Children who are breast fed during early life generally have high IQ levels, according to a latest research study. Researchers conducted studies on 14,000 babies by dividing them into two groups based on their breast feeding habits. They tracked these babies for the next 6 years to find their intelligence levels. Children in the first group (Breast fed babies) have 5 points higher IQ levels and performing better in academic exams. This research study was published in the Archives of General Psychiatry. In the study, children who are breast fed for longer duration (more than 5 months) performed better in the intelligence tests than those children who breast fed for shorter duration. According to WHO (World Health Organisation) guidelines, babies should receive only breast milk during their first six months of life. But many mothers are not stopping breast feeding their babies after 3-4 months due to modern work life, lack of awareness and cosmetic purposes (rich mothers). Smartness of a baby is directly related to how much duration a mother breastfed their baby. So mothers should know that their babies’ intelligence is in your hands. Nutrients in breast milk (Omega fatty acids) will enhance babies’ intelligence levels and reduce health problems in childhood. Cholesterol in the breast milk is good for child’s brain. Breast feeding reduces future risk of developing diabetes and hypertension and reduces infections and digestive problems in the childhood. Note: Organisations should allow mothers to take maternity leave for 6 months. … [Read more...]
Pre term babies are at more risk in later life
Children who are born before term have higher death rates in childhood and are either childless or give birth to pre term babies in adult life. Scientists conducted studies on the health records of 1.2 million babies born in Norway from 1967 to 1988. This research study was conducted by Journal of the American Medical Association. Death rates in preterm babies are high not only in the first year but also in later age. Image courtesy: Society for the protection of unborn children. Preterm babies were known to have higher incidence of lung problems, disabilities, blindness and mental retardation. Milestones are delayed in these babies. Preterm birth is the major cause of infant mortality and delay in milestones. This research is significant as it is focused on their health effects in later life. Percentage of preterm babies is on rise due to advances in medical care and late marriages. Babies born before term are at high risk as their organs have insufficient time to develop fully. They are 10 times more likely die before the age of six years. Preterm babies are those who are born before 37 week of pregnancy. Babies born between 28-32 weeks have lower death rates than those born between 22-27 weeks. Boys who are born before term are 76% less likely to reproduce in adulthood. Preterm girls are 67% less likely reproduce and are at increased risk of giving birth to pre term babies. So, doctors should try to avoid preterm baby births and women should try to avoid late marriages. Pregnant women should use any drug with Doctor's prescription. … [Read more...]
Analysis: Children and insomnia
Due to increase in stress levels on children to perform well in exams, they are not sleeping up to optimal levels. Due to sleeplessness, most children are facing physical and mental health problems. The parents are also wishing that their children should get top ranks in their respective fields. It causes much worry among the children and they are spending sleepless nights. They are losing concentration, remembrance power, changing in moods, often. It is reported in one observation; many students are sleeping only 4-5 hours in a day. One should sleep 6-7 hours for good day time performance. The other causes of sleeplessness in children are: 1. Watching T.V. programmes for more hours 2. Playing video games. If this type of situation continues for a long time, other health problems will also develop in children. It is also reported that girls are sleeping less time compare to boys. The bad effects of sleeplessness in children are: 1. Decrease in activeness 2. Notable to respond with in time to any situation that demands their attention 3. Suffering from headache and bad dreams 4. Decrease in remembrance power 5. 27% of the children are suffering from doing walking and talking during sleep. 6. 38% of the exam going children are awakening in the middle of the nights suddenly, there by not having sound sleep and getting mental tension. 7. There by their performance in the examination is very poor and getting less number of marks than expected. Health Advice: 1. Daily requirement of sleep is 6-8 hours. Sound sleep is necessary to have peace of mind. 2. The sleeping day time should be half- an hour only. If anybody sleeps more time in day time, he will become over weight. 3. Parents also should not to give stress to their children, by not compelling them to read continuously without relaxation and recreation. Parents role is crucial in alleviating sleeping problems in innocent children. … [Read more...]
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
90% of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) deaths are mainly due to maternal smoking, according to Bristol University researchers. Smoking women are four times more likely to lose their babies to SIDS death than non-smoking women. Babies of smoking mothers are at greater risk due to passive smoking. Number of hours the baby is exposed to smoking is in direct relationship to risk of his/her death. This research report on cot deaths was done by the Institute of Child Life and Health and published in the “Journal of Early Human Development”. Even though both SIDS deaths and smoking among pregnant women (25% to 15%) are in decline, percentage of SIDS deaths due to smoking is rising (57% to 86%) in recent days. 60% of SIDS deaths can be prevented if no women smokes during pregnancy. But researchers failed to give exact causes for this high incidence of SIDS deaths and smoking. Smoking may affect brain chemical balance and prevent development of the lungs. Most of the cot deaths were prevented by giving proper training on the significance of sleeping position of infants. But deaths due to pregnant smoking are not under control. How to prevent cot deaths? 1. Expectant women should not smoke under any circumstances. 2. Parents should not smoke at home. Passive smoking kills babies. Save baby life by not smoking. … [Read more...]
FDA: Kids should not use OTC drugs without prescription
Kids should not take common cold and cough medicines without doctor advice. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave this preliminary recommendation on use of antihistamines in those younger than 6 and decongestant in children younger than 2. FDA reviewed 800 most commonly used medicines whether their use is safe and effective in children. FDA took up this review in response to a petition by Baltimore officials against the usage of OTC (Over the Counter) drugs without physician advice. Pharma companies are aggressively marketing these medicines with delicious fruity flavors mainly targeting kids. Parents are carelessly using these over the counter drugs for cough and cold without doctor advice. Pharma companies should not use kids in their TV advertisements for these medicines. “Consult with doctor” label is not enough for these most popular drugs which are causing deaths. Hydrocodone, a common ingredient in these medicines, is highly addictive and can cause death if not used properly. Hydrocodone overdose can cause breathing problems or cardiac arrest and impair motor skills and judgment. Hydrocodone is genarally used to treat pain and suppress cough. FDA would recommend no level of dosage for children under the age of 2 due to lack of efficacy and safety concerns. FDA found 54 reported deaths from decongestants and 69 deaths from antihistamines in children under the age of 2. FDA ordered companies marketing unapproved Hydrocodone products to stop manufacturing them by October 31, 2007. Cold takes a week to get over whether you take medicine or not. I can’t understand why parents use OTC drugs for cold? It is just a marketing gimmick by Pharma companies. FDA will give its final decision in their next month review meeting. … [Read more...]
