Antidepressant Warning: Avoiding Paxil During Pregnancy
The FDA has upgraded the warning label on an antidepressant drug known as paroxetine or "Paxil" from a category "C" to a category "D," meaning that the medication poses risks to fetal health. In recent years, studies have linked newborns whose mothers had taken Paxil during pregnancy with both mild as well as serious health complications including seizures, altered body temperature, irritability, withdrawal symptoms, feeding problems, minor valve problems, heart murmurs, holes in the heart, and PPHN (primary pulmonary hypertension of the newborn). While some of these symptoms may resolve on their own, others may require serious treatment; in the past, some cases have required infants to undergo heart transplants as a result of Paxil-related complications. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is advising that women who are pregnant and taking antidepressant medication speak to their doctors about non-SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressant options to avoid the risk of congenital malformations.
Source: www.lawyersandsettlements.com
May 14, 2007
Mandatory HIV Test During Pregnancy
A new bill has been proposed to make HIV testing of pregnant women as well as newborns mandatory in New Jersey. This would make New Jersey the first state to require HIV testing for both the mother and baby. The bill would require testing to be conducted twice during pregnancy – once during the first trimester, and a second time during the later stages of pregnancy – in addition to mandatory newborn testing in all birthing facilities in the state. Senator Codey claims that the new legislation stems from reports by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claiming that prenatal medical treatment can dramatically reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission. However, critics argue that the bill would violate a woman's right to make her own childbearing and medical treatment decisions. States such as Arkansas, Michigan, Tennessee and Texas currently require HIV testing for mothers, unless the mother specifically asks not to be tested.
Source: Courier Post Online
May 18, 2007
Aspirin Reduces Risk of High Blood Pressure
Researchers from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia have found a 10% decrease in the likelihood of experiencing premature delivery or developing pre-eclampsia in pregnant women taking aspirin. The study analyzed over 30,000 pregnant mothers in 63 clinical trials over a span of 20 years beginning in 1985. Pre-eclampsia is characterized by a sudden increase in blood pressure after the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. The condition can be fatal for both the mother and baby, and premature delivery is often the only way to treat pre-eclampsia. Approximately 3% to 4% of women are believed to develop the condition.
Source: The New York Sun
