New research explores newborn in-hospital weight loss
Healthy, full-term newborn babies tend to lose weight during the first few days after their birth. A groundbreaking new study published in the latest issue of the Journal of Human Lactation explores the reasons why certain newborns lose more (or less) than others and what conclusions can be drawn from the research. view more (2007-08-22)
PFOS and PFOA Exposure Associated with Lower Birth Weight and Size
Exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) in the womb is statistically associated with lower weight and head circumference at birth, according to an analysis of nearly 300 umbilical cord blood samples led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. view more (2007-08-20)
Umbilical cord clamping should be delayed, says expert
Clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord should be delayed for three minutes after birth, particularly for pre-term infants, suggests a senior doctor in this week's BMJ. view more (2007-08-17)
Birth records hold pancreatic cancer clue
Pregnancies in Jerusalem in the 1960s and 1970s may hold vital clues about how pancreatic cancer and diabetes are linked. According to research published in the online open access journal BMC Medicine, women with a history of gestational diabetes had a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer later in life. view more (2007-08-16)
Risk of common vaginal infection linked to preterm birth appears higher for blacks
Risk of a common vaginal infection linked to preterm birth appears to escalate when even one partner is African-American, according to a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine study presented today at the 34th annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology in Boston. view more (2007-08-13)
Progesterone therapy and preterm birth: More evidence helps identify women who can benefit
Two major studies published today in The New England Journal of Medicine can help doctors better identify pregnant women at risk for preterm delivery who can benefit from progesterone treatment, the March of Dimes Foundation said today. view more (2007-08-02)
Progesterone treatment does not prevent preterm birth in twin pregnancy
Progesterone therapy does not reduce the chances of preterm birth in women pregnant with twins, reported researchers in a network sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. view more (2007-08-02)
New data reveal pregnancies exposed to accutane despite risk management program
Despite a mandatory program designed to prevent pregnant women from being exposed to the anti-acne medication Accutane and similar medications containing isotretinoin (a known teratogen or birth defect-causing agent), 122 pregnancies were exposed during the first year of the program, known as iPledge, a report revealed. view more (2007-08-01)
Disparities in infant mortality not related to race, study finds
The cause of low birth weights among African-American women has more to do with racism than with race, according to a report by an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Illinois at Chicago. view more (2007-07-31)
Editorial: Weight and pregnancy
Gaining or losing weight in between pregnancies can have major health implications for an unborn baby, warn two senior obstetricians in today's BMJ. view more (2007-07-27)
Evidence underlying repeated courses of steroids for preterm birth is unsound
Researchers in this week's BMJ question whether giving repeated courses of steroid drugs to mothers at risk of preterm delivery is based on sound evidence. view more (2007-07-13)
Antibiotic treatment for children with UTI not associated with reduced risk of recurrence
The use of prophylactic antibiotics, which involves daily administration of antibiotics to children after an initial urinary tract infection, is not associated with reduced risk of recurrent urinary tract infections, but is associated with an increased risk of resistant infections. view more (2007-07-11)
SSRI antidepressants do not pose major birth defect risk
Researchers from Boston University's Slone Epidemiology Center have found that certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors antidepressants do not appear to increase the risk for most kinds of birth defects. view more (2007-06-28)
Gut check: Tracking the ecosystem within us
For more than 100 years, scientists have known that humans carry a rich ecosystem within their intestines. An astonishing number and variety of microbes, including as many as 400 species of bacteria, help humans digest food, mitigate disease, regulate fat storage, and even promote the formation of blood vessels. view more (2007-06-26)
Born to lose: How birth weight affects adult health and success
Birth weight has significant and lasting effects, a new study finds. Weighing less than 5.5 pounds at birth increases the probability of dropping out of high school by one-third, reduces yearly earnings by about 15 percent and burdens people in their 30s and 40s with the health of someone who is 12 years older. view more (2007-06-06)
Decision aid tool could cut the number of Caesarean sections by 4000 a year
A computerised decision analysis programme which helps women decide on the type of birth that is most appropriate for them could cut the number of caesarean sections performed in England and Wales by 4000 a year, according to a study published on bmj.com today. view more (2007-06-01)
'Healthy' children with smoking parents aren't really so healthy
Children of smokers who don't show any signs of respiratory problems may still be experiencing damaging changes in their airways that could lead to lung disease later in life. view more (2007-05-21)
'Bigger the baby, the better' axiom is incorrect
Dr Rachel Huxley, lead author of the paper and Acting Director of Nutrition and Lifestyle at The George Institute said, "Although there was support for a small association between birth weight and an individual's future risk of heart disease, the relationship is not as strong as earlier studies have suggested. view more (2007-05-18)
Study finds no link between autism and thimerosal in vaccines
The increase in the number of diagnosed cases of autism in recent years has sparked concern that environmental toxins may cause this complex disorder. view more (2007-05-16)
Full-term, low-birth-weight babies at significantly greater risk for early respiratory symptoms
Through age 5, children born at full term with low birth weight show significantly greater risk for developing respiratory symptoms, including wheezing, coughing and pulmonary infections, according to a large longitudinal study on birth weight and development. view more (2007-05-15)
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