Children born late seem to score better on cognitive tests

Children who are born at 41 weeks may have higher levels of cognitive ability in school but lower physical functioning, compared with those born full term, at 39 or 40 weeks. These are the findings of a study published in JAMA Pediatrics.

Research shows that if an infant is born full term, they can expect to experience better health and cognitive functioning while growing up and as they become adults.

Children who are born late may have a higher risk of health complications around the time of birth, but there is little information about the long-term cognitive and physical outcomes of being born after full term.

David N. Figlio, Ph.D., from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, and colleagues looked at the records for more than 1.4 million children in Florida.

All the children were single births, as opposed to twins, and 80 percent of them attended public schools. They were all born between 37 and 41 weeks of gestation. The year of birth ranged from 1994-2002.

Measuring cognitive and physical ability

The researchers looked at three school-based measures of cognitive levels and two measures of physical status. They carried out the data analysis from April 2013-January 2016.
The measures of cognitive outcome were:

• Scores from the average Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test in mathematics and reading at ages 8 through 15 years
• "Gifted" status, defined as having "superior intellectual development" and being "capable of high performance"
• Achievement of a poor cognitive outcome, defined as scoring in the fifth percentile of test takers, or else being exempted from the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test due to disability.

The measures of physical outcome were:

• Abnormal newborn conditions
• Physical disabilities listed in school records

This included any Exceptional Student Education placement, for example, because of speech, orthopedic, or sensory impairment or conditions necessitating longs stays in the hospital or at home.
The team compared the outcomes for late-term children, born at 41 weeks, and those born full term, at 39 or 40 weeks.

Later birth indicates higher cognitive functioning

For all three cognitive measures, infants who were born late achieved higher scores than those born full term.
Results indicate that those born in week 41 had higher average test scores in elementary and middle school, a 2.8 percent greater chance of being classed as gifted, and a 3.1 percent lower probability of poor cognitive outcomes. However, they also had a 2.1 percent higher rate of physical disabilities at school age, and they were more likely to have had health problems at the time of birth.
 
The findings suggest that there may be a "tradeoff" between physical and cognitive outcomes in those who are born late, say the authors.

Those who are born late appear to have a greater risk of abnormal conditions at birth and physical challenges during childhood, but they also have an increased chance of higher cognitive functioning.
The authors note that the results could help parents and doctors when making decisions about inducing delivery.

They say:
 "While this article does not constitute a course of action for clinicians, our findings provide useful long-term information to complement the extant short-term data for expectant parents and physicians who are considering whether to induce delivery at full term or wait another week until late term."

The study had a number of limitations.
These include the fact that there may be different ways of measuring term. A possible source of bias could be that the children all came from families where either English or Spanish was spoken at home. In all the pregnancies, antenatal care began in the first semester. Finally, some children - for example, cases where the mother was over 35 years at the time of birth - were not included.

Written by Yvette Brazier

E-cigarettes might lead to oral disease, study suggests

What are e-cigarettes (electronic cigarettes)?
E-cigarettes, also known as electronic cigarettes and vaporizer cigarettes are devices that emit doses of vaporized nicotine that are inhaled. The device is battery-operated and can also emit non-nicotine vaporized solutions. Manufacturers say they are an alternative for tobacco smokers who want to avoid inhaling smoke. Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 different chemicals, many of which are hazardous for human health.

The electronic cigarette first entered the market in China in 2004. In 2003, Hon Lik, a pharmacist from China invented the device. Most of the current models are automatic - as the user sucks on it, a sensor activates a heating element that vaporizes a liquid solution held in the mouthpiece. The user can choose whether or not to have nicotine in the flavored liquid solution. In older models (manual models), there is a little button which turns the heating element on and off. An LED indicates whether the device has been activated when the user inhales.


Published in the journal PLOS One, the study reveals that the vapor of e-cigarettes (electronic cigarettes) contains toxic compounds and nanoparticles that destroy the outer later of skin cells in the mouth.

The researchers - led by Dr. Shen Hu, an associate professor of oral biology at the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) - came to their conclusion by analyzing the effects of e-cigarette vapor on cell cultures in laboratory tests.

In the US, the use of e-cigarettes tripled from 4.5% in 2013 to 13.4% in 2014 among high school students, and from 1.1% in 2013 to 3.9% in 2014 among middle school students, surpassing rates of youth cigarette smoking. In the 25-44-year age group, 20% of Americans smoke e-cigarettes.

While teens smoke them because they are trendy, older smokers are turning to them in an attempt to give up smoking. Interestingly, many teens who smoke

The team gathered cell cultures from the top layer of the oral cavity - specifically, the area of the mouth behind the teeth and gums.

Using a machine that generates e-cigarette vapor, effectively simulating human e-cigarette use, the researchers assessed the substances present in the vapor and measured the particle concentration of these substances. Additionally, the team exposed the cell cultures to two brands of e-cigarette vapor for 24 hours and monitored the effects.

E-cigarette vapor destroyed 85 percent of oral cavity cells

As well as nicotine and menthol, the researchers found that the e-cigarette vapors consisted of metal, silica, and carbon nanoparticles. The concentration of these substances depended on the brand and flavor of the vapor.

On assessing the effects of e-cigarette vapor on oral cavity cell cultures, the researchers found that the vapor reduced levels of glutathione within the cells, which is an important antioxidant that protects them from damage. As a result, the e-cigarette vapor destroyed around 85 percent of the cells.
 
Given the rising popularity of e-cigarettes across the globe, the researchers believe their findings may have important implications for human health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 2011-2012, e-cigarette use more than doubled among middle and high school students in the United States, and in 2014, more than a fifth of adults who currently smoke reported also using e-cigarettes.

While many studies have suggested that e-cigarettes are an effective tool to help smokers quit, the negative health implications of the devices have been unclear.

Dr. Hu and colleagues say research into the health risks of e-cigarette use has been limited, particularly when it comes to the effects the devices may have on oral health.

Based on their findings, the researchers call for health care providers to increase public awareness of the potential health risks e-cigarettes might pose.

The team now plans to conduct human studies that will further assess how e-cigarette use impacts oral health.
"A small but significant portion of dental patients at UCLA Dental Clinics have used e-cigarettes, which will provide sufficient patient resources for our planned studies," says Dr. Hu. "Our hope is to develop a screening model to help predict toxicity levels of e-cigarette products, so that consumers are better informed."

What Do You Want to Know About Pregnancy?

Pregnancy occurs when a sperm fertilizes an egg after it is released from the ovary during ovulation. The fertilized egg then travels down into the uterus, where implantation occurs. A successful implantation results in pregnancy. On average, a full-term pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. There are many factors that can affect a pregnancy. Women who receive an early diagnosis and prenatal care are more likely to experience a healthy pregnancy and give birth to a healthy baby.  If you would like to prevent pregnancy, there are also effective forms of birth control to keep in mind and this are some http://heblogin.blogspot.com.ng/2016/03/your-birth-control-options.html 

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Habits That Wreck Your Teeth

                                                   Chewing on Ice 

Chewing ice is a seemingly harmless, unconscious habit but can cause permanent damage to our teeth with small cracks. These cracks can grow larger over time and ultimately cause a tooth to fracture. Opt for chilled water or drinks without ice to resist the urge.

                                     Playing Sports With No Mouth Guard

Going out on the playing field without something to protect your teeth is as important as wearing a helmet and other protective body gear. Your teeth are vulnerable to being knocked out or damaged from high impact sports such as basketball, football, hockey, and soccer. A sports mouth guard helps cushion hard blows to the teeth and jaw.

                                                     Bedtime Bottles

Despite being an effective tool to lull your baby to sleep, bottles of milk at bedtime increase the risk of early dental decay in your baby's mouth. Prolonged exposure of the sugar in milk works with mouth bacteria to break down tooth enamel and results in rampant decay. There's even a name for it: Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. Find alternative methods to help your baby sleep before bedtime or use water in the bottle instead.

                                                  Bedtime Bottles

Despite being an effective tool to lull your baby to sleep, bottles of milk at bedtime increase the risk of early dental decay in your baby's mouth. Prolonged exposure of the sugar in milk works with mouth bacteria to break down tooth enamel and results in rampant decay. There's even a name for it: Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. Find alternative methods to help your baby sleep before bedtime or use water in the bottle instead.

                                                   Cough Drops 

Although they are meant for medicinal purposes, cough drops have a high sugar content. Sucking on cough drops all day to soothe the throat also bathes your teeth in sugar. Dental plaque (which contains bacteria) increases in the mouth creating a higher incidence of decay and gum disease. A good alternative is to opt for cough drops that are sugar-free.

                                                    Gummy Candy

Any candy is considered bad for your teeth, but the chewy, sticky kind is particularly harmful. The sticky nature of gummy candy, caramels, or jelly beans allows for them to get stuck in the crevices between or on the teeth and saliva is unable to wash it away. At a minimum, good tooth brushing and flossing after consuming these goodies can help, or just opt for sugar-free alternatives.

                                                           Soda

High sugar and acid content make for a bad combination for your teeth. Frequent soda drinking will essentially "bathe" your teeth in sugar and can lead to dental decay. Additionally, increased acid exposure works to erode tooth enamel and can lead to teeth sensitivity. If you must drink soda, lessen the frequency and opt for the healthier thirst-quencher, water. Also, minimize the erosion of enamel by rinsing with water after your teeth have been exposed to acidic beverages. Try sipping acidic drinks through a straw to avoid contact with the teeth. Finally, wait at least 30 minutes before brushing with a soft toothbrush after acid exposure to avoid further breakdown and wear of your enamel.

                                                      Sports Drinks

Although great after a tough workout, sports drinks are no better than soda in that they contain high amounts of sugar and acids that can do harm to your teeth. To avoid the risk of decay and dental enamel erosion, opt for refreshing, calorie-and-fat-free water.

                                                        Fruit Juice 

Fruit juices can be healthy due to their vitamin and mineral content, but this benefit can be diminished by the presence of high amounts of sugar. There is a tendency to underestimate the amount of sugar in naturally sweet fruit juice. For example, apple juice contains approximately as much sugar as the same volume of soda. Diluting fruit juice with water can help reduce sugar content and minimize sugar exposure to your teeth.

                                                    Potato Chips

Starchy snacks break down and stick to teeth more readily creating a perfect environment for bacterial plaque to quickly form and wreak havoc. Soon after snacking, plan on flossing and brushing to keep the level of plaque down.

                                                Constant Snacking

Constant snacking throughout the day means food debris and plaque sit on your teeth for a prolonged amount of time. Also, consider snacking on cleansing-type foods such as apples, carrots, and celery that minimize plaque buildup.

                                                Chewing on Pencils 

 

We often unconsciously chew on pencils or bite objects when we are concentrating. These pressures on teeth can cause teeth to chip or fracture. Chewing sugarless gum can be one way to prevent damage and it also stimulates saliva production and helps to cleanse our teeth in the process.

                                                  Drinking Coffee

A morning cup of coffee helps many of us start the day. Unfortunately, caffeine can interfere with saliva flow, cause a dry mouth, and lead to tooth decay. Also, adding sugar to your brew increases the risk of tooth decay even more. To counteract the effect of a dry mouth from caffeine, drink water frequently throughout the day.

                                                       Smoking

Tobacco use dries out the mouth and increases the amount of plaque buildup around our teeth. Smokers are more likely to lose teeth compared to nonsmokers due to gum disease. Additionally, tobacco use is a big risk factor for oral cancer. To increase your chances of success in kicking this unhealthy habit, seek help from your doctor.

                                                 Drinking Red Wine

Three things contribute to the staining of our teeth when we drink red wine. First, chromogen is the deep color in red wine. Second, acid content in wine etches our teeth and makes it more prone to pick up stain. Finally, tannins in wine help the stain bind to teeth. Ways to counteract the staining are to eat a protein such as cheese with red wine, rinse with water, or chew gum afterwards to stimulate saliva production and neutralize the pH. Fortunately, red wine stain is temporary on teeth.

                                               Drinking White Wine

White wine may seem to be the harmless version of red wine; however, white wine still contains the acid and tannins that help bind stain to teeth. Staining actually comes from foods or drinks you eat after drinking white wine. Also, after drinking anything acidic, avoid brushing your teeth for at least 30 minutes to avoid damaging your teeth further.

                                                     Binge Eating 

Binge eating usually involves intake of large amounts of sugary foods and drinks, which may lead to dental decay. Binge eating may also occur with another eating disorder such as bulimia where the food is purged with vomiting. Because vomit is highly acidic, it can erode and damage teeth over time. Medical care and intervention is important to address these eating disorders.