Research on mothers' health, family life, and parenting. Covers maternal wellbeing, vaccination questions, marriage and relationships, and breastfeeding.
A study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that cooperative family interactions and differing parental feeding patterns are crucial to a family's success. Small to medium-sized broods did best when mothers provided most food, while larger broods thrived with fathers as main feeders.
A study found that mothers and newborns admitted to ICU together have a higher risk of death compared to those not needing ICU admission. This can lead to maternal-infant separation, negatively impacting bonding., The study suggests coordination of care plans and transfer to the same hospital may help lessen this burden.
Research by Dr. Joel Ray found that infants are 28 times more likely to die if both they and their mother are admitted to ICUs around delivery time. Maternal death rate is 330 times higher in co-ICU situations compared to non-co-ICU scenarios. Researchers attribute increased mortality risk to diseases of the placenta.
Pediatric residents who participated in simulated clinical exams showed a significant increase in confidence and comfort when addressing breastfeeding issues. The OSCE interventions also improved their ability to take a thorough history, assess the baby's condition, and provide professional guidance. By training future pediatricians in...
A new study co-conducted by RIT researcher reveals a significant link between the death of a child and increased mother mortality, with mortality rates rising 133% within two years of a child's passing. The study analyzed over 69,000 mothers and provides insights for public health policy and early intervention strategies.
Babies born to HIV-positive mothers are at risk of measles infection due to impaired maternal antibodies. Early immunization is crucial to prevent measles virus transmission and complications.
A Loyola Medicine study reveals that breech births significantly increase the risk of complications for mothers and babies when the amniotic sac ruptures early. The study found that breech pregnancies were more likely to result in low amniotic fluid, premature birth, and serious neonatal outcomes.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that maternal stroking can reverse the negative effects of prenatal stress, increasing gene activity related to stress response. The researchers followed first-time mothers and their children for seven months, discovering a link between maternal touch and infant emotions.
New study reveals differences in how cocaine affects mother rats' brains compared to non-mother rats, with implications for human addiction treatment
A new study in rats shows that chronic stress during pregnancy prevents the formation of brain connections associated with learning, memory, and mood. The stressed rats' brains did not exhibit the same level of neural growth as unstressed mother rats, which had increased dendritic spines after giving birth.
A new study reveals that childfree women perceive more social pressure to become mothers than others, yet feel less distress. The research highlights the varying reasons behind childlessness and their effects on women's lives, challenging societal assumptions about motherhood.
A study found that low-level prenatal mercury exposure increases the risk of ADHD-related behaviors in children, while moderate fish consumption during pregnancy reduces this risk. Researchers recommend pregnant women consider both benefits and risks of eating fish while pregnant.
Researchers show that newborn mice learn to suckle their mother's milk through a learned response built on learning her unique combination of smells. The study, published in Current Biology, finds that a pheromone is not involved in initiating suckling in mice.
Researchers found that baboon females with 'nice' personalities formed strong social bonds, which led to better health and reproductive outcomes. In contrast, those with 'aloof' or 'loner' traits had weaker social connections and lower fitness levels.
A study by Moffitt Cancer Center researchers found that a series of ten self-help booklets helped nearly 70% of pregnant women remain smoke-free after giving birth. The booklets provided detailed information on quitting cigarettes during and after pregnancy, with varying effects based on household income and age.
Women born preterm are at higher risk of pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes and hypertension. The risk almost doubles for mothers born before 32 weeks' gestation, according to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Researchers found that premature infants who received Kangaroo Mother Care had better brain functioning in adolescence, comparable to those born at term. The technique, which provides skin-to-skin contact with the parent's chest, promotes immediate and future brain development.
A new study found that fetuses exposed to heavy maternal drinking required more trials to habituate and exhibited greater variability in test performance. This suggests that maternal drinking during pregnancy can damage the earliest fetal learning abilities, leading to impaired habituation and stability of performance.
A new study by experts at CRAMC University reveals that newborns exposed to nicotine from active and passive smoking mothers show poor physiological, sensory, motor, and attention responses. The researchers analyzed the behavior of 282 healthy newborns using the Neonatal Behavioural Evaluation Scale.
A study by the University of Exeter and York found that male killer whales over 30 are almost 14 times more likely to die within a year after their mother's death. This prolonged menopause allows females to invest in their sons' survival, giving them a significant advantage in passing on their genes.
The Saving Brains initiative aims to improve conditions for children's development, with funding focused on malnutrition, maternal depression, premature birth, and malaria. Innovations include Kangaroo Mother Care, Vitamin A supplementation, and early treatment of malaria to prevent brain injury.
A study of over 5,000 mothers from immigrant Latino, Asian, and White backgrounds reveals varying levels of mental health, household conflicts, and reading with young children. Immigrant families often display important strengths in parenting that may buffer the negative effects of poverty.
Researchers have identified a new molecular pathway leading to preeclampsia in humans, characterized by elevated blood pressure and protein in the urine. The imbalance of PlGF and sFlt-1 proteins disrupts placental blood supply, affecting the mother and unborn baby.
Research finds that a mother's education and years of survival are more influential on her child's adult health than maternal age. Children born to older mothers have a higher incidence of health conditions if they lose their mother at an early age, but this effect is statistically insignificant when adjusted for these factors.
A new Johns Hopkins study found that early diet after birth plays a significant role in determining lifetime obesity risk, rather than prenatal nutrition. Rats exposed to high-fat diets post-birth were more likely to become obese and develop metabolic disorders.
A new study by Cornell University finds that employed mothers spend three-and-half fewer hours per day on children's diet and exercise compared to stay-at-home mothers. Meanwhile, working fathers devote just 13 minutes daily to such activities.
Maternal presence is crucial for juvenile moose survival, with orphaned calves facing up to 47 times more aggression. The study's findings suggest policy changes are needed to protect young moose, highlighting the importance of conservation planning and non-invasive data collection methods.
Research suggests that the menopause evolved to reduce competition between related women, enabling cooperation in childcare. Women who stopped reproducing around age 50 had more grandchildren due to reduced rivalry with their daughter-in-laws.
A new study from Case Western Reserve University's School of Dental Medicine found that a mother's emotional health and education level during her child's earliest years influence their oral health at age 14. The study analyzed the teeth of 224 adolescent participants and discovered that mothers with higher education levels, healthy em...
Women who work full-time after having children are healthier at age 40 than those who stay at home or have intermittent employment. Working provides a sense of purpose and autonomy, leading to better mental and physical health. Conversely, persistent unemployment is linked to greater stress and poor health outcomes.
A study from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that miscommunication is common between mothers and clinicians caring for critically ill newborns. Mothers often perceive their child's condition differently than clinicians, leading to misunderstandings about the severity of the illness.
A Kansas State University expert's study reveals that relationship dynamics with ex-partners significantly impact co-parenting relationships. Mothers with contentious relationships often struggle with parenting styles, financial concerns, and control issues, while those with amicable relationships prioritize communication and shared re...
Babies born to obese mothers are at higher risk of complications and death, including admission to neonatal care, macrosomia, low Apgar score, and mortality. The study highlights the urgent need for research into the causes of death and strategies for educating women on maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy.
A recent study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that babies born to overweight or obese mothers gained less weight and grew less in length than those born to normal-weight mothers. This delayed growth may be attributed to inflammation and an underdeveloped pituitary gland, which plays a crucial role in fetal development.
Research found that 69% of overweight Chinese children underestimated their own weight, while 72% of mothers rated their children as normal or underweight. This highlights the importance of accurate perceptions of weight in preventing childhood obesity.
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.
Research by Monash University scientists found that genetic variation in mitochondrial DNA can predict male life expectancy, but not female. The study suggests that these mutations, which affect males' aging speed and lifespan, are passed down from mothers due to the unique inheritance pattern of mitochondria.
A recent study by Ellen Langer found that first-time mothers who practice mindfulness during pregnancy report better well-being, positive feelings, and lower emotional distress. The research suggests that mindfulness can have a positive impact on health and happiness beyond just the mother's own well-being.
A recent study published in Journal of Physical Activity and Health found that parents can positively impact their children's physical activity by increasing their own activity levels. When mothers reached or exceeded a daily step goal, their children took significantly more steps on average.
Researchers found high levels of exposure to three antiretroviral medications in the hair samples of HIV uninfected infants at twelve weeks of life. The findings indicate a moderate transfer of efavirenz both in the womb and during breastfeeding, while lopinavir and ritonavir were transferred exclusively in the womb.
A Rutgers University study suggests that poor mothers are more likely to be classified with generalized anxiety disorder due to poverty rather than mental illness. The research found no evidence of a link between anxiety and parenting stress in these mothers.
Two new studies by Cornell University's Brian Wansink found that vegetables make meals more appealing and parental effort perceived as caring. The studies also identified favorite vegetables among children, revealing a surprising preference for broccoli and corn.
Research from Tufts University found that being born to an obese mother with elevated hepcidin levels is associated with lower iron status at birth. Overproduction of hepcidin interferes with the transfer of iron from mother to infant, potentially leading to health problems.
A recent study found that women who believe in intensive parenting are more likely to experience stress, depression, and lower life satisfaction. Mothers who endorsed these attitudes had moderate levels of stress and depression, with approximately 23% showing symptoms of depression.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have successfully sequenced a fetus's genome using only a maternal blood sample. The new approach, published in Nature, has significant implications for prenatal diagnosis and could bring genetic testing one step closer to routine clinical use.
Research shows that Norwegian mothers who received a childcare benefit to stay at home with small children often don't return to full-time work until their child is six. However, educated mothers can safeguard their careers by working part-time, maintaining job expertise and networks.
A classic study on male and female promiscuity has been called into question after UCLA biologists repeated the experiment using the same methods as the original. The team found that Bateman's conclusions about the relationship between mate number and offspring fitness were likely flawed due to a bias in his methodology.
A study by Temple University found that parents' work-life stress hinders healthy eating in families, particularly among urban fathers who face higher rates of unemployment. Fathers and mothers experience different challenges in preparing meals, with mothers spending more time on food preparation but reporting fewer family meals.
The University of Louisville Hospital has implemented new guidelines to guide perinatal nurses in caring for women at risk of postpartum depression (PPD). The guidelines, developed by a team led by M. Cynthia Logsdon, aim to improve PPD assessment, education, and referral policies.
A Michigan State University study found that poor mothers produce fattier milk for their daughters than sons, supporting a 1973 hypothesis. In contrast, wealthy mothers prefer to invest resources in sons who are more likely to increase their status through marriage.
A comprehensive study of 1,628 Danish children found no adverse effects of moderate alcohol consumption on their IQ, attention span, or executive functions. The research provides important new information for pregnant women and health professionals, suggesting that small amounts of alcohol are unlikely to harm the unborn child.
A study by Scottish researchers found that women who experience an initial ectopic pregnancy are less likely to conceive in the future and at increased risk of having another ectopic pregnancy. However, their obstetric outcomes following the ectopic pregnancy were no worse than those in first-time mothers.
A new UCLA-led study shows that a two- or three-drug combination given to infants within 48 hours of birth can reduce the risk of mother-to-child HIV transmission by about half compared to AZT alone. The study found that this combination significantly reduced HIV transmission, while also being less toxic to the infants.
Researchers at Kansas State University found that single mothers who spend quality time with their children experience lower levels of parental stress. Engaging in daily activities such as reading, playing games, or putting the child to bed can help alleviate stress and provide a sense of fulfillment.
Research found that blogging positively impacts new mothers' well-being by increasing feelings of social support, marital satisfaction, and reducing parenting stress. Blogging provides an outlet for stay-at-home moms to connect with family and friends, showcasing their hobbies and accomplishments.
A study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that mother goats can recognize their kids' voices even after they've been separated by weaning. The researchers recorded kid calls at five weeks old and played them back to mothers 12-18 months later, revealing that the memory remains.
A new study by UC Davis researchers suggests that folic acid consumption during the first month of pregnancy may reduce the risk of autism in offspring. Women who take prenatal vitamins or supplements containing folic acid are found to have a lower risk of having a child with autism.
A new report by Save the Children reveals that global health funding often ignores newborn care, with only 0.1% of official development assistance targeting newborns. The report finds that more than 40% of child deaths now occur in the newborn period, and African families have the highest risk of newborn deaths.
Research reveals that fatherly love is critical to a person's development, with rejection having a significant impact on anxiety, insecurity, and relationships. The study suggests that the influence of one parent's rejection can be greater than the other's, highlighting the importance of fathers in child care.
A new study by Miriam Liss and Mindy Erchull found that feminist mothers support time-intensive, hands-on parenting practices associated with attachment parenting. The researchers surveyed 431 American women and found that feminists were more likely to endorse attachment parenting than non-feminists.