Reuters Health News Summary

Following is a summary of current health news briefs. Benzodiazepines in early pregnancy tied to heightened risk of miscarriage

Pregnant women who take a class of drugs that's often prescribed for anxiety or insomnia may run a higher risk of miscarriage, a new study suggests. Canadian researchers looked at the outcomes from more than 160,000 early pregnancies and found that women taking benzodiazepines, such as Alprazolam (Xanax), Diazepam (Valium) and Clonazepam (Klonopin), were nearly twice as likely to miscarry, according to the results in JAMA Psychiatry. Too much vitamin B6 and B12 tied to hip fractures in older women

Older women who take supplements with high doses of vitamins B6 and B12 may be more likely than their counterparts who don't to experience hip fractures, a U.S. study suggests. While some previous research has linked both of these vitamins to a lower risk of heart disease, results have been mixed and some studies have also tied B6 and B12 to fractures in older adults, researchers note in JAMA Network Open. For some trauma doctors, clash with NRA proves therapeutic

A recent clash with the National Rifle Association (NRA) has shown some doctors who treat gunshot victims a way to heal their own trauma: through activism against gun violence. With rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on par with that of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, trauma surgeons have found that speaking out helps them cope with the hopelessness and anger that come from seeing gunshot victims repeatedly wheeled into the trauma bay. Republican Alabama governor mulling nation's strictest abortion law

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday was mulling whether to sign the United States' strictest abortion law, part of a multistate effort to get the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider women's constitutional right to abortion. The state's Republican-controlled Senate on Tuesday passed a bill that would outlaw nearly all abortions, including in the cases of pregnancies that resulted from rape or incest, allowing exceptions only to protect the mother's health. Light physical activity might help keep the brain young

A recent study suggests that light physical activity may help stave off signs of aging in the brain. The human brain typically shrinks as people age, with volume declining by about 0.2 percent per year by age 60 and with excessive shrinkage linked with cognitive problems, Nicole Spartano of Boston University School of Medicine and colleagues explain in JAMA Network Open. Pfizer's atopic dermatitis treatment meets goals in late-stage study

Pfizer Inc's new atopic dermatitis treatment met the main goals in a late-stage study that tested the drug in patients aged 12 and older with moderate to severe forms of the disease, the drugmaker said on Wednesday. Abrocitinib, which belongs to a class of drugs known as JAK inhibitors, which block inflammation-causing enzymes, known as Janus kinases, achieved statistically significant improvement in clearing the skin of patients as compared to placebo. ACLU, Planned Parenthood file lawsuit challenging Ohio anti-abortion law

The American Civil Liberties Union, its Ohio branch and Planned Parenthood on Wednesday filed a lawsuit challenging an Ohio law that they say could ban abortion as early as six weeks into a woman's pregnancy. The law, which was passed by the Republican-controlled state legislature in April, bans abortions if doctors can detect a heartbeat, which can occur as early as six weeks into pregnancy. Lead measured in teeth of kids living near former battery-recycling plant

Children living near a former car-battery recycling plant in Los Angeles have lead in their baby teeth at levels that track with neighborhood contamination, according to a study of exposure to the toxic metals in the womb and during early childhood. Elevated levels of lead and arsenic have long been documented in the air and soil surrounding facilities that recycle batteries. The Exide plant, located just southeast of downtown Los Angeles, recycled 11 million car batteries a year and released 3,500 tons of lead over 30 years. It closed in March 2015 as part of a legal settlement for hazardous waste violations, researchers note in Environmental Science and Technology. Venezuela dialysis patients face uncertain fate after power cuts

Seconds before William Lopez was set to be connected to a dialysis machine at a state-run clinic in the western Venezuelan city of Maracaibo in April, the power went out. Missing dialysis treatment, which removes toxins that build up in the blood of people who suffer kidney failure, leaves Lopez feeling dizzy and nauseous. Like any chronic kidney patient, he could die if he goes too long without treatment. Johnson & Johnson to submit applications for at least 10 new drugs by 2023

Johnson & Johnson said on Wednesday it expected to file marketing applications for at least 10 new drugs between 2019 to 2023, to strengthen its pharmaceuticals unit which has been a major growth driver. This is part of the healthcare conglomerate's plan to deliver above-market growth through 2023 at its Janssen unit, it said. The plan comes ahead of J&J's business review, scheduled later on Wednesday.

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