Aurora magazine

It will be male or female? According to a study by the University of Ohio State, the response would affect the health of the expectant mother. In fact it highlights how the female body reacts to bacterial attacks differently depending on the sex of the child.

The researchers followed 80 pregnant women, by measuring the levels of immune cells. The analyzes showed identical levels both in cases of female fetus and in those of the male fetus. They then took a sample of immune cells and exposed them to the bacteria. Depending on the sex of the child, they have reacted to the attack differently.

The immune cells of pregnant women to a female have more inflammatory cytokines produced. The phenomenon is related to a more violent inflammatory reaction when compared to that of pregnant women to a male. This could result in excessive stress to the body and increase the feeling of tiredness and fatigue. It could also exacerbate the reactions to some drug treatments. The discovery, however, needs further study. When a woman is pregnant she should also take care of the baby's future health. For this reason a balanced diet and regular physical activity can make a difference. Doctors recommend to undergo regular medical examinations: prenatal screening tests such as fetal DNA tests are useful to monitor the baby's health.

Source: eurekalert.org

Thailand is the first Asian country to have eliminated HIV transmission from mother to child. Thanks to strong political and public investment commitment in the field of public health, has achieved the objectives proposed by the World Health. Already in 2015 the country had exceeded the WHO goal of bringing down HIV transmission rates below 2%. In fact, Thailand has a rate of 1.9%, compared with 20-40% of the 90.

To eliminate mother-to-child transmission, the WHO has proposed a strategy in 4 points. It starts with the prevention of infection in women of childbearing age. In the case of women already with HIV, the organization recommends instead: prevention of unwanted pregnancies; treatments to prevent transmission of the virus from infected mother to child; adequate treatment for women and children with HIV. Thailand has implemented several initiatives focused on these four cornerstones, which have resulted in the achievement of the objective.

In recent decades, the Thai political authorities have intensified their economic efforts for the prevention of HIV infection. In 1988, public spending program against HIV / AIDS was only 640 thousand euro, while in 1997 it was already 76milioni euro. The investments have allowed us to implement initiatives aimed at promoting the use of condoms among young people. The most famous is the "100% Condom Programme", intended for women of reproductive age and decisive for the prevention of HIV infections. The authorities have also launched a campaign on risk behavior information. For pregnant women and for how many have just given birth, he has introduced a series of tests.

he success of Thailand concerns in large part on the large number of antenatal care performance. At the first clinic visit, all pregnant women received an HIV test with results within the day. Tests that can be repeated throughout pregnancy, although the first was negative. Infected women have instead received antiretroviral therapy, designed to prevent transmission of the virus to the baby. During pregnancy, the mother can monitor the health of the future baby by undergoing prenatal screening noninvasive.

The case of Thailand shows that combine HIV and maternity is now possible. Antiretroviral drugs allow fact of running the pregnancy without the virus steps from mother to child. Assisted reproductive techniques, however, allow you to search conception without putting each other at risk of contagion partners.

Source: wired.it

A Finnish study of the University of Helsinki reveals that it is best to avoid licorice during pregnancy. According to researchers, frequent consumption of licorice would in fact be harmful to the fetus. However, are the maximum limits still unclear.

Tests in animal models had already shown the negative effects of liquorice in pregnancy. The substance indeed inhibits the enzyme that inactivates cortisol, or the stress hormone responsible. Under normal conditions the fetus absorbs minimum quantities of the mother cortisol, which serves to correct fetal development. Licorice, however reduces the barrier effect of the placenta and the fetus absorbs quantities too high hormone. Also licorice raises levels of blood pressure and speeds time of pregnancy. All this makes the hostile mother's body to the fetus, making it harder for the proper development of the brain and other organs.

The researchers examined 378 children of 13 years. They were divided into two groups: those whose mothers had made extensive consumption of licorice; those whose mothers had not consumed licorice. The mothers of the first group had consumed minimum 250 grams a week licorice, while mothers in the second group they had consumed up to 120 grams per week.

The females of the first group were higher and with a body mass index higher than peers. Many of them are also revenue before puberty. Both males and females have shown minor logical and cognitive skills, to have a low IQ, less memory and be more at risk of ADHD. More rose the amount of licorice consumed by pregnant mothers, they were more serious problems of the children. This suggests that it is good to reduce the consumption of the substance as possible in order to avoid risks to the fetus.

During pregnancy, therefore, it is important that the mother cares power, in addition to practicing moderate physical activity. in addition it is important to have regular medical checks: prenatal screening tests allow mothers to monitor the health of your baby.

Source: repubblica.it

Is there a link between the number of pregnancies and the increased risk of heart problems? If you have wondered and researchers Jorge A. Wong McMaster University and Christine M. Albert of Brigham and Women's Hospital. According to the study, cross a large number of pregnancies could increase the risk of incurring cases of atrial fibrillation later in life. Atrial fibrillation is an anomaly in the heartbeat that can cause blood clots, strokes, heart attacks and other cardiac complications.

The researchers analyzed data from more than 34,600 participants in the Women's Health Study. The women had an average age of 53 years and an average of two pregnancies behind. At the beginning of the study they were all healthy. Scientists have completed their annual questionnaires and have seen for about 20 years. In that time there were about 1,500 cases of atrial fibrillation. Many of these phenomena have affected women more of the 2 medium pregnancies behind. The participants with 4 or 5 pregnancies have had an atrial fibrillation rate about 50% higher than women who had never been pregnant.

The connection between multiple pregnancies and heart problems may be caused by hormonal changes, physical and psychological affecting mothers. The purpose of the study is not to discourage multiple pregnancies, but make them safer and healthier for mothers and children. Understanding the way in which 4 or 5 pregnancies affect the heart may help prevent these problems, so that the mothers can live to adulthood with more serenity.
A separate study has moved on a similar trail. A team led by Lauren Tanz Harvard and Janet W. Rich-Edwards of Brigham and Women's Hospital has focused on the effects of preterm birth. The researchers analyzed data from more than

70,000 women who had given birth before 37 weeks of gestation had a 40% higher chance of having cardiovascular problems. The risk increased to 100% higher in women who had given birth before week 32.
Both studies shed new light on the long-term one or more pregnancies. For the moment we know little or nothing of what are the possible complications in the years to come. But the research could help a lot of research on cardiovascular disease in women. Pregnancy is an important time in which the mother has to take care of his health and that of the unborn future. In this sense, the pregnant woman can undergo several examinations of prenatal screening useful for detecting chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus.

Source: eurekalert.org