Warnings over antibiotic resistance in children

Antibiotics are becoming increasingly ineffective at treating common childhood infections, according to a new study.

The research, led by the University of Sydney, found some antibiotics recommended by the World Health Organization for children had less than 50% effectiveness in treating infections such as sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis.

Claudia Hammond is joined by Monica Lakhanpaul, professor of integrated community child health at University College London, to discuss the findings and calls for the urgent development of new treatments.

We also look at Raynaud’s phenomenon – a disorder that stops blood flowing properly to people’s fingers and toes – and hear from a Canadian musician who’s had to end concerts early because of it. A team from the Berlin Institute of Health and Queen Mary University of London have been trying to find out what causes it, and we also speak to one of the researchers about what they’ve discovered.

Claudia also looks at new research from China suggesting that practicing tai chi may help slow down the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

And Monica tells us about the work she’s been doing in Brazil speaking to children about how to make their local communities safer so they can spend more time outdoors.

Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Dan Welsh, with Jonathan Blackwell