Pregnancy Likelier With Clomiphene
According to a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, women diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) have better chances of achieving a live birth if they take the fertility drug clomiphene, then if they use metformin, a diabetes drug, that is also commonly prescribed. For the study, 626 women with PCOS who had been diagnosed with infertility were either of these fertility drugs or both in combination. The medication was discontinued after conception, and the women were followed right up until the time of birth. Amongst those given clomiphene, 22.5% had live births, compared with 7.2% in the metformin group. The group with the best results was the one who received a combination of both drugs, with 26.8%, however, the researchers noted the difference in statistics between this group and the one given exclusively clomiphene was not significant. On the other hand, he risk of multiple birth did increase for those taking clomihpene, with 6% of women taking the drug giving birth to more than one child. This was not the case for any of the women taking only metformin. Dr. Richard Legro, M.D., of Pennsylvania State University said, “Our study supports the use of clomiphene citrate alone as first-line therapy for infertility in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome.” In a follow-up editorial to the release of the study, Dr David Guzich, of the University of Rochester stated that, “Aside from the low but ever-present risk of multiple pregnancy, the use of clomiphene citrate to treat infertility in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome is simple, inexpensive, generally safe, and -- as demonstrated by Legro et al -- more efficacious than the use of metformin.” Source: MedPageToday.com
February 6, 2007
Testing for Underactive Thyroid Important for Fetal Development
The U.S National Institute of Health is now undergoing a major new study of pregnant women to find out the benefit of having them screened for an underactive thyroid early on. The condition has been linked to premature birth and babies born with lower IQs, although medical professionals have long debated the association. In the U.K. a similar study is underway that involves 22,000 pregnant women. Dr. Catherine Spong, pregnancy chief at the NIH's National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, said, “It's all up in the air. We don't know that treatment is going to improve the outcome.” The thyroid is a gland in the neck that is responsible for producing hormones necessary for regulating metabolism and stimulating nearly every type of tissue in the body. Currently about 27 million Americans have either an overactive or underactive thyroid. The former is associated with increased heart rate and blood pressure that can lead to weight loss, depression, confusion, and vision problems. The latter – which is far more common – is associated with less-obvious symptoms such as fatigue, constipation, weight gain, forgetfulness, hoarse voice and dry skin. It can lead to increased risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and even infertility. The issue for the current research centers around the effect of an underactive thyroid during pregnancy, which previous studies have shown can have a significant impact on fetal brain development and the risk of miscarriage and premature birth, particularly during the first trimester. Until the link has been proven, however, doctors recommend pregnant women experiencing any of these symptoms seek medical attention, and that all pregnant women use prenatal vitamins containing iodine, which can help regulate thyroid function. Source: IHT.com/
February 7, 2007
High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Linked to Health Problems
A Dutch study that followed 491 older, postmenopausal women has found that those who stated they had high blood pressure during pregnancy had a 57% higher risk developing calcium buildup in their arteries – a condition that can lead to heart disease and diabetes – when compared with those whose blood pressure remained normal while pregnant. According to the U.S. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute between 6 and 8 percent of American women develop unusually high blood pressure during pregnancy. Some go on to develop a condition called preeclampsia, which can damage the placenta, kidney, liver and brain. “In women who have had hypertension during pregnancy, there needs to be careful monitoring of cardiovascular risk factors, to 1/8help them 3/8 be prepared appropriately to manage those factors,” said Dr. Daniel Jones, dean of the University of Mississippi School of Medicine and president-elect of the American Heart Association. “These women should be doing what we all should be doing - keeping their weight in a good range, exercising, not smoking, eating a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables.” Source: CBC.ca
