.

Chlamydia damages male fertility

Chlamydia - the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK - has been shown to damage male, as well as female, fertility.

Vaccine-linked polio hits Nigeria

Nigeria is fighting a rare outbreak of a vaccine-derived form of polio, says the UN's World Health Organization.

It says 69 children in the north have caught the paralysing disease from others who had already been immunised.

Low birthweights linked to 9/11

The stress of the attacks may have affected pregnancies An increase in low birthweight babies born in and around New York in the months after 9/11 has been blamed on stress caused by the attacks.

Mothers-to-be 'can drink alcohol'

Pregnant women can safely drink a small glass of wine a day, official advice is set to say.

After the first three months of pregnancy, women can consume up to 1.5 units per day says draft guidance.

This report still begs the questions: Did they differentiate between mothers on healthy diets and those on poor diets? Are they including "windows" of uterine scars, which typically do not affect the labor, the mother, or the baby, labelling them as "ruptures"? And since the rate of ruptures is higher when VBAC mothers are induced, why are they still inducing them?

Caesarean 'raises womb-tear risk'

A Caesarean section increases the risk by 50-fold that a woman's uterus will rupture during a subsequent vaginal delivery, research suggests....

US and Swedish researchers found the condition afflicted nine in every 1,000 mothers who opted to try for a vaginal birth after a previous Caesarean.

From CBS News:

Breastfeeding-Cavities Link Disputed

(WebMD) Breastfeeding isn't likely to cause dental cavities or raise the risk of early childhood tooth decay, according to a new study.

From the BBC:

Cholesterol link to early births

Pregnant women who have very low levels of cholesterol may be at a greater risk of giving birth prematurely, US research suggests.

The National Human Genome Research Institute study confirmed previous findings linking high cholesterol to a raised risk of premature birth.

But the researchers were surprised to find low cholesterol levels also seemed to raise the risk.

Children 'recover' from TV harm

Toddlers who watch too much television are more likely to suffer later behavioural problems - but the damage can be reversed, say researchers.

How do you get pupils to eat well?

When Billy Murison started back at school this week he had more than a few ideas about what he wanted to eat during his lunch breaks....

But Professor Fergus Lowe, psychologist at Bangor University, Wales, said encouraging healthy eating need not be a struggle.

No outdoor play 'hurts children'

Children's health is suffering because they are losing the chance to play outside, a group of experts has warned....

The decline in "unstructured, loosely supervised" play is adversely affecting children's mental health, they add.

It also threatens young people's long-term development, the letter to the Daily Telegraph says.

Eat well cash for mothers-to-be

Pregnant women will get about £200 paid into their bank account to spend on healthy food under a government initiative, the BBC has learned.

Steroid dose warning in children

Children with allergic conditions such as asthma may be receiving too high a dose of steroids, drug experts warn.

From MSNBC:

‘Diaper-free babies’ fad swells, despite critics

Dominic is a product of a growing “diaper-free” movement founded on the belief that babies are born with an instinctive ability to signal when they have to answer nature’s call. Parents who practice the so-called “elimination communication” learn to read their children’s body language to help them recognize the need, and they mimic the sounds that a child associates with the bathroom.

From ABC News

Extreme Rise in Kids' Bipolar Diagnosis

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The number of young Americans diagnosed with bipolar disorder has risen dramatically in recent years, according to a new study.

The following news holds exciting potential for being a great tool for midwives, doulas, breastfeeding assistants, and doctors, for intervening when mothers are possibly developing dangerous psychological problems!

From the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry:

Maternal stress and depression and the lateralisation of infant cradling

Results indicated that 86% of mothers who were neither stressed nor depressed cradled to the left and 14% to the right. Comparing the cradling side of stressed mothers with those who were neither stressed nor depressed, more in the former group showed right-sided cradling. In contrast, mothers who were just depressed preferred to cradle to the left.

Conclusion: The lack of a left-sided cradling bias might be due to stress rather than depression experienced by mothers.

Furthermore, this study provides evidence that the state of maternal mental health might be indicated by the side on which they cradle their child preferentially.

From the American Journal of Epidemiology

Risk of Spontaneous Abortion in Women with Childhood Exposure to Parental Cigarette Smoke

There is increasing concern over whether environmental exposures early in life may impact health in adulthood. Recent evidence suggests that prenatal or childhood exposure to cigarette smoke may result in poorer reproductive health later in life.

Is High Consumption of Fatty Fish during Pregnancy a Risk Factor for Fetal Growth Retardation?

...The inverse association for total fish consumption could be explained by consumption of fatty fish, while no association was found for lean fish. These results indicate that consumption of fatty fish, a known route of exposure to persistent organic pollutants, could be associated with reduced fetal growth.