Mutans streptococci (mutans) have an important role in dental caries. Individuals having high levels of these organisms being considered to be a higher risk of disease. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a prenatal nutrition intervention to reduce sugar intake and mutans in low-income women. Pregnant women ≥18 years of [read the full story…]
Depression commonly occurs during pregnancy and it’s often a challenging condition to treat as the health of the mother has to be balanced with the potential risks that can be caused to the foetus by antidepressant drugs. Pilot trials have previously shown that light therapy may be a safe and effective treatment in this population, [read the full story…]
Whilst there is a developing literature relating to attitudes to sexuality in people with learning disabilities, there is very little in the published literature about their reproductive health. The researchers in this study set out to look at the attitudes of caregivers and to look in more detail at what things determine gynaecological health in [read the full story…]
The latest critical summary from the ADA Centre for Evidence-based dentistry looks at a systematic review and meta-analysis of obstetric outcomes after periodontal treatment that was first published in 2010 in the British Medical Journal. A number of studies have associated periodontal disease with adverse obstetric outcomes ( pre term, low birth weight,etc) The aim [read the full story…]
Substance use during pregnancy is common. In national prevalence surveys, 14% of Canadian women reported using alcohol during their last pregnancy, and 17% reported smoking during pregnancy. The prevalence of illicit drug use among Canadian women of childbearing age is less but not insignificant. In United States population surveys, around 5% of pregnant women reported [read the full story…]
We know very little about how to increase the safety and wellbeing of mothers who experience intimate partner violence. A good deal of the research in this field focuses on treatments delivered by health professionals, but this cluster randomised trial from Melbourne Australia looked at the impact that non-professional mentor support can have in reducing [read the full story…]
A large observational study from Finland has found that women who drink alcohol and take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressives (SSRI) during the first trimester of pregnancy significantly increase their risk for foetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The study also found an increase in risk for some major congenital malformations associated with the use of SSRIs during the first [read the full story…]
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is undertaking a review to decide whether the NICE clinical guidelines on bipolar disorder (CG38) and antenatal and postnatal mental health (CG45) should be updated. Within the review proposal consultation document, NICE has concluded that the guidelines should be considered for an update at this time. The [read the full story…]
There are many barriers to people with learning disabilities becoming parents. Published research describing the experience of parents with a learning disability suggests that these include planning for both pregnancy as well as for parenthood. Studies have also shown however that the provision of the right support at the right time can enable parents with [read the full story…]
This study looked at the use of contraception by a study population of 234 women aged 15-59 who lived in services provided by a Dutch service provider. The authors gathered data from the pharmacy database, attending physicians and medical files. The study found that 48%, of the 234 women used some method of contraception, 78% [read the full story…]
