Viagra not effective for foetal growth complications: Study

London Dec 9 (IANS) Anti-impotency Viagra drug used to prevent serious growth complications affecting babies in the womb is ineffective finds a study.

Foetal growth restriction commonly called intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a complicated pregnancy condition in which a baby does not grow to normal weight.

The condition develops when the placenta fails to develop correctly as a result of poor flow of blood through it.

Sildenafil sold under the brand name Viagra causes blood vessels to relax and has been used for many years for the treatment of male erectile problems.

Viagra had emerged as a potential management option in the treatment of IUGR.

Improving the blood supply to the placenta should improve the growth and well-being of the IUGR baby said researchers from the University of Liverpool.

However the study published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health revealed that when Sildenafil was administered to pregnant women with a severely growth-restricted foetus it did not prolong pregnancy improve survival or reduce short-term neonatal morbidity.

"Sadly the use of this drug in this way was ineffective " said Zarko Alfirevic Professor at the varsity.

"However as part of our continuing research we are now monitoring the growth and development of the babies who participated in the trial to learn even more about this disease and its implications with a view to help us to identify possible treatment options in the future " Alfirevic added.

For the study the team recruited 135 women who were less than 30 weeks into their pregnancies with an IUGR baby. Of these 70 of the women were prescribed Sildenafil and 65 women a placebo.

--IANS
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