Risk of Birth Complications Varies Between Racial Groups
Babies born to South Asian women are at a higher risk of perinatal mortality (death before, during or shortly after birth) than babies born to black or white women, concludes a study published online by the BMJ today.
The World Health Organisation defines post-term pregnancy as beyond 41 completed weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period. Post-term pregnancy is associated with increased perinatal mortality, and induction of labour at 41 weeks is often used to help avoid this risk.
Health-Care Workers Exposed to HIV on Job Need Preventive Treatment
A review of existing research confirms that health-care workers should undergo a month of preventive drug treatment if they are exposed to HIV on the job.
Still, the reviewers say that there’s been little research into so-called occupational postexposure prophylaxis, and it’s still not clear what should be done when health-care workers are exposed to patients who are resistant to some drugs.
Study Sheds Light on Risks of Being a Second Twin
A nine year study published on bmj.com today has concluded that being a second born twin confers a small increased risk of suffering fatal complications during birth.
For twins born preterm (before 36 weeks), there was no difference in overall death rates between the first and second. This is because the background rate of death is already high for both, due to the effects of prematurity.
