'FLU JABS FOR CHILDREN?

Scientists in Texas have suggested that vaccinating children could be the best way to protect the many elderly people who die from influenza each year. Currently the vaccine is offered only to the elderly and to people with medical risk factors such as lung disease. The 'flu virus spreads very quickly through schools, so vaccinating children could be a good way to slow down the spread through the wider population. However, in the light of the recent vaccination scares here in the UK, parents are unlikely to be too keen to accept one which is not strictly necessary for their child. For more about the UK's immunisation policy, go to the NHS immunisation website.  

SMACKING - A MEDICAL VIEW

The Government recently voted not ban smacking outright but to allow parents to use 'reasonable' chastisement. In an article in this week's British Medical Journal, Professor Sarah Stewart-Brown argues that smacking is 'at best ineffective', and at worst, can cause bad behaviour to increase. Read more about tackling bad behaviour, in Claire Haggard's article 'The Discipline Debate'.

FOOD POISONING

The Food Standards Agency, a government body, has updated its information the common bacteria that cause diarrhoea and vomiting -and how to avoid them. Its website has plenty of advice on how to eat well and stay healthy. For advice on coping with the effects of food poisoning, read Tigerchild's Diarrhoea and Vomiting in Babies and Young Children.

RISK FACTORS

More research this week in the risk factors behind death in early childhood. Doctors have thought for some time that adult diseases could be predicted by factors in childhood - for example, low birthweight babies may be at higher risk of heart disease in later life. Now a study by the Office for National Statistics suggests a link between early death and social risk factors, such as father's occupation, mother's age at delivery and whether or not parents were married - read a summary of the findings at Risk factors for death in infancy and childhood.

On a similar note, a report from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists this week suggests that soaring levels of obesity may be responsible for increasing maternal risks of dying - read depression and obesity are major causes of death.

CHOCOLATE COUGH SWEETS?

A report in an American online journal this week suggested that the theobromine in chocolate may help cure coughs. But remember, theobromine is found in cocoa so presumably the effect is seen with dark chocolate and should never be used for young children and babies - read the article in this week's Daily Telegraph.

RADIO MASTS - DO THEY MAKE YOU ILL?

Officially the jury is still out, but in Cornwall, new police radio masts are being blamed for nosebleeds, headaches and insomnia. The 'tetra' masts are apparently being erected all over the UK, and according to a report in this week's Independent, they are using new pulse waves untried before. Read The mast crusaders. If you do have trouble sleeping, they have advice on Ten ways to get a good night's sleep.

TOO SICK TO LIVE?

Two recent court cases highlighted the dilemmas faced by parents and medical staff when faced with very ill babies in intensive care, trying to decide the appropriate level of intervention. The BBC will be screening a very topical programme following the lives of two very sick premature babies and their families. See Edge of Life, at 9pm on December 2nd.  

AND FINALLY...

If you feel like the stresses of parenting have sent you prematurely grey, why not try the Daily Mail's quiz What's your biological age? I'd recommend doing it, but err on the optimistic side when answering questions - it will make you feel better!

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