A growing community of breast milk donors in Uganda gives mothers hope

A growing community of breast milk donors in Uganda gives mothers hope

KAMPALA, Uganda — Early last year, Caroline Ikendi was in distress after undergoing an emergency Caesarean section to remove a stillborn baby and save two others. Doctors said one of the preterm babies had a 2% chance of living. If the babies didn’t get breast milk — which she didn’t have — Ikendi could lose … Read more

Longer, intense heatwaves lead to rise in premature births: Study

Longer, intense heatwaves lead to rise in premature births: Study

NEW DELHI: The increased frequency and intensity of heatwaves is resulting in preterm and early-term labor, a study has found. According to a new multi-institutional study published JAMA Network Open, premature births are increasing due to hot weather conditions to intense and prolonged heatwaves. The researchers analysed 5.3 crore births across the 50 largest metropolitan … Read more

After months of warnings of famine in Gaza, some children begin to succumb in rising deaths

After months of warnings of famine in Gaza, some children begin to succumb in rising deaths

RAFAH, Gaza Strip — After months of warnings over the risk of famine in Gaza under Israel’s bombardment, offensives and siege, children are starting to die. Hunger is most acute in northern Gaza, which has been isolated by Israeli forces and has suffered long cutoffs of food supply deliveries. At least 20 people have died … Read more

Custom made by Tulane students, mobility chairs help special needs toddlers get moving

Custom made by Tulane students, mobility chairs help special needs toddlers get moving

NEW ORLEANS — At 19 months old, Elijah Jack, born with no femur bone in one leg and a short femur in the other, is unable to walk on his own like most toddlers his age. Another 19-month-old, Freya Baudoin, born prematurely at 28 weeks and delayed in her mobility, has finally taken her first … Read more

Kate Cox sought an abortion in Texas. A court said no because she didn’t show her life was in danger

Kate Cox sought an abortion in Texas. A court said no because she didn’t show her life was in danger

AUSTIN, Texas — Kate Cox, whose fetus had a fatal condition, did not qualify for an abortion in Texas: Not after four emergency room visits, elevated vital signs, risks of a uterine rupture and with her ability to have more children in jeopardy. The Texas Supreme Court’s rejection of the mother of two’s request for … Read more

Two babies infected with rare bacteria sometimes found in powdered infant formula

Two babies infected with rare bacteria sometimes found in powdered infant formula

ST. LOUIS — The dangerous bacteria that sparked powdered formula recalls and shortages last year has infected two babies this year, killing a Kentucky child and causing brain damage in a Missouri infant. Federal health officials confirmed Thursday that two cases of invasive infections caused by cronobacter sakazakii have been reported in 2023, both in … Read more

Supplies alone won’t save Gaza hospital patients and evacuation remains perilous, experts say

Supplies alone won’t save Gaza hospital patients and evacuation remains perilous, experts say

LONDON — As concerns grow for patients stranded inside Gaza’s biggest hospital, experts warned that transporting vulnerable people, including babies, is a perilous proposition under even the best circumstances. On Tuesday, Palestinian authorities proposed a supervised evacuation of Shifa Hospital, a sprawling complex that runs several city blocks in the heart of Gaza City. Hours … Read more

Biden administration slow to act as millions are booted off Medicaid, advocates say

Biden administration slow to act as millions are booted off Medicaid, advocates say

WASHINGTON — Up to 30 million of the poorest Americans could be purged from the Medicaid program, many the result of error-ridden state reviews that poverty experts say the Biden administration is not doing enough to stop. The projections from the health consulting firm Avalere come as states undertake a sweeping re-evaluation of the 94 … Read more

Israel says Hamas is using Gaza’s biggest hospital for cover. Hundreds of people are trapped inside

Israel says Hamas is using Gaza’s biggest hospital for cover. Hundreds of people are trapped inside

JERUSALEM — Gaza’s Shifa Hospital has become the focus of a dayslong stalemate in Israel’s war against the Hamas militant group. Shifa is Gaza’s largest and best-equipped hospital. But Israel claims the facility also is used by Hamas for military purposes. It says Hamas has built a vast underground command complex center below the hospital, … Read more