Dtsch Arztebl Int
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Just under 3% of children in Germany, and approximately 6% of children in some other countries, such as Denmark, are now being conceived with the aid of in vitro fertilization (IVF) technology. Alongside the increased risk of organ malformation, there is now evidence for functional abnormalities due to epigenetic modifications. ⋯ For the well-being of the children to be conceived, IVF therapy should hat cannot be treated by any other means, as the precise causes of the risks of IVF to child health are unclear.
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Vitamins are vitally important, but they are not always adequately supplied with the diet. In this review, we present the advantages and disadvantages of vitamin supplementation and the indications for it in various life situations. ⋯ Vitamin supplementation is recommended for certain population groups: folic acid for pregnant women, vitamin B12 for vegans and persons with resorption disorders, vitamin D for persons with insufficient endogenous synthesis. In all other cases, it should first be tested whether the individual might be substantially helped by dietary changes alone. In general, the potential adverse effects of vitamin supplementation need to be considered, and its benefits weighed against its risks.
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Clinical guidelines on smoking cessation contain recommendations for various evidence-based methods. The goal of this study was to provide a represen- tative analysis for Germany of the percentage of smokers who try to quit smoking at least once per year, the use of evidence-based methods and other methods of smoking cessation, and potential associations of the use of such methods with the degree of tobacco dependence and with socioeconomic features. ⋯ In Germany, only one in five smokers tries to quit smoking at least once per year. Such attempts are only rarely supported by evidence-based methods and are thus likely to fail. The high cost of treatment must be borne by the individual and thus fall disproportionately on poorer smokers. It follows that there is an urgent need for vered by health insurance pro- viders, in order to give all smokers fair and equal access to the medical care they need.
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For many years, people with epilepsy were advised not to engage in sports. In this systematic review, we investigated whether persons with epilepsy exercise less than the general population, and what effect physical activity has on epilepsy. ⋯ There is no reason to forbid persons with epilepsy to participate in sports; they should, rather, be encour- a particular type of sport should, however, be taken individually in each case.