Research on pregnancy and the health of mothers and babies. Covers prenatal exposures, medication safety, anaemia, fetal development, and maternal care.
Research suggests that IVF/ICSI treatment may increase cerebral palsy risk, but a waiting time of over a year reduces this risk. Children born after IVF/ICSI have double the risk of cerebral palsy compared to those conceived spontaneously within two months.
Researchers found that pregnant women who consumed peanuts during pregnancy had infants with strong sensitivity to peanuts. The study suggests a potential risk factor for peanut allergy in infants, highlighting the need for further research.
A home visit program for high-risk mothers appears to increase the likelihood of waiting at least two years to have a second child. The program demonstrates benefits in rural areas, where it may be better suited to meet community needs and avoid overwhelming caseloads.
Women with anorexia nervosa more likely to experience unplanned pregnancies and induced abortions due to misconceptions about their fertility. Healthcare providers must be aware of this increased risk and provide proper care, including prenatal screening for eating disorders.
A recent study from the University of North Carolina Health Care found that current infertility tests may label many women as infertile who actually get pregnant naturally. The researchers suggest using another hormone, antimullerian hormone (AMH), as a more accurate predictor of fertility.
A study by Ashley Moffett's team found that specific interactions between maternal cells and fetal trophoblasts play a key role in determining successful pregnancy. The presence of certain maternal immune system genes provides protection against recurrent miscarriage, preeclampsia, and fetal growth restriction.
A child's chances of developing allergies or wheezing are related to their growth in the womb, according to new research. Fetuses that grow quickly early on but falter later may be more likely to develop allergies and asthma as children.
A recent study published in JAMA rejected the benefits of fish oil capsules during pregnancy, contradicting international recommendations. Researchers found no significant difference in post-natal depression or neuro developmental outcomes between women taking fish oil and those taking vegetable oil capsules.
A randomized trial of over 2,000 women found that DHA supplementation during pregnancy did not reduce postpartum depression in mothers or improve cognitive and language development in their offspring. The study suggests that current recommendations to increase DHA intake during pregnancy may not be supported by evidence.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a well-defined animal model of preeclampsia, allowing for experiments to shed light on the disease's cause. A potential lab test has also been developed to diagnose the disease in people, predicting problems as early as 12 weeks into pregnancy.
An observational study found that prenatal treatment of congenital toxoplasmosis with antibiotics significantly reduced the proportion of infected fetuses developing serious neurological sequelae. The study estimated that treating three fetuses could prevent one case of brain damage, suggesting a potential preventive strategy.
Research reveals that a pregnant woman's immune response to viral infections may induce subtle neurological changes in the unborn child, increasing the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. The study suggests potential strategies for reducing this risk by targeting specific immune proteins.
Research suggests that women who develop cardio-metabolic risk factors before pregnancy are more likely to have a subsequent pregnancy with gestational diabetes. The study recommends pre-conception screening for metabolic abnormalities to prevent this condition and its lasting health effects on children.
Australian scientists have developed a measure to assess embryo health and likelihood of successful pregnancy in IVF treatment. The research found that embryos with higher glucose uptake are healthier and more likely to result in successful pregnancies, with women's embryos consuming more glucose than men's.
Researchers have uncovered a novel mechanism controlling blood pressure, shedding new light on the causes of pre-eclampsia. The study found a fine-tuning mechanism responsive to tissue oxygen changes, providing potential insights into prevention and treatment.
Scientists have discovered a mechanism that raises blood pressure in pre-eclampsia, a potentially deadly condition during pregnancy. Researchers found that the protein angiotensinogen is oxidised and changes shape to release the hormone angiotensin, which then raises blood pressure.
Research published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found no increased risk of socioemotional difficulties or cognitive deficits at 5 years of age for children born to mothers who light drank during pregnancy. Children born to light drinkers were 30% less likely to have behavioral problems than those whose mums had a...
Depression during pregnancy significantly increases risk of preterm birth and low birth weight, with poorer outcomes for depressed pregnant women living in poverty. Universal screening and access to mental health care are critical for mitigating these effects.
A study found that short and long sleep duration in early pregnancy are associated with increased mean third trimester systolic and diastolic blood pressure values. About 20.5% of women reported a normal sleep duration, while 13.7% slept six hours or less and 10.6% slept more than 10 hours per night.
Researchers at UTHealth developed a computer-based sex-education program to tackle high teenage pregnancy rates, receiving a $15 million grant. The 'It's Your Game: Keep It Real' program aims to educate teenagers on risky sexual behavior and encourage abstinence.
Dr. Michelle A. Williams receives two major NIH grants totaling $5.6 million to study complications affecting pregnancy, including abruptio placentae and partner abuse's impact on preterm delivery. Funding will support genomic testing and statistical analysis at Swedish Medical Center and UMDNJ-RWJMS.
A new national study published in Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health found no link between abortion and depression or low self-esteem in adolescents. The study used a nationally representative sample of 289 respondents and followed them for five years.
A new study from Örebro University suggests that smoking during pregnancy can harm a child's motor control and coordination, with boys potentially affected to a greater extent. The study, based on over 13,000 children, found that those whose mothers smoked at least nine cigarettes a day during pregnancy had difficulty completing physic...
A study published in CMAJ found that an increased waistline and high triglyceride levels during the first trimester are linked to higher glucose intolerance levels later in pregnancy. Researchers suggest that measuring waist girth in combination with triglyceride concentrations may be useful for early screening of gestational diabetes.
Researchers found a possible link between successful gum-disease treatment and reduced preterm birth risk in pregnant women. Successful treatment was associated with lower inflammation levels, no increased probing depth, and loosening of teeth.
Two studies found that smoking during early pregnancy reduces germ cells and somatic cells in developing embryos, potentially influencing future fertility. This may contribute to the decline in fertility rates observed in recent years.
Interactive computer packages moderately increase knowledge about sexual health issues and are as effective as face-to-face interventions for improving knowledge. However, their effectiveness in addressing other concerns like psychosexual difficulties or relationship problems is unclear.
A systematic review of available evidence finds that pharmaceutical and alternative medicines offer limited relief from morning sickness in pregnancy. Despite a lack of conclusive results, some studies suggest potential benefits from ginger, vitamin B6, and acustimulation.
A large Canadian study found a possible association between fetal radiation exposure and an increased risk of childhood cancer, but the link remains uncertain due to substantial variability. The researchers recommend continued beta hCG testing and lead apron shielding for pregnant women undergoing radiodiagnostic testing.
A prospective cohort study in northeastern Brazil found that pregnant women who experienced psychological violence were more than twice as likely to develop postnatal depression. The study suggests that prenatal care could play a crucial role in detecting partner violence and improving mental health outcomes for mothers.
A new study by Texas A&M AgriLife Communications found that using test-tube calf embryos can double pregnancy rates and increase heifer births during the summer months. The method uses fresh or frozen embryos fertilized in a lab, bypassing heat stress's negative effects on fertility.
A pilot study led by UC Davis School of Medicine found that specifically asking young women about pregnancy coercion during reproductive health visits can reduce the likelihood of future pressure, with a 70% drop in odds. The intervention also increased awareness of intimate-partner violence resources.
A study of over 837,000 births in Denmark found no association between exposure to certain antiviral drugs and major birth defects. The findings suggest that acyclovir is safe for use in early pregnancy, while further research is needed on the safety of valacyclovir and famciclovir.
A new study found that more than one in four pregnant and postpartum women in India experienced physical or non-physical abuse by in-laws. This form of abuse was significantly linked to intimate partner violence, with critical implications for prevention efforts.
A new study published in Schizophrenia Research found that exposure to certain immune proteins during pregnancy is linked to an increased risk of schizophrenia in offspring. Maternal levels of interleukin-8 were associated with structural brain changes in children diagnosed with schizophrenia.
A large population-based study found that excess maternal weight gain is a strong predictor of high birth weight, regardless of genetic factors. The study highlights the importance of weight management efforts before birth to reduce the risk of obesity and related diseases.
A sociological study found that state tax credit programs can reduce the incidence of low-birth-weight babies and help break cycles of childhood poor health. The study also suggests that these programs can improve prenatal health, higher birth weights, and reduced maternal smoking.
The mother-to-child HIV transmission rate has dropped significantly since the advent of powerful therapies, with fewer than 10 babies born with the disease annually in Florida. Despite progress, there are still missed opportunities for prevention, particularly among women with mental health issues or substance abuse problems.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University developed a new system to detect preterm contractions with greater accuracy and sensitivity than existing tools. The device is designed to pick up electrical signals associated with uterine contractions, allowing doctors to delay preterm deliveries by six weeks or more.
A study by McMaster University researchers found that overweight and obese women have a 30% greater risk of induced preterm birth before 37 weeks, increasing to 70% for very obese women. This higher risk is associated with serious health problems for the baby, especially when born earlier than 32 weeks.
A new test developed at Stanford University School of Medicine predicts the outcomes of a subsequent round of IVF for women who have already gone through a cycle. The test is 1,000 times more accurate than current age-based guidelines and provides personalized predictions based on clinical data from prior failed treatments.
A 24-year-old pregnant woman was diagnosed with vitamin A deficiency due to poor diet and intestinal absorption issues. Following vitamin A supplementation, her vision returned to normal, highlighting the importance of proper nutrition and diagnosis for potentially curable forms of blindness.
Research supports the importance of choline in fetal development, with studies finding reduced risk of infant heart defects and improved attention function. Higher intakes of choline also lower blood homocysteine concentrations, associated with decreased risk of stroke and cognitive decline.
A study by the University of Liverpool found that well over half of hospital admissions and deaths from swine flu occurred in previously healthy people. The research suggests that vaccination may benefit everyone with asthma, regardless of severity of disease.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that women who developed gestational diabetes during their first and second pregnancies have a higher risk of developing it again. Hispanic and Asian Pacific Islander women are particularly at risk compared to white counterparts.
Researchers found teenage mothers more likely to have premature babies due to biological immaturity and social factors. The study highlights the importance of antenatal care and post-natal contraception for pregnant teenagers.
Research suggests that a pregnant mother's diet can interact with her child's genetic predispositions to affect the type or severity of birth defects, including congenital heart disease. A high-fat diet has been shown to increase the risk of this condition in mice offspring, highlighting the importance of a balanced diet during pregnancy.
A new preimplantation genetic screening method using micro-array technology has been shown to accurately detect chromosomal abnormalities in 89% of cases. This improvement in detection rate is expected to increase the success rates of IVF treatments for women of advanced maternal age.
A recent study conducted in the Seattle region found no association between air pollution exposure and increased risk of preeclampsia or preterm delivery. The research used data from 3,675 women enrolled in the Omega Study, which investigates diet and environment effects on health during pregnancy.
Researchers found that female immune cells actively produce specific T regulatory cells in response to fetal antigens, protecting the fetus from rejection. This active immune tolerance is essential for successful pregnancies and may provide insights into pregnancy-related conditions such as preeclampsia.
Researchers have found vitrified eggs produce on-going pregnancies with similar success as freshly harvested oocytes. The study's results will improve egg banking practices, enabling cancer patients and others at risk of infertility to access fertility treatment more safely.
Researchers have developed a simple, non-invasive blood test that can detect chromosomal abnormalities in the developing fetus using molecular genetic probes. The test has already shown promise in identifying DNA from the Y chromosome and is being investigated for detecting trisomy 21 (Down's syndrome) and other conditions.
Research found that mothers who drank 4.5 or more drinks a week during pregnancy had sons with lower sperm concentrations, averaging around 25 million per milliliter. The study also discovered an association between prenatal alcohol exposure and semen volume and total sperm count.
A study by researchers funded by JDRF found that the serotonin hormone increases insulin-producing beta cells during pregnancy. This discovery could lead to the development of new drugs to promote beta cell regeneration in people with type 1 diabetes, offering a potential cure for the disease.
Researchers at UCSF have found a link between serotonin, a neurotransmitter, and gestational diabetes, suggesting that high protein diets may trigger the condition. The study's findings offer new insights into possible ways to reverse non-gestational diabetes and provide potential therapeutic solutions.
The G8 Muskoka Initiative fell short of its target funding, with only $5 billion pledged over five years, despite annual global health funding requirements of $42.5 billion by 2015.
A study published by University of Copenhagen researchers found that psychotropic medications were associated with serious side effects such as birth deformities, low birth weight, and premature birth. Psychostimulants like Ritalin and antidepressants like Prozac were linked to over half of the cases.
A study by Imperial College London found no association between mothers living near mobile phone base stations during pregnancy and their child's risk of developing cancer before age five. The researchers analyzed data from almost 7,000 children and estimated radio frequency exposures to mobile phone base stations over nine months of p...
Children of mothers with high blood sugar during pregnancy are more likely to have low insulin sensitivity, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Obesity does not account for the association, and children exposed to high maternal blood sugar levels in the womb also exhibit exaggerated insulin secretion after meals.
A new study conducted in animals found that early life exposure to BPA may cause long-lasting harm to testicular function. The study showed that even low levels of BPA exposure during critical developmental periods can lead to decreased testosterone secretion in male offspring.