Birth Weight News and Research

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Maternal smoking linked to reduced childhood type 1 diabetes risk, effects fade in adulthood

The Lancet Regional Health-Europe study finds that maternal smoking during pregnancy may lower the risk of type 1 diabetes in children, but this protective effect diminishes in adulthood, with adult smoking showing no significant impact on type 1 diabetes risk.

16 Nov 2023

Prenatal cannabis exposure increases risk of adverse birth outcomes, study finds

Infants prenatally exposed to cannabis are more likely to be born preterm, have a low birth weight, and require neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) care than infants without prenatal cannabis exposure, according to a study published today in the scientific journal Addiction.

16 Nov 2023

Placental inflammation's role in adult depression and heart disease

An expression signature related to inflammation expressed in Hofbauer cells in the placenta, calculating polygenic risk scores to predict its expression.

14 Nov 2023

Using TNF inhibitors during pregnancy not associated with worse fetal or obstetric outcomes

According to new research at ACR Convergence 2023, the American College of Rheumatology's (ACR) annual meeting, continuing tumor necrosis factor inhibitors during pregnancy is not associated with worse fetal or obstetric outcomes and may reduce the risk of severe maternal infections during pregnancy (Abstract #0477).

7 Nov 2023

Exploring the connection: Diet, sleep patterns, and blood pressure in young individuals

The relationship between dietary and sleep rhythms and blood pressure (BP) levels in children.

6 Nov 2023

Pregnant women in blighted neighborhoods have higher testosterone levels, study finds

Pregnant women living in blighted neighborhoods with high levels of known stressors have higher levels of testosterone – the primary sex hormone in males -- which disrupt hormone regulation and may lead to life-threatening complications during and after childbirth, according to Rutgers research.

3 Nov 2023

Study challenges link between low birth weight and childhood neurodevelopmental issues

A recent study in JAMA Psychiatry used Mendelian Randomization to examine the link between low birth weight and neurodevelopmental issues in children. The research found no causal relationship between maternal genetic factors affecting birth weight and offspring neurodevelopment, although some evidence suggested that fetal genetic variants may play a limited role.

25 Oct 2023

Feds try to head off growing problem of overdoses among expectant mothers

When Andria Peterson began working as a clinical pharmacist in the pediatric and neonatal intensive care units at St. Rose Dominican Hospital in Henderson, Nevada, in 2009, she witnessed the devastating effects the opioid crisis had on the hospital's youngest patients.

19 Oct 2023

Early pregnancy obesity linked to heart risks and complicated births

Study reveals a significant link between obesity in early pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes, which in turn are associated with elevated cardiovascular disease risk later in life. The findings suggest the importance of early interventions to mitigate long-term health risks.

12 Oct 2023

How vitamin D and genetics shape early brain development

The study examined how vitamin D levels and vitamin D binding protein genotypes in both pregnant mothers and their children aged 3-5, impact early childhood neurodevelopment. Findings suggest that higher vitamin D concentrations in children were associated with better neurodevelopmental scores, with additional influences from sociodemographic factors and certain genetic variations.

4 Oct 2023

Early metformin therapy falls short in curbing gestational diabetes woes

In a significant randomized clinical trial, early metformin therapy was tested for its potential to lessen insulin dependence and enhance glycemic control in gestational diabetes-afflicted pregnant women; however, it yielded no improvements in diabetes symptoms. While metformin reduced maternal weight gain, its effects on primary diabetes symptoms and other secondary outcomes like infant weight gain were mixed, indicating a need for further focused research to unravel these associations.

4 Oct 2023

Could breastfeeding and delaying soda be the keys to lower childhood obesity rates?

New research presented at the EASD Annual Meeting suggests that breastfeeding for at least six months and delaying the introduction of soda until after 18 months can lead to lower body fat percentages in children at age nine. The study highlights the long-term impact of infant feeding choices on childhood obesity risk.

1 Oct 2023

Smoking during pregnancy more than doubles risk of premature birth, study finds

Cambridge researchers have found that women who smoke during pregnancy are 2.6 times more likely to give birth prematurely compared to non-smokers – more than double the previous estimate.

28 Sep 2023

Deviations from normal pattern of sleep and physical activity could predict preterm birth risk

A lack of sleep and reduced physical activity during pregnancy are linked to risk of preterm birth, according to new research led by the Stanford School of Medicine.

28 Sep 2023

Pregnant women living in polluted areas more likely to have smaller babies, study finds

Women exposed to air pollution give birth to smaller babies, according to research that will be presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress in Milan, Italy.

8 Sep 2023

Convincing evidence supports avoidance of cannabis during adolescence, pregnancy and while driving

Experts recommend avoiding cannabis during adolescence and early adulthood, in people prone to or with mental health disorders, in pregnancy, and before and while driving, based on an in-depth evidence review published by The BMJ today.

7 Sep 2023

Broad-spectrum antibiotics linked to higher sepsis risk in neonates

A preprint presents evidence for the hypothesis that neonatal sepsis is linked to prenatal antibiotics.

7 Sep 2023

Is alcohol exposure before and during pregnancy associated with reduced longitudinal fetal growth?

The association between exposure to alcohol in pregnancy and longitudinal growth.

29 Aug 2023

Maternal obesity linked to childhood weight issues through DNA changes

Boston Birth Cohort study finds that maternal pre-pregnancy obesity alters newborn DNA methylation, potentially increasing the risk of obesity in the child. The research targets high-risk U.S. demographics and could guide future interventions for childhood obesity.

27 Aug 2023

Dangers and deaths around Black pregnancies seen as a ‘completely preventable’ health crisis

Tonjanic Hill was overjoyed in 2017 when she learned she was 14 weeks pregnant. Despite a history of uterine fibroids, she never lost faith that she would someday have a child.

24 Aug 2023