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Women Who Quit Smoking Early In Pregnancy Reduce Risks Of Preterm Birth, Stunted Fetal Growth
Pregnant women who quit smoking during the first trimester and women who never smoked during pregnancy have a similar risk of delivering preterm or very small infants, according to a study published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reuters reports. Premature delivery and stunted infant growth are the most well-documented side effects of smoking during pregnancy, and the risks increase for older women, according to study author Laura Polakowski of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and colleagues. For the study, the researchers analyzed 915,441 birth certificates for infants born in 2005 in 11 states that include information on whether the woman smoked during pregnancy.The study found that 10% of women who smoked for the entire pregnancy gave birth to "preterm but not too small for gestational age" infants, compared with 8% of women who quit during the first trimester. Fifteen percent of women who smoked the entire pregnancy gave birth to full-term infants who were small for their gestational age, while 2% gave birth to premature infants who were small for gestational age. Among women who quit smoking during the first trimester, these outcomes occurred 9% and 1% of the time, respectively.After adjusting for the women"s age, previous preterm births and other factors, the researchers found that women who quit smoking in the first trimester reduced their risk of giving birth to a preterm, normal-size infant by 31%. The risk of delivering a full-term, unusually small infant was cut by 55% and the risk for delivering a preterm, unusually small infant was reduced by 53%. The risks were also reduced for women who quit smoking during their second trimester, although less significantly. The researchers found that the risk reduction was particularly high for older women -- especially those older than age 40 -- who quit smoking during the first trimester. According to the study, the results indicate that the risk of delivering a preterm or small-for-gestational-age infant for pregnant women who quit smoking during the first trimester is "comparable to those who never smoke during pregnancy" (Reuters, 7/21).

IMPACT Study Showed Longer Valcyte(R) (valganciclovir Hydrochloride Tablets) Treatment Demonstrated Better Protection Against Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
New Phase III study results presented for the first time at the ninth annual American Transplant Congress 2009 (ATC) demonstrate that doubling the duration of preventive therapy ("prophylaxis") with Valcyte (oral valganciclovir) significantly reduced the incidence of CMV disease by 56% in high-risk kidney transplant patients within the first year post-transplant.
News of the day
How Noise And Nervous System Get In Way Of Reading Skills
A child"s brain has to work overtime in a noisy classroom to do its typical but very important job of distinguishing sounds whose subtle differences are key to success with language and reading.
Medical Devices

ASTRO Accepting Grant Applications From Illinois Cancer Support Organizations

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is now accepting applications for Survivor Circle grants from cancer support organizations in Illinois. ASTRO awards these grants to non-disease site specific cancer support groups located in the state where ASTRO holds its Annual Meeting. ASTRO"s Annual Meeting will be held November 1-5, 2009, at McCormick Place West in Chicago. The emphasis of this initiative is to provide cancer support organizations with funding to assist in continuing, growing or creating programs to help cancer patients, cancer survivors and their families from diagnosis through survivorship. A dedicated effort to reach all demographics of cancer patients in the city/state where the organization is located will be a key component considered in the review process. An emphasis on helping patients receiving radiation therapy is preferred, but not required. Since 2003, ASTRO has awarded more than $140,000 to support organizations in the states where the Society holds its annual scientific meeting. "ASTRO is eager to help patient organizations because they provide so much support to the cancer patients and their families in a way that complements the work of our members who use radiation therapy to safely and effectively cure cancer," Laura Thevenot, ASTRO"s CEO, said. "Through this program we hope to give back to the community in which we"ve chosen to hold our Annual Meeting and provide much needed funds to help the cancer patients that our physicians work so hard to cure." Two grants will awarded in amounts of up to $10,000 each; they can be used for local transportation and other support needs, supplies necessary for cancer support group meetings, welcome kits for new patients/ families seeking assistance, and/or financial assistance for patients needing help with transportation or co-payments or other innovative programs. Grant applications will be reviewed by a panel of members from the Chicago area, including physicians, medical physicists and nurses. Final approval will be determined by the ASTRO Board of Directors. The grant money will be awarded following the ASTRO Annual Meeting this November. Applications must be received by August 8, 2009. For more information and to access the grant application, visit http://www.astro.org/Patients/SurvivorCircle/HowToParticipate . ASTRO


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