poledriver
Bluelighter
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- Jul 21, 2005
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Scientists test Viagra for babies
Scientists believe Viagra could be the key to helping underweight babies grow during pregnancy, potentially reducing births of premature babies, still births and long-term defects.
The little blue pill which is more commonly associated with making babies than saving them, will be given to pregnant women to see if it can boost blood flow to the womb.
About 10 per cent of babies are born underweight, and severe cases of growth restriction can lead to still births or extremely pre-term deliveries.
Babies who survive very premature deliveries risk complications such as cerebral palsy, blindness and brain damage.
There are no current treatments for women expecting underweight babies.
"It's really frustrating and upsetting to see these women day-to-day, knowing the hardship they face... and be able to offer nothing other than support," obstetrician Charlotte Oyston said.
The international clinical trial, which is the first of its kind and kicks off in New Zealand, will recruit mothers whose babies are most at risk of complications due to their stunted weight gain.
Headed by Gravida: National Centre for Growth and Development, the trial will select more than 120 expectant mothers suffering from severe intrauterine growth restriction in major centres across New Zealand and Australia.
The generic version of Viagra, sildenafil citrate, will be tested against a placebo with scientists hoping to arouse a reaction that will boost the growth of babies.
The drug works by targeting the lining of blood vessels causing the vessels to relax and increase blood flow.
"You'll be familiar with the effect in the male pelvis, where it increases blood flow to a particular part of the body," Gravida director Professor Phil Baker said.
"However, our thinking was that there would be a similar focused effect in the female pelvis."
The trial comes after 15 years of early-stage research during which tests were carried out on pregnant mice.
Scientists were able to significantly increase body weight in baby mice suffering from growth restriction.
The purpose of the trial is to test both the safety and effectiveness of using the erectile dysfunction drug on pregnant women, however scientists believe there will be few side effects.
Clinical trial leader Katie Groom said the medication was already used on pregnant women who suffer from serious hypertension.
Gravida expects to begin recruiting pregnant women in October.
Australian and NZ results should be completed by 2016 with data from other centres, including the UK, Ireland, Holland, Canada and the US, expected in 2018.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...iagra-for-babies/story-e6frg8y6-1226677601470
Scientists believe Viagra could be the key to helping underweight babies grow during pregnancy, potentially reducing births of premature babies, still births and long-term defects.
The little blue pill which is more commonly associated with making babies than saving them, will be given to pregnant women to see if it can boost blood flow to the womb.
About 10 per cent of babies are born underweight, and severe cases of growth restriction can lead to still births or extremely pre-term deliveries.
Babies who survive very premature deliveries risk complications such as cerebral palsy, blindness and brain damage.
There are no current treatments for women expecting underweight babies.
"It's really frustrating and upsetting to see these women day-to-day, knowing the hardship they face... and be able to offer nothing other than support," obstetrician Charlotte Oyston said.
The international clinical trial, which is the first of its kind and kicks off in New Zealand, will recruit mothers whose babies are most at risk of complications due to their stunted weight gain.
Headed by Gravida: National Centre for Growth and Development, the trial will select more than 120 expectant mothers suffering from severe intrauterine growth restriction in major centres across New Zealand and Australia.
The generic version of Viagra, sildenafil citrate, will be tested against a placebo with scientists hoping to arouse a reaction that will boost the growth of babies.
The drug works by targeting the lining of blood vessels causing the vessels to relax and increase blood flow.
"You'll be familiar with the effect in the male pelvis, where it increases blood flow to a particular part of the body," Gravida director Professor Phil Baker said.
"However, our thinking was that there would be a similar focused effect in the female pelvis."
The trial comes after 15 years of early-stage research during which tests were carried out on pregnant mice.
Scientists were able to significantly increase body weight in baby mice suffering from growth restriction.
The purpose of the trial is to test both the safety and effectiveness of using the erectile dysfunction drug on pregnant women, however scientists believe there will be few side effects.
Clinical trial leader Katie Groom said the medication was already used on pregnant women who suffer from serious hypertension.
Gravida expects to begin recruiting pregnant women in October.
Australian and NZ results should be completed by 2016 with data from other centres, including the UK, Ireland, Holland, Canada and the US, expected in 2018.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...iagra-for-babies/story-e6frg8y6-1226677601470
