Posts
New research published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology reveals the key risk factors associated with babies being born undernourished or small for gestational age (SGA). Findings reinforce the importance of eating a balanced diet before and during pregnancy, with consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables being associated with better outcomes for the baby.
The SCOPE (Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints) study comprises a large database of pregnant women from four different countries (New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, UK). It aims to develop screening tests for pre-eclampsia, SGA infants and spontaneous preterm births. In this particular study, researchers looked at the outcomes associated with the two main groups of SGA infants: those who had mothers with normal blood pressure and those whose mothers had high blood pressure in late pregnancy.
To read the entire article please go to: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/203684.php
Showing posts with label preterm birth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label preterm birth. Show all posts
Monday, November 29, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Cervical length screening may reduce preterm births
Found on the Medical News Website
Originally published February 6, 2010
Using ultrasound to screen all pregnant women for signs of a shortening cervix improves pregnancy outcomes and is a cost-effective way to reduce preterm birth, Yale School of Medicine researchers report in a new study.
The results of the study will be presented February 5 at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM) in Chicago.
Shortened cervical length increases the likelihood of a preterm birth. All high-risk patients-those who have had a prior preterm birth-are routinely screened at 20 to 24 weeks gestation to test for cervical length. However, screening is not often given to low-risk pregnant women, and researchers did not know whether it was cost-effective to screen women at low risk.
Erika Werner, M.D., clinical instructor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences at Yale, found that screening low-risk women is not only cost effective, it is cost-saving.
Werner and her team developed a computer model to mimic the outcomes and costs that occur when women are screened routinely, compared to when no screening occurs. They found that universal screening was cost-effective when compared to routine care. In fact, for every 100,000 women, routine care costs $6,523,365 more than the screening strategy. It also improved quality of life and resulted in fewer neonatal deaths and infants with long-term neurologic disorders.
"Since only 10 percent of preterm birth occurs in women with a history of preterm birth, cervical length screening may be the best way to decrease the number of babies born prematurely," said Werner.
Source: Yale University
Originally published February 6, 2010
Using ultrasound to screen all pregnant women for signs of a shortening cervix improves pregnancy outcomes and is a cost-effective way to reduce preterm birth, Yale School of Medicine researchers report in a new study.
The results of the study will be presented February 5 at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM) in Chicago.
Shortened cervical length increases the likelihood of a preterm birth. All high-risk patients-those who have had a prior preterm birth-are routinely screened at 20 to 24 weeks gestation to test for cervical length. However, screening is not often given to low-risk pregnant women, and researchers did not know whether it was cost-effective to screen women at low risk.
Erika Werner, M.D., clinical instructor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences at Yale, found that screening low-risk women is not only cost effective, it is cost-saving.
Werner and her team developed a computer model to mimic the outcomes and costs that occur when women are screened routinely, compared to when no screening occurs. They found that universal screening was cost-effective when compared to routine care. In fact, for every 100,000 women, routine care costs $6,523,365 more than the screening strategy. It also improved quality of life and resulted in fewer neonatal deaths and infants with long-term neurologic disorders.
"Since only 10 percent of preterm birth occurs in women with a history of preterm birth, cervical length screening may be the best way to decrease the number of babies born prematurely," said Werner.
Source: Yale University
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
