Respiratory medicine

The invisible killer

Chief medical officer Dame Sally Davies will warn today that an alarming number of parents are still risking their children’s lives by smoking in front of them at home or in the car.

More than 300,000 under-16s a year visit their doctor with illnesses related to second hand smoking, including conditions such as middle ear disease, wheezing and asthma cases and respiratory infection.

The warning comes on the eve of a Government television advertising campaign highlighting the dangers of second hand smoke.

Last published on 4 June 2013

RCPCH responds to BMA's 'Growing up in the UK' report

Responding to the BMA’s Growing Up in the UK report, Dr Hilary Cass, President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said:

“The message is loud and clear; the UK has a lot of work to do to ensure our children are as healthy as they could, should and deserve to be.

Last published on 17 May 2013

‘Avoidable’ emergency care sends asthma costs soaring above £1bn

A report published today by Asthma UK will highlight the postcode lottery of asthma care in England.

Three people die every day due to asthma and 200 are taken to hospital.

Emergency care, much of which is avoidable, has increased the NHS bill for treating asthma to more than £1bn a year, but the report reveals that this money is not being spent evenly across the country. While some health authorities are providing effective care and support through GP surgeries and health centres, others rely on hospitals to treat people with asthma.

Last published on 7 May 2013

Sharp rise in number of children taking up smoking

Research suggests a rise of 50,000 in the number of children taking up smoking in a year.

Cancer Research UK said that about a third more children aged 11 to 15 took up smoking in 2011 than did in 2010.

The charity found almost a third of under-16s having tried smoking at least once, and it urged the government to commit to standardising all cigarette packaging.

Last published on 22 March 2013

Mothers can cut asthma risk in baby by avoiding fish, nuts and dairy, says study

Mothers can greatly reduce the risk of their baby developing asthma by not eating fish, nuts or dairy products during their child's first year of life and vigorously tackling house dust mites, new research suggests.

Taking such steps can result in a "persistent and significant reduction in asthma throughout childhood" among children with close relatives who suffer or have suffered from it, according to the NHS-funded study.

Last published on 21 March 2013

One in every 20 cases of pre-eclampsia blamed on higher levels of air pollution

Exposure to air pollution could trigger potentially fatal pre-eclampsia in pregnant women, researchers have warned.

Women with asthma are particularly vulnerable to the condition - marked by high blood pressure and fluid retention - according to a new study. It blamed one in every 20 cases of pre-eclampsia on higher levels of ozone pollution in the air during the first three months of pregnancy, as well as an increase in premature births.

The rate would mean pollution was a factor in up to 2,000 cases of pre-eclampsia in the UK each year.

Last published on 7 February 2013

Children as young as 12 given nicotine patches on the NHS

The patches are being distributed by nurses employed by NHS South West Essex who visit schools every fortnight and speak to the children confidentially.

NHS guidelines say children as young as 12 can access nicotine patches from chemists and GPs throughout the country, but it's up to each primary care trust what services they offer.

Parents at one school in Basildon, Essex voiced concerns that parents weren't being told about the service.

Last published on 25 January 2013

Childhood asthma 'admissions down' after smoking ban

There was a sharp fall in the number of children admitted to hospital with severe asthma after smoke-free legislation was introduced in England, say researchers.

A study showed a 12% drop in the first year after the law to stop smoking in enclosed public places came into force.

The authors say there is growing evidence that many people are opting for smoke-free homes as well.

Asthma UK says the findings are "encouraging".

Last published on 21 January 2013

Junk food link to child asthma

A large scale study of a number of countries, including Britain, has revealed that junk food could worsen asthma and eczema in children.

It found that children who ate fast food at least three times a week had more severe symptoms, such as wheezing, runny nose and eyes and itchy skin.

Asthma rates have doubled in the last 20 years while child consumption of processed foods has risen and intake of vital vitamins and minerals has dropped over the same period.

Last published on 15 January 2013

Quit smoking service launched for children as young as 11

A new service aimed at helping children as young as 11 to quit smoking will be officially launched today.

The Filter, an advice and support service, is being launched by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) in Wales in a bid to reduce the 14,500 young people aged between 11 and 15 who take up smoking every year.

Last published on 10 January 2013