A nationwide survey of 487 women found that nearly two-thirds of breast cancer patients are unaware of surgical options that can minimize scarring. The study also revealed that many patients experience negative impacts from their scars, including feelings of self-consciousness and restricted clothing choices.
New research suggests a connection between nonsuicidal self-injury and impulsive behavior, particularly under conditions of negative emotions. The study identifies potential areas of treatment for individuals at high risk of suicide attempts.
Butler Hospital has been awarded a $12 million, five-year COBRE grant to focus on clinical-translational brain research. The goal of the Center for Neuromodulation (CCN) is to develop novel treatments for neuropsychiatric diseases by understanding and testing methods to change brain circuit functioning.
Research suggests that breastfeeding can change gene activity in infants, making them less reactive to stress. The study found that breastfed babies had decreased DNA methylation and cortisol reactivity.
The Constance A. Howes Women's Health Innovation Research Fund has awarded $75,000 in grants to three Researchers from Women & Infants Hospital are advancing knowledge and care models related to women's health and gender-based research.
A new law in Rhode Island requires coverage for fertility preservation prior to gonadotoxic medical therapy. The authors of the perspective published in NEJM recommend revising existing non-infertility-related mandates or establishing a separate definition for fertility preservation, which could encourage other states to follow suit.
The American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) has published a Best Practice Statement on pelvic organ prolapse, emphasizing the importance of proper evaluation and counseling for women. The statement outlines treatment options, including physical therapy, pessaries, and surgery, tailored to individual patient needs.
Research finds that breast-specific sensuality is better with lumpectomy, correlating with improved sexual function post-operatively. Women with breast cancer report decreased sensuality regardless of surgical modality, but lumpectomy has the best reported outcomes.
Researchers evaluated the effectiveness of hatha yoga in treating persistent major depression, finding benefits may accumulate over time. Yoga was superior to health education in alleviating depression symptoms at 3 and 6 months after treatment ended.
The COBRE for Reproductive Health aims to develop research infrastructure for a center supporting interdisciplinary research in women's reproductive health. Four investigators will focus on understanding mechanisms of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and prematurity using pre-clinical models and computational approaches.
Research finds that mothers with a history of mental health disorders have decreased perceptions of their infant well-being and readiness for transition home. Enhanced transition services are needed to support this unmet need.
Researchers found that treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism or hypothyroxinemia did not improve cognitive outcomes in children through five years. The findings support current ACOG recommendations against universal thyroid screening during pregnancy.
A multidisciplinary team from Care New England, Brown University, and the University of Michigan will conduct a five-year research study on novel approaches to suicide risk assessment. The study aims to identify how changes in speech patterns relate to changes in suicide risk using smartphone technology.
A new study published in Genetics in Medicine found that non-invasive cell-free DNA prenatal testing can be effectively and appropriately offered to all pregnant women through primary obstetrical care providers. The test has been shown to be highly effective in screening for Down syndrome and similar chromosome abnormalities.
A study published in American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology evaluated treatment options for pelvic organ prolapse, comparing surgery and pessary. The research found that women undergoing surgery experienced greater improvements in physical, social, emotional, and sexual functioning compared to those using a pessary.
Researchers at Women & Infants Hospital have received NIH grants to evaluate treatment strategies for perinatal brain injury. The studies aim to prevent or decrease brain damage in infants at risk for cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities.
A new smartphone application was found to be an effective tool for teaching comprehensive sexual health to adolescent girls. The study, published in the Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, shows a significant increase in participants' knowledge and practical use of contraception after using the app.
A new study published in The Journal of Pediatrics found that maternal involvement is the greatest contributor to long-term neurobehavioral development in preterm infants, with a single-family room NICU allowing for greater and most immediate opportunities for maternal involvement.
A study found that women with early-stage breast cancer prioritize their own judgments over surgeon and partner input when making surgical decisions. The majority of women with mastectomies identified themselves as the most influential factor in their decision, while those with lumpectomies prioritized surgeons.
A recent study found that antenatal corticosteroids can significantly reduce the rate of neonatal respiratory complications in babies born between 34 and 36 weeks gestation. The research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, involved approximately 2,800 women who received either two injections of betamethasone or placebo. ...
Researchers at Women & Infants Hospital published a study linking anal cancer to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The study found that 40% of high-risk women and 21.7% of low-risk women had abnormal anal cytology, with high-risk HPV detected in 20.8% of the high-risk group
A study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found significant disparities in scholarly productivity between male and female gynecologic oncologists. Female doctors were less productive in lower academic ranks, but more productive later in their careers.
A recent study has uncovered 9 additional genetic mutations associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer, bringing the total to 11. Researchers found that 18% of women with ovarian cancer carried these mutations.
New research suggests that low-dose aspirin should be given prophylactically to all women at high risk of preeclampsia, which affects 3-7% of births in the US. The approach could reduce morbidity, save lives and lower healthcare costs.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) has found that clomiphene citrate is a more effective treatment option than ovarian stimulation with letrozole or gonadotropins for unexplained infertility, reducing multiple gestations without lowering pregnancy rates.
Research reveals that nearly a third of low-risk pregnancies experience unexpected complications requiring non-routine obstetric or neonatal care. The study analyzed data from over 10 million birth certificates and found that women without prenatal risk factors may still face unexpected complications during delivery or postpartum.
The grant will support research in perinatal biology, including studies of fetal and newborn development, placental biology, and reproductive diseases. The center aims to understand the effects of environmental disturbances during critical developmental periods on health and disease throughout life.
Dr. Gary Frishman's editorial in Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology suggests that second-look laparoscopy may not be the best approach due to its risks and high cost. The procedure, which involves a repeat surgery to check for adhesions after a previous treatment, is questioned by Dr. Frishman as a model for responsible healthcare.
A gynecologic oncologist has been awarded $2.7 million in research funding to study the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women undergoing surgery for endometrial cancer. The goal is to improve quality of life and reduce costs by combining two surgeries into one.
A new study reveals an association between childhood adversity and psychiatric disorders at the cellular level, finding telomere shortening and altered mitochondrial DNA content in individuals with mental health conditions.
Research shows adding chemotherapy drug carboplatin or blood vessel-targeting drug bevacizumab to standard preoperative chemotherapy increases pathologic complete response rates for women with basal-like triple-negative breast cancer. The drugs also showed benefits in certain gene signatures associated with aggressive disease.
A pathology specialist, Dr. Glenn Palomaki, contributes to the debate on breast cancer gene screening, citing concerns about population characteristics and feasibility. He suggests pilot trials for high-risk populations like Ashkenazi Jewish women before considering widespread screening.
A recent FDA and EPA guideline update suggests pregnant and breastfeeding women consume at least eight ounces to 12 ounces of fish per week. Omega-3 acids EPA and DHA found in some fish support fetal brain development and maternal health, while mercury levels in other fish pose risks.
A study published in The American Journal of Managed Care found that patients with family caregivers present during recruitment had significantly higher consent rates and completion rates for a post-hospital transitional care coaching intervention. Family caregiver involvement was associated with improved health outcomes, including low...
Dr. Nicole McLaughlin is conducting a first-of-its-kind study on patients with OCD undergoing gamma knife radiosurgery to measure brain connectivity before and after the procedure. The goal is to understand the neural mechanisms of therapeutic change and develop novel therapies for OCD and related anxiety disorders.
The article presents a framework for future development of fetal interventions while minimizing maternal risk. Experts highlight the need to limit the number of fetal surgery centers due to high costs and rare conditions.
A prospective, longitudinal study found that single family room NICUs provide optimal levels of maternal involvement, developmental support, and staff involvement, leading to better medical and neurodevelopmental outcomes for preterm infants. Infants cared for in single family rooms had improved weight gain, fewer medical procedures, l...
Research finds HE4 hormone plays key role in modulating ovarian cancer response to hormones and therapies. The study identified a mechanism by which hormonal therapies like Tamoxifen and Fulvestrant restore sensitivity to chemotherapy in HE4-overexpressing tumors.
A recent study has shown that the addition of carboplatin and/or bevacizumab to standard chemotherapy regimens can significantly increase pathologic complete response rates in stage II-III triple-negative breast cancer patients. This may lead to improved outcomes and reduced risk of relapse.
Dr. Surendra Sharma, a research scientist and professor at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, has received the Distinguished Service Award for advancing reproductive immunology research. His laboratory focuses on understanding premature birth and pregnancy complications.
A recent study analyzing data from 77,701 women found that those who experienced a history of miscarriage or stillbirth had a higher risk of coronary heart disease later in adulthood. Women with two or more miscarriages were found to have an odds ratio of 1.18 for coronary heart disease compared to those with no miscarriages.
A clinical review published in JAMA explores the diagnosis and management of mixed urinary incontinence in women, a condition affecting 20-36% of women. High-quality evidence supports treating stress and urge urinary incontinences with surgery and medications respectively.
Dr. Charles Rardin suggests hospitals and physicians consider four issues to promote a balanced approach to Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS), including case criteria, quality management, and support for all forms of MIS. This approach is necessary to ensure patients receive the best care and avoid 'robotic factories'.
Researchers discovered a less invasive technique for treating vulvar cancer, removing only the sentinel lymph node to decrease complications while maintaining low recurrence rates. The study, published at the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists meeting, included 73 women and found a 5.2% recurrence rate.
Group A streptococcus (GAS) infection can be life-threatening in pregnant women, with associated mortality rates of 30-50%. Dr. Brenna Anderson provides recommendations for rapid diagnosis and treatment of GAS infections in pregnant and postpartum women.
A recent study found that reproductive coercion and co-occurring intimate partner violence are prevalent among women in this demographic. The study's results suggest that healthcare providers should address reproductive coercion with their patients, tailoring family planning discussions and recommendations accordingly.
Research published in Pediatrics shows that premature babies who hear more adult talk in the NICU have higher language and cognitive scores at 18 months. The study found that every increase in adult word count per hour during the recording period was associated with a two-point increase in the language score.
A clinical opinion published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology suggests that maternal oxygen supplementation during labor may not benefit the fetus and could be harmful. The authors recommend reserving oxygen for mothers with hypoxia only, pending further research.
Researchers have developed a biologic drug that prevents the production of HE4 protein, allowing ovarian cancer cells to grow aggressively and resist chemotherapy. The novel biologic has shown promising results in cell and animal models, increasing the potential for improved treatment and survival rates for women with ovarian cancer.
Researchers will study 1,000 babies born before 30 weeks gestation using the NNNS exam to predict developmental impairment. The goal is to identify infants at greatest risk and provide early intervention and follow-up programs.