"Off-pump" heart bypass operations are not better, researchers said this week. In fact, a study finds they have worse long-term outcomes than the older method, which uses a machine to pump blood instead of the heart. Another study released this week found that people may eat more high-fat foods under stress. A new government report said that early (premature) birth is the main cause of U.S. infant deaths. There was other pregnancy news this week, too. One study suggests that some antibiotics may increase birth defects. Other research found that pregnant women can be protected with one swine flu shot.
Stay well.

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In the News:

Study: Traditional Beats 'Off-Pump' Heart Bypass
When it comes to heart bypass surgery, the old ways are best, a study released this week suggests. "Off-pump" procedures were more likely to lead to problems than procedures that used a heart-lung machine, the study found. In a standard coronary artery bypass procedure, a machine pumps blood so the heart can stop during surgery. In the newer, off-pump procedure, the heart keeps beating. But a device is used to hold it still. The study involved 2,203 patients. They were randomly assigned to bypass surgery with or without the pump. Deaths and other problems were about the same in each group one month after surgery. But a year later there were more deaths, heart attacks and other problems in the group that got off-pump procedures. Mental tests showed no problems in either group. The Associated Press wrote about the study. It appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Prematurity Main Cause of U.S. Infant Deaths
The U.S. infant mortality rate is more than twice as high as those in several European countries. And a new report says the main reason is a higher rate of premature births. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the report this week. Premature babies are born before the 37th week of pregnancy. About 1 out of 8 U.S. births are premature. One reason is that poor women often don't have good access to prenatal care, experts told the Associated Press. Another reason, unrelated to wealth, is fertility treatments. These often lead to twins or other multiple births. These babies are more likely to be premature. Smoking, obesity and induced labor also can lead to premature births.

Some Antibiotics May Affect Birth Defect Rate
Some antibiotics used during pregnancy may increase the risk of birth defects, new research suggests. The study was released this week. Researchers interviewed more than 13,000 mothers whose infants had birth defects. They also talked to nearly 5,000 women with healthy babies. The women were asked if they took any antibiotics in the month before conception or the first three months of pregnancy. Women whose babies had birth defects were more likely than women with healthy babies to report taking two types of antibiotics. They were sulfa drugs (such as Bactrim) and nitrofurantoins (such as Macrobid). Both are used to treat infections of the urinary tract. Penicillins are the type of antibiotics used most often in early pregnancy. They were not linked to a higher risk of birth defects. The Associated Press wrote about the study. It appeared in the journal Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

1 Swine Flu Dose OK for Pregnant Women
One dose of H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine provides enough protection for pregnant women, U.S. health officials said this week. These were the first results from research on dosage for this group. Further research also confirmed that children under age 10 need two doses, the officials said. The Associated Press wrote about the new developments. They were announced at a press briefing at the National Institutes of Health.

Stress Linked to High-Fat Eating Habits
Stress may cause people to eat more high-fat foods, a survey released this week concluded. Researchers questioned more than 600 women about their stress and eating habits. Those who had a great deal of continuing stress were more likely to say they ate a lot of fatty foods. They also were more likely to say they did not feel in control of their eating. The Associated Press wrote about the study. It was presented at a recent meeting of the Obesity Society.

Used with the permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. The above summaries are not intended to provide advice on personal medical matters, nor are they intended to be a substitute for consultation with a physician.