Research on pregnancy and the health of mothers and babies. Covers prenatal exposures, medication safety, anaemia, fetal development, and maternal care.
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.
A randomized controlled trial tested the effectiveness of a teenage pregnancy prevention programme involving an infant simulator and found it did not reduce the risk of pregnancy. In fact, the study showed that teenage girls who took part were more likely to become pregnant compared to those who did not take part.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a new technique to choose the best embryo for implantation, boosting IVF pregnancy success rates. The method uses digital imaging and mathematical modeling to analyze differences in embryos not visible under a microscope, helping embryologists make more informed decisions.
A baby born with Zika infection remained infected for two months and one week after birth, showing delayed psychomotor development and spastic hemiplegia. The virus may have been sexually transmitted, as the father also showed symptoms before his wife.
A Penn State researcher found that pregnant women use a dual self-image to cope with the physical and emotional changes of pregnancy. They differentiate between their pre-pregnancy body weight and 'baby weight,' allowing them to maintain a positive body image during this time.
The study found that nearly all babies with confirmed and presumed Zika infections had ventriculomegaly, gray and white matter volume loss, and cortical migrational abnormalities. Imaging exams also revealed intracranial calcifications and reduced tissue volume in the brain.
Research suggests that prenatal exposure to certain organochlorine chemicals may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder in children. The study found that children born after being exposed to high levels of these chemicals during pregnancy were 80% more likely to be diagnosed with autism.
Despite limited safety data, investigators face significant challenges to conducting HIV research in pregnant women, including complex ethical and legal concerns. To address these gaps, Dr. Anne Lyerly is leading the PHASES Project to develop guidance for ethically advancing HIV research in pregnant women.
Researchers studied a large population-based cohort and found no significant increased risk for congenital malformations or cardiac malformations among women who took antipsychotic medications during the first 90 days of pregnancy. However, risperidone showed a slightly increased risk, highlighting the need for further research.
A study published in the Maternal and Child Health Journal found that abnormalities in interval between pregnancies, body mass index prior to pregnancy, and weight gain during pregnancy may contribute to up to 25% of preterm births. Modifying these risk factors could significantly reduce premature birth rates worldwide.
A study of 1.3 million pregnant women found that antipsychotic medication early in pregnancy was not associated with a meaningful increase in the risk of birth defects when other factors were considered. However, risperidone may have a potential safety signal due to its small increase in risk, requiring further research.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that prenatal acetaminophen use was associated with increased risk of conduct problems and hyperactivity symptoms in children. Maternal acetaminophen use at 32 weeks of pregnancy also linked to higher risk for emotional symptoms and total difficulties in children.
The new guidelines provide a more precise definition of documented prenatal alcohol exposure and offer guidance on evaluating facial and physical deformities characteristic of FASD. The updated criteria aim to improve the accuracy of diagnoses and lead to early intervention for affected children.
Researchers found that a cancer drug called etoposide can damage the development of mouse ovary tissue, potentially affecting future fertility. The study suggests that women who take etoposide during pregnancy may have reduced fertility in their daughters.
A recent study by Boston University School of Medicine found that US maternal mortality rates are significantly higher than previously reported, with an estimated rate of 23.8 per 100,000 live births in 2014. The study highlights the need to improve maternity care and prevent maternal deaths in the US.
A study found an association between maternal high-fat diets and changes in infant gut microbiomes, affecting energy extraction and immune development. The researchers discovered that high-fat diets were linked to reduced numbers of Bacteroides microbes, which play a crucial role in breaking down carbohydrates.
Researchers found that babies born to mothers on high-fat diets had distinct gut microbiomes with fewer Bacteroides microbes, affecting energy extraction and immune system development. The study suggests a potential link between maternal diet and infant microbiome, emphasizing the importance of considering fat intake in prenatal care.
The RAND Corporation has launched a web-based guide to support community leaders in planning and implementing teen pregnancy prevention programs. The Getting To Outcomes Guide for Teen Pregnancy Prevention offers tools and instructions to assess program needs, select goals and outcomes, and evaluate program effectiveness.
A cervical stitch used to prevent preterm labor has been linked to a three times higher risk of stillbirth and almost twice the risk of preterm birth. The suture may disrupt the vaginal microbiome and spur inflammation, major risk factors for preterm birth.
Researchers at Imperial College London found a significant association between thicker cervical stitch threads and increased rates of premature birth and intrauterine death. The study suggests that switching to thinner threads could prevent up to 170,000 premature births globally every year.
Researchers at UTMB identified a molecule called p38 MAPK linked to premature birth, found in stressed exosomes from placental tissue. This discovery sheds light on the triggers of preterm delivery, which affects an estimated 15 million babies worldwide each year.
Researchers found that naturally occurring estrogens in milk did not impact blood hormone levels or reproductive organs in mice, even at concentrations 100 times higher than typical milk from pregnant cows. The study suggests that the gastrointestinal system can metabolize estrogens before they reach systemic circulation.
Researchers measured the resting metabolic rate of a lactating sea otter mother, revealing a significant increase in energy demands after giving birth. This finding suggests that sea otters may be accumulating fat reserves before milk production to cope with the high costs of rearing their young.
Researchers propose that women in Zika-affected countries can safely conceive during the 'trough' of low mosquito activity, reducing the risk of birth defects. This approach could prevent thousands of cases per year, especially in Brazil and Puerto Rico.
Researchers at WashU Medicine have identified six antibodies capable of protecting against Zika virus infection in mice, providing crucial information on how these antibodies interact with the virus. The discovery could lead to the development of a vaccine, diagnostic tests, and potentially new therapies for Zika-related diseases.
A study published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that pregnant women with health insurance coverage had lower odds of alcohol use, while non-pregnant women with insurance had higher odds. The study also found that prenatal substance use poses significant threats to maternal and child health.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that regular exercise can significantly reduce the risk of gestational diabetes in obese pregnant women. The study involved 91 women who were divided into an exercise group or control group, with the exercise group experiencing a significant drop in diabetes rates and lower blood pressure.