Targeted RNA therapy aims to treat pre-eclampsia by delivering mRNA to placental cells, reducing maternal blood pressure and restoring fetal circulation. The treatment has shown promising results in mice, paving the way for potential treatments for human patients.
A large study of over 2.5 million pregnancies in California found that exposure to wildfire smoke increased the risk of spontaneous preterm birth. The researchers analyzed data from 2007-2012 and found a significant association between wildfire smoke and premature labor, with an average exposure of 7.5 days.
Researchers from Mount Sinai Health System presented studies on the association between obesity and adverse outcomes in forceps-assisted vaginal deliveries, as well as the utility of cervical length surveillance after cerclage placement for predicting preterm birth. Additionally, a new tool for managing postpartum hemorrhage was showca...
The February issue of the CHEST journal features 37 articles exploring various topics in chest medicine, including asthma, COPD, and pulmonary vascular disease. The journal also highlights its equity topic collection, focusing on conditions that affect women, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension and sarcoidosis.
Research suggests that restricted access to abortions will cause severe stress for individuals carrying unwanted pregnancies, which may lead to psychiatric illnesses and developmental problems in children. This stress can exacerbate existing psychiatric vulnerabilities, increasing the risk of relapse or new episodes.
A study led by University at Buffalo physician Elana Tal found that people in states with restrictive abortion policies are less likely to receive optimal care after a miscarriage. The researchers found disparities in the management of early pregnancy loss, including lower rates of uterine aspiration and mifepristone prescription.
A large international study found no robust difference in blood pressure, heart rate, lipids, and glucose measurements between children conceived naturally and those conceived using assisted reproductive technologies. Children conceived via ART had slightly higher cholesterol levels in childhood, which did not persist to adulthood.
A study by George Washington University professor Sonia M. Suter finds that reason-based abortion bans harm minority groups and restrict reproductive rights. The research challenges the notion that such bans are a remedy against eugenics, revealing instead a performative effort to justify discriminatory policies.
A study published in Women and Birth found that seeing the same midwives throughout the perinatal period makes a substantial difference to a woman's experience of care. The continuity of care model improves trust, advocacy, access, and consistency of care for high-risk mothers, reducing anxiety and stress.
As abortion restrictions take effect, acute care surgeons should prepare to treat complications such as infection, haemorrhage, and injury to the uterus, bowel, bladder, and circulatory system. Experts argue that providers have an ethical duty to protect patient privacy and not report complications to law enforcement.
A new study reveals that US pregnancies are shorter than those in England and the Netherlands, with average lengths declining by over half a week between 1990 and 2020. This finding suggests that reducing medical interventions during the birthing process could improve maternity care outcomes in the US.
A recent study from West Virginia University found that states permitting nurse practitioners to exercise full practice authority (FPA) tend to have a more diverse and racially aligned NP workforce. In FPA states, Black NPs serve 2.8% more Black Medicare beneficiaries than in non-FPA states.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that pregnant women who struggle with executive functions – planning and regulating their behavior – tend to consume more fat. Coaching these skills may be key to improving dietary outcomes.
A recent study found that pregnant Black women who felt upset by racism in the 12 months prior to delivery had significantly higher odds of depression. The study, which analyzed survey questions from 7,328 women, also highlighted the importance of respectful maternity care.
A new study by Brown and NYU researchers found that expanding Medicaid led to improved postpartum health for low-income birthing people. The study showed a 17% reduction in hospitalizations during the first 60 days postpartum, primarily due to decreased childbirth-related hospitalizations.
Researchers developed a framework to address women's reproductive needs holistically, combining family planning, contraception, and preconception care. The model suggests teaching children about reproductive health in school and using social media campaigns to raise awareness of reproductive preferences.
Researchers developed a blood test using circulating microparticle proteins to predict placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) cases as early as the second trimester. The study found five unique proteins that can distinguish PAS patients from control patients, enabling safe predication before delivery.
Researchers investigated the relationship between diet quality and gestational weight gain during pregnancy, ruling out poor diet quality as a major cause. The study found that a high intake of red meat may be associated with an increased risk of gestational weight gain.
A large cohort study in Tanzania found that antiviral treatment can reduce the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child by 99.5%. The study suggests that achieving the World Health Organization's goal of eliminating mother-to-child transmission is possible with modern antiviral drugs.
A new study found that 1 in 10 women without pre-existing hypertension may develop it up to a year after childbirth, highlighting the need for extended blood pressure monitoring. Mothers at highest risk include those over 35, current or former smokers, and C-section deliveries.
A new study found that postpartum visit attendance declined by 5.8% during the pandemic, with uninsured women, Black women, and women under 19 facing the largest decreases. The study highlights the need to address health policy and system challenges to reduce ongoing disparities in postpartum care.
A systematic review of national clinical practice guidelines in Europe found that fewer than half include HIV testing recommendations for patients with medical conditions indicating HIV infection. This omission hinders efforts to stop the spread of HIV through timely diagnosis, affecting the lives of people living with HIV.
A new national study found pregnant women in legalized US states are far more likely to use cannabis, with a 4.6 times higher rate compared to CBD-only states. The study emphasizes the need for prenatal and primary care providers to screen and counsel patients regarding cannabis use in pregnancy.
A study of over 45,000 births in Scotland found that women who had a planned vaginal birth after a previous C-section were more likely to undergo pelvic floor surgery compared to those who planned another C-section. The risk was particularly high for pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence.
A new study using human brain organoids reveals that prenatal alcohol exposure impairs brain cell development and functioning. The findings confirm the harm inflicted by alcohol on the developing fetus, with effects including faulty brain architecture and impaired electrical activity patterns.
Researchers identified key risk factors for intimate partner violence in pregnant women, including head injuries, multiple contusions, and certain injury patterns. The study highlights the importance of screening for IPV in pregnant trauma patients to prevent poor outcomes such as premature birth and low birth weight.
A study analyzing data from eight European countries found that younger and older mothers, as well as those born abroad or from minority ethnic backgrounds, are at particular risk. The maternal mortality rate is significantly higher in Slovakia and the UK compared to Norway and Denmark, with a fourfold difference.
A University of Massachusetts Amherst study found that over 37% of insured Massachusetts residents experienced an insurance transition during the perinatal period. Individuals with Medicaid and Medicaid managed care were more likely to have a transition than those covered by private insurance, suggesting disruptions in continuity of care.
A decades-long effort to lower the US stillbirth rate has stalled, with no progress made in reducing disparities between Black and White women. Despite advances in prenatal care and maternal health, excess stillbirths experienced by Black women have remained unchanged since the mid-2000s.
A study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers found that COVID-19 vaccination results in higher antibody concentrations compared to natural infection, providing robust protection for mothers during pregnancy. The study also suggests optimal vaccine timing can maximize the transfer of antibodies to babies.
A recent study found that exposure to fine particulate matter during pregnancy is associated with delays in children's gross motor, fine motor, and personal-social development. The study of 17,683 infants in Taiwan suggests that protection from air pollution should start during pregnancy.
A recent study found that immigrant pregnant people faced persistent inequities in obtaining timely prenatal care compared to native-born individuals, exacerbating longstanding health disadvantages. The study highlights the need for policymakers to address disparities in Medicaid coverage based on immigration status and education level.
A qualitative study reveals that low-income Black pregnant people face suboptimal prenatal care, emphasizing the importance of integrated services addressing social needs and preferences. Healthcare workers also report challenges in meeting patients' needs, underscoring the need for improved care delivery models.
The C-STICH clinical trial found that single-stranded suture threads may improve outcomes for mothers at risk of preterm birth by reducing the risk of infection. Researchers tested whether using single stranded sutures could decrease miscarriage or stillbirth rates due to an increased risk of infection.
A study in Medical Care found that rates of prenatal care among foreign-born Latinx pregnant people decreased below expected levels during the 2016 presidential campaign. The researchers suggest that harmful anti-immigrant rhetoric may have contributed to this decline, particularly among those who fear deportation.
A recent Indiana University study found that high levels of glyphosate in pregnant women were associated with lower birth weights and higher risk of neonatal intensive care unit admissions. The researchers observed a cohort of 187 pregnant women and detected glyphosate in 99% of their urine samples.
A 14% decrease in live births was observed in Europe nine months after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and first lockdowns. The decline may be linked to lockdowns rather than COVID-19 infection, with countries experiencing longer lockdowns having lower birth rates.
Researchers found that the COVID-19 vaccine can reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 placentitis, a condition that causes stillbirth and neonatal death. The vaccine not only protects pregnant women but may also be lifesaving for their unborn children.
The program cuts the average time it took for new patients to get their first treatment from 97 days to just 41 days, while also allowing more than 1,000 new patients to begin treatments. The system has made significant improvements in efficiency and patient satisfaction, with appointment no-shows dropping by 50%.
Women with severe preeclampsia treated with extended-release nifedipine during labor and delivery had lower rates of dangerously high blood pressure, reducing the need for IV treatment. This study contributes to optimal management of hypertension during pregnancy and delivery.
A cohort study found that endoscopists performing colonoscopies in FIT-based screening programs should aim for markedly higher ADRs compared to primary colonoscopy screening. The study suggests that high ADRs are associated with lower colorectal cancer incidence and mortality. Researchers recommend using ADR targets, including differen...
The NIH is launching a $8 million prize competition to develop technologies improving postpartum healthcare in areas with limited access to maternity care. Diagnostic devices and wearables are prioritized to detect conditions like heart-related conditions, infection, and bleeding during the first year after delivery.
A UConn study found that Connecticut's notification system for substance-ex exposed infants has connected over half of identified cases with community supports and services. The system, which uses de-identified data, has shown promise in reducing disparities in testing and reporting, but there is still room for improvement.
A recent study of 17,000 participants found that COVID-19 boosters or third doses were generally well tolerated by pregnant and lactating women. The study suggests that these vaccines can be safely administered during pregnancy and breastfeeding, addressing concerns about vaccine uptake among this demographic.
Researchers studied over 500,000 children born between 1987 and 2010, finding no causal link between maternal infection and autism. However, they did find a weaker link for intellectual disability, suggesting other factors may be at play.
A new Northwestern University study finds that pregnant women with fluctuating stress levels have infants who exhibit more fear, sadness, and distress at three months old. The researchers measured mothers' stress in real-time and found a link between lability and infant temperament.
The study found that the number of babies born in Minnesota with CMV decreased from 1 in every 200 births to 1 in every 1,000 births between August 2020 and December 2021. This decline is attributed to strict hygienic precautions such as masking, hand-washing, and infection prevention behaviors.
A study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers found that dolutegravir-based regimens are more effective in treating HIV-1 during pregnancy than other commonly used ART regimens. The study showed high viral suppression rates for pregnant people taking dolutegravir, with no observed differences in adverse birth out...
A population-based retrospective cohort study found that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, small for gestational age at birth, or stillbirth. The study concluded that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy can inform evidence-based decision-making about its safety.
Researchers at Temple University hospital found that maternal-fetal mortality can be reduced to zero through patient-tailored management of right heart function prior to delivery. Women with pulmonary hypertension who received specialized care had excellent outcomes, with 100% survival for mothers and infants.
A review of available monkeypox clinical guidelines found most were of low quality, lacking sufficient detail and failing to cover different risk groups. The lack of clarity between guidelines creates uncertainty for clinicians treating patients with monkeypox.
A nationwide study found a significant increase in maternal death, cardiovascular disorders, and obstetric hemorrhage during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study analyzed data from over 1.6 million pregnant patients and attributed the poor outcomes to pandemic-related stress, disruptions in prenatal care, and limitations on routine check-ups.
A new study suggests that tocolytics can safely delay preterm births and reduce neonatal deaths worldwide. The analysis of 122 clinical trials found benefits for all preterm delay treatments, with some side effects noted.
A new study published in Cochrane Reviews found that tocolytics, or preterm delay treatments, are beneficial for women worldwide. The researchers reviewed 122 clinical trials and concluded that the benefits of these drugs outweigh any risks associated with side effects.
The NIH announced five cash prize winners and four honorable mentions in its Maternal Health Diagnostics Challenge. The winning technologies aim to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, with a focus on detecting and differentiating common pregnancy-related conditions.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that telehealth can improve clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction for pregnant mothers and their infants. The researchers analyzed 28 randomized controlled trials and 14 observational studies to assess the effect of telehealth-delivered care on maternal health outcomes.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has approved funding awards totaling $258 million to support 26 new research studies. These studies aim to fill evidence gaps and improve healthcare decision making for a range of high-burden conditions, including mental health, heart conditions, asthma, bone fractures, and sinus...
The American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued a position paper on the ethical use of genetic testing and precision medicine in internal medicine. The guidelines address key issues such as incidental findings, education for physicians and patients, and counseling needs. ACP emphasizes the need for ongoing surveillance and anticoag...
Researchers at OHSU developed an efficient and accurate assessment of placental health using standard MRI, detecting complications early in pregnancy. The method identifies T2* values that provide key information about oxygen availability and placental blood flow.
Children with complex congenital heart defects are 5 times more likely to receive an anxiety diagnosis, highlighting the need for mental health assessment and treatment. For adults, 50% experience mood or anxiety disorders, underscoring the importance of integrated mental health care in CHD specialty teams.