AN INCREDIBLE new study has found that Viagra has the potential to save the life of critically ill newborn babies.
A clever team of scientists discovered that sildenafil – or the little blue pill – could be a possible solution to help babies who run out of oxygen during pregnancy and suffer long lasting issues.
GettyScientists have discovered Viagra could have potential to save the life of critically ill newborn babies[/caption]
The horror circumstance, known as neonatal encephalopathy has long puzzled doctors with treatments to solve the issue very limited.
But the first phase of a clinical study done at the Montreal Children’s Hospital might have figured out a remarkable solution.
Recently published in The Journal of Paediatrics, the use of Viagra could help to repair signs of brain damage caused by neonatal encephalopathy.
If it holds its promise in the next phases of the study, it could change the lives of babies suffering from neonatal encephalopathy all over the world
Dr. Pia Wintermark
The fascinating results show that sildenafil is safe and a useful tool to help babies who are struggling from a lack of air.
The findings show encouraging signs of efficacy with the groundbreaking research set to continue.
Dr. Pia Wintermark, senior author of the study and a top neonatologist said: “Sildenafil is inexpensive and easy to administer.
“If it holds its promise in the next phases of the study, it could change the lives of babies suffering from neonatal encephalopathy all over the world.”
Dr. Wintermark said the clinical study involved 24 newborn babies with moderate to severe neonatal encephalopathy.
Those chosen were already on therapeutic hypothermia but it had proved ineffective and had brain damage.
After the study, researchers concluded that sildenafil is safe and well absorbed by babies who have brain damage due to neonatal encephalopathy.
Follow up assessments of the babies at 30 days and 18-months-old showed no long-term issues or adverse events, showing encouraging results looking forwards.
Most surprisingly, in the sildenafil group, only one baby out of six developed cerebral palsy whereas three in three did in the placebo group.
Global developmental and fine motor delays were also noted in two out of six kids given the drug but all of those in the placebo group suffered from them.
And after just 30 days, five of the newborns given sildenafil showed partial healing of their injuries, fewer signs of brain volume loss and an increase in deep gray matter.
The entire placebo group didn’t show any of the same findings.
Dr. Wintermark continued: “Currently, when a baby has brain damage, there is little we can offer other than supportive care such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or specialized care.
“If we had a drug that could repair the brain, it could change the future of these babies.”
“It would be a victory for them, for their family, and for society in general.”
WHAT ELSE CAN VIAGRA DO?
Most of us know Viagra as a drug used by men during sex to help with erectile dysfunction.
The use of sex drugs like Viagra or even Cialis is increasing as around half of men over 40 experience trouble in the bedroom.
They work by widening blood vessels to improve blood flow to the penis – and also boost circulation to the brain.
Studies on the little blue pill have found it can slash your risk of Alzheimer’s disease by a staggering 18 per cent.
Researchers from University College London discovered the pill is a boost for your mind as well as your manhood.
Another recent study by Hope College, Michigan, found regular sex also protects against dementia.
And Urologist Gordon Muir, of London’s King’s College Hospital, also recently claimed the drugs can help the heart.
He said: “There is some evidence that men who take these drugs have a lower risk of major cardiac issues, whether due to healthier blood vessels or less depression we do not know.”
Whereas other researchers have suggested that it may protect men from heart attacks, stroke, and other major cardiovascular events.
The authors of various studies say erectile dysfunction medications “are not only safe but may have important cardioprotective properties”.
The study appeared in The Journal of Sexual Medicine and found men who took the drug for erectile dysfunction compared to those who didn’t, had a load of positives.
Around 13 per cent showed lower rates of a major adverse cardiovascular event such as heart attack, stroke or heart failure.
As 39 per cent also showed a lower rate of death due to cardiovascular disease and 25 per cent had a lower rate of death in general.