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Category Archives: PREGNANCY & NEW BORN

All articles about pregnancy or new born’s health

PREGNANCY AND CHEMICALS

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LATEST BREAST FEEDING RESEARCH FINDINGS (2013)

STUDY 1: Dr. Aviva Mimouni-Bloch, of Tel Aviv University’s Sackler Faculty of Medicine found a clear link between rates of breastfeeding and the likelihood of developing ADHD. These results have been published in the journal Breastfeeding Medicine.

DETAILS: Children who were bottle-fed at three months of age were found to be three times more likely to have ADHD than those who were breastfed during the same period. Taking all risk factors into account, researchers found that children with ADHD were far less likely to be breastfed in their first year of life than the children in the other groups. Researchers do not yet know why breastfeeding has an impact on the future development of ADHD; it could be due to the breast milk itself, or the special bond formed between mother and baby during breastfeeding.

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STUDY 2: Breastfeeding is good for babies’ brains. Researchers from Brown University used a specialized, baby-friendly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) found that by age 2, babies who had been breastfed exclusively for at least three months had enhanced development in key parts of the brain compared to children who were fed formula exclusively or who were fed a combination of formula and breast milk.

DETAILS: The extra growth was most pronounced in the parts of the brain associated with language, emotional function, and cognition. They are finding the difference is on the order of 20 to 30 percent, comparing the breastfed and the non-breastfed kids.

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STUDY 3: A new study has found that babies that are breastfed for longer than six months have significantly better mental health in childhood. Raine Study at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research study found that children who were breastfed for less than six months compared to six months or longer had a 52% increased risk of a mental health problem at 2 years of age, a 55% increased risk at age 6, at age 8 the increased risk was 61% while at age 10 the increased risk was 37%.

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KEY TAKEAWAY: Experts concur that breastfeeding can have a protective effect against the development of the disorder, and can be counted as an additional biological advantage for breastfeeding. Breast feed as long as possible.


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IF YOU ARE PREGNANT, OR HAVE YOUNG KIDS, READ THIS…

STUDY

Researchers at the University of Illinois, who conducted their study on mice, showed how exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical commonly found in plastic water bottles and soup cans, in the womb could increase prostate cancer risk. Per the study, Studies of expectant mothers in the US showed that more than 95 per cent of them had BPA in their urine, which means they recently ingested these compounds.

DETAILS

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a man-made carbon-based synthetic compound. Currently there are no BPA labeling requirements for plastics. In general, plastics that are marked with Resin Identification Codes 1 to 7 are very unlikely to contain BPA.

BPA exhibits hormone-like properties that raise concern about its suitability in consumer products and food containers. In the early 1930s the British chemist Charles Edward Dodds recognized BPA as an artificial estrogen. A 2010 report from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned of possible hazards to fetuses, infants, and young children. In September 2010, Canada became the first country to declare BPA a toxic substance. The European Union, Canada, and recently the United States have banned BPA use in baby bottles.

Early developmental stages appear to be the period of greatest sensitivity to its effects, and some studies have linked prenatal exposure to later physical and neurological difficulties.

A recent study demonstrated a link between environmental estrogens and insulin resistance. Studies found that BPA imitates the sex hormone 17B-estradiol which leads to a rise in insulin and eventually resistance. This resistance can lead to type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

A 2008 study by the Yale School of Medicine demonstrated that adverse neurological effects occur in non-human primates regularly exposed to bisphenol A.

A 2010 review concluded that bisphenol A may increase cancer risk. And a 2009 study discovered adverse reaction to thyroid function due to BPA.

Want more damning evidence? In 2006, the US Government sponsored an assessment of the scientific literature on BPA. Thirty-eight experts in fields involved with bisphenol A gathered to review several hundred studies on BPA. At the end of the meeting, the group issued the Chapel Hill Consensus Statement, which stated "BPA at concentrations found in the human body is associated with organizational changes in the prostate, breast, testis, mammary glands, body size, brain structure and chemistry, and behavior of laboratory animals."

So WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Bisphenol A is leached from the lining of food and beverage cans where it is used as an ingredient in the plastic used to protect the food from direct contact with the can. Consumption of canned foods and beverages and restaurant meals were the most likely sources of exposure to BPA in their usual diets.

Free BPA is found in high concentration in thermal paper and carbonless copy paper, including receipts, event and cinema tickets, labels, and airline tickets.

Consumer groups recommend that people wishing to lower their exposure to bisphenol A avoid canned food and polycarbonate plastic. To avoid the possibility of BPA leaching into food or drink, the National Toxicology Panel recommends avoiding microwaving food in plastic containers, putting plastics in the dishwasher, or using harsh detergents.

So you would think, let’s try BPA-Free Plastic. The industry has responded to criticism of BPA by promoting "BPA-free" products, which are made from plastic containing a compound called bisphenol S (BPS). BPS, which shares a similar structure and versatility to BPA, is now being used in everything from currency to thermal receipt paper. According to a 2013 study, BPS shares similar problems to BPA in that it has been found to be an estrogen hormone disruptor even at extremely low levels of exposure.

Simple solution: Throw out all your plastics and tin cans. Use ceramic, stainless steel or Plastic containers only. Avoid anything made with plastic. Evidence of BPA in participants’ urine decreases by 50% to 70% during the period you eat fresh foods;

PARENTING FUNNIES (1)

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HOW TO INFLUENCY YOUR BABY’S HEALTH DURING PREGNANCY

A healthy Pregnancy and Baby’s health are closely related. A new born’s health depends on:

· genes the child inherits from it parents

· environment in the womb

Most expectant women are warned that drinking alcohol, smoking and even eating unpasteurized cheeses can have serious consequences for the growth and development of their unborn children. But there are other ways in which a pregnant woman influences the later health of her child.

Shed pounds before pregnancy: Maternal obesity increases the risk of a woman developing gestational diabetes or going into preterm labor, as well as the risk of obesity and diabetes in the child. Recent studies have also linked a woman’s pre-pregnancy weight to her child’s risk of asthma. Regular exercise helps.

Limit Coffee Intake: Doctors and researchers have known that high caffeine intake during pregnancy may harm the fetus but the limit on caffeine is not known. However, a study published last month found that caffeine was associated with an increased risk for babies being smaller than normal at birth. Preferably avoid coffee.

Avoid secondhand smoke: Living in a smoky environment or secondhand smoke has long been tied to asthma and breathing problems in kids. Per study, kids born to mothers exposed to secondhand smoke during pregnancy were more than twice as likely to develop attention and aggression problems by the age of five than the children of mothers unexposed to smoke.

Discuss antidepressants with your doctor: Antidepressants have lasting impacts on the developing fetus, according to recent review of studies. A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) while pregnant may be linked to a higher risk of miscarriages, birth defects, preterm delivery and behavioral problems, including autism. Behavior therapy, which includes counseling but not medication, should be the first line of depression.

Get your VITAMIN ‘D’ AND FOLIC ACID. There’s growing evidence that low levels of the “sun vitamin” & folic acid during pregnancy may lead to health problems for mother and child. The review of more than 30 studies linked low levels of vitamin D to an increased risk of gestational diabetes, autism, pre-eclampsia and lower birth weight.

CUT out Deli meats: Roughly 1,600 Americans yearly suffer from severe cases of listeriosis, a food borne illness caused by a bacteria. A Listeria infection can lead to premature delivery, infection in the infant and even stillbirth. Processed meats, such as hot dogs, deli slices and smoked salmon can become contaminated with Listeria before they are packaged. Washing all fruits and vegetables and thoroughly cook all meats before consuming.

Avoid air pollution: Breathing outdoor air pollution caused by traffic, industry and even dust during pregnancy may slightly increase the risk that a baby will be born at a lower birth weight. Avoid rush hour traffic as well as idling cars. One study published found that increasing the intake of fruits and veggies during pregnancy may help protect against the effects of air pollution.


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PREMATURE BIRTH REPORT CARD

PREMATURE BIRTH REPORT CARD

With a grade of "C," the United States has a long way to go in reducing our rate of premature birth. With 1 in 9 babies born too soon, our country’s rate is higher than that of most developed nations.

For more information, read: http://www.marchofdimes.com/mission/prematurity_reportcard.html

PARENTING FUNNIE (7)

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LATEST (2013) STUDIES ON PREGNANCY AND BABIES

KEY FINDING:

Taking daily iron supplements during pregnancy can reduce the chances of having a small baby as well as anemia.

STUDY:

Studies of two million women found that taking even a tiny amount of iron cut the risk of anemia by 12% and low birth weight by 3%.

For every additional 10 mg of iron taken each day, up to a maximum of 66 mg per day, the risks of anemia and low birth weight decreased.

But researchers found no reduction in the risk of premature birth as a result of iron use.

So WHAT?

The World Health Organization currently recommends a dose of 60 mg per day for pregnant women.

Women contemplating pregnancy should adjust their diet to include appropriate iron nutrients before becoming pregnant.

Add Lean meat, green leafy vegetables, dried fruit, nuts and many breakfast cereals to add natural iron.

Iron supplements may have unpleasant maternal side effects like constipation, indigestion and bloating. Add fibrous food to offset the constipation effect of iron.

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KEY FINDING:

Alcohol is not safe for pregnancy. Don’t imbibe even a glass or two.

STUDY:

Researchers at Oxford and Bristol Universities discovered that drinking one or two glasses of wine a week during pregnancy could have an impact on a child’s IQ.

Drinking too much while expecting a baby can lead to miscarriage, low birth weight, learning disabilities and hyperactivity.

So WHAT?

· When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, the levels of alcohol in her baby’s blood rise as high as her own. Because the baby’s liver is immature, it can’t break down the alcohol as fast as an adult can. This means the baby is exposed to greater amounts of alcohol for longer than the mother. When an unborn baby is constantly exposed to alcohol, a particular group of problems can develop, known as fetal alcohol syndrome.

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KEY FINDING:

Mothers who were iodine deficient had children with a slightly lower IQ and worse reading scores in primary school.

STUDY:

Study showed that two in three women were not getting enough iodine during pregnancy. This was mostly mild deficiency.

So WHAT?

· A balanced diet during pregnancy would contain enough iodine. Iodine is a building block of hormones made in the thyroid gland. These control the way the body uses energy and how it grows. It is particularly important when the brain is developing. In pregnancy you need 50% more of the chemical than normal.

KEY FINDING:

Babies are learning when they’re still in the womb

STUDY:

A US and Sweden study discovered that in the last 10 weeks of pregnancy, fetuses are listening to their mothers communicate. And when they are born, they can show what they’ve heard.

So WHAT?

Speak regularly to your baby. But don’t put loudspeakers in the tummy to disrupt the baby’s sleeping pattern.

· Baby developmental milestone:

· 4 months: Fetal hearing begins to develop; the nervous system starts functioning

· 6 months: Fetus responds to sounds by kicking, quickening pulse

· 7 months: Fetal hearing fully developed. Fetus responds to visual and audible stimulation

· 8 months: Brain continues to develop; fetus can see

Babies born to bilingual mothers have shown they can equally accommodate two or more languages – but that ability is acquired through natural exposure.


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DO MMR VACCINE CAUSE AUTISM?

BMJ: Wakefield Paper Alleging Link between MMR Vaccine and Autism Fraudulent

January 6, 2011 by Project Staff
In the wake of a paper published in the Lancet in 1998, vaccination rates in Britain plummeted. The lead author of the paper, Andrew Wakefield, rose to prominence as a result of his claims that the combination measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine had caused autism in the 12 children in the study, and frightened parents began to delay or completely refuse vaccination for their children, both in Britain and the United States. Since then, outbreaks of previously eliminated diseases have sickened and killed children in both countries.Over the next twelve years, the possibility of a link between MMR and autism was studied exhaustively. No reputable, relevant study confirmed Wakefield’s findings; instead, many well-designed studies have found no link between MMR and autism.In 2004, the Lancet stated that it should not have published Wakefield’s paper, with then-editor Dr. Richard Horton noting that Wakefield had a “fatal conflict of interest” when conducting the research. The majority of the co-authors of the study subsequently retracted the findings in the paper, and in 2010, the Lancet formally retracted the paper itself.Three months later, in May 2010, Britain’s General Medical Council banned Wakefield from practicing medicine in Britain, stating that he had shown “callous disregard” for children in the course of his research. The council also cited previously uncovered information about Wakefield’s research being partially funded by lawyers hoping to sue vaccine manufacturers on behalf of parents of children with autism.

On Wednesday, January 5, the British Medical Journal published a report by Brian Deer, a British journalist who had previously reported on flaws in Wakefield’s work. For this new report, Deer spoke with parents of children from the retracted study and found evidence that Wakefield actually committed research fraud by falsifying data about the children’s conditions.

Specifically, Deer reports that while the paper claimed that eight of the study’s 12 children showed either gastrointestinal or autism-like symptoms days after vaccination, records instead show that at most two children experienced these symptoms in this time frame. Additionally, while the paper claimed that all 12 of the children were “previously normal” before vaccination with MMR, at least two had developmental delays that were noted in their records before the vaccination took place.

After examining the records for all 12 children, Deer noted that the statements made in the paper did not match numbers from the records in any category: the children having regressive autism; non-specific colitis; or first symptoms within days after receiving the MMR vaccine. The Lancet paper claimed that six of the children had all three of these conditions; according to the records, not a single child actually did. (See a table that breaks down the comparison between the Lancet numbers and the medical records here.)

In an accompanying editorial, BMJ editor in chief Fiona Godlee and co-authors Jane Smith and Harvey Marcovitch examine the damage to public health caused by a tiny study based on parental recall with no control group – a study that turned out to be almost entirely fraudulent, but whose impact continues to this day.

Although the findings of Wakefield’s paper have long been discredited by scientists, the evidence that the data itself was falsified makes this report by the BMJ a landmark moment in the history of vaccines. Evidence is strong that this study should not have been published not merely because it was poorly conducted, but instead because it was a product of research fraud. After more than 12 years of panic, fear, and confusion over the possibility of autism being linked to vaccines, this “MMR scare” chapter of vaccine history may finally draw to a close.

In addition to the British Medical Journal’s report and accompanying editorial, news outlets worldwide have devoted time to coverage of this story. Links to some of this coverage are provided below.

Brian Deer’s report at the British Medical Journal, “How the case against the MMR vaccine was fixed” —http://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.c5347.full

Accompanying editorial by Fiona Godlee, Jane Smith, and Harvey Marcovitch, “Wakefield’s article linking MMR vaccine and autism was fraudulent” — http://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.c7452.full

MedPage Today’s coverage of the BMJ report by John Gever, “BMJ Lifts Curtain on MMR-Autism Fraud” —http://www.medpagetoday.com/Pediatrics/Autism/24203

CNN’s coverage via Anderson Cooper 360:

ABC News:


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NEWS FLASH: FDA warns pregnant women to not use certain migraine prevention medicines

FDA warns pregnant women to not use certain migraine prevention medicines

Valproate products can lower IQ scores in children of mothers who used them during pregnancy

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting health care providers and patients that medications including and related to valproate sodium can cause decreased IQ scores in children whose mothers took the medication during pregnancy. Therefore, these drugs are being contraindicated for (should never be used by) pregnant women for the prevention of migraine headaches. Valproate products include valproate sodium (Depacon), divalproex sodium (Depakote, Depakote CP, and Depakote ER), valproic acid (Depakene and Stavzor), and their generics.

Valproate products have several FDA-approved uses including: prevention of migraine headaches; treatment of epilepsy (seizures); and treatment of manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disorder).

Medicines that contain valproate already have a boxed warning for fetal risk, including birth defects. The recently published Neurodevelopmental Effects of Antiepileptic Drugs (NEAD) study found further evidence of the IQ risk, leading to today’s strengthened warnings.

Women who are pregnant, or who become pregnant while taking one of these medications, should talk to their health care professional immediately. Women shouldnot stop taking their medication without talking to their health care professional because stopping treatment suddenly can cause serious and life-threatening medical problems for the woman or the developing fetus. Women of childbearing age taking valproate products should use effective birth control.

It is not known if there is a certain time period during pregnancy when valproate exposure can result in decreased IQ. The women in the NEAD study were exposed to antiepileptic drugs throughout their pregnancies.

The FDA’s strengthened recommendations are based on the final results of the NEAD study, which showed that children exposed to valproate products in utero had decreased IQ at age 6 when compared to children who were exposed to other antiepileptic drugs. The difference in average IQ between the children who had been exposed to valproate and the children who had been exposed to other antiepileptic drugs varied between 8 and 11 points depending on the antiepileptic drug.

For additional information:

· FDA Valproate Information

· North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry

· FDA Patient Network