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Newborns carry antibiotic resistance genes within first hours of life

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) – segments of DNA that help bacteria survive the effects of antibiotics – can be present in newborns within the first hours of life, according to research presented at ESCMID Global 2026.

20 Apr 2026

SARS-CoV-2 rarely reaches first-trimester placentas but still disrupts early pregnancy immunity

Researchers analyzing 761 first-trimester pregnancies found that SARS-CoV-2 was rarely detected in placental tissues, suggesting in utero transmission early in pregnancy is uncommon. However, maternal infection was linked to immune dysregulation at the maternal-fetal interface, altered trophoblast signaling, and inflammatory changes that could affect placental development.

14 Apr 2026

Maternal signals help synchronize babies’ circadian rhythms before birth

Humans and most other organisms have internal biological clocks that track the daily cycle of sunrise and sunset. These clocks help time our sleep, metabolism and other essential body functions over the course of a day, creating daily patterns called circadian rhythms.

11 Apr 2026

Study reveals how hyperdiploidy creates rare pre-leukemic clones in children

B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common form of childhood cancer. In this type of cancer, which affects blood cells, one of the most common abnormalities is the presence of cells with an excess of chromosomes (hyperdiploidy), a condition that leads to chromosomal instability.

8 Apr 2026

Crisis-driven maternal psychological stress can affect fetal development and birth outcomes

Fetal development is a critical stage with effects that can last throughout life. Yet, identifying the effects of maternal psychological stress on the fetus has been difficult, mainly because stressful events often produce psychological and physical consequences that directly affect mothers and their children.

8 Apr 2026

Standard doses of antidepressants during pregnancy appear to be safe, study suggests

Using a standard dose of antidepressants during pregnancy appears to be safe for the baby, suggests new research from the University of Oslo and Akershus University Hospital.

24 Feb 2026

Rytvela lowers inflammation and improves newborn survival in preclinical study

New research shows that Rytvela, an anti-inflammatory drug candidate, decreased premature birth and infant mortality when administered after the onset of preterm labor in a preclinical mouse model.

23 Feb 2026

Study reveals widespread prenatal exposure of babies to forever chemicals

Babies born between 2003 and 2006 were exposed to many more "forever chemicals" before birth than scientists previously understood, according to new research published in Environmental Science & Technology.

18 Feb 2026

Trump policies at odds with emerging understanding of covid’s long-term harm

27 Jan 2026

New soft robotic probe enables continuous monitoring of fetus's vital signs

Northwestern University researchers have developed the first device that can continuously track a fetus's vital signs while still in the uterus - a feat that previously has not been possible.

26 Jan 2026

New federal guidelines shift cervical cancer screening to HPV testing

New cervical cancer screening guidelines emphasize self-collection and hrHPV testing, aiming to increase screening rates and improve women's health outcomes.

8 Jan 2026

New roadmap guides antiseizure medication adjustments during pregnancy and postpartum

For the first time, clinicians have access to a clear, evidence-based roadmap for adjusting antiseizure medication doses during pregnancy and after childbirth.

30 Dec 2025

Prenatal exposure to hot and humid conditions worsens child growth outcomes

The dangers of heat and humidity are so well known it's become cliche to mention them. But the impacts can extend farther than even scientists and doctors realized.

19 Dec 2025

FDA panelists questioned antidepressants in pregnancy. But doctors call them a lifeline.

If you are pregnant or a new mother who is struggling with depression or anxiety, you can call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, 24/7: 833-TLC-MAMA (833-852-6262). Postpartum Support International can help connect you with a local mental health provider at 800-944-4773 or psidirectory.com.

15 Dec 2025

Early exposure to fat-related food smells increases lifelong obesity risk

Early exposure to fat-related food odors during development alters central sensory processing and metabolic regulation, independently of maternal obesity or nutrient intake. These sensory cues program long-term susceptibility to obesity, impaired thermogenesis, and altered brain responses to dietary fat in adulthood.

7 Dec 2025

No clear link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism or ADHD

Maternal paracetamol use during pregnancy shows weak links to autism and ADHD, with family factors playing a more significant role, offering reassurance.

3 Dec 2025

UTHealth Houston researchers receive NIH grant for fetoscopic spina bifida repair study

A five-year, $2.8 million grant was awarded to researchers at UTHealth Houston by the National Institutes of Health to evaluate the long-term effects on patients enrolled in the "Cryopreserved Human Umbilical Cord as a Meningeal Patch in Fetoscopic Spina Bifida Repair" trial.

1 Dec 2025

No, taking paracetamol while pregnant doesn’t cause autism or ADHD, major review finds

Researchers reviewed nine systematic reviews on paracetamol use during pregnancy and found that while some studies suggested links to ADHD or autism, the evidence was of low quality and confounded by shared familial factors. Sibling-controlled analyses showed no causal relationship between prenatal paracetamol exposure and neurodevelopmental disorders in children.

11 Nov 2025

Maternal paracetamol use during pregnancy not linked to autism or ADHD in children

Existing evidence does not clearly link paracetamol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy with autism or ADHD in children, finds an in-depth evidence review published by The BMJ today, in direct response to recent announcements around the safety of using paracetamol in pregnancy.

10 Nov 2025

New evidence reassures safety of acetaminophen use during pregnancy

A rigorous systematic review of the present state of knowledge on the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and the risk of specific neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), such as autism and ADHD, offers reassurance that acetaminophen does not increase the risk of NDDs.

6 Nov 2025