Guest guest Posted February 24, 2004 Report Share Posted February 24, 2004 64-year-old woman delivers baby http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3515059.stm A 64 year old woman has given birth to a healthy baby boy A 64-year-old woman in India has given birth to a test tube baby, it is reported, becoming one of the world's oldest first-time mothers. The baby boy, weighing only 1.75 kilos, was born to Papathiammal Subramaniam and her 74-year-old farmer husband. Mrs Subramaniam went through menopause around 20 years ago, so doctors used the donated egg of a 30-year-old relative with the husband's sperm. The baby is currently in an incubator and being monitored closely. The mother had the baby via caesarian section at Maruthi Medical Centre in Erode, a small town 500 kilometres from Madras in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. No complications Despite their age, the couple had no previous children in their 47 years of marriage. Although Papathiammal suffers age-related diabetes and hypertension, the pregnancy and birth went smoothly. Obstetrician Nirmala Sadasivam used the blatocyst method of invitro fertilisation, where the embryo is developed for five days in a laboratory instead of three. This is supposed to reduce the risk of multiple births. Chairman of the Maruti Medical Centre, M.N. Sadasivam, told AFP both mother and child are doing well. " The child, delivered after nine months of pregnancy and weighing a little less than normal at 1.75 kilos (3.85 pounds), is incubated safely, " he said. Mrs Subramaniam is very nearly the oldest woman on record to give birth, the oldest being a 65 year old Indian woman. Satyabhama Mahapatra gave birth to a healthy three kilo boy, also by caesarean section, in April last year. She was able to give birth through IVF, using her husband's sperm and an embryo from her 26 year old neice. Other record-holders include a 63 year old Italian in 1997 and a 58 year old Indian from Bombay. SEE ALSO: Twins for surrogate grandmother 30 Jan 04 | Health Grandmother's plea for IVF eggs 21 Aug 03 | Health First embryo screening birth 04 Aug 03 | Health Child waistlines getting bigger http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3515679.stm Child obesity could store up health problems for adults Children's waistlines have expanded by two clothing sizes over the past 20 years, say health researchers. Girls are getting fatter quicker than boys, according to the Archives of Disease in Childhood. Children's waists have increased by 4cm over the last two decades, claims the new research. Health workers fear the implications for heart disease and other problems. Five hundred children from 18 schools from 1996 to 2001 were measured. Without action to tackle obesity, England may soon end up the overweight capital of Europe Paul Burstow, Lib Dem health spokesman One of the report's authors Dr Mary Rudolf, of East Leeds Primary Care Trust, told the British Medical Journal: " This figure is all the more disturbing when one reflects on how many notches on a belt this represents. " Liberal Democrat health spokesman Paul Burstow said the figures should act as " a wake-up call " for the government. The results for the 500 children were compared with results from previous research. Waist size is seen as an important indicator because of the link between this in adulthood and an increased risk of heart disease. In 2001 315 children from the group, of an average age 13, were examined. Their gain in weight exceeded what would be expected against a normal gain in height. In 1996 one in 10 boys and one in eight girls were overweight But by 2001 one in seven boys and one in six girls were overweight. Waist circumferences were also " significantly larger " than in 1996. Initiatives under way Dr Rudolf said the data was a cause for concern. " The previous rise in body mass index levels reported through primary schools has continued into secondary school and emphasises the need for more rigorous efforts to stem the tide of child obesity. " Mr Burstow said: " Without action to tackle obesity, England may soon end up the overweight capital of Europe. " We all have personal responsibility for our own weight but the food industry could do more. At the moment we are seeing too many reports and too little action. " More must be done to encourage active lifestyles and promote healthy diets. " The government said recently it was " very concerned " over the levels of obesity. The Department of Health said a number of long-term initiatives were in progress. SEE ALSO: Could obesity be all in the mind? 26 Jan 04 | Health Experts warn 40% 'will be obese' 11 Nov 03 | Health How to avoid being a glutton 24 Dec 03 | Health 'I have turned my life around' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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