Articles tagged with Pregnancy
Research on Latino mother-child pairs reveals that prenatal pollution exposure is associated with deficits in motor coordination, language skills, and cognitive development at age 2. The study found significant correlations between exposure to particulate matter and lower composite cognitive scores.
A large-scale study found IVF-conceived children perform similarly to spontaneously conceived peers in terms of development and education. The research, involving over 400,000 Australian kids, suggests no significant differences in school outcomes between the two groups.
Pregnant women infected with Covid-19 may experience varying degrees of damage to their placentas, potentially harming fetal development and health. The study found that pre-Omicron variants caused more severe lesions than Omicron subvariants.
A new study reveals that US pregnancies are shorter than those in England and the Netherlands, with average lengths declining by over half a week between 1990 and 2020. This finding suggests that reducing medical interventions during the birthing process could improve maternity care outcomes in the US.
A new study conducted at the University of Turku found that maternal gestational diabetes mellitus may have unfavourable effects on the neurodevelopment of 2-year-old children. A healthy diet during pregnancy supports child's neurodevelopment, while higher maternal body fat percentage is associated with weaker cognitive and motor skills.
A Rutgers study found that pregnant people with HIV have higher levels of chronic systemic inflammation and immune activation, leading to poor growth in children. The study aimed to investigate the impact on babies exposed to HIV but not infected.
A recent study from West Virginia University found that states permitting nurse practitioners to exercise full practice authority (FPA) tend to have a more diverse and racially aligned NP workforce. In FPA states, Black NPs serve 2.8% more Black Medicare beneficiaries than in non-FPA states.
A pooled data analysis of international evidence finds that COVID-19 infection during pregnancy nearly doubles the risk of maternal death and severe illness. Babies born to infected mothers are also at increased risk of premature birth and low birth weight.
A study analyzing YouTube videos by popular influencers with millions of followers found that many promoted stopping hormonal birth control over using it or safer alternatives. The researchers warn that this could lead to unplanned pregnancies and emphasize the need for critical evaluation of online health information.
A new study links spontaneous preterm birth to chemicals in vaginal products, revealing a potential source of the condition. Researchers discovered that metabolites from cosmetics and hygiene products were associated with preterm births, offering hope for early diagnostics.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that pregnant women who struggle with executive functions – planning and regulating their behavior – tend to consume more fat. Coaching these skills may be key to improving dietary outcomes.
Researchers found that combination therapy of buprenorphine and naloxone was as safe as buprenorphine alone during pregnancy, with similar outcomes in maternal health and newborn health. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
A recent study found that pregnant Black women who felt upset by racism in the 12 months prior to delivery had significantly higher odds of depression. The study, which analyzed survey questions from 7,328 women, also highlighted the importance of respectful maternity care.
A new study by Brown and NYU researchers found that expanding Medicaid led to improved postpartum health for low-income birthing people. The study showed a 17% reduction in hospitalizations during the first 60 days postpartum, primarily due to decreased childbirth-related hospitalizations.
Researchers developed a framework to address women's reproductive needs holistically, combining family planning, contraception, and preconception care. The model suggests teaching children about reproductive health in school and using social media campaigns to raise awareness of reproductive preferences.
Researchers developed a blood test using circulating microparticle proteins to predict placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) cases as early as the second trimester. The study found five unique proteins that can distinguish PAS patients from control patients, enabling safe predication before delivery.
Researchers found that early prenatal alcohol exposure changes gene function and epigenome in placenta and human embryonic stem cells. These changes are associated with altered DNA methylation patterns, particularly in genes linked to nervous system development, such as DPPA4 and FOXP2.
A Mediterranean diet has been associated with a reduced risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The study found a dose-response relationship between the intake of Mediterranean diet and lower risk of such outcomes.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that women who followed a Mediterranean diet before conception had a significantly lower risk of developing preeclampsia during pregnancy. The study also showed that a higher intake of vegetables, legumes, and fish was associated with a lower risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Research published in Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology reveals a link between maternal diabetes and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability in children. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes were associated with increased risks of these conditions, while gestational diabetes was linked to autism spec...
A new Northwestern Medicine study found that all U.S. OB-GYN subspecialties lack racial and ethnic representation in clinical trials and research publications. This absence has negative consequences, including biased tools for diagnosing endometrial cancer and unacceptably low sensitivity in the Black female population.
Research from University of Virginia Health System suggests antidepressants can heighten lifelong brain changes in babies, such as autism, when combined with infection or inflammation during pregnancy. SSRIs interact powerfully with the mother's body, causing harmful changes in the placenta and developing brain.
Researchers investigated the relationship between diet quality and gestational weight gain during pregnancy, ruling out poor diet quality as a major cause. The study found that a high intake of red meat may be associated with an increased risk of gestational weight gain.
A new AI algorithm, STORK-A, can predict IVF embryo viability with 70% accuracy, reducing the need for invasive genetic testing. The algorithm analyzes microscope images of embryos and incorporates information about maternal age and IVF clinic scoring to detect aneuploidy.
A new model created by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators found that pregnant individuals had a 50% lower exposure to SARS-CoV-2 compared to the general population in the earliest months of the pandemic. This protection was likely due to shielding measures, including masking and social distancing.
A review of over 100 scientific articles suggests that the safety of antidepressants during pregnancy is endorsed by science, but their effects on fetal neurodevelopment are poorly understood. Brazilian researchers propose using lab-grown mini-brains to investigate this impact and identify potential alterations.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM found that pregnant individuals have a similar long-term immune response to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination as non-pregnant individuals. The study also showed that vaccination during pregnancy provides protection to unborn babies, which is essential for their C...
A study found that drinking caffeinated coffee daily can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 10-53% in women who had gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Replacing sugary drinks with coffee also shows a 10-17% reduced risk.
A recent study found that pregnant subsistence farmers in The Gambia experience physiological strain due to heat stress exposure, leading to raised foetal heart rates and slower blood flow. The research highlights the need for effective interventions to protect these women and reduce adverse birth outcomes.
Between 2017 and 2020, drug overdose mortality among pregnant and postpartum individuals rose by 81%, closely tracking overall trends in reproductive-age populations. The COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to the surge in 2020.
A new study found that drug overdose deaths among pregnant and postpartum women reached a record high in 2020, with 1,249 deaths due to overdose. The number of pregnancy-associated overdose deaths increased by more than 80% over the past four years, largely driven by fentanyl-involved deaths.
A study from the University of Colorado Cancer Center highlights the need for more data on pregnancy and targeted therapy in women with oncogene-driven lung cancer. The authors share their experience with pregnancies and surrogacy, emphasizing the importance of informed decision-making.
A new UC San Francisco study found that financial stress during pregnancy accelerates cellular aging in white children but not black children. Researchers followed 110 white and 112 black women from age 10 to 40 and their first child to understand the impact of maternal stress on health outcomes.
A systematic review of national clinical practice guidelines in Europe found that fewer than half include HIV testing recommendations for patients with medical conditions indicating HIV infection. This omission hinders efforts to stop the spread of HIV through timely diagnosis, affecting the lives of people living with HIV.
A new study found that 1 in 10 women without pre-existing hypertension may develop it up to a year after childbirth, highlighting the need for extended blood pressure monitoring. Mothers at highest risk include those over 35, current or former smokers, and C-section deliveries.
A low-cost prenatal intervention benefits mothers’ mental health up to eight years later. The eight-week class intervention supported healthier stress responses in their children, and cut their short-term risk of depression and diabetes.
A new protocol at Cedars-Sinai improves the timeliness of treatment for women with severe pregnancy-related hypertension, reducing maternal stroke risk. Despite racial disparities in hypertension rates, the initiative found no significant delays in treatment based on race or ethnicity.
A California study of 99,000 pregnancies found that prenatal cannabis use was more common in areas with greater retail availability of cannabis. The study suggests a larger absolute increase in prenatal cannabis use among those living closer to storefront retailers during the pandemic.
Researchers review myeloid-derived suppressor cells' phenotypes, mechanisms of immunosuppression, and roles in cancer treatment. Studies on non-malignant diseases, such as autoimmune disorders and obesity, are lacking, highlighting the need for further investigation.
A 10-year study found diagnoses of suicidal ideation surged by over 700% among Black pregnant women, while depression diagnoses increased by 66% during the same period. This disparity suggests that many women may be going undiagnosed and untreated until their mental health becomes a crisis.
A new national study found pregnant women in legalized US states are far more likely to use cannabis, with a 4.6 times higher rate compared to CBD-only states. The study emphasizes the need for prenatal and primary care providers to screen and counsel patients regarding cannabis use in pregnancy.
A study analyzing data from 13 studies found that approximately one third of children born to mothers infected with Zika virus during pregnancy presented with abnormalities consistent with Congenital Zika Syndrome. The most frequently observed manifestations included microcephaly, neurological impairments, and sensory abnormalities. Ri...
A new meta-analysis commissioned by WHO informs updated treatment guidelines for uncomplicated malaria in the first trimester of pregnancy. The study finds that artemether-lumefantrine is as safe and possibly more effective than non-artemisinin-based treatments, including quinine, with significant reductions in adverse pregnancy outcomes.
A study of 2 million births found maternal unintentional injury during pregnancy increases risk of cerebral palsy. Children exposed to maternal injuries that resulted in hospitalization or preterm delivery are at higher risk.
Researchers found that excess fat triggers immune cells to overeat serotonin in the brain of developing male mice, leading to depression-like behavior. Female mice are not affected in the same way, with higher levels of oxytocin linked to social withdrawal.
Dr. Miki Ebisuya has developed a unique 'stem cell zoo' with stem cells from various species, allowing for the first systematic analysis of developmental times in humans and other species. This approach enables researchers to investigate biophysical and molecular differences controlling biological time.
A Canadian cross-jurisdictional population-based cohort study found that about 2% of pregnant individuals self-report cannabis use, associated with increased risk of preterm births and low birthweight newborns. The study also linked cannabis use to higher rates of congenital anomalies.
A recent study found metabolic perturbations in young nonhuman primates' liver and skeletal muscle after maternal obesity during pregnancy, even after a normal diet was introduced post-weaning. The study identified 58 altered metabolites in the liver and 46 in skeletal muscle, suggesting long-term health consequences.
A Rutgers study found that high rental costs are linked to life-threatening maternal outcomes, with 260 such cases per 10,000 deliveries for those without a high school education. Providing affordable housing could reduce this gap by 20%.
A study of 1.5 million children found no association between prenatal benzodiazepine exposure and increased risks of autism spectrum disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The results challenge current assumptions about maternal benzodiazepine use and neurodevelopmental disorders.
A Norwegian study of over 72,000 births found no increased risks of adverse outcomes for babies conceived within three months of a miscarriage or abortion. In fact, shorter intervals were associated with lower risks of small for gestational age and large for gestational age, as well as lower risk of gestational diabetes.
A new MRI study reveals that even low to moderate amounts of alcohol consumption during pregnancy can change the baby's brain structure, leading to delayed brain development. Brain changes were seen in fetuses exposed to alcohol even at low levels, with significant effects on social cognition and language perception.
A study of over 45,000 births in Scotland found that women who had a planned vaginal birth after a previous C-section were more likely to undergo pelvic floor surgery compared to those who planned another C-section. The risk was particularly high for pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence.
A study found that South Asian women with genes associated with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy. The researchers identified genetic signatures linked with type 2 diabetes risk as strongly and independently associated with gestational diabetes in this population.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have identified an ultrapotent IgM antibody that neutralizes the Zika virus and prevents infection in preclinical models. The discovery could lead to the development of therapies to protect babies from birth defects caused by Zika.
Researchers identified key risk factors for intimate partner violence in pregnant women, including head injuries, multiple contusions, and certain injury patterns. The study highlights the importance of screening for IPV in pregnant trauma patients to prevent poor outcomes such as premature birth and low birth weight.
A study analyzing data from eight European countries found that younger and older mothers, as well as those born abroad or from minority ethnic backgrounds, are at particular risk. The maternal mortality rate is significantly higher in Slovakia and the UK compared to Norway and Denmark, with a fourfold difference.
A new study found that unclear COVID-19 policies during the pandemic exacerbated existing health care disparities for Black, Indigenous, and other women of color. The research included 41 participants who reported feeling isolated, confused, and fearful due to lack of clarity from medical providers and federal public health officials.
A study of 2,400 women found nearly a quarter developed high blood pressure more than six weeks after delivery. The research suggests monitoring during this period could mitigate severe cardiovascular complications.
A new study found that stop-and-go traffic may be linked to reduced birthweight, with a nine-gram decrease in weight among infants born to parents who reside in areas with heavy traffic. This association was seen even after controlling for background air pollution levels and other environmental co-exposures.