Birth Weight News and Research

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Natural ovulation matches hormone therapy success in frozen embryo transfer

Natural ovulation before frozen embryo transfer is as effective as hormone treatment for achieving a healthy baby by vitro fertilization (IVF), finds a clinical trial from China published by The BMJ today.

21 Jan 2026

Study finds no safety or efficacy gap between paracetamol and ibuprofen for neonatal PDA

In a UK pilot randomized trial, intravenous paracetamol and ibuprofen showed no statistically significant differences in short-term efficacy or safety when used as rescue therapy for hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus in very preterm infants. The study demonstrated high feasibility but was not powered to determine clinical superiority or equivalence between treatments.

21 Jan 2026

Community water fluoridation not associated with changes in birth weight

A new study from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health finds that community water fluoridation (CWF) is not associated with significant changes in birth weight-a widely accepted indicator of infant health and a predictor of later-life outcomes.

20 Jan 2026

Breast milk shares beneficial bacteria with babies

Researchers examine the relationship between the maternal milk microbiome and infant gut microbiome.

14 Jan 2026

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

Negative health impacts caused by 'forever chemicals' linked to billions in economic losses

The negative health impacts from contamination by so called "forever chemicals" in drinking water costs the contiguous U.S. at least $8 billion a year in social costs, a University of Arizona-led study has found.

9 Dec 2025

Brain function discovery helps explain why childhood adversity raises metabolic disease risk in women

McGill University researchers have identified a brain function that helps explain why childhood stress raises metabolic health risks for some women later in life.

9 Dec 2025

Quality improvement project dramatically boosts iron deficiency screening in pregnancy

Within a year of initiation, a multidisciplinary project to improve screening and treatment for iron deficiency in pregnancy resulted in a sixfold rise in screening rates for iron deficiency in pregnant patients, a 20-fold rise in the number of intravenous (IV) iron infusions, and a significant improvement in median hemoglobin levels.

7 Dec 2025

Study opens up new perspectives for targeted care of women with gestational diabetes

An international research team led by the Medical University of Vienna has shown that continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in women with gestational diabetes can reduce the risk of a newborn with above-average birth weight.

4 Dec 2025

Maternal eating disorders linked to higher asthma and wheezing risks in children

Eating disorders in mums-to-be are linked to a heightened risk of asthma and wheezing in their children, irrespective of the type of disorder, presence of co-existing depression/anxiety, or the timing of their child's exposure, finds research published online in the journal Thorax.

2 Dec 2025

Stopping GLP-1 drugs before pregnancy leads to more weight gain

Researchers determine the risk of pregnancy weight gain in patients who were prescribed GLP-1 RAs prior to conception.

1 Dec 2025

GLP-1 discontinuation associated with more weight gain and pregnancy complications

In a study led by researchers at Mass General Brigham, pregnant individuals who stopped taking popular weight loss GLP-1 medications before or early in their pregnancy tended to gain more weight and have higher risks of diabetes and hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, and experienced preterm delivery more so than people who had never taken GLP-1 drugs.

24 Nov 2025

Gaining too little or too much weight in pregnancy affects birth outcomes

The review of 1.6 million pregnancies shows diverse weight gain impacts, stressing the urgency for updated guidelines to improve maternal and infant health.

24 Nov 2025

Prenatal stress hormones may shape when a baby’s teeth erupt

A study links maternal stress hormones in late pregnancy to the timing of baby teeth eruption, highlighting prenatal factors in early childhood development.

20 Nov 2025

Most pregnancies involve weight gain outside healthy ranges with major health impacts

Around two-thirds of pregnancies have weight gain that is more or less than recommended and is associated with complications such as preterm birth, large birth weight, and admission to intensive care.

19 Nov 2025

Maternal obesity raises childhood epilepsy and disability risks, new study shows

Higher maternal BMI before pregnancy is linked to increased risks of epilepsy and intellectual disability in young children, even after extensive adjustment for maternal and neonatal factors. Associations with autism spectrum disorder and ADHD disappear after full adjustment, highlighting the potential mediating role of perinatal complications.

17 Nov 2025

Researchers develop novel tool to identify pregnant women at high risk for having a preterm birth

Researchers at NYU and partners within the International Healthy Outcomes of Pregnancy for Everyone (HOPE) Consortium have developed a novel tool, the Preterm Birth Actionable Risk Index (PTB-ARIx), designed to identify pregnant individuals at high risk for having a preterm birth (PTB, or delivery before 37 weeks).

17 Nov 2025

New WHO guidance aims to strengthen care for preterm and low birth-weight babies

The World Health Organization (WHO) is marking its first official observance of World Prematurity Day with the launch of a new global clinical practice guide for Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) – a simple, proven and life-saving intervention that significantly improves survival for preterm and low birth-weight babies.

14 Nov 2025

Even low PFAS in drinking water raise blood levels, California study shows

Researchers in Southern California found that even low levels of PFAS (“forever chemicals”) in public drinking water lead to measurable increases in blood PFAS concentrations. The study underscores the urgent need for stronger water-quality monitoring and stricter PFAS regulations across non-industrial regions.

2 Nov 2025

What Britain’s post-war sugar rationing teaches us about long-term heart health

A BMJ study found that individuals exposed to sugar rationing during their first 1,000 days of life had significantly lower risks of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure in adulthood. Early-life sugar restriction was linked to a 2.5-year delay in cardiovascular disease onset, suggesting long-term benefits for heart health.

26 Oct 2025