News &amp; Updates

Contraction of Zika virus infection during pregnancy may put the offspring at risk of neurodevelopmental delay in early childhood, as shown in a study.

In utero Zika exposure ups neurodevelopmental delay risk in early childhood

Evidence-based strategies to optimise the management of respiratory diseases

On 9 November 2024, GSK organised the 2024 Respiratory Summit: Breath Easy, Live Fully under the auspices of the Singapore Thoracic Society. The summit featured presentations from esteemed experts, Dr Chew Si Yuan and Dr Steve Yang, who discussed recent updates to the guidelines for respiratory diseases – such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections – and strategies to optimise patient outcomes. The session was chaired by Dr Jim Teo.

Evidence-based strategies to optimise the management of respiratory diseases

No major pregnancy complications seen after fibroid ablation

For pregnancies occurring after transvaginal radiofrequency ablation of leiomyomas, the outcomes appear to be similar to pregnancies in the general population, with no reports of uterine rupture, placental abruption, or foetal growth restriction, according to a study.

No major pregnancy complications seen after fibroid ablation

Isotretinoin for acne: Higher total dose exposure, lower relapse risk?

A large cohort study suggests that for patients with acne who received an isotretinoin treatment course, the cumulative dosage taken, rather than the daily dose, is a key factor for reducing the risk of relapse and treatment retrial.

Isotretinoin for acne: Higher total dose exposure, lower relapse risk?

Change in eGFR often missed by clinicians, says study

Some clinicians fail to notice a significant change in eGFR when the baseline creatinine and incident creatinine levels are in the normal range, reports a recent study.

Change in eGFR often missed by clinicians, says study

Immune thrombocytopenia in infants usually mild, self-limiting

Parents of infants with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) need not worry too much as the disease is almost always self-limiting and transient, with most cases not requiring treatment, suggests a Singapore study. In addition, chances of developing chronic ITP are slim.

Immune thrombocytopenia in infants usually mild, self-limiting

Moderate dietary choline intake helps prevent dementia, enhance cognition

Moderate consumption of dietary choline, ranging from 332.89 to 353.93 mg/day, appears to reduce the likelihood of dementia and may even improve cognitive performance, suggests a study.

Moderate dietary choline intake helps prevent dementia, enhance cognition

Smartphone overuse tied to adverse mental health outcomes, SG survey says

A health and lifestyle survey conducted among Singapore residents aged 15–65 years has identified a link between problematic smartphone use (PSU) and adverse mental health outcomes.

Smartphone overuse tied to adverse mental health outcomes, SG survey says

Potential therapeutic targets and repurposed drug identified for endometriosis

Researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) have identified two novel potential therapeutic targets and a drug approved for dry eyes that can be repurposed for treatment of endometriosi s.

Potential therapeutic targets and repurposed drug identified for endometriosis

23 Jan 2025

Skipping surgical axillary staging does not compromise survival in breast cancer

In patients with clinically node-negative, T1 or T2 invasive breast cancer, omission of axillary staging does not appear to have a negative impact on disease–free survival, according to the results of the INSEMA trial.

Skipping surgical axillary staging does not compromise survival in breast cancer