Filed under: baby development — Alan @ 3:23 pm
Recent research has revealed that some babies have a fat build-up around their abdomen that is also seen in some adults who are in their 50s. The study was conducted at a hospital in West London and was intended to investigate links between obesity in the mother and her baby.
Professor Neena Modi led the study which found that being overweight during pregnancy might be dangerous to your baby as its fat levels might become dangerously high. Professor Modi is one of the leading experts in the UK about health risks to newborn babies and she found that one in every three babies in the study had more fat than expected.
Over 100 babies were involved in the study and around 30% of these have more fat in their abdomen than is normal. This is the first study that has examined the link between the mother’s weight and that of the babies, Professor Modi has stated, “To see such a clear effect transferred from the mother to the baby is very surprising. This study is going to open the door to many more that will examine the effect that a mother’s metabolism has on her baby.”
The normal amount of fat tissue for a baby to be born with is 700 g but the study found that for every unit above the normal BMI the mother was, an extra 7 g of fat was present in the baby’s liver – which is potentially dangerous.
Professor Modi has said that all women should be aware of the risks of becoming pregnant when you are obese and the potential consequences that can have on a child. Women who want to become pregnant should work out their BMI before considering whether they should have a baby, anyone with a BMI of over 30 is considered obese.
Filed under: Baby health — Alan @ 2:32 pm
The leading provider in the UK of clinically effective orthotics and prosthetics services, RSLSteeper, has launched their new Steeper Clinic. Located in Kingston upon Thames, this latest clinic is being dedicated to treating babies who are suffering from such head shape abnormalities as deformational plagiocephaly , or flat head syndrome.
The new clinic will now doubt follow on the great success of the Leeds Steeper Clinic, which has successfully treated hundreds of babies in the North of England since it opened in November last year. Steeper clinics offer parents a free consultation with no obligation and they have highly experienced teak of paediatric orthotists that are both HPC registered and CRB checked.
As well as advice and diagnoses, the clinics provide complete treatment services for the condition, which includes using repositioning techniques such as tummy time, as well as using the helmets known as Starband cranial remoulding orthoses.
Kate Chauhan is one of the clinical specialist Orthotists at the Steeper Clinic and she says that flat head syndrome is becoming increasingly common across the UK, and at present, the NHS doesn’t find treatment for this condition as they see it as cosmetic. This is despite the growing evidence a baby suffering from plagiocephaly has increased risks of developing later in life associated problems.
“At Steeper Clinic, we can offer advice as tothe best course of treatment for your baby, which depends on the severity ofthe condition.
“Treatments can range from the use of “tummy time” and repositioning techniques for younger babies and mild instances of the condition, to cranial remoulding orthoses, which significantly improves the shape of heads in babies who suffer from moderate to severe deformational plagiocephaly.”
STARband is the world’s leading orthotic treatment for deformational plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) in babies aged between 4 and 18 months. Over 125,000 babies have been successfully treatedusing STARband worldwide.
For further information on Steeper Clinic, deformational plagiocephaly and head shape abnormalities, visit www.steeperclinic.com. The website includes a range of helpful guides for parents, in addition to information about STARband and RSLSteeper.
Professor Neena Modi led the study which found that being overweight during pregnancy might be dangerous to your baby as its fat levels might become dangerously high. Professor Modi is one of the leading experts in the UK about health risks to newborn babies and she found that one in every three babies in the study had more fat than expected.
