Articles tagged with Prenatal Care
A new study found that folic acid supplements given to mother rats significantly protect their offspring from developing colorectal cancer. The research suggests that folic acid may have different effects on cancer development in different organs, and more studies are needed.
A new study at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center reveals high rates of chronic hepatitis B infection among pregnant minority and immigrant women in NYC, with many not receiving standard care. The study highlights the importance of targeted screening and education for this vulnerable population.
Research published at University of Rochester Medical Center found that high induction and primary C-section rates in low-risk pregnant women have no impact on newborn health. The study's findings question the increasing trend of interventions at delivery in the US, suggesting that 'more is not always better'.
Stillbirths in low-income and middle-income countries are a major concern, with 98% of all stillbirths occurring in these regions. The Lancet report highlights the need for improved data collection and classification of programmatic causes of stillbirths.
The Boston Medical Center will receive a $245,000 grant to enhance its Centering Pregnancy program, which has been shown to decrease late preterm delivery by up to 40% and increase pregnancy knowledge and satisfaction with care. The grant aims to promote preventive care and address health disparities in Massachusetts.
A review of 19 studies on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in maternity care found diverse attitudes among healthcare professionals. While many have a positive view of CAM, there is a need for formal evidence-based education and guidance on its use.
The growing population of adult survivors of congenital heart disease requires a lifelong process of medical interactions, unique to each individual. Advances in various fields such as surgery, imaging, and transplantation offer strategies for managing this complex patient population.
Kinship caregivers often lack support services and resources, despite providing care to vulnerable children. The study found that kinship caregivers are more likely to experience lower socioeconomic status, yet receive fewer financial and training support compared to foster parents.
Research published in Developmental Psychobiology and Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience found that maternal care impacts stress response in adult offspring's brains. High-quality maternal milk and contact reduce vulnerability to stress, while low levels may lead to lower self-esteem.
A UCLA-led study finds that health care reform can improve coordination between assessing disease risk and providing appropriate tests and follow-up medical services. The law expanded coverage for an annual wellness visit, which includes assessing risk for disease and developing a personalized prevention plan.
A new study suggests buprenorphine is a better treatment option than methadone for opioid dependence in pregnant women, resulting in healthier babies. Babies born to mothers taking buprenorphine instead of methadone required less morphine and spent less time in the hospital.
The US saw a two-year decline in preterm birth rates, primarily among babies born just weeks early, while many states improved in at least one contributing factor. The overall national rate remains high compared to top-scoring countries.
The Mary Kirkland Center offers personalized care to lupus patients through a team of healthcare professionals. The center provides education and research opportunities, as well as programs addressing cardiovascular health and wellness, to improve patient outcomes.
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.
Very low birthweight and preterm infants are more likely to die without access to specialized NICU care. A regionalized system of NICUs has improved infant mortality rates since its inception in the 1970s, but progress has been hindered by a decline in Level III hospital births.
A joint project of UCSF and KEMRI has received a 5-year grant to expand its care and support for people affected by HIV/AIDS in Kenya. The grant will allow the project to serve at least 80% of HIV patients needing care within its service areas.
A work group led by a Kaiser Permanente researcher developed and adopted 17 national measures to assess HIV care quality, including screening, prevention, and antiretroviral therapy. These measures have been endorsed by several organizations and are being pilot-tested to improve patient outcomes.
The Affordable Care Act will stabilize and reverse growing health costs for women through subsidized insurance coverage and expanded Medicaid eligibility. Women are expected to benefit from the law's provisions on maternity care, newborn coverage, and protection against higher premiums and coverage denials based on gender.
Despite accelerated progress in reducing child mortality, maternal mortality remains high. Brazil and China are highlighted as countries on track to meet the targets set out in MDG4 and MDG5. The report emphasizes the need for increased investment in health systems, community-based interventions, and social determinants.
A study by Sue J. Goldie and colleagues finds that better family planning, safe abortion, and improved obstetrical care can reduce maternal mortality in India by 75% in under a decade. Integrated approaches can prevent more than 3 out of 4 maternal deaths.
Research findings suggest that participatory women's groups can reduce neonatal mortality by up to one-third and moderate maternal depression. The groups' impact was attributed to improved hygiene and care practices, as well as increased community mobilization and support for the poorest populations.
A study published in the Lancet found that women's community groups in India led to a dramatic improvement in neonatal survival rates, with a 45% reduction in mortality rates. The groups also showed significant reductions in maternal depression and improvements in hygiene practices among new mothers.
Researchers aim to improve contraceptive use and reduce unintended pregnancies among HIV-positive women in Kenya. The study, supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will evaluate an integrated model of HIV care and family planning services.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School found a significant decline in US birth weights over the past 15 years, with full-term births averaging 79 grams less than expected. This trend is concerning, as low birth weight has been linked to increased risk of death and chronic diseases in adulthood.
The US pediatric oral health report, published in Academic Pediatrics, emphasizes the need to improve outcomes and address disparities. The report presents key findings on the state of pediatric oral health in the US, including the prevalence of dental caries and access to care.
A study found that teen girls diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease who watched a short educational video were three times more likely to discuss their condition with partners and ensure partner treatment. Despite this, adherence to medication and follow-up remained poor, highlighting the need for in-depth counseling.
A study from the Sahlgrenska Academy found that teenage boys in Sweden are less likely to take responsibility for preventing the spread of chlamydia and other STIs. Researchers say that new methods are needed to reach boys with information on protection against infections.
A comprehensive study on H1N1 virus impact in Australia and New Zealand reveals 20% ICU bed occupancy during peak epidemic. The study shares critical illness patterns, including unexpected effects on middle-aged individuals and pregnant patients.
Claudia Stravato, a Texas women's health activist, is one of 10 Americans chosen to receive the 2009 Community Health Leaders Award. She will be honored for her work in providing access to primary care for low-income and uninsured families.
Researchers analyzed prenatal management and outcomes of infants born at 22-24 weeks' gestation in two time periods. They found that resuscitation efforts increased during the later period, but did not impact mortality rates. Instead, prolonged care contributed to a longer duration of death.
A comprehensive review of 75 studies found that complications in early pregnancy can increase the risk of preterm or very preterm delivery, placenta praevia, and congenital malformations. Identifying these risks allows clinicians to provide targeted monitoring and care for high-risk patients.
A comprehensive review of studies on young offenders' health highlights the need for prioritizing mental and physical health for successful rehabilitation. The review found that young offenders often experience poor health due to factors such as substance abuse, trauma, and social disadvantage.
A study conducted by Oregon State University found that a specialized foster care program reduced teen pregnancy rates among juvenile justice teens. The program, which involved one-on-one care in highly supervised homes, resulted in a 26% pregnancy rate compared to 47% for teens in group care.
A £2.8m grant will support a three-year programme to increase skilled birth attendance and quality obstetric care in 5 target countries, aiming to reduce maternal and newborn deaths. The programme will evaluate the impact of training and supportive supervision on healthcare provider capacity and care delivery.
A new University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine study found that two-thirds of psychiatric patients referred for care following an emergency room visit are met with voicemail or long waits. Only 10% of calls resulted in an appointment scheduled within two weeks.
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 new study found that obstetrical care providers are not comfortable discussing substance abuse with pregnant patients unless specifically asked. The researchers call for providers to learn about drug and alcohol cessation programs and ask questions to engage women in discussions about risks. This could lead to better health outcomes ...
A community-based program that reinforces basic childbirth and newborn care practices reduced neonatal mortality by 54% in rural India. The program, which included culturally relevant messages and skin-to-skin care, was found to significantly reduce infant deaths within the first month of life.
Children under five who lived in households with unrelated adults were six times more likely to die from maltreatment-related injuries than those living with two biological parents. Young children need nearly constant supervision, and caregivers must prioritize their safety.
A new study published in the Emergency Medicine Journal found that emergency room doctors correctly identify patients with heart attack symptoms even when laboratory tests have not yet confirmed it. The study analyzed data from over 4,000 patients and showed that physicians are relying on their clinical impression to diagnose heart att...
A Kaiser Permanente study published online in the Journal of Perinatology found that integrating substance abuse screening and treatment into routine prenatal care improved health outcomes for pregnant women. The study, which examined nearly 50,000 women, found that treating pregnant women with substance abuse early in their pregnancy ...
A new study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology reports a significant disparity in infant mortality rates between black and white mothers, with obese black mothers facing a higher risk of newborn death. Researchers analyzed over 1.4 million births and found that high BMI was an independent risk factor for neonatal mortalit...
A homecare birth strategy significantly reduces neonatal mortality in Bangladeshi communities with weak health systems. The study found that the home-care approach was cost-effective, with a cost per neonatal death averted of $2995.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine finds that a risk-based approach to labor induction can lead to healthier newborns and better birth outcomes for mothers. The Active Management of Risk in Pregnancy at Term (AMOR-IPAT) method reduces NICU admissions, cesarean rates, and mean Adverse Outcome Index scores.
A new NIH study has identified several factors that influence an extremely low birth weight infant's chances for survival and disability. These factors include sex, birthweight, single birth status, and antenatal steroids, which can predict individual outcomes and help guide treatment decisions.
A report by The Lancet reveals that only 16 of the 68 priority countries are on track to meet the MDG4 and MDG5 targets, with many more experiencing no progress or reversals. Investments in immunization have led to rapid increases in coverage for routine services.
A study by UCLA researchers found significant disparities in healthcare quality for African Americans, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic whites in California's Medi-Cal program. The study suggests that efforts to improve services for minority populations could lead to better health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.
Research finds black VLBW babies more likely to die in hospitals with higher neonatal death rates than white VLBW babies. Eliminating these disparities could improve survival rates for black VLBW infants by up to 34%.
The UCLA Department of Family Medicine has launched a network to study health care disparities affecting minorities, particularly those with chronic diseases. The Network for Multicultural Research on Health and Healthcare will mentor researchers and address quality of care for underserved populations.
A study of 45 family medicine practices found that those with nurse-practitioners performed better in diabetes care measures compared to physician-only practices and those using physician assistants. Practices with NPs were more likely to measure hemoglobin A1c levels, lipid levels, and treat for high lipid levels.
Global progress in maternal health is uneven and inequitable, with over half a million maternal deaths occurring annually. Despite this, successes in countries like Sri Lanka show that investment in education, employment, and maternal care can lead to significant improvements.
A recent study found that patients in Medicaid managed care programs tend to receive lower-quality care compared to those in commercial managed care programs. The study analyzed data from 383 health plans and found that overall commercial population performance exceeded overall Medicaid population performance in most measures.
A cohort study found a small but significant increase in cesarean deliveries when women are cared for by an on-call obstetrician rather than their regular-care obstetrician. The study highlights the importance of smooth hand-offs of patient care between physicians.
A four-year study found a significantly lower cesarean delivery rate of 5.3% for women using an alternative obstetric care method compared to traditional care. Preventive labor induction was used based on accurate pregnancy dating and risk-factor scoring.
Research highlights the association between acanthosis nigricans and type 2 diabetes risk factors in children and adults. Additionally, a study suggests that electronic medical records do not necessarily ensure high-quality diabetes care, highlighting the need for workflow redesign to improve patient health.
A study found that daily multivitamin supplements given to HIV-negative pregnant women in Tanzania significantly reduced the risks of low birth weight and a small-for-gestational age birth size. The results suggest that enhancing micronutrient status during pregnancy has significant benefits on maternal immunity and hemoglobin levels.
The March of Dimes and Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute have launched a three-year partnership to reduce preterm births in targeted areas of Kentucky. The goal is to decrease singleton preterm births by 15%, with a focus on interventions combining clinical care, public health, and education.
A study found that undocumented immigrants with pregnant women account for 48,391 Emergency Medicaid cases, with 99% being Hispanic and 95% female. This trend indicates an increasing burden on publicly funded healthcare, necessitating improved services such as comprehensive contraceptive care and chronic disease management.
The prevalence of cerebral palsy in premature babies has decreased significantly since the 1980s, thanks to improved neonatal care. According to a study published in The Lancet, the incidence rate dropped from 60.6 per 1000 live births in 1980 to 39.5 in 1996.
Over 3 million women in poor countries have unrepaired vesicovaginal fistulas, with 130,000 new cases developing annually in African nations. Specialist fistula repair centers are urgently needed to address this devastating complication of pregnancy.