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Details of the study
A research team led by Dr. Ian Seppelt from the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Influenza Investigators examined the medical records of 229 women with swine flu who were hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) between June and August 2009.
Of these, 64 women were pregnant or had given birth in the last 28 days before contracting the virus.
None of these women had been immunized against the seasonal flu, despite strict medical recommendations, noted the researchers.
Details of the study
4941 pregnant women, all of whom were participants of a multi-ethnic population-based study, were picked up for the current study.
Researchers gathered information detailing each woman’s pregnancy and post-pregnancy feelings.
Information on complications encountered during pregnancy and childbirth was then matched with the risk of postnatal depression for the various complications, including pre-eclampsia (pregnancy induced high blood pressure), deep vein thrombosis, poor fetus growth and fetal distress.
Pre-eclampsia is a condition that drives up the blood pressure and hampers the transfer of oxygen and nutrients through the placenta to the baby causing difficulties like premature birth, stillborn babies, caesarian, or even the death of the mother.
The researchers stated, “Women who reported regular chocolate consumption of more than three servings a week had a 50 per cent or greater reduced risk of pre-eclampsia. Regular chocolate intake during the first or third trimester was equally protective.”
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