Doctors to back test for Vasa Praevia

Vasa Praevia kills more than 300 babies a year, one in every 2,500. It occurs while the baby is still in the womb. Blood vessels from the umbilical cord or the placenta blocks the birth canal and rupture when the mother’s waters break. If it is not diagnosed it can cause death for 95% of [...]

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Vasa Praevia kills more than 300 babies a year, one in every 2,500. It occurs while the baby is still in the womb. Blood vessels from the umbilical cord or the placenta blocks the birth canal and rupture when the mother’s waters break. If it is not diagnosed it can cause death for 95% of babies with the problem, but that risk is reduced almost to 0% if it is seen early on ultasound screening.

Now the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) is set to change the guidelines on screening of pregnant mothers so that they will be seen for a routine ultrasound scan at 20 weeks. Doctors were reluctant to order the test before because the cost of caring for a mother with the condition was thought to be too expensive. Mothers with the condition have to be carefully monitored, with long spells in hospital and will have to have their babies delivered by elective caesarian sections. The new guidelines will be published by next year.

Written by WorldsBest on February 26th, 2007 with 1 comment.
Read more articles on pregnancy / parenthood.

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