Pregnancy News

Week Of December 4 To December 10, 2004

December 10, 2004

Hot Laptops Could Cook Men's Fertility
A study conducted at State University of New York has found that prolonged use of a laptop can adversely affect a man's fertility. In the study, researchers examined the scrotal temperature of 29 healthy men between the ages of 21 and 35. Researchers found that just sitting with the legs together caused the temperature in the men's scrotums to rise by 2.1°C. Once the laptop was turned on, scrotal temperatures went up by 2.8°C on the right side and 2.6°C on the left. Researchers stated that the rise in scrotal temperature was significant enough to impact sperm. They concluded that long-term use could have detrimental affects on men's fertility and that even infrequent use could cause problems.
Source: Stuff.co.nz

December 9, 2004

Poor Pregnancy Outcome Linked To Reports of Racism
Two new studies have shown that African American women who experience racism are more likely to have poor pregnancy outcomes. In the first study, conducted by researchers at Duke University, a total of 352 births that occurred between 1992 and 1995 were examined. Of the women in the group who had had a premature delivery, 50% of the black women and 5% of the white women stated that they had been discriminated against at least three times in the past. 61% of the black women and none of the white women who delivered a low-birthweight baby also said they had been discriminated against at least three times in the past. The second study, conducted at Northwestern University, examined how racism played a role in the pregnancy outcome for 312 African American women. The women were evaluated on whether or not they ever experienced racism in different settings, such as at school or at work. Those that said they had experienced racial discrimination in at least one area were almost twice as likely to have a very low-birthweight baby. Especially at risk for delivering a very low-birthweight baby were women who stated that they had experienced racial discrimination in three or more areas. These women were 2.6 times more likely to have a very low-birthweight baby.
Source: Charnicia E. Huggins, Yahoo! News

December 8, 2004

Nigeria to Ban Baby Food Adverts in 2005
In an effort to promote breastfeeding, Nigeria has decided to ban any type of advertising or promotion of baby food beginning in the coming year. The decision is aimed at bringing Nigeria's actions in line with the International Code on Breast Milk Substitutes. Due to a lack of monitoring, Nigeria had not been acknowledged internationally as being compliant with the code. Nigeria hopes these latest changes will prove their commitment to the International Code on Breast Milk Substitutes.
Source: China View

December 6, 2004

Researchers Warn Men Soy May Harm Fertility
A study conducted by Otago University in New Zealand has found that a diet high in soy may interfere with a man's fertility. Researchers compared pup litters in male rats fed a high soy diet with those rats fed a diet low in soy. Fewer pups were born to male rats fed a high soy diet for three days. However, after another nine days of eating a high soy diet, their litter size was the same as the rats fed a low soy diet. Researchers believe that the soy inhibited the rat's sex hormones. They also noted that, because men often consume high levels of soy one day and very little the next, their fertility may not return to normal as it did in the rats with a prolonged high intake of soy. Researchers stated that for men on the brink of infertility, eating a lot of soy might be one factor that pushes them over the edge.
Source: Martin Johnston, The New Zealand Herald

December 4, 2004

Ultrasound in Pregnancy Doesn't Harm Fetus
A new 10-year study by the University of Western Australia has found that repeat ultrasounds during pregnancy have no harmful effects on an unborn child. Researchers tested over 2,700 children at the ages of 2, 3, 5 and 8 years old. Examination of the children's behavior, speech, language and neurological development revealed no difference at any age between those children that had had one prenatal ultrasound and those that had had multiple ultrasounds. A study published in 1993 found that multiple prenatal ultrasounds led to a slight decrease in fetal growth. However, this new study stated that any decrease in fetal growth quickly disappears as the children get older. Regardless of these findings, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends that ultrasound during pregnancy take place for medical purposes only.
Source: Ed Edelson, Yahoo! News

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