Women in Scotland are the first in the UK to be allowed to take the abortion pill at home.
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Health24.com | How could a five-year-old possibly fall pregnant?
Lina Medina is believed to be the world’s youngest mother. Rare Historical Photos (RHP) documented the Peruvian toddler having her first baby when she was just five years old.
Medina, who was born in 1933, gave birth via C-section to a boy in 1939. She named her son Gerardo, after one of the doctors in the team of physicians taking care of her case.
Possible incest
The post said that Medina’s parents noticed her abdomen growing and took her to the doctor, thinking it was a tumour. Soon after a doctor examined her, the doctor told Medina’s parents that she was seven months pregnant.
Medina’s father was arrested and taken into police custody because authorities suspected sexual abuse, but was later released due to lack of evidence. Rape wasn’t an unusual occurrence in the small villages in Peru, according to a Time Magazine article, which documented another case of child pregnancy, this time with a nine-year-old.
RHP also reported that Medina is in her 80s, still alive, living in Peru, but that Gerardo died from a bone disease at the age of 40. When she was of age, Medina got married and, in 1972, had another child, 33 years after her first.
Medina still hasn’t revealed who Gerardo’s biological father is and refuses to take any interviews.
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What is puberty?
During puberty, the body essentially prepares itself for sexual activity and reproduction. Some physical changes are noticeable, such as breast development in girls and boys noticing their voice deepening.
Medina suffered from a condition known as precocious puberty – developing way before her time.
What is precocious puberty?
Precocious puberty is the early onset of puberty – for girls, before the age of eight and for boys, before the age of nine.
Physical changes girls experience are breast development, pubic hair growth and menses. Boys experience pubic hair growth, penile and testes enlargement, accelerated growth and a deepening of the voice.
What causes this condition?
Generally, precocious puberty is divided into two major subdivisions – Central Precocious Puberty (CPP) and Peripheral Precocious Puberty (PPP) according to the Pediatric Endocrine Society (PES).
Even though the condition is rare, CPP is the more common of the two according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Potential causes of CPP could be due to a gene mutation or a rare genetic disorder. Occasionally, it isn’t due to a gene mutation, but rather issues relating to the central nervous system or a malfunctioning of hypothalamus or pituitary gland.
Anomalies with the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland could result in the release of several hormones could lead to CPP.
The hypothalamus is a portion of the brain which governs a number of physiological factors, one of them being the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is also known as the master gland, because it controls the hormone glands such as the thyroid, adrenal glands, ovaries and testes.
Peripheral precocious puberty (PPP), where sex hormones are secreted prematurely from glands such as the testes or ovaries, is another division of the condition, but it’s quite rare according to PES.
Getting a diagnosis
If CPP or PPP is suspected, a healthcare professional would review growth within the body and possibly run a number of tests where hormone levels are assessed.
Physicians may also run a series of X-rays to determine just how far a patient’s bones have matured. They may also do an MRI to rule out tumours affecting the brain, spinal cord, hormonal glands, testes or ovaries.
Getting treatment
Treatment should be started as soon as possible. Other than “appearing” to be older than they are, the condition could pose serious health complications for the future.
A child suffering from the condition may need to go on a hormone therapy course to help reproductive organs and to help the child reach a “normal” height. Should a tumour present once tests are done, surgery may be required to remove the growth.
Families could also consult a mental health professional to help them along on their journey.
Image credit: iStock
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Health24.com | 5 pregnancy myths busted
World Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Day (15 October 2017), reminds us of the effects that alcohol can have on unborn babies.
Foetal alcohol syndrome is a series of abnormalities that can occur in an unborn baby when the pregnant mother drinks more than a certain amount of alcohol.
An alarming fact is that South Africa has one of the highest rates of FAS in the world, with a prevalence of up to 12.2% in some areas.
While the debate is on whether any amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy, a good rule of thumb would be to steer clear with the mindset of “rather safe than sorry”. During pregnancy, we want to do everything we can to ensure a healthy baby. But besides alcohol, there are other substances and foods many people regard as taboo.
We investigated – and busted – a couple of these myths.
1. You shouldn’t dye your hair while pregnant
It was believed in the past that the inhalation and absorption of chemical hair dyes can harm the foetus. Studies have however found no evidence that these substances can harm the unborn baby. It has been proven that there is minimal absorption of hair dye through the skin. But medical professionals do recommend that hairdressers wear gloves while working with hair dyes, since they are exposed to these substances on a constant basis. They should also make sure the salon is well-ventilated.
2. Nail polish or nail polish remover will harm the foetus
Commercial nail polishes contain formaldehyde and toluene which can irritate your eyes, nose or throat with regular exposure. However, these ingredients won’t affect your unborn baby. Although the ingredients can be absorbed through the nail bed, the body breaks them down before they can reach the foetus.
As for nail polish remover, frequent acetone inhalation has been linked to developmental problems in foetuses – fortunately, normal usage of nail polish remover shouldn’t pose a risk. But if you work in a nail salon, you might want to lower your exposure to these products.
3. You shouldn’t eat seafood while pregnant
Your initial instinct would probably be to avoid sushi, as raw fish can contain small parasitic worms that can make you ill. But fish is a rich source of omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, which can be beneficial during pregnancy. However, some kinds of fish are better than others. NHS Choices recommend that you only eat sushi made from fish that was previously frozen. The American Pregnancy Association says that you should only eat well-cooked fish and avoid fish that may contain high levels of mercury, such as swordfish and mackerel.
A recent study noted that women would be more likely to include fish in their prenatal diet if they were informed about what types of fish are safe to eat. This research also indicated that women might be missing out on vital nutrients if they cut out fish completely.
4. Coffee can cause a miscarriage
There is still conflicting data on whether caffeine during pregnancy is safe for the foetus. Caffeine is found in so many foods and over-the-counter medicines that it would be impossible to cut out completely. Studies have however confirmed that caffeine should be limited to 200mg (there is roughly 95 mg in a 240 ml cup of filter coffee) a day to avoid the risk of a miscarriage. So, if you really need your daily cuppa, moderation is key, but if you are a serious coffee addict, it might be wise to cut back.
5. Eating peanuts during pregnancy will make your baby allergic to peanuts
Mothers who have a strong family history of food allergies were advised in the past to stay away from peanuts during pregnancy, as their babies would be born with a peanut allergy. Studies do show that those with higher allergy risks might be able to pass on a peanut allergy to their unborn babies, but if neither you or anyone else in your family is allergic, you can indulge in a handful once in a while.
Keep in mind, though, that every pregnancy is different. If you are unsure about what foods to eat and avoid, consult your doctor or gynaecologist for a personalised nutritional approach.
Image credits: iStock
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Health24.com | How pregnancy can make you absent minded and forgetful
You’ve lost your keys again. And, for the third time this week you find your cellphone in the fridge. No, you’re not losing it. It’s just “pregnancy brain”.
Pregnancy brain, also called momnesia or pregnesia, is the forgetfulness and brain fog many pregnant women experience. It’s a real and frustrating hallmark of pregnancy, affecting as many as 50 to 80% of expectant moms.
If you suffer from pregnancy brain, you may forget why you walked into a room, where you put your purse, whether you switched off the washing machine, or leave objects in strange places.
A gush of hormones
Pregnancy unleashes a flood of hormones in your body. These hormones trigger major physiological changes, and interfere with your thinking and memory. On top of that, surging hormone levels can make you tired. Fatigue can shorten your attention span and slow your thought process.
Not getting enough good quality sleep, which is a common struggle for many pregnant women, may also play a role. Sleep deprivation and disruption can affect how mentally sharp you feel, and lead to memory loss. It can make you more anxious and stressed, which can impact your ability to concentrate and remember things.
New priorities may also help explain why pregnancy has you feeling like a ditz. You may spend a lot of time thinking and worrying about your baby, and how motherhood will change your life. These thoughts can be overwhelming and distracting, and may leave you feeling forgetful and absentminded.
On the upside: some experts believe that memory change during pregnancy is evolutionary. It’s been suggested that pregnancy brain helps you forget other things and focus more on caring for your child. This may prepare you to become a better mother.
According to Dr Laura Glynn, a psychologist at Chapman University in California, even the slightest movement of the foetus in the womb can affect a woman’s brain and make her become more sensitive. This may help mothers become more attuned with their baby and prime them for caregiving.
The good news is that pregnancy brain is temporary and doesn’t reshape or rewire your brain.
‘Mind your mind’
- Work from a to-do list. Track your daily doings and mark them off once you’ve completed them. Stick Post-it notes around the house to help you remember simple things.
- Set reminders on your cellphone, tablet or laptop.
- Delegate as much as you can so you’ll have fewer things to remember or worry about.
- Get a dose of choline. This mineral is the building block for the memory-forming brain chemical acetylcholine. Fill up with eggs, chicken, fish, spinach and peanuts.
- Up your omega-3s. This nutrient is essential for brain health and may help boost memory. Find omega-3s in salmon, sardines, walnuts, flaxseeds and chia seeds.
- Avoid trying to do everything at once. Focus on one task at a time. You’ll feel more clearheaded and less forgetful.
- Get plenty of sleep. Sleep is needed to learn and make memories, and stay mentally alert.
- Don’t be too hard on yourself when you do forget things. Take a deep breath and try to keep calm. Stressing will only cloud your preggy brain even more.
- Laugh it off. Have a sense of humour about this airhead stage and get your partner to do the same.
Image credit: iStock
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Health24.com | Nearly half of world’s abortions unsafe
More than 25 million unsafe abortions are performed worldwide each year, a new study says.
That means nearly half of the 55.7 million abortions that take place annually aren’t safe, said researchers led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Guttmacher Institute in New York City.
The vast majority of these dangerous pregnancy terminations occur in Africa, Asia and Latin America, they found.
The situation in South Africa
According to Sangonet, the number of unsafe abortion-related deaths have significantly decreased since abortion was legalised in 1996. Yet, there are still factors that will make people seek out illegal abortions. Given the secretive nature of these abortion, it is hard to get accurate numbers.
Global trends
Analysing records for abortion globally, the research team deemed 55% of all terminations between 2010 and 2014 “safe”. That meant they were performed using a WHO-recommended method (medical abortion, vacuum aspiration, or dilatation and evacuation) and involved at least one trained person.
“The highest proportions of safe abortions were seen in countries with less restrictive laws, high economic development and well-developed health infrastructures, suggesting that both the legal framework and overall development of a country plays a role in abortion safety,” said lead author Dr Bela Ganatra, a scientist at the WHO.
Nearly 31% of all abortions (about 17 million) were classified as “less safe”. These included abortions done by a trained provider but with an outdated method, such as sharp curettage, or an abortion done with a safe method like the drug misoprostol, but without the support of a trained person.
A high number of abortions are still unsafe.
About 8 million abortions, or 14%, were classified as “least safe”. These were performed by an untrained person using dangerous or invasive methods, such as ingestion of caustic substances, insertion of foreign bodies or use of “traditional concoctions”.
In Africa, the least safe abortions were associated with higher rates of death, likely due to serious complications and poor health systems, the researchers said.
The study was published in The Lancet journal.
What the research is aiming for
“Our findings call for the need to ensure access to safe abortions to the full extent of the law, particularly in low income regions of the world, and efforts are needed to replace the use of unsafe methods with safe methods,” Ganatra said in a journal news release.
“Increasing the availability, accessibility and affordability of contraception can reduce the incidence of unintended pregnancies, and therefore abortions, but it is essential to combine this strategy with interventions to ensure access to safe abortions,” she concluded.
Image credit: iStock
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