Research on pregnancy and the health of mothers and babies. Covers prenatal exposures, medication safety, anaemia, fetal development, and maternal care.
A new study from the University of Montreal found that antidepressants prescribed to pregnant women may increase the chance of having a baby with birth defects. The risk is significant enough to merit caution in their use, especially considering the marginal effectiveness of these medications.
A new study published in Lancet Global Health found that maternal micronutrient supplements during pregnancy significantly boost child development and cognitive ability. The research also highlights the importance of a strong nurturing environment, home conditions, and parental education in shaping a child's intellectual abilities.
Researchers found that clean-burning ethanol stoves reduced the incidence of hypertension and increased diastolic blood pressure in pregnant Nigerian women. The study suggests that switching to clean fuels could have significant health benefits for vulnerable populations, including pregnant women.
A study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health estimates that nearly 10% of women drink alcohol during pregnancy worldwide, leading to an estimated 119,000 cases of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome annually. The study also found that nearly 15 people per 10,000 have FAS globally.
A clinical trial in Nigeria replaced biomass and kerosene cookstoves with ethanol stoves, reducing the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease in pregnant women. The study found a significant decrease in high blood pressure among women who cooked with ethanol, with risks reduced by 97% compared to those using traditional...
A new study suggests that a woman's blood pressure before pregnancy is related to the likelihood of delivering a boy or girl. The research found that women with higher blood pressure before pregnancy were more likely to deliver a boy, contradicting previous theories and providing a novel insight into human reproduction.
A multidisciplinary team of University of Miami physicians published a case study detailing the nation's first locally-transmitted case of Zika. The study highlights the skin rash associated with the virus and its potential implications for future Zika screening and diagnoses.
Research from Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center finds depression in pregnancy associated with lower BDNF levels, which also predict low birth weight. The study suggests that increasing BDNF through exercise may be a beneficial way to address the issue.
According to a new report from the USPSTF, nearly a quarter of reproductive-age women have sub-optimal folate levels, highlighting the importance of daily folic acid supplements. The FDA has also announced plans to fortify corn masa flour with folic acid, targeting Hispanic women at higher risk.
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) strongly advises all women of childbearing age to take a daily folic acid supplement containing 400-800 μg to reduce the risk of neural tube defects in their developing fetus. This recommendation is based on high certainty that the net benefit is substantial.
A new study suggests that progesterone could be a key to preventing recurrent miscarriage in women who suffer multiple pregnancy losses. Researchers found that micronized plant-derived progesterone improved endometrial function and prevented pregnancy loss.
A new study suggests that natural progesterone supplementation can increase pregnancy success in women with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss. The research found that over two-thirds of pregnancies were successful in women who received progesterone, compared to barely half in those who did not.
A Singapore-based study found an association between insufficient sleep and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a multi-ethnic Asian population. Short sleep duration was linked to increased risk of GDM, with the highest frequency among women who slept less than six hours a night.
New international guidelines aim to improve healthcare for nearly 300,000 pregnant women with thyroid disease each year. The guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and management of thyroid illness during pregnancy.
The American Thyroid Association has published new evidence-based recommendations for diagnosing and managing thyroid disease during pregnancy. The Guidelines cover thyroid function testing, iodine nutrition, and treatment of thyroid disease during pregnancy and lactation.
Larger males breed first, with offspring having better survival rates and producing more newborns, suggesting a clear reproductive advantage. This study shows the complexity of sexual selection in reverse in pipefish, highlighting factors beyond size and timing.
Children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy are more likely to show signs of kidney damage. Maternal smoking is linked to an increased risk of childhood proteinuria, a sign of reduced kidney function that can lead to chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease in adulthood.
A study found that over half of Brazilian women aged 18-39 avoided pregnancy due to the Zika epidemic. The authors urge the government to review reproductive health policies and improve access to safe and effective contraceptives.
Researchers at Wayne State University have made a groundbreaking discovery about B lymphocytes and their role in preventing preterm birth. The study found that these cells produce molecules to suppress uterine inflammation and premature birth, potentially leading to new therapeutic approaches.
A study found that women with a history of recovered acute kidney injury had an increased rate of preeclampsia and delivered infants earlier than those with normal kidney function. Infants born to these women were also at higher risk for small-for-gestational-age births.
The USPSTF recommends against routine serologic screening for genital herpes infection in asymptomatic individuals, citing the lack of a long asymptomatic period and the high false-positive rate of current tests. This decision is based on the low test accuracy and potential harms of early detection and intervention.
Research finds pregnancy alters brain structure, particularly in regions related to social cognition and self-focused processing. The study suggests an adaptive process of functional specialization towards motherhood, with potential benefits for detecting the child's emotional state.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found a significant rise in past-month marijuana use among women of reproductive age between 2002 and 2014. The prevalence increased from 2.4% to 3.9%, with higher rates among younger and pregnant women.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that Zika-linked abnormalities in human fetuses are more common and severe than initially thought. Out of 125 pregnancies among Zika-infected women, 46% resulted in birth defects or fetal death, with microcephaly being only one of several complications.
A new study published in Diabetes Care shows that IUDs and subdermal implants are the safest hormonal contraceptives for women with diabetes, with low rates of thromboembolic events. The findings expand pregnancy planning options for this population, encouraging physicians to offer these effective and safe birth control methods.
Researchers found that vitamin B3 nicotinamide can relieve preeclampsia symptoms, improve blood vessel damage, and even stimulate fetal growth in affected mothers. The treatment has shown promise as a potential alternative to delivery for pregnant women with the deadly disease.
A long-term study found that young women in socioeconomically weak areas have lower contraceptive usage rates, with a rise in unplanned pregnancies. The study suggests that increased awareness about contraception is needed in these areas.
Researchers found that a typical American diet increased the likelihood of obesity in offspring, even if mothers maintained a healthy weight. The study identified key biomarkers for detecting obesity risk, emphasizing the need for healthcare providers to discuss nutrition with pregnant women.
Early research led by Queen Mary University of London found that neutrophils play a role in promoting blood vessel growth and normal placental development. Treating pre-eclamptic neutrophils with hormone therapy may help improve fetal growth, according to the study.
A new study by researchers from the U.S. and France finds that multiple anomalies in gene expression, including failure to implant and placenta development, contribute to the high rate of pregnancy failure for cloned embryos. The study reveals critical developmental genes and hormonal signaling issues that lead to these failures.
A Colorado study found that self-harm was the leading cause of pregnancy-associated deaths from 2004 to 2014. Researchers urge more mental health care for new mothers after delivery to reduce such deaths.
A team of researchers suggests that the lifelong immunity to toxoplasmosis, once thought to be absolute, may not be as robust as previously believed. Studies have shown that even expectant mothers infected with Toxoplasma gondii at birth can still test positive for antibodies, challenging the long-held dogma.
Research from NC State University and UBC reveals a strong predictor for postpartum stress and anxiety. A woman's history of drug use is associated with heightened symptoms after childbirth, making it a valuable tool for healthcare providers to identify women at risk.
New research from Simon Fraser University aims to revolutionize In vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates using machine vision software. The software analyzes images of embryos with confirmed pregnancy outcomes to identify key developmental attributes, increasing the likelihood of successful clinical pregnancies.
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.