Research on pregnancy and the health of mothers and babies. Covers prenatal exposures, medication safety, anaemia, fetal development, and maternal care.
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.
A three-year study in Mozambique shows that parasite density and detectability in primigravid women decline as disease transmission decreases, despite stable antibody levels. This suggests non-immunological factors control infections in pregnant women.
Researchers found that higher levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in pregnant women were associated with increased anxiety scores in their children at age 12. The study suggests that exposure to flame retardants during early brain development may be a risk factor for developing anxiety symptoms in early adolescence.
A randomized controlled trial found that both total ankle replacement and ankle fusion improve quality of life and have similar clinical scores in patients with end-stage ankle osteoarthritis. However, TAR is associated with greater wound-healing complications and nerve injuries, while AF is linked to more blood clots and nonunion of t...
A decades-long effort to lower the US stillbirth rate has stalled, with no progress made in reducing disparities between Black and White women. Despite advances in prenatal care and maternal health, excess stillbirths experienced by Black women have remained unchanged since the mid-2000s.
A new study reveals that COVID-19 causes a significant disruption in vaginal microbiota balance, leading to an increased risk of preterm birth. The research found a 70% change in microbiota and higher levels of pathogenic bacteria in infected women compared to control groups.
A Cedars-Sinai study found that a specific protein imbalance can predict the risk of developing severe preeclampsia. The blood test measures the ratio between two proteins involved in blood vessel development, which accurately predicted preterm preeclampsia with severe features over 90% of the time.
New research reveals profound effects of pregnancy on maternal brain physiology, mood, and behavior. Maternal mental health conditions like depression and anxiety affect 20% of new mothers in the US, with untreated cases having long-term negative impacts.
Research reveals early life adversity shapes brain circuits and behavior, increasing risk of depression and anxiety. Studies using rodent models uncover specific neural pathways impacted by early stress, shedding light on sex-specific responses.
Between 2000 and 2020, malaria infections fell globally, but a significant increase occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, with 52.4 million pregnancies at risk from Plasmodium falciparum and vivax infection. Control initiatives failed to mitigate this trend.
A recent study found that exposure to fine particulate matter during pregnancy is associated with delays in children's gross motor, fine motor, and personal-social development. The study of 17,683 infants in Taiwan suggests that protection from air pollution should start during pregnancy.
A study by the University of Gothenburg found that women with inactive inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a higher risk of giving birth prematurely, particularly if they have microscopic inflammation in their intestinal mucosa. This association was not seen for other adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as growth restriction.
Researchers from the University of Queensland found that having more babies reduces a woman's risk of endometrial cancer by 50% compared to none. The study used genetic analysis and examined how many years women ovulated, with strong links pointing to childbirth.
A new study by Staffordshire University reveals that women's football clubs in Europe are lacking in education on menstrual cycles, hormonal contraception, and pregnancy. The research highlights the need for more female coaches and formalized coach education to address these issues and promote player well-being.
A high-fat diet in pregnant monkeys alters the transcriptional landscape of fetal blood stem cells, leading to a hyperinflammatory response and suppressed B-cell development. The study's findings suggest that maternal obesity may influence fetal bone marrow and immune system development.
A UMass Amherst epidemiologist is investigating how physical and mental health during pregnancy can predict cardiovascular and mental health disorders in middle age. Pregnancy complications may be associated with poorer cardiometabolic health and mental health status in middle adulthood among Puerto Rican women.
Research found social vulnerabilities such as poverty and minority status linked to increased cardiometabolic risk during pregnancy. The study analyzed nearly 19 million pregnancies in US counties from 2016-2020 and found that four leading cardiometabolic risk factors were associated with some social vulnerability.