Latest news with #pregnantWomen
Reuters
26-06-2025
- Health
- Reuters
US CDC panel broadly recommends flu shots free from thimerosal
June 26 (Reuters) - The external committee advising the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine policy voted that all adults in the country receive a seasonal flu shot in single-dose forms that are free from mercury-based preservative thimerosal. The panel voted five-to-one in favor of the recommendation, while one member abstained from voting, following a presentation by an anti-vaccine advocate that made the case that thimerosal is a neurotoxin. The panel recommended that pregnant women and children aged 6 months or younger also receive thimerosal-free shots. The CDC has previously said there is no evidence of harm caused by the low doses of thimerosal used in vaccines, except for minor reactions such as redness and swelling at the injection site.
CNA
19-06-2025
- Health
- CNA
Two Zika cases in Woodlands; pregnant women urged to guard against mosquito bites
SINGAPORE: Two Zika cases have been confirmed in Woodlands, and pregnant women in the area are urged to take precautions, said the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) and the National Environment Agency (NEA) on Thursday (Jun 19). In a Facebook post, NEA said the cases were found at Woodlands Street 11 and Street 32. NEA also found "persistent Zika virus signals" in the residential areas after wastewater and mosquito surveillance, which it said suggests that the area is likely to have Zika transmission. "We advise residents in the area, especially pregnant women, to protect themselves from mosquito bites and to monitor their health closely," it said. Although rare, Zika virus infection in pregnant women can cause birth defects such as microcephaly, a condition in which the baby's head is much smaller than expected for his or her age, said NEA. It added that those with symptoms suggestive of Zika infections - such as a headache, conjunctivitis or red eyes, fever, rash, joint pain and muscle pain - should see a doctor early. The Zika virus infection is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, similar to the dengue virus. In an advisory on its website, CDA said that those living in Zika-affected areas should take precautions against mosquito bites, including applying an effective insect repellent, wearing clothing that covers most of the body and staying in well-screened or air-conditioned rooms.
Medscape
16-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
COVID Shot in the First Trimester Not Tied to Birth Defects
Compared with unvaccinated pregnant women, those who had received an mRNA COVID vaccine in the first trimester did not have a significantly increased risk for major congenital malformations. However, potential links to specific birth defects, such as cardiac anomalies, could not be ruled out. METHODOLOGY: Researchers in Germany conducted a prospective cohort study to assess whether mRNA COVID vaccination of pregnant women in the first trimester (gestational weeks, 2+0 to 12+6) increased the risk for congenital malformations in the foetus. They enrolled 1828 pregnant women who had received at least one dose of an mRNA COVID vaccine during the first trimester and compared them with 1955 unvaccinated pregnant women (median age of both groups, 33 years) from the same period. The primary outcome was the occurrence of congenital malformations, assessed approximately 8 weeks after the estimated date of birth. TAKEAWAY: Major congenital malformations occurred in 3.86% (95% CI, 3.06-4.86) of foetuses of vaccinated women vs 3.09% (95% CI, 2.37-4.02) of foetuses of unvaccinated women. However, rates of congenital malformations were not significantly different between groups (adjusted odds ratio, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.90-1.86). Congenital heart defects, primarily ventricular septal defects, were the most common anomalies in the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups (crude rate, 1.82% and 0.87%, respectively). IN PRACTICE: "If an mRNA COVID-19 vaccination is considered in women of reproductive age, it should preferably be offered before conception or after the first trimester," the authors wrote. SOURCE: This study was led by Angela Kayser, MD, Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Embryotox Centre of Clinical Teratology and Drug Safety in Pregnancy, Berlin, Germany. It was published online on June 07, 2025, in Clinical Microbiology and Infection . LIMITATIONS: This study may have been affected by detection and selection biases. It lacked data on participants' educational levels or personal attitudes towards pregnancy. Moreover, frequency of COVID within cohorts could not be assessed. DISCLOSURES: The study was supported by the German Ministry of Health. The authors reported no conflicts of interest.
The Independent
10-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Hospitals to be made to offer women epidurals to boost birth rates
China has mandated that all tertiary hospitals, those with over 500 beds, must offer epidural anaesthesia during childbirth by the end of this year. This initiative aims to foster a more "friendly childbearing environment" for women, according to the country's National Health Commission (NHC). The NHC's statement last week outlined further plans to extend these services to secondary hospitals, which have more than 100 beds, by 2027. The move comes as authorities grapple with declining birth rates in the world's second-largest economy. In 2024, China's population fell for the third consecutive year, prompting experts to warn of a worsening demographic downturn in the coming years. Currently, around 30% of pregnant women in China receive anaesthesia for pain relief during childbirth. This is in stark contrast to some developed countries, where the rate exceeds 70%, according to the China Daily. The World Health Organization recommends epidurals for healthy pregnant women requesting pain relief and it is widely utilised in many countries around the world, including France, where around 82% of pregnant women opt to have one, and in the United States and Canada where more than 67% do. The move will "improve the comfort level and security of medical services" and "further enhance people's sense of happiness and promote a friendly childbearing environment," the NHC said. A growing number of provinces across China are also beginning to include childbirth anaesthesia costs as part of their medical insurance schemes to encourage more women to have children. High childcare costs as well as job uncertainty and a slowing economy have discouraged many young Chinese from getting married and starting a family. In June, health authorities in China's southwestern Sichuan province proposed to extend marriage leave up to 25 days and maternity leave up to 150 days, to help create a "fertility-friendly society."
CNN
10-06-2025
- Health
- CNN
China to make all hospitals offer epidurals to incentivize childbirth
China said that by the end of this year all tertiary level hospitals must offer epidural anesthesia during childbirth, a move it said would help promote a 'friendly childbearing environment' for women. Tertiary hospitals – those with more than 500 beds – must provide epidural anesthesia services by 2025 while secondary hospitals – those containing more than 100 beds – must provide the services by 2027, China's National Health Commission (NHC) said in a statement last week. Authorities are struggling to boost birth rates in the world's second largest economy after China's population fell for a third consecutive year in 2024 with experts warning the downturn will worsen in the coming years. Around 30% of pregnant women in China receive anesthesia to relieve pain during childbirth, compared with more than 70% in some developed countries, the official China Daily said. The World Health Organization recommends epidurals for healthy pregnant women requesting pain relief and it is widely utilized in many countries around the world, including France, where around 82% of pregnant women opt to have one, and in the United States and Canada where more than 67% do. The move will 'improve the comfort level and security of medical services' and 'further enhance people's sense of happiness and promote a friendly childbearing environment,' the NHC said. A growing number of provinces across China are also beginning to include childbirth anesthesia costs as part of their medical insurance schemes to encourage more women to have children. High childcare costs as well as job uncertainty and a slowing economy have discouraged many young Chinese from getting married and starting a family. In June, health authorities in China's southwestern Sichuan province proposed to extend marriage leave up to 25 days and maternity leave up to 150 days, to help create a 'fertility-friendly society.'
