Young women who survive cancer treatment may face new ordeals when they seek to have children later in life, researchers warned today.
New findings link baby deaths to women being exposed to radiation earlier in life.
Women who underwent radiotherapy affecting their pelvis before puberty face a five to 12 times increased risk of losing a baby, according to the report in The Lancet.
The research finds no threat to the children of male cancer survivors.
Researchers from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA, studied more than 2,800 men and women and nearly 5,000 pregnancies.
The researchers led by Dr John Boice say radiation may restrict growth of the womb.
They write: "Careful management is warranted for pregnant women treated with high-doses of pelvic irradiation before they have reached puberty."
In Britain midwives called for more research to find ways of tackling the problem.
Sue Jacob, of the Royal College of Midwives, said: "This study has highlighted the possible effect of carcinogenic drugs and radiotherapy on the germ cells in the ovary, reflected in the increased rate of still births and neonatal deaths.
"The RCM believes further information and research into the complex causes and factors causing stillbirth and neonatal deaths is needed."
The Lancet on-line July 23 2010
Leave a Reply