Childhood Hypertension Triples Long-Term Risk of Serious Kidney Events, Lancet Study Finds

Canada: A landmark population-based study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health has revealed that children and adolescents diagnosed with hypertension face a significantly higher risk of developing serious long-term kidney complications compared to their non-hypertensive peers.

Conducted by Dr. Junayd Hussain and colleagues from the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, the retrospective cohort study assessed kidney outcomes in youth aged 3 to 18 years across Ontario, Canada. The study spanned over two decades—from April 1996 to March 2023—and utilized data from validated health administrative databases to explore the relationship between childhood hypertension and major adverse kidney events (MAKEs), including chronic kidney disease (CKD), kidney failure, or death.

Researchers matched 26,324 children and adolescents with hypertension to 126,834 non-hypertensive controls using propensity score methods. Matching criteria included key factors such as age, sex, birthweight, maternal gestational hypertension, and pre-existing health conditions like diabetes, obesity, and previous kidney injury. This approach ensured a balanced comparison between the groups, eliminating potential biases that might influence the risk of kidney outcomes.

The study revealed the following findings:

  • The incidence of major adverse kidney events (MAKEs) in children and adolescents with hypertension was 5.52 per 1,000 person-years.
  • In comparison, the incidence in non-hypertensive controls was 1.66 per 1,000 person-years.
  • Overall, 7.7% of hypertensive participants experienced a MAKE versus 2.4% in the control group.
  • The risk of MAKEs was three times higher in hypertensive youth, with a hazard ratio of 3.03 (95% CI: 2.86–3.21).
  • The median age at the diagnosis of hypertension among study participants was 15 years.
  • Males made up 58.7% of the hypertensive cohort, indicating a slight male predominance.
  • Most participants had no significant prior medical conditions.
  • A small proportion had congenital heart disease (4.4%), malignancy (6.8%), or were born to mothers with hypertension (3%).

These findings highlight the crucial importance of early detection and effective management of high blood pressure in children and adolescents. Despite being traditionally viewed as a condition of adulthood, hypertension in the pediatric population is becoming increasingly common, now affecting around 6% of youth. Until now, direct evidence connecting childhood hypertension to future kidney health has been limited.

“Recognizing and treating hypertension during childhood could play a pivotal role in preventing progressive kidney damage later in life,” the authors noted. They further emphasized the importance of future large-scale, prospective studies to confirm these results and guide targeted interventions.

“With the burden of chronic kidney disease rising globally, especially among young populations, this study emphasizes the urgency of prioritizing pediatric hypertension as a public health concern,” the authors concluded.

Reference: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanchi/article/PIIS2352-4642(25)00127-0/abstract

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Early Childbirth and Having No Children Linked to Higher Mortality in Postmenopausal Women, Study Shows

Florida: A large-scale study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology highlights how reproductive patterns such as the number of children and the timing of childbirth may influence long-term mortality risk in postmenopausal women.

The research, led by Dr. Zailing Xing from the College of Public Health at the University of South Florida, examined data from over 100,000 women to understand how parity and age at childbirth relate to lifespan—finding that early childbirth and childlessness are linked to higher all-cause mortality, with premature menopause playing a key mediating role.

The study analyzed data from the Women’s Health Initiative, involving 106,760 postmenopausal women. Using propensity score matching and multilevel Cox proportional hazard models, the researchers assessed the association between different reproductive factors and mortality, adjusting for demographic and clinical variables. Mediation analysis was also conducted to explore the role of premature menopause in these associations.

The study led to the following findings:

  • Women with no children had a 9% higher risk of all-cause mortality compared to those with two children.
  • Women with only one child had an 11% higher risk of death later in life.
  • Having three or more children did not significantly affect mortality rates.
  • Women who gave birth to their first child before age 20 had a 14% increased risk of mortality.
  • Last childbirth before age 25 was associated with a 6% higher risk of death.
  • Last childbirth at or after age 40 was linked to a 7% higher mortality risk.
  • Both early and late childbirth negatively impacted long-term survival.
  • Premature menopause was identified as a significant mediator between reproductive history and mortality risk.
  • Women with early childbirth or no children were more likely to experience early menopause.
  • Early menopause was associated with a shorter lifespan among postmenopausal women.

The findings emphasize the potential long-term health implications of reproductive choices and timing. According to the authors, these results highlight the need for early identification of women who may be at increased risk due to their reproductive history. This could help guide interventions aimed at improving long-term health outcomes and survival.

The authors concluded, “The study sheds light on how early-life reproductive factors can shape a woman’s health trajectory well into older age. Recognizing and addressing these risks early may be crucial to supporting healthy aging among women.”

Reference: https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(25)00379-5/abstract

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New study may pave the way for targeted cancer treatments

Imagine a drug that halts cancer without side effects or risks. That future may be a bit nearer thanks to recent research led by Raj Kumar, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences at Touro College of Pharmacy.

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How a drug used to treat Parkinson’s disease might affect the brain

Simon Fraser University researchers are using a new approach to brain imaging that could improve how drugs are prescribed to treat Parkinson’s disease.

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Biocon Biologics Yesafili gets Health Canada nod for eye diseases

Bengaluru: Biocon Biologics Ltd., a fully integrated global biosimilars company and a subsidiary of Biocon Ltd., has announced that Health Canada has granted a
Notice of Compliance (NOC) for Yesafili (aflibercept), a biosimilar to Eylea (aflibercept) injection,
in vial and prefilled syringe presentations, 2 mg/0.05 mL on June 26, 2025.

This approval paves the
way for the launch of YESAFILI in Canada, scheduled for July 4, 2025.

YESAFILI is the first biosimilar to
EYLEA to be approved by Health Canada.
YESAFILI is a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of:


• Neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

• Visual impairment due to macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO)

• Visual impairment due to macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO)

• Diabetic macular edema (DME)

• Myopic choroidal neovascularization (myopic CNV)


The approval is based on a comprehensive package of analytical, nonclinical, and clinical data,
confirming that YESAFILI is highly similar with no clinically meaningful differences to EYLEA in terms
of quality, safety, and efficacy.


Shreehas Tambe, CEO & Managing Director, Biocon Biologics Ltd., said, “The approval of YESAFILI by
Health Canada—the first biosimilar to EYLEA in Canada—is a proud moment for Biocon Biologics.
We are excited that in July, Canada will be the first country where we will launch YESAFILI, making it
our 10th biosimilar to be commercialized worldwide. This milestone reflects our science-driven
innovation, global commercialization strength, and continued commitment to expanding access to
high-quality, affordable biologics for patients across the globe.”

Ramy Ayad, Head of Canada at Biocon Biologics, stated, “This is a significant achievement for Biocon
Biologics in Canada. With the approval of YESAFILI, we are delivering on our promise to improve access
to advanced biologic therapies. Canadian ophthalmologists and patients will soon have a high-quality,
affordable biosimilar option for serious retinal diseases.”

Read also: Biocon Gets CDSCO Panel Nod to Market Trastuzumab PGS in India

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Focus on Health equity: PM urges States to boost Healthcare Infrastructure

New Delhi: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired the 48th meeting of PRAGATI, the ICT-enabled, multi-modal platform aimed at fostering Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, by seamlessly integrating efforts of the Central and State governments, at South Block.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister reviewed certain critical infrastructure projects across the Mines, Railways, and Water Resources sectors. These projects, pivotal to economic growth and public welfare, were reviewed with a focus on timelines, inter-agency coordination, and issue resolution.

Prime Minister underscored that delays in project execution come at the dual cost of escalating financial outlays and denying citizens timely access to essential services and infrastructure. He urged officials, both at the Central and State levels, to adopt a results-driven approach to translate opportunity into improving lives.

Also Read:Yoga is the pause button humanity needs, says PM Modi as he leads 11th International Yoga Day

During a review of Prime Minister-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), the Prime Minister urged all States to accelerate the development of health infrastructure, with a special focus on Aspirational Districts, as well as remote, tribal, and border areas. He emphasized that equitable access to quality healthcare must be ensured for the poor, marginalized, and underserved populations, and called for urgent and sustained efforts to bridge existing gaps in critical health services across these regions.

Prime Minister emphasised that PM-ABHIM provides a golden opportunity to States to strengthen their primary, tertiary and specialised health infrastructure at Block, District and State level to provide quality health care and services.

Prime Minister reviewed exemplary practices fostering Aatmanirbharta in the defence sector, undertaken by various Ministries, Departments, and States/UTs. He lauded these initiatives for their strategic significance and their potential to spur innovation across the defence ecosystem. Underscoring their broader relevance, Prime Minister cited the success of Operation Sindoor, executed with indigenous capabilities, as a powerful testament to India’s advancing self-reliance in defence sector.  

Prime Minister also highlighted how the States can avail the opportunity to strengthen the ecosystem and contribute to Aatmanirbharta in defence sector.

Also Read:Doctors are like Gods, says Rajnath Singh at KNS Hospital Silver Jubilee Celebration

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Haryana takes action against Health Officials over Illegal Abortions

Chandigarh: In a decisive move to strengthen the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao campaign and improve the sex ratio at birth (SRB) in Haryana, the state’s Special Task Force (STF) on Tuesday initiated disciplinary action against two senior health officials for alleged dereliction of duty.   

According to the news reports, the STF decided to charge-sheet the former Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Charkhi Dadri, for “persistent non-performance” in duties related to sex ratio monitoring. Similarly, directions were issued for initiating charges against the Senior Medical Officer (SMO) of CHC-Gopi in Bhiwani, citing low SRB in his area of responsibility. 

The decisions were taken during a high-level STF meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (Health), Sudhir Rajpal. The SRB stood at 906 girls per 1,000 boys as of June 23, a slight dip from 910 recorded in December 2024, prompting renewed focus on enforcement and community intervention.

During the review meeting, ACS Rajpal emphasised the need for close monitoring of “SAHELIs” working with pregnant women, particularly in areas where abortion cases have been reported. The health department spokesperson stated that the ACS directed strict surveillance of Community Health Centres (CHCs) and called for holding Senior Medical Officers (SMOs) accountable in regions where illegal abortions are taking place.

Also Read: Rajasthan: Sex ratio at birth improves; PCPNDT Act hailed

According to Hindustan Times, the STF also ordered the cancellation of the registration of an AYUSH doctor in Kharkhoda, Sonipat, against whom an FIR has been filed over illegal abortion practices. The ACS (health) further directed that any woman arriving at a hospital with bleeding symptoms must undergo reverse tracking and be tested for consumption of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) pills. “If any violation of the law is detected, appropriate legal action must be taken without delay,” Rajpal said.

As part of the intensified campaign from June 17 to 23, the department conducted 28 inspections across the state targeting the illegal sale of MTP kits. As a result, one shop was sealed, and two FIRs were registered. Authorities also reported a drastic drop in the number of wholesalers selling MTP kits — from 32 to just 3 — along with decreased sales in 15 districts.

Also Read: UP Govt makes Childbirth Reporting mandatory for Private Hospitals

The ACS directed officials to ramp up raids on ultrasound and MTP centres and increase birth registration drives, particularly in Charkhi Dadri district, where targeted interventions are needed. He also emphasised the need to expand the ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’ campaign to urban areas, reports Hindustan Times.

To recognise and encourage community involvement, the task force recommended identifying SAHELIs who have actively ensured the safe delivery of girl children. These volunteers will be incentivised by the respective CMOs to honour their contribution and inspire others.

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Thiruvananthapuram Medical College achieves milestone in advanced stroke care

Thiruvananthapuram: The Neurology Department of the Government Medical College (GMC) Thiruvananthapuram has achieved a significant milestone in the field of advanced stroke treatment through its neurointervention facilities.

“Neuro-intervention services at the Medical College began in June 2023. Under the current government, the first Neuro Cath Lab in the country within the neurology department was established here,” Health Minister Veena George said, news agency UNI reported.

Since then, the deployment has successfully performed 320 diagnostic cerebral angiograms and 55 therapeutic neuro-intervention procedures — a total of 375 neuro-interventions. This includes several complex procedures that are rarely performed in India.

Also Read:Kerala Govt to launch Real-time Blood Bank Tracking Application

Congratulating the entire neurology team for bringing numerous patients back to life through these advanced treatments, she said the team has successfully treated extremely rare and complex conditions like aneurysms.

Procedures such as angioplasty on extremely thin blood vessels within the brain were performed with great success. This has placed Thiruvananthapuram Medical College among the very few institutions in India capable of handling such complex procedures.

The hospital has also successfully performed embolisation procedures for rare conditions like dural arteriovenous fistula (dural AV fistula), carotid-cavernous fistula, and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).

These advanced treatments, which typically cost several lakhs of rupees, are provided either free of charge or at a very low cost under government health schemes. Even patients aged up to 90 have successfully undergone mechanical thrombectomy at the hospital.

A stroke (also called a cerebrovascular accident) occurs when the blood vessels supplying the brain are blocked (thrombosis) or ruptured (hemorrhage).

Stroke treatment is highly time-sensitive – patients must reach the hospital within 4.5 hours of the first symptoms for the treatment to be effective. Symptoms of stroke include sudden facial drooping, weakness in the arms or legs, and slurred speech. Anyone exhibiting these signs should be rushed to a hospital without delay.

To provide comprehensive stroke care, Thiruvananthapuram Medical College has established an advanced stroke centre equipped with facilities such as a CT angiogram, a stroke cath lab, and a dedicated stroke ICU.

A Stroke Helpline is also available for assistance. In case of any suspicion of stroke, immediately call the Stroke Centre’s helpline at 9946332963 for guidance and emergency support. A fully equipped medical team is available 24/7 at the centre to ensure timely and life-saving treatment, reports UNI.

Also Read:Kerala: Health Minister Veena George to inaugurate first ever project on collection, disposal of expired medicines

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Once-Monthly MariTide Shows Promising Weight Loss in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: Phase 2 Trial

USA: A once-monthly injectable therapy, maridebart cafraglutide (MariTide), demonstrated significant weight loss in individuals with obesity-with and without type 2 diabetes-according to a new phase 2 clinical trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine. The trial, led by Dr. Ania M. Jastreboff from Yale School of Medicine and her colleagues, explored the efficacy and safety of this novel dual-action peptide–antibody conjugate over 52 weeks.

MariTide is designed to combine the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor activation with glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor antagonism. This unique mechanism targets key metabolic pathways involved in appetite regulation, insulin sensitivity, and weight management.

The study enrolled a total of 592 adults, divided into two cohorts: individuals with obesity (465 participants) and those with both obesity and type 2 diabetes (127 participants). Participants were randomized to receive various dosing regimens of maridebart cafraglutide or a placebo injection over a year. Doses ranged from 140 mg to 420 mg, administered every four or eight weeks, with some groups undergoing dose escalation to evaluate tolerability.

The study revealed the following findings:

  • In the obesity-only cohort, participants lost an average of 12.3% to 16.2% of their baseline body weight over 52 weeks, depending on the dosing regimen, compared to just 2.5% in the placebo group.
  • The greatest weight reduction was observed in participants receiving 420 mg of maridebart cafraglutide every four weeks.
  • Among individuals with both obesity and type 2 diabetes, average weight loss ranged from 8.4% to 12.3% at week 52, while the placebo group showed only a 1.7% weight reduction.
  • Participants with obesity and diabetes also experienced significant improvements in blood sugar control, with HbA1c levels dropping by 1.2 to 1.6 percentage points, in contrast to a 0.1-point reduction in the placebo group.
  • Gastrointestinal adverse events such as nausea and diarrhea were frequently reported but occurred less often and with lower intensity among those who received dose-escalation or lower starting doses.
  • The trial did not report any new or unexpected safety concerns, reinforcing the overall tolerability of the treatment.

The authors wrote, “Overall, the trial findings suggest that maridebart cafraglutide, administered once a month, has the potential to become an effective therapeutic option for weight management in adults with or without type 2 diabetes. The substantial and sustained weight reduction, along with improvements in blood sugar levels, marks a promising advance in the treatment landscape for obesity.”

“Further research, including larger phase 3 trials, will be essential to confirm long-term safety and effectiveness before regulatory approval,” they concluded.

Reference:

Jastreboff AM, Ryan DH, Bays HE, et al. Once-monthly maridebart cafraglutide for the treatment of obesity — a phase 2 trial. N Engl J Med. 2025;Epub ahead of print.

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Flavan-3-ols Significantly Improve Blood Pressure and Vascular Health: Study

A new study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology has found that foods rich in flavan-3-ols have the potential to decrease blood pressure and enhance vascular function drastically, particularly among those with high or hypertensive levels. A recent meta-analysis affirms the cardiovascular effect of flavan-3-ols, substances present in cocoa, tea, apples, and other fruits. The study was published in Vasiliki L. and colleagues.

Flavan-3-ols have been known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions for decades. Despite that, their therapeutic application in cardiovascular prevention was limited. This systematic review sought to evaluate systematically their effect on blood pressure and endothelial function based on data collected over almost eight decades.

The authors performed a PROSPERO-registered systematic review and meta-analysis (CRD42023454691). They screened and examined 109 publications of 145 RCTs published between 1946 and March 2024. All the studies had estimated the impacts of flavan-3-ol-dense interventions like epicatechin, epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG), cocoa products, green and black tea, grape extract, and apples.

Participants had an average daily intake of 586 mg of flavan-3-ols (95% confidence interval: 510–662 mg). Both office and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) as well as flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were specifically measured in the study to determine endothelial function.

Key Findings

Reduction in Blood Pressure:

• Office BP was lowered by a mean of 2.8 mmHg systolic and 2.0 mmHg diastolic for all participants.

• Twenty-four-hour ambulatory BP fell by 3.7 mmHg systolic and 2.6 mmHg diastolic.

Greater Effects in Hypertension:

Participants with elevated or hypertensive BP at baseline experienced greater decreases:

• Office BP: −5.9 mmHg systolic and −2.7 mmHg diastolic

• 24-hour ambulatory BP: −6.8 mmHg systolic and −5.1 mmHg diastolic

Endothelial Function Improved:

• Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) improved by 2.0% after acute and 1.7% after repeated intake of flavan-3-ol-rich foods, regardless of changes in BP.

Safety Profile:

• A dverse events reported were trivial and infrequent, occurring in only 0.4% of participants.

Foods rich in flavan-3-ol reduce high blood pressure significantly and improve vascular function, justifying their inclusion in cardiovascular preventive therapy. Due to their good safety profile and availability, the compounds present a promising and convenient method for the control of vascular well-being.

Reference:

Vasiliki Lagou, Arno Greyling, Mario G Ferruzzi, Simon S Skene, Joy Dubost, Ayse Demirkan, Inga Prokopenko, Julie Shlisky, Ana Rodriguez-Mateos, Christian Heiss, Impact of flavan-3-ols on blood pressure and endothelial function in diverse populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 2025;, zwaf173,https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwaf173

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