Winter is here, which means the season of sickness too is here. While viruses and sickness run throughout, winter is when the chilly weather further makes it worse for those prone to sickness. Especially, if they are kids, as their immunity is not fully developed.

Does that mean it is inevitable for kids to be sick?

Anytime a child is exposed to another child, they will fall sick. This is because germs are transferred in the air or by touch, and children, being curious, always touch things, including their own faces, mouths and easily pick up germs and spread them. While prevention is impossible, there are steps that can be taken to reduce this.

Experts and medical professionals recommend to follow the vaccine schedule by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Vaccines have be proven to protect people, children, and infants from serious and deadly infections.

While sicknesses like a common cold do not have a vaccine, good hygiene can help prevent the spread of germs. Teaching your kids to wash hands after touching toys, or any other surface and other people is a great way to start it.

Exposure to germs at an early age strengthens child's immune system

Is there really any truth in the statement? When we encounter infections, our immune system creates antibodies that either prevent future infections or help the body fight them off more effectively, often leading to milder illness. The "hygiene hypothesis" proposes that living in an overly clean environment might hinder the immune system's development, potentially increasing the risk of allergic conditions like asthma.

ALSO READ: Why Forward-Facing Car Seat Could Be Lethal For Your Baby?

Although research has explored this idea, many immunologists (experts in the immune system) have raised concerns and expressed disagreement with the hypothesis.

In reality, most children don’t grow up in sterile environments. They are naturally exposed to a variety of germs, providing ample opportunities for their immune systems to strengthen and adapt.

Sanitizing Child's Toys

It is a good practice to regularly disinfect your children's toys and anything they share with others or take to school.

It is important to know the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting. While cleaning removes visible dirt, sanitizing decreases the number of germs on the surface, whereas disinfecting kills germs.

Also make sure to read the labels correctly and prevent any toxic toys to make its way to your kids, so it cannot be inhaled or ingested.

How to disinfect toys?

You can start by cleaning all the toys that has come in contact with your child's hands and mouth with soap and water. Then, use a sanitizer to clean everyday items, things that remain in your child's environment. Then use disinfectant, especially if your child is sick or if someone sick has touched your child's toys.

If you are wondering which sanitizers to go for, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website has come up with a list of approved sanitizers and disinfectants that are effective.

A recent systematic review published in the European Medical Journal found that racial discrimination leads to postpartum depression and low birth weight (LBW). Pregnant women of color were 40 per cent more likely to experience postpartum depression and have 170 per cent higher risk of delivering a baby with LBW.

The findings allowed the researchers to report that racial discrimination is a modifiable determinant of maternal and nenonatal health. Researchers also note that they should be integrated into perinatal research and care to reduce inequalities.

Large Review Examines Decades of Research

A large review of international studies has found that racial discrimination experienced by pregnant women may be linked to a higher risk of postpartum depression and poor birth outcomes, including babies born with low birth weight.

Researchers analysed nearly three decades of research that examined self reported experiences of racial discrimination among pregnant women or those who had previously been pregnant. The analysis included more than 20,300 research records and covered close to 1.5 million participants.

The study explored whether exposure to racial discrimination was associated with a range of maternal and newborn health outcomes. These included hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, gestational diabetes, mode of delivery, postpartum depression, fetal growth, gestational outcomes, infant mortality, and admission of newborns to neonatal intensive care units.

Among all the outcomes studied, the strongest link was found with postpartum depression. Women who reported experiencing racial discrimination had a 37 percent higher risk of developing postpartum depression compared with those who did not report such experiences.

Higher Risk of Low Birth Weight Among Affected Mothers

The analysis also found significant associations between racial discrimination and low birth weight in babies.

Women who experienced racial discrimination were found to have a 121 percent higher risk of delivering babies with low birth weight. The risk was even greater for very low birth weight babies, with the likelihood increasing by 170 percent.

However, researchers did not find clear links between racial discrimination and certain pregnancy complications. No strong association was observed with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy or gestational diabetes.

Findings related to preterm birth were mixed. Cohort studies did not show a clear association, while cross sectional studies suggested a modest 19 percent increased risk of premature birth among women who reported discrimination.

For several other outcomes studied, the available evidence remained inconsistent.

Stress and biological changes may explain the link

Researchers suggested that everyday experiences of racial discrimination may affect maternal health through multiple pathways.

Repeated exposure to discrimination can create chronic stress, which may affect both mental and physical health during pregnancy. The stress can also lead to social isolation and strained personal relationships, which may increase the risk of postpartum depression.

Biological changes triggered by prolonged stress may also affect pregnancy outcomes. Researchers noted that stress linked to discrimination could influence placental function, metabolism, and inflammatory responses in the body. These changes may contribute to restricted fetal growth and increase the risk of babies being born underweight.

Experts call for stronger public health response

The authors emphasized that healthcare systems should recognize racial discrimination as an important social stressor that can influence maternal and newborn health.

They recommend that routine prenatal care include screening for social stressors along with mental health assessments during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Currently, many clinical guidelines do not explicitly recognise racial discrimination as a potential risk factor for maternal and neonatal health.

Researchers say the evidence highlights the need for broader policy efforts that address discrimination at a structural level. Treating discrimination as a public health issue rather than an individual experience may help reduce health inequalities and improve outcomes for mothers and babies.

An estimated 4.9 million children died before reaching their fifth birthday in 2024, including 2.3 million newborns, according to the latest United Nations report on global child mortality. The findings were released in the report Levels and Trends in Child Mortality, which examines the leading causes of deaths among children worldwide.

The report notes that many of these deaths could have been prevented through simple and affordable health measures. Access to quality healthcare, timely treatment, vaccination, and better nutrition remain key factors in reducing child deaths.

Over the past two decades, the world has made significant progress. Global under five deaths have dropped by more than half since 2000. However, the pace of improvement has slowed in recent years. Since 2015, the rate of decline in child mortality has fallen by more than 60 percent, raising concerns among health experts.

India Shows Steady Progress In Reducing Child Mortality

Despite global challenges, India has made notable progress in improving child survival rates through sustained public health efforts.

According to the United Nations Inter Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNIGME) Report 2025, India has steadily reduced deaths among newborns and young children over the past decades. The Union Health Ministry said the country has played an important role in lowering child mortality across South Asia.

India’s Neonatal Mortality Rate, which measures deaths within the first 28 days of life, has seen a major decline. In 1990, the rate stood at 57 deaths per 1,000 live births. By 2024, it had dropped to 17.

A similar trend was seen in the Under Five Mortality Rate. In 1990, India recorded 127 deaths per 1,000 live births among children under five. By 2024, that number had fallen sharply to 27.

Health officials attribute this progress to targeted public health programmes, improved hospital deliveries, and wider vaccination coverage.

Malnutrition And Infections Still Claim Many Young Lives

The report highlights that several preventable health conditions continue to drive child deaths across the world.

For the first time, the report estimated deaths directly caused by severe acute malnutrition. It found that more than 100,000 children aged between one month and five years died due to severe malnutrition in 2024.

Experts believe the real impact may be even higher because malnutrition often weakens the immune system. This makes children more vulnerable to common infections such as pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria, which can become life threatening.

Some countries reporting high numbers of malnutrition related deaths include Pakistan, Somalia, and Sudan.

Newborn Complications Remain A Major Concern

Nearly half of all deaths among children under five occur during the newborn stage. This reflects slower progress in preventing deaths around the time of birth.

The leading causes of newborn deaths include complications related to premature birth, which account for about 36 percent of cases. Problems during labor and delivery contribute to around 21 percent of deaths.

Other important causes include infections such as neonatal sepsis and certain birth defects.

After the first month of life, infectious diseases remain the main threats to children’s survival. Malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia are among the biggest causes of death.

Health Experts Stress Need For Continued Investment

The report also points out that global funding for maternal and child health programmes is facing increasing pressure. This could slow progress in reducing child deaths in the coming years.

Experts stress that investing in child health remains one of the most effective public health strategies. Basic interventions such as vaccination, treatment for severe malnutrition, and skilled care during childbirth can save millions of lives.

According to the report, such measures not only improve health outcomes but also strengthen economies by creating healthier and more productive populations.

Matcha has quickly become one of the trendiest drinks among young adults in India. From cafés to home kitchens, the bright green powder now appears in lattes, smoothies, desserts and wellness drinks. Many people see it as a healthier alternative to coffee, especially because of its antioxidant properties and calming effect.

The popularity of matcha has also been fueled by celebrities and social media influencers who often promote it as a superfood. However, as the drink gains popularity, questions have also started circulating online about whether matcha could affect fertility.

Experts say the concern needs careful understanding rather than panic.

Why matcha has become so popular

Matcha is a finely powdered form of green tea made from specially grown tea leaves. Unlike regular green tea, where the leaves are steeped and then removed, matcha involves consuming the entire leaf in powdered form mixed with water or milk.

Because of this, matcha contains a higher concentration of antioxidants, caffeine and plant compounds known as catechins. These compounds are associated with several potential health benefits, which is one reason the drink has attracted so much attention.

Dr Rashmi Agarwal, Fertility Specialist at Nova IVF Fertility in Gurugram, says that while matcha can be part of a healthy lifestyle, the key issue is how much people consume.

“Matcha itself does not directly cause infertility. However, excessive consumption may have an indirect impact on reproductive health,” she explains.

The role of caffeine

One of the main reasons experts advise moderation is the caffeine content in matcha.

Although matcha is often seen as gentler than coffee, it still contains caffeine. Drinking several cups a day can increase overall caffeine intake.

Dr Agarwal notes that “high caffeine intake may affect hormone balance and fertility in some individuals.”

Caffeine can influence hormonal regulation in the body. In women, excessive intake may affect ovulation, while in men it may have an impact on sperm quality.

This does not mean that occasional matcha consumption harms fertility. Problems may arise only when it is consumed in very large amounts over a long period of time.

Sleep and stress can also play a role

Another indirect factor linked to high caffeine intake is sleep disturbance.

Dr Agarwal explains that drinking large quantities of matcha, particularly later in the day, may interfere with sleep patterns because of its caffeine content.

Poor sleep and chronic stress can disrupt hormone levels in the body. Over time, this imbalance may contribute to fertility problems.

Maintaining proper sleep cycles and managing stress are both considered important for reproductive health.

The risk of replacing proper nutrition

Experts also point out another modern lifestyle pattern linked with trendy beverages.

Dr Agarwal says some people rely heavily on drinks such as matcha lattes or wellness beverages while neglecting balanced meals.

“Sometimes people replace balanced meals with trendy drinks like matcha lattes. This may lead to nutritional deficiencies that can affect reproductive health,” she says.

A healthy diet that includes proteins, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals plays an essential role in supporting fertility.

Moderation is the key

According to fertility experts, there is no evidence that moderate matcha consumption causes infertility.

Dr Agarwal recommends limiting intake to about one cup a day. In moderate quantities, matcha is generally safe and can even provide antioxidant benefits.

For individuals planning a pregnancy or dealing with fertility issues, discussing dietary habits with a doctor can be helpful.

Along with mindful caffeine intake, maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly and managing stress remain the most reliable ways to support reproductive health.