Careers

Clinical governance meetings

Clinical governance was looked on by some as the saving of the moral heart of the NHS. Others thought it a substance-lacking smokescreen that would have little effect, although it does protected time for departments to meeting. Are UK doctors contractually obliged to attend the meetings?

Research

Long term prognosis in preschool children with wheeze

In more than 600 children aged less than 5, two predictive factors (baseline parent reported exercise induced wheeze and a history of atopy) indicated a likelihood of 53.2% of developing asthma in early adolescence, report the authors of this longitudinal postal questionnaire study 1993-2004. The accompanying editorial agrees that these two factors strongly predict persistent asthma.

Research

Case-control study of self reported genitourinary infections and risk of gastroschisis

This rare abnormality, commonest among babies of teenage mothers, is increasing: this US study (findings from the national birth defects prevention study, 1997-2003) found a significant association with self reported infections in early pregnancy. The accompanying editorial agrees that genitourinary infection in early pregnancy can be added to the existing list of risk factors.

Research

Effect of 50 000 IU vitamin A given with BCG vaccine on mortality in infants in Guinea-Bissau

Vitamin A supplementation reduces mortality in older children, but a global recommendation of high dose supplementation for all newborn infants may not contribute to better survival, say the authors of this randomised controlled trial. The accompanying editorial says that benefit depends on the setting, baseline infant mortality, and vitamin A deficiency.

News

Obstetricians seek recognition for Chinese doctors who pioneered safe abortion

Chinese, Australian and UK obstetricians have organised the translation of a pioneering research paper on abortion by vacuum aspiration, in an attempt to get recognition for its authors 50 years after it was first published.

Blogs

Where are all the women?

Why are there so few women speakers at medical conferences, asks BMJ editor-in-chief Fiona Godlee (pictured). Cancer is a conversation-killer at parties, Anna Donald discovers. "But of course your hair will come back." "Actually no." "Oh." (Exit right). And Liz Wager asks if anybody has studied why life seems to speed up as you get older.

Podcasts

Can we feed the world?

World leaders met in Rome earlier this month to discuss coordinated international action to tackle the food price crisis currently causing widespread hunger and social unrest. Olivier De Schutter, the UN’s new special rapporteur on the right to food, spoke to the BMJ about the current food crisis and what should be done about it. Listen to the podcast.

Comment

Should we pay donors to increase the supply of organs for transplantation?

Yes, says Arthur Matas. Payment for living kidney donation is illegal in most countries. Changing the law to allow payment would help to shorten waiting times, he believes. No, argues Jeremy Chapman, who says that such a step would reduce supply of all organs. Also:

• John Coggon and colleagues clarify the law in relation to non-heart-beating donation.
• Annabel Ferriman recounts her experience as a kidney donor. Hospitals should make the live donation process easier, she says.
• Professors Maqsood Noorani and Leigh Turner call for measures to end "transplant tourism."

Research

Body piercing in England: a survey of piercing at sites other than earlobe

In this national household survey of more than 10000 adults, one in 10 had such a piercing and in about a third of those aged 16-24, piercing had caused health problems.