Born dead

In the story from the great Indian epic, Mahabharat , the legendary hero Arjun was once telling his wife Shubhadra how to penetrate the …

State of worry

After a long gap of 10 years, India has released the National Family Health Survey 2015-16, though only for 13 states and two Union Territories. …

One-fifth of pregnant women at risk due to Group B Sterptococcus bacteria

The first comprehensive research on the bacteria estimates that out of 410,000 cases every year, there will be at least 147,000 stillbirths and …

Can we live forever?

Though all living beings have a finite life span, beyond a certain age, the probability of survival becomes unpredictable.

Shaken innocence

The widely reported case of Matthew Eapen's death has highlighted the ignorance regarding the "shaken baby syndrome"

A primitive trend practised the world over

The ancient Greeks and Romans attached a high social premium to males and resorted to strange ways of determining the sex of the unborn child.

A welcome drop

KERALA’S DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION DETERMINANTS AND CONSEQUENCES·K C Zachariah and Irudaya Rajan·Sage Publications·Pages …

Scientists at Arizona State University discover potentially-harmful nanoparticles in baby formula

A new research suggests presence of nanomaterials in baby food can cause DNA and chromosomal damage, organ damage and genital malformations

Marketing of formula milk preventing breastfeeding of infants

3-part Lancet paper finds exploitative market thrives despite WHO recommendations, violating World Health Assembly code 

Measles outbreak in Mumbai: 164 cases reported since September

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection associated with high mortality in children under 2 years 

Infant death linked to child-rearing habits

The Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is more frequent among children in the West than in Asia. Researchers say a difference in child-care …

Coma after death

Child victims of a frayed medical service and a government programme gone wrong raise a mute question

WHO launches special programme to prevent infant deaths

The First Embrace campaign will focus on saving more than 50,000 newborns and prevent complications in neonatal care in the Western Pacific region

Conflict in the womb

An American biologist claims that a pregnant woman and her foetus are constantly engaged in a struggle with each other

Traces of banned bisphenol A found in baby bottles

The toxic chemical is known to mimic a hormone that activates progression of cancer and interferes with development of the reproductive system

Back to the breast

Many organisations in the country are working at weaning parents from the bottle to mother's milk

The declining infant mortality rate indicates that our growth rate will decline further

Amulya Ratna Nanda, registrar-general and census commissioner of India, feels the country has made some progress in bringing down its growth rate

Fed up with baby food

Is baby food advertising unethical? Yes, thinks the government. It has issued notification to enforce an amendment to the Infant Milk Substitutes,…

Baby food ad market alive

When the amendment to the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods Act 1992 banned advertising and promotional activity for …

Warm and convenient

Researchers are developing low-cost warmers for infants even as doctors remain divided over the efficacy of the product

Inflatable incubator design wins James Dyson Award

The device, which costs just $400, has the same features as a modern incubation system costing $45,000

Jharkhand: West Singhbhum DMF must invest in improving health care services, says CSE

With more than Rs 370 crore in its kitty, West Singhbhum DMF Trust should prioritise reducing child mortality and improving nutrition for local people

Malnutrition caused infant deaths in Attappady, Kerala minister tells Assembly

But, in report to Centre, state denies malnutrition as the reason behind infant mortality in tribal block

Beyond a flailing state

Health ministry cannot provide basic services, the finance ministry cannot collect taxes and the chaos of governance worsens

Assam, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh worst states to be born in

Infant mortality, neo-natal mortality and maternal mortality are much higher in these states as compared to national average