Articles tagged with Pregnancy
A recent study has shown that bisphenol A (BPA) can disrupt thyroid function in pregnant animals and their offspring. The study used sheep as a relevant model for human pregnancy and analyzed the internal exposures of the fetuses and their mothers to BPA.
Research from the University of Warwick suggests that stressed mothers during pregnancy can affect their baby's developing brain, making them more susceptible to bullying. The study of over 8,000 children found a link between prenatal stress and increased risk of childhood bullying.
The US preterm birth rate dropped for the fifth consecutive year in 2011 to 11.7 percent, giving thousands more babies a healthy start in life and saving billions in health and social costs. Four states earned an 'A' on the March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card, while the US earned a 'C', despite progress.
A new study estimates that antiphospholipid antibodies are associated with pregnancy loss, stroke, myocardial infarction, and deep vein thrombosis in up to 60,000 cases each. The research provides a rough snapshot of the prevalence of autoimmune antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with various health conditions.
A four-year health care project in India's poorest district resulted in a half-fall in infant mortality and a three-quarters reduction in women's death from pregnancy and childbirth complications. Nurse-based clinics expanded access to healthcare, changing attitudes towards patients and leading to increased check-ups and hospital births.
Researchers found evidence of worsened pregnancy outcomes with SSRI antidepressants, no benefits, and increased risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, and congenital abnormalities. The study suggests prescribing these medications with caution and counseling for women trying to get pregnant.
Research finds women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a two-fold increase in risk of preeclampsia. DMARD use during pregnancy may also pose a slight risk, with the severity of autoimmune disease contributing to the increased risk.
A systematic review of over 200,000 participants found that maternal overweight and smoking during pregnancy significantly increase the risk of childhood overweight. High birth weight and early rapid weight gain also contribute to this risk. Breastfeeding can help mitigate this risk to some extent.
Researchers found that maternal smoking during pregnancy increases lung function issues in children and grandchildren due to increased levels of proteins such as fibronectin, collagen, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The effects are so long-lasting that stop-smoking education for expectant mothers is necessary.
A new Harvard study found over half of people in northeastern Madagascar engage in geophagy, a widespread behavior previously thought to be non-existent. Researchers also discovered high rates of geophagy among men and young children, contradicting earlier studies that linked the practice mainly to pregnant women or adolescents.
Researchers found that only 18.7% of female patients aged 14-21 were tested for pregnancy after visiting the ED. Despite potential reproductive health concerns, such as abdominal pain or radiation exposure, testing rates remained low, affecting vulnerable populations.
A nested case-control study found increased concentrations of estradiol and progesterone during early pregnancy associated with a heightened risk for HR-negative breast cancer. The study, presented at the 11th Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, included 223 cases and 417 controls.
A study of nearly 3,000 women in Denmark found that those with an ectopic pregnancy had significantly lower delivery rates and total number of pregnancies over 20-30 years compared to others. These women also have a high risk of another ectopic pregnancy.
Researchers found that pregnant men experience increased stress levels during conflict discussions, depending on the level of hostility expressed by their partner. Women, on the other hand, show varying responses to relationship conflict, with some experiencing prolonged stress and others finding discussing difficult topics reassuring.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that maternal stroking can reverse the negative effects of prenatal stress, increasing gene activity related to stress response. The researchers followed first-time mothers and their children for seven months, discovering a link between maternal touch and infant emotions.
The Preventing Preterm Birth initiative funds innovative strategies to discover biological mechanisms leading to preterm birth, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The grants will advance discovery and translate research to action.
Dr. Rehan's research aims to understand the long-term impact of maternal smoking on childhood asthma, as well as its potential effects on future generations. Studies have shown that nicotine exposure during pregnancy can alter lung development and increase asthma risk.
A Kaiser Permanente study found no association between HPV vaccination and increased pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, or contraceptive counseling among girls. The study included 1,398 girls ages 11-18 who received at least one dose of the vaccine, with only 8% diagnosed with an STI or having a positive pregnancy test.
Most pregnancy-related infections are caused by four types of treatable conditions: genital tract, urinary tract, soft tissues, and abortion-related infections. Integrating targeted interventions into antenatal care services can help reduce maternal mortality.
A new study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that adolescent girls participating in a sexual risk reduction intervention were more likely to practice abstinence and showed substantial decreases in unprotected sex, number of partners, and unintended pregnancies. The intervention used age-appropriate games and interact...
A study found that low-level prenatal mercury exposure increases the risk of ADHD-related behaviors in children, while moderate fish consumption during pregnancy reduces this risk. Researchers recommend pregnant women consider both benefits and risks of eating fish while pregnant.
A new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, found that BPA exposure is associated with changes in thyroid hormone levels in pregnant women and newborn boys. The study suggests a potential link between BPA exposure and altered fetal development and cognitive function.
A new study found that providing free birth control reduced unplanned pregnancies and cut abortion rates by 62-78%. Most women chose long-acting methods like IUDs or implants, which have lower failure rates than commonly used birth control pills. The study enrolled 9,256 women and adolescents in the St. Louis area between 2007 and 2011.
A new mathematical model uses menstrual cycle data to predict conception chances and identify potential fertility issues. The analysis suggests that older couples are more likely to experience low fertility, making it essential for them to seek medical attention sooner.
A study of 398 men found that those whose mothers had high blood pressure during pregnancy scored lower on thinking ability tests at age 69 compared to those whose mothers did not have high blood pressure. This effect was strongest for math-related reasoning and persisted even after controlling for other factors.
Researchers found that men whose mothers had high blood pressure during pregnancy scored lower on thinking ability tests at age 69 and had a greater decline over time. The study also did not find an association between premature birth or the father's occupation.
A new study published in The FASEB Journal suggests that being born with a low birth weight may increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and diabetes later in life. Researchers found that older female rats had a reduced ability to become pregnant and carried babies that were smaller or lighter in weight.
Researchers investigate whether maternal exercise during pregnancy can lead to a reduced risk of cancer in offspring. Previous studies show improved glucose regulation and enhanced stress protection in exercised mice offspring.
Despite the need for a male version of the oral contraceptive pill, pharmaceutical companies have discontinued research due to significant challenges. New research on non-hormonal male contraceptives offers hope for the development of a male birth control pill within a decade.
A new study published in Nature suggests that vaccines could be developed to prevent premature birth and pregnancy complications by stimulating the production of immune suppressive cells. These cells, which are generated during pregnancy, can tolerate foreign antigens and provide protection to the fetus.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that male DNA is commonly detected in the brains of women, possibly derived from previous pregnancies with male fetuses. The research suggests that fetal cells may frequently cross the human blood-brain barrier, leading to microchimerism in the brain.
A study by Moffitt Cancer Center researchers found that a series of ten self-help booklets helped nearly 70% of pregnant women remain smoke-free after giving birth. The booklets provided detailed information on quitting cigarettes during and after pregnancy, with varying effects based on household income and age.
A new study from the University of Michigan found that women who start snoring during pregnancy are at increased risk for developing high blood pressure and preeclampsia. The research suggests that treating underlying sleep-disordered breathing may help mitigate up to 19% of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.
Researchers studied mouse offspring to investigate the effects of high-fat diet during pregnancy on microcirculation networks. The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, aims to understand how maternal diet influences adult diseases like obesity and diabetes.
Researchers found that a mother's diet before pregnancy can induce epigenetic changes in her genes, which are then inherited by her offspring. These changes affect the metabolism of essential fatty acids in the pups' livers. The study suggests a potential link between maternal nutrition and children's health outcomes.
Consuming greater amounts of choline during pregnancy may lower an infant's vulnerability to stress-related illnesses later in life. Higher maternal choline intake led to a more stable hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, resulting in less cortisol and a reduced risk of chronic conditions.
The study found that obstructive sleep apnea is associated with higher rates of preeclampsia, cesarean deliveries, and NICU admissions. Women with sleep apnea were more likely to deliver babies with respiratory distress, highlighting the need for better screening and treatment during pregnancy.
Yuk Ming Dennis Lo received the Illy Trieste Science Prize for developing non-invasive prenatal diagnosis technology that can scan a fetus's genome from a pregnant mother's blood sample. This technology has reduced reliance on invasive methods and offers concrete benefits to both mothers and fetuses during pregnancy.
Researchers discovered that a protein called SIRT1 rewrites the histone code in developing fetuses, affecting their likelihood of being overweight or obese. Modifying fat intake during pregnancy to a moderate level can benefit children, regardless of mother's size.
A new study by experts at CRAMC University reveals that newborns exposed to nicotine from active and passive smoking mothers show poor physiological, sensory, motor, and attention responses. The researchers analyzed the behavior of 282 healthy newborns using the Neonatal Behavioural Evaluation Scale.
The ACA's Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) is providing a temporary coverage option for people with pre-existing health conditions until the new state exchanges are implemented in 2014. State-run high-risk pools, while helpful as a stop-gap measure, are expensive to run and often unaffordable for those who need them.
A study found that abnormal endocannabinoid signaling in mouse embryos can disrupt placental development and lead to pregnancy problems. Researchers hope the findings will inform studies on the causes of preeclampsia, a medical condition affecting mothers and children.
Researchers discovered that severely obese women have a higher incidence of eggs with multiple spindles and disorganized chromosomes, reducing fertilization chances. The study highlights an underlying egg problem in women with high body mass index, affecting IVF success rates.
The study found that women with heart disease can safely go through pregnancy if adequately evaluated, counseled, and receive high-quality care. However, developing countries have poorer outcomes due to limited access to better care, while cardiomyopathy patients face higher mortality rates.
Researchers found that maternal exposure to high-fat diets and excess estrogens during pregnancy increases breast cancer risk in daughters, granddaughters, and even great-granddaughters. The study suggests that biological alterations caused by maternal diet affect the offspring's breast tissue and make it more sensitive to carcinogens.
Research finds epigenetic alterations can transmit increased breast cancer risk to subsequent generations without genetic mutation. High-fat diets and excess estrogen during pregnancy may increase cancer risk in offspring.
Researchers found that nearly 5 percent of pregnant women are prescribed high blood pressure drugs, including some considered unsafe for mothers and babies, according to new research. The study highlights the need for more research on safe and effective antihypertensives during pregnancy.
A Vanderbilt study found that pregnant women who have had prior preterm births may benefit from additional hormone, progestogens, to prevent early childbirth. However, the review also found that progestogens do not seem to help prevent preterm labor in women carrying twins or triplets.
Researchers have identified a new molecular pathway leading to preeclampsia in humans, characterized by elevated blood pressure and protein in the urine. The imbalance of PlGF and sFlt-1 proteins disrupts placental blood supply, affecting the mother and unborn baby.
Preeclampsia is a significant risk factor for long-term health issues, including chronic hypertension and hospitalizations. The study, published in the Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, found patients with preeclampsia had higher rates of chronic hypertension diagnosed after pregnancy.
A study found that prenatal exposure to maternal cigarette smoking is associated with increased risk of adolescent obesity. The authors suggest that this may be due to subtle structural variations in the brain's amygdala, which could influence dietary preferences for fatty foods.
Human pregnancy length is limited by a mother's metabolism, not birth canal size, according to new research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The EGG hypothesis suggests that babies are born when their mother cannot put any more energy into gestation and fetal growth.
A new study finds that everyday discrimination against pregnant women of color may contribute to low birth weight babies. Women who experienced more discrimination reported higher levels of depressive symptoms, leading to babies with lower birth weights. The study suggests reducing discrimination could eliminate health disparities in b...
Researchers have developed a new imaging technique that can detect subtle changes in fetal brain structure and facial features associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. The study's findings suggest that the timing of maternal alcohol use during pregnancy can influence the severity and type of birth defects, expanding the scope for dia...
A new study suggests pregnancy could have a positive impact on bipolar disorder, with fewer and shorter episodes in pregnant women. The study's findings call for large, multicenter, prospective studies to better understand the natural course of the disorder.
Maternal smoking during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of wheeze and asthma in preschool children, with a dose-response pattern related to maternal cigarette consumption. Exposure to maternal smoking before birth and early life is associated with an increased likelihood of developing respiratory symptoms.
Research warns that highly potent marijuana and synthetic marijuana pose a real threat to pregnant women's unborn children. These substances contain high levels of THC, which can interfere with brain development as early as two weeks after conception.
Pregnant women experiencing depression may benefit from mindfulness yoga, which can significantly reduce depressive symptoms and improve attachment to their babies. This study provides promising evidence that yoga could be an effective alternative to pharmaceutical treatment for pregnant women showing signs of depression.
A new paper reveals the off-label use of dexamethasone to engineer fetal sex in pregnant women at risk for congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The synthetic steroid is known to cause significant developmental changes, raising questions about the ethics of prenatal experimentation.
Research suggests that pregnant women's gut microbes become less diverse and healthier bacteria decrease in abundance over time, promoting energy storage and supporting fetal growth. These changes can have negative consequences outside of pregnancy, leading to conditions like type 2 diabetes.