Lyme and Pregnancy

[preciousdove]

----- Original Message -----
From: <[e-mail]>
To: "~lymeinformation" <[e-mail]>
Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2005 7:22 AM
Subject: Pregnancy and Lyme- Update 2005


> >From Tincup on Lyme and pregnancy by Dr. B and Dr. J at VA
> To: [e-mail]
>
>
> Pregnancy and Lyme- Update 2005
> At the Hope to Heal Lyme Conference in Reston, VA (2005), Dr. Burrascano
> and Dr. Jones both spoke about Lyme and pregnancy. We all are thankful they are doing this research and continue to help mothers and children.
>
> A while back I promised to report anything I heard about this topic.. and I will do so now for those with Lyme who are considering becoming pregnant. This is only a small portion of the report. Please order a recording of the programs for more detailed information.
>
> **Any stage of active Lyme can affect the fetus at any stage of pregnancy. Problems include- miscarriage, still birth, serious birth defects, apparently healthy babies who become ill later on, and sudden infant death.
>
> Study of 66 women concluded:
>
> If the mother is kept on appropriate antibiotic therapy for the duration of the
> pregnancy.... (IMPORTANT- Antibiotics should begin **BEFORE** conception and be continued until AFTER delivery), then no adverse fetal outcomes were reported that were related to Lyme disease.
>
> No adverse effects for the baby from the antibiotic therapy.
>
> Breast milk can carry the Lyme spirochetes and can possibly be infectious to the baby.
>
> Serious post partum depression is VERY common and should be expected.
>
> Parents MUST arrange for help at home for at least the first month after delivery.
>
> Mothers MUST follow a rigid schedule. Antibiotics can be specific for the
> mother and safe.. and can include orals, IVs, and/or injections.
>
> Antibiotic levels must be monitored regularly if orals are used.
>
> NO breast feeding.
>
> At delivery the babies cord blood and the placenta should be tested for Lyme,
> Bartonella by PCR and culture if possible.
>
> Babies urine must be tested monthly for Lyme by PCR.
>
> LLMD to follow babies progress.
>
>
> Notes from Dr. Jones, who has treated over 7,000 children with Lyme disease.
>
> Over 300 of these children have Lyme as a result of trans-placental or breast
> milk exposure to Lyme. These children have gestational or early neonatal Lyme disease from their mother's undiagnosed, untreated, or inadequately treated Lyme disease. These children had a myriad of problems which
> improved or resolved with prolonged oral or IV antibiotics. Of the 300 children, several have been off antibiotics and are doing well, so far.
>
> Mothers of gestational Lyme disease children have frequent miscarriages. Most of their pregnancies are difficult and most of the children born have manifestations of the disease at, or shortly after birth.
>
> 40 percent have gastroesophageal reflux with vomiting and coughing
>
> 80 percent irritability
>
> 60 percent have low grade fevers, pallor, and dark circles under their eyes
>
> 72 percent have fatigue and lack stamina
>
> 23 percent have secondary rashes and 45 percent had other rashes
>
> 30 percent had eye problems: posterior cataracts, myopia, astigmatism, conjunctival erythema (Lyme eyes), optic nerve atrophy and optic neuritis and/or uveitis
>
> 40 percent have a history of frequent upper respiratory tract infections and otitis, starting in infancy
>
> 20 percent have abdominal pain
>
> 40 percent have history of noise, light and skin sensitivity
>
> 50 percent have arthritis and painful joints
>
> 18 percent have developmental delay, including language, speech problems and hypotonia
>
> 80 percent have cognitive problems, learning disabilities and mood swings
>
> 30 percent have cavernous hemagiomas
>
>
> 8 of the 66 pregnancies resulted in Borrelia burgdorferi and Bartonella henselae positive placentas, umbilical cords, and/or foreskin remnants.
>
> Those with positive PCRs were treated with 6 months of oral antibiotics and are without symptoms 3 months to 4 years later. There appears to be increased evidence of cavernous hemagiomas in children exposed to treated and untreated Borrelia burgdorferi during pregnancy.
>
>
> Dr. Jones described mothers with Lyme who don't have proper treatment can
> have horrendously bad, horrendously horrible pregnancies.
>
>
> Dr. Burrascano described mothers with Lyme who are pregnant- most felt
> better during pregnancy.

Dr Tess Gardener of Missouri pediatrician and gynecologist also reported the same findings at a meeting of the EICS in 1999. They currently use donated infant foreskins for dermal transplants.

[fleabert]

1. I am concerned about this statement,

Over 300 of these children have Lyme as a result of trans-placental or breast
> milk exposure to Lyme. These children have gestational or early neonatal Lyme disease from their mother's undiagnosed, untreated, or inadequately treated Lyme disease. These children had a myriad of problems which
> improved or resolved with prolonged oral or IV antibiotics. Of the 300 children, several have been off antibiotics and are doing well, so far.

and the fact that they then say 'NO breastfeeding', it seems that if the infant does not get lyme during pregnancy or delivery, thanks to antibiotics, why then can't breastfeeding be done in conjunction with antibiotics as well? the children that do get Lyme from breastmilk seem to be fine with treatment afterward. My gut tells me that the positives from breastfeeding would far outweigh the negatives. I could be wrong, I'll have to do little more research on this, thanks for posting it.

I wish the study group were larger than 66.