Articles tagged with Pregnancy
A study found that imaging exams on pregnant women have more than doubled, with CT scans increasing by 25.3% annually due to growing radiation exposure concerns. The researchers evaluated 5,270 examinations and estimated fetal radiation exposure, highlighting the need for alternative imaging tests like MRI and ultrasound.
Research reveals that over half of children born before 26 weeks need extra help with maths and reading, struggling with simultaneous processing of complex information. These children are more likely to require special educational needs support and multiple services.
Pregnant women with asthma are at a higher risk of giving birth prematurely if they stop taking their medication. According to a University of Montreal study, women who interrupt their asthma treatment also experience an increased probability of developing hypertension during pregnancy.
A new study led by Anita Raj found that nearly half of adult Indian women, aged 20 to 24, were married before the legal age of 18. Child marriage is significantly associated with poor fertility outcomes, including unwanted pregnancies and sterilization rates.
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine's Malaria in Pregnancy Consortium has been awarded €3.6 million to research optimizing the use of an antimalarial drug given to prevent malaria in pregnancy in Africa. The project aims to determine whether pregnant women need a different dose of the SP drug due to changes during pregnancy.
The Lancet Series on Health in The Occupied Palestinian Territory highlights the urgent health struggle of mothers and children in the OPT. Despite high fertility rates, infant mortality has not decreased since 1990, and interventions require a functioning health system for effective delivery.
A new study suggests low levels of vitamin B12 may increase neural tube defects risk. Doctors agree pregnant women can thrive on well-planned vegan diets, offering nutritional benefits like lower saturated fat and higher fiber.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine have developed a prenatal testing method for identifying tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) in the womb. The technique, which sequences TSC genes in amniotic fluid cells, has been shown to detect nearly 93% of mutations, offering improved treatment options for affected families.
Women with low vitamin B12 levels have a 5 times increased risk of having a child with a neural tube defect compared to those with high levels. Vegans and vegetarians are at higher risk due to limited food sources, while intestinal disorders can also lead to deficiencies.
Research in Cameroon reveals that 88.3% of women are willing to accept HIV testing during labor, leading to a higher rate of detected infections compared to previously estimated rates. The study recommends an opt-out approach for HIV testing during labor to increase the number of mother-infant pairs receiving appropriate treatment.
A new study found that women with a longer fertile lifespan and more years of exposure to their own sex hormones may be protected from Parkinson's disease. Women with four or more pregnancies were at greater risk of developing the disease compared to those with fewer pregnancies.
A recent study found that post-partum haemorrhage is a significant threat to new mothers in high-income countries, resulting in severe outcomes including infertility and death. The authors recommend increased access to active management of the third stage of labour to reduce PPH rates.
Low-income pregnant women and new mothers with diabetes have nearly twice the risk of experiencing depression during and after pregnancy than women without diabetes. The study, published in JAMA, found that women with any form of diabetes were significantly more likely to experience some indication of depression during pregnancy or pos...
Marshall Lindheimer, a renowned expert in kidney function and blood pressure control during pregnancy, has made significant contributions to the understanding of preeclampsia. His research has led to the development of treatments for transient diabetes insipidus during pregnancy.
A new study investigates whether a mother's diet during pregnancy affects her offspring's methylation patterns and long-term health outcomes. Researchers will measure the diets of pregnant women in The Gambia and compare them to their children's DNA methylation patterns.
A study of pregnant women with MS found that those who breastfed exclusively had lower relapse rates than those who did not or stopped early. Women who delayed starting MS treatments to breastfeed also experienced faster return of menstrual periods.
The March of Dimes has awarded nearly $14 million in grants since 2009 to support innovative research on preterm birth. Researchers will investigate microbes, enzymes, and genetic factors to identify risk factors for prematurity and develop strategies to prevent it.
A study found that parents of children with genetic conditions are avoiding subsequent pregnancies instead of undergoing pre-natal testing or abortion. This 'ambivalent' response is rooted in a deep-seated concern about the limitations of new reproductive technologies and the risks involved.
A Michigan State University study found that providing home pregnancy tests to women who have unprotected sex can increase their vigilance about potential pregnancy and lead to better prenatal care. The intervention resulted in women suspecting they might be pregnant almost twice as often and having a pregnancy test more frequently.
A review and meta-analysis found that maternal obesity is associated with a significantly increased risk of congenital anomalies, including spina bifida, cardiovascular anomalies, and cleft palate. The absolute risk of these anomalies is estimated to be 0.47-0.61 per 1,000 births higher in obese women than in women of recommended BMI.
A new American Heart Association journal issue highlights unique risk factors among women and gender disparities in stroke care. Researchers found that women were less likely to receive perfect care, had a lower discharge rate, and received less aggressive treatment than men.
Researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center found no difference in breast cancer survival rates for pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women, but those with Pregnancy Associated Breast Cancer (PABC) were more likely to be diagnosed late with advanced stages of the disease, leading to delayed treatment.
A new study published in Cancer found that pregnancy does not affect breast cancer severity or survival rates, but can delay diagnosis and treatment. Women who develop breast cancer while pregnant or shortly after have similar outcomes to those without a history of pregnancy.
Researchers developed a composite metric of maternal-drinking measures that can predict prenatal neurobehavioral dysfunction and deficits in children, identifying over 62% of mothers as drinking at risk levels. The metric was more successful than individual measures in predicting poor child cognition and behavior problems.
A Cardiff University research project found a link between prenatal smoking and anti-social behavior in children, but only when the mother was genetically linked to the child. The study suggests that factors other than smoking during pregnancy influence anti-social behavior.
Researchers found that women with elevated levels of corticotrophin-releasing hormone in mid-pregnancy are at higher risk for postpartum depression. The study, conducted by UC Irvine researchers, suggests that identifying these women early could help prevent or treat the condition.
New rodent findings show that dietary zinc supplements throughout pregnancy can reduce some alcohol-related birth defects. Zinc supplementation also increases the mother's blood zinc to prevent fetal zinc deficiency and subsequent fetal damage.
A study published in the journal Sleep found that women with restless legs syndrome (RLS) have higher levels of estradiol during pregnancy, which may contribute to the development of RLS symptoms. The study also found that women with RLS experience more periodic limb movements (PLMs) before and after delivery.
Researchers at UCLA School of Public Health have found evidence that perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), used in household items and manufacturing processes, may be linked to infertility in women. Women with higher levels of PFOS and PFOA in their blood took longer to become pregnant.
Researchers detected distinct protein differences between IVF and spontaneous pregnancies in the first half of gestation, including extra-cellular matrix, cytoskeletal, vascular proteins. Most differences disappeared by 19 weeks, but pregnancy-specific glycoprotein-1 remained significantly different.
Research finds that genetic variation in progesterone receptor affects 17P treatment response, with predictive SNPs identified for African-American and non-African-American women. Progesterone treatment may be less effective in some women due to genetic predisposition.
Research presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine found no link between routine periodontal treatment and reduced preterm birth risk. Women are still advised to practice good oral hygiene, despite the lack of conclusive evidence.
A randomized trial of 1,800 pregnant women with periodontal disease found that routine gum treatments do not reduce the risk of early delivery. The study suggests that treating periodontal disease during pregnancy is safe, but standard periodontal care is not enough to prevent preterm births.
Researchers found that women who experienced complications due to hypertension in their first pregnancies are at a higher risk of hypertension after pregnancy. The study, conducted on over 11 million women, also showed that each subsequent affected pregnancy compounds the risks.
Research suggests that exposure to perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) may reduce women's fertility. Women with higher levels of PFOA and PFOS in their blood took longer to become pregnant than those with lower levels.
A recent study published in Human Reproduction found that anxiety and depression before and during fertility treatment have no influence on cancellation rates or pregnancy success. The research involved 783 women and showed that levels of depression or anxiety did not predict pregnancy rates or cancellation rates.
A new study of African-American women found that avoiding environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure early in pregnancy is crucial for reducing complications and improving outcomes. Social factors such as household smoking bans, the father's desire to have the baby, and social support play a significant role in ETS avoidance.
A new study aims to determine whether consuming caffeine during pregnancy can increase the unborn baby's risk of developing childhood leukemia. The research, led by Dr. Marcus Cooke, will examine DNA changes in newborn babies and compare them to caffeine consumption levels.
A study of over 2,500 pregnant women in Africa found that spousal violence increases the risk of single and repeated fetal loss. The strongest association was with emotional violence, which linked to a 33% reduction in preventable excess recurrent fetal loss if prevalence of abuse is eliminated
A study found that a mother's high-fat diet during pregnancy can increase the risk of obesity-related diseases in her offspring. Reverting to a low-fat diet after a high-fat diet period reduced these risks.
A new study published in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that cigarette smoking during pregnancy is associated with changes in maternal thyroid hormone levels. Smoking-related changes in thyroid function extend to the fetus, potentially leading to impaired neuropsychological development.
A recent survey by March of Dimes found that only 17% of Spanish-speaking women of childbearing age take a multivitamin containing folic acid daily. Folic acid is crucial in preventing neural tube defects (NTDs), which are more prevalent in the Hispanic population.
Two studies by University of California, Berkeley researchers suggest that taking maternity leave before and after birth reduces the risk of C-sections and improves breastfeeding. Women who took longer leave had lower risks of C-sections and higher breastfeeding establishment rates.
Researchers found that pregnant women with vitamin D deficiency were more than twice as likely to undergo a caesarean section compared to those without the deficiency. The study highlights the importance of maintaining adequate vitamin D levels during pregnancy.
Research found that normal-weight mothers who accurately assessed their pre-pregnancy weight had half the odds of excessive gestational weight gain compared to those who underestimated. Under-assessors were younger, non-white, lower-income, and less educated, with poorer dietary habits.
A trial conducted in northwest Thailand found that artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) is safe for pregnant women with malaria, but its efficacy is inferior to single-drug artesunate treatment. The study suggests that longer regimens of ACT may be more effective in treating pregnant women.
Researchers found that overweight and obese women who thought they weighed less than they actually did at the start of pregnancy had seven times the odds of gaining excessive weight during their pregnancy. In contrast, normal weight women who thought they weighed more than they actually did had twice the odds of gaining excessive weight.
A study of over 20,000 first-time mothers found that repeated miscarriages and hormone treatment for infertility increased the risk of pre-eclampsia. Women with one or two miscarriages were not at higher risk, but those who had three or more miscarriages saw a 50% increase in pre-eclampsia risk.
Research suggests that autism and schizophrenia may stem from similar physical abnormalities caused by disruptions in early organogenesis, typically between 20-40 days after fertilization. This developmental stage is critical in shaping the body's development, and errors during this period can lead to various mental health disorders.
Women experiencing intimate partner violence are more likely to prioritize their infant's health, highlighting the need for healthcare providers to screen for IPV. The study found that 60% of abused women sought health consultations for their infants, compared to 54% of non-abused women.
A study published in the FASEB Journal found that even a low dose of caffeine ingested during pregnancy can affect fetal heart development and lead to decreased cardiac function and increased body fat in males. Researchers exposed pregnant mice to varying levels of caffeine, resulting in adverse effects on the offspring's health.
The European Perinatal Health Report provides comprehensive data on mortality, low birthweight, preterm birth, and other factors affecting pregnancy outcomes. The report highlights significant variations in perinatal health across Europe, with some countries having rates significantly higher than others.
New research from the University of Manchester has shown that even water-soluble statins can affect placental development, leading to worse pregnancy outcomes. Current guidelines recommend avoiding statins during pregnancy due to their potential risks, and this study supports these recommendations.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine developed a man-made anti-clotting protein that prevents excessive clotting in patients with hereditary antithrombin deficiency. The treatment showed no adverse effects during treatment or seven days after treatment, indicating its potential to prevent complications linked to the condition.
Researchers have discovered biomarkers in blood that could aid diagnosis of severe and debilitating forms of malaria, including placental and cerebral malaria. Elevated levels of C5a and angiopoietin-2 were found to be associated with these forms of the disease, potentially allowing for earlier detection and targeted treatment strategies.
Women exposed to secondhand smoke as adults or children are more likely to face fertility problems and suffer miscarriages, with a 68% increased chance of difficulty getting pregnant. The study analyzed data from over 4,800 non-smoking women and found that four out of five reported exposure to secondhand smoke during their lifetime.
Researchers at Boston University have found that consuming choline from eggs during pregnancy may affect breast cancer outcomes for a mother's offspring. The study suggests that genetic changes caused by prenatal choline exposure can impact tumor growth rates and survival rates.
Researchers at UCLA found that vitamin D stimulates cathelicidin production in placental tissues, enhancing antibacterial responses and protecting trophoblast cells from infection. The study suggests that pregnant women supplementing with vitamin D may enhance placental innate immunity.
A retrospective cohort study found maternal exposure to folic acid antagonists during pregnancy increases the risk of adverse outcomes such as preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. The study recommends re-classifying some folic acid antagonists and increasing folic acid supplements for women taking these medications during pregnancy.
A three-country study found that women taking fluoxetine during pregnancy gave birth to four times as many babies with heart problems, while those taking paroxetine had three times higher levels. Smoking over ten cigarettes a day was associated with a five-fold increase in major heart problems.