London - A form of Viagra could be given to pregnant women to help under-developing babies grow.
Doctors at Liverpool Women’s Hospital are testing the drug, normally used to tackle male impotence, for babies with intrauterine growth restriction.
This is often caused by poor blood supply to the placenta, which can mean the baby doesn’t receive enough nutrients, affecting growth and sometimes resulting in premature labour or stillbirth.
Viagra-type drugs help with impotence by increasing blood flow in the pelvis area. The researchers believe it will have a similar effect in women, increasing blood flow to the womb and placenta.
More than 100 women in the two-year trial will be given either oral sildenafil (the generic name of the Viagra drug) or a placebo three times a day until delivery. - Daily Mail