Prenatal News and Research

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Maternal stress may leave epigenetic marks on certain placental genes

Maternal stress could leave epigenetic imprints on genes in the placenta associated with cortisol — a necessary hormone for fetal development — and this would affect the baby's development from very early stages, as stated in a paper published in the journal European Neuropsychopharmacology.

4 Feb 2025

Prenatal multiple micronutrient supplements lower risk of small, vulnerable newborns

Prenatal MMS significantly lowers the risk of small, vulnerable newborns, highlighting its role in improving neonatal health in low and middle-income countries.

31 Jan 2025

AI software improves detection of congenital heart defects in prenatal ultrasounds

Congenital heart defects (abnormalities of the heart that are present at birth) are the most common type of birth defect and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 4 babies born with a heart defect has a diagnosis that is severe enough to require surgery or other medical intervention within the first year of life.

31 Jan 2025

Breakthrough study highlights role of prenatal supplements in preventing infant mortality

Dongqing Wang, an assistant professor of Global and Community Health at George Mason's College of Public Health, is pioneering research in prenatal nutritional interventions.

29 Jan 2025

Maternal vitamin D deficiency may accelerate fetal aging and impact newborn health

Maternal vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is linked to accelerated epigenetic gestational age in infants at birth, suggesting improper fetal development influenced by low vitamin D levels. The study also found associations between maternal age, birth height, and epigenetic aging, though cord blood vitamin D showed no significant impact.

22 Jan 2025

Maternal stress in early pregnancy affects long-term health of offspring

Maternal stress hormone levels during early pregnancy can have a lasting effect on the stress system of the offspring.

22 Jan 2025

Androgen clock reveals how hormones shape aging and health

Scientists unveil the androgen clock, a precise epigenetic tool to measure long-term androgen exposure and its role in aging and health.

16 Jan 2025

New push for stricter chemical laws to shield kids from harmful exposure

Research highlights the rising impact of synthetic chemicals on children's health, linking them to noncommunicable diseases and advocating for stringent global regulations.

13 Jan 2025

Can fluoride affect IQ? Study points to risks but raises questions

Despite finding a link between fluoride exposure and lower IQ, the study’s flaws raise questions.

7 Jan 2025

Study sheds light on early brain differences between genders

Sex differences in brain structure are present from birth, research from the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge has shown.

7 Jan 2025

Structural brain differences in adolescents may play a role in early initiation of substance use

A study of nearly 10,000 adolescents funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has identified distinct differences in the brain structures of those who used substances before age 15 compared to those who did not.

30 Dec 2024

Study reveals poor diet quality among pregnant and postpartum individuals

New research from the University of Massachusetts Amherst finds a pervasive low-quality diet among pregnant and postpartum individuals, reflecting "an urgent need for widespread improvement."

19 Dec 2024

Mapping blood system changes offers new hope for leukemia treatments

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and their colleagues have developed the first comprehensive map of the dramatic changes that take place in the blood system over the course of the human lifetime.

6 Dec 2024

Prenatal cfDNA testing uncovers hidden cancers in pregnant individuals

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found previously undetected cancers in 48.6% of pregnant people who had abnormal results for prenatal cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing used to screen for chromosomal disorders in the fetus.

4 Dec 2024

New insights into anti-seizure medications during pregnancy

Two common antiseizure medications, lamotrigine and levetiracetam, are safe to use during pregnancy, according to a Stanford Medicine-led study.

3 Dec 2024

Better maternal diet boosts brain growth and IQ in kids

Higher maternal diet quality during early pregnancy is associated with larger brain volumes and higher IQ scores in offspring aged 10 and 14. Editorial explains why prenatal nutrition plays a crucial role in long-term brain and cognitive development.

27 Nov 2024

Woman’s saliva could offer clues to stress and mental health during pregnancy

New research out of Michigan State University found that the number and type of microbes present in the saliva of pregnant women differ according to whether they are experiencing life stress and symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

27 Nov 2024

Better infant growth linked to healthy prenatal diet following USDA guidelines

Findings indicate that a quality prenatal diet is crucial for healthy infant growth, potentially reducing risks of childhood obesity and promoting development.

25 Nov 2024

From womb to midlife: Prenatal immune disruptions reshape memory and cognitive aging

Prenatal exposure to maternal pro-inflammatory cytokines shapes memory and immune function in offspring, with sex-specific effects emerging over 50 years.

24 Nov 2024

Prenatal diet in line with USDA guidelines promotes healthy birthweights

Expectant mothers who maintain a diet that meets USDA dietary guidelines during pregnancy may be more likely to have infants with healthy birthweights, steadier growth patterns, and potentially a reduced risk of obesity later in childhood, according to a new study funded by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program at the National Institutes of Health.

23 Nov 2024