Aurora magazine

HIV positive pregnant women take drugs called Integra inhibitors. According to a study by Aleha Aziz of the Montefiore Medical Center, inhibitors decrease fetal DNA levels in maternal blood. This makes it more difficult to carry out non-invasive prenatal screening tests.

The researchers analyzed the blood of 20 patients who took inhibitors during pregnancy. They compared it to 40 patients who did not take them. Women were all in the early stages of pregnancy, between 30 and 31, coming from different ethnic groups.

Women in the first group have shown to have far fewer cells in the fetus in circulation. The phenomenon was particularly marked among those who were taking medication during the first prenatal visit. The difference between HIV-positive women and HIV-negative women was, however, not significant.
According to the authors, the phenomenon could also derive from the immune conditions of the patients. Patients as less circulating material were those with a lower viral load. Women who were not taking the drugs showed instead a higher viral load. This could have helped increase the fetal fraction and the genetic material circulating.

The study raises a problem that no one ever had: non-invasive prenatal screening tests work in combination with certain drugs? The authors have shown that some analyzes may be less effective for a whole range of people. It follows that physicians will have to change approach with certain subjects.

Source: medpagetoday.com

Exposure to air pollution in the first and second quarters may increase the risk of premature delivery. The researchers examined the effects of thin powders on pregnant guinea pigs. It has thus emerged that exposure in the early stages of pregnancy is even more dangerous than normal.

Previous research had suggested that pregnancies in highly polluted areas were more at risk of the average. The new study confirmed what was said earlier. The researchers have made a group of cavities live in the middle of the pollution. Instead, they place the control unit in cages with air filters.
PM2.5 thin powders resulted in a 11.4% drop in birth weight in half of the first group puppies. In addition, 83% of the airborne airborne guinea pigs gave birth early.

PM2.5 are microscopic particles that penetrate deep into the lungs. They are deposited in the lungs, where they cause inflammation and aggravate cardiac disorders already present. They are also carriers for carcinogens. In pregnant women also cause decreased placental weight and alter hormonal levels.
Professor Judith Zelikoff says that pregnant women should avoid as much as possible polluted areas. It would also be good to adopt filters for indoor environments, especially in the early months.

Source: independent.co.uk

The Milan Tribunal dismissed the appeal of the Mangiagalli clinic in Milan, following an order of 18 April 2017. According to the Tribunal, the pre-implant diagnosis must also be available for double fertile but carriers of genetic diseases. So aspiring parents have the right to check for any traces of the disease.

One couple had asked to check the presence of genetic diseases before embryo implantation. The clinic had refused the service, citing the first text of Law 40 as a motivation. According to the law, pre-implant diagnosis was only available for non-fertile couples. However, the Constitutional Court had ruled the lack of legitimacy of the norm.

The judge had given the pair a reason to order, as suffering from serious genetic disease. In such cases, while the individual is fertile, the DNA test serves to test the health of embryos. The couple has the right to obtain the pre-implant diagnosis, whether in public or private accommodation. The Tribunal confirmed what was said three months ago.

Pre-implant diagnosis is a solution for those who know they are carriers of hereditary disease. In these cases, using medically assisted procreation and testing embryo DNA allows to give birth to a healthy son. For those who are at risk of age-related chromosomal anomalies, there are non-invasive prenatal screening tests.

Source: ilsole24ore.com

The provincial junta in Trento has announced changes in the levels of public assistance for assisted procreation. Women will have access to fertilization techniques up to 46 years old, against the previous 43. Changes to the essential levels of care come after changing national standards.

For the first time, Lea includes the PMA among the benefits provided by the health service. Here are the first criteria and limits on a national basis, which ensure a uniform service delivery. For now, the new Lea are not yet active, but the Province of Trento has aligned itself with the regulations. It then moved the 43- to 46-year-old assisted procreation limit as it will be short across the country.

Lea changes go beyond the age limit. Carriers of 6 disabling chronic diseases will be exempt from the ticket. The diseases are: chronic obstructive bronchopneumopathy, chronic osteomyelitis, chronic kidney disease, dominant autosomal polycystic kidney, "moderate" and "severe" endometriosis, thalidomide syndrome. Exemption will also apply to organ donors.

In the case of 5 other pathologies, the exemption from the ticket will no longer be the one for rare illness, but that for chronic-disabling disease. The affected diseases are celiac disease, celiac dermatitis, Down syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, undifferentiated connective tissue.

Source: lastampa.it