Family news: Probiotics, headaches, iodine

Published Sep 2, 2015

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Here is a round-up of news for parents and parents-to-be...

 

ARE PREMATURE BABIES AT RISK OF DIABETES?

Scientists at Imperial College London are investigating whether babies born prematurely are more at risk of metabolic syndrome (a combination of conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure) in later life.

Previous research shows that adults who were born prematurely may be at increased risk of the diseases, perhaps because the way their bodies metabolise fat is altered, with more fat collecting around their organs. Around 200 adults (100 born prematurely and 100 at full term) will have their body fat and blood pressure measured.

It’s hoped the results will help doctors identify those at increased risk of conditions such as diabetes before symptoms appear.

Daily Mail

 

EVERY MOTHER-TO-BE SHOULD TAKE IODINE TO BOOST BABY’S BRAIN’

Giving pregnant women a simple supplement would boost babies’ brain power, experts say.

Iodine helps brain development, particularly in the womb and first months, and improves children’s IQ.

Unlike other nations, food in the UK is not fortified with iodine and supplements are not recommended by the NHS.

But experts say pregnant and breastfeeding women should be encouraged to take supplements of iodine.

The findings are published in the journal Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology

Study author Professor Kate Jolly, from the University of Birmingham, said: “It’s time for all women living in iodine-deficient countries without universal supplementation of iodine, who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy to be advised to take a daily supplement containing iodine. Even mild iodine deficiency during pregnancy is associated with children with lower IQs.”

Mineral iodine is needed to make hormones in the thyroid for regulating metabolism, growth and baby’s brain development.

The World Health Organisation recommends adults have 150 micrograms of iodine a day, and 250 micrograms for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Iodine-rich foods include white fish, prunes, bananas and dairy products.

Daily Mail

 

SKILL CHILDREN NEED MOST IS MANNERS SAY PARENTS

Remembering to say please and thank you is the most important life lesson we can teach our children, parents say.

They put it top of a list of the 59 most valuable life skills parents can pass on in a survey.

Always saying please and thank you ranked highest with 80 per cent of the vote followed by respecting your elders (75 percent) and having good table manners (73 percent).

Telling the truth, not talking to strangers and brushing teeth properly twice a day also made the top ten. Treating others with kindness and appreciating wildlife and animals ranked highly.

The list also featured practical skills including teaching children to swim, to tie a shoelace, to eat their greens and even how to negotiate.

 

A spokesperson for Chessington World of Adventures Resort, which commissioned the study of 2 000 parents, said: “We’re delighted to see being kind and courteous topped the poll.”

Daily Mail

 

SMOKING BAN HAS SAVED HUNDREDS OF BABIES’ LIVES

 

An analysis of birth and death records in England showed the number of stillbirths fell by eight percent after the ban on smoking in public places came into effect eight years ago.

The number of babies that died in the first days and weeks of life fell by a similar amount.

There was also a clear drop in the number of babies born at a dangerously low birth weight, something that puts them at risk of a host of problems from breathing difficulties after birth, to high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease when they are older.

Overall, an estimated 1 500 babies’ lives were saved and the long-term health of another 5 500 was improved in the four years after the ban on smoking at work and inside pubs, clubs, restaurants came into effect.

Smoking and second-hand smoke both carry dangers to the unborn child.

 

Daily Mail

 

PROBIOTICS ' CAN CUT CHANCES OF AN EARLY BIRTH’

Probiotics packed with '“friendly bacteria” could reduce premature birth rates, scientists believe.

They have found that the bugs in a pregnant woman’s body seem to affect whether she goes into labour early.

The finding raises the possibility of mothers-to-be being given a bacterial screening test.

Those deemed to have the wrong mix of bugs could be given drugs or other treatments to cut their odds of giving birth too soon. It may even be possible to create a probiotic tablet because the probiotic yoghurts and drinks in supermarkets lack the necessary concentration of friendly bacteria.

Premature birth is the world’s biggest killer of newborns, claiming the lives of more than one million of the 13 million pre-term babies born each year. Those that survive face a host of health problems, with one in ten developing a permanent disability such as lung disease, cerebral palsy, blindness or deafness. Every extra week in the womb can be beneficial.

The research at Stanford University in California looked at possible links between the bacteria that live naturally in a woman’s body and her odds of giving birth prematurely.

 

For the study, 49 women gave regular samples during their pregnancy and after birth. Analysis showed the samples from the reproductive tract to be key, with the 15 who gave birth early tending to lack bugs from the lactobacillus family.

The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, had another interesting finding.

It showed that the pattern of bugs in a woman’s body changes immediately after giving birth.

Even if her baby was not premature, levels of friendly lactobacillus bugs fell. In some cases, it took a year for the bacteria levels to return to normal.

Dr Simpson said that this could explain why women who have their babies in quick succession have higher odds of a premature birth.

Daily Mail

 

HEALTH RISKS FOR MOTHERS-TO-BE WITH HEADACHES

Headaches during pregnancy could indicate serious health risks for mother and baby, according to a study.

The US researchers found that mothers-to-be suffering headaches who had no history of them were five times more likely to have an underlying health condition. They found that, combined with higher blood pressure, it could be an indicator of pre-eclampsia.

Depending on the severity and the age of the foetus, treatment for pre-eclampsia ranges from bed rest to premature delivery if the condition is severe.

Study lead author Dr Matthew Robbins, head of neurology at Jack D Weiler Hospital in New York, said: “Our study suggests that physicians should pay close attention when a pregnant woman presents with a severe headache, especially if she has elevated blood pressure or lack of past headache history. Those patients should be referred immediately for neuroimaging and monitoring for pre-eclampsia.”

Doctors examined medical records of 140 pregnant women in The Bronx, New York. Of the 49 who had headaches with an underlying cause, 51 percent were diagnosed with pregnancy-related high blood pressure, while 38 percent of women who had pre-eclampsia.

The study, published in the journal Neurology, found high blood pressure alone may also indicate a health condition.

Daily Mail

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