October 2009
Smoking During Pregnancy A Cause Of Social Inequality In Stillbirths
Science Daily
Oct 12, 2009
Tackling smoking during pregnancy may help to reduce socio-economic inequalities in stillbirths and infant deaths by as much as 30–40 per cent, according to a new Oxford University-led study published in the British Medical Journal.
Global Death Toll: One Million Premature Babies Every Year
Reuters
Oct 12, 2009
More than one million infants die each year because they are born too early, according to the just released White Paper, The Global and Regional Toll of Preterm Birth.
Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy Associated With Some Adverse Outcomes In Newborns
Science Daily
Oct 12, 2009
Exposure to a certain class of antidepressant medications during pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, a low five-minute Apgar score (a measure of overall health of the baby) and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, according to a report in the October issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
The Gift of Life, and Its Price
The New York Times
Oct 12, 2009
Scary. Like aliens. That is how Kerry Mastera remembers her twins, Max and Wes, in the traumatic days after they were born nine weeks early. Machines forced air into the infants’ lungs, pushing their tiny chests up and down in artificial heaves. Tubes delivered nourishment. They were so small her husband’s wedding band fit around an entire baby foot.
New way to 'stop' premature birth
BBC News
Oct 22, 2009
A drug used to treat cancer can stop contractions and may prevent premature labour, researchers say.
Testicular Tumors May Explain Why Some Diseases Are More Common In Children Of Older Fathers
Science Daily
Oct 26, 2009
A rare form of testicular tumour has provided scientists with new insights into how genetic changes (mutations) arise in our children. The research, funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Danish Cancer Society, could explain why certain diseases are more common in the children of older fathers.
Predicting Premature Birth
Emax Health
Oct 26, 2009
A new study published in the current issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found the use of serial fetal fibronectin (fFN) and cervical length testing, between 22 and 32 weeks gestation, more accurately identified asymptomatic women pregnant with twins who are at the highest risk of premature delivery.
Preterm birth associated with cancer diagnosis during pregnancy
HemOnc Today
Oct 28, 2009
Patients diagnosed with cancer while pregnant should have access to maternal and neonatal intensive care units as many children were born prematurely by iatrogenically induced delivery.
Rationing Care at the Beginning of Life?
ABC News
Oct 29, 2009
In the course of the debate over health care reform, some of the political rhetoric has focused on "rationing" and the idea of how much money can or should be spent on someone at the end of his or her life. But as care evolves, similar debates may someday surround how much can be spent at life's beginning.