Magnesium intake and status and pregnancy outcome in a Danish population

Article Abstract:

Studies suggest that a deficiency in magnesium during pregnancy may result in constriction of the blood vessels supplying the uterus and placenta, the tissue that provides nutrients to the fetus during pregnancy. This may lead to an increased risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension and delayed growth of the fetus. Some studies have suggested that magnesium supplements may have beneficial effects on birth weight, frequency of premature labor, and pre-eclampsia. (Pre-eclampsia is a complication of pregnancy characterized by increasing hypertension, headaches, edema, and urinary excretion of the blood protein albumin.) However, these beneficial effects of magnesium have not been confirmed by other studies. The relation between the intake of magnesium and outcome of pregnancy was assessed in 965 women in the 30th week of pregnancy. The study also included women who underwent cesarean section due to pre-eclampsia (12 cases), delayed fetal growth (5 cases), and difficulties with labor (14 cases). Magnesium intake ranged between 200 and 208 milligrams per 1,000 kilocalories per day for all women. Magnesium intake, blood levels of magnesium, and magnesium content of muscle tissue samples from the uterus and abdomen were similar among women with normal pregnancies, women with pregnancies affected by pre-eclampsia and preterm labor, and infants considered small for gestational age (SGA) or stage of pregnancy. Magnesium intake did not appear to influence birth weight. These findings suggest that the development of pre-eclampsia, SGA infants, and premature labor were not related to magnesium intake or status. Hence, pregnant women with relatively good socioeconomic status do not normally require supplements of magnesium. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Food and nutrition, Pregnancy, Magnesium, Magnesium (Metal)

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Placental abruption. A case-control investigation

Article Abstract:

Placental abruption is a fairly rare complication of pregnancy, affecting approximately 1 percent of pregnant women. In this condition, the placenta separates prematurely from the wall of the uterus; it normally remains attached until immediately after the infant is delivered. Placental abruption (also known as abruptio placentae) is a serious complication, as it leads to death of the fetus in 21 to 55 percent of cases. Close medical management, including intensive fetal monitoring and ability to perform a cesarean section promptly, can reduce the infant mortality. A previous study of over 5,000 pregnancies identified two risk factors for placental abruption: preeclampsia (a toxic complication involving high blood pressure, protein in the urine and fluid retention), and employment as a sales person, presumably because this work requires much standing and walking. The current study investigated risk factors for placental abruption by comparing 87 women with this complication with 5,697 women who did not have placental abruption. The risk factors for placental abruption that were identified were: bleeding in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy; smoking by the mother; presence of birth defects; use of amniocentesis (in which a needle is inserted through the abdomen to obtain a sample of the fluid which surrounds the fetus); and employment involving much standing or walking. Those whose jobs involved much standing or walking had a higher rate of infant death than other women in the placental abruption group. Women who had preeclampsia did not have an elevated rate of placental abruption. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Risk factors, Behavior, Pregnancy, Complications of, Pregnancy complications, Abruptio placentae, Placental abruption

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No effect of intralesion injection of interferon on moderate cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Article Abstract:

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are thought to cause changes in the character of the cells of the cervix (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, CIN) that can develop into cancer of the cervix. Interferon is an agent that has been shown to inhibit some viruses and control some cancers. Studies examining the beneficial effects of interferon for the treatment of CIN have yielded mixed results. It is thought that study design and the variety of HPV strains produced different treatment responses. To see if interferon is a useful treatment, 10 patients with CIN grade II were given interferon injections twice a week for five weeks (six patients) or a placebo (four patients). All of the women receiving interferon injections experienced side effects severe enough to discontinue the study entirely. Side effects included fever, fatigue, headache, painful joints, and muscle pain. The interferon had no effect on CIN and HPV progression. On the basis of these results it is concluded that interferon should not be used to treat HPV-induced CIN. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Drug therapy, Cervical cancer, Papillomavirus infections, Interferon

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