Vitamin E Levels Linked to High Birth Weight
Women who have high levels of vitamin E in their blood during pregnancy tend to give birth to heavier babies, a new study suggests. The conclusions suggest that vitamin E may have a more significant impact on fetal growth than was previously believed. During the study, over 1,200 pregnant women were monitored for their vitamin E levels during their 28th week of pregnancy. What they found was that among the women with highest levels of vitamin E, the birth weight of their babies was highest. They also found these women were three times less likely to have low birth weight babies than those with the lowest concentration of vitamin E. However, the scientists did say it was not clear that the vitamin E levels were not a marker of other factors that promote fetal development, such as a healthy diet. They also said they are as yet not recommending pregnant women take any additional vitamin E than that which is contained in prenatal vitamins. In fact, they say excessive levels of vitamin E have actually been linked to pregnancy complications, such as low birth weight babies. Source: IOL.co.za
January 3, 2007
More Hispanic Women Leave Workforce for Childbirth
A new report issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that 34% of Hispanic women are in the workforce, compared with 53% of all married women with infants. The statistics indicate that Hispanic women are more likely to leave their jobs within the first year after giving birth. "This is particularly true for college-educated Hispanics," Maria Aysa-Lastra, a sociologist and professor at Florida International University, said, adding, "They want to stay home with newborns because research has proven that first year of life is important, and daily presence of mom has an impact on a child's performance." Once their youngest child is 10 years of age, the percentage of Hispanic mothers at home doubled. The study emphasizes Hispanic culture – which attaches great importance to family support – as a significant determinant in the mothers’ decision to stay at home. Source: MedicalNewsToday.com
January 2, 2007
All Pregnant Women Should Be Screened for Down’s Syndrome: ACOG
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is recommending all women be screened for Down syndrome during their first trimester. Down syndrome is currently the most common chromosomal abnormality in the United States, occurring in about 5,000 babies born each year. Currently doctors administer a blood test – known as the quadruple screen – during the second trimester (around 16 weeks’ gestation) to check for the presence of Down syndrome. If the test results are positive, the woman must then undergo an invasive test called amniocentesis to confirm the diagnosis. However, the new method purported by the ACOG uses an ultrasound test and a different blood test that can be conducted in the first trimester (or between 10 and 13 weeks’ gestation).
Source: KaiserNetwork.org
