Articles tagged with Pregnancy
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A new study found that women with a Lactobacillus-dominated microbiota in their uterine cavity had significantly lower rates of implantation, pregnancy, and live birth compared to those with non-Lactobacillus-dominated microbiota. This research suggests that the endometrial microbiome may play a crucial role in reproductive success.
A dose-response analysis found that pregnant women who take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in early pregnancy are at a small but significantly greater risk of having babies with major congenital anomalies or stillbirths. The study analyzed data from over 500,000 infants and recommended enhanced scans for women prescrib...
Researchers from University of Liverpool are leading a multinational consortium to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV in developing countries. The DolPHIN-2 project uses a new drug Dolutegravir to rapidly reduce HIV levels, potentially preventing infant transmission and saving lives.
A recent study found that pregnant women who wanted to get vaccinated were often discouraged by healthcare professionals due to misconceptions about vaccine safety. The World Health Organization and Health Canada classify pregnant women as high-risk groups for severe flu complications.
A new study by researchers at University of California San Diego School found that women choosing to become first-time mothers later in life may increase their chances of living into their 90s. Women who had their first child at age 25 or older were more likely to live to age 90.
Researchers found that women who had their last pregnancy at 35 or older scored higher on verbal memory and executive function tests. The study suggests that hormonal changes during menopause can have a positive impact on cognitive function if they occur later in life.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found significant changes in the brain makeup of fetuses and newborn rats exposed to allergens during pregnancy. Animals exposed before birth showed signs of hyperactivity, antisocial behavior, and decreased anxiety, similar to ADHD. The study could help explain the links between maternal al...
A study of over 60,000 births in South Australia found that women conceived in winter are more likely to develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy. This seasonal variation has implications for both child and mother health.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that women experiencing depressive symptoms during and after pregnancy are associated with reduced cortical thickness in preschool-age children. This suggests that a mother's mood may impact her child's brain development at critical stages.
Researchers found a significant association between elevated blood sugar in early pregnancy and the risk of delivering a baby with congenital heart disease. The study, which analyzed data from 19,107 pregnant women, suggests that blood sugar levels may be a better predictor of this risk than current oral glucose tolerance tests.
A mouse study reveals that prenatal stress can alter the microbiome, leading to anxiety and learning difficulties in offspring. Researchers found lasting changes in the gut bacteria of stressed mothers and their female offspring, which persisted into adulthood.
Researchers found that women with CHD who are deemed high risk by conventional measures are more likely to have safe, healthy pregnancies than current risk-assessments suggest. The study used CARPREG and ZAHARA risk scores and found significant discrepancies between estimated and observed risks.
A study published in Diabetologia found that high iron biomarkers are linked to an increased risk of gestational diabetes in pregnant women. Higher iron stores may play a role in developing insulin resistance and oxidative stress, contributing to impaired insulin synthesis and secretion.
Researchers identified a blood test that predicts infant outcomes and classifies FASD subpopulations. The test uses biomarkers in maternal plasma miRNAs to predict infant health.
Researchers identified a blood test that may predict infant disability caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. The study found that moderate to high levels of alcohol exposure during early pregnancy resulted in differences in circulating microRNAs in maternal blood.
A recent study suggests that treating mild hypothyroidism in pregnant women with levothyroxine may lower the risk of low-weight babies and early caesarean sections. However, there was no significant difference in other obstetric outcomes between treated and untreated groups.
Researchers have identified a human antibody that prevents Zika virus infection in pregnant mice and protects adult mice. The antibody also prevented damage to the placenta and fetuses, suggesting it may be used to prevent Zika-related birth defects.
A human antibody that neutralizes Zika virus has been shown to reduce levels of the virus in placental and fetal tissues and decrease fetal disease in a mouse model of Zika infection. The findings suggest that this antibody could be developed to protect pregnant women and others from Zika-related complications.
A study of healthy postmenopausal women found that reproductive life events related to sex hormones positively impact cognition and verbal memory. Longer reproductive periods and earlier menarche are inversely linked with cognitive function.
A human monoclonal antibody, ZIKV-117, has been isolated that 'neutralizes' the Zika virus in a mouse model and protects against fetal damage. The findings may aid development of an effective anti-Zika vaccine.
Research shows that a moderately reduced maternal food intake can accelerate the rate of aging in offspring's hearts. The study used baboons and found signs of impaired heart function at five years of life, equivalent to twenty human years.
Researchers used NMR spectroscopy to identify a panel of 10 urinary metabolites associated with fetal growth and increased birth weight. Changes in these metabolites could explain 12% of the variation seen in birth weight, independent of other known predictors.
The WSU study reveals a non-invasive testing method, Trophoblast Retrieval and Isolation from the Cervix (TRIC), that offers accuracy similar to invasive tests like amniocentesis. TRIC can be performed five to 10 weeks earlier than current testing modalities and has the potential to identify pregnancies at risk for complications.
A study of over 300,000 births found no significant link between Tdap vaccination during pregnancy and microcephaly or structural birth defects. The researchers concluded that the findings support routine Tdap administration during pregnancy.
A study published in BMJ Open suggests that women may be at risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. The research found that nearly four in ten women experienced symptoms of PTSD, including re-experiencing feelings and intrusive thoughts, three months after their loss.
Researchers found that pregnant women experience decreased drug exposure due to increased elimination, but few studies described clinical outcomes. The findings highlight the need for clinicians to be aware of these unique pregnancy-related pharmacokinetics and critically examine their implications.
A University at Buffalo sociologist found that celebrity news coverage contributed to changing family norms, making non-marital births more accepted. The study analyzed People magazine covers and showed a shift from presenting unmarried pregnancies as problems to happy, morally unproblematic events.
A new study suggests that pregnant women respond differently to vitamin D supplementation depending on their individual attributes, such as season of delivery and weight gain during pregnancy. Tailoring supplement levels according to these factors may be necessary to achieve optimal vitamin D concentrations.
A new study found that vitamin D supplements are less effective in raising levels in pregnant women if they deliver in winter or have low early pregnancy levels. Customized doses can be used to protect bone health and maternal health.
A Duke University study finds that underfed worm mothers buffer their babies from early starvation's effects, consistent with the thrifty phenotype hypothesis. Baby worms reared in lean conditions thrive despite prenatal malnutrition.
A new study found that injectable contraceptives for men can reduce the risk of unplanned pregnancies in their female partners. The hormone-based method, which involves injecting a combination of progestogen and testosterone, was effective in nearly 96% of continuing users.
The USPSTF recommends providing interventions to support breastfeeding, which can increase duration and rates of breastfeeding. However, nearly half of mothers in the US stop breastfeeding by 6 months, with disparities among younger mothers and disadvantaged communities.
A recent study published in JAMA Neurology found that pregnancy significantly increased the risk of stroke in women under 35, but not in those over 45. The researchers analyzed data from over 19,000 women hospitalized for stroke between 2003 and 2012.
Researchers found that choline deficiency during pregnancy alters choline metabolite profiles, fatty acid compositions, and amino acid levels in sow milk. This study provides new insights into the importance of choline for human development and highlights the need for mandatory fortification programs to address this nutrient deficiency.
A recent UT Southwestern Medical Center study found that microRNA-515-5p affects placental development in ways that could contribute to preeclampsia. The research suggests miRNA-515-5p might be used to identify women at risk for the condition and potentially lead to a new treatment target.
Younger pregnant women are at increased risk of stroke compared to their nonpregnant counterparts, with the youngest group seeing more than doubling of stroke risk. The study found that PAS accounted for 15% of strokes in younger women, and death was lower among those with PAS.
Research at Oregon State University shows that Oregon's implementation of coordinated care organizations improved expectant moms starting prenatal care on time. The study also found a small narrowing of the gap in prenatal care quality between Medicaid beneficiaries and those with private insurance.
Researchers found that increased reactive oxygen species in oocytes cause significant chromosome segregation errors, contributing to the maternal age effect. The study suggests that antioxidant-rich diets may slow down the accumulation of oxidative damage, reducing segregation errors.
A new study found that elevated cortisol levels measured in hair can predict IVF success rates, with women having almost a third less chance of conceiving. The technique enables doctors to measure cumulative hormonal function over 3-6 months, providing a more reliable measure than short-term methods.
Researchers found that nearly half of pregnancy-associated deaths were due to unintentional injuries, homicide, or suicide. The study suggests addressing psychosocial contributors to health during pregnancy can effectively prevent maternal deaths.
Researchers found that Zika virus infection damages placental cells and enhances entry of the virus through HSV-2 receptors. Fetuses in pregnant women with HSV-2 infection are at higher risk for microcephaly and other effects caused by Zika virus.
A new study reveals low rates of pregnancy screening among adolescent females with acute leukemia before receiving chemotherapy that can cause birth defects. The analysis found that adolescents with ALL had the lowest rates of pregnancy testing, and there was substantial variation in screening patterns across hospitals.
A recent study found that exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of speech and language disorders in children. The study analyzed data from Finland and found that children whose mothers purchased SSRIs at least twice during pregnancy had a higher risk of speech/...
Mothers who took antidepressants during pregnancy had a 37-percent increased risk of speech and/or language disorders in their offspring compared to mothers with depression but no treatment. The study, published online in JAMA Psychiatry, used a large sample population and followed children beyond age 3.
Research suggests strenuous exercise has no significant impact on labor duration or risk of premature birth. Exercise is found to reduce excessive birthweight and lower the risk of C-section births. However, more research is needed in elite athletes to fully understand its effects during pregnancy.
A Taiwanese study of almost 1.4 million births found that pregnant women with maternal chronic diseases have a higher risk of giving birth to babies with severe congenital heart disease. The study also found a slightly increased risk of mild congenital heart disease in offspring of mothers with diabetes and other chronic conditions.
Researchers found that men are pressuring female partners to get pregnant by breaking condoms and manipulating birth control. A new study provides doctors with a streamlined set of questions to discuss with patients about reproductive coercion, which can lead to unintended pregnancies and other health issues.
A new study documents abnormal brain development in offspring of a non-human primate infected with Zika virus during pregnancy. The findings provide a model for testing therapeutic interventions to prevent fetal brain injury caused by the virus.
Research suggests corticosteroids may impair healthy pregnancy, increasing risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and birth defects. Women taking these drugs during pregnancy have a 64% increase in miscarriage and a 3-4 times greater risk of cleft palate.
A recent UBC study found that 5% of sexually active transgender youth have been pregnant, similar to the general adolescent population. This challenges common assumptions about trans youth and highlights the need for improved sex education and healthcare.
The Affordable Care Act's contraceptive mandate has been linked to increased consistency in oral contraceptive use among women with employer-sponsored insurance. Analysis of insurance claims data found that reducing out-of-pocket costs for generic pills led to higher adherence rates, particularly among those using these methods.
A new study published in JAMA found that performing an MRI on a woman in the early part of pregnancy does not increase the risk of stillbirth, death after birth, or birth defects. The study also found no association between first-trimester MRIs and vision loss, hearing loss, or cancer in children's first four years.
Researchers analyzed over 30,000 twin pregnancies to identify the ideal delivery period, recommending 37 weeks for uncomplicated dichorionic twins and 36 weeks for monochorionic twins. The study aims to reduce stillbirth rates and neonatal complications in twin pregnancies.
Exposure to MRI during the first trimester was not associated with increased risk of harm to the fetus or congenital anomalies. However, gadolinium-enhanced MRI was linked to a broad set of rheumatological and inflammatory conditions in early childhood.
Research reveals GBS produces membrane-bound vesicles containing toxins and immune-modulators that can attack the host, leading to inflammation of membranes surrounding the fetus. The study shows that these vesicles can induce preterm birth and fetal injury in mice, with approximately 60% of fetuses born prematurely.
A study of 6,120 Danish women found that high alcohol intake was associated with a slight decrease in fertility, while low to moderate consumption showed no effect. The authors recommend abstinence from alcohol during the fertile window until pregnancy is ruled out.
Two newer antiepileptic drugs, levetiracetam and topiramate, show no discernible impact on childhood intellectual development. However, valproate is linked to a lower IQ in children whose mothers took high doses during pregnancy.
Researchers discovered that transplanted bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) can contribute to better blood vessel growth, leading to reduced recurrent miscarriages. The study found that EPCs homed to the placenta and worked to normalize uterine blood vessel patterns, resulting in a reduced rate of miscarriage.
A Canadian study found folic acid fortified food reduced rates of congenital heart defects, with significant declines in conotruncal and coarctation of the aorta defects but no impact on chromosomally associated defects. The findings are applicable to the US population due to similar implementation timelines.
A study published in Cell found that Zika virus can replicate in the vaginal tissue of pregnant mice several days after infection, potentially leading to dire consequences for reproduction. The researchers also detected Zika virus in the fetal brains of infected mice, associated with fetal weight loss.