International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Premature babies may soon be subjected to a needle-free test which is said to be more accurate than other examinations in use at the moment, new research shows.

Scientists from Queen's University Belfast, UK, have created this pioneering test to help reduce some of the trauma the families of premature babies face when they have to undergo medicine testing.

The study was conducted in the Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and the School of Pharmacy at Queen's.

Blood spots obtained from simple heel-pricks were used for the research.

"This type of testing will obviously reduce the discomfort of medicine testing in these vulnerable patients," said principal investigator James McElnay.

He added more importantly, the test will also ensure an accurate decision is given about the most appropriate dose of medicine a premature baby receives.

A recent study by researchers in Dublin, Ireland, revealed that women who drink alcohol during pregnancy are more likely to give birth prematurely or have a miscarriage.

Posted by Alexandra George