********** Spanish version at: http://www.dorway.com/betty/pregnans.txt

Date: Sun, 24 Sep 1995 15:50:05 -0400
From: ElaineHF@aol.com
To: bettym19@mindspring.com
Subject: H. J. Roberts, Pregnancy

H.J. ROBERTS, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.C.C.P.
6708 Pamela Lane
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
FAX 561-547-8008

Diplomate, American Board of FAX (407)832-2400 Internal Medicine
(Recertified)

PROFESSIONAL OPINION OF H. J. ROBERTS, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.C.C.P.
CONCERNING THE USE OF PRODUCTS CONTAINING ASPARTAME (NUTRASWEET)
BY PREGNANT WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN

It is my firm opinion that pregnant women, infants and children should
avoid ALL products containing aspartame - including vitamins, drugs and
supplements.

     This corporate-neutral summary statement has been prepared as
general information in response to numerous requests from concerned
patients, parents and consumers.  There is no bias or malice intended
against any company, distributor, researcher or individuals who may hold
a contrary view.

     The statement is based on considerable observation, research and
correspondence published in more than a score of articles and these two
books:

 * ASPARTAME (NUTRASWEET):  IS IT SAFE?  (Philadelphia, The Charles
Press)

 * SWEET’NER DEAREST:  BITTERSWEET VIGNETTES ABOUT ASPARTAME
(NUTRASWEET) (West Palm Beach, Sunshine Sentinel Press, P.O. Box 17799,
1-800-814-9800)

  This subject is also reviewed in an updated two-cassette talk:  IS
ASPARTAME (NUTRASWEET) SAFE?  A MEDICAL, PUBLIC HEALTH AND LEGAL
OVERVIEW -- 1 995 (Sunshine Sentinel Press).

                          AN OVERVIEW OF ASPARTAME

     Each of the three components of aspartame - phenylalnine; aspartic
acid; the methyl ester, which promptly becomes methyl alcohol or
methanol -- and their multiple breakdown products after exposure to heat
or during prolonged storage is potentially toxic, especially to the
developing brain.

     Such toxicity and other serious physiologic derangements are
evidenced by the serious reactions suffered by thousands of persons who
used these products. The neurotoxic and metabolic complications are
likely to affect the fetus and young children even more severely.

     In my publications, and testimony to Congress and an FDA advisory
group, I have expressed the belief that the current wholesale ingestion
of aspartame products by over half  the adult population constitutes a
probably “imminent public health hazard.”  My concern is intensified by
(1) evidence that these products may play a causative or aggravating
role in many medical disorders (including headaches, dizziness,
confusion, impaired vision, convulsions, and probably brain tumors), (2)
the flawed nature of most “scientific” studies being used to “prove” the
alleged safety of these products, and (3) reports of serious reactions
volunteered to the FDA by over 7,300 irate consumers.

                      PREGNANT WOMEN AND NURSING MOTHERS

     I urge ALL pregnant women and mothers who breast-fee to avoid
aspartame products...without exception! This message also has been given
to obstetricians.

     The medical and scientific grounds for such advice include:

 * Exposure of the fetus to considerable phenylalanine and methyl
alcohol

 * Maternal malnutrition associated with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and
reduced calories

 * Transmission of aspartame and its byproducts via the mother’s milk

 * Increasing the “allergic load”...thereby risking future
hypersensitivity diseases

                             INFANTS AND CHILDREN

     I have reported many adverse effects of aspartame products
experienced by young persons.  They include severe headaches,
convulsions, rashes, asthma, gastrointestinal problems, and weight loss
or gain.  The neuropsychiatric features encompass irritability,
hyperactivity, depression, antisocial behavior, deterioration of
intelligence, and poor school performance.

     These complications tend to be magnified in children with
unrecognized hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), hypoglycemia (low
blood sugar reactions), diabetes, and phenylketonuria or PKU.  Persons
with PKU lack the enzyme needed for handling phenylalanine, which can
cause severe neurological and other damage if dietary precautions aimed
at preventing excessive levels are not instituted.

                                 BIRTH DEFECTS

     The issue of aspartame-related birth defects has not been resolved
by epidemiologic studies.  I remain concerned about this possibility,
however, because of histories of reports given me about severe problems
in the fetus or infant of parents (including fathers) who consumed much
aspartame at the time of conception and/or during pregnancy.  Several
animal studies support such concern.

1995 H. J. Roberts, M.D.