Research on pregnancy and the health of mothers and babies. Covers prenatal exposures, medication safety, anaemia, fetal development, and maternal care.
A study in a mouse model found that viral infections during pregnancy can affect the mother's brain and disrupt maternal care behavior after birth. The research team identified structural, molecular, and functional changes in the brains of mothers with viral-like immune activation.
A new study found that family medicine physicians face multiple barriers, including lack of training and institutional restrictions, to providing medical abortions. The study highlights the need for stronger exposure and training opportunities to strengthen access to safe abortion options.
Two Medical University of South Carolina epidemiologists investigate how COVID-19 disruptions affected pregnancy outcomes, particularly for racial and ethnic minority communities. They aim to determine whether pandemic-caused disruptions worsened already poor maternal and infant health statistics.
A new screening tool has been developed to identify pregnant women at risk of eating disorders, allowing for early intervention and treatment. The Prenatal Eating Behaviors Screening (PEBS) tool, created by WVU researchers, uses a 12-question screener to assess symptoms and emotions associated with eating disorders.
A new study from Queen Mary University of London suggests that e-cigarettes are just as safe as nicotine patches for pregnant smokers and may help more women quit smoking. The study found that e-cigarette users had better proven quit rates at the end of pregnancy compared to those using nicotine patches.
Researchers at Wayne State University developed a novel technique to measure the age of male sperm, finding a link between sperm epigenetic aging and pregnancy outcomes. The study suggests that older sperm can be associated with lower pregnancy success rates and shorter gestation periods.
A study of 856 individuals found that those living over 50 miles from an abortion facility were still seeking or planning an abortion four weeks later. The research suggests that online abortion services may not adequately address rural access issues, resulting in delayed or foregone care.
A study found that high blood adenosine levels at 15 days of life correlated with white matter lesions and brain injury in very low birth weight premature infants. Adenosine may play a role in oligodendrocyte maturation and neuronal development, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for complications of prematurity.
Scientists at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center used advanced brain imaging techniques to study the impact of prenatal opioid exposure on infant brain development. The study found that treatment with medications like buprenorphine and methadone can minimize brain abnormalities in newborns exposed to opioids prenatally.
Pre-eclampsia affects up to 8% of women during their lifetime, causing high blood pressure and organ damage. The King's College London review provides a state-of-the-art summary of current knowledge and best practices for caring for women with pre-eclampsia.
Researchers from Clemson University have discovered a promising therapy for toxoplasmosis, a disease caused by the microscopic protozoa Toxoplasma gondii. The team has enlisted an unlikely ally - the herbicide oxadiazon - in the fight against the single-celled parasite.
A study of over 1.7 million children found no link between antidepressant use by mothers during the first trimester and a child's risk of seizures or epilepsy. However, children exposed to certain antidepressants had a slightly higher risk of neonatal seizures.
A six-year study of nearly 100,000 women in Botswana found daily iron, folic acid, and vitamin supplementation can reduce birth complications, including low birthweight. The study also showed benefits for HIV-positive pregnant women, with rates of adverse outcomes significantly lower than those taking iron or folic acid alone.
A new study analyzed 34 previous studies on the impact of diet on gestational diabetes, finding a lack of robust data for non-white European women. The findings stress the need for inclusive research methods to accurately understand the relationship between diet and gestational diabetes across all ethnicities.
A new meta-analysis suggests that a healthy diet during pregnancy does not significantly reduce the risk of developing gestational diabetes in non-White European populations. The study analyzed data from various ethnic groups and found no significant association between dietary habits and the incidence of gestational diabetes.
A new NIH-funded study will investigate the effects of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) on infant and childhood immunity, filling a knowledge gap in SVOC health impacts. The research aims to identify specific SVOCs or mixtures that impair immune function, which could lead to new preventive measures and interventions.
A recent study published in Endocrinology found that exposure to a scream sound may lead to diminished ovarian reserve and decreased fertility in female rats. The researchers discovered that the scream sound reduced estrogen and Anti-Mullerian hormone levels, as well as the number and quality of eggs, resulting in smaller litters.
Rates of postpartum depression symptoms increased nationwide during the pandemic, reaching a high of 7.7% in December 2020 to March 2021. States with fewer COVID-19 deaths and lower unemployment rates showed greater increases in symptoms, likely due to reduced access to support systems.
Women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are at a 63% higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to those with normal blood pressure. The majority of the increased risk is accounted for by chronic hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and type 2 diabetes.
A study funded by NIH found that women who had high blood pressure during pregnancy had a 63% increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease later in life. Early screening and monitoring in targeted areas can help delay or prevent future cardiovascular events among these women.
A study suggests that women who have had weight loss surgery should wait at least two years before trying for a baby due to the risk of having an underweight (small for gestational age) baby. The longer interval from surgery to conception is associated with a lower risk of SGA babies.
A new study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that neighborhood poverty and crowding are associated with higher rates of COVID-19 in pregnancy. Researchers analyzed data from over 5,991 pregnant patients and found disparities in SARS-CoV-2 positivity among different racial and ethnic groups.
A new quality improvement study from Cedars-Sinai found that comprehensive nurse training is key to successfully screening women for postpartum depression. The initiative identified framing the screening as part of family wellness and normalizing the transition to parenthood as helpful strategies.
Researchers developed a genetic-risk score to identify women most at risk for gestational and postpartum diabetes. Intensive lifestyle intervention reduced their risk, but only benefited those with the highest genetic risk.
A cohort study of nearly 1,000 pregnant persons in NYC found that neighborhoods most affected by racism and economic inequality had higher rates of COVID-19 infection and preterm births. The researchers linked structural racism and community unemployment to increased risk of preterm birth.
Research by Kerim Can Kavakli and Valentina Rotondi finds that restricting US foreign aid for NGOs providing abortion information leads to higher maternal and child mortality, as well as increased HIV incidence. The study estimates that this restriction may be responsible for up to 27,000 deaths per year.
A study by Children's National Hospital found that elevated anxiety, depression, and stress in pregnant women can alter key features of the fetal brain, decreasing their offspring's cognitive development at 18 months. This alteration also increased internalizing and dysregulation behaviors.
A Canadian research team found that pregnant women and their unborn babies are sensitive to environmental contaminants like endocrine disruptors. The study highlighted the role of the placenta in regulating maternal physiology and fetal development, and linked early exposure to certain EDs with breast cancer and prostate cancer risk.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that treating even mild forms of high blood pressure during pregnancy is safe and beneficial for both mother and developing baby. The study's results demonstrated a significant decrease in pregnancy complications, including severe preeclampsia and preterm births.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that having a parent with type 1 diabetes may be linked to lower school performance in children. The research involved over 622,000 Danish children and suggested a negative association between parental type 1 diabetes and cognitive development.
A new Cambridge study has discovered that the sex of a fetus can affect placenta function, diet-induced maternal obesity, and stress. Designing sex-specific therapies and personalized lifestyle interventions could have lifelong health benefits for children.
A new combination of ulipristal acetate and meloxicam has emerged as a promising candidate for an on-demand contraceptive pill. The study found that the combination disrupted ovulation in 89% of women, with treatment cycles being around 3 days longer than baseline cycles.
A recent study by UT Southwestern and Parkland Health scientists found that pregnant women were diagnosed with COVID-19 at a higher rate during the Omicron surge compared to previous phases of the pandemic. However, they were less likely to develop severe illness, with Omicron cases being about 80% less severe than Delta cases.
A new study from Boston Medical Center found that COVID-19 infection during pregnancy is associated with elevated inflammatory markers in infants, potentially impacting growth and brain development. Researchers emphasize the importance of COVID-19 vaccinations for pregnant women to avoid long-term adverse consequences for their infant.
A new study suggests that pregnant women are five times more likely to be hospitalized and six times more likely to require intensive care treatment compared to non-pregnant women. Vaccination can significantly reduce this risk, with healthy pregnant women being over five times more likely to be hospitalized without vaccination.
Research found that 3.4% of pregnant women who caught COVID-19 passed antibodies to their babies, providing some protection. However, these antibodies gradually decrease over time and disappear within 100 days after birth.
A new study by Brown University found that postpartum insurance loss decreased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Consistent Medicaid coverage among postpartum participants increased during the pandemic, suggesting that the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was a primary factor in reducing postpartum Medicaid loss.
A new study found that following a Mediterranean-style diet can lower the risk of preeclampsia by at least 20% in pregnant women. The research surveyed over 8,000 women and found that racial differences in rates of preeclampsia were more related to socioeconomic factors than genetic or biological ones.
A new analysis of 23 studies identified factors influencing birth setting decisions in the US, including safety, media influence, and access to options. The study highlights the importance of building a comprehensive system of high-quality perinatal health for equitable access to all birth settings.
Researchers found that gamification increased daily steps by an average of 647 for postpartum individuals with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The study, published in JAMA Cardiology, demonstrates the effectiveness of text-based gamification interventions to improve physical activity among high-risk postpartum women.
A Mediterranean-style diet during pregnancy was associated with reduced preeclampsia risk, particularly among Black women. The study found that following this diet resulted in a significant reduction in the risk of developing preeclampsia, which is a major cause of complications and death for mothers and their unborn children.
Rutgers scientists found that inhaled nanoparticles can migrate from the lungs to the placenta and possibly fetal tissues after maternal exposure throughout pregnancy. This discovery raises concerns about the potential health effects of nanoparticle exposure on human fetuses.
A recent study examined COVID-19 vaccine attitudes among pregnant women, finding associations with maternal anxiety, trust in healthcare providers, and socioeconomic status. The research provides valuable information for healthcare providers and policymakers seeking to improve vaccination rates during pregnancy.
A new study demonstrated that maternal exercise during pregnancy improves the metabolic health of offspring, even when the mother is obese or on a high-fat diet. The findings suggest that physical exercise by the mother induces the placenta to secrete SOD3, resulting in a lowered risk of diabetes for the offspring.
A recent study found that structural racism and COVID-19 pandemic stressors are significantly associated with postpartum depression and anxiety among Black individuals. The study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, analyzed data from a large birthing cohort and found that participants who experienced worse pandemic-related worries, interper...
A new series of expert reviews explores less common causes of bone loss, including pregnancy-associated osteoporosis and anorexia nervosa-related osteoporosis. The reviews provide comprehensive information on these unusual conditions and their impact on bone health.
A new study found that hysteroscopic and laparoscopic sterilization procedures have higher-than-expected failure rates of five to six percent at 5 years post-procedure. The study, led by Dr. Aileen Gariepy, used Medicaid claims data to compare the effectiveness of these methods.
A study published in Journal of Women's Health found that preventive visits after an index pregnancy were associated with reduced hypertension in the subsequent pregnancy. Nearly half of women included in the study experienced a complication in their subsequent pregnancy, with diabetes and hypertension having the highest recurrence rates.
A national survey found that 47% of parents experienced negative birth experiences, with uncertainties about restrictions causing increased anxiety. Good communication from healthcare providers was key to a positive experience, with families reporting reduced levels of anxiety and stress when provided with support.
A recent study of 280 mother-infant pairs found that prenatal exposure to social disadvantage and psychosocial stress was associated with reduced infant brain volumes at birth. The researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure the brain volumes of the infants at birth.
In a study published in BMJ Open, researchers found that abortion rates remained stable in Sweden during the first pandemic wave, with no significant changes in timing or decision-making. Women who sought abortions did not hesitate to proceed, citing supportive care and reassuring healthcare systems.
Researchers found thousands of individual B-cell transcripts that were different from women without PPD, regulated by genetic variants and DNA methylation. Altered B-cell activation and insulin resistance were also implicated in the study. The findings provide new insights into the biological mechanisms behind postpartum depression.
Researchers from Texas A&M University found that the absence of a functioning Nrf2 gene affects prenatal growth, especially when exposed to ultrafine particulate air pollution. This study highlights a possible mechanism by which ultrafine particles can impact placental function and prenatal health.
Research reveals nearly a third of pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries screened for hepatitis C test positive, but fewer than a fifth receive follow-up care. A sustainable pathway to treatment is crucial, especially with expanded postpartum Medicaid coverage and highly effective oral medications.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found administering medication abortion pills as early as possible is safe and may help determine ectopic pregnancy faster. However, patients may need to re-initiate treatment due to a higher failure rate when treated early.
A large-scale study of COVID-era birth data found a 6.5% decrease in premature births from cesarian and induced deliveries. The researchers believe this may be related to fewer prenatal visits during the pandemic. However, further research is needed to understand the impact on fetal health.
A new systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that prenatal smoking is associated with offspring attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but does not necessarily cause it. The study, led by University of Bristol researchers, found that shared genetics play a substantial role in the association.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that certain reproductive events, such as shorter estrogen exposure, may be associated with increased dementia risk in women. However, the association between the number of children and dementia risk was similar for women and men, suggesting social and behavioral factors may play a role.
A recent study evaluated the association between COVID-19 vaccination during early pregnancy and major fetal structural anomalies identified on ultrasonography. The results suggest that pregnant women who receive COVID-19 vaccines may be at a slightly higher risk of having a child with congenital fetal anomalies.
A new Northwestern Medicine study has found that the COVID-19 vaccine is not associated with birth defects that are detectable on ultrasound. The study analyzed electronic medical records from a cohort of 3,156 pregnant people who received at least one vaccine dose and found no increased risk of major fetal structural anomalies.