Female health, children's health

A four-month-old baby has died in hospital after his heart machine was accidentally switched off by a doctor who was cleaning it. Thomas Smith had already suffered a heart attack after a ventilator failed, an inquest heard

One in five secondary school children have tried illegal drugs in the last year, a shocking national survey has revealed. It found that six per cent of 11-year-olds took drugs in 2005, rising to a third of 15-year-olds surveyed

Combining a new drug with chemotherapy can double the survival of women with breast cancer. Scientists found the drug works to block the growth and spread of cancer beyond the breast

Babies and young children may be at risk of developing cancer through exposure to pesticides on food. Cancer experts are calling for a reduction of chemical use after scientists warned they may be more influential in causing cancer than previously thought

A schoolgirl who was given a potentially deadly radiation overdose at a cancer unit says she is now rebuilding her life. Lisa Norris, who is receiving oxygen treatment, is looking forward to her birthday and going to a Westlife concert

Obese children could be offered drastic stomach surgery on the NHS. The controversial measure, aimed at tackling the growing obesity epidemic in Briton, would be considered for overweight youngsters if doctors believed their health was at risk

All parents of newborns in England will be offered a new test to see if their baby has hearing problems. It replaces a far less reliable 'distraction test' which could only be used on older babies