Articles tagged with Pregnancy
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Modeling research suggests that universal iodine supplementation during pregnancy in mildly iodine deficient countries like the UK could save the National Health Service £200 per expectant mother, while providing monetary benefits of around £4500 per child from increased lifetime earnings.
A new study from Rice University finds that living in areas with lower socio-economic resources but higher social acceptability of smoking increases the likelihood of pregnant women smoking. Counties with higher socio-economic status have lower odds of women smoking during pregnancy, while neighboring counties' smoking prevalence signi...
Postpartum body contouring combines abdominoplasty, breast lift surgery, and other procedures to address various regions affected by pregnancy, aiming for a youthful appearance. The combined approach can provide a firmer abdomen, restore breasts, and address issues in adjacent areas with minimal downtime and controlled costs.
A University of Queensland study has found that drinking alcohol around the time of conception increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity in early middle age. Research using laboratory rat models showed that exposure to five standard drinks before implantation causes changes to the embryo, leading to increased risk.
Researchers are investigating the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals on child behavior, memory, and learning. The four-year study aims to close a gap in research by examining thyroid hormone levels and their association with chemical exposure during pregnancy, infancy, or childhood.
A study published in the Journal of Internet Medicine Research found that over 90% of low-income inner-city pregnant and postpartum women use smartphones to give and get information. The researchers suggest using cellphone interventions to improve health outcomes among this population.
A new study reveals that adverse childhood experiences can heighten a woman's risk of preterm birth, with the risk doubling if two or more events occur. Researchers hope to develop early interventions and predict which women are at risk of preterm birth.
A study published in JAMA reveals that noninvasive prenatal testing for fetal chromosome abnormalities can detect underlying conditions in the mother, including cancer. The test analyzes placental and maternal DNA to identify chromosomal abnormalities, but may also reveal undiagnosed cancers in mothers.
A newborn's first stool may indicate a child's risk for persistent cognitive problems, according to a new Case Western Reserve University study. High levels of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) in meconium can predict lower IQ scores and developmental issues.
A recent study published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology found that treating obese pregnant women with the diabetes drug metformin does not reduce their babies' birth weights. Despite this, the treatment did help lower blood sugar levels in mothers-to-be and markers linked to pre-eclampsia and premature births.
A large-scale trial found that an intensive diet and exercise regime does not prevent gestational diabetes in obese pregnant women. However, the intervention led to reductions in pregnancy weight gain, lower glycaemic load, and higher activity levels, which were associated with healthier outcomes for mothers and children.
A study published in The BMJ found an association between SSRI antidepressants and increased risk of birth defects in infants. Sertraline was the only SSRI not linked to higher risks, while fluoxetine and paroxetine were associated with heart wall defects and irregular skull shape, respectively
A large population-based study found that women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) have a higher risk of hepatobiliary cancer, immune-mediated diseases, and cardiovascular disease compared to those without the condition. ICP is characterized by pruritus, elevated serum bile acids, and liver enzymes in late pregnancy.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that poor sanitation practices, such as open defecation, were associated with increased risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes among women in rural India. Nearly two-thirds of the women studied practiced open defecation, and a quarter experienced preterm birth or low birth weight.
A $1.25 million NIH grant will fund research into the effectiveness of rosiglitazone, a diabetic medication, in stimulating placental function and halting severe preeclampsia. The condition is responsible for 76,000 maternal deaths and 500,000 infant deaths annually worldwide.
A retrospective study found that women with epilepsy have an increased risk of maternal death and adverse outcomes during delivery. The authors identified 80 deaths per 100,000 pregnancies among women with epilepsy, compared to 6 deaths per 100,000 pregnancies without epilepsy.
A study of nearly 18,000 women in the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand found that 20-80% drank during pregnancy, with higher rates among smokers. The prevalence of binge drinking was also common, particularly before pregnancy. Factors associated with lower risk included age, ethnicity, education level, and body weight.
A study of nearly 1,000 teens found that sexually active obese adolescents were significantly less likely to use contraception than normal weight peers. Obese adolescents who did use contraception were also less likely to use it consistently, according to the University of Michigan Health System study.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found that osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMTh) decreased postpartum low back pain by over 70 percent in women who had given birth at least three months before beginning treatment. Participants reported a significant improvement in quality of life, with a 7...
Despite fewer legal barriers, women in developed countries still face significant inequities in abortion access due to inadequate service provision, moral opposition, and inadequate training. The review suggests improving access by increasing training, boosting service options, and making services more affordable or free.
India's abortion law is criticized for its arbitrary 20-week cut-off, compelling women to continue pregnancies against their wishes. This can lead to physical and mental trauma, unsafe abortions, and related maternal mortality.
A meta-analysis published in The BMJ found that women who experience a stillbirth have up to a fourfold increased risk of stillbirth in a second pregnancy. Pregnancies should be closely monitored, and antenatal interventions offered for women at high risk. Improved care and research are needed to address this major public health concern.
The VA/DoD guidelines differ from the ACC/AHA guidelines in several aspects, including treatment targets and risk prediction tests. The guidelines also recommend a shared decision-making approach to determine medication benefits versus harms for each patient.
A new study identifies risk factors for poor pregnancy outcomes in women with lupus, but also reveals that most pregnancies are uncomplicated. The research suggests that women with lupus who have mild disease and no underlying health issues can have a healthy pregnancy.
A study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that maternal stress during pregnancy can 'reprogram' the developing brains of her children through changes in the vaginal microbiome. This initial exposure affects gut microbiota, metabolism, and brain development.
A study by Hospital for Special Surgery found that most women with lupus can expect a good pregnancy outcome, but those with specific risk factors such as antiphospholipid antibodies are at higher risk. The study identified clinical features and early detection of certain antibodies to predict serious pregnancy complications.
A new placenta-on-a-chip technology was developed by NIH researchers to better understand the inner workings of the human placenta and its role in pregnancy. The device models nutrient transfer from mother to fetus and may help address questions difficult to answer with current placenta model systems.
A large study found no benefit in IVF from routinely freezing all embryos before transfer, even among normal responders. This challenges the move to adopt a freeze-all strategy in IVF.
A study of 2 million women found that D&C performed for miscarriage or termination increases the risk of preterm birth by 29%, with a higher risk of 7.6% in subsequent pregnancies
A study found that training health care workers to educate young women about IUDs and implants reduced unintended pregnancies by 43%. The intervention increased the number of women choosing these methods, which are more effective than condoms or the pill.
Research suggests that maternal stress during pregnancy can impact offspring gut and brain development by altering the vaginal microbiome. This study found disruptions in both maternal and offspring gut microbiota composition, leading to metabolic reprogramming of the gut and brain.
Experts warn that the recent earthquake has created conditions ripe for a hepatitis E outbreak, which could be especially deadly to pregnant women. The researchers estimate that 500 pregnant women could die from the virus in the coming months if no action is taken.
The rate of ectopic pregnancy following IVF has decreased significantly over the past 12 years, from 20 cases per thousand cycles in 2000 to 12 cases per thousand in 2012. This decrease is largely attributed to advancements in ART techniques and a reduction in tubal factor infertility.
A nationwide analysis of 14,655 women found that those with endometriosis have a higher risk of early pregnancy loss and later complications. Women with a history of endometriosis are also at a higher risk of haemorrhage, preterm birth, and other issues.
Women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and/or antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) are at increased risk of reduced fertility and pregnancy complications. EULAR's new recommendations provide guidance on supporting family planning, assisted reproduction, and healthy pregnancy in these patients.
A recent study found that the new NICE thresholds for diagnosing gestational diabetes in pregnancy are less effective than international criteria, potentially missing thousands of women at high risk. The research suggests that using the WHO guidelines could identify an additional 3,000 to 4,000 women each year in the UK.
A new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers found that immediate birth control implant insertion after childbirth is more cost-effective than delaying it to a 6-8 week postpartum visit. The study estimates that immediate contraception can avert 191 unintended pregnancies and save over $1 million in the first year.
A study by researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Harvard found that exposure to high air temperature during pregnancy increases the risk of lower birth weight and can cause preterm birth. High temperatures of 8.5 °C in the last trimester were associated with a 17g decrease in birth weight.
Researchers found that Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) can detect maternal cancers at an early stage, before symptoms appear. The study identified three different early-stage cancers in three women and showed the potential of NIPT for non-invasive cancer screening.
A new national study in the Netherlands reveals that non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is accurate and preferred by pregnant women at high risk of having a baby with Down's syndrome. The TRIDENT study found 89 cases of trisomy 21, 11 of trisomy 18, and ten of trisomy 13, with only nine false positives.
A recent study by the University of Michigan found that African-American women are equally likely to experience infertility as their white counterparts, yet they often cope with it alone due to social stigma. The study reveals that these women face discrimination in medical settings and feel a negative impact on their self-esteem.
A new systematic review highlights the increased health risks of maternal obesity during pregnancy, including gestational diabetes, high blood-pressure, and pre-eclampsia. The study recommends pre-conceptual weight loss for women with obesity to avoid complications, and calls for improved support and education.
Researchers found that pregnant pipefish males supply relatively low oxygen levels to their embryos, averaging 51% in well-oxygenated water and as low as 32% in poorly oxygenated conditions. Despite this, the fathers' care allows the young to survive and thrive, with a focus on nutrient supplementation and waste removal.
A study of 3.8 million pregnancies found a possible association between antidepressant use and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, but the absolute risk was small. The risk increase appears more modest than previously reported, with SSRI use linked to a slightly higher risk.
The March of Dimes Foundation has funded a Portuguese laboratory to study factors that act in the placenta to protect the fetus from malaria. The research focuses on trophoblast cells, which are crucial for maternal-fetal exchanges of nutrients and gases.
A long-term study in Pakistan found that prenatal treatment for depression had no effect on children's emotional and behavioral development. In contrast, maternal depression was linked to worse child outcomes, emphasizing the need for integrated maternal and child health programs.
A large cohort study found a modest increase in risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) associated with maternal antidepressant use late in pregnancy. The absolute risk was small, and no significant association was found with non-SSRI antidepressants.
A recent study by Aitana Lertxundi analyzed the effects of PM2.5 and NO2 pollution on pregnant women and their offspring. The research found an inverse relationship between exposure to air pollution and motor development in babies, with breastfed infants showing improved motor skills.
A study by the University of Pittsburgh found an association between exposure to fine particulate air pollution and an increased risk of childhood autism. The research estimated that children exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 during pregnancy and early life were at a 1.5-fold greater risk of developing ASD.
Women who were having sons were more likely to develop gestational diabetes than women who were pregnant with daughters. Women who developed gestational diabetes while pregnant with daughters were at higher risk of being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes after pregnancy.
Research suggests that prolonged paracetamol use during pregnancy may reduce testosterone production in unborn baby boys, potentially linked to reproductive health problems later in life. The study found a 45% decrease in testosterone levels after seven days of exposure.
The cost of treating babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) has increased dramatically, with costs rising from $1.1 million in the first year to $1.8 million in the third year, a 15-16 fold increase compared to healthy infants. Proactive screening and treatment are recommended to address this growing public health concern.
A new study by researchers found that maternal obesity compromises the immune system of babies born at time of birth, putting them at risk for diseases such as heart disease and asthma. The study, led by Ilhem Messaoudi, analyzed umbilical cord blood samples from infants born to lean, overweight, and obese mothers.
A genome-wide study found that malnutrition in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy is associated with changes in DNA methylation, which can suppress genes involved in growth, development, and metabolism. These findings have significant implications for understanding the long-term effects of prenatal nutrition on health outcomes.
A new study reveals that severe kidney injury during pregnancy is rare, but affects otherwise healthy women who acquire a major complication. Babies born to mothers with severe kidney injury are at increased risk of low birth weight or premature birth.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that antipsychotic medication use during pregnancy does not significantly increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, or major blood clots. However, women who took antipsychotics were more likely to require labor induction compared to those who did not take them.
A recent study by the University of Helsinki found that early exposure to alcohol changes the way genes function in the brains of mice, influencing brain structure. The timing of the exposure corresponds to human gestational weeks 3-6, and similar changes were observed in other tissues of the infant mice.
Researchers have discovered a crucial gene, DNMT1, that maintains breast and cancer stem cells. High levels of DNMT1 expression are associated with increased risk of breast cancer, particularly in women over 30. Restoration of the opposing ISL1 gene significantly reduces stem cell populations and cancer growth.
A study published in The American Journal of Pathology found that bacterial and viral infections differentially influence placental transporter proteins, reducing their expression in early pregnancy. This decrease may expose the embryo/fetus to harmful substances during a critical time in development.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that the mammary gland forms a long-term memory of pregnancy, allowing it to respond more efficiently to hormonal changes during subsequent pregnancies. This epigenetic memory is thought to explain why breastfeeding is easier in second and subsequent pregnancies.