MedWorm: Babies Heart Conditions

Banishing Your Heartache on Valentine's Day

Psychology Today Relationships Center — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:45:49 +0100

Valentine's Day can be a challenge if your heart is aching. Here are some creative strategies to add some "zing" to your love life ...read more (Source: Psychology Today Relationships Center)

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Development of heart block in children of SSA/SSB-autoantibody-positive women is associated with maternal age and displays a season-of-birth pattern

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion This study identifies maternal age and seasonal timing of pregnancy as novel risk factors for heart block development in children of Ro/La-positive women. These observations may be useful for counselling when pregnancy is considered. (Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases)

Women with diabetes warned to take precautions when having a baby

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:01:04 +0100

Diabetic mothers-to-be have high risk of giving birth to children with congenital abnormality, study saysWomen who have diabetes are almost four times more likely to have a baby with a birth defect, research reveals.One out of 13 mothers-to-be with either Type 1 or Type 2 of the disease on giving birth have a child with a major congenital abnormality as a direct result of their condition. Overall for such women, the risk of having a child with a birth defect of whatever kind is 7%, according to the journal Diabetologia. The risk of having a baby who has a birth defect is 2% in females without diabetes.Researchers led by Ruth Bell from Newcastle University reached their conclusions after studying 401,149 single-baby pregnancies between 1996 and 2008 in the north of England, 1,677 of them pr...

Jacqueline Rose: a life in writing

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:55:08 +0100

'Victimhood is something that happens but when you turn it into an identity you're psychically and politically finished'One day, Jacqueline Rose came across a troubling passage in Proust's A la recherche du temps perdu. The narrator, Marcel, lies beside his sleeping lover Albertine and masturbates against her. "It seemed to me at those moments," writes Proust in Carol Clark's recent Penguin translation, "that I possessed her more completely, like an unconscious part of dumb nature." Professor Rose, feminist and psychoanalytic critic, bristled. "I thought 'This is ridiculous – she'd have woken up by now!' I had my feminist reaction – which is not my most obvious default position – which is just let the woman speak."So Rose decided to awaken Proust's lover from her implausible slumber....

Mystery bird: dunnock, Prunella modularis | @GrrlScientist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:30:00 +0100

This drab British mystery bird has a colourful sex life that would make America's Tea Partiers faint Hedge accentor, Prunella modularis (protonym, Motacilla modularis), also known as the hedge sparrow, the shuffle-wing, or as the dunnock accentor, the European dunnock or, most famously (especially in Britain), just as the dunnock, photographed in Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve, Cheshire, UK. Image: Roy Hill, 23 January 2012 (with permission) [velociraptorize].Canon EOS 5D Mark II 135mm f/2L + 1.4 extender As a reminder, here's the original mystery bird image I shared two days ago: Question: This British mystery bird is well-known for a particular life history trait that has been the subject of many studies and even several books. What trait is this? Can you identify this bird's taxono...

Heart damage in unborn babies 'much more common' if mother-to-be is an overweight smoker, study finds

the Mail online | Health — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:01:50 +0100

Women who smoke and are overweight are twice as likely to give birth to a baby with a congenital heart defect as those with just one risk factor, says scientists from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

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Congenital Left Ventricular Diverticulum Diagnosed by Echocardiography

Pediatric Cardiology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:04:43 +0100

Abstract Congenital left ventricular diverticulum is a rare cardiac malformation. The incidence of left ventricular diverticulum is reported to be 0.05% of all congenital heart malformations. This case series comprised three infants with the diagnosis of congenital left ventricular diverticulum determined by echocardiography. In addition, two of the three babies also were detected to have other cardiac disease. Echocardiography is a useful tool for diagnosing congenital left ventricular diverticulum. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Case ReportPages 1-3DOI 10.1007/s00246-012-0153-7Authors Hui Yang, Department of Ultrasound, West China Second University Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan Univeisity, 20 ren min nan lu san duan, Chengdu, 610041 ChinaQi Zhu, ...

Unilateral pulmonary artery banding to promote contralateral pulmonary artery growth

Heart and Vessels — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:32:13 +0100

Abstract A full-term baby with double-outlet right ventricle and total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) complicated with left main pulmonary artery (PA) stenosis, presented with heart failure caused by increased pulmonary blood flow. Based on significant discrepancies in size and development between the left and right PAs, we performed right PA banding concomitant with TAPVC repair to promote left PA growth and restrict overall PA flow. PA-graphy performed 3 months after surgery showed marked increase in the left PA size with appropriately low pressure, which enabled us to successfully complete Glenn anastomosis. Under appropriate patient selection, unilateral PA banding for patients with unbalanced peripheral PA size could serve as an effective and less ...

Tubal Reversal Baby Testimonial # 1248

Tubal Ligation Reversal News — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

A Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Patient writes in with her tubal reversal baby story: "It is almost unbelievable to think of how far we have come since researching our tubal reversal options. It has been an amazing journey that has far exceeded our sweetest expectations! Dr. Monteith and staff could not have been more welcoming, informative or supportive, and really had such a positive effect on our spirits during an emotional and uncertain time. To conceive just six weeks after our tubal reversal was nothing short of a miracle, and we are eternally grateful to Dr. Monteith for not only his expertise, but his honesty, kindness and understanding bedside manner as well. We have been blessed with Nicholas, our hearts dearest dream recognized. He has brought such happiness and hope to our family....

Amnioinfusion for potential or suspected umbilical cord compression in labour.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:18:08 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The use of amnioinfusion for potential or suspected umbilical cord compression may be of considerable benefit to mother and baby by reducing the occurrence of variable FHR decelerations, improving short-term measures of neonatal outcome, reducing maternal postpartum endometritis and lowering the use of caesarean section, although there were methodological limitations to the trials reviewed here. In addition, the trials are too small to address the possibility of rare but serious maternal adverse effects of amnioinfusion. More research is needed to confirm the findings, assess longer-term measures of fetal outcome, and to assess the impact on caesarean section rates when the diagnosis of fetal distress is more stringent. Trials should assess amnioinfusion in specific clinical s...

Occupying the Toy Aisle One Pink Lego at a Time

Psychology Today Parenting Center — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:20:22 +0100

A drama has settled over Lego's new Heartlake City, a pink and purple village with girly figures sporting hearts and butterfies. The feminized, pre-assembled play sets that include a beauty shop, bakery and stage have been accused of promoting gender roles, sexualizing girls and stunting spatial abilities. Are toys marketed towards girls really so harmful? read more (Source: Psychology Today Parenting Center)

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Liberia: 'Babies Having Babies Unacceptable' - Sirleaf

AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:05:18 +0100

Heritage (Monrovia)-"As I travel around the country, it breaks my heart to see what are, virtually, babies having babies - teenage girls raising families when they should be in school. Large numbers of young girls live on the streets, and resort to prostitution to make a living. Many girls, some very young, have their dignity and their future undermined by the viciousness of rape," lamented President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf. According to President Johnson- Sirleaf: "This must be unacceptable". (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)

Role of antihypertensive therapy in mild to moderate pregnancy-induced hypertension: a prospective randomized study comparing labetalol with alpha methyldopa

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 07:11:18 +0100

Abstract Background Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is associated with adverse fetal and maternal outcome. The role of medication to control blood pressure (BP) in mild to moderate PIH is controversial. Aims We conducted a prospective study to investigate whether pharmacological treatment of mild to moderate PIH is effective in improving maternal and fetal outcomes. Methods A total of 150 consecutive pregnant women without proteinuria and with physician-recorded systolic BP of 140–160 mmHg and/or diastolic BP of 90–105 mmHg on two occasions ≥6 h apart between 20 and 38 weeks of gestation were randomly allocated to receive either labetalol or methyldopa (50 patients each) plus standard care (treatment gro...

The power of mnemonics

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:26:01 +0100

You can trick your mind into remembering useful but dull facts by weaving the information into vivid mental shorthand• Click here to download your daily memory taskPerhaps the core insight to be taken from our study of memory is this: anything that grabs our attention in the outside world will also do so in our inner world of memory.Memory, just like our eyes and ears, adores anything vivid or unusual: whether it is movement, beauty, ugliness, violence, colour, suddenness, nakedness or humour. Such ingredients evoke emotion and energise us.The opposite is, of course, equally true: boring, grey, unexceptional events slip from our memories as adeptly as they escape the attention of our eyes and ears. This is indeed an important design feature of our memory (and vision): neither would ...

Pulmonary arterial hypertension: Advances in pathophysiology and management

Indian Journal of Pharmacology — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Sandeep Chopra, Dinesh K Badyal, P Chris Baby, Davis CherianIndian Journal of Pharmacology 2012 44(1):4-11Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a heterogeneous, hemodynamic, and pathophysiological state which is commonly found throughout the world, but the disease burden is greater in India and in other developing countries. It is a disease characterized by vascular obstruction and vasoconstriction leading to progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance and right ventricular failure. PAH is a progressive disorder carrying a poor prognosis; however, dramatic progress has occurred in our knowledge of its pathogenesis and consequently, its treatment over the last two decades. In this article, we attempt to provide an overview of the etiology, pathophysiology, and current therapeut...

Smallest baby in Britain to undergo open heart surgery celebrates first birthday

the Mail online | Health — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 02:38:39 +0100

Eleana Hastings, from Coventry, who underwent life-saving surgery aged nine days old and weighing 3lb 5oz, is today celebrating her first birthday. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

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Taking Prozac during pregnancy raises risk of high blood pressure in unborn children

the Mail online | Health — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:34:29 +0100

Their babies are at greater risk of a rare but severe disease called persistent pulmonary hypertension, a rise in blood pressure in the lungs which can lead to heart failure. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

Unilateral Pulmonary Hypoplasia with Abdominal Situs Inversus

Indian Journal of Pediatrics — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:51:25 +0100

Abstract A case of unilateral pulmonary hypoplasia in association with abdominal situs inversus (Situs Inversus Partialis) is described here in a 2-mo-old baby. The normally related heart (levocardia) is dextroposed due to the hypoplastic right lung and compensatory hyper-inflation of the opposite lung which clinically mimicked a mirror-image situs inversus totalis. Such a combination, to the best of authors’ knowledge, has never been reported in the world literature. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Clinical BriefPages 1-3DOI 10.1007/s12098-011-0667-7Authors Sumantra Sarkar, Department of Pediatrics, IPGME&R, Kolkata, West Bengal, IndiaRakesh Mondal, Department of Pediatrics, IPGME&R, Kolkata, West Bengal, IndiaMadhumita Nandi, Department of Pediatrics, IPGME&R,...

Fetal heart monitor also tracks oxygen level

L.A. Times - Health — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

A new fetal heart rate monitor goes one step further and tracks the baby's oxygen level too. This gives the physician more information so he can determine whether intervention is appropriate, experts say. (Source: L.A. Times - Health)

Babies born through meconium stained liquor with 5 min Apgar scores of 9 or 10 had very low risk of respiratory distress

Archives of Disease in Childhood - Education and Practice — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Study designDesign Prospective cohort of babies born through meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) between 2003 and 2006. Setting Two teaching hospitals in The Hague, The Netherlands. Patients 394 term (>37/40) neonates were born through MSAF. The mean gestational age was 40 weeks, 56% were male, and mean birth weight was 3.5 kg. Outcomes Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) (respiratory distress, oxygen or mechanical ventilation requirement in the first 24 h of birth). Risk factors assessed included abnormalities of fetal heart trace, consistency of meconium, umbilical artery pH and 5 min Apgar score. Follow-up period Every baby was followed up for a minimum of 24 h before discharge if well. Main results Of 394 neonates, 19 (4.8%) developed respiratory distress compatible with MAS. Of ...

Cardiovascular Development

Springer Biomedical Sciences titles — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:35:57 +0100

Methods and Protocolsseries:Methods in Molecular BiologyCongenital heart disease is the leading cause of infant death and affects approximately one in every 100 babies born in the United States. The study of cardiovascular development has acquired new momentum in last twenty years due to the advancement of modern molecular biology and new available equipments and techniques. In Cardiovascular Development: Methods and Protocols expert researchers in ... (Source: Springer Biomedical Sciences titles)

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Providing Hope After Tubal Sterilization Reversal

Tubal Ligation Reversal News — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Wendy M. from Maryland shares in her excitement over hearing her growing baby's first heart beat. She writes, "We finally got the relief of hearing a strong fetal heart beat today - 154. I hope I can provide someone else with hope". Couples come to Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center to have their tubes untied by world-renowned tubal repair specialists, Dr. Gary Berger and Dr. Charles Monteith, because they know they are getting the best chance to have a baby. (Source: Tubal Ligation Reversal News)

World's brainiest physicists raise a toast to Stephen Hawking

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:19:00 +0100

Leading scientists gather at Cambridge University to pay tribute to Hawking and take stock of our understanding of the universe"Bold", "provocative", "relentless", "witty" and "an inspiration" – tributes to Prof Stephen Hawking have not been hard to come by at a gathering of more than a hundred of the world's top cosmologists.The planet's most famous living physicist turns 70 on Sunday and scientists began to assemble in his honour at Cambridge University on Thursday and Friday to raise a toast. They are also here to take stock of the scientific fields to which he has applied his considerable brain power during his career.The meeting, entitled "The State of the Universe", is charting the theoretical frontiers of our understanding of black holes, cosmology and fundamental physics. But the...

Fetal cell microchimerism in the maternal heart: baby gives back.

Circulation Research — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Pritchard S, Bianchi DW PMID: 22223204 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Circulation Research)

Rio-James Jacombe could die if he cries: Baby's windpipe could collapse at any moment

the Mail online | Health — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:47:52 +0100

Rio-James Jacombe, from Grimsby, was born five weeks premature. He also has Down's syndrome, two holes in his heart and has to be fed through a tube. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

The Optimism Bias by Tali Sharot: extract

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:05:19 +0100

Our brains may be hardwired to look on the bright side, says neuroscientist Tali Sharot in this extract from her new bookWe like to think of ourselves as rational creatures. We watch our backs, weigh the odds, pack an umbrella. But both neuroscience and social science suggest that we are more optimistic than realistic. On average, we expect things to turn out better than they wind up being. People hugely underestimate their chances of getting divorced, losing their job or being diagnosed with cancer; expect their children to be extraordinarily gifted; envision themselves achieving more than their peers; and overestimate their likely life span (sometimes by 20 years or more).The belief that the future will be much better than the past and present is known as the optimism bias. It abides in ...

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Thriving in 2011: a year in review

Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 04:34:45 +0100

The end of the year is a time for reflection. Many events, good and bad, shaped the past 365 days, and as we get ready to swap out yet another calendar most of us will pause and remember those moments. When I recalled the news stories and personal events that resonated with me this year, more than a few Thriving stories came to mind. As a writer I have a tendency to see life as a series of deadlines. I love crafting blogs about the inspiring people I meet at Children’s, but there’s more to the job than collecting good stories. In the back of my mind there’s always a deadline looming. A hospital like Children’s is a living entity that never sleeps. And because it’s my job is cover all the amazing stories that are born of that entity, I have to move pretty quickly to keep up; o...

Health Highlights: Dec. 29, 2011

Primary Care News - Doctors Lounge — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:30:00 +0100

Los Angeles Voters to Decide on Condoms in Sex Films Build-A-Bear Recalls Colorful Hearts Bears for Possible Choking Hazard Third Baby Sickened With Bacteria Sometimes Tied to Formula (Source: Primary Care News - Doctors Lounge)

2011's best health news

NHS News Feed — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:43:00 +0100

Although Behind the Headlines often spends time explaining mistaken or misguided news reports, the joy of this service is when there are genuinely exciting medical advances to report. Over the past year there have been many important and fascinating stories, and it is a credit to the national press that so many of them have been so well understood and so well reported. Here’s our pick of some of the best stories from the many brilliant health articles and impressive studies published in 2011. Heartwarming gene therapy By far the most heartwarming breakthrough in medical science involves the story of seven-year-old Jack Crick (presumably no relation to the co-discoverer of the DNA double helix). Jack was born with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) – an inherited genetic mutati...

Losing Baby Fat Lowers Heart Risks Later

RWJF News Digest - Childhood Obesity — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Obese children who grow up into normal-weight adults have the same cardiovascular risk as people without a history of obesity, according to a meta-analysis in the New England Journal of Medicine. Obese children are at high risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease but the contribution of childhood obesity to long-term cardiovascular risk, independent of adult weight, has never been clearly established, researchers said. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Childhood Obesity)

Losing Baby Fat Lowers Heart Risks

WSJ.com: Health — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 03:12:07 +0100

Obese children who grow up into normal-weight adults have the same cardiovascular risk as people without a history of obesity, an analysis in the New England Journal of Medicine says. (Source: WSJ.com: Health)

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Woman and baby saved after emergency surgery

Telegraph Health — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 18:58:03 +0100

A pregnant woman with an "incredibly rare" heart condition and her baby have been saved after surgeons carried out a ground-breaking set of procedures to deal with the uniquely complex problem. (Source: Telegraph Health)

Miracle baby Daisie Downie becomes the smallest person to have pioneering open heart surgery op

the Mail online | Health — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:42:07 +0100

Daisie Downie needed the life-saving operation at Southampton General Hospital after she was born with a rare condition that prevented blood from going to her lungs directly from her heart. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

Heart Attacks, Other Emergencies Spike During Holidays

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0100

During his 23-year career, the medical director of the UCSF Emergency Department has done everything from treat traumatic injuries to deliver babies. While medical emergencies occur throughout the year, Polevoi sees the winter season and its related overindulgence as a pivotal time for preventing emergencies by listening to our bodies. "People tend to delay care around the holidays," said Polevoi, whose emergency medicine team treats about 3,000 patients every month... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Social media helps bring very sick patient to Children’s

Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:12:46 +0100

Pierce Heilinger recently underwent a complex surgery at Children’s Hospital Boston that may have saved his life. The young patient’s story has resonated deeply with parents who use social media, and even though many of those people had never met the child or his family, that online support system was instrumental in bringing him to Boston. Pierce has heterotaxy syndrome, a birth defect that involves the heart and other organs. Normally the human body has organs that grow on both sides, like the lungs or kidneys, and others that develop on a specific side, like the stomach or liver. But with cases of heterotaxy one or more of those organs may be reversed, including the heart. In researching her son’s condition, Pierce’s mother Jessamyn learned that despite being an extremely rare c...

Planned caesarean section for women with a twin pregnancy.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 01:00:04 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: There is a lack of robust evidence to guide clinical advice regarding the method of birth for twin pregnancies. Women should be informed of possible benefits and risks of either approach, including short-term and long-term consequences for both mother and babies. Future research should aim to provide unbiased evidence, including long-term outcomes. PMID: 22161406 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews)

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Fetal heart rate parameters and perinatal outcomes in fetuses with nuchal cords

Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Computerized analysis of FHR would be helpful to assess fetal status, especially in cases of multiple NCs. Multiple NCs may be a subliminal risk factor for the babies even though they present no complications at delivery. (Source: Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research)

Claims of 24,000 'excess' deaths from diabetes

NHS News Feed — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 09:59:00 +0100

This report was prepared in partnership with various trusts, including The Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP), which promotes quality in healthcare, and the NHS Information Centre, the official source of health and social care data and information for England. The NDA covered four key components of the government’s National Service Framework (NSF) for Diabetes: checking whether everyone with diabetes was diagnosed and recorded on a practice diabetes register looking at whether those registered are receiving key elements of diabetes care (such as regular checks of blood glucose levels, or for protein in the urine) looking at the proportion of people registered to have diabetes who achieve the treatment targets for glucose control, blood pressure and blood cholester...

Nebulized iloprost and noninvasive respiratory support for impending hypoxaemic respiratory failure in formerly preterm infants: A case series

Pediatric Pulmonology — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions.The noninvasive approach combining NIV and nebILO for ex‐preterm babies with impending respiratory failure and PH resulted to be feasible and quickly achieved significant oxygenation and hemodynamic improvements. Pediatr Pulmonol. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Source: Pediatric Pulmonology)

1st Girl in Family After Tubal Ligation Reversal

Tubal Ligation Reversal News — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Tubal reversal babies are always welcome, especially when it is the first girl after having all boys. In this baby testimonial on the Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center website, Dawn H. from Leola, PA writes to Dr. Berger, her tubal reversal doctor, "I am so pleased to announce the birth of my third tubal reversal baby. Chelbie Grace is my 5th child but she is my 1st baby girl. Sincerely thank you from the bottom of our hearts for our blessings. So happy to finally have some pink around here. Thank you Dr. Berger and team Chapel Hill. It is going to be the best Christmas ever!!!" (Source: Tubal Ligation Reversal News)

The mystery of Carole Myers

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 00:04:10 +0100

When she was found dead at 41, Carole Myers left a statement saying she had suffered Satantic child abuse at the hands of her parents. But did she?At 9.02am Richard Felstead answered the phone; by 9.03am he was breathless with crying. It was the coroner's assistant in Battersea with the news that his sister, Carole, had died two weeks earlier. "I'm sorry it's taken so long to notify you," she said. "Carole's next of kin told us there was no family. But a letter was found – from you."Two minutes later, the phone rang again. A different caller, with a strange voice, said, "I know you're not one of the ones that harmed Carole.""Who are you?" said Richard."I'm Carole's next of kin.""What's your name?""That's not important.""How did Carole die?""She had a very difficult childhood.""What? No s...

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Baby Cerys Small kept alive by Viagra after battling through 3 heart operations

the Mail online | Health — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 03:59:29 +0100

Cerys Small was born with a severe heart defect, no spleen and problems with her stomach. The 10 month old from Newport is taking the impotence drug to improve her blood flow. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

Nigeria: Early Surgical Intervention 'Ll Correct Cleft Lip, Palate Defects - Experts

AllAfrica News: Pregnancy and Childbirth — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:28:21 +0100

THE birth of a new born baby into a family always bring joy and celebration, but one of the uncommon news to hear from doctors after the delivery of a new child is, "there is something wrong with your baby." Mrs. Margaret Ubong, Mrs. Faliat Hassan and Mr. Odusanya Olajide felt the same way when they were told few minutes after delivery that their babies had cleft lip and palate. "I will never forget the way my heart dropped out of my chest that moment," said Mrs. Margaret Ubong. (Source: AllAfrica News: Pregnancy and Childbirth)

Game changer

Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:54:27 +0100

Jack Miller Imagine for a moment that it’s 2001, and you’re Jennifer Miller. You’re pregnant with your second baby, and an ultrasound shows that his heart isn’t developing normally: In fact, the left side of his heart has a problem so significant it will stop developing normally from that point on. Your unborn baby has a severe blockage of the aortic valve, known as stenosis, which will lead to a rare and potentially fatal condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) at birth. Now imagine that you’re Jack Miller. As you float in the quiet darkness of the womb, your heart is the size of a grape and that troublesome valve that won’t deliver blood from the left ventricle of your body is only as big as the head of a ballpoint pen. What happened next put the Millers on t...

Large family protects a mother's health: Four of more babies cuts risk of heart disease

the Mail online | Health — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:48:39 +0100

Scientists from the University of California found women who experience four or more pregnancies are less likely to die from cardiovascular disease than women who have never had a baby. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

Books of the year 2011

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 18:27:56 +0100

A novel about a dinner-party guest who won't leave, a history of Henry VII, an inquiry into madness … Which books have most impressed our writers this year?• Join the debate and let us know which were your books of 2011 Chimamanda AdichieI admired the lovely sentences and moving story in Sebastian Barry's On Canaan's Side (Faber), about an Irish-American woman looking back at her life. Binyavanga Wainaina's One Day I Will Write About This Place (Granta) is a strange, allusive, tender memoir about growing up in middle-class Kenya. Tracy K Smith's poems in Life on Mars (Turnaround) are startling and exquisite.Tariq AliShifting alliances at home and abroad, ruthless accumulation of capital and endless court intrigues form the backdrop to Thomas Penn's Winter King: The Dawn of Tudor E...

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Study finds home birth is safe

NHS News Feed — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:55:00 +0100

This report will no doubt be of interest to parents who are planning where to have their baby and wish to discuss their options with their midwife or GP. What did the study look at? This large English study was designed to take a detailed look at risk associated with different birth settings for women with low-risk pregnancies. A low-risk pregnancy is one where the mother and baby are not affected by conditions or circumstances that can complicate the birth (see What is a low-risk pregnancy? for further details). The study compared home births, midwifery units run outside of a hospital setting, obstetric unit births in hospitals and births in ‘alongside midwifery units’, which are midwife-led units on a hospital site that also have an obstetric unit. Its analysis featured data on al...

Births at home or in hospital: risks explained

NHS News Feed — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:55:00 +0100

This report will no doubt be of interest to parents who are planning where to have their baby and wish to discuss their options with their midwife or GP. What did the study look at? This large English study was designed to take a detailed look at the risks associated with different settings where women with low-risk pregnancies planned to give birth. A low-risk pregnancy is one where the mother and baby are not affected by conditions or circumstances that can complicate the birth (see What is a low-risk pregnancy? for further details). The study compared home births, midwifery units run outside of a hospital setting, obstetric unit births in hospitals and births in ‘alongside midwifery units’, which are midwife-led units on a hospital site that also have an obstetric unit. Its anal...

10 outlandish things the 'scientific' controllers have in mind for you in the near future

NaturalNews.com — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) What corporate-driven "science" has in mind for the future of humanity is far different from the dreamy utopian landscape that's been portrayed by the mainstream media. To hear the corporate-run media tell it, science is always "good" for humanity. Scientific achievements are always called "advances" and not "setbacks," even though many of them have proven to be disastrous for humanity (atomic bombs, for example, or GMOs).While pure science is, indeed, a necessary component of any civilization which seeks to expand its understanding of the universe, what we see dominating the landscape today isn't pure science but corporate-driven "science" that only seeks to accelerate corporate profits, not human understanding. And with that corporate-slanted science comes a whole new era o...

Preventing heart disease in kids: how can we doctors do better?

Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:10:59 +0100

Claire McCarthy, MD A week or so ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics came out with a report entitled “Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health and Risk Reduction in Children and Adolescents.” It’s a 44-page report full of evidence-based recommendations for preventing kids from getting heart disease when they grow up. I wasn’t going to write about it. After all, it seems like everyone’s eyes glaze over when I talk to them about diet and exercise; why should I waste the time writing something people likely won’t read? And even if they read it, chances are they won’t follow the recommendations. I know I sound cynical, but that comes from years of talking to families about healthy habits with really minimal results. But here’s the thing: cardiovascular disease is th...

Freezing Baby Teeth Could Be Key To A Healthy Future

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 04:25:29 +0100

BOSTON (CBS) – Gabriella and her mom are proud of the teeth now missing from her adorable smile. When Gabriella was six years old she had two loose baby teeth pulled out by her dentist. Gabriella describes this trip to dentist as “fun and happy.” You heard her! A fun trip to the dentist for the Winchester girl. Gabriella’s mom, Claudia, decided to freeze her baby teeth just in case, one day, those teeth could save her daughter’s life. Gabriella has a heart defect. So her family turned to the Lexington-based company Store-A-Tooth to preserve her dental stem cells. Claudia says, “Potentially these stem cells could produce tissue which could in turn heal her valve.” WBZ-TV’s Paula Ebben reports var videoCanvas = new WNVideoWidget("WNVideoCanvas"...

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Reduction in spinal-induced hypotension with ondansetron in parturients undergoing caesarean section: A double-blind randomised, placebo-controlled study

International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Ondansetron 4mg, given intravenously 5min before subarachnoid block reduced hypotension and vasopressor use in parturients undergoing elective caesarean section. (Source: International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia)

Well: A Mother's Fight for Newborn Hearts

NYT Health — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:34:56 +0100

One mother's battle for a simple screening test for babies offers a remarkable lesson about the power of parent advocacy, especially when paired with good science. (Source: NYT Health)

Well Blog: A Mother's Fight for Newborn Hearts

NYT — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:34:56 +0100

One mother's battle for a simple screening test for babies offers a remarkable lesson about the power of parent advocacy, especially when paired with good science. (Source: NYT)

Dukan diet 'tops list of worst celeb diets'

NHS News Feed — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:30:00 +0100

The popular Dukan diet has been slammed as “ineffective and without scientific basis”, The Daily Telegraph has today reported. The newspaper says that the British Dietetic Association has criticised a range of celebrity diets, including the Dukan diet rumoured to be used by Kate Middleton. Anticipating the huge surge in dieting around Christmas and New Year, the association has drawn up a list of five 'fad diets' that slimmers may be considering after reading about celebrities using them to stay trim. According to the British Dietetic Association (BDA), the top diets to avoid are: The Dukan diet: this restrictive, complicated diet includes phases of eating only protein and avoiding a number of foods. Kate Middleton, Jennifer Lopez and Gisele Bundchen are reported to be fans. However...

Diagnosing Heart Defects EarlyDiagnosing Heart Defects Early

Medscape ObGyn and Womens Health Headlines — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:34:00 +0100

It is now possible to diagnose most congenital heart defects during pregnancy. What are the advantages for both mother and baby? CHOP Expert Commentary (Source: Medscape ObGyn and Womens Health Headlines)

Babies Put on Transplant List Before Birth Get Hearts Faster

MedicineNet Heart General — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Babies Put on Transplant List Before Birth Get Hearts FasterCategory: Health NewsCreated: 11/13/2011 10:05:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 11/14/2011 (Source: MedicineNet Heart General)

Question 2 Should carbon dioxide detectors be used to check correct placement of endotracheal tubes in preterm and term neonates?

Archives of Disease in Childhood — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Scenario The Pedi-Cap device (Covidien, Mansfield, Massachusetts, USA) is frequently used in neonatal resuscitation to check the position of the endotracheal (ET) tube in term and preterm neonates. As a paediatric trainee having worked in various regions of the UK you note a huge variability in this practice. Clinical assessment of chest expansion and air entry, with improvement in saturations, colour and heart rate have been used for decades and work well. Is the Pedi-Cap superior to clinical assessment for checking the position of the ET tube? Structured clinical question During intubation of neonates [patients], is a carbon dioxide detector [intervention] better than clinical assessment [comparison] to detect correct endotracheal tube placement [outcome]? Search strategy and outcome Med...

Abnormal or delayed development of the Area Membranacea Posterior of the brain: the Blake's pouch cyst. Anatomy, ultrasound diagnosis, natural history and outcome in the fetus.

Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

ConclusionBased on the analysis of the ultrasound features, we propose that for BPC to be diagnosed in a fetus the following three criteria should be fulfilled: 1) normal anatomy and size of the vermis; 2) mild/moderate counterclockwise rotation of the vermis; 3) normal size of the cisterna magna. Furthermore, we have found that BPC can undergo delayed fenestration at 24‐26 weeks in more than 50% of the cases. Finally, we have demonstrated that BPC shows a significant risk of association with extra‐cardiac anomalies (heart defects in particular) and, to a lesser extent, to trisomy 21. Copyright © 2011 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (Source: Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Obesity And Heart Risk Partially Pre-Determined Whilst In The Womb

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0100

According to a new investigation from Warwick Medical School, the risk of developing diabetes, obesity and heart conditions is partially pre-determined whilst in the womb. Pregnant women who improve their diet and increase their vitamin intake can lower the likelihood of their unborn child developing these risks in the future. The investigation, in collaboration with the University of Southampton and the Kind Edward Memorial Hospital, in Pune, India, analyzes pregnant women and follows the growth and development of their babies. Dr... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Uganda: How Do Siamese Twins Come About?

AllAfrica News: Pregnancy and Childbirth — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:31:49 +0100

On October, 28, 2001, Margret checked into a health centre in Arua district to deliver her baby, however, she was immediately referred to a hospital after developing complications. To her surprise, she delivered two girls by caesarean section, and they were joined at the torso. The twins, Loius and Christine, shared a liver and the main blood vessel that connects their hearts. (Source: AllAfrica News: Pregnancy and Childbirth)

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FDA Reconsiders Weight Loss Drug Qnexa

WebMD Health — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:28:26 +0100

The FDA is once again considering approval of an experimental weight loss drug it rejected a year ago over concerns about potential heart problems and birth defects in babies born to women who take it. (Source: WebMD Health)

Humble pie: it’s good for you

Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:29:32 +0100

Claire McCarthy MD My 6-year-old son is really farsighted, and I had no idea. I completely missed it. To be fair to me and my husband, the ophthalmologist (the esteemed and wonderful Dr. Hunter of Children’s Hospital Boston) said that Liam was compensating really well. And until his yearly checkup last month, he had been passing vision tests (which mostly test for nearsightedness). But in retrospect, there were signs we didn’t pay attention to. He didn’t like looking at words in books, and on hikes he kept saying “Where?” when my husband pointed to things nearby. We thought he was impatient or not paying attention. Turns out he couldn’t see. It got me thinking about humility. It’s easy for me to think I’ve got this parenting thing down pat. After all, come February I wil...

UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital begins studies on vitamin D to prevent heart disease

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(University Hospitals Case Medical Center) University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital will be looking at the role of vitamin D in preventing heart disease in children and young adults who are both HIV-positive and HIV-negative. The studies are being led by Grace McComsey, M.D., Division Chief, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Rheumatology & Global Child Health at UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital and a Professor of Pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Is a deceptive role of IGF-1 in Sirt1–PARP1 interactions the primary step of postnatal regression of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in infants of diabetic mothers?

International Journal of Cardiology — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Neonates of diabetic mothers carry an increased risk for fetal development of pathologic ventricular hypertrophy, commonly referred as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy . This condition is characterized by thickening of the ventricular septum and to a lesser extent of the ventricular free wall . Fortunately, most affected infants are clinically asymptomatic and have spontaneous resolution of the hypertrophy within months . However, cases of severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may present with heart failure or arrhythmia early after birth . Recently, we advanced the hypothesis that fetal survival may drive the reversibility of apoptosis in neonates of diabetic mothers by balancing cardiomyocyte proliferation and death through possible interactions between Hox-genes and Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF...

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To Explore Relationships Between Physiological Stress Signals and Stress Behaviors in Preterm Infants During Periods of Exposure to Environmental Stress in the Hospital

Biological Research For Nursing — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

The purpose of this exploratory descriptive study was to examine relationships among physiological stress signals (heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and oxygen saturation) and stress behaviors (6 stress behaviors related to sleep–wake states, 10 self-regulatory behaviors, and 17 behavioral stress cues) in preterm infants during periods of environmental stress. This research used a prospective repeated-measures design in a convenience sample of preterm infants of <37 weeks' gestational age and <28 days' postnatal age. All infants were in the incubator in a neonatal intensive care unit or a sick baby care unit in one of two hospitals at the time of data collection. Multiple linear regressions of generalized estimating equations were used to determine relationships. Variable...

Food Safety Guide For An Extended Power Outage

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:43:41 +0100

After a several hours without power, some of the foods in your refrigerator and freezer can start to spoil. While the power is out, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep food cold for longer. If the power is out for longer than 2 hours, follow the guidelines below from the US Department of Agriculture and the Center for Disease Control: Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature. For the Freezer section: A freezer that is half full will hold food safely for up to 24 hours. A full freezer will hold food safely for 48 hours. Do not open the freezer door if you can avoid it. The refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. For the Refrigerated section: Pack m...

Accuracy of physical activity assessment during pregnancy: an observational study

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth - Latest articles — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Compared to the reference standard, time spent in MVPA obtained from the PAR or SWA overestimated the prevalence of women meeting prenatal exercise recommendations. The most accurate predictor of women meeting current prenatal exercise guidelines was identified by using the PAR and SWA collectively. (Source: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth - Latest articles)

Maternal hypertension linked to increased heart defect risk in newborns

MedWire News - Hypertension — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:08:29 +0100

Maternal hypertension during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for heart defects in babies, report US researchers. (Source: MedWire News - Hypertension)

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New Study Finds Fetal Heart Rate Not A Good Indicator Of A Baby's Health

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0100

Physicians preparing to deliver a baby look at fetal heart rate patterns to guide them in deciding whether or not to perform a C- section. But a new study by maternal-fetal medicine specialists at Intermountain Medical Center shows that those heart rate patterns may not be a good indicator of a baby's health, and in fact may lead to unnecessary interventions and higher costs... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Maternal hypertension linked to increased heart defect risk in newborns

MedWire News - Cardiology — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Maternal hypertension during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for heart defects in babies, report US researchers. (Source: MedWire News - Cardiology)

New study finds fetal heart rate not a good indicator of a baby's health

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Intermountain Medical Center) Physicians preparing to deliver a baby look at fetal heart rate patterns to guide them in deciding whether or not to perform a C- section. But a new study by maternal-fetal medicine specialists at Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City shows that those heart rate patterns may not be a good indicator of a baby's health, and in fact may lead to unnecessary interventions and higher costs. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Labour induction methods compared

NHS News Feed — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:15:00 +0100

Conclusion This large randomised controlled trial showed no difference in caesarean or vaginal delivery rates after women were induced with either a Foley catheter or hormone gel. The Foley catheter seemed to be associated with fewer maternal and newborn side effects, although not all these associations were statistically significant. The researchers point out that one benefit of the method is that it reduces the need to monitor contractions as closely as with hormonal induction, which carries the risk of overstimulation. They also say that because of the low cost and easy storage of the Foley catheter, its use could be suitable in developing countries. However, labour lasted longer after induction with the Foley catheter and it is unclear whether this would affect women’s preference for...

Baby boomers worry about losing vision

Health News - UPI.com — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 01:40:48 +0100

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Almost as many baby boomers say they worry about losing their vision as having heart disease or cancer, a U.S. survey indicates. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

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Doctors call for change to alcohol advice

NHS News Feed — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:03:00 +0100

Doctors have warned, “drinkers should have three alcohol-free days a week if they want to avoid the risk of liver disease,” the Daily Mail reported. It continued that the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) said that the current guidance must be rewritten as it implies that drinking every day is fine. The new advice from the RCP is part of a submission to MPs on the House of Commons' Science and Technology Committee about current alcohol guidelines. This submission discusses their review of the evidence from 1995 as well as more recent research evidence and alcohol intake guidelines from other countries. The RCP concluded that the current wording of the UK guidelines appears to sanction daily or near daily drinking. It adds that the frequency of alcohol consumption is an important risk f...

Discussion

The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Dr Scott M. Bradley (Charleston, SC). That was an excellent presentation on a topic that is clearly a challenge to everyone in the room. I thought that the information on the relative importance of low birth weight versus prematurity was particularly interesting, as was the growth velocity that can be expected in these low-birth-weight babies. I do have a couple of questions about the ways in which you have chosen to analyze your data. (Source: The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery)

Warning Signs for Health Problems Seen in Young Adults Born Prematurely

MedlinePlus Health News — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:00:00 +0100

They include higher blood pressure and more fat, despite a normal body weight, small study finds Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Diabetes, Heart Diseases, Premature Babies (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Joslin Study Finds Clue To Birth Defects In Babies Of Mothers With Diabetes

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:00:00 +0100

In a paper published in Diabetologia, a team at Joslin Diabetes Center, headed by Mary R. Loeken, PhD, has identified the enzyme AMP kinase (AMPK) as key to the molecular mechanism that significantly increases the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida and some heart defects among babies born to women with diabetes. Even if women with diabetes -- either type 1 or type 2 -- work vigilantly to control their blood sugar levels around the time of conception, the risk of a defect is still twice that of the general population... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Malaria vaccine could save millions of children's lives

Guardian Unlimited Science — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:31:00 +0100

Researchers 'on the cusp' of a vaccine after widescale African trial shows the risk of malaria cut in halfMillions of children's lives could be saved by a new vaccine shown to halve the risk of malaria in the first large-scale trials across seven African countries.The long-awaited results of the largest-ever malaria vaccine study, involving 15,460 babies and small children, show that it could massively reduce the impact of the much-feared killer disease. Malaria takes nearly 800,000 lives a year – mostly children under five. It damages many more.The vaccine has been in development for two decades – the brainchild of scientists at the UK drug company GlaxoSmithKline, which has promised to sell it at no more than a fraction over cost-price, with the excess being ploughed back into furthe...

Study Finds Clue To Birth Defects In Babies Of Mothers With Diabetes

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:00:00 +0100

In a paper published today in Diabetologia, a team at Joslin Diabetes Center, headed by Mary R. Loeken, PhD, has identified the enzyme AMP kinase (AMPK) as key to the molecular mechanism that significantly increases the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida and some heart defects among babies born to women with diabetes. Even if women with diabetes either type 1 or type 2 work vigilantly to control their blood sugar levels around the time of conception, the risk of a defect is still twice that of the general population... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Joslin study finds clue to birth defects in babies of mothers with diabetes

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Joslin Diabetes Center) In a paper published today in Diabetologia, a team at Joslin Diabetes Center, headed by Mary R. Loeken, PhD, has identified the enzyme AMP kinase as key to the molecular mechanism that significantly increases the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida and some heart defects among babies born to women with diabetes. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Early preterm birth increases mortality in congenital heart disease

The Journal of Pediatrics — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:14:09 +0100

The morbidity associated with late preterm/early full term delivery in infants with normal hearts is well known. In this issue of The Journal, Cnota et al show that children born between 34 and 40 weeks gestation have an incremental increase in mortality associated with the degree of prematurity, which is consistent with other work (Pediatrics 2010;126:277-84). The current report supports the importance of waiting as close to term as possible before delivering an infant with in utero diagnosis of congenital heart disease. Too often, the presence of a cardiac defect in the womb creates unnecessary medical anxiety. In most cases, the fetal circulation compensates for the congenital defect. It is only after birth and after the ductus arteriosus closes that emergency intervention is required. ...

Swedish Heart Test Saves Lives Of Newborns With Heart Defects

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0100

The US Secretary of Health recently supported a recommendation that all babies born in the US are to be screened for critical heart defects, before leaving hospital. Behind this decision is a study from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, and the West GÃ¶taland Region's maternity units in Sweden which shows that a simple test can save the lives of newborns with these heart defects. Other countries too are set to make the test mandatory... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Swedish heart test saves lives of newborns with heart defects

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(University of Gothenburg) The US Secretary of Health recently supported a recommendation that all babies born in the US are to be screened for critical heart defects, before leaving hospital. Behind this decision is a study from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, and the West Gotaland Region's maternity units in Sweden which shows that a simple test can save the lives of newborns with these heart defects. Other countries too are set to make the test mandatory. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Aortic dissection in the second trimester of pregnancy: is it possible to save both lives?

The Heart Surgery Forum — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

We report a case of acute aortic dissection in a 30-year-old female patient in her 26th week of gestation. Ascending aorta resection and interposition of a 26-mm Dacron graft was carried out without circulatory arrest by means of a double-felt "sandwich" technique on both anastomoses. The patient was discharged from the hospital 10 days after her initial admission. At the 34th week of gestation, the patient delivered a healthy baby by cesarean section. Because our patient was hemodynamically unstable, our aim at the 26th week of gestation was to perform a simplified surgical procedure, to avoid circulatory arrest, and to maintain a high perfusion pressure, in order to save the patient's life and to decrease the potential risk of damage to the fetus. PMID: 21997653 [PubMed - in process]...

Slimming Boomers Could Save Medicare $15 Billion

Rheumatology News — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Major Finding: Community-based weight loss programs for individuals aged 60 years or older who are at risk for diabetes or heart disease could save Medicare between $7 billion and $15 billion over the lifetimes of one cohort of baby boomers. (Source: Rheumatology News)

Slimmer Boomers Could Save Medicare Billions

Clinical Endocrinology News — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Major Finding: Community-based weight loss programs for individuals ages 60 years or older who are at risk for diabetes or heart disease could save Medicare between $7 billion and $15 billion over the lifetimes of one cohort of baby boomers. (Source: Clinical Endocrinology News)

[Foetal scalp blood sampling: impact on the incidence of caesarean section and assisted vaginal deliveries for non-reassuring foetal heart rate and its use according to gestational age].

Zeitschrift fur Geburtshilfe und Neonatologie — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Reif P, Haas J, Schöll W, Lang U Abstract Interpretation of a suspicious, non-reassuring or pathological foetal heart rate tracing does not provide any direct information about foetal oxygen saturation, blood gas status or the extent of changes in pH. Without foetal scalp blood sampling, such tracings often necessitate rapid intervention to deliver the baby by Caesarean section or assisted vaginal delivery. The aim of this study was to show the impact of foetal blood sampling on reducing the number of Caesarean sections and assisted vaginal deliveries in a clinical setting in such cases.A retrospective study of the mode of delivery in 669 women where foetal scalp blood sampling had been performed for suspicious or pathological foetal heart rate monitoring, in the period 2...

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Snakes and Snails and Mermaid Tails: Raising a Gender-Variant Son

Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

“There's the penis,” the sonographer pointed out after we had repeatedly confirmed that we wanted to know the sex of our baby-to-be protruding from Tricia's stomach. Immediately my heart dropped swiftly into my own stomach. For a few moments of slow-motion haze, all the life went out of me. How could it be? Both my wife and I knew we were having a girl. My mom said we were having a girl. Every friend who knew us well said we were having a girl. I wanted a girl. (Source: Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America)

Baby Joseph dies after long legal battle

CTV Health — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:02:18 +0100

A 20-month-old Ontario baby at the heart of an ethical and legal debate died overnight. Joseph Maraachli passed away shortly after midnight on Wednesday at his family's Windsor, Ont., home. (Source: CTV Health)

Music for surgery

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:30:02 +0100

Surgeons who listen to music while they work are more relaxed and better at their jobs, according to a new survey. But which is best – Beethoven, the Black Eyed Peas or Black Sabbath?It was, says Charlie, a friend, "one of the stranger moments in my life". The middle of the night, an operating theatre in a hospital in east London, towards the end of a difficult and stressful delivery. This was Charlie and his partner's first baby, a boy, his umbilical cord was wrapped around him, and it was a tense moment for everyone."So there we were," says Charlie, "wheeled in for a caesarian. I was next to my partner, who was well dosed with anaesthetic, doing my best to comfort her. And someone says, 'What shall we have tonight, then?' and puts on some thumping house music. It was 3am and to be hone...

Can We Predict Hypertension Among Preterm Children?

Clinical Pediatrics — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

The objective of the study was to identify risk factors for the development of HTN in children born preterm or at a LBW and to assess pediatricians’ awareness of the problem. A retrospective review of 160 cases was conducted. In total, 22% of babies born preterm/LBW developed HTN by age 15 years. The odds of developing HTN were 1.6 times greater for every one standard deviation increase in body mass index. Higher risk posses for those born small for gestational age and under 1000 g. Of the 35 cases of HTN identified, only 31% were recognized as abnormal by the primary care providers. The development of obesity and HTN appear related in preterm/LBW children. Awareness of prematurity or LBW as a risk factor for HTN should be raised among pediatric primary care providers. (Source: Clini...

Unexpected infant death due to hypoplastic left heart syndrome: A case report

Legal Medicine — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract: A female infant was found unresponsive at home. The mother alleged that she delivered the baby at home 13days prior to the death. The mother did not have any prenatal examinations during the pregnancy and the infant was not examined by a doctor until death. The autopsy revealed that the cause of death was hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and the infant’s chest showed bilateral breast enlargement. Forensic pathologists may encounter very rare pathological findings with unexpected infant deaths. Some, like HLHS, are serious congenital heart defects related to the cause of death, and others are unique phenomena unrelated to the cause of death such as breast swelling and discharge called “witch’s milk.” In this case, we observed both findings. (Source: Legal Medicine)

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Uganda: Follow Up the Mbale Death

AllAfrica News: Pregnancy and Childbirth — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:16:42 +0100

This newspaper over the weekend carried a heart-breaking story. An expectant primary school teacher in Mbale District, on the verge of going into labour, was rushed to the main hospital for expert help, especially since the ante-natal visits had indicated that she was to bear an unusually heavy baby--5.2 kilogrammes. (Source: AllAfrica News: Pregnancy and Childbirth)

Prenatal Diagnosis of Mobile Flap‐Like Tissue on the Ventricular Septal Defect in a Newborn with Trisomy 18

Echocardiography — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Trisomy 18 is the second most common autosomal trisomy in liveborn infants. Various congenital malformations, mental retardation, and high rate of infant mortality in the first year of life are characteristic features of trisomy 18. Congenital heart disease occurs in over 90% of these patients and the most common cardiac lesions are ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus and atrial septal defect. This is a case report of a baby born with trisomy 18 (postnatal diagnosis) in whom there was an unusual echocardiographic appearance of a mobile structure (“flap‐like”) around the area of a VSD—which was imaged prenatally. (Echocardiography, ****;**:E1‐E3) (Source: Echocardiography)

Mother's body size and placental size predict coronary heart disease in men

European Heart Journal — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Three different combinations of maternal and placental size predicted coronary heart disease. The mother's body size determines the availability of nutrients and is linked to the development and function of the placenta, reflected in its shape and size. We speculate that variations in three processes of normal placental development lead to foetal malnutrition. The processes are (i) implantation and spiral artery invasion, (ii) growth of the chorionic surface, and (iii) compensatory expansion of the chorionic surface. (Source: European Heart Journal)

Improbable research: kangaroo care and live music

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:30:00 +0100

This article was amended on 13 September to include a credit at the endResearchHigher educationMedical researchMarc Abrahamsguardian.co.uk © 2011 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)

Putting baby in nursery 'could raise heart disease risk' as it sends stress levels soaring

the Mail online | Health — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:37:29 +0100

Aric Sigman, a fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, has warned that being cared for by strangers in the first years of life can raise levels of stress hormones. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

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Weight-Loss Program Could Save Up To $15 Billion For Medicare

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 18:00:00 +0100

Medicare could save up to $15 billion if it invested in diabetes and heart disease weight-loss prevention programs focusing on baby boomers, researchers from Emory University, Atlanta, wrote in Health Affairs. The authors propose offering a wider range of proven community-based weight-loss programs for individuals aged between 60 and 64 with pre-diabetes before they reach 65 when they enter the Medicare program. Prediabetes means the person's blood sugar levels are not yet high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis to be made, but they are higher than normal... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Study Shows Prevention Programs Could Offer Up to $15 Billion in Medicare Savings

Diabetes News from dLife.com — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:13:50 +0100

September 8, 2011 (Emory University) — A study published in the September 8 issue of Health Affairs says the U.S. government could save up to $15 billion over the lifetimes of a group of baby boomers by investing in weight loss programs to help prevent diabetes or heart disease. read more (Source: Diabetes News from dLife.com)

Study examines mortality in bereaved parents

NHS News Feed — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 11:45:00 +0100

Conclusion This study examined the association between parental grieving and risk of death. Due to the study design, it is not possible to say conclusively that losing a child causes increased risk of death. The study has several limitations that are important to note: The results presented in the study and newspapers represent the risk to bereaved parents relative to the risk to non-bereaved parents. While these results point to a 2-4-fold increase in risk of death, it is important to remember that the absolute difference in risk was actually relatively low. In Scotland, of the non-bereaved parents, 0.96% died within 15 years of their child’s death compared with 2.03% of the bereaved parents, representing an increase in risk of 1.07%. This was marginally higher at between 2% and 4.7%...

Broken heart link in parent study

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 01:09:35 +0100

Parents who lose a baby before its first birthday are more likely to die early themselves, according to a study. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

The choice of diuretic in hypertension: saving the baby from the bathwater

Heart — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Introduction There has been a growing realisation that almost 2 decades of diuretic prescribing in hypertension have not been evidence based. A recent meta-analysis confirmed that low-dose thiazides—hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 25 mg in most of the world—achieve only small falls in ambulatory blood pressure (BP),1 and the 2011 revision of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's (NICE's) guidance for hypertension concedes lack of outcome data to support HCTZ 25 mg or bendroflumethiazide 2.5 mg.2 NICE does a U-turn on previous UK and all other international guidelines by dropping diuretic from first to third choice in most patients (unless deemed at ‘high risk of heart failure’), and NICE seems to jump out of the frying pan into t...

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New TB vaccine investigated

NHS News Feed — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 11:01:00 +0100

Conclusion This encouraging research shows that a new genetically modified bacterial vaccine could prompt the mouse immune system to attack the usual TB bacteria that cause disease in humans. The researchers have pointed out that further research is needed before this vaccine could be tested in humans. In particular, they say that they need to understand fully how their vaccine stimulates the mouse immune system before knowing whether IKEPLUS could be a candidate vaccine. This research is important as it might allow a new approach to the increasing problem of drug resistant strains of TB. It could also be used as a treatment for infants with HIV who, in areas with high HIV rates, cannot be offered the usual live BCG vaccine. This is promising research, and what is required now is a great d...

Bread 'often high in salt'

NHS News Feed — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 17:25:00 +0100

“Popular loaves of bread contain as much salt in every slice as a packet of crisps and some are as salty as seawater,” The Daily Telegraph has today reported. These estimates are based on a survey on the salt content of bread, conducted by the Campaign for Action on Salt and Health (CASH). The key findings of the CASH survey were that one in four loaves of bread contained as much salt per slice as a packet of crisps and that bread contributes a fifth of many people’s daily salt intake. Freshly baked bread also tended to have higher salt content than pre-packaged varieties, and a few brands contained more than one third of a person’s recommended daily limit of salt per 100g eaten. The highest salt levels were found in bread from high street chain bakeries. What is CASH? CASH is a...

Babies Born With Heart Disease Often Harmed by Gut Bacteria

The Doctors Lounge - Cardiology — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Toxins that get into blood can affect organ function in these vulnerable children, study finds (Source: The Doctors Lounge - Cardiology)

Babies Born with Heart Disease Often Harmed by Gut Bacteria

MedlinePlus Health News — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 18:00:00 +0100

Toxins that get into blood can affect organ function in these vulnerable children, study finds Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Bacterial Infections, Congenital Heart Defects, Uncommon Infant and Newborn Problems (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

The Timing of the Age at Which Natural Menopause Occurs

Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

The age at the final menstrual period holds intrinsic clinical and public health interest because the age at which natural menopause occurs may be a marker of aging and health. Later age at natural menopause has been associated with: In addition, women who have undergone bilateral oophorectomy under the age of 45 years have been observed to be at increased risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease, particularly if they were not treated with estrogen. However, women who underwent natural menopause before age 45 years had an increased risk of ischemic heart disease that was not attenuated by use of hormone therapy. Further, early menopause has been associated with earlier decline in cognitive function. Because 40 million women in the United States alone and several hundred million worldw...

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Hypoplastic left heart syndrome with valvular pulmonary stenosis: successful management with norwood staged reconstruction.

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Huang SC, Shih JC, Lin MT, Wu ET Abstract The association of hypoplastic left heart syndrome with valvular pulmonary stenosis is rare and is not well-described in the literature. Here we describe the experience of Norwood stage one reconstruction in an infant with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and significant pulmonary stenosis. The baby was successful palliated and stage II reconstruction with a bidirectional Glenn shunt was also later performed. Even though this condition is considered a poor candidate for Norwood stage one reconstruction because of outflow obstruction, Norwood stage one reconstruction was used because neonatal transplantation is not a feasible option in Taiwan. This experience suggested that Norwood staged reconstruction is an option for this difficul...

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome With Valvular Pulmonary Stenosis: Successful Management With Norwood Staged Reconstruction [CASE REPORTS]

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

The association of hypoplastic left heart syndrome with valvular pulmonary stenosis is rare and is not well-described in the literature. Here we describe the experience of Norwood stage one reconstruction in an infant with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and significant pulmonary stenosis. The baby was successful palliated and stage II reconstruction with a bidirectional Glenn shunt was also later performed. Even though this condition is considered a poor candidate for Norwood stage one reconstruction because of outflow obstruction, Norwood stage one reconstruction was used because neonatal transplantation is not a feasible option in Taiwan. This experience suggested that Norwood staged reconstruction is an option for this difficult condition. (Source: The Annals of Thoracic Surgery)

Harmful Toxins A Threat To Children With Congenital Heart Disease

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 08:00:00 +0100

Babies and toddlers with congenital heart disease are at an increased risk of having harmful toxins in their blood, particularly following surgery, according to research by a team at Imperial College London. The study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, found that children with high levels of toxins from gut bacteria in their blood are likely to take longer to recover from surgery and spend more time in intensive care... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Happy first birthday, Alfie: Special celebration for baby who 'died' for an hour after his heart stopped

the Mail online | Health — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:22:03 +0100

Born seven weeks premature, little Alfie Davies, pictured, stopped breathing in his incubator when he was just 21 days old. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

[Comment] Screening with pulse oximetry for congenital heart disease

LANCET — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

In The Lancet, Andrew Ewer and colleagues report their experience with pulse oximetry as a complementary method for detection of congenital heart disease in asymptomatic newborn babies. The study was commissioned by the National Institute of Health Research to assess whether pulse oximetry ought to be incorporated into the routine care of newborn babies. To answer this question, the team constructed a screening protocol for measurement of upper and lower limb oxygen saturations, and repeated screens to reduce false-positive rates. (Source: LANCET)

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[Articles] Pulse oximetry screening for congenital heart defects in newborn infants (PulseOx): a test accuracy study

LANCET — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

SummaryBackgroundScreening for congenital heart defects relies on antenatal ultrasonography and postnatal clinical examination; however, life-threatening defects often are not detected. We prospectively assessed the accuracy of pulse oximetry as a screening test for congenital heart defects.MethodsIn six maternity units in the UK, asymptomatic newborn babies (gestation >34 weeks) were screened with pulse oximetry before discharge. Infants who did not achieve predetermined oxygen saturation thresholds underwent echocardiography. (Source: LANCET)

Transplacental digoxin therapy for fetal atrial flutter with hydrops fetalis.

World Journal of Pediatrics : WJP — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Timely transplacental digoxin therapy can successfully treat fetal AF and allow the fetus to recover from AF associated fetal heart failure and hydrops fetalis prior to delivery. PMID: 21874611 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: World Journal of Pediatrics : WJP)

Mortality Rate Of Premature Babies Dramatically Reduced By HeRO

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:00:00 +0100

A study conducted on more than 3,000 pre-term infants who received care under the Heart Rate Observation System (HeRO® monitor) showed a reduced mortality rate of 20%, effectively saving one infant life for every 48 monitored. The results of this multicenter investigation of the HeRO monitor, co-sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and Medical Predictive Science Corporation (MPSC), appear in The Journal of Pediatrics... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Children with congenital heart disease at risk from harmful toxins

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Imperial College London) Babies and toddlers with congenital heart disease are at an increased risk of having harmful toxins in their blood, particularly following surgery, according to research by a team at Imperial College London. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Quiz Page September 2011: A Patient With Postpartum Hypertension and Seizure

American Journal of Kidney Diseases — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 23:56:44 +0100

Eight days after delivering a full-term healthy baby, a 27-year-old woman with a history of hypothyroidism presents to the emergency department with shortness of breath, systolic blood pressure of 180 mm Hg, and features of mild congestive heart failure. The pregnancy was uneventful, without hypertension or evidence of preeclampsia. On evaluation, complete blood cell count and basic metabolic panel results were in the reference ranges. Uric acid level was 7.3 mg/dL (434 μmol/L), and d-dimer level was >1,000 mg/L FEU (fibrinogen equivalent unit). A chest radiograph suggested pulmonary congestion, and echocardiogram and computed tomographic angiogram findings were unremarkable. She responded to diuretic therapy and was discharged to home. (Source: American Journal of Kidney Diseases)

Eleana Hastings at 3lb 5oz is smallest baby to undergo open heart surgery

the Mail online | Health — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:41:36 +0100

Eleana Hastings, from Coventry, weighed just 3lb 5oz when she went under the surgeon's knife in an emergency operation at Birmingham Children's Hospital. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

Video: Heart problems to be screened in all newborns

Health News: CBSNews.com — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 23:18:17 +0100

Government health advisers laid out a plan for testing all newborn babies for a life-threatening heart problem. Dr. Jennifer Ashton reports. (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)

AAP Addresses Newborn Congenital Heart Disease ScreeningAAP Addresses Newborn Congenital Heart Disease Screening

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:57:24 +0100

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends pulse oximetry screening for low blood oxygen saturation to detect critical congenital heart disease in well-baby and intermediate-care nurseries. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Screening for Congenital Heart Disease

About.com Pediatrics — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:49:35 +0100

Many babies are found to have congenital heart defects when they become "blue" or have low oxygen levels, have trouble breathing, or because a doctor or nurse hears a heart murmur....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Pediatrics)

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Screening Newborns For Congenital Heart Disease

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 08:00:00 +0100

About 1 in every 120 babies are born with congenital heart disease (CHD), of which about 25 percent is critical, requiring special care early in life. CHD is responsible for more deaths in the first year of life than any other birth defect, but often outcomes can be improved with early detection. Now a group of physicians and scientists has published an important paper that recommends strategies for national screening for critical CHD, using a simple, noninvasive test called pulse oximetry that measures oxygen in blood. Low oxygen levels would trigger further investigation... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Newest screen for newborns will indicate heart problems

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Duke University Medical Center) About one in every 120 babies are born with congenital heart disease (CHD), of which about 25 percent is critical, requiring special care early in life. Now a group of physicians and scientists has published an important paper that recommends strategies for national screening for critical CHD, using a simple, noninvasive test called pulse oximetry that measures oxygen in blood. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Editorial suggests screening of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women could protect babies from rickets

NeLM - News — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Source: BBC Area: News BBC News reports on an editorial in the Journal of Medical Screening in which the author notes an increase in cases of rickets in infants and children on both sides of the Atlantic as a result of vitamin D deficiency in the mothers during pregnancy. The editorial describes cases of seizures, heart failure and rickets in children whose mothers were vitamin D deficient. The author suggests that it is time to investigate whether we should be screening pregnant women with a blood test, focussing initially on those most at risk. The BBC story notes that people with darker skin and women, who cover up for cultural or religious reasons, are at particular risk of deficiency. The BBC article also highlights a study carried out in inner city Birmingham which found ...

Bronchospasm and cardiac arrest during cesarean section

International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

A 23-year-old woman at 38weeks of gestation required an urgent cesarean section because of arrest of dilatation and non-reassuring fetal heart tracings. She had a history of poorly-controlled asthma and had been using an albuterol inhaler up to four times daily, but denied any recent asthma attack. Preoperative physical examination was unremarkable. In the operating suite, crystalloid preloading was started and spinal anesthesia was administered at the L3–4 interspace with bupivacaine 12mg and morphine 200μg. The patient was positioned supine with 15° left lateral tilt. Standard monitors were applied, non-invasive blood pressure (BP) readings were taken at 1-min intervals and supplemental oxygen was administered via nasal cannulae. The BP fell to 75/39mmHg and after intravenous phenyle...

Women's lives should not be sacrificed to save their babies

the Mail online | Health — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 23:43:04 +0100

There has been an increase in maternal deaths associated with existing medical conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, asthma or heart failure. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

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Twin saved her sister's life in the womb after mother was told losing both babies was 'inevitable'

the Mail online | Health — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:39:15 +0100

Andrea Goodrich from Camberley, Surrey, was told one of her unborn girls, Kiki, had a heart problem and with fluid leaking from the placenta a miscarriage was inevitable. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

Isoproterenol infusion for treatment of refractory symptomatic bradycardia in parturients with congenital complete heart block

International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

We read with interest the algorithm suggested by Adekanye et al. for the management of bradyarrhythmias in pregnancy and labor. Recently, a 21-year-old (G2P1) parturient presented to our emergency department at 37weeks of gestation with thrombosed external hemorrhoids. Due to increasing pain and possibility of severe bleeding with vaginal delivery, she was admitted for hemorrhoidectomy. Her past medical history included congenital complete heart block (CCHB) diagnosed incidentally immediately postpartum following her first, uneventful pregnancy. The patient had remained asymptomatic and refused permanent pacemaker placement before her second pregnancy. Her electrocardiograms (ECGs) repeatedly demonstrated complete heart block and narrow complex junctional rhythm with rates in the low 40s t...

Aortic Arch Obstruction After the Norwood Procedure for Hypoplastic Left-Heart Syndrome: Is it Inevitable? Is it Preventable?⁎

Journal of the American College of Cardiology — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 16:23:52 +0100

William I. Norwood, working at the Boston Children's Hospital, developed and refined a surgical procedure that permitted babies born with hypoplastic left-heart syndrome (HLHS) to survive and enjoy life (). The high mortality rates reported during the 1980s have gradually declined as various surgeons and medical centers have refined both the surgical techniques and the pre- and post-operative care for infants born with HLHS. In this issue of the Journal, Porras et al. () report on the treatment of aortic arch obstruction (COA) after the Norwood procedure (NP) (). Their report specifically focuses on infants who underwent primary balloon dilation (BD) of COA after the NP. Infants requiring surgery as the primary treatment for COA after the NP were excluded from the analysis. The report is n...

Nigeria: Baby Rachael Needs N2.5 Million to Stay Alive

AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:51:14 +0100

When baby Rachael was born some six months ago at Sacred Heart Hospital, popularly called Lantoro Abeokuta, Ogun State, the joy of having a new baby was palpable. Both the mother and father were happy for having another child. (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)

Newborn Congenital Heart Disease Better Detected With Oxygen Screening Test

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 18:00:00 +0100

Oximetry screening (pulse oximetry), a rapid, non-invasive test that measures levels of oxygen in the blood of newborn babies is better at detecting cases of congenital heart defects than current screening techniques involving a mid-trimester ultrasound scan and a routine physical exam soon after birth, researchers reported in The Lancet. The authors added that pulse oximetry should be used routinely on all newborns. With pulse oximetry, a sensor is placed on the baby's hand or foot. It is a quick and inexpensive test... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Let's dispel this gloom about living longer and make life better for the old | Yvonne Roberts

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 23:09:00 +0100

Babies born in Britain today stand a good chance of reaching 100. We need to help them get there in comfortOne afternoon my daughter and I walked through the cemetery next to the parsonage in Haworth, the home of the Brontë family in Yorkshire. Densely packed tombstones mostly told the same story. Sibling after sibling from family after family buried long before they reached their 12th birthday. In 1850, a public inquiry into sanitation in the village revealed that the average life expectancy of its citizens was 25.4 years, not many months short of my daughter's age, victims of dirty water and inadequate sewage systems.Two days after that visit, the Department for Work and Pensions published a study that predicted that babies born this year are 50 times more likely to become centenarians ...

Screening test spots heart defects in babies

OnMedica Latest News — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Oxygen screening test improves detection of heart disease to 92% Related items from OnMedicaBabies with cystic fibrosis live longer in the EUChild heart rate data is inaccurateBabies exposed to toxins in medicine Newborn involvement in multiple trialsUrgent review needed of women who use independent midwives (Source: OnMedica Latest News)

Simple test spots infant heart problems

Health News - UPI.com — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 22:49:58 +0100

BRISTOL, England, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- A quick and inexpensive test could save the lives of babies born with congenital heart defects, British doctors say. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

Heart defect baby tests

BHF National News — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +0100

Scientists say a pulse oximetry blood oxygen test could help detect more heart defects in babies (Source: BHF National News)

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Call to screen babies for heart defects

Nursing Times Breaking News — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 10:56:00 +0100

All newborn babies should be routinely screened for life-threatening heart defects using a simple and painless test, researchers have said. (Source: Nursing Times Breaking News)

Simple test finds baby heart defects

NHS News Feed — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 10:43:00 +0100

Conclusion Babies with congenital heart defects are currently identified through routine ultrasound scans during pregnancy and at routine newborn baby examinations after birth. However, as the researchers say, these methods have a fairly low detection rate for CHD, and a substantial number of babies with life-threatening CHD are discharged without their condition being identified. The pulse oximetry test is already a well-established test for measurement of blood oxygenation, and rationale for its use as a screening test is based on the premise that babies with major CHD would have some degree of hypoxaemia (low blood oxygen level), even if it were not detectable through clinical examination. This was a well-conducted screening cohort study in which a large sample of newborns all received ...

Calls for newborn baby heart tests

Nursing in Practice — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 10:22:00 +0100

A screening procedure should be in place enabling newborn babies to be checked for potentially life-threatening heart defects, researchers say (Source: Nursing in Practice)

VIDEO: Baby heart defect checks 'invaluable'

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 06:39:55 +0100

Researchers say all newborn babies should have a simple extra check for serious heart defects which can otherwise go undetected. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)