Know Blood Tests During Pregnancy !

Pregnancy Blood Tests:

As part of your antenatal care you’ll be offered several blood tests. Some are offered to all women, and some are only offered if you might be at risk of a particular infection or inherited condition.

All the tests are done to check for anything that may cause a problem during your pregnancy or after the birth, or to check that your baby is healthy, but you don’t have to have them if you don’t want to.

Talk to your midwife or doctor and give yourself enough time to make your decision. They should also give you written information about the tests. Below is an outline of all the tests that can be offered.

Read More »

Read/Download Some Relevant Books »

Non-Invasive Alternative To Amniocentesis? Experimental Test May Let Screen For Genetic Defects 5 Weeks Into Pregnancy

An experimental test that relies on an old-fashioned screening exam — the pap smear — may someday allow doctors to easily detect birth defects sooner than ever.

On Tuesday, Wayne State University (WSU) researchers revealed the latest encouraging findings on their creation, called “Trophoblast Retrieval and Isolation from the Cervix,” or TRIC for short. Using a pap smear, they scraped trophoblasts — the cells that eventually help form a fetus’ placenta — from pregnant women’s cervixes and genetically sequenced the fetal DNA found inside with next generation technology. They then compared these samples to those obtained from the mother, placenta, and fetus via conventional means.

Not only were the TRIC samples mostly made out of fetal DNA, indicating the low risk of contamination, but they matched up perfectly with the other fetal samples, validating the test’s overall accuracy. Even more importantly, the samples were taken as early as 5 weeks into pregnancy, blowing past the limit of other, invasive screening tests, such as amniocentesis, which can only be given starting at the end of the first trimester, 14 to 16 weeks in.

Researchers have developed a test that may be able to screen for birth defects
as early as five weeks into pregnancy.

Read more: Non-Invasive Alternative To Amniocentesis? Experimental Test May Let Screen For Genetic Defects 5 Weeks Into Pregnancy

Source: MedicalNewsToday

Association Between Genetic Variation And Influenza Severity.

It is estimated that in the USA influenza -related deaths in recent years have ranged from 12,000 to 56,000. Factors like age, obesity, pregnancy and such chronic health conditions as asthma, chronic lung disease and heart disease are associated with an elevated risk of complications and death.

However, there are no proven genetic markers of influenza risk with an established mechanism of action. Interferon Induced Transmembrane Protein 3 (IFITM3) is an anti-viral protein that helps to block influenza infection of lung cells and to promote survival of the killer T cells that help clear the infection in the airways.

Image: A scanning electron micrograph of a CD8+ T cell engaging a virus.

(Photo courtesy of Dennis Kunkel).

A group of scientists collaborating with those at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (Memphis, TN, USA) searched for other possible IFITM3 variants that correlated with gene expression, levels of the IFITM3 proteins and were common in influenza patients in the USA. The search led to an IFITM3 variant known as rs34481144. They checked 86 children and adults in Memphis with confirmed influenza infections and found two-thirds of patients with the most severe symptoms carried at least one copy of the newly identified high-risk IFITM3 variant. The high-risk variant was found in just 32% of patients with milder symptoms.

The team also found an association between the newly identified high-risk variant and severe and fatal influenza infections in 265 critically ill pediatric patients hospitalized in one of 31 intensive care units nationwide. The patients did not have health problems that put them at high risk for severe influenza. Of the 17 patients in this group who died from the infection, 14 carried at least one copy of the newly identified high-risk variant. Further study revealed how binding differed between the high-risk and protective variants. Those differences led to lower levels of the IFITM3 protein in individuals with two copies of the high-risk gene variant compared to other patients. The Memphis influenza patients also had fewer of the killer T cells in their upper airways. The study identifies a new regulator of IFITM3 expression that associates with CD8+ T cell levels in the airways and a spectrum of clinical outcomes.

Paul Thomas, PhD, an immunologist and corresponding author of the study, said, “A genetic marker of influenza risk could make a life-saving difference, particularly during severe influenza outbreaks, by helping prioritize high-risk patients for vaccination, drug therapy and other interventions. These results raise hopes that this newly identified IFITM3 variant might provide such a marker.” The study was published on July 17, 2017, in the journal Nature Medicine.

Source: labmedica

Male Birth Control Shot Shows Promise

When it comes to birth control methods, women have more options than ever before. However, for men, the choice is limited to condoms, withdrawal, and vasectomy. A new study - published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism - has established that a male birth control shot is effective at preventing pregnancy.

In the last 40 years, studies have demonstrated that reversible hormonal suppression of spermatogenesis - the process of sperm cell development - in men can prevent pregnancies in their female partners, although the commercial development of the product has been stalled.

In previous studies, testosterone management in men demonstrated birth control efficacy comparable with female methods. However, participants had to be given much greater doses than are typically found in the body and the method caused long-term adverse effects in healthy men.

While giving progesterone alongside can reduce the dose of testosterone, there have been few studies that have evaluated the efficacy and safety of such a combination. With 40 percent of all pregnancies worldwide unintended in 2012, better birth control options are required for men.

Read more: Male Birth Control Shot Shows Promise

The male birth control shot may provide more choice for controlling male fertility in the future.

Source: MedicalNewsToday

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Fertility: What You Need to Know

Polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS for short is a disorder that causes an imbalance in female sex hormones. The imbalance can lead to a variety of symptoms and also affect a woman's fertility.

To understand what PCOS is and how it affects a woman, it's helpful to learn a little about how the ovaries work.

Every month in women of childbearing age, tiny fluid-filled cysts called follicles develop on the surface of the ovary. One of the follicles will produce a mature egg, which is released from the ovary. Female sex hormones including estrogen cause the egg to mature and break through the follicle.

In women who have polycystic ovary syndrome, there is an imbalance in female sex hormones. The imbalance may prevent mature eggs from developing and being released. Without a mature egg, ovulation does not occur, which leads to infertility.

Read more: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Fertility: What You Need to Know

The imbalance in female hormones may prevent ovulation, leading to infertility. If showing any
symptoms of PCOS, it is wise to see a doctor in order to prevent further complications. Unless a
woman is trying to get pregnant, birth control pills may be used to correct the hormonal imbalance.

Source: MedicalNewsToday.

Cesarean Delivery May Increase Risk of Childhood Obesity

Children born by cesarean delivery may have an increased risk of becoming obese, compared with their siblings born by vaginal delivery, says study. This finding may have significant implications for the almost 1.3 million cesarean births per year in the United States.

Cesarean delivery is the most common U.S. surgical procedure and accounts for one third of deliveries nationwide.

The most common risk to children born via cesarean delivery is respiratory problems, while increasing evidence suggests children may also have an increased risk of other adverse health outcomes as adults.

Read more: Cesarean Delivery May Increase Risk of Childhood Obesity

Cesarean delivery can increase a child's risk of obesity into adulthood, study finds.

Source: medicalnewstoday

Breast-Feeding May Reduce Asthma Symptoms For At-Risk Infants

A new study provides further evidence of the health benefits of breast-feeding, after finding infants with a genetic susceptibility for asthma development are less likely to experience symptoms of the condition if they are breast-fed.

Asthma is estimated to affect around 8.6 percent of children and adolescents in the United States, making it one of the most common chronic childhood diseases.

Asthma symptoms are the same for children as for adults; these include wheezing, coughing, breathing problems, and chest tightness. However, because children have smaller airways, symptoms may be more severe.

As a result, asthma is the third leading cause of hospital stays and a leading cause of missed school days for children in the U.S.

While the precise causes of asthma remain unclear, studies have suggested the respiratory condition may arise as a result of environmental and genetic factors.

Read more: Breast-Feeding May Reduce Asthma Symptoms For At-Risk Infants

Breast-feeding may reduce respiratory symptoms for children genetically susceptible to asthma
development.

Source: medicalnewstoday

Heatwaves, Cold Snaps May Raise Preterm Birth Risk

Being pregnant during a heatwave is far from the most pleasant scenario for a woman, but new research finds such extreme temperatures may do more than make expectant mothers uncomfortable; they could increase the risk of preterm birth.

In a study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that exposure to extreme cold or intense heat during pregnancy increased women's preterm birth risk by up to a fifth.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2014, around 1 in 10 infants in the United States were born preterm - defined as the birth of a baby before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Preterm birth is the leading cause of infant death in the U.S., and it is also a primary cause of long-term disabilities and neurological disorders, such as cerebral palsy and developmental delay.

Read more: Heatwaves, Cold Snaps May Raise Preterm Birth Risk

Researchers say exposure to extreme heat or cold during pregnancy may increase the risk of preterm
birth.

Source: medicalnewstoday

Zika Virus — Reigniting The TORCH

The recent association between Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy and fetal microcephaly has led to a renewed interest in the mechanisms by which vertically transmitted microorganisms reach the fetus and cause congenital disease. In this Opinion article, we provide an overview of the structure and cellular composition of the human placenta and of the mechanisms by which traditional 'TORCH' pathogens (Toxoplasma gondii, other, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus) access the fetal compartment. Based on our current understanding of ZIKV pathogenesis and the developmental defects that are caused by fetal ZIKV infection, ZIKV should be considered a TORCH pathogen and future research and public health measures should be planned and implemented accordingly.

Zika virus (ZIKV), a member of the Flaviviridae family of RNA viruses, was first isolated in the Zika forest in Uganda in 1947.

Read more: Zika Virus — Reigniting The TORCH

Routes used by TORCH pathogens to overcome the placental barrier. Vertical
transmission and congenital disease induced by ZIKV.

Source: NatureReviewsMicrobiology

Download: Zika Virus — Reigniting The TORCH.pdf

All You Need to Know About the Glucose Tolerance Test

Most of the food people eat is turned directly into glucose when digested, and the body uses it as energy. The pancreas is responsible for making the hormone insulin which helps to get glucose into the cells of the body.

Diabetes is a long-term disease that occurs due to the pancreas not producing enough insulin or the body being unable to use the insulin it produces effectively.

The body is unable to process food properly to use for energy. Glucose builds up in the blood, which can lead to severe health problems.

There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults and is also known as juvenile diabetes. With type 1 diabetes the body does not produce insulin. 

Read more: All You Need to Know About the Glucose Tolerance Test

A glucose tolerance test can be used to screen for type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes can occur in
pregnant woman who have never had diabetes but have high blood glucose levels. During the
glucose test, some people may experience nausea, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, and sweating.

Source: medicalnewstoday

How Much Influence Does Alcohol Have on Female Fertility?

Although abstinence from alcohol is widely recommended when trying to become pregnant, its exact implications for a woman's fertility are not known. A new study published in The BMJ charts the interaction in new detail.

An estimated 24 percent of couples in developed countries take more than 12 months to conceive.

Because drinking alcohol is a pervasive part of modern life, its impact on fertility is of great interest.

An estimated 18.2 percent of American women aged 18-44 engage in binge drinking (more than four drinks in one sitting), three times per month.

More than one drink per day during pregnancy has been linked to low birth weight, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, and preterm birth.

However, although alcohol is known to influence male and female reproductive systems and the unborn fetus, its influence on fertility is not well understood

Read more: How Much Influence Does Alcohol Have on Female Fertility?

A new study looks in detail at alcohol and fertility.

Source: medicalnewstoday

Folic Acid May Protect Against Congenital Heart Defects

Foods fortified with folic acid decrease rates of some types of congenital heart defects in Canada, finds new research published in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation.

Folic acid is a B vitamin that our bodies use to make new cells, and it is important for the development of a healthy fetus.

Adding folic acid to white flour, pasta, and cornmeal has been mandatory in Canada since 1998. Evidence of folic acid reducing neural tube defects, oral cleft, and cardiovascular anomalies led to the Government of Canada taking steps to help women of childbearing age increase the amount of folate they consume.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that women take 400 micrograms of folic acid per day from at least 1 month before getting pregnant to prevent major birth defects of the baby's brain (anencephaly) and spine (spina bifida).

Read more: Folic Acid May Protect Against Congenital Heart Defects

The risk of the most common type of congenital heart disease could be reduced with foods fortified
with folic acid.

Source: medicalnewstoday

Virtual Babies Don’t Discourage Teenagers From Wanting Real Ones

Here’s one way not to prevent a young girl from getting pregnant: Ask her to care for a virtual baby. New research finds that teenagers given lifelike baby dolls (pictured) as part of a program to dissuade them from wanting a real baby became pregnant at a higher rate than peers in a control group.

The study followed 3000 Australian girls who enrolled when they were between 13 and 15 years old and were followed until they turned 20. Only half the group received the intervention, which encourages girls to think twice about becoming pregnant because babies have intensive, constant needs that can compromise a teenager’s lifestyle and goals.

The centerpiece of the program—variations of which are popular in many developed countries—is a weekend with an “infant simulator” that cries and must be “fed, burped, rocked, and have its nappy changed.” According to a paper published today in The Lancet, 17% of the girls who received the intervention became pregnant by age 20 versus 11% in the control group. (Abortions were high in both groups, and averaged 57%.)

Read more: Virtual Babies Don’t Discourage Teenagers From Wanting Real Ones

Source: sciencemag

High-Fat Diet in Pregnancy Reduces Beneficial Gut Microbiota for Offspring

Eating a high-fat diet during pregnancy could alter the population of gut microbiota in offspring, which may have negative implications for nutrition and development. This is the conclusion of a new study published in the journal Genome Medicine.

It is well established that what women eat and drink during pregnancy can influence the health and development of their child.

For example, it is recommended that expectant mothers consume 0.4 milligrams of folic acid every day in order to help prevent certain birth defects, and current advice says a healthy, balanced diet is best for both mother and baby.

Read more: High-Fat Diet in Pregnancy Reduces Beneficial Gut Microbiota for Offspring

Women who eat a high-fat diet in pregnancy may be putting their offspring's health and development at risk,
say researchers.

Source: medicalnewstoday

Genetic Testing Before Pregnancy Should Be as Common as Taking Folic Acid

Very few pre-pregnancy checklists include carrier screening as an important health item.

The very first time I had to tell a patient that she was at 25 percent risk of having a baby with cystic fibrosis, she was already 16 weeks pregnant. Only a few months prior, I had graduated and passed my board exam for genetic counseling. This was a "textbook case," as the saying goes. I reviewed the numbers with her and her husband: Odds were in their favor that this pregnancy would not be affected with cystic fibrosis. This couple wanted to know – they needed to know – with more certainty about what to expect. They were older first-time parents, and they agreed that they did not have the financial or emotional means to raise a child with a chronic health issue.

Read more: Genetic Testing Before Pregnancy Should Be as Common as Taking Folic Acid

Carrier screening should be universally offered in the preconception period, one expert argues.

Source: msn.com/en-us/health/medical

Next-Generation Sequencing and the Future of IVF

Medical laboratories play a vital role in helping patients achieve success with assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). Recent advances in genetic screening such as next generation sequencing (NGS) are revolutionizing how IVF will be performed in the future. NGS can sequence DNA and RNA more quickly than ever before. New applications like these technologies are raising hopes for improved IVF success rates to help patients achieve their dreams of building a family.

Preimplantation genetic screening

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates, one in eight couples have trouble achieving or sustaining a pregnancy, and approximately 7.4 million women in the United States have received help for infertility. The use of ART has doubled over the past decade.

Read more: Next-Generation Sequencing and the Future of IVF

Source: mlo-online

Change in 'Cervical Stitch' Thread Size Could Save Infants' Lives

The cervical stitch is a common procedure used to prevent preterm birth. Breaking research concludes that the size of the thread used can make a significant difference to the outcome for the infant.

An estimated 1 in 10 American babies are born prematurely.

Being born before the 37-week mark is the greatest contributor to infant death and a leading cause of long-term neurological disabilities.

Preterm births are triggered by the cervix opening too early and allowing the baby to enter the birth canal.

Women who are considered at high risk of miscarriage or preterm birth often undergo the cervical stitch procedure, also known as cervical cerclage.

Read more: Change in 'Cervical Stitch' Thread Size Could Save Infants' Lives

A small change in cervical stitch thread size could save lives.

Source: medicalnewstoday

Pregnancy Rates Higher for Women Who Have Had Tonsils, Appendix Removed

New study has uncovered a surprising association, finding that the surgical removal of the appendix or tonsils in younger age may increase a woman's chance of pregnancy.

Study co-author Sami Shimi, clinical senior lecturer in the School of Medicine at the University of Dundee, United Kingdom, and colleagues say their findings - published in Fertility and Sterility - should ease concerns that such procedures may reduce a woman's fertility.

The surgical removal of the tonsils, known as a tonsillectomy, is normally carried out as a result of frequent infection or inflammation of the tonsils (tonsillitis) or sleep-disordered breathing.

Surgical removal of the appendix, called an appendectomy, is normally the first-line treatment when the organ becomes infected or swollen - a condition known as appendicitis.

Read more: Pregnancy Rates Higher for Women Who Have Had Tonsils, Appendix Removed

Women who underwent a tonsillectomy or appendectomy when younger
were found to have higher pregnancy rates in a new study.

Source: medicalnewstoday

Know the Common Causes of Breast Pain

Women of all ages report having breast pain, also known as mastalgia. Pain can occur both before and after the menopause. However, breast pain is most common in younger menstruating women.

While nearly 70 percent of women report breast pain at some point during their lives, only around 15 percent require medical treatment.

The severity and location of breast pain can vary. Pain can occur in both breasts, one breast, or in the underarm. Severity can range from mild to severe and is typically described as tenderness, sharp burning, or tightening of the breast tissue.

Hormonal changes due to events such as menstruation, pregnancy, lactation, and menopause can also have an effect on the type of breast pain experienced.

Read more: Common Causes of Breast Pain

Breast pain can sometimes occur alongside changes in the menstrual cycle. Oral hormonal contraceptives
can lead to breast pain in some cases.

Source: medicalnewstoday

Are Vitamin Supplements for Pregnant Women a Waste of Money?

It is essential that an expectant mother receives adequate nutrition to promote the healthy development of her unborn child. To this end, the market is awash with maternal vitamin supplements. A new review asks whether these pills are as necessary as they claim to be.

Maternal deficiency of certain nutrients has been linked to a number of negative health consequences for mother and child.

Risks include restricted fetal growth, low birth weight, skeletal deformities, and pre-eclampsia.

These well-known dangers support a huge vitamin, mineral, and micronutrient industry aimed at pregnant women.

Typically, these tablets will contain 20 or more vitamins and minerals, often including a range of B vitamins, C, D, E, K, iodine, folic acid, magnesium, zinc, selenium, and copper.

Read more: Are Vitamin Supplements for Pregnant Women a Waste of Money?

Are pregnancy supplements as essential to maternal health as they claim to be?

Source: medicalnewstoday