Prenatal News and Research

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Thriving early environments boost brain and cognitive development in children

Researchers have found that environmental supports in the first year of life, termed the thrive factor (T-factor), play a crucial role in brain, cognitive, and socioemotional development in children by age 3, underscoring the importance of quality environments for early childhood development.

19 Mar 2024

Early sips to adult slips: How sweet drinks in childhood fatten future

Early life sweet drink consumption is significantly linked to greater adiposity and less healthy dietary patterns in adulthood, highlighting the need for targeted dietary interventions for young children.

18 Mar 2024

Punitive prenatal drug laws lead to negative health outcomes

Contrary to some claims, laws that criminalize or otherwise punish drug use during pregnancy are more likely to worsen rather than improve health outcomes, according to a paper by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

18 Mar 2024

Antipsychotic use during pregnancy not linked to childhood neurodevelopmental disorders or learning difficulties

The use of antipsychotics during pregnancy isn't linked to childhood neurodevelopmental disorders or learning difficulties, UNSW Sydney-led study shows – giving assurance to those concerned about continuing their medications during pregnancy.

18 Mar 2024

Acetaminophen use in pregnancy linked to children's language delays

Increased use of acetaminophen during pregnancy is associated with potential language development issues in children, emphasizing the need for caution and further research into its prenatal effects.

12 Mar 2024

Infant feeding practices, health and quality of life outcomes during the 2022 infant formula shortage

A recent study published in Nutrients examined infant formula use, difficulties, support resources, and potentially beneficial measures for the future in a sample of US parents.

12 Mar 2024

Pregnant women's fish and omega-3 supplement intake falls short, study finds

Study reveals that despite the benefits, only a quarter of pregnant women regularly consume fish, and just 16% take omega-3 supplements, with usage influenced by demographic and health factors.

6 Mar 2024

From China to Uzbekistan - United for Women’s Wellness on IWD

On the occasion of International Women's Day (IWD), BGI Genomics interview Wang Leilei, a trailblazing blind model, and Viktoriya Tsay, an Uzbek advocate of women’s health. Their stories stich a cross-cultural narrative of nurturing the nuance of women’s wellness worldwide.

From BGI Genomics 6 Mar 2024

Prenatal exposure to nicotine could increase risk of behavioral disorders in newborns, study finds

Although several studies have linked smoking during pregnancy with neurodevelopmental disorders, the results of behavioral experiments in mice prenatally exposed to nicotine have been inconsistent.

5 Mar 2024

Growing mini-organs from amniotic fluid to treat conditions before birth

A pioneering approach, developed by researchers at UCL and Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), means human development can be observed in late pregnancy for the first time, raising the possibility of monitoring and treating congenital conditions before birth.

5 Mar 2024

Coffee in early pregnancy not linked to gestational diabetes, but high cola intake could raise risk

Study in Finland finds that moderate coffee consumption does not affect the risk of gestational diabetes, but increased cola intake, particularly low-calorie options, is associated with a higher risk.

4 Mar 2024

Zika vaccine shows promise for protecting fetuses when administered during pregnancy

A vaccine against Zika virus is safe and effective when administered both before and during pregnancy, according to new research published in npj Vaccines.

4 Mar 2024

UCSF scientists discover less invasive prenatal treatment for Angelman syndrome

In a discovery that opens the door to a less invasive way of treating some serious disorders before birth, UC San Francisco scientists have found that delivering medicine through amniotic fluid is as effective as delivering it to the fetal brain via cerebrospinal fluid.

4 Mar 2024

Obesity linked to increased risk of stillbirth, especially at term

Obesity is a risk factor for stillbirth, and the risk increases as pregnancy advances to term, according to a large study published in CMAJ.

4 Mar 2024

Research reveals diet-preeclampsia link in low-income Hispanic pregnant women

A research study led by the Keck School of Medicine of USC found that certain combinations of foods consumed during pregnancy may be linked to a higher likelihood of developing preeclampsia, a potentially life-threatening blood pressure condition that can have serious consequences for both mother and baby.

27 Feb 2024

Cognitive behavioral therapy helps prevent postpartum mental health challenges in low-resource settings

Results from a large clinical trial funded by the National Institutes of Health show that an intervention for anxiety provided to pregnant women living in Pakistan significantly reduced the likelihood of the women developing moderate-to-severe anxiety, depression, or both six weeks after birth.

26 Feb 2024

Study links extreme heat exposure in third trimester to increased preterm birth risk

In the face of increasing temperatures globally, a new Monash-led study of 1.2 million births in Sydney over two decades has shown a strong association between the risk of pre-term birth and exposure to extreme hot temperatures in the third trimester of pregnancy.

26 Feb 2024

Driver's license laws for undocumented immigrants linked to improved birth outcomes

In 2023, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Minnesota joined a growing list of states that allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses if an applicant can provide certain documentation, such as a foreign birth certificate or passport and evidence of current residency in the state.

26 Feb 2024

ACMG releases new Points to Consider statement on the clinical utility of polygenic risk scores for embryo selection

Should we be using polygenic risk score assessment for embryo selection? Providing in-depth analysis, the Social, Ethical and Legal Issues Committee of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) has released a new Points to Consider statement to assist healthcare professionals and patients in understanding the safety and utility of preimplantation genetic testing for polygenic disorders (PGT-P) as a clinical service.

23 Feb 2024

Pregnancy care was always lacking in jails. It could get worse.

It was about midnight in June 2022 when police officers showed up at Angela Collier's door and told her that someone anonymously requested a welfare check because they thought she might have had a miscarriage.

23 Feb 2024

Prenatal News and Research

Thriving early environments boost brain and cognitive development in children

Early sips to adult slips: How sweet drinks in childhood fatten future

Punitive prenatal drug laws lead to negative health outcomes

Antipsychotic use during pregnancy not linked to childhood neurodevelopmental disorders or learning difficulties

Acetaminophen use in pregnancy linked to children's language delays

Infant feeding practices, health and quality of life outcomes during the 2022 infant formula shortage

Pregnant women's fish and omega-3 supplement intake falls short, study finds

From China to Uzbekistan - United for Women’s Wellness on IWD

Prenatal exposure to nicotine could increase risk of behavioral disorders in newborns, study finds

Growing mini-organs from amniotic fluid to treat conditions before birth

Coffee in early pregnancy not linked to gestational diabetes, but high cola intake could raise risk

Zika vaccine shows promise for protecting fetuses when administered during pregnancy

UCSF scientists discover less invasive prenatal treatment for Angelman syndrome

Obesity linked to increased risk of stillbirth, especially at term

Research reveals diet-preeclampsia link in low-income Hispanic pregnant women

Cognitive behavioral therapy helps prevent postpartum mental health challenges in low-resource settings

Study links extreme heat exposure in third trimester to increased preterm birth risk

Driver's license laws for undocumented immigrants linked to improved birth outcomes

ACMG releases new Points to Consider statement on the clinical utility of polygenic risk scores for embryo selection

Pregnancy care was always lacking in jails. It could get worse.

Achieving and maintaining ISO 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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