The risks planned C-sections can have for children
The research, which analysed nearly 2.5 million children, found a 21 per cent higher risk of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and a 29 per cent higher risk of B-cell ALL in those born by planned C-section compared to vaginal births.
This elevated cancer risk was more pronounced in boys and during a child's early life, with researchers suggesting factors such as the absence of stress or exposure to vaginal bacteria during planned procedures.
Despite these findings, the researchers emphasised that the overall risk of developing these cancers remains low, irrespective of the delivery method.
The study underscores the importance of medically indicated C-sections but suggests a discussion is warranted for non-medically necessary procedures.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Key symptom of the Covid stratus variant as UK cases rise
A new Covid strain, named Stratus, is circulating in the UK, with its XFG.3 variant accounting for 30 per cent of cases in England. Some experts suggest the Stratus variant is uniquely associated with giving people a hoarse voice, unlike other strains. Despite its prevalence, health experts from the UKHSA and the World Health Organisation are not concerned, stating it is normal for viruses to mutate. The World Health Organisation has designated XFG as a "variant under monitoring" and assesses its additional public health risk as low globally. Current data indicates that the Stratus variant does not lead to more severe illness or deaths, nor is it expected to reduce the effectiveness of existing vaccines.
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Pharmacy inside Royal Derby Hospital set to relocate
The pharmacy inside Derby's biggest hospital is being moved away from its main 08:00 BST on Monday, the Pride Pharmacy at Royal Derby Hospital will operate from the former Amigos coffee shop on level two of the Kings Treatment dispensary and chemist has been based near the hospital's main entrance since February 2020, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) said, and dispenses about 10,000 prescriptions a trust said the new location would offer a larger waiting area and additional seating, and that the "purpose-designed" layout would be more efficient. The trust said the nearest car parks to the new Pride Pharmacy were car parks 2 and 3, which were for Blue Badge holders only, and there were 30-minute drop-off bays outside the nearest doors at entrance trust said average waiting times for Pride Pharmacy before the move were 23 added volunteers operated a yellow buggy service inside the hospital, from Monday to Friday, for patients with mobility issues.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
People who work four days a week are actually getting more done, experts say
You're probably reading this at the start of your weekend. But now imagine that weekend had started a day earlier... and did so every week. Sound good? That could be the new reality many companies, and employees, face in the future, after the four-day business week took another step towards implementation in the UK. This year, 17 businesses of different types have been trialling the move, organised by the 4 Day Week Foundation. Almost 1,000 different employees were involved, all retaining their normal salary - and after the culmination of that study, all 17 companies have opted to keep going, following an earlier trial which saw 5,000 people adopt the scheme permanently. Not all are doing straight four-day weeks. Some were trialling nine-day fortnights. And there are clearly some industries which would face challenges to alter schedules and regulations. But the initial results for those taking part appeared positive, with nearly two-thirds (62 per cent) of employees saying they noted a 'reduction in how often they experienced burnout'. Firms who took part in the trial have cited customer satisfaction and employee performance as reasons for continuing, with one expecting mass adoption across the next decade. Vicky Walker, chief people officer at Westfield Health, told The Independent that less work has shown to mean more output. 'Studies have shown that a shorter work week can lead to enhanced efficiency and focus among employees. People may be more motivated to complete their tasks and increase productivity. There's now a growing recognition for flexibility and work-life balance and this trial is a step in the right direction,' Ms Walker said. 'These flexible benefits can also help attract new talent and improve employee retention rates, which for some businesses, is a key business target.' There is, however, much more to consider for employers and the wider economy, before we see it adopted on a larger scale. 'Ultimately, what matters for the economy is hours worked multiplied by productivity per hour. If people are simply working their weekly hours in four days rather than five, then there should be little economic impact. If they are working harder - fewer hours for the same output - then we could see an uptick in productivity, but that wouldn't necessarily translate into growth because of fewer hours,' Thomas Pugh, chief economist at RSM UK, told The Independent. This is essentially the French model of the system, Mr Pugh explained - but success in it will naturally lead to businesses asking one pertinent question: 'If you can be as productive in four days as in five, then why not be as productive over the full five days?' There also remain questions over the potential for staggered days off - 'Do people want Wednesdays off, for example?' - and of course whether a firm's opening hours would still match up to those of their clients. It's not a 'solution to the UK's economic problems', Mr Pugh added. Andrew Timpson, a tax partner at RSM, pointed out there would be implications if reduced hours meant reduced pay - and not just for the Treasury. 'If base pay is reduced, there could be an impact on salary sacrifice and pensions,' he said, 'plus if employees are earning less then the tax take will reduce. Some employees may also find themselves slipping under thresholds which will change the personal allowance, or other aspects such as child benefit.' The discussion outside of finance has also taken centre stage. A study by BHN Extras recently concluded over a third of UK workers (34 per cent) said they would accept a pay cut for a shorter commute and only 23 per cent enjoyed their commute. The survey suggested both the cost and the sentiment was stronger in London, but would knocking a day off the commute into work be a big draw for all? It won't be one for everybody, nor every business. Implementation costs and rescheduling alone may make it prohibitive, while there's no doubt that some management may not appreciate the thought of it, let alone the reality. But just like working from home, hot-desking and zero-hours contracts before it, the four-day week looks set to play some part in the future of UK business - and like all those others, divide plenty of opinion on the way.
