In this episode, Greg Dickens and I discuss recent papers on high blood pressure in children. We talk about recent evidence untangling the strength of the link between acetaminophen exposure in pregnancy and autism and ADHD. We talk about how disposable diapers affect how a child behaves when urinating. We then talk about why getting children outside is a really efficient way of giving their bodies what they need for physical and mental development. Finally, we answer a listener question on salt recommendations for young children.
For more information on the health benefits of being outside, try this article:
https://guenbradbury.substack.com/p/how-to-get-children-outside
Topics covered
* What’s happening to children’s blood pressure and why?
* What’s the evidence for maternal paracetamol/acetaminophen intake during pregnancy and autism or ADHD?
* How do diapers affect the urination behaviour of children who are not potty trained?
* Why is being outside so good for children?
* Should we avoid all salt in foods for toddlers?
These other podcasts cover related topics:
Notes
Global prevalence of hypertension among children and adolescents aged 19 years or younger: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis (Lancet paper) https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanchi/article/PIIS2352-4642(25)00281-0/abstract
Hypertension in children and adolescents: emerging global evidence and clinical implications (Nature paper) https://www.nature.com/articles/s41440-025-02459-7#Sec6
Maternal paracetamol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy and risk of autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in offspring: umbrella review of systematic reviews (BMJ) https://www.bmj.com/content/391/bmj-2025-088141
Do disposable diapers reduce urination elimination signals in non-toilet-trained children? https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00431-025-06542-6
Dietary Intake of Sodium during Infancy and the Cardiovascular Consequences Later in Life: A Scoping Review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32259824/
Contribution of inappropriate complementary foods to the salt intake of 8-month old infants: https://www.nature.com/articles/ejcn2011137
Hello! My name’s Guen. I’m a veterinarian by background and I’ve worked in health innovation for a decade. I spent eighteen months living in traditional villages across Africa and South America, learning from communities that raise children in very different ways. My passion is helping parents, doctors, and teachers identify small things they can do to set children up for better long-term physical health.
If you’re interested in this area, drop your email below and I’ll send you bi-weekly articles and podcast episodes with stories from other cultures and deep scientific dives on different aspects of child development and health. It’s free, easy, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
My agent is currently approaching publishers with my book, so if you like, comment, share, or subscribe, you’ll help publishers to see that people are interested in helping children grow healthier adult bodies and minds. Thank you!
