Prenatal News and Research

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Research examines effects of antidepressant use on health of mother and child

The use of antidepressants during pregnancy has no long term neurodevelopmental or behavioural effects on the child, however they may be associated with an increased risk of postpartum haemorrhage, suggests the findings from three studies published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (BJOG).

16 Sep 2015

Fetuses with enlarged ventricles are not ideal candidates for fetal spina bifida surgery

Fetuses with enlarged ventricles--the fluid-filled cavities inside the brain--may be less likely than other fetuses to benefit from surgery in the womb to treat spina bifida, according to a study co-authored by researchers at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital San Francisco.

16 Sep 2015

Prenatal repair of myelomeningocele reduces need for CSF shunt within 12 months of life, shows MOMS data

Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS) investigators analyzed updated data on the effects of prenatal myelomeningocele closure on the need for placement of a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt within the first 12 months of life.

15 Sep 2015

Hastings Center receives NSF grant for ethical analysis of next-generation prenatal genetic tests

Prenatal testing is changing dramatically. With greatly expanded low-cost genetic tests - some as simple as a maternal blood test - prospective parents will soon be able to learn far more, far earlier, than ever before about their fetuses' medical conditions and risks, and some nonmedical traits.

11 Sep 2015

Study: Men and women with autism perform differently on 'Reading the Mind in the Eyes' test

Scientists at the University of Cambridge University have published new results in the journal PLoS ONE from the largest ever study of people with autism taking the 'Reading the Mind in the Eyes' test.

7 Sep 2015

Prenatal exposure to historical Ukraine Famine increases risk for Type 2 diabetes

Men and women exposed in early gestation to the man-made Ukrainian Famine of 1932-33 in regions with extreme food shortages were 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in adulthood.

4 Sep 2015

Preterm birth associated with lower academic abilities in childhood, less wealth in adulthood

People who are born premature tend to accumulate less wealth as adults, and a new study suggests that this may be due to lower mathematics abilities. The findings, published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, show that preterm birth is associated with lower academic abilities in childhood, and lower educational attainment and less wealth in adulthood.

2 Sep 2015

New testing methods may help identify genetic mutations potentially linked to autism among children

The use of two newer genetic testing technologies (chromosomal microarray analysis and whole-exome sequencing) among children with autism spectrum disorder may help identify genetic mutations potentially linked to the disorder, according to a study in the September 1 issue of JAMA.

2 Sep 2015

Study shows lack of folic acid enrichment in Europe causes foaetal abnormalities

A new international study shows that 5,000 foetuses in Europe annually are affected by spina bifida and other severe defects on the central nervous system. Seventy per cent of these pregnancies are terminated, while increased mortality and serious diseases affect the children who are born. At least half of the cases can be avoided by adding folic acid to staple foods as is already being done in seventy non-European countries.

29 Aug 2015

Tampa General Hospital achieves Baby-Friendly hospital designation

Tampa General Hospital is the first hospital in Hillsborough County – and one of only three in the Tampa Bay area – to earn the Baby-Friendly hospital designation from Baby-Friendly USA, Inc. for its commitment to supporting breastfeeding mothers and their babies.

28 Aug 2015

New studies evaluate viral suppression rate of HIV-infected pregnant women at delivery

Pregnancy could be a turning point for HIV-infected women, when they have the opportunity to manage their infection, prevent transmission to their new baby and enter a long-term pattern of maintenance of HIV care after giving birth--but most HIV-infected women aren't getting that chance.

26 Aug 2015

Sequenom, UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center collaborate to explore utility of liquid biopsy assay

Sequenom, Inc., a life sciences company committed to enabling healthier lives through the development of innovative products and services, today announced that it has entered into a clinical research collaboration with the University of California, San Diego Moores Cancer Center.

26 Aug 2015

New book from the March of Dimes details successful program to reduce preterm birth

Details of a program that successfully reduced preterm birth are available for health care professionals in a new book from the March of Dimes.

19 Aug 2015

Study raises possibility of using ultrasound techniques to detect symptoms of preterm labor

Researchers from North Carolina State University, Institut Langevin and Paris-Descartes University have conducted a proof-of-concept study that raises the possibility of using ultrasound techniques to detect cervical stiffness changes that indicate an increased risk of preterm labor in pregnant women.

19 Aug 2015

MU researcher proposes method to identify human vulnerabilities

Historically, males have been considered the vulnerable sex, sometimes called "male vulnerability." Charles Darwin noted that boys are more likely to die in infancy than girls and have a higher risk of premature death throughout their lifetimes. Now, a researcher at the University of Missouri suggests that research in "male vulnerability" should be expanded to include "female vulnerability."

18 Aug 2015

Low birth weight, preterm birth increase schizophrenia risk in individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome

Low birth weight and preterm birth appear to increase the risk of schizophrenia among individuals with a genetic condition called the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, a new study from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) shows.

14 Aug 2015

LA BioMed's Nagendra Mishra to be honored with 2015 ICAAC Young Investigator Award

Nagendra Mishra, PhD, a Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute researcher will be honored by the American Society of Microbiology with a 2015 Interscience Conference of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy Young Investigator Award during the conference Sept. 17-21 in San Diego.

11 Aug 2015

LA BioMed researcher launches study to examine medication adherence among patients with dialysis

Taking medications as prescribed is challenging for many patients, and following doctors' orders regarding medication often varies over time and among different patients. The consequences of failing to follow the prescribed medication regimen range from mild to life-threatening, depending on the medication and the illness or condition being treated.

7 Aug 2015

Capital Impact Partners provides $27.5 million in financing to support underserved communities

Capital Impact Partners announced today that it provided nearly $27.5 million in financing to projects delivering social impact for underserved communities across the U.S. during the second quarter of 2015. These projects are expected to increase access to health care services, dignified aging options, healthy food, and education for low-income people in seven states, while also creating nearly 250 jobs.

4 Aug 2015

Researchers explore impact of nutrients, probiotics before and during pregnancy on mothers and babies

Researchers in the United Kingdom (Southampton), Singapore and New Zealand (Auckland) from the EpiGen Global Research Consortium are to trial the use of a combination of nutrients and probiotics before and during pregnancy in a bid to improve the health of mothers and their babies.

29 Jul 2015