Peanuts During Pregnancy OK, Study Shows
Despite medical advice to the contrary, a new study initiated by Dr Tara Dean and Dr Carina Venter at the University of Portsmouth suggests that avoiding peanuts during pregnancy may not be necessary. Currently, medical practitioners advise pregnant women to avoid eating peanuts during pregnancy and while breastfeeding as a way of preventing sensitization to the nut in children – particular for women with a family history of atopy (asthma, eczema, or hay fever). The researchers followed 858 pregnant women and 660 children who were periodically tested for an allergy to peanuts. A paper published earlier this week by the researchers stated that “Mothers of 77 per cent of children sensitized to peanuts had avoided peanuts during pregnancy. In this cohort study, maternal consumption of peanuts during pregnancy was not associated with peanut sensitization in the infant”. Based on this, the researchers are calling for a review of the advice put forth by the Committee on Toxicity in Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) in 1998. Source: MedicalNewsToday.com
March 19, 2007
Exposure to Pesticides Linked to Diabetes During Pregnancy
According to a new study released by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park in North Carolina pregnant women who are exposed to pesticides used for farming during the first trimester are at increased risk of developing gestational diabetes – a type of diabetes associated specifically with pregnancy. The study was meant to supplement previous studies that have linked pesticides to diabetes, but not specifically during pregnancy. The researchers followed 11,273 women who became pregnant within 25 of entering the study. Among them, 506 (4.5%) developed gestational diabetes. In total, 50% of the women reported having been exposed to pesticide-related agricultural equipment at some point in their life. However, women who reported this exposure during the first trimester had a twofold increased risk of developing gestational diabetes. On the contrary, women exposed to residential pesticides during the first trimester were not at increased risk of developing the condition. Although the researchers admitted further study must be done to determine how environmental exposures affect a pregnant woman’s risk, they said the findings “may have substantial public health importance beyond the direct effects on gestational diabetes.”
Source: UK.Reuters.com
March 19, 2007
Genetics of Hispanic Women Linked to Preterm Birth
According to a new study presented by researchers at the Yale School of Medicine and Washington University, Hispanic women have four gene variants that place them at an increased risk of preterm birth – a leading cause of illness and death in newborns. Dr. Errol Norwitz, a lead investigator in the study stated: “Our analysis demonstrates that, in an Hispanic population, mothers who carried any one of four polymorphisms were significantly more likely to have a spontaneous preterm birth.” He suggested that one possible way of preventing preterm birth in Hispanic women would be to put them on progesterone supplements, as this has been known to be successful in 30 to 40 per cent of women at high risk of giving brith prematurely.
Source: MedicalNewsToday.com
