Aurora magazine

Singapore has eliminated age limits for the use of in vitro fertilization. Furthermore, it eliminated the maximum number of IVF cycles that could be carried out and issued subsidies for assisted reproduction treatments.

The choice of the new government aims to encourage parenting, extending the time frame in which these technologies can be remembered. The maximum limit for resorting to in vitro fertilization was 45 years for women, even for those still technically fertile. With these new measures, the limit disappears.

The same is true for what required a maximum number of cycles, which were rarely enough for older couples. It often happened that women had to abandon therapy before being able to obtain healthy oocytes, effectively negating the efforts already made. One of the major problems of assisted reproduction in Singapore is indeed the prohibition of preserving oocytes. To do this, you need serious medical reasons, such as a tumor.

This makes it harder to get healthy gametes, especially when age starts to advance. The choice has caused some concern in the world. As we age, there are more and more risks for both women and children. The risk of hypertension increases, as does that of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. On the other hand, the people of Singapore always get married later and have fewer children. This has led the government to seek a solution of some kind.

Source: theindependent.sg

By now everyone is very familiar with alcohol damage during pregnancy. According to a study led by Rutgers University-New Brunswick, drinking too little during pregnancy could alter the DNA of the fetus.

Thanks to this discovery, it could be easier to diagnose any congenital problems and intervene in time. A previous study showed that, consumed in large quantities, alcohol alters DNA in adults. The study in question, instead, focused on children.

Scientists have indeed analyzed the effects of alcohol on the DNA of 30 pregnant women and 359 children. Alcohol consumption is linked to changes localized in two genes: POMC, which regulates the organism's stress response; PER2, which influences the biological clock. These are present both in women who drink during pregnancy and in their children, exposed to the substance during the nine months.

In order for these effects to manifest itself severely, consumption must be above 3 drinks per month. However, since alcohol passes from the mother's body to that child, even smaller amounts can be harmful. Disorders related to fetal alcohol syndrome include physical and intellectual disabilities, behavioral problems, learning difficulties. Furthermore, alcohol consumption increases cortisol levels in the fetus, the stress hormone. This in turn causes problems in the immune system, which in turn can cause serious health problems.

Source: rutgers.edu

A group of researchers from the University of Texas revealed how maternal and fetal cells communicate. Thanks to this information, it will be possible to develop non-invasive tests that monitor the health status of both during gestation. During the nine months, communication between maternal and fetal cells is constant.

The means are bags called exosomes, which contain particular chemicals. Previous studies have already shown that fetal exosomes report to the maternal organism when all the organs are mature. In this way the mother's body can initiate labor and delivery. With the right technologies, these signals could be used to monitor the status of fetal development.

The researchers used guinea pigs with fluorescent exosomes. In this way the proteins they produced and contained in the samples were easier to detect. This allowed them to distinguish between maternal and fetal exosomes, so as to better understand the communications in place. From what has emerged, fetal exosomes are a reliable indicator of the health status of the fetus. To measure them, a sample of maternal blood is enough, which could open the door to a new generation of non-invasive prenatal tests. Furthermore, the analyzes revealed the particular functions of maternal exosomes.

Acting on the mother's exosomes could produce functional changes in the fetus. With the right drugs, it could even prevent phenomena like the preterm parts and everything that goes with it. Specific drugs could be tied to exosomes, so that the placenta can be overcome to prevent fetal inflammation. This would have a positive impact on 15 million pregnancies each year and could prevent 1 million neonatal deaths a year.

Source: utmb.edu

Gadolinium is a contrast agent used in MRI, not recommended in pregnancy. According to a study by Dr. Steven Bird, more and more women in the early stages of gestation are instead exposed to this substance.

The results could prevent many of these cases, which usually occur when the woman does not yet know she is pregnant. About 45% of US MRIs use gadolinium as a contrast agent. Recent studies show that the body could retain part of the substance even after analysis, with consequences that are currently unclear.

Gadolinium can cross the placenta barrier and enter the fetus's body. Doctors do not yet know how this could affect development; according to some studies, gadolinium could have negative consequences on the fetus. As a result, doctors advise against the use of the substance by pregnant women.

The only exception is when the life of a woman and a child are in danger and MRI is absolutely necessary. The researchers analyzed data collected from 16 FDA's Sentinel System partners, a medical questionnaire program. Out of 4,692,744 newborns, 5,457 were exposed to the substance in the prenatal phase.

The number corresponds to about 1 child every 860 pregnancy. Most cases are related to head, pelvis and abdomen analysis. About 3 cases out of 4 occur in the very early stages of the first trimester, when the woman does not know she is pregnant. The authors of the study suggest submitting a questionnaire to women of childbearing age who need to do a resonance. This way you could ask them if there is the possibility that they are pregnant and, if so, consider alternatives.

Source: rsna.org