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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

Study finds when parents are depressed may shape children’s mental health for decades

A long-running UK cohort study found that exposure to parental depression from pregnancy through young adulthood was linked to higher odds of depression and anxiety in adult offspring. Maternal depression in late pregnancy was uniquely associated with later psychotic symptoms, while paternal associations emerged more clearly from mid-childhood onward.

14 Apr 2026

Study finds gaps in preventive care for women with diabetes

Physicians are less likely to provide preventive care such as conception counseling and some cancer screenings to women with diabetes than they do for women without the disease, a UCLA-led study suggests.

3 Apr 2026

Antibiotic use before and during pregnancy linked to psychological distress

Perinatal depression, which occurs during pregnancy or in the period after childbirth, is one of the most common mental health conditions experienced by women.

1 Apr 2026

Excessive RNA editing enzyme alters brain circuit formation in Down syndrome

A collaborative research study co-led by scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the Liber Institute for Brain Development has for the first time identified a biological process that may help explain how the brain develops differently in people with Down syndrome.

31 Mar 2026

UPFs before conception may shape fertility and embryo growth

Findings show ultraprocessed food consumption before conception influences fertility and embryonic development, urging further research in this area.

26 Mar 2026

Historical redlining linked to modern reproductive health disparities in women

A pair of studies are the first to examine how the decades-old discriminatory mortgage lending practice may contribute to present-day reproductive health problems, which disproportionately burden Black residents and other communities of color.

25 Mar 2026

Study connects ultra-processed diets to fertility and embryo development

Eating large amounts of ultra-processed food (UPF) is linked not only to reduced fertility in men, but also to slower growth in early embryos, and smaller yolk sacs, which are essential for early embryonic development, according to new research.

24 Mar 2026

Global indicators identified to monitor health before pregnancy worldwide

The key health and social indicators needed for a new global system to monitor people's health before pregnancy have been identified for the first time by researchers at University College London and the University of Southampton.

16 Mar 2026

Extended monitoring identifies many more severe pregnancy complication cases

Extending the monitoring period for severe pregnancy complications showed more than 40% of cases were missed using traditional delivery-focused monitoring, according to new research published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.251425 that extended monitoring from conception to 6 weeks postpartum.

16 Mar 2026

Updated guideline emphasizes earlier treatment for high cholesterol

The American College of Cardiology (ACC), the American Heart Association and nine other leading medical associations, today issued an updated guideline for the management of dyslipidemia-abnormal levels of one or more types of lipids or lipoproteins in the blood, including cholesterol and triglycerides.

13 Mar 2026

Imaris 11 transforms image analysis with automated workflows and reproducible research tools

Discover how Imaris 11 streamlines image analysis with automated workflows, reproducibility tools, and powerful batch processing.

From Oxford Instruments - Life Sciences 13 Mar 2026

How somatic mutations shape disease and reveal new drug targets

Researchers reviewed how somatic mutations accumulate in normal and diseased tissues, showing that natural selection can expand clones that influence disease risk, tissue adaptation, or cellular resilience. The study proposes somatic genomics as a powerful strategy to uncover disease mechanisms and identify new therapeutic targets across multiple conditions.

8 Mar 2026

Embryonic reproductive cells reveal striking genomic architecture before development

Researchers at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) and Imperial College London have shown for the first time that, before they can start developing into egg and sperm cells, the embryonic precursors of these cells uniquely reshape the 3D organization of their genetic material.

20 Feb 2026

Large Swedish study finds COVID-19 vaccination unrelated to fertility or childbirth rates

A Swedish registry-based cohort study evaluated whether COVID-19 vaccination affected childbirth rates among women aged 18 to 45 years during the pandemic period. No statistically significant association was found between vaccination, childbirth, or recorded miscarriage rates, suggesting demographic and socioeconomic factors likely explain observed fertility trends.

8 Feb 2026

Severe pregnancy sickness doubles postpartum depression risk

Severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy may elevate postpartum depression risk, suggesting the need for early detection and tailored maternal support.

5 Feb 2026

Natural ovulation offers a safer path to IVF success

Researchers compare the effects of natural ovulation and external hormone replacement regimens for preparing the uterus before frozen embryo transfer.

4 Feb 2026

MRI scans reveal human brain growth from pregnancy through birth

Analyzing brain growth across pregnancy and early life, this study offers new insights into sex-specific development and its implications for neurodevelopment.

3 Feb 2026

Ischemic stroke increases expectant mother's risk for another stroke during or soon after pregnancy

Having had a stroke caused by blocked blood vessels (ischemic stroke) more than doubled an expectant mother's odds of having another stroke during pregnancy and within six weeks of childbirth, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

29 Jan 2026

Early pregnancy sulfur dioxide exposure raises odds of congenital limb defects

Maternal exposure to sulfur dioxide during the first trimester was associated with higher odds of congenital limb defects in offspring in a large population-based cohort from Wuhan. Associations were strongest for polydactyly and limb shortening, while other major air pollutants showed no consistent links with overall risk.

20 Jan 2026