Research on pregnancy and the health of mothers and babies. Covers prenatal exposures, medication safety, anaemia, fetal development, and maternal care.
A new study found that prenatal exposure to Di (2-ethyhexyl) phthalate in combination with a high-fat diet has a more damaging effect on male mice than each factor alone.
Researchers have found that pregnant women with opioid use disorder who continue taking their ADHD medications are more likely to adhere to treatment and experience fewer overdoses. Patients who stop taking ADHD medications, on the other hand, are at a higher risk of overdose and emergency room visits.
A new study from the University of Birmingham and the University of Nottingham found that the UK public is more accepting of adoption and surrogacy methods when one or both parents are infertile. The research showed significant increases in support for these methods, including planned private adoption and double donor surrogacy.
Researchers at Dartmouth College found that fruit fly oocytes can renew chromosome-linking proteins, potentially helping older women reduce pregnancy complications. The discovery could lead to new therapeutic strategies for enhancing protein rejuvenation in human eggs.
Hormonally.org provides free-to-access, evidence-based resources on women's hormonal health, empowering women to seek care, treatment, and support. The nonprofit addresses stigmas and misinformation surrounding women's hormonal issues, fostering a supportive online community for connection and shared decision-making.
A majority of the American public favors providing incarcerated pregnant women with access to abortion, particularly in cases of rape or health risk. Most also support parental aid for these women, with conservative Republicans being least supportive of both
A recent study found a disproportionate increase in pregnancy-associated deaths across diverse ethnic/racial groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study revealed that certain groups, such as Hispanic and Black women, faced higher risks of death from non-obstetric causes like substance abuse and intimate partner violence.
Using three definitions of iron deficiency, researchers found significant variations in prevalence rates among women in the US and Canada. Higher serum ferritin thresholds led to a greater diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency, resulting in reduced morbidity.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that children born via frozen embryo transfer have similar metabolic profiles to those born via fresh embryo transfer. The research compared over 4,000 children aged 2-5 years and found no differences in blood glucose, insulin, or cholesterol levels.
A new Yale study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found no link between COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and stillbirth outcomes. The research analyzed hundreds of records from the CDC's Vaccine Safety Datalink, comparing receipt of the vaccine to stillbirths versus live births.
Research found that maternal obesity leads to increased levels of microRNA miR-505-5p in the hypothalamus, resulting in altered fatty acid sensing and increased intake of high-fat foods in mouse offspring. Exercise during pregnancy mitigates this effect.
A new study found that pregnant women with lower socioeconomic status are exposed to higher levels of thyroid-disrupting chemicals, particularly polyaromatic hydrocarbons. This increased exposure has the potential to worsen health disparities among low-income populations.
A study suggests that women who underwent sleeve gastrectomy before pregnancy had children who gained more weight per month in the first three years of life. In contrast, those born to mothers who had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery experienced slower weight gain. Researchers found this difference after adjusting for various factors, ...
A mobile app survey during the first trimester predicted future depression with a high level of accuracy, identifying modifiable risk factors such as sleep quality and access to food. The study's findings offer a new approach to predicting perinatal depression and tailoring preventive care for pregnant individuals.
Mosaic embryo transfers from a large-scale study showed only 1.2% of preimplantation mosaicism persisted throughout pregnancy or postnatally. Researchers identified the mechanism behind self-correction, enabling better IVF outcomes for women with mosaic embryos.
Arctic sea ice is expected to lose mass in the coming decade due to dominant natural climate patterns. Exposure to extreme temperatures, particularly heat, may lead to adverse birth outcomes in China. Researchers also found that ocean warming intensifies typhoons, but moderation comes from atmospheric temperature and humidity changes.
A new study conducted with Washington, DC residents who experienced homelessness during pregnancy found that structural inequities exacerbate health outcomes. The study emphasizes the importance of stable housing early in pregnancy to improve health outcomes for birthing people and infants.
Researchers used C. elegans to investigate the underlying mechanisms of embryonal exposure to addictive doses of amphetamine, discovering epigenetic modifications that alter gene and protein expression. This leads to increased susceptibility to amphetamine-induced behaviors in adult animals.
The study reveals that fear of harming fetus is a significant barrier to participation, while also highlighting importance of culturally sensitive recruitment strategies. Factors such as lack of trust in research institutions, limited access to healthcare, and social norms also play crucial role in shaping participation rates.
A study of over 9,000 participants found that small increases in fine particulate matter during pregnancy and childhood were associated with more psychotic experiences and depression symptoms later in life. Higher noise pollution exposure in childhood and teenage years was linked to increased anxiety symptoms.
A new, inexpensive test detects Toxoplasma gondii infections within 30 minutes and identifies false positives in commercial diagnostic tests. The test provides rapid results for pregnant women, facilitating timely interventions to protect fetuses against toxoplasmosis.
A recent study reveals a significant link between PM2.5 air pollution exposure during pregnancy and low birth weight in newborns worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for stricter air pollution controls. The study emphasizes the impact of air quality on prenatal development and draws attention to regional variations in health risks.
A recent study published by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that nearly 200 young women who tried to conceive after breast cancer treatment were able to become pregnant and have a live birth. Egg/embryo freezing before treatment was associated with a higher live birth rate, while older participants had lower rates.
A new study found that prenatal exposure to a combination of endocrine-disrupting chemicals is associated with poorer metabolic health in childhood, increasing the risk of metabolic syndrome in adulthood. Mixtures of metals, PFAS, and organochlorine pesticides were linked to higher risks.
Researchers at Harvard University have identified a specific cell type in the mouse embryonic brain that responds to an immune response in the mother, altering gene regulation and persisting in juvenile mice. This study provides new insights into how maternal immune responses might influence brain development in embryos, potentially sh...
The study found a substantial increase in glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) dispensing among adolescents and young adults between 2020 and 2023. This trend is particularly notable for females, emphasizing the need for targeted education on sex-specific safety risks, such as concerns during pregnancy.
Researchers from Mount Sinai will present new research on long COVID, lung cancer, asthma, and sleep apnea at the ATS 2024 International Conference. The studies aim to improve diagnosis and care for these conditions.
Research reveals morning sickness is caused by hormone GDF15, linked to life-threatening hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). HG can lead to postnatal depression, preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder, and other complications. Expert Marlena Fejzo discusses potential treatments targeting GDF15 hormonal pathway.
Newborns of bilingual mothers exhibit greater sensitivity to a range of sound pitches compared to those from monolingual mothers. The study suggests that prenatal exposure to multiple languages may shape the fetus's auditory system, influencing its ability to process speech sounds at birth.
A new study led by University of Florida researcher Ashley Malin found a possible link between fluoride exposure during pregnancy and increased odds of neurobehavioral problems in children at age 3. The findings, based on an analysis of 229 mother-child pairs, suggest that higher fluoride levels may negatively affect fetal brain develo...
A new US-based study examines the link between prenatal fluoride and childhood social, emotional and behavioral functioning. Higher fluoride exposure levels during pregnancy were associated with a higher chance of children showing neurobehavioral problems, including emotional reactivity, anxiety and somatic complaints.
A study has found that multiple species of Gardnerella, commonly linked to pre-term birth and bacterial vaginosis, can exist together in the same vaginal microbiome. This discovery adds to the understanding of Gardnerella's effects on human health and its potential role in pre-term birth.
A study led by BCNatal and UPF found that growth-restricted fetuses have differences in lung vascular resistance, which can be normalized with extra oxygen. The research uses artificial intelligence techniques to analyze fetal blood flow and predicts the development of respiratory health problems later in life.
Researchers are studying the early brain development of babies born to mothers with diabetes to understand the link between prenatal exposure and later childhood obesity. They aim to identify key differences in brain structure and function that may contribute to the increased risk of obesity.
The guideline provides recommendations on the effects of antiseizure medications and folic acid supplementation on malformations at birth and child development during pregnancy. It recommends minimizing tonic-clonic seizures and using medications like lamotrigine, levetiracetam, or oxcarbazepine to minimize risk of major birth defects.
Scientists at University Hospital Bonn develop innovative vitrification method to preserve eggs before cancer treatment, offering higher chances of successful pregnancies. The technique involves slow freezing and avoids ice crystals damage, allowing for undamaged egg return.
Researchers developed a synthetic biomarker technology that can differentiate between prior Zika and dengue virus infections. The technology, using epitope surrogates, correctly identified people previously infected with Zika virus 85.3% of the time.
Research links higher blood sugar levels at gestational diabetes diagnosis to complications in newborns, including low blood sugar and large birth weight. Women diagnosed with gestational diabetes are also at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes after birth.
Higher cortisol levels in the womb may lower a boy's IQ score at age 7, while higher urine cortisone levels may improve a girl's IQ score. Research suggests that prenatal exposure to cortisol affects cognitive function in children independently of sex.
A new study reveals a common chromosomal microdeletion, 22q11.2del, as the first identified genetic variation contributing to spina bifida. The deletion is associated with a risk of spina bifida more than 10 times greater than the general public. Folic acid supplementation may also help reduce this risk and severity.
Despite concerns about data privacy risks in the post-Roe era, many American women continue to use popular period-tracking apps without taking steps to protect their information. The study found that users are unsure how to take control of their data and feel in the dark about how it is used and shared on these apps.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that combining cannabis and nicotine use during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of poor health outcomes for newborns. Infants born to mothers using both substances are at a fourfold higher risk of infant death compared to those using neither substance. Abstaining from at least one...
The Healthy Start scheme in England is a vital support for pregnant women and low-income families, but uptake remains suboptimal. A new study recommends reframing the scheme as a child's right to good food and healthy development, improving coordination and resources.
A multisite review found that adverse events during outpatient care were relatively common and often serious, with 7% of outpatients experiencing at least one event. Adverse drug events were the most common, and these events occurred more frequently among older adults and were often preventable.
A new screening algorithm combining maternal history, ultrasound data and several tests for blood markers may predict most preeclampsia cases in the first trimester of pregnancy. The study found that personalized risk-based treatment decisions may improve adherence to preventative measures.
A study found that US state abortion bans primarily impact American Indian and Black female populations of reproductive age. These policies concentrate in regions with higher proportions of these groups, leading to unequal access to reproductive healthcare.
Researchers found that expectant mothers who quit smoking had a lower birth weight relative to the weight of their placenta compared to those who continued smoking. This suggests that quitting smoking may help restore the balance between placental weight and birthweight, with potential benefits for both mother and child health.
Researchers discovered that maternal blood cytokines, such as XCL1, play a crucial role in fetal brain development and offspring behavior. Elevated XCL1 levels during pregnancy are associated with improved emotional regulation and reduced anxiety in male mice.
A new study found that publicly funded fertility programs in Ontario led to a significant decrease in the rate of multifetal pregnancies, but ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination remained contributors. The study also showed improvements in assisted reproductive technology contributing to the decline.
A nationwide survey found that pregnant people are more likely to receive the RSV vaccine if they believe the virus can be a serious illness in infants. The study also shows that parents with an existing child at home are more likely to get vaccinated, highlighting the importance of awareness and education.
A large study found a slightly increased risk of neuropsychiatric disorders among children exposed to prescription opioids during pregnancy, particularly at higher doses and longer durations. However, the researchers interpret this as clinically insignificant.
Research found that babies born to mothers infected with dengue fever during pregnancy had lower birth weights and a higher risk of extremely low birth weight. Additionally, children whose mothers were infected had a increased risk of hospitalization from birth to age three, particularly in their second year of life.
Researchers found that accelerated aging biology in the placenta contributes to peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), a rare form of pregnancy-related heart failure. The study identifies underlying aging-related biology contributing to maternal heart failure and provides evidence from both patients and animal models.
A study in southern Mozambique found that sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) remains effective for preventing malaria infections in pregnant women, even in areas with high drug resistance. The study showed increased clearance of P. falciparum infections and lower antibodies resulting from parasite colonisation.
Researchers found that children born to mothers with HIV infection have an increased risk of immune abnormalities, impaired growth, and development. Infants exposed to HIV had a 41% higher mortality rate than those not exposed, with systemic inflammation being strongly associated with infant mortality.
A study published in Environment International found that exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) during the first two years of life is associated with poorer attentional function in children aged 4-8, particularly in boys. The association persists even after adjusting for other factors.
A national cohort study of over 2 million Swedish women found that those experiencing five major adverse pregnancy outcomes had significantly higher mortality rates. The study highlights the importance of early preventive evaluation and long-term follow-up for detection and treatment of chronic disorders associated with premature morta...
Hyperemesis gravidarum can significantly impact maternal health and infant well-being, leading to weight loss and dehydration. Treatment involves relieving symptoms with antiemetics and other medications, while remedies like ginger products may provide some relief.
A new study published in JAMA Health Forum found that following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling, permanent sterilization procedures among young adults increased nationwide, with tubal sterilizations rising twice as high as vasectomies. The study also highlighted the disproportionate impact on young women, who ar...
Researchers observed a significant increase in permanent contraception procedures for young adults following the Dobbs decision, with females being disproportionately affected. The study highlights the gendered dynamics of permanent contraceptive use and its implications for women and people with reproductive capacity.