Even healthy children can be severely affected by RSV, reveals research

It is not only premature babies and children with underlying diseases who suffer from serious respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. Even healthy, full-term babies are at significant risk of intensive care or prolonged hospitalisation – especially during the first three months of life. This is according to a comprehensive registry study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe.

RSV is a common cause of respiratory infections in young children and accounts for around 245,000 hospital admissions annually in Europe. Researchers have now analysed data from over 2.3 million children born in Sweden between 2001 and 2022 to find out who is at greatest risk of suffering serious complications or dying from an RSV infection.

Preventive treatment available

It is well-known that premature babies and children with chronic diseases are at increased risk of developing severe illness when infected with RSV. It is also known that children under three months of age are particularly vulnerable, but it has not been entirely clear how common severe disease is among previously healthy children. The study shows that the largest group among the children who needed intensive care or were hospitalised for a long period of time were under three months of age, previously healthy and born at full term.

“When shaping treatment strategies, it is important to take into account that even healthy infants can be severely affected by RSV,” says the study’s first author, Giulia Dallagiacoma, a physician and doctoral student at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet. “The good news is that there is now preventive treatment that can be given to newborns, and a vaccine that can be given to pregnant women.”

Starting September 10, 2025, all newborns in Sweden will be offered preventive treatment with antibodies during the RSV season. The drug works much like a vaccine and protects against severe RSV infection for about six months.

Several risk factors identified

A total of 1.7 per cent of the children in the study were diagnosed with RSV infection. Among those, just under 12 per cent (4,621 children) had a severe course of illness. The median age of children who needed intensive care was just under two months, and the majority of them had no underlying disease.

The researchers identified several factors that were linked to an increased risk of needing intensive care or dying. Children who were born in the winter, or had siblings aged 0–3 years or a twin, had approximately a threefold increased risk, while children who were small at birth had an almost fourfold increased risk. Children with underlying medical conditions had more than a fourfold increased risk of severe illness or death.

“We know that several underlying diseases increase the risk of severe RSV infection, and it is these children who have so far been targeted for protection with the preventive treatment that has been available,” says the study’s last author, Samuel Rhedin, resident physician at Sachs’ Children and Youth Hospital and associate professor at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet. “However, the study highlights that a large proportion of children who require intensive care due to their RSV infection were previously healthy. Now that better preventive medicines are available, it is therefore positive that the definition of risk groups is being broadened to offer protection during the RSV season to previously healthy infants as well.”

Reference:

Giulia Dallagiacoma, Risk factors for severe outcomes of respiratory syncytial virus infection in children: a nationwide cohort study in Sweden, The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, DOI:10.1016/j.lanepe.2025.101447.

Powered by WPeMatico

Keto diet linked to reduced depression symptoms in college students

A new study shows an association between at least 10 weeks of following a well-formulated ketogenic diet and a roughly 70% decrease in depression symptoms among a small group of college students.

Powered by WPeMatico

Blood test identifies HPV-associated head and neck cancers up to 10 years before symptoms

Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes around 70% of head and neck cancers in the United States, making it the most common cancer caused by the virus, with rates increasing each year. Unlike cervical cancers caused by HPV, there is no screening test for HPV-associated head and neck cancers. This means that patients are usually diagnosed after a tumor has grown to billions of cells in size, causing symptoms and spreading to lymph nodes. Screening methods that can detect these cancers much earlier could mean earlier treatment interventions for patients.

Powered by WPeMatico

Breathing device could have profound impact on survival for people with sleep apnoea and type 2 diabetes

People with both type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obstructive sleep apnoea have a higher risk of death, but treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may reduce that risk by around 26%, according to new research being presented at this year’s Annual Meeting of The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), Vienna (15-19 Sept).

The Swedish researchers said the results underscore the importance of treating sleep apnoea as part of a broader effort to control type 2 diabetes and improve long-term survival.

Obstructive sleep apnoea is when throat muscles relax during sleep, blocking the airway, causing a person to wake up repeatedly to breathe. This disrupted sleep pattern can lower oxygen levels, affecting the brain. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health problems, including high blood pressure, heart trouble, and T2D.

CPAP machines treat sleep apnoea by delivering pressurised air through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep. However, research on the effects of CPAP on survival has produced mixed results.

Obstructive sleep apnoea affects around 1 billion of the world’s adults aged 30-69 years [1], and an estimated 50–80% of adults with T2D [2], most of whom are undiagnosed, increasing the risk of complications. In people with T2D, sleep apnoea is associated with more than a 50% increased risk of cardiovascular disease (including heart failure and stroke) and a 24% higher risk of dying from any cause compared to those without sleep apnoea [3].

“Despite the substantial impact of obstructive sleep apnoea on cardiovascular disease and survival, it often goes undiagnosed in people with type 2 diabetes and is not routinely addressed as part of diabetes management,” said lead author Dr Jonas Aghome from Linköping University in Sweden. “What’s more, the impact of treatment with CPAP on survival in people with T2D hasn’t been clear.”

Previous studies in patients with both T2D and obstructive sleep apnoea have been limited by short follow-up periods and a focus on metabolic endpoints, rather than on longer-term clinical outcomes such as survival.

To answer these questions, Swedish researchers analysed data from five Swedish national registers between 2010 and 2024 to identify 12,388 T2D patients with obstructive sleep apnoea who had been prescribed CPAP and 737,911 T2D patients (whose obstructive sleep apnoea status was unknown) who were never prescribed CPAP, to compare long-term survival.

Dr Agholme explains, “Despite potential dilution from including individuals without obstructive sleep apnoea in the control group, the high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea in people with T2D, together with the higher risk of illness associated with having both T2D and obstructive sleep apnoea, should allow any clinically relevant associations of CPAP to be detected.”

The CPAP treatment group included less women ( 31% vs. 43%), was younger (average age 58 years vs. 65 years), but had a higher average body mass index (BMI, 34.7 kg/m² vs. 30.6 kg/m²).

Of those prescribed CPAP, 764 people (6.1%) died within 14 years compared to 212,336 people (28.7%) of those who did not receive CPAP.

After adjusting for potential confounders including age, sex, and prior cardiovascular disease, as well as factors that may vary during follow-up including BMI, smoking, cholesterol, kidney function, blood pressure, and pharmacological treatment, they found that patients who were prescribed CPAP had a 26% lower risk of dying from any cause over the 14-year period, compared with patients who never received CPAP.

“This new study using real-world data highlights the potential benefits of CPAP in people with T2D and obstructive sleep apnoea, a clinical conundrum that has long awaited answers,” said Dr Agholme. “The findings suggest that CPAP may play an important role in improving patient outcomes and survival, and they underline the value of early OSA diagnosis in people with T2D. Still, more rigorous research is needed to determine the causal effect of CPAP treatment. ”

Reference:

Breathing device could have profound impact on survival for people with sleep apnoea and type 2 diabetes, European Association for the Study of Diabetes, Meeting: Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD).

Powered by WPeMatico

Even healthy children can be severely affected by RSV

It is not only premature babies and children with underlying diseases who suffer from serious respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. Even healthy, full‐term babies are at significant risk of intensive care or prolonged hospitalization—especially during the first three months of life.

Powered by WPeMatico

Breast cell changes in motherhood provides clues to breastfeeding difficulties

In a study in mice, researchers have identified genes associated with the dramatic transformation of the mammary gland in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and after breastfeeding as it returns to its resting state.

Powered by WPeMatico

Large social and economic inequalities persist among UK doctors, study reveals

Large social and economic inequalities persist among UK doctors, with those from a professional background six times more likely to become a medical practitioner than those from a working-class background, reveals a 10-year study, published in the open access journal BMJ Open.

Powered by WPeMatico

Tooth Loss Significantly Increases Stroke Risk in Adults, suggests study

Researchers have found in a new study that tooth loss is highly associated with stroke risk, with patients having increased tooth loss having a considerably higher risk of stroke. The research provides robust evidence of the association between tooth loss and stroke, with additional missing teeth increasing risk by 2%. The study was published in the Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases by Dajin Li. and colleagues.

Stroke remains a heavy burden of global disease, leading not only to premature death but also to disability for a lifetime in survivors. Oral health, frequently neglected, is crucial for prevention and management of systemic disease. Tooth loss is among the most prevalent oral diseases in adults and is usually associated with periodontal disease, inadequate oral hygiene, and chronic systemic inflammation.

The research was cross-sectional analysis with data drawn from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) involving 23,473 adults. The number of missing teeth was recorded for each participant by professional dentists. Multivariable logistic regression models with adjustment for confounders were used to assess tooth loss and the risk of stroke. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was also used to evaluate the nonlinear association between tooth loss and stroke. Subgroup analyses were conducted to verify if the association was homogeneous across various population groups.

Results

• Of the 23,473 participants in the study, 4.19% had a history of stroke.

• The stroke-diagnosed participants had more missing teeth than those without stroke.

• Following the control of multiple variables, each extra missing tooth raised the odds of stroke by 2% (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.02, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.01–1.03).

• In addition, those with complete tooth loss carried a 163% increased risk of stroke among those with no missing teeth (OR = 2.63, 95% CI: 1.90–3.62).

• The RCS analysis validated a nonlinear, positive association between tooth loss and stroke risk, showing that stroke risk increases more steeply with increasing numbers of missing teeth.

The study showed that there was a strong positive correlation between missing teeth and stroke risk in U.S. adults. These findings reinforce the importance of oral health in the prevention of serious systemic disease. Large-scale, well-controlled trials will ultimately be required to replicate these findings and support the inclusion of oral health interventions as a component of stroke prevention programs.

Reference:

Li, D., You, M., Rong, Y., Wang, L., Peng, S., Shi, F., Sun, X., Liang, Y., & Wang, T. (2025). Association between number of missing teeth and stroke risk: an analysis of NHANES 2011-2020 data. Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases: The Official Journal of National Stroke Association, 34(11), 108442. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2025.108442

Powered by WPeMatico

Myo-Inositol Does Not Reduce Pregnancy Risks in PCOS: JAMA

Daily myo-inositol supplementation in pregnancy was not found to reduce the risk of severe complications like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or preterm delivery in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) women, according to a recent study published in JAMA. The research concluded that myo-inositol, in spite of previous indications of its possible usefulness, had no notable impact in avoiding these events. The study was conducted by Anne W. and colleagues.

PCOS is a prevalent endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age and is highly correlated with increased risks of pregnancy complications. Pregnant women with PCOS have a higher likelihood of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm birth. Myo-inositol, a nutritional supplement, has been extensively investigated for its potential in enhancing insulin sensitivity and ovarian function. Earlier small studies had indicated potential advantages in lowering pregnancy complications but were not done on a large scale using randomized controlled trials. This trial, which was performed in 13 hospitals in the Netherlands, sought to settle whether myo-inositol supplementation could offer quantifiable protection during pregnancy.

The study was set up as a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial and involved 464 pregnant women with PCOS. Participants were recruited from June 2019 to March 2023, with last follow-up being finished in December 2023. They were divided at random in a 1:1 ratio to receive either myo-inositol (2 g with 0.2 mg folic acid twice daily, n = 230) or placebo (0.2 mg folic acid only, n = 234) until delivery. The main outcome was a composite of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or preterm delivery before 37 weeks’ gestation.

Results

• Mean participant age was 31.5 years, with a high percentage identifying as White (86.1%, n = 395) and a smaller percentage as Asian (3.9%, n = 18).

• Biochemical hyperandrogenism occurred more frequently at baseline in the myo-inositol group (29.0%, n = 53 of 180) than in the placebo group (18.5%, n = 37 of 193).

• A primary outcome event was observed in 25.0% (n = 56) of patients treated with myo-inositol and in 26.8% (n = 61) of those treated with placebo.

• This corresponded to a relative risk of 0.93 (95% CI, 0.68–1.28; P = 0.67), showing no statistically significant difference between both groups.

This randomized controlled trial showed that myo-inositol supplementation in pregnancy did not have any important effect on the prevention of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or preterm delivery in PCOS women. While safe and well-tolerated, myo-inositol should not be regarded as an effective means of prevention of pregnancy complications in this population.

Reference:

van der Wel AWT, Frank CMC, Bout-Rebel R, et al. Myo-inositol Supplementation to Prevent Pregnancy Complications in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. Published online September 08, 2025. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.13668

Powered by WPeMatico

Adolescent Dysmenorrhoea Raises Risk of Chronic Pain in Adulthood, suggests study

Researchers have discovered in a new study that teenage girls suffering from dysmenorrhoea, painful periods are more likely to experience chronic pain in later life. The results are based on the UK’s large Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) birth cohort study. The research identified that the adolescents with moderate to severe dysmenorrhoea at 15 years were more likely to be reporting chronic pain at age 26 compared to their peers who did not experience menstrual pain. The study was published in The Lancet: Child & Adolescent Health by Rachel R. and colleagues.

The study involved 1,157 individuals from childhood to early adulthood. From ages 8 through 17 years, participants were queried each year about menstrual pain. At age 15, they completed a question about whether their dysmenorrhoea was mild, moderate, or severe. At age 26, participants were queried whether they had had pain ≥3 months in the preceding year.

Researchers employed multivariable logistic regression models that were adjusted for a variety of confounders, such as ethnicity, maternal education, adverse childhood experiences, pre-menarchal depressive symptoms, BMI, smoking, diet factors, and physical activity. Mediation analysis was conducted in order to determine if anxiety and depression following dysmenorrhoea was responsible for the association between menstrual pain and subsequent chronic pain.

Results

• At age 15, 691 (59.7%) of the sample had moderate or severe dysmenorrhoea. At age 26, 307 (26.5%) had chronic pain.

Prevalence of chronic pain was closely associated with severity of dysmenorrhoea in adolescence:

• No dysmenorrhoea: 32 out of 185 (17.3%) had chronic pain at age 26.

• Mild dysmenorrhoea: 62 out of 281 (22.1%) had chronic pain.

• Moderate dysmenorrhoea: 157 out of 524 (30.0%) had chronic pain.

• Severe dysmenorrhoea: 56 of 167 (33.5%) had chronic pain.

Adjusted relative risks (RRs) for chronic pain at age 26 were:

• Mild dysmenorrhoea: RR = 1.23 (95% CI 0.85–1.74, p=0.27)

• Moderate dysmenorrhoea: RR = 1.65 (95% CI 1.22–2.18, p=0.0021)

• Severe dysmenorrhoea: RR = 1.76 (95% CI 1.23–2.39, p=0.0030)

These are equivalent to absolute risk increases of:

• 4.8 percentage points (95% CI –2.5 to 12.1) for mild

• 12.7 percentage points (95% CI 5.9–19.4) for moderate

• 16.2 percentage points (95% CI 7.2–25.2) for severe dysmenorrhoea

Adolescent dysmenorrhoea was also shown to substantially raise the risk of adult chronic pain, particularly of moderate or severe intensity. Menstrual pain in adolescence should be regarded as a key public health problem, the authors opine. Early detection and good management are essential for lessening future health burdens.

Reference:

Reid-McCann, R., Poli-Neto, O. B., Stein, K., Dixon, S., Cox, E., Coxon, L., Fazel, M., Noonan, M., Sharp, G. C., Zondervan, K., & Vincent, K. (2025). Longitudinal association between dysmenorrhoea in adolescence and chronic pain in adulthood: a UK population-based study. The Lancet. Child & Adolescent Health. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2352-4642(25)00213-5

Powered by WPeMatico