apigenin and Birth-Weight

In the South of Italy the use of herbal remedies to alleviate pregnancy-related symptoms is very common.. To investigate the proportion, prevalence of use, attitude and knowledge base in a sample of Italian pregnant women in the South of Italy. To explore the possible influence and risks of herbal consumption on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.. A retrospective observational study was conducted during the study period November 2010-September 2013. Six hundred and thirty expectant mothers were interviewed within three days after childbirth in a public Hospital in the South of Italy.. Due to a lack of data, a total of six hundred interviews were considered. Four hundred and eighty six women (81%) reported to have constantly used at least one herbal product throughout the pregnancy period. The study enrolled mostly women between 31 and 40 years of age, with a middle-high level of education, married and employed. The most commonly used herbal products, taken by oral route and for the entire period of pregnancy, were chamomile, fennel, propolis, cranberry, lemon balm, ginger, valerian and mallow. The most relevant source of information for the majority of participants was the doctor (95%), and most of the women (72%) informed their doctors about their use of herbal remedies.. The regular chamomile consumption resulted in a higher risk of pre-term delivery, lower birth weight and lower length of the newborn. Also a regular use of fennel resulted in a shorter gestational age. Finally, ginger intake resulted in a shorter gestational age and in a smaller circumference of the newborn's skull.

Topics: Adult; Birth Weight; Chamomile; Female; Foeniculum; Humans; Italy; Obstetric Labor, Premature; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Outcome; Retrospective Studies; Socioeconomic Factors; Zingiber officinale

How common is the use of herbal supplements during pregnancy and does it adversely affect the pregnancy outcome?. The use of herbal products during pregnancy is very common and daily almond oil spreading is associated with preterm birth (PTB).. Herbal drugs are often promoted as 'natural' and 'safe' and such claims attract pregnant women. More than a quarter of Italian pregnant women consume herbs every day for at least 3 months during pregnancy. We raise an alert over the habit of daily almond oil spreading since it seems to be associated with PTB.. A multicenter retrospective cohort study performed over a 15-month period.. Seven hundred women interviewed within 3 days of childbirth, in three public hospitals in northern Italy.. One hundred and eighty-nine women were considered 'regular users', since they consumed herbs every day, for at least 3 months. Almond oil, chamomile and fennel were the most commonly used herbs. Both length of gestation and birthweight were affected by herb consumption. Almond oil users showed more pre-term birth (29 of 189) than non-users (51 of 511). After adjusting for multiple pregnancies, smoking, advanced age and drug intake, almond oil users maintained an increased risk to give birth <37th week (odds ratio = 2.09, 95% confidence interval: 1.08-4.08).. The association between daily spreading of almond oil and PTB only raises a hypothesis that requires confirmation in larger trials devoted to this topic. The relatively small sample size did not allow the investigation of other adverse pregnancy outcomes in herb users.. The population under investigation did not significantly differ from the general population attending the same hospitals.. No conflict of interest exists. The study has been supported by a public grant from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.. None.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Adult; Birth Weight; Chamomile; Cohort Studies; Dietary Supplements; Female; Foeniculum; Hospitals, Public; Humans; Italy; Plant Oils; Plant Preparations; Plants, Medicinal; Pregnancy; Premature Birth; Retrospective Studies; Risk; Self Care; Time Factors