Researchers discovered how biological information travels between mothers and babies during pregnancy. Microscopic extracellular vesicles, produced by placental cells, act as a protective mechanism transporting important biological information to emerging neurons.
The Global Centre for Asian Women’s Health found that a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, nuts, whole grains, and healthy fats can reduce the risk of gestational hypertension and preterm birth. The study also linked narrowing of retinal arterioles before conception to reduced fetal growth during pregnancy.
A meta-analysis of 57 studies found that prenatal cannabis exposure is associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery, low birth weight, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. However, it does not appear to increase the risk of birth defects or death within one year.
A clinical trial found that high levels of anti-Ro/SSA antibodies in pregnant women are associated with an increased risk of fetal atrioventricular block (AVB), a condition that can be fatal. Home-based fetal heart rate monitoring reliably detects conduction abnormalities, potentially reducing the need for serial echocardiograms.
A new study has found that tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, commonly used for inflammatory arthritis, are not associated with poor pregnancy outcomes. Women who continued treatment had lower risks of severe infections postpartum compared to those who stopped. The results provide reassuring data on the use of TNF blockers during pregna...
Researchers found that pregnant women with very low titers of anti-Ro antibodies are not at risk for fetal atrioventricular (AV) block, a serious disorder affecting the heart's electrical system. In contrast, high-titer antibody pregnancies can benefit from ambulatory fetal heart rhythm monitoring to detect AV block.
The Southwest-Midwest Pediatric Device Innovation Consortium has supported over 200 pediatric device innovators and companies, developing several devices in the past five years. The consortium's portfolio includes real-world evidence research projects using digital tools for collecting and analyzing patient data.
Research suggests that the gut microbiome plays a crucial role in forming a healthy placenta during pregnancy. Mice with depleted gut microbiomes had smaller placentas and less-developed blood vessels, which can deprive fetuses of nutrients. However, supplementing these mice with short-chain fatty acids restored placental growth.
The NIH's RADx Tech Fetal Monitoring Challenge aims to accelerate development of diagnostic and monitoring technologies that improve fetal health outcomes, particularly in low-resource settings. Successful technologies will directly measure fetal health status and have strong potential for accessible use.
A historical analysis of Bern Maternity Hospital data showed a notable surge in low birth weight and stillbirth rates coinciding with the 1918 'Spanish flu' pandemic. Researchers found that mothers exposed to the pandemic had a higher risk of stillbirth, highlighting the potential impact of pandemics on infant health.
A new study out of the University of Alberta found that high-intensity interval training poses little risk to expecting mothers and their babies. The research suggests that engaging in physical activity during pregnancy can reduce the risk of major complications by 40%.
Fetuses use a copy of a gene inherited from their dad to force their mum to release as much nutrients possible during pregnancy. This 'remote-control' system is operated by genes that can be switched on or off depending on whether they are a 'dad's' or 'mum's' gene.
Researchers at CU Anschutz Medical Campus have found that vaping nicotine during pregnancy can be detrimental to the baby, disrupting bone and lung development. The study suggests that nicotine in e-cigarettes is just as harmful as that in traditional cigarettes.
Scientists have discovered a new embryonic cell type that self-destructs in response to DNA damage, serving as a quality control mechanism to protect the developing fetus. This process may help improve IVF and regenerative medicine treatments by identifying and removing damaged cells.
Researchers at the University of Montana discovered genetic differences that protect fetal growth in highland mice, similar to humans with Tibetan or Andean ancestry. These findings may lead to new treatments for pregnancy disorders in humans.
A new study from Boston Medical Center found that implementing a streamlined process for urgent cesarean deliveries improved infant Apgar scores, particularly for Black and Hispanic infants. The study reduced decision-to-incision time by 64% among all patients, with the largest improvements seen in Black and Hispanic patients.
A new study from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research reveals the placenta's polyploid cells play a vital role in supporting healthy embryonic development. The modified cell cycle controlling polyploidy is governed by the regulatory gene Myc, which supports DNA replication and prevents premature cellular aging.
Research found that occasional cannabis use during early pregnancy can significantly reduce birth weight, even if continued use is not observed. Continued exposure results in largest deficiencies, with newborns exposed to marijuana throughout gestation being nearly 200g lighter and having smaller head circumferences.
High levels of cortisol during the third trimester of pregnancy have been linked to improved speech and language skills in young children. Research found that boys exposed to high cortisol had better word-saying abilities, while girls showed enhanced understanding skills.
Researchers successfully performed the first in-utero surgery to repair a potentially deadly developmental condition called vein of Galen malformation. The procedure involved treating an aggressive vascular malformation before birth, resulting in improved cardiac output and no signs of negative effects on the brain after birth.
A team of clinicians successfully treated an aggressive vascular malformation in an infant's brain before birth, preventing potentially fatal symptoms and brain damage. The procedure marked a paradigm shift in managing vein of Galen malformation, reducing the risk of long-term disability or death.
A team of researchers from UNIGE and Beihang University has identified the FOXI3 gene as responsible for one form of Goldenhar syndrome, a rare congenital disorder. Pathogenic variants in both copies of the FOXI3 gene are necessary for the disease to develop, following an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern.
Researchers investigated the cardiovascular effects of glucocorticoids on chicken embryos, finding that Betamethasone (Beta) caused more severe growth restriction, cellular stress, and cardiac dysfunction compared to Dexamethasone (Dex). Dex triggered oxidative stress, while Beta sustained glucocorticoid receptor activation
A Brazilian study found that prenatal exposure to cannabinoids increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, breathing difficulties, and impaired control of breathing. The study suggests that consumption of cannabis or derivatives during pregnancy can have severe effects on the fetus's neural and physiological functions.
Researchers found that maternal overweight compromises the placenta's antiviral response, weakening its ability to protect the fetus. The study suggests that adequate antenatal care is crucial in preventing complications from Zika infection.
A novel technique of three-dimensional (3D) slice-to-volume (SVR) MRI allows for precise delineation and measurement of the fetal optic pathway (FOP). The study found that FOP was visualized in 9 cases in unprocessed fetal MRIs, compared to 55 cases in 3D SVR images.
Research at Texas A&M University reveals that a father's alcohol consumption before conception can lead to FAS-related craniofacial differences in offspring. The study challenges the existing dogma that only maternal alcohol exposure causes fetal growth defects.
Researchers at Nagoya University found an alternative route for microglia colonization in the embryonic brain, suggesting a novel approach to combat diseases like fetal brain dysfunction. Macrophages can convert into microglia later in development, providing new insights into microglial plasticity and behavior.
A UC Riverside-led study finds nearly half of domestic well water users in the Central Valley live in disadvantaged communities with high manganese contamination rates. The highest concentrations are found in private, untreated well water systems, posing health risks to fetuses and children.
A study of over 65,000 Japanese infants found that those exposed to indoor pets during fetal development or early infancy had fewer food allergies. Children exposed to indoor dogs and cats were significantly less likely to experience specific allergies, while hamster exposure unexpectedly increased the incidence of nut allergies.
Researchers have found that embryos in pregnancies ending in miscarriage take four days longer to develop in the womb than those in live births. This delay is associated with a higher likelihood of miscarriage and may be used to estimate pregnancy outcomes.
A randomized controlled trial found that virtual reality lessons significantly improved medical students' knowledge of fetal development, with retention at one-week follow-up. Students showed high satisfaction with the VR tool compared to traditional tutorials.
SourceWiley·JournalInternational Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics·DateMar 8, 2023
A study published in The FASEB Journal suggests that feeding pregnant mothers a combination of four nutrients before and during pregnancy can reduce the incidence and severity of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. These nutrients include folic acid, choline, betaine, and vitamin B12.
A study published in Cell Reports found that a specific molecular cell program during foetal development can protect against acute myeloid leukaemia. The researchers used an experimental mouse model and discovered that the programme collides with the mechanism driving AML, explaining why leukaemia is rare in newborns.
A recent study published in Human Reproduction found a significant association between prenatal alcohol exposure and changes in children's facial features. The research used AI to analyze three-dimensional images of children's faces at ages nine and thirteen, revealing that mothers' alcohol consumption before and during pregnancy can h...
Research from Texas A&M University reveals that male alcohol use has a significant negative influence on in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates. The study highlights the importance of expanding fertility and prepregnancy messaging to emphasize the reproductive dangers of alcohol use by both parents.
A team of leading experts in reproductive biology, microbiome science, and immunology found that the concept of a foetal microbiome is inaccurate. The detection of microbiomes in foetal tissues was attributed to contamination during vaginal delivery, clinical procedures, or laboratory analysis.
Pregnant women infected with Covid-19 may experience varying degrees of damage to their placentas, potentially harming fetal development and health. The study found that pre-Omicron variants caused more severe lesions than Omicron subvariants.
Researchers found that early prenatal alcohol exposure changes gene function and epigenome in placenta and human embryonic stem cells. These changes are associated with altered DNA methylation patterns, particularly in genes linked to nervous system development, such as DPPA4 and FOXP2.
A new study published in Evolutionary Psychology examines the relationship between parental income and the sexual behavior of their adult children. The research found that children from low-income families had higher frequencies of same-sex attraction, while those from high-income families had lower frequencies.
A review of over 100 scientific articles suggests that the safety of antidepressants during pregnancy is endorsed by science, but their effects on fetal neurodevelopment are poorly understood. Brazilian researchers propose using lab-grown mini-brains to investigate this impact and identify potential alterations.
A recent study found that pregnant subsistence farmers in The Gambia experience physiological strain due to heat stress exposure, leading to raised foetal heart rates and slower blood flow. The research highlights the need for effective interventions to protect these women and reduce adverse birth outcomes.
A new MRI study reveals that even low to moderate amounts of alcohol consumption during pregnancy can change the baby's brain structure, leading to delayed brain development. Brain changes were seen in fetuses exposed to alcohol even at low levels, with significant effects on social cognition and language perception.
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.
A recent meta-analysis published in Human Reproduction Update reveals a significant worldwide decline in sperm counts of over 50% in the past 46 years. The study also shows an accelerated post-2000 decline in sperm counts globally.
A fetus with infantile-onset Pompe disease has been successfully treated in utero using enzyme replacement therapy, resulting in normal cardiac and motor function. The child is now thriving as a toddler, meeting developmental milestones after receiving postnatal enzyme therapy at a pediatric hospital.
Recent research suggests that racial prejudice within communities predicts the militarization of local police departments. In contrast, communicating scientific consensus appears to be an effective way to change factual beliefs about contested science topics. Additionally, studies have found that happy people tend to overestimate their...
Research reveals that pregnant smokers decrease their daily cigarette count by an average of one cigarette per day before realizing they are pregnant. This trend continues in the month following pregnancy recognition, with a decline from nine to five cigarettes per day on average.
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.
COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy was found to lower the risk of severe outcomes including preterm birth and postpartum hemorrhage. Vaccination during pregnancy is now recommended to protect against COVID-19 infection.
A prospective multicenter case-control study found that third-trimester fetuses exposed to opioids in utero exhibited smaller brain biometric measurements and altered fetal physiology. The study suggests a possible link between prenatal opioid exposure and postnatal clinical outcomes.
Scientists recorded facial expressions of 100 unborn babies to see how they reacted to carrot and kale flavours. Fetuses exposed to carrot showed more laughter-like responses, while those exposed to kale showed more crying-like responses. This study could help understand the development of human taste and smell receptors.
A study published in Psychological Science found that babies react to flavors from foods eaten by their mothers while still in the womb. The researchers used 4D ultrasound scans to observe fetal facial reactions to carrot and kale flavors.
Research at Kumamoto University reveals that fetal liver blood cells are stem cell-independent, contrary to the long-held view that HSCs are essential for their production. The study provides new insights into the origin of HSCs and suggests a reconsideration of their role in embryo formation.
A small study suggests that maternal psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic may be associated with changes in the brain of developing fetuses. The study found decreased brain structure and volumetric measures in fetuses from the pandemic cohort compared to the pre-pandemic cohort.
Researchers discovered that genes in the fetal suprachiasmatic nuclei respond to rhythmic behavior in the mother before the biological clock starts ticking on its own. This finding may have implications for premature babies and highlights the importance of a healthy maternal circadian system during pregnancy.
A study led by Kobe University researchers found that idiopathic autism is caused by epigenetic abnormalities in hematopoietic cells, leading to immune dysregulation and brain-gut axis disorders. The study used BTBR mice as a model and identified histone deacetylase HDAC1 as a common mechanism underlying these pathologies.
Rutgers scientists found that inhaled nanoparticles can migrate from the lungs to the placenta and possibly fetal tissues after maternal exposure throughout pregnancy. This discovery raises concerns about the potential health effects of nanoparticle exposure on human fetuses.
Researchers found that human embryos express a vast variety of alternative mRNAs when they are just 8 cells old, leading to a temporary collapse of splicing regulation at the zygotic genome activation stage. This phenomenon is developmentally programmed and occurs because it is necessary for functional reasons, ultimately affecting DNA...
A recent study evaluated the association between COVID-19 vaccination during early pregnancy and major fetal structural anomalies identified on ultrasonography. The results suggest that pregnant women who receive COVID-19 vaccines may be at a slightly higher risk of having a child with congenital fetal anomalies.