Aurora magazine

Dr. Priya Kadam has developed a genetic sequencing test that promises to double the IVF success rate. In adult women there is a high number of gestations that ends after 6-7 weeks, due to chromosomal defects.

The test promises to identify them, so as to choose the embryos that are most likely to arrive at the end of gestation. That of Dr. Kadam is a pre-implantation test, which must be done on embryos obtained with IVF before implanting them in the womb.

The test looks for possible chromosomal defects, thanks to a sequencing technology that controls all 46 chromosomes in a short time. With this simple technique, the success rate has risen from 36% to 73%.

The technique is designed especially for these categories of women:

• over 35 years, more prone to chromosomal abnormalities;
• with many failed implantation attempts at the back;
• with many spontaneous abortions at the shoulders;
• having a history of chromosomal defects in the family;
• carriers of chromosomal defects.

Genetic sequencing reduces the number of cycles required to achieve pregnancy. Furthermore, it reduces the number of embryos that need to be implanted in order for one to take root. This results in far lower costs as well as lower emotional impact for couples seeking a child.

Source: deccanchronicle.com

Following the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy reduces the risk of gestational diabetes, with all the consequent negative consequences. This is what is supported by a clinical trial conducted by Queen Mary University of London and the University of Warwick.

The classic Mediterranean diet, including 30 grams of dried fruit and extra virgin olive oil, lowers the risk of getting sick by 35%. Moreover, the women who follow her earn about 1.25 pounds less than the average. It could therefore be an excellent solution for obese, hypertensive or high-lipid women. In the UK, about 1 in 4 women start their pregnancy with obesity, high blood pressure or high lipids.

This exposes her to gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, high blood pressure, cardiovascular complications. This is to emphasize how important it is for this country - but not only - to find a diet that contrasts all the phenomena in question.

The trial involved around 1,252 British women with different cultures of origin. Half of them were prescribed the Mediterranean diet, while the other half followed the standard directions in the United Kingdom. Women in the first group had fewer gestational diabetes problems and gained less weight. Nevertheless, there were no effects on preeclampsia and high blood pressure. The English guidelines concerning the diet during pregnancy do not include some key components of the Mediterranean diet.

There are no dried fruit, fresh fruit, whole grains, olive oil. According to the authors of the study, instead, all these foods should be reduced and both animal fats and sugars should be reduced. If necessary, it is also advisable to adapt the diet bases to kitchens belonging to different cultures.

Source: qmul.ac.uk

According to a study by the University of Aberdeen, about 1 in 6 women conceive naturally after failed IVF cycles. The researchers analyzed data from 2,133 women who had undergone treatments between 1998 and 2011. Of these, around 1,073 had failed to have a child with assisted reproduction. Yet 17% of them became pregnant in the following 5 years.

Dr. David McLernon explains that IVF is a laborious experience, both physically and psychologically. Failure of cycles can be a blow to couples, but they should not lose heart. The study proves that the chances of conceiving are there even when everything seems lost. The study in question is one of the first to examine the issue and is the largest on the subject. Previous studies have always involved a limited number of people, relying so much on interviews and little on objective data. An important gap, which McLernon and his team have filled.

The theme affects thousands of couples in the UK alone. The fertility treatment cycles are around 75,000 each year, 70,000 of which are in vitro fertilization. In women under 35, the success rate is around 29%. In women between the ages of 35 and 37 it is around 24% and in those over 38 it drops to 17%. Among those over 44, the success rate is around 3%.

Source: independent.co.uk

Women who use cannabis during pregnancy are twice as likely to give birth before the deadline. Moreover, they incur a greater number of serious complications. This is demonstrated by a Canadian study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The researchers analyzed the data collected on 661,000 pregnancies. In 10,000 of these, women admitted to having used cannabis during gestation. About 20% of the group in question gave birth before the 37th week, compared to 6% of other women.

The difference is significant and the link to cannabis use is quite obvious. What are the reasons for the phenomenon? Cannabinols can cross the placenta and enter the fetus's bloodstream. According to some animal studies, the THC contained in them could affect the developing endocannabinoid system. This would cause a series of adverse reactions, one of which is precisely the preterm birth. Women who used cannabis during pregnancy also experienced a greater number of complications.

The most frequent emerged are detachment of the placenta and severe bleeding, with even the loss of the child. In the group in question, there was in fact 66% more spontaneous abortions than the other: around 1.6% against 0.9%. Furthermore, 19.3% of children ended up in intensive care, compared to 13.8% in the other group.

The study shows that it would be better to avoid cannabis in pregnancy, but has limitations. Researchers have not focused on other factors that could affect gestation. As a result, it is unclear how much of the above is really related to the substance.

Source: independent.co.uk