Research on mothers' health, family life, and parenting. Covers maternal wellbeing, vaccination questions, marriage and relationships, and breastfeeding.
A cognitive behavioural therapy-based programme delivered by primary health workers significantly reduced maternal depression in resource-poor settings. The study also found improvements in infant health, including lower diarrheal episodes and increased vaccine completion.
A study of Danish mothers found that higher fish consumption during pregnancy and longer breastfeeding were associated with better physical and cognitive development in infants. Children whose mothers ate the most fish had better motor and cognitive skills, while those who breastfed for longer durations also showed improved development.
A new study found that mothers who delivered vaginally are more responsive to their baby's cry due to increased brain activity in regions regulating emotions and motivation. This could lead to better understanding and early detection of postpartum depression and attachment problems.
A majority of US East coast hospitals distribute formula sample packs, contrary to major medical organization recommendations. The practice is changing significantly, with a rise in hospitals eliminating the packs and a decrease in distribution rates over the past few decades.
A recent study found that children born to older fathers are at higher risk of developing bipolar disorder. The study, which analyzed data from over 13,000 patients with bipolar disorder, suggests that advancing paternal age may be associated with an increased risk of complex neurodevelopmental disorders.
A recent study published in BMC Public Health found that Afghan children's poor health is linked to a lack of maternal education and autonomy. The research also highlights the negative impact of child marriages on children's health.
A new study by University of Tennessee professor Francisco Ubeda suggests that the amount of care a father gives to his child may cause a shift in the syndrome's symptoms, reversing them. The research implies that social structure and biparental care can shape disease symptoms over human evolution.
The study found that as a child receives more resources from their father, the expression of imprinted genes is triggered, reversing the symptoms of Prader-Willi Syndrome. This discovery may help understand how social structure influences disease development.
A Northwestern University study has discovered a new mechanism for cell fate determination in yeast cells, showing why mothers and daughters express genes differently. The researchers found that a protein regulator gets trapped in the daughter nucleus, turning on genes that make it distinct from the mother.
Researchers discovered a new mechanism for cell fate determination in yeast cells, showing how the daughter cell becomes dramatically different from its mother. The Ace2 gene regulator is trapped in the daughter nucleus, turning on genes that make it distinct.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that the HIV drug nevirapine persists in the breast milk and blood of infected mothers for at least two weeks, putting them and their babies at risk for developing drug-resistant strains. The study suggests that better combination antiretroviral treatment could prevent this risk.
A new study by Purdue University researchers found that mothers who use verbally aggressive language with their children tend to direct them less and more negatively. The study, which observed 40 mothers playing with their children aged 3-8, revealed that verbally aggressive mothers were less cooperative and undermined their child's se...
Sociologist Hiromi Ono's study reveals that children in step-families and other non-traditional families spend similar amounts of quality time with their parents as those in traditional families. However, married stepfathers are less involved with their stepchildren than biological fathers.
A study found that gay couples with children and strong religious beliefs are more likely to formalize their relationship through commitment ceremonies. The study, published in the Journal of Family Psychology, suggests that these couples may be motivated by parenting and religious commitments.
A study published in Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that affluent mothers living within 200 meters of highways are at a higher risk of delivering low-weight infants (81% increase) and preterm babies (58% increase). The research team evaluated data from Quebec's birth registry over five years.
A group of women will test new exercises and educational programs to manage their recovery after bed rest and birth. Researchers hope to discover if longer intervention is needed to help women regain lost strength and stamina.
Researchers found that rats exposed to novelty during infancy had better social competitiveness and reduced stress responses compared to those with no novel experiences. Consistency of maternal care was also linked to offspring's adaptability. These findings suggest early life experience plays a crucial role in shaping human development.
A study found that babies born to mothers living in the Seveso area after a 1976 chemical accident are six times more likely to have altered thyroid function. Maternal exposure to dioxins has been shown to damage the function of their babies' thyroid gland.
Researchers found insulin resistance in young girls with PCOS mother, suggesting high risk of disease; future studies aim to identify earliest sign of susceptibility. Excessive insulin may be primary culprit behind reproductive abnormalities.
A study by USC researchers found that daughters-in-law provide essential instrumental support to older women in rural China, reducing depressive symptoms. In contrast, household support from own children is damaging and increases depressive symptoms.
Researchers found that early cessation or continued breastfeeding by HIV-infected women in low-resource settings does not significantly affect child survival. Infants who were weaned abruptly had higher death rates than those whose mothers continued breast-feeding, while formula-fed infants missed out on protective antibodies.
A new study published in Child Development examines how family resources and parenting quality jointly impact children's cognitive development. The research found that families with greater economic resources and higher-quality parenting are associated with better cognitive performance in young children.
Verbally aggressive mothers tend to control their child's behavior during play activities, often using physical negative touch to enforce their will. Children of low-aggressive mothers exhibit less resistance and follow their mother's lead more easily.
A Danish study of over 1,200 children found that those born from frozen embryos had higher birth weights and longer pregnancies compared to those born after fresh embryo transfers. The study also showed no increased risk of congenital malformations in the frozen embryo group.
A study of 70 singleton babies born after preimplantation genetic diagnosis and screening found no adverse effects on early growth and risk of congenital malformations. The procedure did not impact singletons' growth or medical outcomes, according to lead researcher Professor Maryse Bonduelle.
Mothers and fathers of twin babies conceived through ART show higher rates of depression, anxiety, and social dysfunction compared to parents of singletons. Counselling and preparation before birth may play a role in mitigating these effects.
A study in rural Nepal found that birth attendants' hand-washing before delivery reduced neonatal deaths by 25%. Mothers' hand-washing also significantly lowered neonatal mortality risk. Improved hand hygiene practices could reduce newborn deaths in developing countries.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that mothers' brains respond uniquely to their own infants' faces, particularly when smiling. This finding could help scientists understand the neural basis of mother-infant attachment and how it sometimes goes wrong.
Research among 187 women from the general population found that younger women are more willing to become surrogate mothers. Women who value families and parenthood are also more likely to be willing to help others become parents. The study aims to overcome stigma by linking surrogacy to positive family values.
A study of 39 surrogacy families, 43 donor insemination families, and 46 egg donation families found that relationships within these families appear to be well-functioning, with similarities in psychological wellbeing and parent-child relationships compared to naturally conceived families. However, teachers reported slightly higher lev...
Scientists found that delaying childbirth has contributed to rising caesarean sections, with advancing maternal age associated with impaired uterine function. The study suggests that understanding the effects of age on childbirth is crucial in addressing increasing rates of intervention in pregnancy.
A study published in The Journal of Physiology found that rats whose mothers ate an unhealthy diet during pregnancy were more likely to develop obesity, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance. This effect was even more pronounced in female offspring, suggesting a long-term health impact.
A new study from the Monell Chemical Senses Center found that children of mothers who drink to escape tensions are more likely to dislike the smell of beer and other alcoholic beverages. Children's emotional responses to odors can provide insights into their emotional worlds.
A new study reveals that a mother's interaction with her baby during the first year of life can significantly predict challenging behavior in later childhood. The research found that infants who were more predictable and less fussy, as well as those who received greater intellectual stimulation from their mothers, were at lower risk of...
A study by Christine Percheski reveals that professional women's employment levels have made steep gains over time, especially for mothers of young children and women in historically male professions. The study shows a shrinking employment gap between mothers and childless women, with more women working full-time year-round.
Postpartum mothers of twins suffer from severe sleep deprivation, averaging only 5.4 hours of sleep per day. Over 70% report less than six hours of sleep, with fragmented and short sleep episodes. Depressive symptoms are common, affecting almost half of the mothers, but improve over time as they develop a routine and find ways to rest.
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 study found that bright light therapy improved mothers' nocturnal sleep time by 6.07 hours, decreased daytime sleepiness, and promoted overall well-being. The treatment group received 10,000 lux blue-green bright light therapy for four weeks, while the control group received a placebo dim red light therapy.
A study of 97 couples found that fathers are more involved in infant care when their wives provide active encouragement, regardless of their own beliefs or the quality of parenting. Encouragement from mothers can either foster or limit fatherly participation, with mothers acting as 'gatekeepers' to their involvement.
A nationwide study of 2,635 women found a significant link between pregnancy and tooth loss, with women having more children being more prone to missing teeth. The study suggests that biological and behavioral changes during pregnancy and childbirth may contribute to tooth loss.
A new analysis by the March of Dimes found that nearly all increases in singleton preterm births in the US are due to c-section deliveries. Late preterm babies account for most of this rise, with a greater risk of complications such as breathing problems and delayed brain development.
Researchers found that antidepressant use during the first trimester of pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of birth malformations. The study used data from the Quebec Pregnancy Registry and analyzed records of 2,329 new mothers diagnosed with psychiatric disorders.
Research finds higher serum levels of certain organochlorine compounds in mothers correlate with increased incidence of undescended testicles and hypospadias in sons. Maternal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals may contribute to urologic conditions, highlighting the importance of regular well-baby checkups.
Young children whose mothers are severely depressed are nearly three times more likely to suffer accidental injuries than other children in the same age group. Mothers with chronic depression may not properly safeguard their environments, leading to poor supervision and increased injury risks.
Researchers have developed a genetic trial that can identify the sex of a fetus from the eighth week of pregnancy, surpassing previous methods which required waiting until the fourth or fifth month. The method has an effectiveness rate above 98% and is based on analyzing DNA found in a pregnant woman's plasma.
Researchers found that black bears acquire behavior to conflict with humans through social learning and isolation, challenging the assumption that mother bears teach their cubs. The study indicates that 56% of mothers did not share behavioral habits with their offspring.
A randomized trial found that exclusively breastfed children scored an average of 7.5 points higher on verbal intelligence tests and 2.9 points higher on non-verbal intelligence tests compared to formula-fed children. Teachers also rated these children significantly higher academically in reading and writing.
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found that behavioral change strategies improved public hospital care in Latin America by reducing bleeding and saving lives. Interventions reduced episiotomies and increased oxytocin use, leading to significant improvements in childbirth safety.
A recent Australian study found that part-time and casual work among new mothers has a significantly negative impact on breastfeeding rates, almost as big as returning to full-time work. The lack of paid maternity leave and workplace support for breastfeeding are cited as major factors contributing to this finding.
A Norwegian study found that mothers born in India, Sri Lanka, and Africa have a higher prevalence of hyperemesis gravidarum due to genetic factors. Mothers aged 20-24 years old and those with multiple fetuses also showed increased risk.
Research shows that preterm babies can recover from pain faster when given kangaroo mother care, reducing facial expressions of pain and recovery time. This approach could also have benefits for mothers whose parental role diminishes while their baby is in intensive care.
A study of 740 pregnant women in the UK found a clear link between mother's diet and infant sex, with higher energy intake around conception associated with an increased likelihood of having a son. Women who consumed more calories, especially from breakfast cereals, were also more likely to have sons.
Children with allergic or asthma-prone mothers are at increased risk of wheezing and respiratory issues if they swim before 6 months old. Most infants who swam showed no increase in lower respiratory tract infections or ear inflammation.
Research shows maternal diet impacts offspring health, with low-protein diets leading to hypertensive pups and abnormal blood vessels. The study highlights the need to investigate a potential link between maternal nutrition and human health.
The Lancet Editor Dr Richard Horton calls for increased action on maternal and child mortality rates, citing strikingly inadequate progress towards the MDGs. He urges politicians, policy makers, donors, research funders, and civil society to take radical change to prevent unnecessary deaths.
Infants exposed to methamphetamines in utero suffer from irreversible brain damage and impaired recognition of novel objects, according to a new study. The research provides evidence for the cognitive damaging effects of these drugs on fetal development.
Researchers have identified two strains of mice that exhibit high rates of maternal neglect, which reflects disrupted reward-seeking behavior and abnormal dopamine signaling. The study provides a valuable opportunity to investigate the biological and behavioral bases of naturally occurring maternal neglect.
A study found that certain parenting behaviors, such as cosleeping and giving food to children after waking, can lead to sleep disturbances later in childhood. These behaviors were associated with bad dreams, short total sleep time, and delays in falling asleep.
The Hospital Clinic de Barcelona has been recognized for its expertise in detecting brain damage in fetuses, thanks to a multidisciplinary research group led by Dr. Eduard Gratacós. The award includes €1.2 million for further research on premature brain damage.
Research published in Lipids in Health and Disease found that pregnant and lactating rats fed a diet rich in hydrogenated fats had babies with increased fat content. The study also showed that the gene expression of adipokines was affected, leading to changes in insulin production.