Pregnancy News and Research

Latest Pregnancy News and Research

Results of Phase 3 CRYSTAL study of mCRC patients announced

The retrospective CRYSTAL analysis was conducted as a result of an effort to increase the tissue ascertainment rate to determine the K-ras status of patients’ tumors. The analysis included extended patient follow up of nearly 1.5 years and doubled the tissue ascertainment rate from 45% to 89%. These data are an update from the overall survival results from CRYSTAL that were published in the April 2009 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

23 Sep 2009

UBC acquires Gigamoto Technology Partners to implement risk management programs

United BioSource Corporation (UBC) today announced the acquisition of Gigamoto Technology Partners, Inc. (Gigamoto), a Pennsylvania-based software development company providing leading-edge technology solutions in support of drug safety and risk management programs for the life sciences industry.

23 Sep 2009

Pregnancy can cause metabolic syndrome

Childbearing is associated directly with future development of the metabolic syndrome - abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, insulin resistance and other cardiovascular disease risk factors - and for women who have had gestational diabetes, the risk is more than twice greater, according to a study co-authored by University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) researchers published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

23 Sep 2009

Amnesty International report highlights maternal mortality 'emergency' in Sierra Leone

"One in eight women in Sierra Leone risks dying of pregnancy and childbirth complications exacerbated by a combination of poverty, discrimination, inequality and government mismanagement," according to an Amnesty International report, released Tuesday, Reuters AlertNet reports (Fominyen, 9/22).

23 Sep 2009

Alpha Orthotics announces launch of its Medial Mid-foot Brace in the U.S.

Splayfoot, also called "fallen arch" occurs when the arch of the foot collapses, with the entire sole of the foot coming into complete or near-complete contact with the ground. An estimated 20%-30% of Americans have this condition where the arch never develops, or collapses in one or both feet.

23 Sep 2009

PeriGen’s protocol bundle to prevent H1N1 in pregnant women

PeriGen, Inc., today announced the release of its Influenza Prevention and Treatment Bundle to its North American client hospitals. In advance of the approaching flu season, PeriGen’s protocol bundle will help clinicians follow recommended guidelines for screening, preventing and treating as well as accurately reporting cases of seasonal flu and H1N1 (“Swine Flu”) to state and local officials.

22 Sep 2009

Lundbeck offers Sabril for treating children with infantile spasms in the U.S.

Lundbeck Inc. (“Lundbeck”), a wholly owned subsidiary of H. Lundbeck A/S in Denmark (Copenhagen: LUN), announced today that Sabril® (vigabatrin) Tablets and Powder for Oral Solution are now available for prescribing in the United States.

22 Sep 2009

Seven-year program launched to combat maternal, infant mortality in the Philippines

The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) on Friday - in partnership with UNICEF, the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA), the WHO and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) - launched a seven-year program aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality rates, the Philippine Star reports.

21 Sep 2009

Study reveals that patients with NSCLC who received maintenance therapy with ALIMTA showed survival benefit

Data published today in The Lancet showed a survival benefit in nonsquamous patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received maintenance therapy with ALIMTA(R) (pemetrexed for injection) plus best supportive care as compared to placebo plus best supportive care.

21 Sep 2009

PROLOR Biotech initiates Phase I clinical trial of its human growth hormone drug candidate

PROLOR Biotech, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: PBTH) formerly Modigene Inc., today announced the initiation of a Phase I clinical trial of its long-acting human growth hormone drug candidate hGH-CTP.

21 Sep 2009

March of Dimes to re-launch Healthy Baby program for military families

Military moms whose babies were born too soon or too sick were treated to a very special baby shower today at the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) courtesy of the March of Dimes and Operation Shower.

21 Sep 2009

Recent releases: Climate change, health; ITNS; Mexico H1N1; Policy Tracker; TB treatment; blogs

In addition to the Lancet's recent publication of an opinion piece and letter by 18 doctor association leaders about the potential health risks associated with climate change, the journal includes an editorial about sexual and reproductive health and climate change and a comment on the upcoming Copenhagen conference in December (9/19).

21 Sep 2009

New report explores the management of pregnancy and depression

A new report from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which is published by Elsevier in the September-October 2009 issue of General Hospital Psychiatry (http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/ghp/home), explores the management of pregnancy and depression.

21 Sep 2009

IPS examines maternal mortality in Mozambique

Inter Press Service examines efforts to curb maternal mortality in Mozambique. The article profiles the work of English medical doctor Peg Cumberland and her team, who have trained "around 400 local people in remote health care" since she came to the country more than 13 years ago.

21 Sep 2009

Study reveals that KCNE2 and KCNQ1 mutations can results in thyroid dysfunction

Genes previously known to be essential to the coordinated, rhythmic electrical activity of cardiac muscle -- a healthy heartbeat -- have now also been found to play a key role in thyroid hormone (TH) biosynthesis, according to Weill Cornell Medical College researchers.

21 Sep 2009

Quidel's updates information on its Influenza A+B test package insert

Quidel Corporation, a global leader in point-of-care (POC) rapid diagnostic tests, issues clarification regarding the Special 510(k) clearance for an update to the Company's QuickVue Influenza A+B test package insert.

19 Sep 2009

SEQUENOM's first laboratory developed cystic fibrosis test launched

SEQUENOM, Inc. today announced that the company's first laboratory developed test, the SensiGene(TM) Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Carrier Screening test, has been launched.

18 Sep 2009

Researchers to focus on abnormal fetal growth and chronic kidney disease

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University two grants totaling $3.5 million to study epigenetic changes - chemical modifications of genes caused by stress, diet or other environmental influences - and how they contribute to human diseases and biological processes.

18 Sep 2009

Drugs industry names the contraceptive pill as the greatest pharmacy innovation of the past 150 years

The Contraceptive Pill has been crowned the greatest pharmacy innovation of the past 150 years, by leading figures in the drugs industry.

18 Sep 2009

African Americans at higher risk of developing potentially deadly DVT and PE than other ethnic populations

Speaking at the Venous Disease Coalition (VDC) Annual Meeting today, Dr. Garth Graham from the Office of Minority Health at the Department of Health and Human Services followed up on last year's Surgeon General's Call to Action by focusing attention on the African American population which is at significantly increased risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE).

18 Sep 2009