Prenatal News and Research

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Non-Invasive prenatal blood test to detect chromosomal abnormalities in foetus

Researchers in The Netherlands believe they are on the verge of developing a simple, prenatal blood test that would be able to detect accurately chromosomal abnormalities in the developing foetus. At present, the only reliable way to do this is through amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, both of which are invasive and carry the risk of triggering a miscarriage.

29 Jun 2010

Maternal alcohol consumption impacts semen concentration in male offspring

Mothers who drink alcohol while they are pregnant may be damaging the fertility of their future sons, according to new research to be presented at the 26th annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Rome today (Tuesday 29 June).

29 Jun 2010

Helicos BioSciences to develop, market MDx tests that utilize HeliScope Single Molecule Sequencer

Helicos BioSciences Corporation announced today that it is in the early stages of validating molecular diagnostic (MDx) tests that utilize its HeliScope® Single Molecule Sequencer. The HeliScope Sequencer's ability to sequence single molecules of natural, unamplified DNA or RNA simplifies the diagnostic testing workflow obviating the need for the amplification steps utilized by most genetic analysis methods.

28 Jun 2010

ACF, HRSA accept applications for Tribal Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Grant Program

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families, in partnership with the Health Resources and Services Administration, is accepting applications for fiscal year 2010 for the Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Grant Program.

25 Jun 2010

Study recommends women to avoid drug abuse during prenatal and breastfeeding periods

Give up smoking, do not drink more than three cups of coffee per day, do not take any kind of drug, or if you do, take it as long as possible before feeding your baby. These are some of the recommendations contained in a study produced by Spanish researchers on methods for detecting medicines and drugs in breast milk. The study shows that the risk from substances such as alcohol is still not well understood.

24 Jun 2010

Window World selected to receive New Corporate Partner of the Year award

Window World, the nation's largest replacement window company, has been selected by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to receive the hospital's celebrated "New Corporate Partner of the Year" award, given out annually to a new partner who demonstrates excellence and dedication in fundraising. A St. Jude corporate partner since 2008, Window World has raised more than $1 million for the hospital, which is one of the world's premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases.

23 Jun 2010

High blood sugar in mother during pregnancy leads to reduced insulin sensitivity in children

Children of mothers whose blood glucose (sugar) was high during pregnancy are more likely to have low insulin sensitivity—a risk factor for type 2 diabetes—even after taking into consideration the children's body weight, a new study shows. The results will be presented Tuesday at The Endocrine Society's 92nd Annual Meeting in San Diego.

23 Jun 2010

MOFAS offers $6,400 in grant to Minnesota families living with FASD

The Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is giving $6,400 in grant money to Minnesota families living with FASD for summer family activities. Thirty-two families will receive a $200 mini grant to do something fun and creative with family and friends this summer. These mini grants are possible because of individual donations and funding from private foundations.

22 Jun 2010

AdnaGen signs option agreement to license specific antibodies to KellBenx

AdnaGen AG, a subsidiary of OncoVista Innovative Therapies, Inc., a high-growth global biotech company developing proprietary, leading-edge early detection and drug technologies to enable safe, targeted personal cancer treatments, today announced that it has entered into an option agreement to license specific antibodies to KellBenx Inc., a New York-based private biotech firm.

19 Jun 2010

Laboratory mouse study shows cold sensing neural circuits develop well after birth

Cold sensing neural circuits in newborn mice take around two weeks to become fully active, according to a new study. The finding adds to understanding of the cold sensing protein TRPM8 (pronounced trip-em-ate), first identified in a Nature paper in 2002 by David McKemy of the University of Southern California.

18 Jun 2010

Paternal involvement in pregnancy reduces infant deaths

Studies have shown fathers who are active in their children's upbringing can significantly benefit their children's early development, academic achievement and well being. Now, a new study by University of South Florida researchers suggests that a father's involvement before his child is born may play an important role in preventing death during the first year of life - particularly if the infant is black.

18 Jun 2010

Researchers study science and clinical treatment of FAS

It's long been known that alcohol use in pregnancy can lead to children with mental retardation and birth defects, but researchers who study fetal alcohol syndrome have not made definitive progress on preventing the disorder, detecting it early, or effectively treating it, say researchers from Georgetown University Medical Center.

16 Jun 2010

SQNM first-quarter 2010 total revenues up 22%: MicroStockProfit.com

MicroStockProfit.com announces an investment report featuring Sequenom Inc. The report includes financial, comparative and investment analyses, and industry information you need to know to make an educated investment decision.

15 Jun 2010

Tel Aviv University research suggests link between IVF treatments and autism

The first "test tube baby" was born in 1978. With advances in reproductive science, an estimated one percent of all American babies are now born each year through in vitro fertilization. But IVF and other assisted fertility treatments may be solving one problem by creating another, suggests new evidence from Tel Aviv University.

15 Jun 2010

ATA members raise concern about reduction in dietary iodine intake

Following publication of an article in the February 18 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine (Vol. 362 No. 7 pp 590-599) by Bibbins-Domingo, et al. that projected the effect of moderate dietary salt reductions on future cardiac disease rates, several members of the American Thyroid Association, concerned about the subsequent potential reduction in availability of iodine, have responded with a letter in the current issue of the NEJM (Vol. 362 No. 23 pp 2224-2226).

15 Jun 2010

New book provides perspective on contributions made by nurses

The quiet actions of unsung heroes from the rainforest of Guatemala to the city streets of Harlem will be celebrated during the 2010 International Year of the Nurse in the new book, Giving through Teaching: How Nurse Educators are Changing the World (Springer Publishing).

14 Jun 2010

Women Deliver conference concludes

The Women Deliver conference concluded on Wednesday, as attendees "celebrated benchmark achievements in reducing maternal and infant mortality and faced stubborn failures at the same time," Womens eNews reports.

11 Jun 2010

Evidence-based oral health guidelines for pregnant women

Health care providers now have evidence-based guidelines to emphasize the importance of pregnant women maintaining good oral health care and the safety of providing appropriate treatment during pregnancy as published in the June Journal of the California Dental Association.

8 Jun 2010

Women who quit smoking during pregnancy will prevent infant deaths

If more women quit smoking before they became pregnant, it would save infant lives, concludes a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

8 Jun 2010

Gates Foundation to invest $1.5 billion for integrated women's and children's health programs

Melinda Gates today urged global leaders to make women's and children's health a top priority, and announced that the Gates Foundation will invest $1.5 billion over the next five years to support maternal and child health, family planning, and nutrition programs in developing countries.

8 Jun 2010