Adapting to US life ups Latinas’ preterm birth risk

A new study hints that adapting to US culture may be hazardous to Hispanics’ health.

In a study of pregnant Hispanic women, those who spoke English well — a sign of acculturation — were four times as likely to suffer preterm births as their peers who were not proficient English speakers. The English speakers also had lower levels of progesterone — a hormone that is essential for maintaining a healthy pregnancy.

Study investigator Dr. R. Jeanne Ruiz from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston told Reuters Health, acculturation “is doing something to their physiology and the key question is what. The sooner we investigate the better.”"*

*From: http://www.reutershealth.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish

Abstract of Study 

Stumble it! | |

Other posts that may interest you

In Hispanic women, genetic variations linked to spontaneous preterm birth

Gene Linked to Preterm Birth Among Hispanic Women

Latina Lista: Latinas Identified as Highest Risk Group for Osteoporosis

Latina Lista: Young Latinas at high risk for eating disorders

Hispanic Babies at Greater Risk for Severe Birth Defects

Study shows Latinas have highest birth rate

Folic acid use declining among Latinas

1 out of 4 latinas in the US has a child before the age of 20

Hispanic Babies at Higher Risk for Severe Birth Defects

National Folic Acid Awareness Week -- Latino babies in North Carolina have a higher rate of serious birth defects