Research on pregnancy and the health of mothers and babies. Covers prenatal exposures, medication safety, anaemia, fetal development, and maternal care.
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.
Women with cystic fibrosis are at risk of unplanned and mistimed pregnancies due to inadequate contraceptive use. The study found that only 49% of participants used contraception, with those having more severe CF disease being less likely to do so.
A UTMB study found that excessive weight gain during pregnancy, lack of exercise, and smoking are strongly associated with an increased risk of childhood obesity. Moderate exercise during pregnancy can lower this risk, even after adjusting for other factors.
Research found that patients with type 2 diabetes who are overweight but not obese live longer than those who are underweight or normal-weight. The 'obesity paradox' suggests that excess weight may be beneficial for survival in these patients, contrary to previous expectations. Meanwhile, daily low-molecular-weight heparin injections w...
Researchers reveal that gland cells in uterine lining store glucose as glycogen and deliver it to placenta with glycoproteins for energy conversion. Early nutrition plays a crucial role in successful pregnancy and child health.
A national survey found that only 11% of women can correctly identify pregnancy, lupus, and other female-specific stroke risks. The survey also highlights the importance of recognizing early warning signs such as hiccups, atypical chest pain, and dizziness.
Continuous glucose monitoring may help pregnant women with diabetes give birth to healthier children by detecting changes in glucose levels throughout the day. The study found that this technology can reveal distinct patterns of glucose associated with large-for-gestational-age infants.
A new study by Population Council researcher Nicole Haberland found that sexuality and HIV education programs addressing gender and power are more effective than those that do not. The research found that 80% of such programs were associated with a lower rate of STIs or unintended pregnancy, compared to 17% of programs without this con...
The new guidelines provide information on preventing and treating venous thromboembolism (VTE) during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Women with risk factors should undergo thorough assessment and be offered prophylactic treatment to reduce the risk of VTE.
A new study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research found that breastfeeding for at least 90 days can significantly reduce smoking in the months following childbirth. The study, which followed 168 pregnant smokers, discovered that breastfeeding was the only significant predictor of change in smoking behaviors among these women.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that BPA exposure can cause reproductive problems in mice for three generations. The study reveals that low doses of BPA can have a profound impact on fertility and pregnancy success, contradicting the common assumption that higher doses are more harmful.
A large study found a significant association between intrauterine exposure to gestational diabetes and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders in offspring. Maternal pre-existing type 2 diabetes was not significantly associated with this risk.
A new Kaiser Permanente study found that children whose mothers developed gestational diabetes by the 26th week of pregnancy had a 63% increased risk of being diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. The study also found that early screening for autism in children of women with gestational diabetes may be warranted.
A Vanderbilt University study finds that pregnant women prescribed opioids are more likely to give birth to babies with drug withdrawal syndrome. The study highlights the dangers of overprescription and the need for state and federal policy makers to address the opioid epidemic's impact on mothers and infants.
A study by UNSW medical researchers found that maternal exercise during pregnancy reduced offspring's body weight, insulin and blood glucose levels in male rats. Female offspring showed only modest improvements, highlighting the sex-specific effects of maternal exercise on metabolism.
The Maternal and Child Health Handbook helped increase antenatal care visits, identify pregnancy complications earlier, and reduce passive smoking in Mongolia. The study found that 82% of women attended clinics 6 times or more, with a significant impact on maternal and child health.
Researchers identified duplicate regions on chromosomes 18 as a cause of false-positive results, with longer chromosomes more prone to errors. The study suggests maternal copy-number variants may contribute substantially to elevated risks, emphasizing the need for follow-up testing.
University of Adelaide researchers found two critical windows when exposure to junk food is most harmful, late pregnancy and adolescence. Eating a healthy diet during these periods may reverse junk-food preference in males but not females.
A Dartmouth College study has found that the placenta can be used to measure arsenic exposure in pregnant women and their fetuses. The study, which analyzed 652 placentas, showed a positive association between placental arsenic concentrations and maternal-to-infant arsenic transfer ratios.
A review emphasizes the importance of accurate blood pressure measurement for early diagnosis and management of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. It identifies factors leading to inaccuracies and calls for more well-designed studies on optimal vital sign predictors to guide assessment in obstetric shock.
Exposure to BPA during pregnancy may raise a mother's susceptibility to weight gain and diabetes later in life. The study found that BPA can harm glucose metabolism in offspring exposed in utero, leading to an increased predisposition to developing metabolic syndrome or diabetes.
A blood test between 10-14 weeks of pregnancy accurately diagnosed all 38 fetuses with Down syndrome, surpassing standard non-invasive screening techniques. The cell-free DNA blood test correctly identified fetuses with two other less common chromosomal abnormalities.
The Hastings Center Report explores how the term 'rationing' has been replaced by 'value' in discussions about controlling health care costs. The report also examines the structure of clinical translation and its impact on patient care.
Researchers found that failed synchronization of the womb's clock with the mother's body clock can lead to miscarriage or infertility. The study also suggests that subtle synchronization defects may increase the risk of complications during pregnancy.
Research by Penn State College of Medicine found that maternal high-fat diets during pregnancy and lactation may prime offspring for weight gain and obesity. Neural activity involved in energy balance and appetite regulation was compromised, suggesting a link between maternal diet and obesity later in life.
The US Preventive Services Task Force has updated its recommendations on iron supplementation and screening in pregnant women, finding that routine iron supplementation during pregnancy may reduce the incidence of iron deficiency and anemia. In contrast, new hepatitis C treatments show promise but may exceed insurers' willingness to pa...
The American Society of Human Genetics and the European Society of Human Genetics issued a joint position statement on non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), exploring its promise and drawbacks. NIPT has improved accuracy and safety in prenatal screening, but raises concerns about over-expansion and loss of ultrasound data.