Research & Development In Brief

Multivitamin lowers risk of preterm births

Regular multivitamin use may reduce the risk of preterm and underweight births, according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Only 4.9% of nonoverweight women who took a multivitamin before and after conception had a preterm birth compared to 5.3% of nonusers. This translates to 16% reduced risk. Likewise, nonoverweight women who regularly took a multivitamin after conception – regardless of preconception use – were less likely to deliver an underweight child (2.4-2.8%) compared to nonusers (4.3%) This is equivalent to a 33% reduced risk.

The researchers noted of the 21,785 women in Danish National Birth Cohort included in the study, those who were overweight did not reap the same benefits as women of healthy weights. They hypothesized this might be because heavier women need more nutrients. The researchers conclude multivitamin use around and following conception “could be a safe and simple strategy to improve pregnancy outcomes, similar to folate supplementation.”

AE rates similar for OTC aspirin, placebo

A meta-analysis of 67 studies sponsored by Bayer HealthCare, maker of Bayer Aspirin, reconfirmed the safety of acetylsalicylic acid – at least for short-term use at doses and for indications associated with OTC products. Of the 6,181 patients treated with ASA in the studies, 9.9% reported gastrointestinal adverse events compared to 9% of the 3,515 who took a placebo, according to the meta-analysis published in Drugs RD. “Very few” of these were serious: one in the ASA group and three in the placebo group. The overall incidence of adverse events also was similar between the groups with 15.2% suffering in the ASA group and 15.5% in the placebo group, noted researchers led by Angel Lanas of the University of Zaragoza Medical School. However, slightly more ASA-users (5.3%) reported any dyspepsia compared to the placebo group (4.6%). Bayer also sponsored the meta-analysis.

Valerian eases post-menopausal insomnia

Valerian offers post-menopausal women who opt not to take hormone therapy relief from insomnia, according to a randomized, triple-blind, controlled study in Menopause. Thirty percent of the 100 post-menopausal women aged 50 to 60 years who took 530 mg of concentrated valerian extract twice daily for four weeks slept better compared to 4% of the control group. Valerian root is known for alleviating anxiety, depression, stress and menopausal systems but there was limited research on its effects, say researchers at the Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran. They note the absence of side effects, which commonly are associated with prescribed hypnotics, suggests “traditional herbal supplements may be a suitable alternative for treatment of insomnia.”

Some NSAIDs could trigger miscarriages

Women should avoid or use “with caution” nonaspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs during early pregnancy because these drugs are significantly associated with the risk of miscarriage, according to a study in the latest issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal. A review of 4,705 spontaneous miscarriages by Canadians revealed women who took nonaspirin NSAIDs were 2.4 times more likely to miscarry than those who did not. The highest risk was seen among women who used diclofenac, and the lowest risk was among women who took rofecoxib. Naproxen and ibuprofen also increased the risk of miscarriage. The study examined prescription use of NSAIDs, which is how most of these pain relievers are sold in Canada, but the researchers note the increased risk was not dose dependent – suggesting lower OTC doses are also risky.

The researchers suggested NSAIDs may cause fluctuations in the level of prostaglandins, which steadily decreases during pregnancy. They dismissed the idea that women might take NSAIDs because of cramping, which is a signal a miscarriage may be occurring and thus would not be caused by the NSAID. They explained that the use of NSAIDs at any point in the pregnancy versus two weeks prior to it did not alter the rate of miscarriage.