Medical Bulletin 26/October/2023

Here are the top medical news of the day:

Impact of maternal COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy evaluated in large study

Maternal mRNA COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is associated with lower risks of severe neonatal morbidity, neonatal death, and neonatal intensive care unit admission, as revealed by a large population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada. The study focused on assessing severe neonatal morbidity (SNM), neonatal death, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, neonatal readmission, and hospital admission up to 6 months of age among infants born to vaccinated and unvaccinated mothers.

The study, involved singleton live births expected between May 1, 2021, and September 2, 2022. A total of 142,006 infants were included, with 85,670 exposed to one or more COVID-19 vaccine doses in utero.

Reference: Jorgensen SCJ, Drover SSM, Fell DB, et al. Newborn and Early Infant Outcomes Following Maternal COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy. JAMA Pediatr. Published online October 23, 2023. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.4499

Do forever chemicals cause thyroid cancer? Study reveals alarming link between the two

A recent study published in eBioMedicine has uncovered concerning connections between exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and the rising trend of thyroid cancer. While suspicions have lingered regarding PFAS exposure as a contributor to thyroid cancer, limited research has delved into this association within human populations. This study sought to bridge that gap, investigating the link between plasma PFAS levels and thyroid cancer diagnoses.

The study conducted a nested case-control investigation, focusing on patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer with plasma samples collected at or before the time of diagnosis. It involved 88 patients with thyroid cancer, using diagnosis codes, and pair-matched them with 88 healthy non-cancer controls. The matching criteria included sex, age (within 5 years), race/ethnicity, body mass index, smoking status, and the year of sample collection. Among the thyroid cancer patients, 74 had papillary thyroid cancer.

Reference: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and thyroid cancer risk, Maaike van Gerwen et al, Published:October 24, 2023 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104831

Can a Chinese martial art slow Parkinson's Disease progression?

New research published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry suggests that Tai Chi, a Chinese martial art known for its slow, controlled movements, may be an effective way to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease and reduce the need for medication.

While there is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease, the research indicates that Tai Chi may help manage its symptoms and slow its progression. Past studies have shown that Tai Chi can alleviate Parkinson's symptoms in the short term, but the long-term benefits were unknown.

Reference: Effect of long-term Tai Chi training on Parkinson’s disease: a 3.5-year follow-up cohort study, Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, DOI 10.1136/jnnp-2022-330967