Vitamin Can Cut Birth Defects And Miscarriages-New Discovery

Birth defects and miscarriages around
the world could be significantly reduced
if pregnant women take a common
vitamin supplement, scientists have
said.



Research has showed that vitamin B3, also
known as niacin, can cure molecular
deficiencies that stop embryos and babies'
organs from developing correctly in the
womb.



Vitamin B3 is found in meat and
vegetables - and a single serving of
Marmite contains 36% of a person's
recommended daily allowance.



The breakthrough has been described as
"one of the most significant discoveries in
pregnancy research", as the findings will
transform the way expectant mothers are
cared for.



It emerged after a team of scientists
investigated why some women suffer
multiple miscarriages - and what causes
children to be born with heart, kidney and
spinal defects.



Professor Sally Dunwoodie, a biomedical
researcher at the Victor Chang Cardiac
Research Institute in Sydney, said: "The
ramifications are likely to be huge.



"This has the potential to significantly
reduce the number of miscarriages and
birth defects around the world, and I do
not use these words lightly."One in four
pregnant women currently
suffer from a miscarriage, and an
estimated 7.9 million babies worldwide
are born with a serious birth defect every
year.



Annually, 3.3 million children aged under
five die from a serious birth defect - and
congenital heart disease, its most common
form, affects one in 100 babies.



Tests showed introducing vitamin B3 into
the diet of pregnant mice "completely
prevented" both miscarriages and defects
- leading to all offspring being born
"perfectly healthy".



The researchers say their next step is to
develop a test to help identify which
women are most at risk from having a
baby with a birth defect, and to then
ensure they have sufficient vitamin B3.




Professor Robert Graham, the institute's
executive director, said: "We believe that
this breakthrough will be one of
Australia's greatest medical discoveries.




"It's extremely rare to discover the
problem and provide a preventive solution
at the same time. It's actually a double
breakthrough."

Source-Sky news