In today's continuing coverage of STDs, this next report should raise plenty of eyebrows from now on whenever a new mom discusses preterm birth or high blood pressure during her pregnancy.
Researchers in Australia have linked exposure to viral infection -- especially the herpes type -- to both.
From Science Daily:
The research discovered the presence of viral nucleic acid in
heel-prick blood samples from 1326 newborn babies, taken over a 10-year
period. More than 400 of these babies were diagnosed with cerebral
palsy.
High-blood pressure during pregnancy has been an enduring mystery for medical researchers, so these findings are exciting.
Now, of course all herpes viruses aren't of the STD variety. Chicken pox and shingles are also brought on by herpes. Which brings up plenty of questions besides, like the chicken pox vaccine or women who had chicken pox.
But finding a connection is good news in any case. Pre-eclampsia is a difficult and serious condition. Again, Science Daily:
Pregnancy hypertension (high blood pressure) occurs in up to 10% of
first pregnancies throughout the developed world, such as in the UK,
the United States and Australia. When untreated, it can lead to
uncontrolled epileptic fits of eclampsia with loss of baby and mother.
It is a common cause of maternal death in Third World countries.
