Organ Donation, IVF & Children’s Health, Acrylamide, Chicken Pox Vaccine, Mexican Sauce Warning, Breastfeeding, Obesity, Chicken Tikka Masala Warning, IVF & Motherhood, Autism, Anorexia, Down’s Syndrome

FROM THE BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL:

ORGAN DONATION

John Harris and Mark Errin discuss whether paying for donated organs would increase the supply. They suggest a single central buyer - such as the NHS -to act as a regulator, but paying for organs has bought pitfalls in many other countries – for example encouraging people desperate for money, such as drug addicts, to donate. You can read their views at An ethically defensible market in organs.

IVF AND SUBSEQUENT HEALTH OF BABIES

1% of children in developed countries are conceived through IVF. In the US multiple births involving triplets or more have increased from 1.6% of all births in 1973 to 3.1% in 1990. Some reports suggest that babies born by IVF are lighter than those naturally conceived and that there may be an increased risk of cerebral palsy. Health risks in babies born after assisted reproduction looks at the few studies that have been done in this area.

ACRYLAMIDE IN FOOD

The World Health Organisation is discussing the risk of the cancer-causing chemical acrylamide in carbohydrate-containing food cooked at high temperatures. Typically they say that they can’t make specific recommendations apart from not over cooking food. Interestingly the difference in levels of acrylamide between normal and overcooked chips varied tenfold so it is really important not to overcook fried or baked food. They finally recommended a diet with ‘plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables’. Read Experts launch action on acrylamide in staple foods and also Food Standards Agency study shows Acrylamide in food. (See earlier discussion of acrylamide from 21 May and 30 April.)

CHICKEN POX VACCINE REDUCES THE RISK OF SHINGLES

One of the reasons for not introducing chicken pox (varicella) vaccine to the general population was the fear that it would only provide protection for a few years, leaving the adult population susceptible during childbearing and also that it may not prevent shingles. When used in patients with cancer after bone marrow transplant it dramatically reduced the level of subsequent shingles. This may lead to further research on its effect on shingles in the normal population. Read Chickenpox vaccine may reduce risk of shingles.

MEXICAN SAUCE WARNING

Mexican sauces, displayed on tables, may contain bacteria causing diarrhoea. Read the third article in Minerva.

OTHER MEDICAL MATTERS IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK:

BREASTFEEDING

Many papers reported this week on the long established link between breastfeeding and a reduction in the risk of breast cancer. Read Prolonged breastfeeding halves risk of cancer. The way the different papers handled this scientific report and the validity of the research behind it is discussed at NeLH Medicine in the News Project: Breast cancer and breastfeeding.

See our section on breastfeeding.

OBESITY

Finally, after all the talk about the increase in childhood obesity and its associated medical dangers, an article in the Independent newspaper shows how a summer camp dedicated to having fun whilst exercising and learning about healthy eating has really helped children in Leeds – read Childhood obesity: the big question.

See our section on obesity.

CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA FULL OF CHEMICAL ADDITIVES

Research has shown that about half of Indian restaurants use excessive amounts of food colouring in what has been described as our new national dish. Read Red curry spells danger.

MOTHERHOOD AFTER IVF

One mother writes very movingly in the Independent this week about how hard it was finally becoming a mother after infertility treatment, particularly as everyone thought she should be so grateful to have a baby. Read Sorry but I'm not supermum and also about the support group she has set up called Ace Babes.

AUTISM GENE

Dr Anthony Bailey, the professor of autism at Oxford University talks in this article of how he expects a gene for autism to be found within the next two years leading to hope of better understanding of the condition and a possible cure. Read Hunt narrows in search for autism gene.

See our section on autism.

WEBOREXIA

Mothers of teenage daughters should be aware that there are a number of websites celebrating anorexia as a positive lifestyle choice. Read 'It's better to be thin and dead than fat and living' in the Guardian.

See our section on anorexia.

DOWN'S SYNDROME GROWTH CHARTS

This month, the Archives of Disease in Childhood contains new growth charts for children with Down’s syndrome – you have to subscribe to see them.

See our sections on Down's syndrome and growth charts.