Low carbohydrate intake increases the risk of birth defects

Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant may want to avoid diets that reduce or eliminate carbohydrates, as they could increase the risk of having babies with neural tube birth defects, according to a new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Women with low carbohydrate intake are 30 percent more likely to have babies with neural tube defects, such as spina bifida-malformations of the spine and spinal cord and anencephaly-absence of major portions of the brain and skull, that can lead to lifelong disability and infant death, when compared with women who do not restrict their carbohydrate intake.

Folic acid is an essential nutrient that minimizes the risk of neural tube defects. Dietary intake of folic acid among women with restricted carbohydrate intake was less than half of other women. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all women who may become pregnant take a daily multivitamin with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid every day before and during pregnancy.

However, because some pregnancies are not planned, many women do not initiate folic acid supplementation until later in pregnancy, after a neural tube defect may have occurred. This makes fortified foods an important source of folic acid for women who may become pregnant.
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Vaping can cause birth defects

Vaping while pregnant could cause babies to be born with disfiguring birth defects to their faces and heads. Exposure to e-cigarette vapor damaged cells that would eventually become facial features in ways that could cause facial clefts and uneven growth of facial structures. The Centers for Disease  Control and Prevention CDC and doctors already recommend that no form of smoking – including vaping – is safe for pregnant women.

As many as 19.4 percent of young adults thought that e-cigarettes caused ‘no harm,’ according to CDC data collected between 2013 and 2014. More than half of the same age group believed that they were only ‘moderately harmful.’ Studies have shown that e-cigarette vapor does have fewer toxins, but the products are so new that their effects aren’t fully understood.

They discovered that the mixture of liquids to create the novel flavors of e-cigarette vapor were responsible for the worst damage to the developing fetus. Most flavors led to only minor effects, like slightly smaller than normal faces. But one unnamed flavor in particular consistently caused the most damage. All of the frogs exposed to that flavor had significant facial clefts.

E-cigarettes use a heating mechanism to heat e-liquids and convert them into flavored vapor. The liquids contain nicotine, as well as propylene, glycol, vegetable glycerine and flavoring compounds. The ingredients used to make the various flavors are a bit of a mystery. Researchers  analyzed 159 varieties of flavored vape liquids, and found that more than two thirds used a compound called diacetyl, which is linked to a popcorn lung.

Previous research linked flavoring in e-liquids to heart defects in developing zebrafish, brain development delays in mice, and the release of at least two carcinogens. The researchers tested six different e-liquids, with nicotine strengths varying from six mg/ml to 24 and one or more flavoring additives. Two varieties had only one flavor each: red tobacco and menthol. They also tested a liquid flavored with both milk and dark chocolate, and one with melon and candy.

The most dramatic defects were tied to the two liquids with the greatest number of different flavors. One used strawberry, almond, caramel, vanilla, biscuit and Vienna cream flavorings, and the other had cereal, berries, cream and citrus. Both of the many-flavored varieties led to dramatically cleft faces or other facial birth defects in the frogs they were tested on.

Facial and mouth clefts are gaps in the middle of the face that can affect both soft muscle and skin tissue and bones. They are rare in humans, effecting only about 1 in every 150,000 babies born worldwide. Depending on how severe the cleft is, they may be reparable with surgery, but if left untreated can also make it difficult for people with cleft faces and palates to eat, make them prone to ear infections and hearing loss, speech and language impairments and dental problems.
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Acetaminophen in pregnancy links to ADHD

According to the latest research, children whose mothers used acetaminophen during pregnancy were more likely to be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. ADHD.

The link was confined to longer-term use particularly a month or longer during pregnancy, when expectant mothers used the drug for a week or less, their kids showed a slightly decreased risk of ADHD.

Acetaminophen is known by the brand name Tylenol, but it's an active ingredient in many pain relievers.
According to the study researchers, longer-term use was tied to ADHD whether women used it for pain, fevers or infections.

Pregnant women should not be afraid of using acetaminophen for a short period to treat fever because an untreated fever could leads to some birth defects. Acetaminophen may interfere with maternal hormones that are important for fetal brain development. Pregnant women should avoid long-term use of acetaminophen or any pain reliever drug.
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Fever in early pregnancy causes facial birth defects

Researchers have known for decades that fevers in the first trimester of pregnancy increase the risk for some heart defects and facial deformities such as cleft lip or palate in developing fetus. Researchers now have evidence indicating that fever is responsible for interferes with the development of the heart and jaw during the first three to eight weeks of pregnancy.

The results suggest a portion of congenital birth defects could be prevented by lowering the mother's fever with the use of acetaminophen during the first trimester. Women who are planning to become pregnant are advise to start taking prenatal vitamins and folic acid, they should take drug that can reduce the effects of fever if they have fever during the first trimester

Acetaminophen (Tylenol), which has been studied extensively and determined to be safe during the first trimester is recommended. The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and aspirin also reduce fevers, but some NSAIDs are not safe to use during the later stages of pregnancy.

To observe how fever impacts a developing fetus, the researchers studied zebra embryo. Among their discoveries, they found that neural crest cells, the cells that are critical building blocks for the heart, face and jaw - contain temperature-sensitive properties. These neural crest cells contain temperature-sensitive ion channels that typically are found in the sensory neurons. They're the channels that, when you stick your hand in a hot cup of water, tell your body the temperature has changed.

The researchers engineered a noninvasive magnet-based technology to create fever-like conditions in two specific temperature-sensitive ion channels called TRPV1 and TRPV4 in the neural crest cells involved in developing the heart and face. When those neural crest cells were subjected to conditions mimicking a transient fever, the embryos developed craniofacial irregularities and heart defects, including double outlet right ventricle, Tetralogy of Fallot and other outflow obstructions. The type of defect depends on whether the fever occurs during heart development or head and face development.
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New congenital heart disease gene

 One in every 100 babies is born with congenital heart disease CHD, it is one of the leading cause of mortality from birth defects. Although advancements in surgery and care have improved rates of survival for these infants, CHD patients remain at elevated risk for heart complications, congenital abnormalities and neurodevelopmental deficits later in life.

Some genetic mutations are transmitted from parents to children: researchers identified mutations in FLT4 gene that consistently led to Tetralogy of Fallot, a complex malformation that often presents with cyanosis, or blue baby syndrome. The team found that mutations in the gene encoding myosin, a contractile protein that is highly expressed during development accounted for about 11 percent of Shone syndrome which affects four regions of the left-side of the heart.

The team also reports a shared mutation among some CHD patients with Ashkenazian ancestry. The identical mutation in both gene copies of GDF1 accounted for five percent of severe CHD among children of Ashkenazian descent could have direct clinical implications for assessing risk among people with this ancestry.

Some mutations appear for the first time in a child's genome: the team reports de novo mutations in many genes, but particularly in those that modify chromatin, a complex material that surrounds DNA and that undergoes dynamic changes during development.
These mutations occurred regularly in CHD children with other congenital defects and neurodevelopmental issues.

These same genes have been previously associated with autism, which may be responsible for high rates of neurocognitive issues in some children with CHD. These new findings could be used to expand current genetic testing panels for CHD, to improve both information for parents about the recurrence risks in future children, and the long-term care of the CHD infants.

As many as 400 genes contribute to CHD, sequencing a baby's whole genome may be a better approach than screening for specific mutations. Whole-genome sequencing may be the most effective way to detect genetic variants that cause birth defects and may effect a child's short- and long-term care.
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Zika may not last in semen as thought

According to the latest research, Zika virus might not remain in the semen of some infected men as long as previously thought.

The researchers said Zika may only be present in semen for about a month. Previous research had suggested that Zika virus can be found in semen for as long as 188 days after the onset of symptoms.

The new study included 12 men in French Guiana who had Zika virus. Four of the men never had any detectable Zika in their semen. One excreted Zika virus in his semen for at least three days. And seven had Zika-laced semen for at least a month.

The maximum duration of detectable Zika in semen in the study was 45 days.
These data suggest that not all men who are symptomatically infected with Zika virus will have Zika virus RNA detectable in semen.

The results also showed that Zika does replicate in the testicles or semen-producing glands, since the amount of Zika in semen was significantly different than the Zika load found in the men's blood.

Zika causes neurological birth defects, most commonly microcephaly, a condition in which a baby's brain and skull are underdeveloped.
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Niacin prevents birth defects and miscarriage

Taking vitamin B3 supplement could reduce the number of miscarriages and birth defects. Vitamin B3, known as niacin, can correct a nutrient deficiency that can prevent fetus' organs from developing properly.

Niacin also known as vitamin B3 is a water-soluble vitamin that is a part of the coenzymes that assist with energy and metabolism. Niacin is found in marmite, meat, turkey, chicken, peanuts, mushrooms, liver, tuna, green peas, grass-fed beef, sunflower seeds and avocado

Researchers have discovered that some genetic mutations affect the production of the molecule nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide NAD, that is made from vitamin B3. The researchers then gave vitamin B3 to mice embryos with similar NAD deficiencies as those seen in humans.

Vitamin B3 supplement prevents
miscarriages and birth defects in mice, the mice gave birth to healthy and perfect offspring.

Checking NAD levels in a pregnant women will determine whether vitamin B3 supplements is required and this could prevents miscarriage and having a baby with a birth defect.
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Children of older women may develop cancer

Increase in chromosomal mutations as we get older may increase the risk of giving birth to children that will develop cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Increasing chromosomal aberrations with older parental may cause stillbirth or a baby with conditions like autism and Down’s syndrome.

A chromosome mutation is an unpredictable change that occurs in a
chromosome. This change is caused by problems that occur during cell division process.

Increasing new mutations that happens in sperm or egg cells are associated with the parents age. These increases the risk of birth defects related to single gene mutations and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Older parents can reduce the risk by embracing healthy lifestyle, reducing alcohol intake, avoiding smoking and chemical exposure.
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Links between household chemicals and birth defects

Common household chemicals are air freshener, deodorant, disinfectant, laundry detergent and fabric softener.

Birth defects occur when both parents were exposed, as well as when one parent was exposed.

Exposure to these common household chemicals can affect the embryonic development and cause permanent deformation to the fetus.

A common ingredient of household products, known as quaternary ammonium compounds or 'quats', is responsible for the harmful effects.

It may affect sperm count, ovulation and cause miscarriage in some cases. Couple planning to have children should use these chemicals with caution.

Pregnant women must be very careful while using these chemicals or minimize exposure to avoid having children with neural tube defects.
 
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Mother's weight increases the risk of birth defects

Risk of birth defects increases with the mother's weight. Researchers tracked 1.2 million births, and discovered that baby's risk of having birth defect increases as mother's weight goes up.

Researchers analysed data on births between 2001 and 2014, they discovered that being overweight increased the risk of birth defects including heart problems, defects of the limbs, genital problems, urinary issues, digestive problems and malformed nervous systems.

According to pediatricians, risks of any major congenital malformation and several subgroups of organ specific malformations progressively increased with maternal overweight. Women
of reproductive age should adopt a healthy lifestyle and obtain a normal body weight before conception.

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How to detect Zika virus from semen samples

A reliable clinical assay that can detect the Zika virus from semen samples has been discovered by scientist. This assay can reduce Zika infection rates and allow couples who are at risk to plan their pregnancy

A total of 100 semen samples were spiked with a recombinant Accuplex ZIKV (SeraCare Life Sciences) at 5 viral copies per ml and processed in Aptima Urine Transport medium (Hologic Inc.) and tested using Aptima® ZIKV assay released under the FDA's emergency use authorization on the fully automated Panther system from Hologic, Inc.

The samples were also tested for West Nile Virus, Chagas and Dengue, recombinant Dengue Virus, recombinant Chikungunya Virus, Human Papilloma Virus, Herpes Simplex Virus 1, Herpes Simplex Virus 2, Chlamydia, and Gonorrhea.

The experiment was repeated three times and in triplicates each time.
The assay was found to be 100% sensitive and 100% specific to ZIKV RNA from semen samples with a limit of detection of 5 viral copies per mL of semen.

 Accurate diagnosis is very important for management of Zika virus and to prevent neonatal infections. Zika infection during pregnancy can cause birth defects.

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Gene controls birth defects common in diabetic patients

Neural tube defects (NTDs) occur when mutations accumulate in the neuroepithelial cells, neural stem cells that eventually transform themselves into the brain and the central nervous system.

This  occurs after the fetus is exposed to too much glucose, which can cause widespread cell death, eventually leading to the birth defects.

Researchers have identified a gene that plays a key role in the formation of neural tube defects, a problem commonly found in infants of pregnant women with diabetes.

Neural tube defects are birth defects of the brain and spinal cord. They occur in the first month of pregnancy. The two most common are spina bifida and anencephaly.

 In the first, the fetal spinal column doesn't close completely. This usually causes nerve damage, with some paralysis of the legs. In the latter, most of the brain and skull do not develop.

 Infants with this defect are usually stillborn or die soon after birth. Neural tube defects have several causes, including diabetes, folic acid deficiency, obesity in the mother, and consumption of certain medications.

About 10 percent of women with diabetes who are pregnant will have embryos with neural tube. More than
300,000 pregnancies are affected by NTDs every year. One out of ten babies with NTDs die before their first birthday.

Pregnant women who have diabetes have a significantly higher risk of having a child with NTDs, and even with the highest quality preconception care, diabetic women are five times more likely to have a child with birth defects than non-diabetic women.