University Daily Kansan, September 14, 1983
Mother can affect unborn child's health
Fetuses can be immunized in womb Diet influences baby's dental health
By United Press International
PITTSBURGH - Vaccinating mothers during pregnancy can immunize fetuses against infectious diseases and may become a special boon to children of poor mothers in underdeveloped countries, researchers said yesterday. A 20-year study at Pittsburgh's University Hospital and the University of Pittsburgh has shown that women given tetanus shots during their fifth and eighth months of pregnancy passed on their immunity to the fetus.
"We have demonstrated that an antigen given to the mother crosses the placenta and enters the child," said a pathologist who headed the experiment.
"The child then develops its own and bodies to fight the bacteria," he said.
"This can have an enormous effect in developing countries where it is easier to treat a woman while she is pregnant," said Gill. "Once the mother is born, baby she is less likely to seek additional medical treatment (for the child)."
GILL SAID THE discovery makes it possible to inoculate mothers before and reduces the possibility of danger from infections in the early months of life.
Such immunizations might also work
with vaccines against streptococcus and meningitis bacteria.
The development is not designed to replace vaccinations for diseases such as measles, mumps and chicken pox, but may be needed on Third World women, researchers said.
"Have you ever had a tetanus shot?" asked Annette Parry Bush, 28, of Pittsburgh, who agreed to have a tetanus shot during her pregnancy.
Bush, who is 36 weeks into her pregnancy, said, "I'd rather go through the pain now than have my baby go through it later.
"If my baby is going to be immune for the rest of its life, it's worth it."
DURING THE STUDY, researchers injected 42 volunteers from the Pittsburgh area. The tetanus vaccine was safely administered to pregnant women.
Researchers gave each woman the vaccine twice, once during the fifth month and once during the eighth month of pregnancy. Because the child's organs are developed, these are the safest times to administer the shots.
Blood tests done on the babies shortly after they were born and at age 1 showed the infants had manufactured antibodies and continued to be immune.
"If you look worldwide, the largest medical problems are with infectious disease." Gill said.
By United Press International
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A mother-to-be can give her baby a head start to healthy teeth, the Missouri Dental Association said recently.
Diet is the primary way in which a pregnant woman influences her baby's dental health. An improper or deficient diet could result in abnormal tooth development, the dental association said.
The primary teeth buds begin forming in the fifth to sixth week of pregnancy. During this time it is important that the necessary nutrients are being provided through the mother's diet, the association said. These include calcium phosphorous and vitamins A, D and C.
BY BIRTH THE crowns of all 20 primary teeth will be almost fully formed in the baby's jaw, waiting for nature to take its course.
It is not true that calcium is taken from the mother's teeth during pregnancy, but if she is eating more calcium than sugary foods, tooth decay may result.
Another potential problem is a tendency to gum infections, gingivitis. This occurs more frequently during pregnancy due to increased hormone levels. The gums may become red and inflamed and bleed easily during brushing.
Gum infection can be prevented by extra attention to daily care, although hormone changes are occurring, and the gum is very important, as does a balanced diet.
In general, dental treatment during pregnancy is best during the fourth to sixth months. The mother is usually less anxious and less subject to nausea, and she is more comfortable in the dental chair.
COMMON SENSE DUCTATES, however, that the expectant mother informs her partner.
If X-rays are needed, the dentist will use a lead aadron or shield. The amount of radiation produced from dental work is usually does not occur near the abdomen.
A pregnant woman should stay away from all drugs as a general rule. But if certain drugs or anesthetics are needed, use them only with the knowledge to use those with no problem side effects.
The dentist may also consult with the woman's physician before prescribing and should be informed of any medication the woman is already taking.
In some areas, expectant mothers are prescribed fluoride supplements to give the child an advantage in resisting tooth decay.
By paying attention to a few common-sense concerns a pregnant woman should not have to worry about your baby's health and herself and her baby, the association said.
By United Press International
WASHINGTON — Raising a warning that the United States may become an "industrial dinosaur," a special government study commission yesterday proposed sweeping legislation to confront the 21st century.
The commission called for creation of 2,000 model schools as "landmarks of excellence," the retraining of 1.2 million "less than qualified" math and science teachers increased classroom instruction.
Without such an effort, the group said, "Our children could be straglers in a world of technology."
Study seeks school reforms
Created 18 months ago by a National Science Foundation policy-making group, the 20-member commission estimated a federal start-up cost of $1.5 billion for its program, with an annual expense of $331 million in following years.
IT OFFERED NO overall figure on the state and local cost, saying that would depend on how much teacher salaries are raised — an action it described as vital in upgrading public schools.
President Reagan, spurred by similar reports that the nation's schools are in crisis, has called in recent months for improvements in
public education, but has said that state and local government — not Washington — must be the primary source of school dollars.
Commission co-chairman William Coleman, secretary of transportation in the Ford administration, released the study, saying at a news conference. "We now have a new business opportunities a crying need for a national commitment and national leadership for change."
IN ITS REPORT, "Educating Americans for the 21st Century," the National Science Board Commission on Pre-Career Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology noted that student achievement scores have steadily declined since 1960.
It also found youngsters in many other industrialized nations, such as Japan and the Soviet Union, receive more math and science education and have longer school years.
Pointing to America's dominance in technological development so far this century, the report said, "We continue to lead because our best students are still unsupervised But this is a precarious advantage
“Our children could be stragglers in a world of technology. We must not let this happen; America must not become an industrial dinosaur.”
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