A Closr Look Research Findings

By KAWANZA NEWSON

PRENATAL VITAMINS

Giving prenatal vitamins to malnourished women with anemia may reduce the risk of delivering a low birth weight baby and lower the likelihood of early neonatal death.

The question: Low birth weight babies, or babies who weigh less than 5.8 pounds, are more likely than babies of normal weight to have health problems during their newborn period. Some of these complications include mental retardation, cerebral palsy and impairments in lung function, sight and hearing. Low birth weight babies are also at risk for coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and hypertension in adulthood. Previous studies have shown that a mother’s pre-pregnancy and pregnancy weight are good indicators of whether she’ll deliver a low birth weight baby. Would vitamin supplements help improve the birth size of babies of women who are underweight?

The findings: This study analyzed data from 200 pregnant women in India who were either underweight or anemic, which can also indicate malnourishment. The women, who were enrolled at 24 to 32 weeks gestation, were randomly assigned to take a multivitamin formulated with 28 micronutrients or a placebo. All participants also received supplements of iron and folic acid. Women who took the vitamins gained an average of 20.3 pounds during their pregnancies, while women taking the placebo gained 19.2 pounds. After the researchers adjusted for other factors that affect birth weight, babies whose mothers took micronutrients weighed an average of 0.22 pounds more and were 0.3 inches longer than those whose mothers took no vitamins. The rate of low birth weight was 43.1% in the placebo group vs. 15.2% among those on micronutrient supplements.

Who’s affected: According to the March of Dimes, low birth weight affects about one in every 13 babies born each year in the United States. It is a factor in 65% of infant deaths, the agency says.

Caveats: Many women dropped out of the study. Because of the characteristics of the women studied, the results may not be so general as to apply to all pregnant women.

Take-home message: Underweight women who take a vitamin and mineral supplement while pregnant may be less likely than women taking only iron and folic acid supplements to have babies weighing less than 5.5 pounds, and their newborns may be less likely to die in the first seven days of life.

More information: Visit the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at www.archpediatrics.com; for more information on low birth weight, visit www.marchofdimes.com.

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

Older men with high symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder have an increased risk for development of coronary heart disease.

The question: According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, post-traumatic stress disorder is a type of anxiety problem that can develop after one’s safety or life is threatened, or after a person experiences or sees a traumatic event. People with the condition have trouble coping with and getting over traumatic events and often feel the effects for months afterward. Previous studies have shown that stress may be a contributing factor to coronary heart disease. Other studies have found that post- traumatic stress disorder is prevalent among patients with cardiovascular disease. Can post-traumatic stress disorder increase the risk for development of coronary heart disease?

The findings: This study analyzed data from more than 1,900 men enrolled in the Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study, conducted on men from the greater Boston area who served in the military. Using two separate assessment scales, the authors found that for each increase in post-traumatic stress disorder symptom level, the men had a 26% increased risk for non-fatal heart attack and fatal coronary heart disease.

Who’s affected: Veterans who have post-traumatic stress disorder.

Caveats: The study relied on self-reported symptoms to assess the level of post-traumatic stress.

Take-home message: The authors say the findings suggest that exposure to trauma and prolonged stress are toxic to a person’s mental health and heart.

More information: Visit the Archives of General Psychiatry at www.archgenpsychiatry.com; for more on post-traumatic stress disorder, visit www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ posttraumaticstressdisorder.html.

– Kawanza Newson

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