Prenatal News and Research

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Study links prenatal immune activity to Alzheimer's risk in later life

Findings from a Mass General Brigham-led study that has followed participants since before birth may offer clues about the origins of Alzheimer's disease.

21 Nov 2024

Pregnancy stress and mental health affect the oral microbiome

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 (PTSD), finds a study published in the open access journal BMJ Mental Health.

20 Nov 2024

Exposure to everyday chemicals during pregnancy may raise asthma risk in children

A new study from researchers at Kumamoto University sheds light on a potential link between exposure to certain everyday chemicals during pregnancy and the development of asthma in children.

19 Nov 2024

Chewing gum to prevent preterm birth

Xylitol-containing gum during pregnancy significantly reduces preterm births and low birth weights, offering a simple solution for improving maternal health.

19 Nov 2024

Pandemic linked to 16% rise in babies born with heart defects

The proportion of babies born with a congenital heart abnormality increased by 16 per cent after the first year of the pandemic, according to research at City St George's, University of London and published today in Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

15 Nov 2024

Prenatal cannabis exposure linked to increased risk of opioid addiction later in life

With the increased legalization of recreational cannabis, as many as 1 in 5 pregnant women in the U.S. are now using the drug to help with morning sickness, lower back pain or anxiety.

14 Nov 2024

Study highlights air pollution as key environmental factor in autism risk

Air pollution is a key environmental risk factor for autism, influencing neurodevelopment through neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and epigenetic changes.

14 Nov 2024

Limited impact of prenatal COVID-19 exposure on child neurodevelopmental outcomes

Research shows prenatal exposure to SARS-CoV-2 linked to slight regulatory behavior improvements in infants, but no significant neurodevelopmental impacts.

12 Nov 2024

Early RSV vaccination in pregnancy provides best protection for newborns

Current guidelines recommend that pregnant people receive a vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) - which typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms in most adults but can be deadly for infants - during weeks 32–36 of pregnancy.

11 Nov 2024

Advances in the surgical management of gastroschisis

Gastroschisis, a congenital abdominal wall defect, has transformed from a uniformly fatal condition to one with a 95% survival rate through surgical advancements over the past six decades.

8 Nov 2024

Pregnancy vitamin D supplementation boosts bone density in kids up to age 7

Research indicates that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy positively impacts children's bone health and lean mass, with potential long-term benefits.

8 Nov 2024

Study examines impact of birthing positions on maternal satisfaction

Whether lying on their back, all-fours position, sitting upright or squatting - women adopt different birthing positions during childbirth.

4 Nov 2024

Concussion history identified as key risk factor for maternal mental illness

People with a history of concussion face a 25% higher risk of having severe mental health issues after childbirth, according to a new study from ICES and the University of Toronto.

4 Nov 2024

Study finds prenatal sleep quality affects newborn brain structure and emotional health

Prenatal sleep quality significantly influences neonatal brain development and emotional outcomes, highlighting the need for targeted sleep interventions.

1 Nov 2024

Trump wants Harris to pay a political price for generous immigrant health policies

Maria Sanchez immigrated to the Chicago area from Mexico about 30 years ago. Now 87, she's still living in the U.S. without authorization. Like many longtime immigrants, she has worked — and paid taxes, including Medicare taxes — all that time.

1 Nov 2024

Prenatal cannabis exposure linked to poorer child development

As cannabis is legalized and is more accessible in various forms across the country, there is increasing concern among health care providers about potential impact on children. Researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital have new findings to add to the existing evidence that cannabis exposure before birth can negatively impact children.

28 Oct 2024

Elucidating the mechanisms behind kidney development

To Alex Hughes, Assistant Professor in Bioengineering within Penn Engineering and in Cell and Developmental Biology within Penn Medicine, the kidney is a work of art. "I find the development of the kidney to be a really beautiful process," says Hughes.

28 Oct 2024