Articles tagged with Pregnancy
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Research shows people with diverse sexual and gender identities experience poorer health outcomes in obstetric care. Experts emphasize the importance of using inclusive language to improve health outcomes.
A recent study published in Pediatric Research found no SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in breastmilk from mothers infected with COVID-19, ruling out transmission to infants. The authors analyzed 110 lactating women and did not find any clinical evidence of infection in breastfeeding infants.
A new report from academics highlights the risks and challenges faced by pregnant women in prison, including patchy care and support services. The authors recommend legislative and policy changes to prioritize community orders and non-punitive options over custodial sentences.
A study in rats found that consuming sweeteners like aspartame or stevia during pregnancy can lead to changes in the offspring's gut microbiome and increased obesity risk. The findings suggest that a mother's diet during pregnancy plays an important role in determining her child's health later in life.
A study led by the Institute for Systems Biology found that unvaccinated pregnant people with COVID-19 are more likely to have poor birth outcomes, including preterm birth and stillbirth. The risk of these outcomes is particularly high for infections during the first or second trimester.
The COVID-19 pandemic poses significant risks to pregnant women and their newborns, particularly due to viral-induced inflammation in the placenta. Studies have linked SARS-CoV-2 infection to adverse pregnancy outcomes, including stillbirth and severe neonatal illness, which may vary with specific circulating variants.
Researchers have detected the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the blood and placentas of women who experienced stillbirths and serious pregnancy complications. The study found that the virus was widely disseminated, causing severe inflammation of the placenta and leading to stillbirths.
Scientists at the University of Missouri discovered that bisphenol A (BPA) exposure during pregnancy can negatively impact fetal brain development. MicroRNAs in the placenta play a key role in regulating cellular functions, including neural development. Researchers believe that microRNA packages could reach the brain through the placen...
A meta-analysis found that breastfeeding significantly lowers a mother's risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes. The review analyzed health data from nearly 1.2 million women across eight studies conducted in different countries.
A Rutgers study found that phthalates, commonly found in consumer products, can alter the production of essential placental hormones during pregnancy. Higher levels of phthalates have been linked to increased risk of preterm birth, gestational diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Researchers found that a diet rich in butyrate sharply reduced the risk of biliary atresia in mouse pups, and identified glutamine as a key compound with similar protective effects. The findings suggest a potential role for maternal microbiome manipulation in preventing liver disease.
A study identified 17 military medical treatment facilities that can provide high-quality obstetric care, including emergency cesarean delivery. This collaboration could reduce preventable maternal mortality and improve care for pregnant patients in rural communities.
A study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that abnormal thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy may predict preschool boys' emotional and behavioral problems. Mothers with high thyroid hormone levels were more likely to have withdrawn, anxious, or depressed sons.
Research involving nearly 250,000 US families found that medically assisted reproduction techniques, including IVF, do not significantly affect birth weight and pregnancy term. Once family circumstances are considered, the differences between MAR-conceived babies and naturally conceived children become insignificant.
A new UCSF study found that the neural connections of newborns with two different kinds of brain injuries were linked to significantly different developmental outcomes years later. CHD newborns had worse language function at 12-18 months and worse cognitive, language, and motor function at 30 months compared to HIE infants.
A study published in Nature has developed a new tool to predict pre-eclampsia by analyzing genetic material in a single blood sample. The test uses machine learning and sequencing approaches to identify molecular profiles that signal fetal development and pregnancy progression, allowing for earlier detection of complications.
The ACA Medicaid expansion significantly improved preconception and postpartum insurance coverage for pregnant people, leading to reduced uninsurance and insurance churn. However, the study found limited evidence that it improved overall perinatal healthcare use or infant birth outcomes.
Chronic hypertension is driving rising maternal mortality rates in the US, particularly among Black women. The study highlights a 15-fold increase in maternal mortality associated with chronic hypertension over 40 years.
A study conducted at the University of Turku found that following a healthy diet in early pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk of developing gestational diabetes. The research revealed that a diet high in saturated fats and low in essential nutrients increases inflammation and raises the risk of gestational diabetes.
A study of over 6,000 women found that US-born Black women are at higher risk of preeclampsia, but this is not solely due to their racial background. Factors such as biology, social and cultural elements, and access to healthcare also play a role in this disparity.
A new study found that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy elicits high levels of antibodies in both mother and baby, regardless of when it occurs. The research suggests that pregnant women should not delay vaccination until late pregnancy, as it is likely to be beneficial for themselves and their babies.
Researchers have discovered a pattern of immune activity in normal pregnancies that can detect abnormalities and predict complications. The study found elevated immune activation in the first three months, followed by a calmer phase, and higher activity in the last three months, especially when childbirth is imminent.
Researchers found that the fetus uses a signal called IGF2 to control nutrient supply from the placenta. The team discovered that only the paternal copy of the IGF2 gene is active, while the maternal copy inactivates it.
Research by Dr. Sarah Crozier found that children aged eight or nine were more likely to be obese if their mother had a poor diet during – and before – pregnancy. The study, which analyzed data from 2,963 mother-child pairs, suggests that intervening at the earliest possible stage in a child's life can help tackle childhood obesity.
A study published in CMAJ found that people using cannabis during pregnancy and lactation do so to manage symptoms such as nausea and mental health problems. The motivations for use change when they become pregnant, with some stopping due to fear or stigma, while others continue to use it for symptom management.
In meerkat societies, testosterone-driven aggression enables cooperative breeding by creating a hierarchy where subordinates help raise the matriarch's pups. Researchers found that matriarchs' high testosterone levels drive their aggressive behavior, which maintains group structure.
A new study reveals that poor women in rural India are more likely to die during childbirth due to lack of access to safe hospital births. The research found that only 26% of women in low-performing states deliver in hospitals, compared to 87% of those exposed to mass media.
A recent study by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that women in areas with worse health disparities have a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. These outcomes include increased risks of preeclampsia, abruption, and preterm birth.
A digital version of cognitive behavioral therapy (dCBT) has been shown to reduce insomnia, depression, and anxiety during pregnancy. The treatment also reduced symptoms of insomnia and depression in non-depressed women for up to six months postpartum.
A survey of 121 fertility specialists in Australia, UK, and New Zealand found that endometrial scratching is still offered by 34% of clinics despite lack of evidence, primarily for psychological benefits. Many respondents considered the procedure's drawbacks, including pain and cost.
A study found that nearly a quarter of pregnant and postpartum women in the US reported unmet healthcare need due to cost. Women with private insurance and lower incomes were more likely to experience unaffordable healthcare, while those with public insurance and higher incomes had better access.
A new Rutgers study found that the use of hair products like hair dyes, bleach, relaxers, and mousse is associated with lower levels of sex steroid hormones in pregnant women. Disruptions to these hormones may contribute to adverse maternal and pregnancy outcomes. Socioeconomic variables also influence personal care product use among p...
A study of over 1,000 Minneapolis residents found that community-level police contact is associated with a higher risk of preterm birth. The study controlled for factors like socioeconomic status and housing conditions, suggesting a potential link between police interactions and birth outcomes.
Research suggests that severe maternal morbidity rates continue well into the late postpartum period, particularly among Black women, those with anxiety and depression. The study found alarming data showing increasing rates of maternal mortality later in the first year postpartum.
A history of adverse pregnancy outcomes is associated with higher odds of midlife stroke. Nearly 4 in 10 women who suffered a stroke before age 60 had a history of APOs.
Researchers discovered that pregnancy triggers the activation of Natural Killer T (NKT) cells to prevent breast cancer. After pregnancy, breast epithelial cells produce a specific protein called CD1d, which attracts NKT cells to monitor and eliminate potential cancer cells.
Studies in mouse models found that maternal immune activation can alter brain development and lead to autism-like behavioral symptoms. The research also revealed a link between maternal microbiome changes and offspring's susceptibility to intestinal inflammation, with increased IL-17a production by T cells.
A randomized clinical trial investigated the effects of a Mediterranean diet and mindfulness-based stress reduction on preventing small-for-gestational age birth weights. The study found that these interventions significantly reduced the risk of this adverse pregnancy outcome.
A new study published in the journal Nutrients found that probiotics can reduce nausea and vomiting during pregnancy by up to 33% and improve quality of life symptoms. The study also identified specific gut microbes associated with higher levels of nausea, suggesting potential biomarkers for future research.
A study found that many Medicaid-enrolled women in Virginia were unaware of dental pregnancy benefits, despite comprehensive coverage enacted in 2015. The survey revealed significant gaps in oral health knowledge among reproductive-age women by insurance status, with Medicaid-enrolled women facing barriers to care at higher rates.
A recent study found associations between air and water pollutants and changes in the human sex ratio at birth. Pollutants such as PCBs, iron, lead, and chromium were linked to an increased or decreased ratio of baby boys to girls.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Board approved funding for nine new comparative clinical effectiveness research studies addressing various health conditions. These studies focus on telehealth and mobile health strategies, reducing disparities in maternal health, and improving care for people with intellectual a...
Researchers have discovered molecules that could be candidates for contraceptives or fertility enhancers using human blastoid models. These models also show promise in improving the self-organization of stem cells during IVF procedures.
A new study by researchers at the University of Copenhagen found that an imbalance in vaginal bacteria is associated with a higher risk of emergency caesarean section. The study analyzed 1,396 samples from 736 pregnant women and discovered that those with greater levels of imbalance were more likely to deliver via C-section.
Researchers have created reconstructable uterus-derived materials (RUMs) to aid in the recovery of damaged uteruses. The materials, which can be formed into different states and shapes, prevent intrauterine adhesion and promote angiogenesis, endometrial regeneration, and muscle collagen rebuilding.
Researchers found altered brain structures in fetuses exposed to alcohol, including increased corpus collosum volume and decreased periventricular zone volume. This study provides early evidence of the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on brain development.
A study of 33 patients with COVID-19 infection during pregnancy found no evidence of brain development issues in the unborn child. The researchers used fetal MRI to evaluate the fetuses and concluded that a maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection has no effect on brain development.
A multi-state study shows that family medicine physicians are crucial in rural maternity care, delivering babies in 67% of hospitals and being the only doctors in 27%. The loss of obstetrical services poses a significant burden to pregnant people and infants, with patients facing long distances for care.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that pregnant women with COVID-19 are more likely to experience complications during pregnancy and childbirth, including ICU admission, preeclampsia, and cesarean section. Vaccination may help protect these women, especially those at higher risk of severe COVID-19 infections.
A natural experiment found that Argentina's vital records detected significant and transient impacts of the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic on maternal health. The study also confirmed a decline in direct obstetric causes and an increase in indirect causes due to non-pregnancy comorbidities.
Researchers found that COVID-19 infection in mothers leads to distinct immune changes in babies, including altered cytokine profiles and T cell responses. The study also identified potential correlations with clinical complications such as preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction.
A new study suggests that unborn babies could contract Covid-19 if their gut is exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, researchers say that this risk is extremely limited due to the placenta's protective shield. Vaccination against Covid-19 during pregnancy is still recommended as a way to protect the unborn baby.
A study found that many IVF embryos with chromosomal abnormalities have the potential to lead to successful pregnancies. Embryos with low-grade mosaicism had similar live birth rates and miscarriage rates as euploid embryos.
Research suggests that high stress levels in pregnant women are associated with increased cortisol responses in infants. However, sensitive caregiving by mothers after birth can mitigate these effects. The study's findings highlight the importance of postnatal interventions to support children whose mothers experienced prenatal adversity.
A Rutgers study found that maternal depression in the year following childbirth is associated with increased risk of short-term and long-term household economic insecurity. Women who experienced depression were more likely to be unemployed and experience financial hardship up to 15 years later.
A Québec research team studied the expression of three families of genes in the placenta and found associations with febrile seizure characteristics. The study, led by Professor Sarah Lippé, may help understand the underlying mechanisms of febrile seizures and their impact on children's cognitive development.
The UK government is being called on to recognize every miscarriage as a bereavement, rather than an illness, and award statutory bereavement leave. This would provide parents with up to 1 week of paid leave after a miscarriage, regardless of gestation, and address the current arbitrary cliff edge at 24 weeks.
Researchers at the University of Kent identified strong evidence-based benefits of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) in IVF. Live birth rates per embryo transferred and per treatment cycle were significantly higher with PGT-A compared to regular IVF, especially in women over 40.
Research found that cannabis exposure during pregnancy is associated with higher levels of stress hormone cortisol, anxiety, and hyperactivity in children. Maternal cannabis use also suppresses immune-activating genes, predicting higher anxiety in offspring.
A study found that budtenders and healthcare providers are seeking more training on interacting with pregnant and breastfeeding women about their cannabis use. Healthcare providers have a negative opinion of the effects of cannabis use, while budtenders perceive marijuana as a safer alternative to perinatal alcohol or cigarette use.