(dailyRx)

An article published in the peer-reviewed journal Women's Health emphasizes the importance of early pregnancy detection. Using research conducted on behalf of First Response maker Church & Dwight Co. Inc., the article reviews data that shows not all at-home pregnancy tests are created equal.
The manufacturer-sponsored research found that First Response pregnancy tests are more sensitive and able to detect key variants of the pregnancy hormone better than other at home pregnancy tests.

"The first days of pregnancy set the stage for healthy fetal development and a safe, healthy experience for Mom," said Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., study author and clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale University School of Medicine. "By choosing a highly sensitive pregnancy test [such as] First Response, a woman can confirm she is pregnant very early and begin to make healthy choices for herself and her fetus."

Dr. Mary Jane Minkin receives compensation for her participation in First Response communications.

All at-home pregnancy tests work by detecting human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the primary pregnancy hormone. However, levels of sensitivity vary by test. In early pregnancy, hCG is found in a woman's urine in very small amounts, and home pregnancy tests vary in their ability to detect low levels of the hormone. In addition, other forms of hCG are present in the urine during early pregnancy, and home pregnancy tests also differ in their sensitivity to these variants. Minkin's article concludes there are clear benefits to detecting hCG variants, including a more sensitive result.

The sensitivity of First Response tests is further reinforced by a study recently published in Clinica Chimica Acta. This study showed that First Response was able to detect the lowest concentration of hCG in early pregnancy urine compared with other over-the-counter brands. First Response also consistently detected the variants hCGn, hCG-β and hCGβn.

Knowing early pregnancy status can help a woman begin prenatal precautions, including the following:

  • Seek prenatal care. Babies whose mothers don't receive prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight and five times more likely to die than babies whose mothers receive prenatal care.
  • Change her diet and nutrition. Pregnant women should make sure they're getting enough folic acid, calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin D, as well as cutting out saccharin, caffeine, unpasteurized dairy, deli foods, raw eggs, herbal teas and some types of seafood.
  • Avoid potential hazards. Pregnant women should avoid smoking, alcohol, certain medications and herbal remedies, narcotics, exposure to cat feces (which can cause toxoplasmosis) and certain chemicals.

About the Study
In the study of home pregnancy tests, First Response products detected hCG as well as its variants hCG-H, hCG-β and blends of the hormones at a much lower level than any of the other brands tested. This heightened sensitivity to different hCG variants allows First Response pregnancy tests to detect pregnancy as early as five days before a missed period. Furthermore, only First Response Early Result and First Response Gold digital tests detect the variant hCG-β.

The study was conducted independently on behalf of Church & Dwight. The sensitivity of the brands was ranked for each of the forms tested. Where the sensitivity of brands was deemed identical, the percentage of positive tests at the lowest concentration detectable was used to formulate the ranking.

Contact:
Kerry McCauley
212-704-8222
Kerry.McCauley@edelman.com