Understanding how cannabis can damage the brain of a foetus and the discovery of a new drug that may prevent premature labour are among significant advances in maternity research in Ireland.
Cannabis seems to protect adult brain cells, but causes young brain cells to self-destruct, according to new research from Trinity College Dublin (TCD), funded by the Health Research Board.
Women, particularly teenage girls, must be warned to avoid cannabis if they might be pregnant, according to pharmacologist Dr Veronica Campbell at TCD whose study of the impact of cannabis on young brains found that the active ingredient in cannabis (THC) causes brain cells to self-destruct in a similar fashion to cancer cells, a process called apoptosis.
Similar tests on adult brain cells revealed that THC did not trigger the same self-destruct process.
The discovery may help to explain how the drug can cause brain damage in an unborn foetus and why the age at which someone starts using the drug is important.
Obstetricians at NUI Galway have discovered a new drug that may be able to stop the muscle contractions of premature labour.
Drugs currently used to stop women going into premature labour are very ineffective and have many side effects, including blood pressure problems.
Prof John Morrison and his team have discovered a promising new drug that has less effect on blood vessels, suggesting it is less likely to cause blood pressure problems in mother and baby.
The Galway team has discovered the new compound acts on a protein (beta-3 adrenoreceptor) which is involved in relaxing and contracting the muscles of the womb.
Being born premature is the single biggest cause of babies dying or having residual handicap and long-term effects include a high incidence of long-term chest disease and developmental and intellectual problems, according to Morrison.
Meanwhile, researchers in University College Dublin have found that interpreters and anti-racism training are needed in maternity hospitals to meet the challenge of Ireland's growing cultural diversity.
While ethnic minority women are less likely to smoke, drink or take illegal drugs than Irish women, they are more likely to present late to hospital during their pregnancy resulting in fewer ante-natal visits.
They were also less likely to have had the rubella vaccine and more likely to be anaemic.