PEARLS
Preeclampsia Research Laboratories
Pearls Newsletter: November 2002
Volume 1 Issue 3
Current Research Advances and Activities
Is home monitoring Safe?
A recent study undertaken in New Zealand (Lo and colleagues) identifies that there are larger differences between the readings on automated (home) blood pressure machines and those use in the doctor's surgery (by mercury sphygomanometer). This study reinforces the need to have the blood pressure checked at the antenatal clinic or the doctor's studio at regular time intervals and to be cautious of some home monitors used in pregnancy.
Is the age of the father relevant?
A study by Harlap and colleagues has showed that there is a very slight increase in risk with increasing age of the father, particularly over 45 years of age. This suggests once again that there maybe factors relating to the fathers proteins in the placenta that may contribute to the cause of preeclampsia in some women, although these are by no means strong.
Preeclampsia and the liver
Suarez and colleagues in an interesting study in France have looked at the causes of the "Liver" pain that occurs in women with preeclampsia. They identify swelling of different forms in the livers of women with the severe form of preeclampsia. Most of these abnormalities do not end up in any permanent damage and all went away very quickly after the delivery.
Other studies in Preeclampsia
The range of substances, diets and life styles being studies in preeclampsia is enormous, and it is heard to see exactly where all of it is going - Time will tell. Everything from mother's weight, the cholesterol levels and milk intake are also up for study. Let's hope some of these factors are related to cause and offer us some hope of understanding the cause of preeclampsia in the future.
Website Exposure for Preeclampsia
You are invited to submit websites of interest that you have found, to help women and families who have contact with preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia information abounds on the internet. We are interested in identifying the sites of greatest value. So, if you find a site that you think will benefit other people who have contact with someone with preeclampsia, please let us know and we will link it to the preeclampsia.org.au website.
More Stories to Share
Mothers and family who have confronted preeclampsia have been kind enough to send in their stories and they are appearing under the heading "My Stories" on www.preeclampsia.org.au
Local Innovations in Preeclampsia Research
Australian research had some success in the recent national grant funding rounds, although there is still a way to go. Recent find raising efforts by the PEARLS have increased both the community awareness of preeclampsia and raised financial support for the laboratory. One of our courageous mums has been interviewed for a national women's magazine with her extremely premature infant. Both mother and baby are doing well, miracle babies still exist!
Support of the local research effort and of course greater collaboration here will go a long way to improving our chances of finding a cure.
A safe and happy Holiday season to all. Contributions are welcome - please submit to www.preeclampsia.org.au using one of the email links below.
Copyright Professor Annemarie Hennessy: email for permission to reproduce material on this site
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