New way to 'stop' premature birth

Health/ Disease Blog Entry Nine



Azrealle McClain
Sociology 202-01
October 28th 2009
11:57am

Summary:

The drug Trichostatin A has been under high scrutiny for a while now. However not for anything bad, Trichostatin A has shown some surprising results when it comes to preventing premature birth. Originally linked to fighting cancer, Trichostain A therapy works by increasing the levels of a protein that controls muscle relaxation. This in turn reduces contractions and helps against premature birth. However testing is still in its early stages and prevention isn’t completely achieved. We are currently looking into testing this drug more hevily because of our minimal options. A protein called Kinase A (PKA) is involved in controlling the relaxation of the uterus during pregnancy and has been used with less than desired results. As well as Oxytocin could be a remedy for reducing contractions. Although effective the results are short lived. Most women end up having the child just two days after the initial onset of a premature labor which is relatively nothing.

Reactions:

I have always been interested in the welfare of children and hearing this information is very promising. I wasn’t a premature child by traditional definition but by weight and I’m very sympathetic to the implications it can entail. Premature children have a harder time to survive due to the undeveloped organs they must rely on outside of the womb. If there was any way to keep children to full term I’m 100% for it and I highly appreciate the investigation that these researchers are conducting. I think it is imperative that further studies are done as well as exploring new options for treatment.

Web Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8320689.stm