Planned C-sections can increase your child's risk of these serious conditions
Planned C-sections allow doctors and expecting moms to sidestep some of the unpredictability of labor and offer an attractive amount of convenience and, for some, more peace of mind.
But a new study out of Sweden is raising some red flags about what comes later for your bundle of joy.
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3 A new study out of Sweden is raising some red flags about post-cesarean life for your baby.
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Researchers analyzed the data of nearly 2.5 million children born between 1982 to 1989 and 1999 to 2015 and found that that babies delivered via C-section were more likely to develop certain cancers than those delivered vaginally.
Of the nearly 376,000 children who were born using this method, 1,495 later developed leukemia — and those who were delivered by planned C-section, versus emergency, were at higher risk.
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Specifically, the C-section babies had a 21% higher risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) — the most common type in children — and a 29% increased risk of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) — its most common subtype.
Experts believe the heightened risk may stem from how a planned C-section circumvents natural physiological processes triggered during labor — like the release of important hormones as well as exposure to beneficial bacteria — which may play a role in protecting against certain diseases later in life.
Crucially, the increased risk was not observed in emergency cesarean sections, which typically occur after labor has already started.
Researchers note that the overall risk of these diseases is low.
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3 In the US, C-sections account for as much as 32% of all births.
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'Fortunately, ALL is rare. This means that many C-deliveries are needed to obtain a statistically significant result, and it is difficult to obtain such a large sample in a Swedish registry study,' Christina-Evmorfia Kampitsi, a researcher at the Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, said in a press release.
'However, the results are close to significant, are in line with what previous studies have shown, and remain when we adjust for other relevant factors, which still makes them relevant.'
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Additionally, the researchers point out that the percentage of C-section births in Sweden is only 11-15% and the overall childhood leukemia rate is roughly 4.5 per 100,000.
In the US, C-sections account for as much as 32% of all births and childhood leukemia occurs at a slightly higher rate of about 5.6 per 100,000 children.
3 'C-sections are an important and often life-saving part of obstetric care. We don't want mothers to feel anxious about medically indicated C-sections,' Kampitsi said.
Martin Valigursky – stock.adobe.com
The findings were published Friday in the International Journal of Cancer.
Kampitsi urged expecting mothers not to write off C-sections entirely — however, it might be worth discussing alternatives with your doctor, given the link between C-sections and other conditions.
'C-sections are an important and often life-saving part of obstetric care. We don't want mothers to feel anxious about medically indicated C-sections,' Kampitsi said.
But Kampitsi points to other studies that have shown planned C-sections also increase the risk of other conditions, including asthma, allergies and Type 1 diabetes.
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A 2024 meta-analysis, for one, suggests that C-section births increase the risk of food allergies by 35% and asthma by 20% in children later in life.
And a 2011 meta-analysis found that C-sections lead to a 20% increased risk of Type 1 diabetes in kids.
'There is reason to discuss C-sections that are not medically indicated,' she added.
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A Fartlek Isn't Just a Funny Word. Here's How These Running Workouts Can Make You Fitter, Faster.
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When you're not worried about a set pace or distance (or obsessing over what your watch is telling you), you can zero in on how your body really feels at any given moment and start to recognize when it's time to push through or ease off. And that's the kind of training that's going to help you run stronger for longer. What Fartlek Workouts Mean for Runners Running can sometimes feel like a negotiation between your brain and your body. If you've ever picked up the pace to catch a walk signal or challenged yourself to run to the next mailbox, tree, or lightpost before taking a walk break, congrats: You've already done a fartlek. "A fartlek workout is usually an unstructured workout of various speeds and distance and intensity," says Matthew Meyer, an RRCA-certified run coach and certified personal trainer in Boulder, Colorado. If that sounds ambiguous, that's kind of the point. "It's so informal because it's teaching you how to gauge feeling and effort." A fartlek workout is a type of interval training, in that you're mixing up your pace during a run by alternating between harder efforts and easier recoveries. But while interval workouts are generally tightly structured with the goal of hitting specific paces for set distances or time splits to elicit certain training adaptations, fartlek workouts are looser and more effort-based. You don't need to be on a track and you don't need a fancy running watch—you just need to run on feel. That's what makes fartleks such a beginner-friendly place to start with speedwork. But these workouts aren't just for novices. Fartleks are also a great way for experienced runners to ease back into harder efforts after time off, and they're often used at the beginning of a training cycle to reintroduce speed without the physical stress of going from 0 to 100. The Benefits of Fartlek Workouts for Runners Fartlek workouts are unstructured, so they teach you to run by effort. 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11 hours ago
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Doptelet Sprinkle (avatrombopag) was approved as an effective formulation for children one year to less than six years. The primary endpoint was met in 27.8% of patients, confirming the efficacy in children and adolescents with persistent or chronic ITP WALTHAM, Mass., July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sobi North America, the North American affiliate of Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (Sobi®), today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Doptelet® (avatrombopag) for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in pediatric patients one year and older with persistent or chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who have had an insufficient response to a prior therapy. 1 The approval also includes a new formulation, Doptelet Sprinkle (avatrombopag) oral granules, for use in children ages one to less than six years. 1 'Doptelet represents a significant advancement in the treatment of children and adolescents with persistent or chronic ITP,' said Rachael Grace, MD, MMSc, Pediatric Hematologist and Director, Hematology Clinical Research at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, and lead investigator of the AVA-PED-301 study. 'This therapy offers simple, flexible administration because it is oral, available as a tablet and now as a new pediatric sprinkle formulation and has no food restrictions. The approval of Doptelet for pediatric ITP offers families a new treatment option that can help address challenges in managing ITP in pediatric patients.' Doptelet Sprinkle is the approved dosage form for patients aged one to less than six years, while Doptelet tablet is the approved dosage form for patients aged six and up. 1 The pediatric approval is based on results from AVA-PED-301, a global, randomized, phase 3 study evaluating the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of Doptelet in the treatment of pediatric subjects with ITP. The study showed that 27.8% of Doptelet patients achieved the primary endpoint of durable platelet response* versus 0% of placebo patients in the absence of rescue medication (p=0.0077, 95% CI 15.8-39.7). Also, 81.5% of Doptelet patients achieved the alternative primary endpoint of platelet response** versus no patients in the placebo group (p=<0.0001, 95% CI 71.1-91.8). At Day 8, 55.6% of Doptelet patients (95% CI: 41.4%, 69.1%) had a platelet count ≥50×10^9/L in the absence of rescue therapy (p<0.0001) versus no placebo patients (95% CI: 0.0%, 16.1%). Doptelet was generally well-tolerated. In pediatric patients with persistent or chronic immune thrombocytopenia, the most common adverse reactions (≥ 10%) were viral infection, nasopharyngitis, cough, pyrexia, and oropharyngeal pain.1 'Since its introduction in 2019, Doptelet has been a cornerstone therapy for chronic ITP in adults,' said Duane Barnes, President of Sobi North America. 'This approval not only reinforces our commitment to innovation but also allows us to expand the treatment experience for patients and their families by offering Doptelet in two formulations.' Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by low numbers of platelets, leading to bruising and an increased risk of bleeding. It is estimated up to 100 people per million live with ITP. In children, ITP occurs in five out of 100,000 children per year and up to 25% of newly diagnosed pediatric ITP patients develop chronic ITP. Currently, no cure is available, and patients usually relapse after various treatments. Indications Doptelet is a thrombopoietin receptor agonist indicated for the treatment of: Thrombocytopenia in adult patients with chronic liver disease who are scheduled to undergo a procedure. Thrombocytopenia in adult patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia who have had an insufficient response to a previous treatment Thrombocytopenia in pediatric patients 1 year and older with persistent or chronic immune thrombocytopenia who have had an insufficient response to a previous treatment Important Safety Information Doptelet is a thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist and TPO receptor agonists have been associated with thrombotic and thromboembolic complications in patients with chronic liver disease or immune thrombocytopenia. In patients with chronic liver disease, thromboembolic events (portal vein thrombosis) occurred in 0.4% (1/274) of patients receiving Doptelet. In adult patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia, thromboembolic events (arterial or venous) occurred in 7% (9/128) of patients receiving Doptelet. Doptelet should not be administered to patients with chronic liver disease or immune thrombocytopenia in an attempt to normalize platelet counts. The most common adverse reactions in clinical trials were viral infection, nasopharyngitis, cough, pyrexia, and oropharyngeal pain. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sobi, Inc. at 1-866-773-5274 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or Please see the full Prescribing Information for Doptelet. * A durable response consisted of patients achieving a platelet count >=50,000/uL for six of the last eight weeks in the 12-week core phase of the AVA-PED-301 study. ** Efficacy was also evaluated by platelet response, defined as the proportion of subjects achieving at least two consecutive platelet assessments ≥50×10^9/L in the core phase in the absence of rescue medication. About Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a rare, acquired autoimmune condition characterized by a low platelet count and an increased risk of bleeding, and represents a multi-faceted disease burden for children and adolescents. Bleeding can range from minor symptoms, such as bruising, to more severe findings such as intracranial hemorrhage. ITP can also have a significant impact on quality of life including severe fatigue and restrictions on physical activity due to risk of bleeding. About Doptelet® (avatrombopag) Doptelet is an orally administered thrombopoietin receptor agonist (TPO-RA) that mimics the biologic effects of TPO in stimulating the development and maturation of megakaryocytes, resulting in increased platelet count. It is approved by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in adult patients with chronic liver disease who are scheduled to undergo a procedure and by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of severe thrombocytopenia in adult patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) who are scheduled to undergo an invasive procedure. In June 2019, Doptelet was approved by the FDA for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in adult patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who have had an insufficient response to a previous treatment and in 2021, Doptelet was approved by EMA for the treatment of primary chronic ITP in adult patients who are refractory to other treatments (e.g. corticosteroids, immunoglobulins). About Sobi North America As the North American affiliate of international biopharmaceutical company Sobi, the Sobi North America team is committed to Sobi's vision of being a leader in providing innovative treatments that transform lives for individuals with rare diseases. Our product portfolio includes multiple approved treatments focused on immunology, hematology and specialty care. With U.S. headquarters in the Boston area, Canadian headquarters in the Toronto area, and field sales, medical and market access representatives spanning North America, our growing team has a proven track record of commercial excellence. More information is available at or at About Sobi® Sobi is a global biopharma company unlocking the potential of breakthrough innovations, transforming everyday life for people living with rare diseases. Sobi has approximately 1,900 employees across Europe, North America, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. In 2024, revenue amounted to SEK 26 billion. Sobi's share (STO:SOBI) is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. More about Sobi at and LinkedIn. Contacts For details on how to contact the Sobi Investor Relations Team, please click here. For Sobi Media, click here. References 1. Doptelet Prescribing Information. Doptelet U.S. Product Information. Last updated: July 2025. Morrisville, NC: AkaRx, Inc. Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
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Baby girl grows ‘micropenis' after laying on her dad's chest
A baby girl in Sweden reportedly sprouted a 'micropenis' after lying on her father's bare chest — turning a tender bonding moment into a bizarre biological blunder. And she's not the only one. A Swedish doctor is sounding the alarm, warning she's seen at least half a dozen similar cases in children. Here's what you need to know to make sure your child isn't next. 4 Skin-to-skin contact can help regulate the baby's body temperature, heart rate and breathing. barneyboogles – Often referred to as 'kangaroo care,' skin-to-skin contact is a common practice used to strengthen the bond between newborns and parents while supporting healthy early development. But in this case, that sweet ritual took a strange turn. After her birth, the Swedish baby girl was repeatedly placed on her father's bare chest — the same area where he had applied testosterone gel. The topical medication is commonly prescribed to men with hypogonadism, a condition in which the body doesn't produce enough sex hormones. It's more common than you might think. Research suggests that, after the age of 40, men's testosterone levels fall by about 1% each year, a biological process sometimes colloquially called 'manopause.' While hypogonadism can affect men of any age, studies suggest that roughly 40% of those over 45 and half of men in their 80s have clinically low testosterone. 4 Testosterone gel increases levels of the testosterone hormone in your body. mbruxelle – Over time, this drop can lead to a range of symptoms, including low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, mood swings and muscle loss — issues that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can help treat. Unaware of the risk, the father's skin-to-skin contact inadvertently exposed his daughter to high levels of testosterone — triggering dramatic changes in her genitalia. Her parents noticed that her clitoris had begun to elongate, resembling a small penis, while her labia began to fuse, eventually looking similar to a male scrotum. Panicked, they brought their 10-month-old daughter to a doctor. Blood tests quickly identified the source. 4 Secondary exposure to testosterone gel in children can trigger adverse effects such as premature puberty. – 'I don't think people always understand how potent these treatments are,' Professor Jovanna Dahlgren, a pediatric endocrinologist at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, told local news outlet Göteborgs-Posten. 'The parents become completely desperate when they understand what has happened,' she added. The case, which occurred eight years ago, is one of at least six similar incidents Dahlgren has seen, all involving young children unintentionally exposed to hormone medication through close contact with a parent. In one case, she said, a 10-year-old boy developed breasts after coming into contact with estrogen cream his mother had been using. Fortunately, in the Swedish girl's case, her genitals began to shrink once her father stopped using the gel and the accidental exposure ceased. And while local media described the case as a 'micropenis,' experts note that's not technically accurate, as the term refers specifically to underdeveloped male genitalia — not virilized female anatomy. 4 Testosterone decline in men, common with age, can lead to side effects like erectile dysfunction. Kaspars Grinvalds – The story comes amid a surge in TRT popularity, including in the US, where prescriptions jumped from 7.3 million in 2019 to over 11 million last year, according to CBS News. High-profile names like Josh Duhamel, Sylvester Stallone, Joe Rogan — and even Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — have gotten in on the hormone hack. But it's not just aging men fueling the trend. On TikTok, the hashtag 'TRT Before and After' has exploded with millions of views, showcasing ripped guys in their 20s and 30s boasting about about boosted energy levels and sex drives. Experts, however, warn TRT isn't without risks. Side effects can include acne, fluid retention, testicular shrinkage, reduced fertility and worsened sleep apnea, according to the Cleveland Clinic. TRT comes in several forms: pills, injections, patches, and gels. If you use the topical gel, the Mayo Clinic advises washing your hands thoroughly after application and rinsing the treated area before any skin-to-skin contact to avoid accidentally exposing others.
