Behind the Headlines

Sharp rise in children’s’ throat infections – is tonsillitis to blame?

Monday Oct 22 2012

'Children admitted to hospital with throat infections have increased by 76% over the past 10 years,' BBC News reveals, reporting on a recent study. Could the rise be linked to the decline in the use of tonsillectomies? The answer would appear to be no…

New fertility formula 'predicts pregnancy' chances

Friday Oct 5 2012

'A formula that predicts a woman’s chances of pregnancy has been devised by scientists' the Daily Mail reports. Women in their 30s, concerned that their biological clock is on borrowed time, are advised to seek advice after 6 months of trying to conceive…

Whooping cough vaccine for pregnant women

Wednesday Oct 3 2012

"Pregnant women are to be given the whooping cough vaccine for the first time following the biggest outbreak of the disease for 20 years and the deaths of 10 babies," The Daily Telegraph has reported…

Miscarriage concerns over common BPA chemicals

Tuesday Sep 25 2012

“Everyday chemicals linked to miscarriage and birth defects,” The Daily Telegraph reported today. Its story is based on a study of the possible effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on the reproductive development of female monkey foetuses. BPA is a chemical...

Controlled crying 'safe for babies'

Tuesday Sep 11 2012

"Leave your baby to cry," The Daily Telegraph today advised, along with the Daily Mail. Both were commenting on the "best" way to get your infant back to sleep. Unfortunately for exhausted new parents, the solution...

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Fish oil can 'make children less naughty'

Friday Sep 7 2012

Parents should give their children a daily dose of fish oils if they want to boost their brain power and stop them being naughty the Daily Express claims. This advice is highly premature. The news follows research into supplements containing DHA...

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Frozen IVF embryos lead to 'healthier babies'

Tuesday Sep 4 2012

“IVF embryos that were frozen may result in healthier babies,” reports The Guardian. The news is based on a study that combined the results of previously published studies to look at outcomes for the mother and child during pregnancy...

Abortions 'link' to premature births

Thursday Aug 30 2012

'Repeat abortions linked to premature birth' reports BBC News. A Finnish study has found that women who have three or more abortions do have an increased risk of premature birth. However, the risk is small and 'women should not be alarmed'…

Nut consumption in pregnancy linked to 'reduced child allergy risk'

Wednesday Aug 29 2012

'Eating nuts in pregnancy reduces chance of childhood allergy' is the claim in the Daily Telegraph, based on a large Danish study. Women who ate more nuts were less likely to give birth to infants affected by asthma…

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Fertility clue for recurring miscarriage?

Friday Aug 24 2012

‘Super-fertility’ may explain some miscarriages, BBC News has reported. It says that the wombs of some women are ‘too good at letting embryos implant’, even those that are...