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New Delhi, August 10, 2018 ;
Breaking News: Induced labor at 39 weeks may reduce likelihood of C-section
Elective induction at 39 weeks also linked to lower risk of maternal high blood pressure disorders.
Healthy first-time mothers whose labor was induced in the 39th week of pregnancy were less likely to deliver by cesarean section, compared to those who waited for labor to begin naturally, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health. Researchers also found that infants born to women induced at 39 weeks were no more likely to experience stillbirth, newborn death or other severe complications, compared to infants born to uninduced women. The study results are published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
“Our analysis suggests that elective induction at 39 weeks is associated with a lower rate of cesarean delivery and does not increase the risk of major complications for newborns.” Said the authors.
The study enrolled more than 6,000 pregnant women at 41 hospitals participating in the NICHD-supported Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network. Roughly half of the women were assigned at random to have their labor induced in the 39th week of pregnancy; the remaining women received expectant management.
The researchers compared births between the two groups in terms of a primary outcome, a composite measure that included death of the baby during or after birth; the newborn’s need for respiratory support; seizure, infection, birth trauma (injury) or hemorrhage; and other birth complications.
The primary outcome occurred in 4.3 percent of the induced labor group and 5.4 percent of the expectant management group, a difference that was not statistically significant. However, the proportion of cesarean delivery was significantly lower for the induced group (18.6 percent), compared to the other group (22.2 percent). Similarly, the rate of blood pressure disorders of pregnancy was significantly lower in women who were induced (9.1 percent), compared to the other group (14.1 percent).
The researchers estimate that one cesarean delivery could be avoided for every 28 low-risk, first-time mothers undergoing elective induction at 39 weeks.
Pfizer’s patent for Viagra ends in US in 2020
This will open doors for Indian companies to target the nearly 5 crore Americans who suffer from erectile dysfunction in what is India’s largest market for exports of medicines. Seven Indian companies have already secured required permissions. They are among 15 companies worldwide that have been granted approval by US health watchdog the FDA to produce sildenafil citrate, the formulation patented as Viagra.
Indian companies in the fray to sell the blue pill are Rubicon Research, Hetero Drugs, Macleods Pharma, Dr.Reddy’s, Aurobindo Pharma, Torrent Pharmaceuticals and Ajanta Pharma.
Pfizer’s global sales from just Viagra touched $1.685 billion, over Rs 10,900 crore, in 2014. According to an American company, Transparency Market Research, the global erectile dysfunction drugs market was valued at $4.35 billion in 2016 (Hindustan Times)
Optimal fluid volume during surgery
The authors of a study published in the Annals of Surgery investigated the optimal fluid volume during surgery in 92,094 patients undergoing noncardiac surgery with endotracheal intubation. The amount of fluid administered was divided into five groups, ranging from the most restrictive (< 900 mL) to most liberal (> 2700 mL).
A U-shaped curve was observed, with higher 30-day mortality being associated with the most restrictive and most liberal fluid administration patterns. The lowest overall mortality was observed in the second quintile (fluid intake > 900 to 1100 mL). This quintile had the lowest frequency of respiratory complications and the shortest postoperative length of stay; quintile four (fluid intake > 1750 to 2700 mL) had the lowest frequency of acute renal injury.
China orders recall of vaccines from abroad
Chinese investigators said they have recalled faulty vaccines produced by the company Changchun Changsheng Biotechnology, some of which have been sold abroad. The vaccine scandal that is believed to have affected hundreds of thousands of children in China is now spreading overseas, according to a statement available Wednesday on the National Health Commission’s website.
According to investigators, Changsheng seriously violated production and quality-management protocols in making its rabies vaccine. “Some batches are mixed with an expired solution, and the date and batch number are not accurate,” the commission said. The commission did not specify which countries the faulty vaccines have been sold to.
Changsheng unleashed a huge public health scare in July, after being accused of forging data and failing safety protocols for its rabies vaccine. Additionally, the pharma company last autumn reportedly sold substandard diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccines, known as the DTaP vaccine, to at least 200,000 infants. After the allegations became known, President Xi Jinping called for a swift investigation and severe punishment for those responsible. Authorities have issued arrest warrants for 18 Changsheng employees, including chairwoman … (www.pmnewsnigeria.com)
Dr KK Aggarwal
Padma Shri Awardee
Vice President CMAAO
President HCFI
