Pregnancy | Page 40 of 58 | SpiritIndia.com

Pregnancy :: Hair samples show babies exposure to ‘crystal meth’ – a Canada study

Methamphetamine (MA) abuse is a serious health problem of epidemic proportions. Exposure to this drug, particularly during pregnancy, is difficult to ascertain. Sparse information on gestational exposure is available. Crystal meth boosts alertness and promotes a sense of wellbeing, euphoria, and exhilaration. It also curbs appetite and enhances sexual arousal. But long term abuse damages nerves in the brain and can lead to psychotic behaviour and aggression.

Pregnancy :: Life saving caesareans not available to poor pregnant women

Little is known about socioeconomic differences in access to life-saving obstetric surgery, yet access to a caesarean for women is essential to achieve low levels of maternal mortality. “We examined population-based caesarean rates by socioeconomic groups in various developing countries” Carine Ronsmans PhD.

Pregnancy :: Moderate exercise during pregnancy is safe

A new study suggests that moderate exercise during pregnancy is safe even for women with chronic illness. Black women are twice as likely to have premature or low birth weight infants compared with white women, but the reasons why are not clear, Dr. Suezanne T. Orr of East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina and her colleagues note.

Hepatitis :: PEG-INTRON, peginterferon and REBETOL, ribavirin in Hepatitis C — Schering-Plough

Schering-Plough reported data from EPIC3, a large ongoing clinical study, showing that retreatment with PEG-INTRON(R) (peginterferon alfa-2b) and REBETOL(R) (ribavirin, USP) combination therapy can result in sustained virologic response(1) (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C who failed previous treatment with any alpha interferon-based combination therapy, including peginterferon regimens. In this study, 56 percent of patients who had undetectable virus (HCV-RNA) after 12 weeks went on to achieve SVR with a 48-week course of therapy. Of the first 1,354 patients retreated, approximately 38 percent had undetectable virus at week 12. Importantly, patients who did not have undetectable virus at 12 weeks had little chance of achieving SVR. Overall, 23 percent of patients achieved SVR.

Health :: Racial discrimination a key factor in African-American health disparities

The experience of racial discrimination may be a key factor in explaining why African Americans have higher rates of obesity and suffer at higher rates from such diseases as diabetes and cardiovascular disorders, according to UCLA researchers. Repeated responses to such discrimination — which include elevated blood pressure and heart rate — can cause enormous stress on a person’s mental and physical health, according to research scheduled to be published in Volume 58 of the Annual Review of Psychology.

Diabetes :: EC approves use of insulin drug “NovoRapid”

There is new hope of succour for women suffering from pregnancy diabetes with the European Commission (EC) approving the use of insulin drug ”NovolRapid,” as the first modern insulin that has a label stating can be used in pregnancy.

Pregnancy :: Omega-3 is very good for fetuses, especially those whose mothers have HIV

Tom Brenna of Cornell University in America has conducted research on how fatty acids, in particular, plant and animal forms of omega-3, are essential to the development of the brains of infants. He particularly stresses the importance of the animal form, called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), present in oily fish and the eggs of hens fed seeds high in plant omega-3.

Pregnancy :: Career women freezing their eggs until they find a right partner

Most women who freeze their eggs for later use to remove the pressure to find Mr Right, and to preserve their fertility would consider using them to become single mothers. A study of patients who have had their eggs frozen at an IVF clinic in New York suggests that 80 per cent would think about having them fertilised with donor sperm if they failed to find a suitable partner.

Pregnancy :: New Antibody-Based Treatment May Facilitate Mother-to-Child Antiretroviral Immunity

A new study suggests that mothers may be able to transfer antiretroviral immunity during gestation and while breastfeeding when receiving a new antibody-based treatment say researchers from France. They report their findings in the October 2006 issue of the Journal of Virology.

Psychiatry :: UCLA Faculty Recognized for Outstanding Achievement in Psychiatric Research

Three UCLA scientists will be awarded top prizes for psychiatric research on Friday by NARSAD: The Mental Health Research Association, the world’s largest donor-supported organization dedicated to funding innovative research on severe mental illnesses. Lori Altshuler, M.D.; Joaquin M. Fuster, M.D., Ph.D., and Tyrone D. Cannon, Ph.D., all of UCLA’s Semel Institute, will be presented their awards at NARSAD’s 19th annual ceremony in New York City.