Research on pregnancy and the health of mothers and babies. Covers prenatal exposures, medication safety, anaemia, fetal development, and maternal care.
Researchers discover that pregnancy-related hormone prolactin encourages spontaneous production of myelin, a fatty substance coating nerve cells, potentially leading to treatment for MS. Prolactin therapy aims to promote repair and improve symptoms in people with MS.
A new study found that a natural family planning method called symptothermal method (STM) is as effective as the contraceptive pill in preventing unplanned pregnancies when used correctly. The STM method uses two indicators to identify the fertile phase in a woman's menstrual cycle and has an unintended pregnancy rate of 0.4% per year.
Robert C. von Borstel presents cancer as an invasive process similar to species evolution, with mutations and selection driving its progression. He hopes his work will help people re-examine cancer in a new light.
A study published in The Lancet found that maternal seafood consumption during pregnancy is associated with better neurological development in children. High intake of omega-3 fatty acids from seafood was linked to higher verbal IQ and improved prosocial behavior, fine motor, communication, and social development scores.
A recent study by Yale University researchers found that BPA alters the expression of key developmental genes necessary for uterine development, potentially leading to infertility in females. The study used pregnant female mice exposed to varying doses of BPA, revealing a link between BPA exposure and fertility defects.
Pregnant women over 40 years old are at higher risk of stillbirth due to various pregnancy complications. Fetal testing at 38 weeks gestation is most effective in reducing stillbirth rates among older women.
Sequenom's Fetal Nucleic Acid Technology shows promise in detecting fetal DNA in maternal blood, potentially diagnosing genetic defects early in pregnancy. This approach could benefit all expectant mothers, particularly those with high-risk pregnancies.
Researchers found African-American women are three times more likely to deliver prematurely and nearly five times more likely to experience recurrent preterm births. The study analyzed data from Missouri birth statistics between 1989 and 1997, adjusting for socioeconomic factors.
A new study reveals that mice lacking a critical gene develop postpartum cardiomyopathy, a condition where prolactin-blocking drug bromocriptine reverses symptoms. The research found increased levels of cathepsin D, an enzyme that damages heart muscle, in PPCM patients.
A new study by the March of Dimes Foundation finds that high-dose progesterone treatment can significantly reduce the risk of preterm delivery in pregnant women who have previously experienced premature labor. The treatment appeared to prevent cervical shortening and inflammation, key factors contributing to premature birth.
Research finds standard therapy more effective in helping women with PCOS achieve pregnancy compared to diabetes drug metformin, which was initially thought to have great promise. Clomiphene fosters ovulation by stimulating hormone release, increasing pregnancy chances two times over metformin.
Researchers found that standard treatment with clomiphene was more effective than metformin alone in helping women with PCOS achieve successful pregnancy. The study, the largest and most comprehensive effort yet to compare the two drugs, showed that obese women were less likely to conceive during the course of the study.
Researchers found a strong association between high blood pressure during pregnancy and increased coronary calcification later in life. Women who developed hypertension during pregnancy were at a 57% higher risk of cardiovascular disease, including type-2 diabetes and heart disease.
A recent study found that women conceiving in spring are most vulnerable to preterm birth, with rates increasing from summer (8.4%) to winter and fall. The research analyzed data from over 75,000 deliveries and suggests that seasonal variations in immune system exposure may play a role in preterm birth risk.
A new study found that folic acid supplements can substantially reduce the risk of isolated cleft lip with or without cleft palate in babies. Researchers discovered that taking 0.4 milligrams of folic acid per day during pregnancy can lower this risk by one-third.
A survey of 4,839 West Australian women found nearly 80% consumed alcohol in the three months before pregnancy, with more than half drinking during pregnancy despite recommendations. The study highlights the need for effective health promotion messages to reach women of child-bearing age.
Research found prenatal exposure to nicotine alters brain areas critical for learning and reward, programming the brain for relapse to nicotine addiction. Pregnant women who smoke may need tailored smoking cessation approaches due to increased risk of relapse after birth.
Researchers found that starting HIV treatment at least six months after a single dose of nevirapine during labor improves response rates. Women who started treatment sooner had reduced effectiveness of ART, while those delayed had comparable outcomes to placebo group.
A University of Virginia Health System researcher found that just four motivational interviewing sessions doubled the odds of women at risk for pregnancy reducing their binge drinking. The technique, called MI, has proven effective in scaling back risky behaviors and promoting contraception use.
Undernourished women taking prenatal multivitamins during pregnancy were less likely to have babies weighing less than 2,500 grams. The study found that these women's newborns also had lower morbidity rates in the first seven days of life.
A new study found that supplements of Indole-3-carbinol provided significant protection against leukemia and lymphoma in young animals, as well as significantly protected against lung cancer later in life. The protective effects were found to come solely from maternal intake during pregnancy and nursing, and lasted into middle age.
A small study found that fish oil supplements during pregnancy improve toddlers' hand-eye coordination, with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids linked to better performance. The findings suggest that relatively high doses of omega-3 rich fish oil supplements have no adverse effects on neurodevelopment or growth.
A study found associations between two genes involved in choline metabolism and the risk of spina bifida. The link was discovered independently of maternal dietary choline intake during pregnancy.
A recent study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology reveals that nearly half of young pregnant women are unaware of the safety and effectiveness of modern intrauterine devices (IUD). The study suggests that counseling about IUDs could help these women make informed decisions about contraception.
Researchers discovered a new gene in the gulf pipefish that codes for an astacin protein, previously associated with kidney and liver function. This protein may have evolved to support male pregnancy in this species, a mystery in evolutionary biology.
Women who are underweight before pregnancy are 72% more likely to miscarry in the first three months. However, taking vitamin supplements, eating fresh fruit and vegetables daily, or consuming chocolate can significantly reduce their risk.
A recent study reveals that 86% of the decline in US teen pregnancy rates is attributed to improved contraceptive use, with most progress seen among older teens. The study suggests that public policies should promote access to accurate information on contraception and support responsible behaviors.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that pregnant women who developed an infection of the placenta or nearby membranes have twice the risk of getting it in their second pregnancy. The study analyzed 28,410 women and found a genetic component that predisposes women to intrauterine infection.
A new study reveals that embolization, a minimally invasive treatment for varicoceles, significantly improves sperm motility and count in infertile men. Six months after treatment, 26% of couples achieved a pregnancy, with high sperm motility before the procedure being the key predictor of success.
A study of over 3,000 mothers and their children found that pregnant smokers were almost three times as likely to have regular-smoking offspring by age 14. Children whose mothers resumed smoking after pregnancy had similar smoking patterns, suggesting a direct link between maternal smoking during pregnancy and child's smoking habit.
New research indicates that prenatal alcohol exposure may be associated with changes in stress-response systems among infants. The study found elevated cortisol levels and responses to social challenges in infants born to mothers who consumed alcohol during pregnancy.
A study found that England's national teenage pregnancy strategy has been successful in reducing the number of under-18s conceiving and having babies, with a 3.2% drop in conception rates between 1998 and 2003. The decline was more pronounced in areas with targeted resources and lower educational achievement.
The UK's national teenage pregnancy strategy has led to a steady decline in the number of under-18 conceptions and births, with a drop of about 3.2% between 1998 and 2003. The decline was greater in areas with more targeted resources and in rural and deprived areas.
The iPLEDGE program, an internet-based system, aims to prevent birth defects caused by isotretinoin by verifying pregnancy prevention measures. By ensuring that patients provide documentary proof of non-pregnancy and contraceptive use, the program significantly reduces the risk of birth defects associated with isotretinoin treatment.
A study found a significant increase in condom use among young women in sub-Saharan Africa, with 60% using condoms for pregnancy prevention. The authors suggest that promoting condoms as a method for pregnancy prevention may be more effective than focusing on HIV transmission prevention.
A study found that one-third of pregnancies in Edinburgh, Scotland ended in unintended childbirth, with around a quarter of women being ambivalent about their intention to become pregnant. The researchers emphasize the need for improved contraception use and awareness-raising strategies to reduce unintended pregnancies.
Research suggests that women in their first pregnancy with placental malaria are three times more likely to develop preeclampsia. High levels of sVEGFR1 and VEGF were found in these mothers, indicating a conflict between the mother's and fetus's immune responses.
A nationwide study of over 18 million women found that pregnant women with systemic lupus have a significantly higher risk of death or medical complications compared to those without the disease. The study suggests that these women should be closely monitored by healthcare providers and consider planning their pregnancies carefully.
Research published in Human Reproduction found that heavy smoking significantly lowers pregnancy rates among women who received donated oocytes, regardless of their own ovarian function. Heavy smokers had a lower chance of achieving pregnancy but higher multiple birth rates compared to non-heavy smokers.
A precautionary approach is being used in the EU to regulate industrial chemicals that can affect brain development, particularly in pregnant women and young children. Exposure to such chemicals has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and cerebral palsy.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that treating gum disease during pregnancy does not improve pregnancy outcomes, but is safe for pregnant women. Further research is needed to develop more specific treatment guidelines for pregnant women with periodontitis.
A recent U of M study found that treating periodontal disease in pregnant women does not reduce the risk of preterm birth or low birth weight. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, concluded that while treatment is safe and effective, it does not directly affect a woman's risk for these complications.
A large clinical trial found that pregnant women treated for gum disease during pregnancy did not have a significantly lower risk of premature birth. The study, the Obstetrics and Periodontal Therapy Trial (OPT), also showed no increase in adverse events from dental treatment during pregnancy.
A new study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology found that midtrimester amniocentesis is associated with a lower risk of miscarriage than previously reported, with a rate of approximately 1 in 1,600 pregnancies. The study refutes the typically quoted 0.5% pregnancy loss rate and suggests it may be even lower than 0.1%.
The Lancet warns that conservative forces are undermining progress in sexual and reproductive health, resulting in 19 million women facing unsafe abortions, 80 million couples having unmet contraceptive needs, and 340 million new cases of gonorrhoea, syphilis, and chlamydia each year. Effective measures to prevent unintended pregnancy,...
The study demonstrated that AMITIZA increased fluid secretion in the intestine, improving symptoms of chronic idiopathic constipation. Patients experienced significant improvements in constipation severity and abdominal bloating and discomfort for up to 12 months.
A randomized trial found that high-dose folate supplementation increased the likelihood of treatment failure when used with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine for malaria in pregnant Kenyan women. The study advises against using high-dose folate supplements in antenatal clinics where sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine is used to treat or prevent malaria.
Research by Markus Neuhäuser and Sven Krackow found that the number and age of existing siblings significantly influence Down Syndrome risk. The study suggests that older mothers with a larger gap between pregnancies are more likely to have children with developmental defects.
A study found that maternal infection during pregnancy and very preterm birth are associated with an increased risk of cerebral palsy. Brain MRI scans also revealed white-matter damage as the most common finding in children with cerebral palsy, with strong correlations between clinical findings and brain scan results.
A study by the University of Alberta links paternal airborne exposure to organic solvents used in painting, thinning and cleaning to increased risk of low birth weight and congenital birth defects. Workers exposed to these chemicals were up to six times more likely to father malformed babies.
Scientists have named a new species of ancient marine reptile, Maiaspondylus lindoei, and discovered pregnant embryos in its fossil, marking the most recent record of a live birth in an ichthyosaur. The findings provide valuable insights into the evolution and extinction of these aquatic animals.
A study by Tufts University researchers found that pregnancy and lactation produce long-term changes in a mother's brain hormone receptors, which may improve maternal behavior and reduce anxiety levels. This discovery suggests that prior reproductive experience can shape the mother's physiology and behavior.
A recent study found that women who take multivitamins early in pregnancy may reduce their child's risk of developing certain types of brain tumors. The protective effect was strongest when multivitamins were taken close to conception, with a weakly significant reduction in the risk of medulloblastoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumors.
Preeclampsia's impact on fetal death has decreased over the last 35 years, largely due to reduced stillbirths and better clinical management. Modern medical management has effectively prevented fetal deaths without increasing infant or maternal risk.
Research emphasizes the importance of preconception care in reducing pregnancy risks, birth defects, and premature birth. Experts recommend discussing reproductive health with doctors during routine visits.
A new supplement provides essential information on preconception care, emphasizing the importance of women's health before pregnancy. The supplement covers topics such as folic acid supplements, vaccinations, and screening for HIV, as well as measures to avoid harmful substances like alcohol and anti-epileptic drugs.
Research from the University of North Carolina finds that low adrenomedullin hormone levels may cause preeclampsia and other pregnancy complications. Pregnant mice with reduced adrenomedullin levels had smaller litter sizes, overcrowded embryo spacing, and poor fetal growth.
A University of Pittsburgh study reveals that weight concerns can decrease a woman's motivation to remain smoke-free postpartum. Women who were confident in their ability to control their weight without smoking were more motivated to stay abstinent.
Research from Oregon Health & Science University reveals that children born to overeating mothers are at risk for liver and pancreas damage, contributing to early-onset obesity and diabetes. Brain changes in the hypothalamus also occur, predisposing them to weight problems.
A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found no increased risk of pregnancy loss related to drinking water disinfection by-products. The research, led by David A. Savitz, Ph.D., used data from 2,409 women and 258 pregnancy losses, concluding that tap water DBPs do not pose a measurable risk to fetal health.