and pregnancy

[Guest guest]

Dear listmates,

I had this in my files and thought some of you might be interested to read

it as it is " straight from the horse's mouth " (Dr. Goldberg) concerning

pregnancy.

First, here's an optimistic quote from Dr. Goldberg, and the link to the

article it came from is below it (the article doesn't really talk about

pregnancy other than the quote).

" While only an anecdotal observation, to date, NO family with whom I have

instituted a preventative program for has had another " autistic

spectrum " disorder child. "

http://www.whale.to/v/goldberg.html

Below are two letters that women posted to " Ask Dr. Goldberg " on his website

(along with Dr. Goldberg's answers). These letters were posted a while ago

but I think they are consistent with what Dr. Goldberg is telling people

now.

€ Question #1

Dr. Goldberg - Could you please share any information or thoughts you might

have on CFS and pregnancy? I am 32 years old and have had CFS/FM for 7

years. I do OK living within my " envelope " and am currently considering

starting a family with my husband. Any information you have would be greatly

appreciated. Thank you.

€ Answer #1

In general, likely connected to hormonal and immune changes during

pregnancy, most women with CFS with do better by the 3 or 4th month of

pregnancy, and continue in a ³honeymoon² period usually 5 - 6 months s/p

delivery. Therefore, I think if you ³pace² yourself, watch diet (see below)

and maintain good nutrition, there is no reason (I always defer to you and

your husband) you shouldn¹t plan to start a family. As I am very concerned

re the connection of ³immune sensitivity² within families like this, I

highly advise an ³atopic² (allergenic, reactive) " preventative approach

during pregnancy and for at least the first two years of your child¹s life.

That means NO milk/dairy/chocolate/whole wheat products, monitoring your

(and ultimately the babies) CBC, and tightening up the diet even further

(i.e. red fruits - strawberries, cherries, watermelon, etc.) if your

eosinophils are not staying below 3% (ideally 1 - 2 %).

Good luck, MJG

€ Question #2

Dear Dr. Goldberg,

I am 's aunt and have been able to closely follow 's progress he has

made under your care. I'm very impressed with the results. My concern is

that if I get pregnant, my child will be faced with the same challenges

faces. Are there any indications, tests, or genetic markers which will tell

me whether or not I could pass this on to my child? While I would not choose

to not have a child, I would like to be as prepared as possible for any

potential challenges. I've been doing some reading about CMV and other

herpes-related viruses and the possible correlation to developmental delays.

I have a history of cold sores from childhood (which I believe is related to

CMV). If I am carrying CMV, is there anything I can do to prevent this from

being passed to my child. I'm planning on getting pregnant later this year

and would greatly appreciate your input.

Thank you,

's sister

€ Answer #2

Dear ³¹s sister - ¹s aunt² As we live in a world of increased

³autoimmune² disorders, immune mediated diseases, I think it is appropriate

for anyone to take precautions, particularly when there is any family

history. But, I would not confuse ³real² CMV (as a real, very severe in

utero or neonatal infection) with the type of immune disorder affecting

these children. To ³maximize² any child¹s health (and hopefully prevent

³triggers² to this disorder) I have always been a strong believer as a

pediatrician, that a ³clear,² healthy child is important, and I have always

been a strong believer in minimizing allergy factors, adjusting diet (if any

suspicion), etc. For mother of a previous ³Autistic / ² child, I am

recommending avoidance of milk, dairy, choclate, whole wheat during their

pregnancy (essentially consistent with the recommendations of the American

Academy of Pediatrics for families with heavy allergies, atopy, etc.), and

to avoid dairy based formulas (soy if any problems), watch foods and

allergies very carefully, etc. In your case, that is certainly a reasonable

way to take some precautions in a likely positive direction, without any

negatives in doing so. Hope this helps, good luck with your pregnancy.

MJG