Latest news with #ArchivesofDiseaseinChildhood
The Star
26-05-2025
- The Star
Passenger's 'flight allergy list' mocked online: 'No coffee, no fragrance, no airplane fuel'
A few users argued that the passenger likely wasn't allergic to the listed items, but rather just had sensitivities. — Pixabay A photo of a passenger's 'flight allergy list' is causing quite a stir on social media for its unusual demands. While the passenger who wrote the list hasn't been identified, X user Sergio Rodriguez (@LyftGyft) shared a photo of it on the platform on May 19, with the caption: "Imagine sitting next to a passenger like this?" On the list, the airplane traveler asked that no coffee or cashews be served on the flight due to allergies. 'I'm highly allergic to smell of coffee and would appreciate it if you could refrain from brewing coffee,' adding, 'as even the smell can stop my breathing.' The passenger also claimed they were allergic to non-food items such as 'fragrances or chemical smells,' naming colognes, perfume, scented soaps, and body lotions as substances they couldn't be exposed to. Gasoline and airplane fuel were also listed. The passenger noted that they take several medications and also asked that they be supplied with a 'large bottle' so they wouldn't have to bother attendants for more refills. At the end of the note, they expressed their gratitude, writing: 'Thank you for your patience and understanding in trying to make the flight as enjoyable as possible for me. I appreciate you.' However on X, users had no sympathy for these demands. 'Passenger shouldn't fly,' opined one user. Another said: 'Get off and walk Karen , omg' Others ruled the list as bogus: 'Sorry, but take a private plane or keep an EpiPen handy. If not approved by a CRO (Complaint Resolution Official) from the airlines, then doesn't have to be enforced.' A few users argued that the passenger likely wasn't allergic to the listed items, but rather just had sensitivities. While the items listed can all trigger an allergic reaction to some extent, it doesn't seem likely that the passenger would suffer a severe reaction if it's happening in a different row or area on the plane. A 2024 review published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood debunked the common misconception that peanut/tree nut particles can lead to allergic reactions through aircraft ventilation systems. In fact, researchers claimed that food-induced allergic reactions are 10-100 times less common on flights than on the ground and that most risks stem from surface contamination rather than airborne particles. Researchers noted that cleaning surfaces (like tray tables and seat backs) where allergen residues might be present is a highly effective precaution for allergic passengers. In other words, stashing some Lysol wipes in a carry-on bag might be more effective than issuing a 'flight allergy list' to flight attendants. – News Service
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Less or poor quality of sleep in babies could be risk factor of autism, study suggests
New Delhi: Babies who sleep less or have a poor quality of sleep could be at a higher risk of developing and being diagnosed with autism, according to researchers who looked at over 1000 mother-infant pairs in Australia. An increase in night-time sleep by an hour by six months of age was related with fewer autism characteristics at age two and four. Findings, published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, suggest that sleep issues in infants could be a potential indicator of autism -- a neurodevelopmental disorder, in which one displays repetitive behaviour and has impaired social skills. Researchers, including those at The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, surveyed parents about their baby's sleep patterns at age six and 12 months. The parents then reported if they noticed autism-like characteristics when the child turned two and four years old. Sleep disturbances, including insomnia, are known to be common among children with autism -- they have an overactive brain which can hamper development, potentially resulting in problems with social skills and emotion regulation. The researchers also found that every increase of five minutes in sleep latency -- or trouble with falling asleep -- was related with more autism characteristics and a 7.7 per cent higher chance of being diagnosed with the condition. "Poor infant sleep quality was linked to increased autism characteristics and diagnosis odds in a representative Australian sample," the authors wrote. "At 12 months (of age), each 25 per cent increase in sleep latency (of about five minutes) was associated with more autism characteristics (1.5 per cent increase) and 7.7 per cent higher autism diagnosis odds," they wrote. The participants were recruited during 2010-2013. Before the children turned age 12, 64 had been diagnosed with autism. Among the diagnosed, 42 per cent were found to have used melatonin in the past month. The supplement is often prescribed as people with autism have problems with producing melatonin, essential for regulating sleep-wake cycles. "Collectively, (the study) suggests that infant sleep characteristics have the potential to serve as one indicator for identifying infants who could benefit from autism monitoring, thereby facilitating early diagnosis. It may also inform future supportive evidence-based interventions for autistic children," the authors wrote.
Newsweek
11-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Babies Who Sleep Less More Likely To Grow Up With Autistic Traits
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Australian researchers have uncovered a startling link between infant sleep patterns and the development of autistic traits. According to the study, babies who sleep less or experience poorer sleep quality are significantly more likely to develop autistic characteristics as they grow older—and some may even go on to be diagnosed with autism. According to the Autism Research Institute, autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that primarily involves differences in social communication and patterns of restricted, repetitive interests and behaviors. Close Up Of Sleeping Baby Girl Lying On Parent's Bed At Home Close Up Of Sleeping Baby Girl Lying On Parent's Bed At Home monkeybusinessimages Autism affects 3.2 percent of Australian children, similar to the rates seen in the U.S. and England, the researchers noted. In 2016, the disorder was the largest contributor to disability among Australian children under five. Published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, the study followed over 1,000 mother–infant pairs, tracking sleep patterns at six and 12 months of age. Researchers then assessed the children's autism characteristics at ages two and four, based on reports from parents. By the time the children reached 12 years old, 64 of them had been diagnosed with autism. The findings were clear: infants with poor sleep were consistently more likely to display autistic traits and receive a later autism diagnosis. At six months old, each additional hour of night sleep was associated with a 4.5 percent reduction in autistic traits at ages two and four, as well as a 22 percent lower chance of an autism diagnosis by age 12. Conversely, at 12 months, babies who took longer to fall asleep–each five-minute increase in sleep latency (the amount of time it takes for a person to transition from being fully awake to falling asleep after getting into bed)–showed a 1.5 percent increase in autism characteristics and a 7.7 percent higher chance of an autism diagnosis. "Our findings suggest that infant sleep behaviors, especially nocturnal patterns, may serve as early indicators of autism, enabling early detection and intervention opportunities, including sleep-focused support," the authors noted. While diagnosis can be reliably made by 24 months, many Australian children receive their diagnosis later, at a median age of 45 months, potentially missing the optimal window for early intervention programs. To address this, authors indicated there is increasing interest in multi-method longitudinal screening during the prodromal period, incorporating multiple measures rather than relying on single assessments at isolated time points. The research suggests that parent-reported sleep metrics, such as night sleep duration and sleep onset latency, could be useful additions to these approaches. The study also revealed that 42 percent of children later diagnosed with autism had used melatonin within the past month, a common remedy for sleep difficulties, suggesting a possible attempt by parents to manage early sleep challenges. Autism varies widely, requiring different levels of support and is linked to greater health challenges and lower life expectancy. Early detection and evidence-based interventions are crucial for better outcomes, underscoring the importance of enhancing these efforts so children receive timely access to support. Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about autism? Let us know via science@ Reference Mohamed, Z., Ponsonby, A.-L., Wakhlu, A., Thomson, S. M., Love, C., Symeonides, C., Ranganathan, S., O'Hely, M., Vuillermin, P., Drummond, K., & Barwon Infant Study Investigator Group. (2025). Infant sleep characteristics in children with autism spectrum disorder: A population-derived Australian birth cohort study. Archives of Disease in Childhood.
BBC News
21-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Evelina London study says treating child patients at home is safe
A children's Hospital at Home service in south London has helped free up 11,000 bed days for child patients in four years, research the Evelina London Children's Hospital service, nurses visit patients in their homes to perform procedures normally done in hospitals, such as treating wounds, giving medication, taking blood and measuring heart rates.A study of how effective the scheme was between 2018 and 2022 estimated it could have helped 4,427 children have shorter hospital stays or avoid an admission paediatrician Dr Ronny Cheung said it was improving patients' experiences and believed it should be used more widely in future. 'Better for children' The service runs across Lambeth and Southwark, helping patients who may otherwise have been admitted to either Evelina London, based at St Thomas' Hospital at Waterloo, or King's College Hospital in Denmark Hill."The idea is to keep children out of hospital unless they absolutely have to be there," said Dr Cheung, the study's lead researcher. The study, published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood journal, concluded that for many children, the scheme was just as safe and effective as being treated in hospital. "It's much better for children, better for families and actually better for the health service as well." 'Game changer' Debra Mansi 's son, Gui, 14, has complex medical needs, including spina bifida and the amount of time he spends on a ward at the Evelina London has reduced by about 85% since she signed up for the Hospital at Home scheme, she said."When he was younger, I'd need to take him to hospital, and then he could be there for a month. And that could happen maybe four times a year," Debora said."But now with the Hospital at Home team, if Gui needs anything that I can't do myself, I'll call them and they'll come. If he has an infection, they will come twice a day, and they are really amazing."Debora said Gui now has more time to do his schoolwork and enjoy family time."It's been a game changer for us."The initiative, also known as virtual wards, is an NHS strategy to reduce hospital admissions and is being used in many trusts across Cheung said, based on his findings, he believed it should be rolled out further."We've already shown that the Hospital at Home model can work for adult patients, but until now there has been a lack of evidence showing it can be translated across to children and young people.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Glycerol intoxication symptoms as slushy ingredient found to cause illness in children
Researchers have issued a warning on the potential dangers of drinking slushies after studying cases of glycerol intoxication syndrome in young children. The study, which was published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood on Tuesday (March 11) found a link between drinking slushies and glycerol intoxication syndrome, which all 21 children in the study were diagnosed with when taken into emergency care. Glycerol is used in slushies to stop the ice fully freezing when there is a lack of a high sugar content, and many ice drinks have been using it as a sugar replacement following the introduction of sugar tax in the UK. READ MORE: New PIP and ADP payment rates from next month for people on standard, enhanced or mixed awards READ MORE: Attendance Allowance rules older people must know or £434 payments could stop Small children can present with symptoms indicating glycerol intoxication syndrome after drinking slushies, but what exactly are the signs of the condition? But as this little-heard-of condition makes headlines, what exactly is it and what are its symptoms? Here's everything you need to know about glycerol intoxication syndrome. Glycerol intoxication syndrome was identified in the study as a type of poisoning caused by consuming a high content of glycerol. This causes a sharp decrease in blood sugar called hypoglycaemia, when blood glucose is very low- 2.6 mmol/l or below. In 13 of the children studied, (65 percent) their blood sugar was even lower, indicating severe hypoglycaemia. While it is rare, glycerol intoxication syndrome can be fatal in some cases, and children who exhibit symptoms should seek immediate medical attention The study listed some symptoms of glycerol intoxication syndrome, which, when combined, can indicate poisoning or metabolic disorders. The symptoms included: decreased consciousness hypoglycaemia lactic acidosis, which occurs when the body produces too much lactic acid hypokalaemia (low potassium levels) One child in the study also reported vomiting after drinking the slushy, and another had a seizure. The majority of the children became unwell within an hour of drinking the slushy, which researchers pointed out are marketed towards children with their bright colours and sweet flavours. The UK Food Standards Agency recommend that young children (four and under) shouldn't be given slushy ice drinks containing glycerol, and that those aged 10 or younger should not have more than one at a time. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) followed suit with similar guidance in 2024. But this new research suggests that these recommendations may need updated. They said: 'There is poor transparency around slush ice drink glycerol concentration; estimating a safe dose is therefore not easy. It is also likely that speed and dose of ingestion, along with other aspects, such as whether the drink is consumed alongside a meal or during a fasting state, or consumed after high-intensity exercise, may be contributing factors." They then pointed out that the portion size of an average slushy (500ml) is too large for most children, especially toddlers, based on their weight. They explain that Food Standards Scotland and the FSAI suggested that 125 mg/kg of body weight per hour is the lowest dose of glycerol that is associated with negative health effects. For a toddler this may equate to 50–220 ml of a slushy, which is less than half of an average ice drink. The researchers concluded: "To ensure safe population-level recommendations can be easily interpreted at the individual parental level, and given the variability across an age cohort of weight, we suggest that recommendations should be based on weight rather than age."
