Research and data in the field of medicine in pregnancy

Multivitamins for expectant mothers

Some multivitamin and mineral supplements may be “unnecessary and expensive”, a recent study has determined. A review of the available evidence, published in this month’s issue of the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, found that despite strong marketing claims, the evidence suggests these do not necessarily translate into better outcomes for mother or baby. Furthermore, the researchers criticise misleading claims,…

2015 Pregnancy Summit– State of the science on medicine in pregnancy

The Pregnancy Summit, held in London in early October, was an opportunity to hear about some of the latest science related to pregnancy and fetal health medicine. The Pregnancy and Medicine Initiative was present at the conference, which took place simultaneously with the first European Safe Motherhood Week, to help highlight some of the important work being done to improve…

New FDA ruling may spark research into pregnancy and medication says ACOG

We are now over a month into a new regime in the U.S. that paves the way for pregnant women to be better provided for. As of June 30, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised the rules on the labeling of prescription drugs, meaning that doctors have more information and women can expect better advice. “Prescribing decisions during pregnancy…

An interdisciplinary approach to cancer in pregnancy

Dr. Frédéric Amant is at the forefront of cancer and pregnancy research and a member of the Pregnancy and Medicine Initiative advisory board. As part of an international expert panel, Amant meets colleagues from around the world at five-year intervals to discuss the diagnosis and management of cancer in pregnancy. The panel draws on its own professional experience and reviews…

Is it possible to collect data directly from pregnant women?

The Pregnancy and Medicine Initiative has talked a lot about the data gap around pregnancy and medication. We’ve also highlighted how hard it can be to collect such information. Practical and ethical roadblocks exist which can hinder the gathering of this vital data but it’s crucial that a way around it is found. A large-scale study in Europe is attempting…

A decade of cancer and pregnancy research at KU Leuven

Marnix Verley, now four years old, is probably too young to realize it. But when his mother Lesley was pregnant with him, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. His parents faced the difficult choice between terminating the pregnancy and treating the cancer with chemotherapy. Advised by Dr. Frédéric Amant, they opted for treatment, and, after six rounds of chemo, Lesley…

Research addresses knowledge gap in medication and pregnancy

There needs to be more government funding into pregnancy and medication research programs, according to Dr. Steve Caritis, one of the leading doctors in this field in the US. The lack of information in this field, he believes, frequently puts women at risk. “Almost none of the medications used by pregnant women have been studied in pregnancy,” Dr. Caritis told…