The White House and the Centers for Disease Control plan a Summit to “develop a Zika attack plan”. Interest in such a summit has intensified since it has become clear that Zika spreads not only by mosquitos but also readily by sexual contact. This makes the potential for spread in a much larger area much greater. It has been determined that 75% of semen from men recovering from Zika infection contains the virus.
Two new research studies from two different countries have been
published this week further solidifying the link between Zika and prenatal
brain damage. Insight has been gained that Zika interferes with the cells “human
embryonic cortical neural progenitors “. These are the cells that affect the
outer part of the brain, the cortex. While the deep parts of the brain govern
things like breathing, balance, and some feelings, the cortex is what enables
us to think. So far about 29 % of women who deliver after Zika infection in
pregnancy have a baby affected with microcephaly.
As of March 8th there were 153 cases of Zika in the United States.
However at their same time there were 156 on the island of Puerto Rico. Case
numbers in Puerto Rico are doubling weekly. The US is sending Zika free blood
to Puerto Rico to help them through the crisis.
In grave news, Zika carrying mosquitos Aedes Aegypti in Mexico and
Puerto Rico have developed resistance to the common insecticide
Permethrin.
The Los Angeles Times reports that in the wake of the Zika crisis,
there is an increase demand for abortion. This is most acute in Latin American
Countries where there are few legal avenues to get one.
Zika notwithstanding, infant mortality has fallen 13 % in the last
ten year in the US. However, there is still a significant gap between those
black and non-black Americans, and in fact, between the Southern and the
Northern parts of the country in general. It is interesting to note that home
vistas by nurses are an effective way to reduce infant mortality. The
Affordable Care Act includes this service, but it is still underutilized.
In the sad news department, the first uterine transplant has
failed. Complications ensued and the uterus was removed. This was the first of
ten such planned procedures.
In policy news, there are many states who are introducing or
passing bills banning abortion facilities which are not staffed by physicians
with hospital privileges. Most abortion facilities are staffed by midlevel
providers such as nurse practitioners. What is surprising to me is that the
Indiana legislature has passed a bill banning abortions for genetic
abnormalities. In my experience, people most generally chose abortion for
babies who carry LETHAL genetic abnormalities. The same bill also requires
parents to arrange for cremation or burial of aborted or miscarried fetuses. I
can imagine difficulties in the practical execution of this with a poor
cramping woman in the bathroom trying to retrieve tissue lest she be branded a
criminal.
- See more at http://discoverymedicalcenter.com/category/womens-health-news/
