Articles tagged with Fetuses
A new paper reveals the off-label use of dexamethasone to engineer fetal sex in pregnant women at risk for congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The synthetic steroid is known to cause significant developmental changes, raising questions about the ethics of prenatal experimentation.
Fetuses under the 10th percentile of weight account for 19% of stillbirths, with those below the 1st percentile facing a 9.5 times higher risk. Severe underweight and overweight states confer the highest risk of stillbirth.
The incidence of twin births in the US has increased significantly over the past three decades, with one in every 30 babies born being a twin in 2009. Fertility treatments are a key factor in this increase, accounting for two-thirds of the rise.
Female feticide in Canada is a small but significant issue, with some ethnic groups and immigrants choosing to abort female fetuses due to preference for sons. Prohibiting fetal sex disclosure until after 30 weeks of pregnancy can help curb this practice, according to Dr. Rajendra Kale.
A recent study found that maternal fructose consumption during pregnancy results in sex-specific changes in fetal and neonatal endocrinology, with female fetuses showing higher leptin and blood glucose levels. Male offspring also exhibit increased plasma fructose levels and hypoinisulinemia.
A study by Christine Aurich's group found that altrenogest treatment reduces the risk of miscarriage in older, pregnant mares. The treatment has no effect on hormone levels but enables foetuses to recover and grow at a normal rate during critical periods of development.
Researchers from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia report that two-thirds of fetuses with HLHS have a strong chance of survival after reconstructive surgery. The study, which analyzed 240 cases over five years, found that standard-risk fetuses had a higher survival rate compared to high-risk cases.
An observational study found that prenatal treatment of congenital toxoplasmosis with antibiotics significantly reduced the proportion of infected fetuses developing serious neurological sequelae. The study estimated that treating three fetuses could prevent one case of brain damage, suggesting a potential preventive strategy.
High-field post-mortem MRI is a reliable option for examining human fetuses after death, providing good images and better image quality than conventional MRI. Traditional autopsy did not provide superior diagnostic accuracy compared to high-field MRI in some cases.
Researchers found fetal short-term memory at 30 weeks through habituation tests, where fetuses adapt to stimuli. The study also showed that 34- and 36-week-old fetuses can store information and retrieve it weeks later, providing insights into normal fetal development.
Researchers found that maternal exercise was associated with increased fetal breathing movements and improved fetal heart rate variability. Fetal breathing movements are a marker of fetal well-being and reflect functional development of the respiratory system and central nervous system control.
New research suggests that Tutankhamen fathered twins, based on analysis of the mummified remains found in his tomb. The study, led by Professor Robert Connolly, confirms that the two foetuses are likely to be twins and were born to the teenage Pharaoh.
A recent study found that maternal exercise during pregnancy has a positive impact on fetal cardiac programming, reducing fetal heart rate variability. The research also revealed lower heart rates among fetuses exposed to maternal exercise compared to non-exercising mothers.
A new study found that fetal heart rate patterns before birth can predict children's mental, motor, and language abilities through toddler years. Greater variation in fetal heart rate was associated with better performance on standardized developmental exams and more proficient language skills.
Research suggests that congenital diaphragmatic hernia does not disrupt pulmonary surfactant maturation in human fetuses, contrary to previous findings. The study provides new insights into the development of this complex condition.
A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives reports a significant decline in the number of male births in the US and Japan over the past three decades. The researchers found that the decline is equivalent to 135,000 fewer white males in the US and 127,000 fewer males in Japan, with environmental factors such as prenatal expo...
Researchers at UTSA and UH found no increased risk of genetic mutations in mouse fetuses produced by assisted reproductive technologies. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used special mice with genetically manipulated DNA to detect point mutations.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that delaying preterm birth by a few days can significantly reduce the risk of disability in premature babies. The research suggests that obstetricians may be delivering too early and that delaying delivery until it is medically necessary could help minimize brain damage.
A recent study published in Psychological Science reveals that fetuses can recognize their mother's voice before birth and prefer it after delivery. The research found that fetuses responded differently to their own mother's voice versus a stranger's, suggesting they were learning about language in the womb.
Researchers at UCSF suggest a new cutoff point for assessing risk based on weight for gestational age, increasing the prediction of adverse neonatal outcomes. The study found that fetuses in the lowest 5th percentile are at dramatically increased risk for low birth weight and preterm birth.
Research from the University of Michigan found that even with prenatal diagnosis, infants with one or more risk factors have a significantly lower chance of survival. However, in utero diagnosis has led to more pregnant women receiving specialty care, resulting in a higher-risk group of patients.
A new device called SARA has been developed to detect fetal brain activity using magnetoencephalography (MEG) and light stimulation. The study found that 4 of 10 fetuses had measurable brain responses to light pulses, with the response time decreasing with increasing gestational age.
Researchers have developed a new technique to record visual evoked brain activity in human fetuses, using magnetoencephalography (MEG). Four out of ten fetuses showed brain responses to visual stimuli, paving the way for further studies on neurological development.
Researchers found that maternal serum HCG levels are nearly a fifth higher when carrying a girl than a boy less than three weeks into pregnancy. The study also revealed that these early differences are due to the placenta expressing proteins differently in female pregnancies.
A new ultrasound technique using fetal nasal bone examination at 11-14 weeks pregnancy improved the accuracy of Down's syndrome screening by increasing sensitivity to 85% and reducing false positives. The study found that fetuses without a nasal bone were 150 times more likely to have trisomy 21 compared to normal fetuses.
Researchers found motor vehicle crashes cause 82% of traumatic fetal deaths, with young mothers aged 15-19 at highest risk. The study suggests incorporating fetal deaths into data systems and conducting prevention research to reduce crash risks.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center are performing the first amniotic exchange procedure in the US to treat gastroschisis. The procedure involves removing caustic amniotic fluid and replacing it with sterile saline solution to improve fetal outcomes.
Researchers at UIC College of Medicine are developing a powerful new prenatal diagnostic technique to detect genetic abnormalities in fetal blood cells. The technique, using fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH), will identify defects in individual genes and could potentially be used by all women who wish to undergo screening.
A Yale study shows irregular fetal heartbeats are a sign of serious problems in only one to two percent of affected fetuses, not warranting immediate treatment. The review of 5,566 fetal echocardiograms confirms that most fetuses with irregular heartbeats do not need medication.
Researchers develop a mouse model for intrauterine growth retardation and find that administering indomethacin during pregnancy can rescue underweight fetuses. The study provides promising insights into the underlying biochemistry of IUGR and identifies a potential therapeutic approach.
Researchers at Yale University have developed a non-invasive procedure using Doppler ultrasound to detect fetal anemia, which can save up to $50 million annually. The new method is more accurate than traditional invasive tests and does not pose any risk to the mother or fetus.
Research at UCSF found that MRI can provide more information on fetal abnormalities than ultrasound, leading to changes in treatment plans and improved outcomes. In two cases, MRI-based diagnosis led to treatments that saved the children's lives.
Researchers discovered that high levels of alcohol during late fetal development kill Purkinje cells, which act to filter and synthesize information. Alcohol deprives these cells of Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF), necessary for their survival.
A study suggests that maternal stress and stress hormones may influence fetal brain development. Research found associations between maternal factors, such as medical and psychological stress, and fetal brain function.
Researchers reviewing thousands of ultrasound scans found that many cases of premature delivery and poor fetal growth are likely determined by the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This suggests waiting until after conception to prepare for motherhood may be too late, highlighting a potential benefit from earlier intervention.
Gene therapy aims to treat unborn children with genetic disorders like SCID and alpha-thalassaemia. The treatment involves introducing healthy copies of the defective gene into the fetus, but raises concerns about potential risks and long-term consequences.
A new Fetal Echocardiography website aims to improve detection of congenital heart disease using an expert system that guides physicians and technicians in interpreting fetal sonograms. The beta version of the program has been accessed over 7,000 times since its online launch in August 1996.