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Breakthrough Prenatal Test Detects 250 Diseases at 9 Weeks

The AHA! Team — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 06:36:28 +0000

Abigail Klein Leichman via Israel21c – Israeli startup Identifai develops first maternal blood test to identify risk of 250 genetic diseases as early as 9th week of pregnancy, matching the results of riskier and later amniocentesis. Of the 140 million babies born worldwide each year, 6-8% are at risk for hereditary genetic diseases. Amniocentesis is considered the gold standard for detecting fetal genetic risks with high accuracy, but it is invasive, has some risks for mother and baby, and cannot be done until at least 15 weeks into the pregnancy. The only alternative until now has been non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), but it can assess risk for only about 10 percent of known genetic disorders, including Tay-Sachs, cystic fibrosis and spinal muscular atrophy. A breakthrough blood test developed in Israel is poised to make prenatal genetic testing available earlier, noninvasively and comprehensively: It can detect the risk of 250 diseases with high accuracy. Identifai was founded in 2021 based on the research of Tel Aviv University Prof. Noam Shomron, a world expert in genetics and bioinformatics. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning, Identifai’s technology requires nothing more than a maternal blood sample. After isolating fetal DNA from maternal DNA, it does a full, rapid fetal genetic sequencing starting from just nine weeks’ gestation. The technology can detect mutations even in a single DNA base among billions, making it capable of identifying a wide range of hereditary genetic conditions. “This is a tremendous step forward,” Identifai CEO Eyal Miller tells ISRAEL21c. “If the mother is a carrier [of a genetic disease], we can do the whole genome sequencing for the fetus and provide a clinical report with a negative predictive value of more than 99%,” he explains. “This means that if results are negative, the likelihood of the fetus having [a genetic disease] is close to zero. And that gives immediate relief to the parents. On the other hand, if the results are positive, the parents know exactly what they’re dealing with,” Miller adds. “That dramatically changes the whole ecosystem from the point of view of parents, clinicians and genetic counselors. This is why we shine.” Gamechanger The Israeli technology, expected to be commercialized in the second half of 2025 following additional clinical trials in Israel and the United States, has already gained international recognition through the publication of a study conducted at Israel’s Beilinson and Meir hospitals. Chosen as the cover story of the global journal Prenatal Diagnosis last August, the study involved 18 cases where both parents were carriers of genetic diseases. Identifai’s system analyzed the mothers’ blood samples and predicted fetal risks with 100% accuracy, matching the results from amniocentesis. Identifai will soon release results from a larger study at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. “At Columbia, we came across parents who carry a rare genetic disease and they were amazed that we can provide a very simple solution very early in the process in order to give them certainty about the status of the fetus as soon as possible,” Miller says. The couple wrote to Identifai: “Our reproductive journey has been hugely impacted by the knowledge of being carriers and we hope that this kind of non-invasive testing becomes available one day in the future for families like us.” The benefits of knowing Identifai generates a report for parents and their healthcare provider, detailing the probability of the fetus carrying or developing specific genetic conditions and how they might manifest if the pregnancy continues. “Couples are aware very early if the fetus has some type of disease, which means they can make a decision about what lies ahead,” says Miller. “If you’ve decided to maintain the pregnancy, there are specific hospitals in the United States that can treat the newborn immediately once a clear diagnosis is in place.” Furthermore, Identifai needs only maternal blood for analysis, which is helpful in the many cases where the father is unavailable or unknown. “If the mother is a carrier and you can’t find the father, the only thing to do until now has been to keep your fingers crossed and pray and then do invasive amnio,” says Miller. In addition to the medical advantages of the test, Miller adds, there’s an emotional and psychological advantage because amniocentesis “causes enormous anxiety and stress” and many expectant couples don’t want it. A $6 billion market Miller says the prenatal testing market is currently valued at $6 billion annually, with NIPT tests making up half of that amount. This market is expected to grow to $19 billion by 2030. “Our ability to detect fetal risk for hundreds of genetic conditions will expand this market to hundreds of billions, including early in-utero surgeries and detection of late-stage conditions where amniocentesis is no longer an option,” he says. “Furthermore, this solution, which does not require FDA approval, will be accessible, convenient, and effective for populations worldwide who avoid amniocentesis for cultural reasons, for millions of pregnancies where the father’s identity is unknown, and in response to new US legislation limiting abortions and amniocentesis tests that might justify terminations.” Identifai has received grants from the Israel Innovation Authority and raised $6.5 million from investors including Shizim as well as eHealth Ventures, which supports early-stage digital health companies from the initial stages of R&D through capital raising, business development, commercialization, and market entry. Identifai employs 15 people in its Tel Aviv offices. Miller says a US office will be established to support clinical, marketing and operational activities in that target market. For more information, click here. To read the original article click here.

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IVF Pregnancies at Greater Risk of Exposure to Medicines That Can Harm the Baby

The AHA! Team — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 06:09:30 +0000

University of South Australia via Newswise – Pregnancies achieved through IVF and ICSI have the highest exposure to medicines that can harm the fetus, raising the chances of birth defects. A new Australian study has revealed a potential reason why some pregnancies achieved through assisted reproductive technology (ART) may result in birth defects in comparison to naturally conceived pregnancies. Researchers found that in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) pregnancies had the highest exposure to teratogenic medicines that potentially can harm the fetus during the first trimester of pregnancy. These are listed as Category D and X medicines by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The risk associated with the use of Category D medicines in pregnancy may be outweighed by the clinical benefit in individual cases such as management of mental health disorders or epilepsy. Category X medicines on the other hand are strongly discouraged during pregnancy due to the high risk of fetal harm. Researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA), The University of Western Australia (UWA) and The Kids Research Institute Australia analysed more than 57,000 pregnancies in four conception groups over a two-year period. The groups comprised women using ART (2041); those taking medication to induce ovulation (590); untreated sub-fertile women (2063); and naturally fertile pregnancies (52,987). ART pregnancies had the highest exposure to Category D medications taken in the first trimester. The study found that 4.9% of the ART pregnancies were exposed, compared to only 0.6% of naturally conceived pregnancies. In later trimesters, the trend persisted, with 3.4% of ART pregnancies exposed to Category D medications versus 0.6% of naturally conceived pregnancies. Exposure to Category X medications (causing the most harm during pregnancy) was low across all groups and trimesters, at less than 0.5% of pregnancies. “These differences in exposure are primarily linked to medications used as additional treatment following ART to prevent repeat miscarriages or failed implantation, rather than medications to treat underlying chronic conditions,” says UniSA researcher Dr Anna Kemp-Casey, who led the study. “For example, ART pregnancies, during the study period were more often exposed to progestogens like medroxyprogesterone acetate, which may have been used to treat threatened or recurrent miscarriages,” Dr Kemp says. The five most frequently used Category D/X medications across all pregnancies regardless of conception status were paroxetine, lamotrigine, valproic acid, carbamazepine, and nicotine dependence treatments. UWA co-researcher Professor Roger Hart, also a practising IVF clinician and the national medical director of City Fertility, says the higher exposure to Category D and X medicines in ART pregnancies during the first trimester may contribute to the higher rate of birth defects observed in ART babies. “Although ART pregnancies are carefully planned, medications taken during fertility treatments may inadvertently increase exposure to birth defect risks, particularly during critical periods of fetal development,” Prof Hart says. Researchers say the findings demonstrate that the vast majority of IVF babies are healthy, and do not suggest that ART pregnancies are unsafe, but they underscore the importance of personalised medical care for women undergoing ART treatment and close monitoring for women in early pregnancy. Prof Hart says more research is needed to examine Category D and X medicines exposure in pregnancy as well as underlying maternal medical conditions and their contribution to birth defect risk in ART babies. The study has been published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Notes for editors “Are assisted reproductive technology pregnancies more likely to be exposed to teratogenic medication? A whole-population study” is authored by researchers from the University of South Australia, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia and Curtin University. DOI: 10.1111/ajo.13911 According to the latest ANZARD report, in 2022 more than 20,000 children in Australia (17,963) and New Zealand (2095) were born using ART. Since IVF was introduced in 1978, 10 million children have been born using ART. A 2021 study by US researchers analyzing 1.2 million births found an 18% higher risk of birth defects among IVF babies and a 36% overall greater risk for ICSI births (42% increased risk where ICSI was used to treat male factor subfertility and 30% increased risk with ICSI use for non-male factor subfertility). In IVF pregnancies, sperm is added to a dish containing eggs, and fertilisation occurs naturally, compared to ICSI where a single sperm is injected directly into each egg. The latter procedure is normally used to treat male subfertility but is also an option for unexplained infertility. To read the original article click here.

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New Study Reveals Declining Nutrient Intake Among U.S. Women of Reproductive Age

The AHA! Team — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 06:42:21 +0000

Pooja Toshniwal Paharia via News-Medical – Groundbreaking study reveals how chromatin and DNA methylation changes during brain development contribute to the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. A recent study published in JAMA Network Open compares trends in nutrient consumption from dietary sources and supplements in pregnant and non-pregnant women in the United States. The impact of nutrient deficiencies during pregnancy Nutritional status is crucial for maternal health and fetal growth, as it reduces the risk of chronic diseases in later life. Energy requirements are greater during pregnancy due to increased metabolic processes and workload on the lungs and the heart. During pregnancy, women require multiple nutrients, including protein for tissue growth, iron to produce red blood cells, folate to prevent neural disorders, calcium to develop strong fetal bones, and iodine for increased thyroxine secretion. Several studies have reported inadequate nutrient intake among pregnant women in the United States, with a high prevalence of magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin E deficiencies. Pregnant women also consume less potassium, choline, and vitamin K, despite higher rates of nutrient supplementation than non-pregnant women. Furthermore, most pregnant women consume eicosapentaenoic acid (EHA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) below the recommended threshold for optimal health. About the study The current study, which was conducted between February 2022 and July 2024, included 1,392 pregnant and 9,737 non-pregnant women between 20 and 44 years of age. Data were obtained from at-home interviews and visits to mobile examination centers. Study participants provided one or more 24-hour dietary recalls at mobile examination centers, followed by telephonic conversations. The study participants also provided information on their age, race, ethnicity, education, smoking status, and income-to-poverty ratio (PIR). Pregnancy status was determined from positive urine pregnancy tests and self-reported trimester. The primary study measures included the average regular consumption of micronutrients and macronutrients, as well as the prevalence of micronutrient intake insufficiency. The U.S. Food Security Survey Module was utilized to assess adult food security. Participant enrollment in the Food Stamps, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) was also recorded. Program enrollment was based on benefits received in the previous year. Data were also analyzed from ten National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) cycles between 1999 and 2018. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) approach and linear regressions enabled the analysis, whereas the Simulating Intake of Micronutrients for Policy Learning and Engagement (SIMPLE) tool evaluated nutrient intake. Trends in supplement use and dietary intake The mean age of pregnant and non-pregnant women was 29 and 32 years, respectively. Among pregnant women, 27% and 34% were in their first and second trimesters, respectively. Dietary supplement use was significantly higher among pregnant women than non-pregnant women at 78% and 46%, respectively. The mean carbohydrate consumption reduced from 307 g/day during 1999-2000 to 275 g/day during 2013-2018 among pregnant women. Among non-pregnant women, carbohydrate intake reduced from 252 g/day to 217 g/day from 1999-2000 to 2017-2018. Between 1999-2000 and 2013-2018, an 11 percent point (pp) increase was observed in pregnant women who consumed below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) of vitamin A. The percentage of pregnant women who consumed below-EAR vitamin C also increased by 8.9 pp. Likewise, the percentages of non-pregnant women with insufficient consumption of vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron increased by 20, 11, and five pp, respectively, from 1999-2000 to 2017-2018. The average calcium consumption increased from 1,121 mg/day to 1,309 mg/day for pregnant women and from 850 mg/day to 981 mg/day for non-pregnant women. Among pregnant women, prevalence rates for insufficient intake were reduced by 16 pp for magnesium and 33 pp for vitamin K. Among non-pregnant women, insufficient consumption reduced by 16 pp of calcium, 16 pp of magnesium, and 33 pp of vitamin K. Pregnant women primarily reduced their carbohydrate intake from added sugars, fortified flour, and cereals. Health professionals advise limiting sugar intake; however, reducing fortified flour and cereal consumption could reduce the intake of vitamins A, C, magnesium, iron, and folate. Decreased use of supplements due to side effects like nausea and constipation could further reduce iron intake. Furthermore, reduced vitamin C intake may exacerbate iron inadequacy. Conclusions Carbohydrate, vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron intake has reduced in the past two decades among pregnant and non-pregnant women in the U.S. The nutrient gaps identified in the present study could inform regulatory, healthcare, and scientific communities to formulate policies and guidelines to improve nutrient intake by reproductive-age women in the U.S.. Journal reference: Miketinas, D., Luo, H., Firth, J. A., et al. (2024). Macronutrient and Micronutrient Intake Among US Women Aged 20 to 44 Years. JAMA Network Open 7(10). doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.38460 To read the original article click here.

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Weight Loss Surgery Undergone Before Pregnancy May Influence Children’s Weight Gain

The AHA! Team — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 08:29:54 +0000

The Endocrine Society via EurekAlert! – BOSTON—The type of weight loss surgery women undergo before becoming pregnant may affect how much weight their children gain in the first three years of life, suggests a study being presented Monday at ENDO 2024, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in Boston, Mass. Researchers found children born to women who underwent the bariatric procedure known as sleeve gastrectomy before they became pregnant gain more weight per month on average in the first three years of life compared with children born to women who had the less common Roux-en-Y gastric bypass weight loss procedure. “Either the extent of pre-pregnancy weight loss or the metabolic changes from Roux-en-Y gastric bypass may be favorable for the children’s early childhood weight gain,” said researcher Vidhu Thaker, M.D., of the Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York, N.Y. Maternal obesity is a risk factor for obesity in children. Women are more likely to conceive following weight loss procedures, but less is known about the early growth of the children born after pre-pregnancy weight loss procedures. Sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass are two of the more common types of weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric and metabolic surgery. These surgeries result in sustained weight loss and improve the body’s metabolism in the majority of patients. In vertical sleeve gastrectomy (also called gastric sleeve surgery), a surgeon removes most of the stomach, leaving only a banana-shaped section that is closed with staples. By removing a part of the stomach that makes hormones that drive hunger, this procedure also decreases appetite. In gastric bypass, the surgeon divides the stomach into two parts, sealing off the upper section from the lower. The surgeon then connects the upper stomach directly to the lower section of the small intestine. This creates a shortcut for food, bypassing part of the stomach and the small intestine. Skipping these parts of the digestive tract means the body absorbs fewer calories and nutrients. The researchers examined the weight and length of offspring born after pre-pregnancy weight loss procedures in the first three years of life. The study used data from 20,515 deliveries over three years, of which 450 had pre-pregnancy weight loss procedures. Among the mothers who underwent weight loss surgery, 57% had sleeve gastrectomy and 41% had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Long-term weight and length data were available for about half of the babies in each group. The researchers found there was no difference in birth weight among the babies born after weight loss surgery. The pace of weight gain was higher in those born after pre-pregnancy sleeve gastrectomy compared to those born following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, while adjusting for several other variables including pre-pregnancy body mass index. “While we did not have data on the magnitude of weight loss following bariatric surgery, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is known to have higher weight loss and metabolic changes compared to sleeve gastrectomy,” Thaker noted. The authors concluded that the either the extent of pre-pregnancy weight loss or the metabolic changes from Roux-en-Y gastric bypass may be favorable for the offspring’s early childhood weight trajectory. “A study of the mechanisms underlying the associations of the sustained pre-pregnancy weight loss and the offspring’s early life growth may also apply to other methods of weight loss, including the most recently approved anti-obesity medications,” Thaker said. # # # Endocrinologists are at the core of solving the most pressing health problems of our time, from diabetes and obesity to infertility, bone health, and hormone-related cancers. The Endocrine Society is the world’s oldest and largest organization of scientists devoted to hormone research and physicians who care for people with hormone-related conditions. The Society has more than 18,000 members, including scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in 122 countries. To learn more about the Society and the field of endocrinology, visit our site at www.endocrine.org. Follow us on Twitter at @TheEndoSociety and @EndoMedia. To read the original article click here.

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Cannabis Exposure Linked to 1.3x Higher Risk of Unhealthy Pregnancy

The AHA! Team — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 08:35:02 +0000

University of Utah Health Newswise – In the past ten years, the percentage of Americans who use medical marijuana has more than doubled as state-level legalization becomes increasingly common. But despite its prevalence as a medication, the full health effects of cannabis remain unknown, especially for specific populations—such as pregnant people—that might be especially at risk of health complications. Now, in a large study of more than 9,000 pregnant people from across the U.S., researchers at University of Utah Health have found that cannabis exposure during pregnancy is associated with a composite measure of unhealthy pregnancy outcomes, especially low birth weight, and that higher exposure is associated with higher risks. Compared to most prior studies, this study was larger and measured cannabis exposure more accurately, which allowed researchers to distinguish the effects of cannabis itself from those caused by other correlated health conditions. The research published online on December 12 in JAMA. “Cannabis use is not safe,” says Robert Silver, M.D., professor of obstetrics and gynecology at U of U Health and last author on the study. “It increases the risk of pregnancy complications. If possible, you shouldn’t use cannabis during pregnancy.” The researchers were driven to answer this question in part by the contradictory answers that many people encounter when trying to learn about the health impacts of cannabis use. “There’s so much information out there—discussion and social media channels and on the Internet—about cannabis use and pregnancy,” explains Torri Metz, M.D., vice chair of research of obstetrics and gynecology at U of U Health and lead author on the study. “I think it’s hard for patients to understand what they should be worried about, if anything.” Uncovering new risks Indeed, some previous studies on the topic found no association between cannabis use and pregnancy complications. One hurdle facing such research, Metz says, is that there are “so many differences between baseline characteristics of people who use and don’t use cannabis during pregnancy. There’s different rates of anxiety and depression.” These differences can also impact pregnancy risks, which makes it challenging to figure out the consequences related specifically to cannabis use. The large study population, including participants from eight medical centers across the U.S., allowed the researchers to address this issue. Being able to compare pregnancy outcomes for so many participants, 610 of which had detectable levels of cannabis exposure, meant that the researchers could statistically untangle the impacts of cannabis use from many other factors, including pre-existing health conditions, nicotine exposure, and socioeconomic status. The scientists found that cannabis exposure was associated with a 1.3-fold increase in risk after the impacts of other factors were removed. Higher levels of cannabis exposure over the course of pregnancy were associated with higher risks. A distinguishing feature of the study was how the researchers measured cannabis exposure. While other studies had asked participants to report their own cannabis use (which has been shown to underestimate the actual rate of use by two or three times), the scientists measured the levels of a metabolic byproduct of cannabis in participants’ urine samples, which gave more accurate measurements of cannabis exposure. Open questions To gauge impacts on pregnancy, the researchers looked at an aggregate measure of negative health outcomes, including low birth weight, pregnancy-related high blood pressure, stillbirth, and medically indicated preterm birth. Of these, the association between cannabis use and low birth weight was the strongest. All of these conditions have been linked to reduced function of the placenta, which supplies the growing baby with oxygen and nutrients. While this type of study can’t determine why cannabis is associated with negative pregnancy outcomes, previous studies in non-human primates have found that long-term cannabis exposure can interfere with blood supply to the placenta. The correlation Metz and her colleagues observed suggests that cannabis may disrupt the human placenta in a similar way. Silver adds that the greater risk seen at higher levels of exposure is especially concerning given the high amount of THC found in newer cannabis products—products that were barely starting to become available from 2010 to 2014, when the study data was collected. The health impacts of these more concentrated products remain largely unknown. The researchers urge people who are considering using cannabis while pregnant to have an open conversation with their doctor. While pregnant people may turn to cannabis to alleviate nausea or anxiety, other remedies have been proven to be safe. “There are many, many reasons people use cannabis,” Silver says. “But there may be alternative therapies that can help mitigate the symptoms.” Silver emphasizes that continued research on the health impacts of cannabis is urgently needed so that patients can make informed decisions about their health. “As long as humans are interested in using this product,” he says, “we ought to assess health effects both good and bad, as accurately as we can, and provide that information for folks.” To read the original article click here.

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Exposure to Metals May Disrupt a Woman’s Hormones During Pregnancy

AHA Publisher — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 08:00:44 +0000

Rutgers University via News-Medical Net – Exposure to metals such as nickel, arsenic, cobalt and lead may disrupt a woman’s hormones during pregnancy, according to a Rutgers study. The study appears in the journal Environment International. Exposure to metals has been associated with problems at birth such as preterm birth and low birth weight in babies, and preeclampsia in women. However, little is known about how metals exposure can lead to such problems. This new research shows that some metals may disrupt the endocrine system, which is responsible for regulating our body’s hormones. These disruptions may contribute to children’s later health and disease risk. A delicate hormonal balance orchestrates pregnancy from conception to delivery and perturbations of this balance may negatively impact both mother and fetus,” Zorimar Rivera-Núnez, Study Lead Author and Assistant Professor, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health The researchers analyzed blood and urine samples from 815 women enrolled in the Puerto Rico Test site for Exploring Contamination Threats (PROTECT) study. Initiated in 2010, PROTECT is an ongoing prospective birth cohort studying environmental exposures in pregnant women and their children around the northern karst zone, which include urban and mountainous rural areas of Puerto Rico. They found that metals can act as endocrine disruptors by altering prenatal hormone concentrations during pregnancy. This disruption may depend on when in the pregnancy the mother was exposed. Prenatal exposure to metals can have enormous consequences even beyond health at birth. Alterations in sex-steroid hormones during pregnancy have been associated with inadequate fetal growth, which leads to low birthweight. Birth size is strongly associated with a child’s growth and risk of chronic diseases, including obesity and breast cancer. “Puerto Rico has one of the highest rates of Superfund sites of any of the U.S. jurisdictions with 18 active sites, which can contribute to the higher rates of exposure to toxic metals,” said Rivera-Núnez. Among pregnant women, metal exposure is higher in those living in Puerto Rico than in those in the continental United States. “This is important because, compared to the U.S. overall, women in Puerto Rico have significantly higher rates of preterm birth [nearly 12 percent] and other adverse birth outcomes. Additionally, exposure to environmental pollution is exacerbated by extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, droughts and flooding, which may result in elevated exposures to Superfund sites,” she added. According to the study authors, future research should investigate how changes in markers of endocrine function affect birth and other health outcomes. Future studies also should look at essential metals in relation to maternal and fetal health, and metals as mixtures in relation to markers of endocrine function. To read the original article click here.

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Diet and Folic Acid Can Influence Pregnancy Outcomes

AHA Publisher — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 08:00:48 +0000

Flinders University via News-Medical Net – Healthy dietary choices are not only important for expectant mothers during the early months of pregnancy but equally important in the months prior to conception. Fast food consumption prior to pregnancy was found to be a risk factor for gestational diabetes, while low consumption of green leafy vegetables and fruit was found to increase the risk for several pregnancy complications including gestational diabetes, spontaneous pre-term birth and having a small for gestational age baby. Researchers at Flinders University’s College of Medicine and Public Health have studied genetic and lifestyle factors that could affect pregnancy health and outcome. The study, led by a world-renowned placental biologist and pregnancy expert Professor Claire Roberts, involved 3196 women with a first-time pregnancy, recruited into the SCOPE Study in Adelaide and Auckland between 2005 and 2008. Professor Roberts’ team found that both maternal and paternal genes involved in folate and folic acid metabolism influenced pregnancy outcomes, including preeclampsia, gestational hypertension and spontaneous pre-term birth. While there is not much that can be done with the genetic hand women are dealt, there are modifiable lifestyle factors, such as diet, that women can have control over when it comes to their pregnancy. We know from our previous research that mothers with folate deficiency are more likely to have a number of pregnancy complications, and this study supports the benefits of increasing folate levels via green vegetable consumption to support pregnancy health.” Claire Roberts, Professor, Flinders University Women who are planning to conceive are recommended to take folic acid supplementation at least one month before conception and during the first few months of pregnancy to minimize the potential for folate deficiency and reduce the risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect. The article, “Maternal folate, one carbon metabolism and pregnancy outcomes,” (2020) by Jankovic-Karasoulos T, Furness DL, Leemaqz SY, Dekker GA, Grzeskowiak LE, Grieger JA, Andraweera PH, McCullough D, McAninch DC, McCowan LM, Bianco-Miotto T and Roberts CT has been published in Maternal and Child Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13064. However, in this study, conducted before the introduction of folic acid fortification mandate in Australia, women who developed gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes mellitushad higher serum folate levels at 15 weeks’ gestation compared to women who had an uncomplicated pregnancy. Researchers say further studies are needed to assess the relevance of the association between maternal circulating folate levels and gestational hypertension and potentially gestational diabetes, particularly in light of the mandatory folic acid fortification program. Interestingly, this has coincided with a steep rise in the incidence of gestational diabetes in Australia. In South Australia, gestational diabetes was at 5.5% in 2009 but by 2017 it had risen to 14%. The Australian government’s 2009 decision to implement mandatory folic acid fortification of flour for commercial bread-making and pastries has resulted in increased folic acid consumption by the general Australian public. As a result, pregnant Australian women are now consuming higher levels of folic acid through a combination of fortified diets and micronutrient supplementation. Due to this shift, Professor Roberts’ Pregnancy Health and Beyond research team is now studying the effects of too much folic acid can have during pregnancy and is trying to determine what effects this will have on not only pregnancy health, but also the health of the mother and her baby later in life. From our current research, we know that both serum and red blood cell folate levels in pregnant women recruited in Adelaide within the past few years are up to 4 times higher than those measured in women from this study. Because few women are now folate deficient during early pregnancy, we may need to re-focus on understanding the effects of folate excess.” Dr Tanja Jankovic-Karasoulos, Study researcher To read the original article click here.

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Low Levels of Prenatal Alcohol Consumption Can Affect Child’s Brain Development

AHA Publisher — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 07:00:25 +0000

University of Sydney via News-Medical Net – New research from the University of Sydney finds that even low levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy can have an impact on a child’s brain development and is associated with greater psychological and behavioral problems in youth including anxiety, depression and poor attention. Published today in the prestigious American Journal of Psychiatry, the study was led by the University’s Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use. The impact of low-level alcohol use during pregnancy on child development is relatively unknown and there has been extensive debate about whether there is a safe level of consumption. The researchers investigated whether any alcohol consumption in pregnancy was related to psychological, behavioral, neural and cognitive differences in children aged nine to ten years. With a sample of 9,719 youth, this is the largest study to investigate the impacts of low-level alcohol use during pregnancy. Low levels of drinking were considered one to two drinks per occasion with maximum of six drinks per week. Our research found that even small amounts of alcohol consumed while pregnant can have a significant impact on a child’s brain development. Previous research has shown that very heavy alcohol use, such as binge drinking, during pregnancy can cause harm to the baby. However, this study shows that any alcohol use during pregnancy, even low levels, is associated with subtle, yet significant behavioural and psychological effects in children including anxiety, depression and poor attention. This study is so important because in Australia, around 50 percent of women drink alcohol before they know they are pregnant, and 25 percent do so after they know. The vast majority consume one or two standard drinks per occasion which this study shows is enough to impact the baby’s brain.” Ms Briana Lees, lead author, PhD candidate at the Matilda Centre Study Findings In the study, 25 percent of children had been exposed to alcohol in utero (in the womb), 60 percent of these children had been exposed to low-level alcohol use, and 40 per cent had been exposed to heavier levels. Heavier exposure being three or more drinks per occasion or seven or more drinks per week. Children who were exposed to low levels of alcohol in-utero at any time during pregnancy experienced more psychological/emotional problems (including anxiety, depression and being withdrawn) and behavioural problems (including poor attention and being impulsive) than unexposed children. There was a 25 percent increased likelihood of an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis in children who were exposed to slightly heavier levels of alcohol (approximately 36 drinks) in the first 6-7 weeks of pregnancy. Heavier alcohol use during early pregnancy was also associated with rule breaking behavior and aggression, with a 30 percent higher risk of the child being diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder than unexposed youth. There were differences observed in brain volume and surface area among the exposed children which contributed to the psychological and behavioural problems. The estimated number of drinks consumed during pregnancy ranged from 0-90 with the average being 27. The majority of drinks were consumed in the first 6-7 weeks prior to pregnancy knowledge. “Generally, the more a child was exposed to alcohol in utero the more severe the outcomes were,” said Ms Lees. “Children experienced negative effects even if they were only exposed to low levels of alcohol during very early pregnancy (approximately 16 drinks in the first six to seven weeks) and then the mother stopped drinking. The difficulty is many women don’t know they are pregnant at that early stage. Senior author Professor Maree Teesson, Director of the Matilda Centre said these findings are important for families, clinicians and policy makers moving forward. “This research highlights the importance for women to be aware of the effects that even low levels of drinking can have on the brain development of babies,” she said. “The safest option during pregnancy is to abstain from drinking any alcohol. “This information is also important for women planning pregnancies. Even when planning pregnancy, it is safer to abstain from any drinking. Any alcohol consumption from conception throughout the entire pregnancy can impact the brain development of their baby.” About the Study The study used clinical interview, youth and parent self-report, cognitive tasks, and structural and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from 9,719 community-based children ages nine to ten years old in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. Alcohol use was retrospective, parent-reported data. To read the original article click here.

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