Research on pregnancy and the health of mothers and babies. Covers prenatal exposures, medication safety, anaemia, fetal development, and maternal care.
A new study has found that pregnant women with a history of depression who use psychiatric medication are at increased risk of delivering prematurely. The research analyzed data from nearly 3,000 women and showed that medication use and depression were strongly linked to preterm delivery before 35 weeks' gestation.
A new study found that depressed pregnant women have a stronger biological reaction to the seasonal flu vaccine than those with lower depression levels, suggesting immune system dysfunction. This immune dysregulation could affect symptom severity among infected women, highlighting the importance of flu vaccination during pregnancy.
Researchers found that iron-folic acid supplementation significantly reduced childhood mortality and low birth weight, but other supplement combinations did not provide the same benefit. The study suggests that antenatal iron-folic acid supplementation is a critical intervention for maternal and child health in developing countries.
A Swedish study found that pregnant women who eat vegetables daily have a lower risk of their child developing type 1 diabetes. The study analyzed data from almost 6,000 five-year-olds and found that those whose mothers rarely ate vegetables had a higher risk.
A new study reveals a 71% increase in Down syndrome pregnancies and births over 20 years, largely due to women delaying childbearing. Despite this rise, improvements in prenatal screening have maintained the number of babies born with the condition at around 750 per year.
Researchers call for special training and education to address midwives' biases and lack of understanding about lesbian relationships. Key findings include a need for neutral healthcare routines and forms that acknowledge same-sex parents.
The IDF has released important new guidelines to improve the treatment of diabetes globally. The guidelines address critical areas such as pregnancy, self-monitoring blood glucose, and oral health, aiming to tackle the spiraling epidemic of diabetes.
A Kaiser Permanente study of 1,656 obese women found that nearly three-quarters gained too much weight during pregnancy and retained an average of 40% of the weight one year after delivery. Younger women and first-time mothers were most likely to gain excessive weight.
The study, funded by a $2.2 million grant, will enroll 180 obese pregnant women and test a weight maintenance program with weekly support groups. Preliminary results are expected in three years, aiming to show that obese women who maintain their weight will have better outcomes.
Researchers at Yale University developed a non-invasive test to assess embryo viability for IVF, based on metabolomic profiling of spent embryo cultures. The study found that this approach affected pregnancy outcomes in women treated in Europe and Australia.
Classifying molar pregnancy is crucial for clinical treatment due to increased risk of persistent gestational trophoblastic disease. Researchers used STR genotyping and p57 immunohistochemistry to differentiate complete hydatidiform moles from partial moles and non-molar specimens.
A new study suggests that maternal smoking during pregnancy may increase newborns' distress levels, potentially related to reduced monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) activity. This reduction in MAO-A activity can lead to dysregulation of brain neurotransmission, creating a potential vulnerability to behavioral disorders later in life.
A study found that lung scintigraphy is more reliable than CTA for diagnosing and excluding pulmonary embolism in pregnant patients. Lung scintigraphy produces better diagnostic quality images more often than CTA, particularly due to hemodynamic effects of pregnancy.
A UT student has received a $10,000 fellowship to investigate the causes and effects of pre-eclampsia, a condition that affects millions of women worldwide every year. Her research aims to find new treatments for this deadly disease, which is responsible for 18% of pregnancy-related maternal deaths annually in the US.
The fixed-dose combination ACTOplus met (pioglitazone HCl and metformin HCl) was shown to be more effective in reducing hemoglobin A1c levels than either component alone, with 64% of patients reaching the goal of ≤7 percent. Additionally, the study found significant reductions in insulin resistance and fasting plasma glucose levels.
A study of 84,832 babies found that folic acid antagonists in early pregnancy more than doubled the risk of congenital malformations. Neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, increased by six-fold after exposure to these medications.
A new study found that exposure to folic acid antagonists in the first trimester of pregnancy increases the risk of neural tube, cardiovascular, and urinary tract defects. The risk more than doubles, with neural tube defects increasing by six-fold after exposure.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is conducting clinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine in HIV-infected pregnant women and children, youth. The trials aim to determine whether higher doses of the vaccine can elicit a protective immune response in these populations.
A large cohort study found no significant risks of major congenital malformations associated with H2 blocker exposure during pregnancy. The study involved 1,148 infants exposed to H2 blockers and 84,823 unexposed infants, showing no increased risk of perinatal mortality or birth complications.
A study of 8-year-old children whose mothers ate large amounts of liquorice when pregnant found they performed worse in cognitive tests and had poor attention spans. The researchers linked this to the glycyrrhizin in liquorice, which may impair the placenta and allow stress hormones to cross to the baby.
Research published in the European Respiratory Journal found that 32.6% of children born to uncontrolled pregnant asthmatic mothers developed asthma themselves. The study suggests that maternal asthma during pregnancy can affect lung development and increase the likelihood of asthma in later childhood.
Researchers are conducting a five-year trial to determine if supplementing pregnant women with extra vitamin D can prevent their children from developing asthma. The study aims to enroll 870 women nationwide and evaluate the risk of asthma in their children at ages 1, 2, and 3.
A recent study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry has linked maternal tobacco use to an increased risk of psychotic symptoms in children. The research, conducted on 6,356 adolescents, found that smoking during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of psychotic symptoms, particularly in those whose mothers smoked heavily.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that treating pregnant women with mild gestational diabetes resulted in fewer serious birthing problems. The treatment reduced the risk of large babies, shoulder damage during birth, and cesarean delivery.
A study found that treating pregnant women with mild gestational diabetes can reduce common birth complications among infants, including smaller, leaner babies and fewer complications during delivery. Treated mothers were also less likely to develop high blood pressure or preeclampsia.
Research offers recommendations for doctors diagnosing prenatal Down syndrome, including who should deliver the news and what information to provide. Mothers prefer receiving diagnosis from healthcare professionals with the most knowledge, and benefiting from up-to-date information about DS and personal stories of children with DS.
Recent studies by Indiana University researcher Virginia J. Vitzthum found that living conditions, particularly economic activities and food supply, can more than double early pregnancy loss rates in rural Bolivian women. Environmental factors also play a major role in reproductive fitness for men.
A cohort study of 120 women who gave birth after receiving a kidney transplant found no differences in kidney function or patient survival compared to those who did not have children. The study's findings provide good news for kidney transplant women who fear getting pregnant due to concerns about their health and lifespan.
A new study from UAB researchers found that childbearing is associated with a higher incidence of the metabolic syndrome in women. Women who had gestational diabetes were nearly twice as likely to develop the syndrome as those without it. Lifestyle changes, such as exercise and healthy eating, may help prevent disease later in life.
Researchers found that incidental mood is generally not incorporated into memory-based judgments made after the mood has passed. However, if the mood effects are 'locked in,' such as through real-time evaluations, participants' memories can be influenced.
A recent study published in General Hospital Psychiatry found that depressive symptoms and antidepressant treatment are associated with fetal growth changes, shorter gestations, and neonatal irritability. The research highlights the need for pregnant women to receive adequate care and support to mitigate these risks.
A recent Editorial in The Lancet emphasizes the connection between family planning, climate change, and women's health. Implementing contraception can help reduce unintended pregnancies and slow population growth, thereby alleviating demographic pressure on the environment.
A new study reveals that the absence of angiotensin II receptors in the uteri of pregnant women with preeclampsia contributes to the disease's progression. This finding brings researchers closer to understanding the condition and may lead to new treatments.
A study by University of North Carolina researchers found that giving insecticide-treated bed nets to nearly 18,000 mothers in the Democratic Republic of Congo prevented an estimated 414 infant deaths from malaria. The intervention also reduced long-term disability and was more cost-effective than prevention measures in the US.
Research at University of Copenhagen suggests that vitamin C deficiency in pregnant and breast-feeding women may lead to impaired mental development in new-born babies. Guinea pigs subjected to moderate vitamin C deficiency have reduced hippocampal neurons and spatial memory impairments.
A new study published in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that adolescent and young children of obese mothers who underwent weight-loss surgery prior to pregnancy have a lower prevalence of obesity and improved cardio-metabolic markers. The research suggests that the intrauterine environment ...
Researchers at the University of Leeds discovered a significant link between pre-eclampsia and dietary ergothioneine, a known antioxidant. The study found elevated levels of this compound in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia, suggesting its potential role in understanding the condition's cause.
A large cohort study suggests that mild glucose intolerance in pregnancy may be an early indicator of women at increased risk of heart disease. Women with subclinical blood vessel changes during pregnancy are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and vascular disease.
Research found that higher levels of total blood choline are associated with a reduced risk of neural tube birth defects (NTDs). Choline supplementation during pregnancy may also have additional benefits for memory function, breast cancer prevention, and cardiovascular health.
Researchers from Turkey performed a non-radiation ERCP procedure on six pregnant patients with choledocholithiasis and one patient with biliary fistula, showing no complications. Laboratory and ultrasonographic follow-up confirmed successful treatment and stone extraction without radiation exposure.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends low to moderate exercise for pregnant women, despite past concerns. Exercise can strengthen musculoskeletal and physiologic health, ease back pain, and improve post-partum mood.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have developed an equation to measure the volume of the placenta, providing a reliable way to monitor fetal growth and prevent pregnancy loss. The 'Estimated Placenta Volume' (EPV) test has shown accuracy of up to 89%, with potential to become routine for pregnant women.
A study by Ben-Gurion University researchers found a higher incidence of insufficient amniotic fluid levels in the summer months. Pregnant women are advised to drink 10 glasses of water per day and avoid direct sun exposure to prevent fetal dehydration.
A recent study found that pregnant women with H1N1 flu are at increased risk of severe disease and complications, highlighting the need for prompt antiviral treatment. The study suggests that vaccination should also be prioritized for pregnant women once available, in line with US guidelines.
Research suggests that maternal nutrition, protein intake, and fat levels before conception can lead to epigenetic changes that affect fetal development and increase the risk of diseases later in life. Studies have shown that diet before pregnancy can cause abnormal growth, cardiovascular disease, and other health problems in offspring.
Scientists at the University of Tennessee have found that a single mutation in the Bub1 gene can lead to an increased risk of pregnancy loss and disorders such as Down Syndrome. The study suggests that the mutation affects fertility and increases with maternal age, highlighting a potential genetic link to these conditions.
Healthy women pregnant with twins should gain between 37-54 pounds for optimal growth before birth and healthier mothers throughout pregnancy. The new guidelines are based on a woman's prepregnancy body mass index and aim to reduce premature, low-birth-weight births and neonatal morbidity.
A new study by University of Liverpool researchers suggests that children born to mothers taking sodium valproate during pregnancy may have lower IQ scores. The research found a correlation between exposure to the medication and cognitive function in young children.
Researchers discovered that uterine stromal cells increase estrogen production through the enzyme aromatase, supporting decidualization and blood vessel growth. Progesterone supplementation is necessary for successful pregnancy, highlighting the benefits of local estrogen production.
Researchers have found that a mutation in just one copy of the Bub1 gene can lead to aneuploidy in mice, increasing the risk of genetic disorders like Down syndrome and pregnancy loss. The study's findings suggest that age is also a contributing factor, with older female mice having fewer offspring.
Data show ATryn safely prevents peri-operative and peri-partum acute deep vein thrombosis in patients with hereditary antithrombin deficiency. Dosing algorithms allow for normalization of antithrombin levels during high-risk situations, providing a safe treatment option.
Expectant mothers who are obese are nearly 10 times more likely to suffer from chest infections and more than twice as likely to experience headaches and heartburn compared to women of a healthy weight. Obese pregnant women also face increased risks of carpal tunnel syndrome, symphysis-pubis dysfunction, and higher treatment costs.
Pregnant women are underrepresented in clinical research, but experts say including them in the National Children's Study could yield crucial information for women's health. The study aims to follow children from conception through adulthood, but ethicists recommend adding a few key questions on medication usage to gather valuable data.
A study published in Public Health Nutrition found that pregnant women who consumed at least seven servings of fruits and vegetables per day had a moderate reduction in the risk of developing an upper respiratory tract infection. Higher intake was associated with a stronger risk reduction.
A study published in The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found no significant differences in cognitive or health assessments between children born after stillbirth and those born to non-bereaved mothers. However, mothers who experienced a previous stillbirth reported more child difficulties, particularly peer problems.
A study of over 64,000 pregnant women found that larger hospital units with more experience had lower miscarriage rates after amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling. The research suggests that the number of procedures carried out by a department affects miscarriage rates.
Childhood cancer survivors are at greater risk of premature birth and postpartum haemorrhages, highlighting the need for close monitoring during pregnancy. Researchers also warn that fertility may be compromised due to radiation treatment and chemotherapy.
A study published in Human Reproduction found that women with endometriosis are at a higher risk of premature birth, C-sections, and other pregnancy complications. The researchers also found that women with endometriosis were more likely to have difficulty conceiving and required assisted reproduction technology.
Researchers found 128 genes with varying expression levels in early clinical pregnancy compared to non-pregnant state. Gene expressions related to angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor, and pyruvate metabolism were over-represented.
A study of 15 women with cystic fibrosis found that assisted reproductive technology (ART) was a safe and successful option for them to become pregnant. The researchers achieved 17 pregnancies in 13 of the 15 women, resulting in 12 live births.