|
| Andhra Pradesh ~ India ~ International ~ City ~ Entertainment ~ Business ~ Bullion ~ Forex ~ Sports ~ Technology ~ Health ~ Features |
| Lung Cancer ~ Lung Cancer ~ Breast Cancer ~ Heart attack ~ All Health Topics |
|
Home
/ Health News / 2007 / September 2007 / September 15, 2007 Old drug for heart patients being investigated for pre-eclampsia cure |
Structure of key breast cancer target enzyme unraveled
A researcher at Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute has moved a step closer to a cure, and possibly the prevention, of the most common type of breast cancer. ANI
Smoking claimed 673,000 Chinese lives in 2005
A multinational research team, led by scientists at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, has lent more force to the suggestion that smoking is a significant risk factor for mortality and disease. ANI
Genetic mutations can predict childhood leukaemia relapse
A collaborative study by American researchers has revealed that changes in a gene called IKAROS can help predict a high likelihood of relapse in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). ANI
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch, are trying to resolve whether an already available drug for the heart patients can also be used in delaying delivery in expectant mothers with severe pre-eclampsia.
Washington, Sept 15: Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch, are trying to resolve whether an already available drug for the heart patients can also be used in delaying delivery in expectant mothers with severe pre-eclampsia.
Pre-eclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure, protein in the urine and multi-organ dysfunction, which is both harmful to the mother and the foetus.
"Pre-eclampsia is the No. 1 killer of pregnant women in the world, and there is no cure except delivery," said Dr. George Saade, chief of maternal-foetal medicine at UTMB.
"When it is severe and occurs early in the pregnancy, delivery in order to protect the mother results in a premature baby. That's why this study is important, because if the medication works, then we can protect the mom while allowing the baby to grow and develop without delivering early," he added.
It is the most common and dangerous pregnancy complication affecting as many as eight in every 100 pregnant women.
For over 20 years, the drug, Digibind, has been prescribed to patients who overdose on a certain heart medication, but it is yet to be approved for pre-eclampsia.
If this study is approved it would give a lot of hope to women who experience this critical disorder.
The medical trial of 'Digibind' would reverse or prevent the abnormalities that occur with pre-eclampsia and would elongate the time period of the foetus in the womb.
As a result, the doctors would get more time to administer steroids, so that they can prevent respiratory complications in premature births and also to reduce the need for costly and lengthy neonatal intensive care.
"Right now, there is no treatment for pre-eclampsia, so this is truly groundbreaking," said Dr. Nicole Ruddock, the study's principal investigator and an instructor in UTMB's Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
ANI
