Researchers found no significant difference in breastfeeding duration between early-term and full-term infants, suggesting that healthy premature babies can have successful breastfeeding outcomes. The study included 2,700 pairs of mothers and infants and monitored them from birth to 12 months or until breastfeeding ceased.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that infants exposed to antenatal corticosteroid therapy (ACT) are significantly smaller at birth. The research analyzed data from over 278,000 births and showed a reduction in birth weight of up to 222 grams for preterm babies.
A study of over 278,000 births in Finland found an association between steroid treatment and reduced birth weight. Babies exposed to steroids were on average born with lower birthweights, regardless of whether they were premature or full-term.
Researchers found that new mothers and fathers experience decreased sleep duration and satisfaction for up to six years after giving birth. Mothers tend to experience more severe sleep disruption than fathers due to their increased caregiving responsibilities.
A study found a 10% reduction in monthly birth rates in Fukushima City following the 2011 nuclear disaster, but rates recovered similar to pre-disaster levels after several years. The authors suggest this may indicate post-disaster rebuilding efforts.
A new study published in The Lancet found that medically assisted reproduction does not increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. Couples can now consider fertility treatment without worrying about harming their baby.
Women with severe influenza during pregnancy are more likely to have preterm birth and low birth weight infants. Pregnant women receiving the flu vaccine and those treated promptly with antiviral medications may reduce the risk of adverse infant outcomes.
A new study by the European Society of Cardiology found that giving birth is associated with a 14% higher risk of heart disease and stroke. Pregnant women are advised to keep weight gain under control and adopt healthy lifestyle habits after pregnancy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Research found that measuring very preterm and full-term babies' head circumference from an early age can identify potential neurocognitive risks later in life. Head growth is a proxy measure of brain volume growth, and slow head growth was linked to lower intelligence scores.
Research by the University of Kent found that women who have a boy are at a higher risk, with complications during delivery increasing the likelihood by 174%. The study identifies male infants and birth complications as new postpartum risk factors.
Babies born to fathers over 35 have higher risks of adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weight and seizures. The study used data from 40 million births to show that every year a man ages increases the risk by two new DNA mutations in his sperm.
A University of Iowa study found that women in India who fetch water daily are more likely to give birth prematurely or with low birth weight. Harassment and lack of private toilets also increase the risk of adverse birth outcomes.
Researchers found greater nerve cell death in Cesarean-born mice, associated with reduced neurons and altered behavior, but no effect on overall brain size or development
Researchers found that vaginal births reduce cell death in brain regions, while C-sections lead to increased ultrasonic vocalizations and altered hormone expression at weaning. Cesarean-born mice also had greater body weight.
Researchers at University of Connecticut have discovered a potential treatment for premature birth by targeting the immune system. Studies in mice suggest that inhibiting granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) could prevent preterm labor and birth.
A new study analyzing nearly 40,000 hospital stays found that women of color and those with pre-existing health conditions had higher rates of severe maternal morbidity. The study highlights the importance of targeted prevention efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in care for women around the time of delivery.
A new report in the American Journal of Pathology demonstrates a link between prenatal inflammation and postnatal immune status and organ function in preterm pigs. Prenatal exposure to bacterial endotoxin induced acute fetal lung and gut immune responses, followed by systemic inflammation after birth.
A first-of-its-kind study found that fathers' hormone levels around the birth of their children relate to their parenting down the road. Dads whose cortisol levels were elevated while holding their newborns on the day of birth were more likely to be involved in indirect care and play with their infants in the first months of life.
A study published in CMAJ found that women with intellectual and developmental disabilities have a nearly double rate of having another baby within a year of delivering. Rapid repeat pregnancies are associated with smaller babies, preterm birth, and other adverse effects.
The largest randomized trial on genetic screening before embryo transfer found no difference in live birth rates between groups with and without the procedure. However, there was a lower miscarriage rate and fewer embryo transfers in the group that received genetic screening.
Research shows that cystic fibrosis affects the development of babies in the womb, leading to lower average birth weights. The study found that CF can impact birth weight even after accounting for premature birth, suggesting a potential link between CF and intrauterine growth.
Research from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found pregnant women with low EPA+DHA serum levels had a significantly higher risk of early preterm birth compared to those with higher levels. The study suggests that adequate intake of long chain omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy may help prevent preterm birth.
A QUT-led study found that women who received continuity of care, lived outside major cities, and had minimal medical intervention during labor were more likely to have a 'normal' birth. The research aims to empower pregnant women with the information they need to make informed decisions about their maternity care.
A study of European mothers has identified a gene involved in steroid signaling as a potential factor in early birth. Mutations in the HSPA1L gene are rare but may disrupt proper functioning of cells lining the uterus, leading to preterm labor.
Researchers discovered a higher risk of major congenital malformations in fetuses exposed to lithium during the first trimester. The absolute risk was nearly one and one-half times higher than in unexposed babies.
A new study examines the effect of HPV vaccine on a population level, finding a significant reduction in severe dysplasia. The vaccine has been shown to work effectively in reducing cervical cancer risk, with a 40% lower incidence rate compared to unvaccinated women.
Pregnancies in women with rheumatoid arthritis are associated with an increased risk of low birth weight, prematurity, and small size at birth. However, there were no reported adverse outcomes for the mothers themselves, except for premature delivery.
A Baylor University study found that birth mothers' satisfaction with their decision to place children for adoption is affected by time, age, education, income, and contact with the child. The research revealed that higher education, financial success, and older age led to decreased satisfaction, while current contact with the child an...
A new blood test identified biomarkers in maternal blood that accurately predicted gestational age and preterm delivery, which may help doctors assess pregnancies more effectively. The study's findings offer hope for preventing premature birth, a crisis affecting millions of babies worldwide each year.
A recent study found that most premature infants continue to receive early antibiotics in the first few days of life, highlighting a need for improved neonatal antibiotic stewardship. The majority of very low-birth-weight infants received empirical antibiotic therapy, despite potential risks associated with its use.
A new test developed by UCSF scientists can predict a woman's risk of preterm birth with over 80 percent accuracy when taken between 15 and 20 weeks pregnant. This information enables doctors to treat women at high risk for preterm birth, potentially preventing severe complications.
A long-term study has found that exposure to ozone at birth is associated with an increased risk of developing asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema in childhood. The study, which followed 1,881 children from birth to age 17, found that even small increases in ozone exposure were linked to a higher risk of developing these conditions.
A study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology found a surplus of pathogenic bacteria in placentas from premature births, supporting the hypothesis that maternal infection may cause preterm birth. The research also discovered evidence of placental bacteria in healthy pregnancies, challenging conventional wisdom.
Australian researchers have made a surprise discovery that many organs and tissues do not require apoptosis to develop normally, suggesting a link between abnormalities in cell death processes and common birth defects. The study also identified the pro-death protein BOK and its role in apoptosis.
A randomized clinical trial of 824 women undergoing IVF found no significant difference in live birth rates between those receiving acupuncture and sham acupuncture. The study, published in JAMA, provides insight into the effectiveness of acupuncture in fertility treatments.
A study found a significant link between low birth weight and left-handedness in two large sets of Japanese and Dutch newborn children. Left-handers averaged lower birth weights, with differences observed even within families.
Researchers found that three antiretroviral drug regimens taken by pregnant women with HIV pose similar risks for adverse birth outcomes, including premature delivery and death. TDF-FTC-ATV/r appears to have a lower risk of preterm birth and low birth weight compared to other regimens.
A multicenter study found that metformin lowers the chance of late miscarriage and premature birth among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but has no effect on gestational diabetes risk. The medication also led to less weight gain during pregnancy, a positive finding for overweight women.
Researchers found that L-arginine supplementation increased blood vessel development in the placenta and reduced low birth weight/preterm birth and stillbirth. The study suggests that L-arginine may be a critical component in regulating blood vessel development, with implications for other conditions linked to poor birth outcomes.
A new study found that low levels of L-arginine in pregnant women with malaria are associated with worse pregnancy outcomes. Supplementing these women with L-arginine may improve birth weights and viability among their babies, according to research published in Science Translational Medicine.
A new study from Stanford Medicine found that female soldiers who give birth within six months of returning from military deployment face a higher risk of having a preterm baby. The study also found that women giving birth soon after deployment are younger, with lower education and pay.
A study found that premature birth impacts brain function in infants, particularly in the frontal lobe, which is crucial for cognitive development. The research used EEG signals to measure functional networks in infant brains, revealing selective effects on cognitive functions.
A new study by researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found no evidence of a link between hormonal birth control and depression. Dr. Brett Worly notes that while some groups may be at higher risk of depression, including adolescents and postpartum women, this is not due to the birth control itself.
Research found that women with estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer had an increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight compared to those with other types. The study also showed a lower birth rate among breast cancer survivors, with only about 8% having children by 10 years after diagnosis.
A randomized trial found that induced labor at 39 weeks significantly reduced cesarean birth rates compared to expectant management. Healthy, first-time mothers who underwent elective induction had lower rates of preeclampsia and respiratory support for their newborns.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that mothers over 40 have an increased risk of preterm birth, even after adjusting for confounding factors. Mothers aged 30-34 years old had the lowest risk of prematurity.
A study reveals that two bacteria can induce cervical changes linked to spontaneous preterm birth, highlighting the potential role of vaginal and cervical bacteria in premature labor.
A long-term study by Norwegian University of Science and Technology researchers has shed new light on the consequences of very low birth weights on cognitive development. The study found that individuals born with very low birth weights have difficulties with cognitive control, including proactive and reactive systems.
Research suggests that cervical dilatation during labor for vaginal births can progress more slowly than the widely accepted benchmark of 1 cm/hour in many women. Women giving birth to their first child and progressing at the slowest rates may take up to 7 hours to reach full dilation.
Researchers found that women who underwent failed outpatient sterilization procedures were more likely to experience a live birth and less likely to have an ectopic pregnancy compared to those who had surgical options. The study, published in Obstetrics & Gynecology, included data from nearly 1,000 pregnancies after sterilization failure.
A recent study found that shutting down a coal-fired power plant significantly improves fetal health in downwind areas. The analysis of birth outcomes showed a 15% reduction in low birth weight and a 28% decrease in preterm births in areas affected by the plant's emissions.
A cervical pessary significantly reduced the risk of spontaneous preterm birth at less than 34 weeks. Pregnant women with a short cervix who used the device had a lower rate of preterm birth compared to those without the device.
A study by UC Berkeley researchers found that just 11% of California's community-based pharmacies offer birth control services, with most charging a fee for the service. The legislation aims to make it easier for women to access contraception without seeing a doctor first.
Exposure to air pollution just prior to conception or during the first month of pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects, such as cleft lip or palate. The study found that fine particulate matter is a significant health hazard and public health efforts should minimize population-level exposure.
Researchers at George Mason University and the University of South Carolina found that heterosexual-discordant women are less happy about their births due to relationship pressures and societal expectations. The study highlights a gap in understanding birth happiness among sexual minority women, particularly those who prefer women.
A study published in The BMJ found that air pollution from road traffic in London is associated with an increased risk of low birth weight babies born at full term. Exposure to PM2.5 pollutants was linked to a 2-6% increased odds of low birth weight and 1-3% increased odds of being small for gestational age.
A review of 13 studies on war's impact on pregnancy found that mums-to-be in conflict areas are at higher risk of giving birth to underweight babies. However, the evidence for other complications like miscarriage and premature birth is less clear.
A new meta-analysis confirms the effectiveness of vaginal progesterone in reducing preterm birth risk and improving perinatal outcomes for women with a shortened cervix. The study found significant reductions in preterm birth rates and neonatal complications, as well as improved childhood neurodevelopment.
A major international study found that vaginal progesterone administration to women with a mid-trimester sonographic short cervix reduces the rate of preterm birth at various gestational ages. The study also shows a reduction in neonatal complications, including very low birth weight and associated mortality.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that first-time mothers with an epidural who adopt a lying down position during the second stage of labor are more likely to deliver their baby without any medical intervention. The study involved 3,093 women and found a 5.9% increase in the chance of spontaneous birth in the lying down group.