Aurora magazine

Women who drink alcohol during pregnancy are 19% more likely to have an abortion. This was stated by a study by Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. According to the researchers, it takes less than 5 drinks a week to reach that level of risk, which increases by 6% with every drink.

More than half of US women drank in the early stages of pregnancy when they didn't know they were pregnant. It was believed that the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy increased the oxidative stress of the fetus, causing cellular damage. According to the researchers, this was the cause of spontaneous abortions related to drinking during gestation. The study in question gives another explanation instead.

The author of the study reviewed the studies published between 1970 and 2019 regarding alcohol abortions. Of these, he selected 24 that met the criteria for returning to the study in question. Inside there were data of more than 231,000 pregnant women.

The new analyzes showed a connection between the percentage of risk, the amount of alcohol consumed, the period in which it was consumed. Most women stop consuming alcohol when they find out they are pregnant. How does this affect pregnancy and fetal development? From what emerges, the first few weeks is when alcohol consumption is more dangerous. Just when so many women don't know they are pregnant and therefore continue to drink. This could explain part of the spontaneous abortions that remain without apparent explanation.

Source: mc.vanderbilt.edu

Prader-Willi syndrome is a genetic disease that occurs at birth and can take many forms. The disease is in fact linked to a large number of genetic variants, which cause very different symptoms.

The first symptom is the severe lack of muscle tone present since birth, which makes swallowing difficult. From the age of two, symptoms related to behavior and learning begin to appear. The child is never satiated, which in the long run can lead to severe obesity. Moreover, he has learning difficulties and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Sometimes, symptoms similar to those of the autistic spectrum occur.

Those suffering from Prader-Willi syndrome tend to have peculiar facial features:

• narrow forehead;
• almond eyes;
• mouth turned downwards;
• scoliosis;
• thin upper lip;
• small hands and feet;
• short.

The syndrome is caused by genetic abnormalities concentrated on chromosome 15 inherited from the father. The maternal genes present in this area are not active, so the paternal anomalies are enough for the disease to manifest. Familial cases are rare: more often than not, Prader-Willi syndrome occurs due to sporadic anomalies.

The diagnosis always starts from clinical observation and genetic analysis is used to confirm it. For couples who have already had a child with the disease, prenatal diagnosis is possible.

Source: telethon.it

Fathers who are very stressed during pregnancy tend to have children with behavioral problems. According to a study by the University of Cambridge. The researchers followed the children for two years, analyzing their behaviors and those of both parents. From what emerges, mothers are not the only ones to have a big impact on babies during gestation.

There are numerous studies showing a correlation between psychological conditions of future mothers and those of their children. Strange as it may seem, the same is true for fathers. Future fathers who experience gestation as stress tend to have a worse impact on their children. They often find it more difficult to relate to children, with effects that also affect their adult life. This means that even fathers need psychological support during pregnancy.

The study followed 438 couples awaiting their first child. Parents responded to questionnaires and interviews regarding their couple life, concerns, stressful events. The first round of questions was done by the end of the third quarter of gestation. The researchers then interviewed them 4 months, 12 months and 24 months after the birth. Meanwhile, they analyzed children's behaviors and development.

The children of stressed and unhappy fathers, are more likely to exhibit emotional problems in turn. Many of these were worried, unhappy, crying, frightened by new situations. All conditions that could be caused by relationship problems in early childhood, even if the correlation is not entirely clear.

Source: telegraph.co.uk

A study published in Cardiovascular Research shows a possible link between maternal polycystic ovary and cardiac dysfunction in children. The researchers analyzed the young born from guinea pigs suffering from the syndrome, noting a greater risk of heart problems.

Polycystic ovary affects about 1 in 10 women and is the most common reproductive disorder. The problem has a strong genetic component, but some studies suggest other possible causes. Among these could be a hostile environment in the maternal uterus, characterized by too high levels of androgens. However, the authors of the study focused on the consequences of the syndrome on the offspring.

Women with polycystic ovaries tend to produce high levels of dihydrotestosterone in the late stages of gestation. According to the researchers, this could cause future dysfunctions in the offspring, especially in females. To test this, the researchers followed two groups of pregnant guinea pigs, each with a different problem. High levels of dihydrotestosterone in the last quarter. Obesity before and during gestation.

After giving birth, the researchers separated the babies from their mother and gave them a controlled diet. When they reached adulthood, they verified the presence of cardiac anomalies and malformations in the tissues of the heart. Furthermore, they verified the effects of high levels of dihydrotestosterone during puberty. Experiments show that high levels of dihydrotestosterone in the last quarter and during puberty can cause heart disease in adulthood. Paradoxically, maternal obesity does not seem to have equally serious consequences on the cardiac profile of small females.

Source: medicalxpress.com