Highlights in this issue

Abstract

This review summarises research studies on the effects of different types of exercise on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 7- to 13-year-old children. Although a wide variety of exercises were employed in the feature studies, all showed that exercise reduce the symptoms of ADHD and lead to improved social behaviour, motor skills, strength and neuropsychological parameters without any undesirable side effects. See article by Carolin Friederike Kamp et al. (pp. 709–714). See also viewpoint article by Laura Batstra et al. who explore five debatable assumptions on ADHD (pp. 696–700). Premature infants at the limits of viability raise difficult ethical questions. To determine the current approach in the care of these infants, neonatologists attending the International Perinatal Collegium were surveyed about delivery room behavior and national practices. There was some consensus that infants born at 22 weeks gestational age should only receive comfort care while full resuscitation should be provided after 23 weeks. Cultural, social and legal factors have considerable impact on decision-making. See article by Jonathan M. Fanaroff et al. (pp. 701–708). Variations in mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mtDNA) may play a role in a subset of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) cases. Katharina Läer et al. have identified six mtDNA variations with a significant difference in allele frequency between SIDS cases and controls, when gender and age were taken into account. The most prominent association was the A allele in SNP 14 470 in male SIDS cases. See article (pp. 775–779). See also editorial by Siri Opdal (pp. 685–686). Two infants have been found dead after sleeping in baby hammocks, apparently after rolling over and becoming wedged. This has raised concern about the safety of infant hammocks. In a randomized controlled trial Karen Chiu et al. tested whether hammock sleep affected oxygenation in 4- to 8-week old infants. Hammock sleep did not seem to affect infant breathing or oxygen levels, but it caused a shorter duration of sleep. However, as it is not possible to predict when infants are able to roll over by themselves, the authors strongly recommend that hammocks are not used for unsupervised sleep. See article (pp. 783–787). At over 50%, Brazil has one of the highest caesarean section rates in the world. To seek an explanation for this high rate, Sarah Raifman et al. have studied trends in caesarean deliveries between 1991 and 2006. During these 15 years, caesarean section rate increased from 33% to 40%. It was more common among older, well educated, and wealthy women. However, the odds of women of higher socioeconomic status having a caesarean delivery decreased over time and increased for women of lower socioeconomic status. See article (pp. e295–e299).