DrDr BabyBrains

Birth weight and neonatal morbidity as early-life risk factors for childhood cancer: a nationwide cohort study - BMC Pediatrics Background Childhood cancer is a significant public health issue, and growing evidence suggests that perinatal factors such as birth weight and neonatal complications may influence cancer risk. However, the potential impact of neonatal interventions on subsequent cancer development remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the association between birth weight and childhood cancer risk, and how this relationship may be modulated by neonatal morbidities and interventions. Methods We conducted a nationwide population-based cohort study using the National Health Insurance Service database in South Korea. All live births between 2008 and 2014 were included and categorized by birth weight. Cancer incidence was identified through 2018 using ICD-10 codes. Associations between birth weight, neonatal conditions, neonatal interventions, and cancer outcomes were analyzed. Results Among over 2.9 million children, low birth weight (LBW) infants—particularly those weighing < 1.0 kg—had a significantly increased risk of childhood cancer (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.03). Distinct cancer patterns were observed by birth weight category: hepatoblastoma was most common in infants < 1.5 kg, central nervous system malignancies in those 1.5–2.4 kg, and leukemia in those > 4.0 kg. In LBW infants, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (aOR, 2.21), sepsis (aOR, 1.56), oxygen exposure ≥ 4 days (aOR, 1.32), and ≥ 3 red blood cell transfusions (aOR, 4.03) were significantly associated with increased cancer risk. In contrast, phototherapy and radiography were not found to be associated with cancer development. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that both birth weight extremes and neonatal exposures contribute to childhood cancer risk. In particular, conditions such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia and sepsis—and interventions including oxygen therapy and transfusions—may influence oncogenic pathways in LBW infants. Long-term follow-up in high-risk neonatal populations is warranted, along with further research into underlying biological mechanisms.

A study published in BMC Pediatrics demonstrates that both birth weight extremes and neonatal exposures contribute to childhood cancer risk.

#MedSky

Keep reading to the 4 key insights. Very familiar. But there needs to be a balance between agility and careful planning. So often, pilot projects don’t involve adequate evaluation, leaving the scattered remains of promising interventions started with one-off money.

I have added this up a few times and shouldn’t be shocked… if I mentor a 2nd year med student + they don’t take career breaks or work part-time it will be 17 years before they would join me as a clinical academic community paediatrician (doctor + PhD). I can see a problem with our current system 🫣

Example of Science communication (Thomas) compared with science!

I think finding role models and seeing characters in books sends a positive message for young people. Here is a list of excellent books which are wonderfully written and just happen to have characters who are neurodivergent (autistic, ADHD or other differences) @wonderlandbookshop.bsky.social

Thank you so much!

@wonderlandbookshop.bsky.social a while back you very kindly put together a list of excellent children’s books which happen to have neurodivergent (autistics, ADHD or other types) characters or authors. Is it still available anywhere? Many thanks!

I am feeling this. It's hard to imagine that the physician-scientist will remain a viable career. Sigh. #medsky

Feeling this too. It’s not an easy balance in the UK either. (British understatement involved with my statement😂).

Lottery winner funds Chichester centre for vulnerable adults Steve Thomson, who won £105m in 2019, is funding the new charity building in Chichester.

Been thinking about this story and the lesson to take from it. Perhaps it's that effective giving requires proximity to the problem, personal time investment, and a service ethic developed over time, not just wealth.

UCL academic appointed Chair of £6 million NHS Commission for National Autism Peer Programme Dr Georgia Pavlopoulou has been appointed Chair of the NHS Commission for the National Autism Peer Programme, Autism Central, after leading a successful £6 million bid.

🎉 5/ Dr Georgia Pavlopoulou (@jopavlopoulou.bsky.social) has been appointed Chair of the NHS Commission for the National Autism Peer Programme, Autism Central, after leading a successful £6 million bid.
www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-scienc...
@uclpals.bsky.social

This is so needed and the best format. Congratulations and looking forward to disseminating all the resources that this initiative brings.

The AI slop paper in Nature Scientific Reports will apparently be retracted. That’s a good and necessary first step. Let’s talk about what else to do.

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Just been introduced to the season of Bridgemas… I think Oxmas works better!

Simple solvent makes polycotton fabric completely recyclable What we think of as polyester fabric is most often actually a blend of polyester and cotton, which has proven very difficult to recycle. A new solvent, however, breaks the blend down into its two comp...

This is the best kind of chemistry that can have an immediate positiv impact: 🧪
newatlas.com/environment/...

This looks like a valuable project. Airline industry has a way of doing this with alerts for relevant updates to relevant people. The format of any system will be very important to make it a pleasure to use….

** Recruiting a postdoc ** We are looking for a postdoc to work on emotion, mental health, and interoception, based in London at @ucl.ac.uk in my lab (Clinical and Affective Neuroscience). Part of a large Wellcome Grant (co-led with the brilliant @camillanord.bsky.social)

Check out this 3 bedroom end of terrace house for sale on Rightmove 3 bedroom end of terrace house for sale in 75 Camden Mews, Camden, London, NW1 9BY, NW1 for £925,000. Marketed by Auction House London, Hampstead

They really don't want to share any interior shots but when they do, you just know that unspeakable acts have been committed within... www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/1...

Now repeat for forks in NHS staff kitchens

Level 4. AI as a vehicle for HE education. (GenAI brainstorming, critique LLM output, LLM for illustration: images, case study detail). Only valid sense of "AI in every module" and most of what is being done so far. NOT necessary nor urgent - at best to support Level 3, maybe as "own dogfood". 7/n

This is an amazing achievement and feeling! I love your colour system- so much more rewarding than my excel sheet…!

Understanding Health, Illness and Society: A Patient-Centred Approach to Healthcare This accessible book shows how social structures and social norms shape both individual and collective health. It provides readers with an insightful understanding of the relationship between society,...

Ooo, my book is in the Black Friday sale at Routledge! Check it out, 25% off! #writing #PublicHealth #MedSky #AcademicSky #Sociology www.routledge.com/Understandin...

I’m keen to read this. Can’t preorder until 10th December but publisher can send email alert!

Congratulations @kbgenesbrains.bsky.social that’s amazing news!

Unauthorised Absence 🎥🚸 Parents & Schools in a SEND Crisis From lived experience to national action, Jo’s script inspires empathy & change for SEND children & families harmed by education policy

I was recently approached by the team behind a campaign to make a short film on non-attendance at school, Jo Clayton and Natalie Lauren Woodward.

Jo's short script about the #attendance crisis - Unauthorised Absence - is a finalist for the IMDB Script to Screen Award 2025.

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This is an amazing organisation that I am privileged to work with. Inspiring and supportive working environment - and doing really impactful work.

Adventurous play the new normal as kids take to 'risky' new equipment 'Cliff riders' have sparked concern among some community members, but 20 have been installed across the country in an effort to help children learn through risk-taking.

[Ipswich, Australia:] New playground equipment encourages children to learn through 'risky play' www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...

Happy to share our review "Investigating hierarchical critical periods in human neurodevelopment” in @npp-journal.bsky.social! We examine neurobiological, environmental & behavioral evidence for human critical periods in sensory and association cortex +discuss new research directions rdcu.be/eMkVU 🧵

Mayor Khan commits to clean our rivers as London joins Swimmable Cities alliance - Outdoor Swimmer Magazine London joins cities including Paris, Rotterdam and Budapest in the global drive to restore urban waterways and make them safe, clean, and accessible for swimming

London has joined the Swimmable Rivers Alliance.

Our rivers have been neglected and damaged for far too long, with shameful levels of pollution harming our waterways. I’m determined to clean them up.

Alan Carr in a white suit, matched to a green-veined white butterfly

Is it just us or was Alan Carr KILLING IT in last night's #CelebrityTraitors? Like a true butterfly, he transformed to show his true colours!

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#TheTraitors