Lalors Pharmacy

Not enough women taking folic acid

Vitamin cuts risk of serious defects in babies

While the vast majority of women are aware of the benefits of taking folic acid, only around one-third actually take this important vitamin, a new survey has revealed.

Folic acid is a B-group vitamin, which is known to reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in babies. NTDs are birth defects of the brain and spinal cord. One of the most common types of NTD is spina bifida, a defect in which the spinal column fails to form properly.

Around 80 babies are born in Ireland with NTDs every year, however as many as 70% of these could be avoided if women took folic acid.

The vitamin should be taken in the three months before conception and for the first three months of a pregnancy. However, as up to half of all pregnancies are thought to be unplanned, the policy in Ireland has been to recommend that all women of childbearing age should take it.

This latest survey from Safefood found that 95% of women are now aware of the benefits of taking folic acid, however, only 30-36% are actually taking it, a figure described as ‘far too low'.

"It's encouraging that knowledge around folic acid is high and women know what it is, what it does and who should take it, but most women in the relevant age group are not taking this preventative supplement or not taking it before they become pregnant. At 30% to 36% this is still far too low. Folic acid is widely available and cheap - a year's supply can cost less than a single takeaway coffee," explained Dr Cliodhna Foley-Nolan of Safefood.

The survey of over 1,600 women found that 60% felt that women should take folic acid all of the time, whether planning a pregnancy or not. A further 37% felt they should take it before getting pregnant and for the first three months of a pregnancy.

Dr Foley-Nolan noted that while there has been an increase in women taking the vitamin even though they are not planning a pregnancy, ‘this is from a very low starting point and there's still a great deal of room to improve'.

"For a healthy mum and baby, we simply can't get enough folic acid from our food alone, even with fortified foods. Taking a daily folic acid supplement of 400mcg is the only way to go," she insisted.

She noted that one reason why some women may be hesitant about taking folic acid is because it suggests that they are actively trying to get pregnant. She said that this mindset needs to change and it must be acknowledged that over 50% of pregnancies are unplanned.

The survey coincides with the latest phase of Safefood's folic acid campaign, ‘Babies Know the Facts About Folic'. According to Safefood CEO, Ray Dolan, this campaign has the potential to prevent two-thirds of NTDs every year - around 50 babies annually.

"We've already seen some significant changes in behaviour among women who say they take folic acid regularly and with this latest phase of the campaign, we're working hard to convert this awareness into action," he explained.

Speaking about her experience of spina bifida, mother of two girls, Fiona Shannon, explained that during both her pregnancies, she started taking folic acid around six weeks into pregnancy.

Her youngest daughter, now aged 11, was diagnosed with spina bifida at 24 weeks.

"With both my girls, I found out early on that I was pregnant so it wasn't like either pregnancy came as a surprise. But I didn't start taking folic acid until after I found out that I was pregnant. Both my pregnancies were planned, but the importance of folic acid wasn't really pushed as much as it is now, or I would have been taking it well before we had conceived.

"As a family, we've experienced first-hand how not taking it can impact on someone's life. Taking a folic acid tablet a day is so simple and so easy. It doesn't mean you're planning a baby. But it does mean when you have a baby, however far in the future that might be, you're already helping to protect their health," she said.

PHARMACISTS WARN DRIVERS TO BE AWARE OF POSSIBLE DANGERS WHEN TAKING PRESCRIBED MEDICATIONS.

The Irish Pharmacy Union is urging drivers to be aware of the dangers of driving while taking medicines, and advises that anyone taking medication, particularly medicines which can cause drowsiness, should consult their pharmacist about whether it is safe to drive.

This warning was made following the disclosure of an internal Road Safety Authority report that has found that 30% of people who died in road crashes in Ireland in 2013 had taken some form of prescription medicine. According to RTÉ, which obtained the report under the Freedom of Information Act, prescription sedatives are almost as common as alcohol in road deaths.

Caitriona O’ Riordan, a pharmacist and member of the Executive Committee of the Irish Pharmacy Union, said that this data was very disturbing, “Neither the Gardaí nor the RSA know if the medications that the unfortunate crash victims concerned were taking had been prescribed or were obtained illegally, but the key point is that there are possible side-effects from some medications, and it’s vitally important that before driving people should ask their pharmacist if there is any possibility that the medicine may impact on their ability to drive safely.

“Many medications carry warnings to be aware of the dangers of drowsiness or other side-effects, and those warnings are there for a reason; it is absolutely vital that everyone taking medications discusses possible side-effects with their pharmacist and also reads the advisory notes with the medication,” she concluded.

PHARMACISTS WARN THAT ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE IS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THREATS TO PATIENT SAFETY IN IRELAND

In the week leading up to European Antibiotics Awareness Day (Friday 18 November), pharmacists today warned that antibiotics need to be respected as a precious life-saving medicine to be used sparingly and appropriately and only when absolutely necessary.

The overuse and misuse of antibiotics is detrimental to the future health of all patients and is putting patients at risk, according to the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), the representative body for community pharmacists.

IPU President Daragh Connolly commenting on the dangers of the overuse of antibiotics said, “Antibiotic resistance is one of the most significant threats to patient safety in Ireland. Repeated and improper use of antibiotics is the single most important factor leading to antibiotic resistance in Ireland and around the world. If we allow antibiotic resistance to grow, the antibiotics used to treat infections today will become ineffective or will stop working altogether in the future. This will not only cripple our ability to fight routine infections but will also undermine the treatment of more complicated infections, especially in patients with chronic diseases.”

He warned that antibiotics will not work on viruses like colds and flu, and overuse can lead to bacteria becoming resistant to the antibiotic.

“It has been medically proven that antibiotics are only effective for bacterial infections and do not work for the common cold, cough, sore throat or sinus infection, which are caused by viruses. It is important to remember too that flu is an extremely contagious respiratory illness and can lead to serious illness, even death, particularly for elderly patients and those suffering from chronic illnesses or a weakened immune system. The flu vaccination, which is available in your local pharmacy, is the best way to reduce your chances of getting seasonal flu and spreading it to others,” added Mr Connolly.

Mr Connolly also encouraged patients to do their part in reducing unnecessary antibiotic use and offered the following advice:

Don’t take antibiotics for colds and flu.
If you do need to take an antibiotic, take it exactly as prescribed and finish the full course even if you are feeling better.
Do not save antibiotics for later use or share them with others.
Don’t expect to be prescribed antibiotics for viral conditions.

New resources for people with type 2 diabetes

Diagnosis can be overwhelming

A diagnosis of type 2 diabetes can be overwhelming, with many people having to overhaul their entire lifestyle. In response to this, Diabetes Ireland has launched a new comprehensive booklet and online educational programme aimed at helping people to live well with this condition.

According to the national charity, many people who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have to make changes to their diet and physical activity levels, and may have to start taking new medications.

It noted that the biggest risks are associated with people over the age of 40, but by this time, lifestyle habits are well established and can be very difficult to break.

"Diabetes Ireland receives thousands of calls every year from people trying to understand the condition and take action to reduce the risk of future health complications. The complications from poorly managed and/or late diagnosis are sobering and real - blindness, limb amputations, stroke, heart disease and kidney disease," the charity said.

The launch last year by the HSE of the type 2 diabetes ‘GP Cycle of Care' initiative highlighted the need for quality patient information to be made available in GP surgeries and health centres. Diabetes Ireland decided to try and fill this information gap by developing the booklet and online programme.

As part of the GP Cycle of Care programme, people with medical cards or GP visit cards who have type 2 diabetes are entitled to a full structured review of their diabetes by their GP.

Qualifying patients get two annual visits to their GP, a review and recording of blood results from initial registration, a review of their medication and lifestyle factors, a symptomatic foot review, continuing participation in the eye prevention programme, onward referral if appropriate, assessment of blood pressure, BMI, and further education about their diabetes.

"With as many as 80,000 people with type 2 Diabetes eligible for the Cycle of Care initiative, Diabetes Ireland was determined that people with type 2 diabetes would have the relevant information at their fingertips whether as a booklet or online," explained Diabetes Ireland's health promotion and research manager, Dr Anna Clarke.

The 50-page booklet covers all aspects of how to manage type 2 diabetes, including a checklist to prepare for a diabetes review, glucose targets, tips for managing health events such as hypos, information about medication, exercise recommendations and entitlements.

Commenting on the booklet, Dr Tony O'Sullivan, a GP with type 1 diabetes who runs a busy diabetic clinic in Dublin, said that this resource ‘is very timely'.

"There is no doubt that people who are well informed and understand the condition are less afraid of it and more likely to make the necessary lifestyle changes," he insisted.

The booklet is now available in 1,300 GP surgeries nationwide.

Meanwhile, Diabetes Ireland, working with Trinty College Dublin, has also launched Diabetes Smart, an online series of videos, quizzes and visual tools for people who want to learn more about healthy eating and exercise.

"Many people want to learn at their own pace. Diabetes Smart allows people to dip in and out at their own pace thereby accumulating knowledge in bite-sizes, which will make the period of changing to a healthier lifestyle easier," Dr Clarke noted.

Diabetes Smart can be accessed here.

These resources were launched to mark World Diabetes day today!

Big weight gain over years ups cancer risk

Increased risk as high as 53% in men

Significant weight gain over a number of years can increase a person's risk of obesity-related cancers by over 50%, a new study has found.

UK researchers looked at more than 300,000 people in America over a 15-year period. All were aged between 18 and 65 and while some had gained a little weight during the study period, others had become morbidly obese.

The researchers charted the participants' body mass index (BMI) and found that men who went from a BMI of 22, which is in the healthy weight range, to a BMI of 27, which is considered overweight, saw their risk of developing an obesity-related cancer jump by 50%.

Men who went from the overweight range to morbidly obese saw their risk jump by 53%.

Meanwhile, women who went from a BMI of 23 (healthy) to 32 (obese) were found to have a 17% increased risk of developing an obesity-related cancer compared to women who remained in the healthy range.

"This research shows how important it is to look at weight gain over a person's lifetime - to give a clearer picture of cancer risk through life compared to assessing someone's BMI at a single point.

"This study could also be really useful in public health. It could help identify people who would benefit the most from taking action to control their weight before any health problems arise - including a cancer diagnosis," commented the study's lead author, Dr Hannah Lennon, of the University of Manchester.

The study was funded by Cancer Research UK and according to its CEO, Sir Harpal Kumar, ‘while there are no guarantees against the disease, keeping a healthy weight can help you stack the odds in your favour'.

Details of these findings were presented at the National Cancer Research Institute's Cancer Conference in Liverpool this week.

Women at risk of PTSD after miscarriage

Common symptoms are flashbacks, nightmares

Women who suffer a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy may be at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a new study has found.

PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can occur after experiencing an intensely stressful event. It has been well documented in relation to military conflict, but it can also occur as a result of other scenarios, such as road traffic accidents, a violent assault or a serious illness.

Common symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks and high blood pressure. These may not begin until weeks, months or even years after the event.

UK researchers looked at 113 women who had recently suffered a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. As many as one in four pregnancies end in miscarriage, which refers to the death of a baby before 24 weeks. Most miscarriages occur within the first 12 weeks.

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the embryo implants somewhere other than the uterus, such as in the fallopian tubes, where it cannot grow. The pregnancy ends in miscarriage or it has to be ended with the use of surgery or medicine.

Among the 113 women, most had suffered a miscarriage within the first three months of their pregnancy, while one in five had suffered an ectopic pregnancy.

The study found that overall, 38% of the women had symptoms of PTSD three months after losing their baby. Among those who suffered a miscarriage, 45% had PTSD symptoms three months later.

Almost one-third of those affected said that their symptoms had impacted on their work life, while four in 10 said that their relationships with family and friends had been adversely affected.

We were surprised at the high number of women who experienced symptoms of PTSD after early pregnancy loss. The symptoms that may be triggered can have a profound effect on all aspects of a woman's everyday life, from her work to her relationships with friends and family," commented the study's lead author, Dr Jessica Farren, of Imperial College London.

The researchers believe that women should be routinely screened for PTSD and receive specific psychological support when they suffer a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.

Details of these findings are published in the journal, BMJ Open.

Health workers face higher risk of violence

Can have major impact on people and services

People working in the health sector are three times more likely to experience work-related violence than other employees, a major international conference held in Dublin has been told.

According to research highlighted at the conference, violence and aggression in the workplace can pose significant physical and psychological risks and can have a long-term impact on organisations and services.

Organisations can face a heavy financial burden while trying to deal with violent incidents and the absenteeism that may result. Workers may also become stressed and have less job satisfaction, which may lead to them leaving their positions earlier than intended or having poorer work quality.

Aggression and violence can also have a big impact on the care experience overall, for both staff and clients/patients.

This issue was discussed at the recent 5th International Conference on Workplace Violence in Dublin. This three-day summit saw delegates from all over the world attending, including doctors, researchers and healthcare regulators.

"Workplace violence toward staff is an ever-present threat in health services in Ireland and across the world and its effects can be devastating for employees, patients and health organisations alike," commented Dr Kevin McKenna of Dundalk Institute of Technology, who was co-chair at the conference.

He noted that while some progress has been made in this area, ‘there is still much more work that needs to be done'.

"Collaboration with other international subject experts is critical to helping us devise better strategies to manage and mitigate against this risk in our diverse clinical and care contexts," he said.

Have a great long weekend!

Low awareness of alcohol link to breast cancer

Over 350 cases a year caused by drinking

The link between alcohol and breast cancer is well established but public awareness of this remains low, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has warned.

According to the charity, every year in Ireland, around 900 new cancers and 500 cancer deaths can be attributed to alcohol use and the risk is particularly strong when it comes to breast cancer.

"There is widespread scientific evidence of the link between alcohol and breast cancer, but little public awareness of it. In 2013, in Ireland, 12% of breast cancers were caused by alcohol - that's 353 cases a year. In the same year, 69 women died from breast cancer caused by alcohol," explained the ICS's head of services and advocacy, Donal Buggy.

Alcohol is classified as a group one carcinogen (cancer causing agent) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and is known to cause a number of cancers, including breast, mouth, oesophagus, liver and pancreatic cancer.

A 2013 study published in the Irish Medical Journal found that between 2001 and 2011, almost 10,000 cases of cancer were attributable to alcohol. Some 6.7% of all male cancer deaths and 4.6% of female cancer deaths during this period were attributable to the disease.

When it came to breast cancer, between 2001 and 2010, over 3,000 cases of the disease - 12% of all breast cancers - were found to be caused by alcohol. Of the more than 6,600 women who died of breast cancer during this period, 695 (10%) were attributable to alcohol.

In response to this, the ICS is calling on politicians to implement the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015 as soon as possible.

The Bill includes measures such as health labeling of alcohol products, minimum unit pricing for retail alcohol products and regulations for the marketing and advertising of alcohol.

"People are simply not aware of the cancer risk associated with drinking alcohol and we need to ensure they are presented with the facts. For every one standard drink a day you drink, there is a 7% increase in breast cancer. If you drink three to six standards drinks a day, you increase the risk by 41%.

"The message is to drink less. Of the 900 new cancers each year related to alcohol, half of them could be prevented if people drank within the Department of Health's guidelines," Mr Buggy added.

Child Safety at Halloween

Firework and Bonfire Safety:
Every year children get firework and bonfire related injuries and some are scarred for life.

To be safest, plan family fun and activities that don’t include fireworks and do not allow children attend unsupervised bonfires.
Be cautious even at supervised bonfires. You never know when someone might throw something into the bonfire unknown to the supervisors that could be highly flammable or toxic and which could cause serious injuries.
Children should never hold lit sparklers as they can burn as hot as 700oC and will not go out even when doused in water.
Under 2006 legislation, if you ignite a firework or cause it to be ignited in any place, you are guilty of an offence (unless you are a licensed operator).
The offence of igniting a firework can apply to any location, including the garden of a private house.
30% of injuries are caused by illegal or homemade fireworks.
Water or the appropriate fire extinguisher should always be nearby when fireworks and bonfires are being used.
The Dublin Fire Brigade Service urges everyone to do everything possible to make sure Halloween is enjoyed in a safe environment.

Be Safe - Be Seen whilst Trick or Treating:

Be safe:
Parents need to accompany young children while they are trick or treating.
Note that the Road Safety Authority advises that no child under the age 12 years should be allowed cross the road or cycle on the road without adult supervision.
Consider ‘trick-or-treating’ in a group and staying together.
Don’t forget to: stop, look, listen and look again before crossing the road.

Be seen:
It is important that motorists can see you clearly. Parents and children should wear bright costumes/clothing made of flame-resistant material with reflective tape, or carry light sticks or a flashlight.
Stay on footpaths and driveways.
Stay off lawns and gardens.
Avoid poorly lit areas.
Check treats thoroughly:
Before eating treats, make sure that they are all checked by a responsible adult.
Discard treats that aren’t in sealed packaging or look suspicious.
Does your child have any allergies?
When in doubt, throw it out!

Choking:
Choking occurs most frequently among children under two years of age, but choking can happen at any age.
Do not give children under five years of age popcorn, boiled sweets, nuts, or rubber balloons.
When eating sweets, parents should have children sit down - remember eating while playing, running, jumping, etc can lead to a choking episode.

A bit of positive news for a change!

More surviving breast cancer than ever before

Early diagnosis much more likely

More women are surviving breast cancer today than ever before, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has said.

As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which runs throughout October, the ICS is looking back on 40 years of research into this disease in order to highlight the many advances that have been made.

According to the charity, less than 50% of women diagnosed with breast cancer in 1976 could expect to survive for at least five years. Today, that figure is 85%.

"There is no doubt that the picture of breast cancer in Ireland is a much brighter one than that of 40 years ago. Much of this is down to huge advances in research," commented Dr Catherine Kelly, a consultant medical oncologist and breast cancer specialist at the Mater Hospital in Dublin.

She emphasised that advances in research bring much needed hope to patients and it is essential not to become complacent when it comes to this disease.

"While increasing survival rates are hugely significant, we must not become complacent in our battle with this disease. Better breast cancer research means better patient care, better outcomes, and one step closer to eventually beating this disease for good," she said.

The ICS pointed out that 40 years ago, breast cancer was rarely detected and no screening programmes were in place. In fact, it was only in 1976 when mammography was recommended as a screening tool by the American Cancer Society.

Today in Ireland, BreastCheck, the national breast screening programme, is well established and this means that early diagnosis is much more common.

BreastCheck began in 2000 and since then, 450,000 women have been screened.

Meanwhile, in 1976, mastectomy was the only surgical option recommended to women with breast cancer. Today, a lumpectomy is more common - i.e. removing the tumour directly rather than the whole breast.

Furthermore, partial mastectomies and breast reconstruction procedures were unheard of 40 years ago.

Other major breakthroughs in relation to treatment include the use of the drug Tamoxifen, which can help stop disease recurrence in some women, and a better understanding of the links between genes and breast cancer.

For example, in the mid-1990s, it was discovered that changes in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can lead to a 50-80% increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Clinical trials are now underway on new drugs that may be able to treat cancers that involve these genetic mutations.

The ICS emphasised that in 2016, breast cancer is being diagnosed earlier and patients are undergoing less invasive surgery and receiving more targeted therapies.

"We now know that every breast cancer is different. Future research will focus on personalised treatment that is even better equipped to save lives and get patients back to full health," the charity added.

Paint it Pink is the ICS's breast cancer campaign - it aims to raise money for vital research and services for those affected.

Just some of the products we offer here at Lalors Pharmacy!

Cosmetics
Lalor's Pharmacy stock a fantastic range of cosmetics, skin-care beauty and products from well known brands like Max Factor and Vichy. We can also order specific cosmetics and perfumes at your request.

Perfumes
We stock a number of perfumes and aftershaves from top brands like Boss, Dolce & Gabbana and Lacoste, we can also source most fragrances available on the market.

Home Made Remedies
Home made remedies are often more effective and gentler on the body then their chemical counterparts, so if your a suffering from a dreadful cold or flu we can suggest practical remedies which will ease your symptoms and get you on the road to recovery.
Contact us for more information

Gift Baskets
Give that special someone a gift basket made up of products from our store. Create a gift basket of cosmetics and perfumes for her, or choose from a selection of toiletries and aftershaves for him, contact us for more great gift ideas.

New cancer institute for Ireland

Joint development between TCD and St James's

A new cancer institute, the first of its kind in Ireland, is to be developed by Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and St James's Hospital.

The incidence of cancer in Ireland is projected to double by 2040 and this new institute, which will be located at St James's, will serve a population of 1.4 million people.

"This cancer centre will place research, education and treatment side by side, which is in line with the model for the very best cancer centres internationally. The best outcomes for patients are achieved in centres that combine high volume and highly specialised evidence-based cancer care with scientific and technological advances. This exciting joint development between TCD and St James's will achieve this goal," commented St James's CEO, Lorcan Birthistle.

Both St James's and TCD have been preparing for the institute by recruiting new key clinical academic and research appointments in oncology. Meanwhile, accreditation for the institute is being sought from the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes, which sets the gold standard for leading cancer institutes in Europe.

According to TCD provost, Dr Patrick Prendergast, the new institute 'will deliver substantially improved outcomes for cancer patients by providing research-led diagnosis and treatment'.

It will also promote a better understanding of cancer through interdisciplinary research, he insisted.

"We will be educating the next generation of cancer clinicians, health professionals and scientists. Both Trinity and St James's Hospital share a long history together training medical doctors, nurses and health professionals who have treated the people of Dublin and Ireland with expertise and dedication. With this new institute we intend to lead the way in innovative new cancer treatment," he added.

The National Cancer Registry estimates that the incidence of cancer will increase by 50% by 2025, compared with 2010, and by 100% by 2040.

Conference on cancer survivorship

Hundreds expected at free event

A major conference on cancer survivorship is being held in Dublin later this month.

Living Well With Cancer aims to address the many needs of cancer survivors nationwide. It will look at topics such as advances in treatment, the psychological impact of the disease and fertility issues.

The conference will also include a session aimed specifically at teenagers and young adults, and another aimed at healthcare professionals working in this area. The professionals' session will focus on fertility issues after a diagnosis of cancer.

Some 600 cancer survivors, people currently living with cancer and healthcare professionals are expected at the conference, which will take place in Dublin's Aviva Stadium on Saturday, October 22.

The conference is free of charge.

Kids' wellbeing shaped by family circumstances

Those from poorer families face many obstacles

There has been a big increase in the number of one-parent families in Ireland over the last 100 years and research has found that these young people face ‘a consistent pattern of disadvantage'.

The Economic And Social Research Institute (ESRI) has published the first comprehensive analysis of the inequalities faced by children in modern Ireland. This is based on findings from the Growing Up in Ireland study, an ongoing study which has been monitoring the development of almost 20,000 children since 2007.

According to the findings, there have been major changes to the family model in Ireland over the last 100 years, including an increase in one-parent families, a rising incidence of separation and divorce, an increase in co-habitation and an increase in blended families.

However, it also noted that when it comes to children living in one-parent families, there is a consistent pattern of disadvantage, largely due to poorer socio-economic circumstances.

"There is a greater likelihood of welfare dependence, lower maternal education and lower income among one-parent families. Even accounting for differences in family characteristics such as income, maternal education, parent-child conflict and maternal depression, children in one-parent families are at a significant disadvantage in terms of their risk of experiencing socio-emotional and behavioural difficulties," the ESRI said.

It noted that in the area of language development, these skills are strongly linked with the economic and educational resources available to a child at home. In general, the higher the family's income or the higher the level of the mother's education, the more advanced the child's language development tended to be, even at the age of just three.

The researchers found that access to home-based learning activities, reading to young children and visits to the library tended to be much more common among children from advantaged homes.

The social inequalities children experience in early life is then apparent in the skills they bring to primary school. The research found that the language skills, attitudes and dispositions of five-year-olds differed according to their social class background, household income and the education of their mother.

Meanwhile, the research also found that children from the lowest income families were more likely to have a low birth weight and this can lave a long-term impact on growth and development.

In fact, low birth weight children are five times more likely not to meet the developmental thresholds for communications and gross motor skills at the age of nine months. They also tend to have lower scores in maths and reading by the age of nine years.

Social disadvantage also increased the risk of obesity among children. The children of unskilled manual parents were 65% more likely to be obese at the age of three compared to the children of professional parents.

The research also found that:
-Children from disadvantaged backgrounds are significantly less likely to be breastfed
-When it comes to childcare, relative care - often a grandparent - is the most common type of care for infants. Paid, non-relative care, such as a crèche, is more common among more advantaged families
-The introduction of the free pre-school year has extended pre-school access to disadvantaged children who may not have been able to avail of it before. This leveling of access to pre-school care is to be welcomed, the researchers noted.

The results of this research are published in a book, Cherishing All the Children Equally? Ireland 100 Years on From the Rising. It concludes that while there have been major improvements in areas such as health and education over the last 100 years, children's wellbeing in modern Ireland is largely shaped by their parents' circumstances and social position.

"While we have undoubtedly made huge strides in terms of how we think about and treat children in Ireland, the book presents evidence concluding that we have not lived up to the 1916 Proclamation's resolution to cherish all of the children of the nation equally.

"Despite the changing nature of inequality over time, children's future prospects continue to be shaped by family circumstances. Measures existing to help children flourish must be cognisant of the powerful impact of the home environment on child wellbeing and development," commented Prof James Williams of the ESRI, who co-edited the book.