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Viagra not effective for foetal growth complications

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New Delhi : Anti-impotency Viagra drug used to prevent serious growth complications affecting babies in the womb is ineffective, finds a study. Foetal growth restriction, commonly called intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), is a complicated pregnancy condition, in which a baby does not grow to normal weight.

The condition develops when the placenta fails to develop correctly as a result of poor flow of blood through it.

Sildenafil, sold under the brand name Viagra causes blood vessels to relax and has been used for many years for the treatment of male erectile problems.

Viagra had emerged as a potential management option in the treatment of IUGR.

 

Improving the blood supply to the placenta should improve the growth and well-being of the IUGR baby, said researchers from the University of Liverpool.

However, the study, published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, revealed that when Sildenafil was administered to pregnant women with a severely growth-restricted foetus, it did not prolong pregnancy, improve survival, or reduce short-term neonatal morbidity.

“Sadly the use of this drug in this way was ineffective,” said Zarko Alfirevic, Professor at the varsity.

“However, as part of our continuing research, we are now monitoring the growth and development of the babies who participated in the trial to learn even more about this disease and its implications with a view to help us to identify possible treatment options in the future,” Alfirevic added.

For the study, the team recruited 135 women who were less than 30 weeks into their pregnancies with an IUGR baby. Of these, 70 of the women were prescribed Sildenafil and 65 women a placebo.

Corona

Covid toll in Karnataka is a worrying sign for state government

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Even though Karnataka recorded the lowest number of Covid deaths in April since the virus struck first in 2020, the state is recording a rise in the positivity rate (1.50 per cent). Five people died from the Covid infections in April as per the statistics released by the state health department. In March, the positivity rate stood around 0.53 per cent. In the first week of April it came down to 0.38 per cent, second week registered 0.56 per cent, third week it rose to 0.79 per cent and by end of April the Covid positivity rate touched 1.19 per cent.

on an average 500 persons used to succumb everyday in the peak of Covid infection, as per the data. Health experts said that the mutated Coronavirus is losing its fierce characteristics as vaccination, better treatment facilities and awareness among the people have contributed to the lesser number of Covid deaths.

During the 4th and 6th of April two deaths were reported in Bengaluru, one in Gadag district on April 8, two deaths were reported from Belagavi and Vijayapura on April 30. The first Covid case was reported in the state in March 2020 and three Covid deaths were recorded in the month. In the following month 21 people became victims to the deadly virus, and May 2020 recorded 22 deaths. The death toll recorded everyday after May crossed three digits. However, the third wave, which started in January 2

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