Articles tagged with Pregnancy
Researchers at UCL found that some small-bodied primates experience a tight cephalopelvic fit during childbirth due to their large newborn heads. These species, such as American monkeys and bushbabies, have developed adaptations to make the process less difficult, including pelvic expansion or delayed pelvic bone fusion.
A population-based study found no association between prenatal paracetamol exposure and risk of autism spectrum disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in offspring. The study suggests that positive signals from previous research may be due to familial confounding.
A Japanese cohort study found that better maternal cardiovascular health during pregnancy is associated with lower risks of offspring developmental delay at age 4. The study suggests a potential protective effect of optimal maternal cardiovascular health on child development.
A recent study found that maternal obesity and excessive pregnancy weight gain significantly increased the risk of childhood obesity by age 3. Researchers tracked nearly 3,000 mother-child pairs and discovered that excess pregnancy weight gain was common, affecting about four in 10 mothers.
A study of 336 mother-infant pairs found that breast milk and infant urine contained over 50 different chemicals, including BPA and phthalates, which can interfere with hormones during baby's development. These chemicals were detected in breast milk and urine up to 6 months after birth.
A study presented at the Endocrine Society's annual meeting found that exposure to the plasticizer DEHP in early development can lead to increased anxiety-like behavior in adult male rats. The research suggests that humans exposed to endocrine disruptors before and shortly after birth may experience long-lasting behavioral changes.
A White House announcement on treating autism with leucovorin and against acetaminophen during pregnancy led to significant increases in internet searches for these topics. Nearly 1 million additional searches for leucovorin were recorded, alongside over 4 million searches for acetaminophen.
A study in Dutch birth cohorts found early pregnancy temperature exposure associated with changes in fetal size, with colder temperatures linked to smaller crown-rump length at 12 weeks. Higher temperatures showed stronger associations during early pregnancy.
Dr. Samantha Parker Kelleher and researchers will examine the role of postpartum hypertension on recurrent hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, such as preeclampsia and gestational hypertension. The team aims to identify ways to decrease HDP rates among mothers and develop new prevention strategies.
A new study found that pregnant women's expectations about postpartum sleep predicted their actual sleep quality after delivery, with 70% of women anticipating poor sleep. The study suggests that addressing sleep-related beliefs during pregnancy and treating postpartum anxiety may improve sleep and emotional well-being in new mothers.
Research published in Frontiers in Endocrinology reveals gestational diabetes influences fetal metabolic programming, shaping future risk of obesity and diabetes. Biomarkers such as leptin and adiponectin may identify children at increased risk, enabling personalized preventive strategies.
A study analyzing insurance claims data found similar risks between continued and non-continued GLP-1RA medication use during early pregnancy. The authors conclude that further research is needed to better understand the safety of GLP-1RAs in pregnancy due to imprecise estimates for rare outcomes.
A recent study assessed long-term trends in TORCH infections in a region of India with reliable data lacking. The researchers found that exposure to CMV remained constant, while immunity to rubella was consistently high. However, susceptibility to toxoplasmosis and other congenital infections persisted despite vaccination initiatives.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that maternal RSV vaccination reduces hospitalization risk in young infants by nearly 70%. The vaccine also showed effectiveness against severe lung infections caused by the virus.
A recent study found that shorter sleep duration is associated with increased perinatal anxiety and obsessive beliefs. Mothers who experience disturbed sleep tend to have higher levels of anxiety, particularly those with lower coping ability. The study suggests prioritizing mom's sleep may benefit her mental health.
A WVU study found that pregnant women who spend more time sitting are at a greater risk of developing gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. Sitting for over 10 hours a day was associated with twice as many adverse pregnancy outcomes as shorter periods of sitting.
A University of Reading study found that pressure on women to have a natural birth leads to shame and self-blame when expectations are not met. Women reported feeling they had failed as mothers due to medical intervention or complications, highlighting the need for reform in antenatal education.
Mount Sinai researchers have uncovered a substantial genetic component to postpartum psychosis, a rare psychiatric illness that occurs after childbirth. The study found rare damaging mutations in the HMGCR gene and significant genetic overlap with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autoimmune diseases.
A new survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds significant increases in knowing how a mother's pre-pregnancy health affects her baby, as well as rising awareness of drinking beer or wine during pregnancy being not safe. However, uncertainty persists about other maternal health recommendations.
A study published in JAMA found that sitting less with greater light-intensity movement and steps was associated with significantly lower risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Adverse pregnancy outcomes include hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and small for gestational age
Research suggests that early nutrition, education, and physical activity interventions during pregnancy can lead to optimal gestational weight gain. Women who received multiple micronutrient supplements were more likely to achieve healthy weight gain, while education and culturally tailored counseling also played a crucial role.
Researchers developed a wearable ultrasound patch to monitor high-risk pregnancies, providing continuous, real-time information about blood flow in the fetus and umbilical cord. The device holds promise for helping doctors detect conditions like intrauterine growth restriction, which affects 10% of all pregnancies.
A report by the European Society of Cardiology advocates for dedicated women's heart centers to improve diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease in women. These centers can enhance quality of life, reduce symptoms, and increase survival rates for women with cardiovascular disease.
Research finds gestational diabetes significantly increases risk of type 2 diabetes in women with normal pre-pregnancy weight. The study, published in eClinicalMedicine, analyzed over 1.15 million Swedish mothers and found elevated blood sugar levels predict future type 2 diabetes.
A new Cochrane review finds planned early birth for pregnant women with high blood pressure cuts maternal complications by nearly half and reduces the risk of stillbirth. The practice is found to be safe across both high- and low-income settings, without increasing the likelihood of caesarean section.
A global study led by George Mason University found that balanced energy and protein supplements improve birth weights and reduce high-risk newborns in low- and middle-income countries. The research adds to the evidence that improving maternal nutrition during pregnancy may be a key intervention to improve birth outcomes.
A post hoc analysis of a randomized clinical trial found high-dose vitamin D3 supplementation in pregnancy to be positively associated with visual memory, verbal memory, and flexibility among offspring at age 10. This strengthens evidence on the association between prenatal vitamin D exposure and childhood cognition.
Patients with prior C-sections are more likely to succeed in a vaginal birth at predominantly Black-serving hospitals, new research reveals. However, Black patients still face lower success rates compared to white patients.
A large Israeli pregnancy registry study found no association between first-trimester nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and major congenital malformations. The study analyzed over 264,000 pregnancies and found no increased risk of birth defects, even at higher doses.
Research found that girls born to mothers with higher insulin resistance during pregnancy are more likely to have more abdominal fat at age 7. Maternal insulin resistance was not associated with body fat in boys, suggesting girls may be more susceptible to the mother's insulin resistance during late pregnancy.
A large multicenter retrospective study found that stable gestational glucose levels and minimal fluctuations increase the likelihood of low pre-eclampsia risk. The study's key findings suggest that blood glucose management is crucial for preventing pre-eclampsia, particularly in pregnant women with no pre-pregnancy chronic conditions.
A study of over 400 pregnant women found that vivid mental images are directly linked to their opinion of vaccines and whether they get vaccinated. Positive mental images were associated with increased vaccination rates, while negative images predicted higher hesitancy towards certain vaccines.
A recent study found that failing the glucose challenge test was associated with babies having higher birth weights, a risk factor for future obesity and diabetes. Women diagnosed with gestational diabetes were also more likely to give birth to large babies.
Researchers discovered that early-stage ectoderm cells are especially susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, with heightened vulnerability driven by elevated TMPRSS2 activity and thinner glycocalyx. This raises concerns about potential developmental risks, particularly for infants born to mothers infected during early pregnancy.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that small abnormalities in blood sugar, lipids, and inflammation years before pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. The findings may contribute to earlier risk assessment and preventive measures.
Researchers suggest treatment could start during pregnancy to prevent brain damage and reduce neurological harm. A new RNA-based therapy reduces abnormal electrical currents in patient-derived excitatory neurons.
Researchers found placental contractions in 60% of healthy pregnancies, changing the shape of the placenta and lasting longer than uterine contractions. These findings lay groundwork for future studies on placental function and may lead to improved ways to identify potential pregnancy problems.
A new study using MRI imaging distinguishes between placental and uterine contractions, finding that they occur in at least 60% of healthy pregnant participants. These contractions are associated with a larger increase in the surface area of the uterine wall not covered by the placenta.
A large South Korean study found no increased risk of psychiatric or neurodevelopmental disorders in children whose mothers used sedative drugs during pregnancy. The study, published by the BMJ Group, tracked nearly 3.8 million children and analyzed data from the National Health Information Database.
A study by the University of Cambridge found that racism and socioeconomic stress can alter key physiological processes in the body during pregnancy, leading to higher rates of preeclampsia and preterm birth in black women. These changes are not due to genetic differences but rather persistent socio-environmental stressors.
A study by King's College London found that babies exposed to high levels of air pollution in the womb show slower signs of development at 18 months compared to those exposed to lower levels. This is particularly true for premature babies, who experience poorer motor and language skills.
A new study reveals how maternal antibodies program the mouth to resist aggressive bacteria and prevent bone loss associated with adult gum disease. Maternal IgG also regulates the timing of barrier sealing in the oral epithelium.
Researchers have developed a new treatment for pregnant women with severe early preeclampsia, which removes a harmful protein from the mother's blood and lowers blood pressure. The approach was found to safely extend pregnancy by an average of 10 additional days, giving babies more time to develop before birth.
The study found that out-of-state Chicago Abortion Fund callers traveled more than 3 times the distance to Illinois after Dobbs compared to before. These callers were also more likely to have private or no insurance, be from rural areas, and receive hospital-based care during their pregnancy.
A cohort study of 6,802 pregnant women found an inverse association between grip strength and the risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The study suggests that relative grip strength may be a useful tool for risk stratification of HDP.
The European Society of Endocrinology organizes World Hormone Day to educate the public about hormone-related health issues. Global endocrine disorders affect millions worldwide, emphasizing the need for proper hormone balance.
Prenatal stress alters signaling pathways involving corticosteroids in brown fat tissue, potentially blunting the metabolic benefits of exercise. The study highlights the importance of considering maternal stress context in developmental metabolic programming.
Primary care-based discussions on reproductive goals, immunizations, and risk-reducing interventions optimize pregnancy outcomes. Prepregnancy counseling reduces maternal morbidity and mortality, while also promoting healthy fetal development.