Perinatology News and Research

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Two early-life findings stood out in children who later screened positive for autism risk

Children born very preterm were more likely than term-born children to screen positive for autism risk at age 5 using the Social Communication Questionnaire. Among very preterm children, cerebellar abnormalities at term-equivalent age and moderate-to-severe histologic chorioamnionitis were independently associated with higher autism screening risk, alongside male sex and higher social risk.

13 Aug 2026

Study reveals how meal skipping during teen pregnancy connects to mental health

A cross-sectional study of pregnant adolescents found that skipping meals, screen distraction during eating, and low dairy intake were associated with higher depressive symptom prevalence. Overall dietary diversity showed no significant relationship, and causality could not be established.

23 Feb 2026

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

New hypothesis links caffeine to lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome

After decades of stalled national progress in reducing the rate of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), a category of infant mortality that includes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), researchers at Rutgers Health have proposed an unexpected solution: Caffeine might protect babies by preventing dangerous drops in oxygen that may trigger deaths.

11 Jun 2025

Antibiotic use predicts microbiota dysbiosis in preterm infants

Antibiotic use in preterm infants is linked to gut microbiome changes, increasing susceptibility to infections and impacting long-term health outcomes.

11 Jun 2025

Cooling treatment shows no benefits for preterm infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

Lowering the body temperature of preterm infants (born at 33 to 35 weeks of pregnancy) with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)-a type of brain damage caused by oxygen loss-offers no benefits over standard care, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

25 Feb 2025

How does prenatal cannabis use affect neonatal outcomes?

Prenatal cannabis use significantly increases the risks of low birth weight and fetal death, highlighting the need for greater education on its dangers during pregnancy.

23 Jun 2024

AI program can help identify signs of childbirth-related PTSD

Researchers have adapted an artificial intelligence (AI) program to identify signs of childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder (CB-PTSD) by evaluating short narrative statements of patients who have given birth.

12 Apr 2024

The nation’s health secretary has this doctor on call

Carolina Reyes, a Harvard-trained physician who specializes in high-risk pregnancies, got into medicine to help women obtain health care, especially underserved or marginalized people who face systemic racism.

2 May 2023

Breast milk of people vaccinated against COVID-19 provides protection to infants, study reveals

A new study from the University of Florida provides more evidence that the breast milk of people vaccinated against COVID-19 provides protection to infants too young to receive the vaccine.

12 Jan 2023

Alterations in vaginal microbiota among pregnant women with COVID-19 increase preterm birth risk

A new study conducted by researchers from Koç University İsbank Center for Infectious Diseases (KUISCID) reveals crucial data on the risk of preterm birth caused by the change in vaginal microbiota due to COVID 19.

11 Nov 2022

Antenatal steroid therapy for pregnant women may improve survival among extremely preterm infants

Steroid treatment before birth appears to improve survival and reduce complications among extremely preterm infants, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health.

26 Sep 2022

Study finds link between congenital syphilis and socioeconomic factors in small/medium California counties

Congenital syphilis (CS) is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that passes from a mother to her child during pregnancy or childbirth. In up to 40% of cases, it may lead to the death of the developing baby in utero or in infancy.

12 Jul 2022

Study shows how inflammation from COVID-19 during pregnancy could impact long-term infant health

New research results demonstrate how inflammation from a COVID-19 infection during pregnancy could potentially impact long-term infant health, including infant growth and brain development.

26 Apr 2022

Hydrocortisone does not prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants

Hydrocortisone is no more effective than placebo at preventing damage that can result from oxygen and ventilator therapy necessary to keep preterm infants alive, according to research funded by the National Institutes of Health.

23 Mar 2022

Stomach emptying is slower during labor but faster in women who receive an epidural analgesia

Physician anesthesiologists prefer that laboring women have an empty stomach because of the lower risk for aspiration (inhaling) of food in case general anesthesia for cesarean section becomes necessary.

2 Feb 2022

Study finds improved survival rates for extremely preterm infants born in NIH-funded research network

The survival rate of extremely preterm infants born from 2013 through 2018 in a large network of U.S. research centers improved to 78.3%, compared to 76% for infants born in the network from 2008 to 2012, according to researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health.

18 Jan 2022

COVID-19 during pregnancy may induce fetal immune response even in the absence of placental infection

SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy may cause inflammatory immune responses in the fetus, even if the virus does not infect the placenta, according to a small National Institutes of Health study.

18 Jan 2022

New study strengthens the link between sleep-disordered breathing and gestational diabetes

Sleep-disordered breathing in early pregnancy is associated with insulin resistance or difficulty clearing glucose from the blood, suggests a small study funded by the National Institutes of Health.

6 Jan 2022

Study: Pregnant women in areas with worse health disparities are at greater risk of adverse outcomes

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center studied outcomes for young women at a county hospital and found that while 97% of them accessed prenatal care, those with greater social needs were associated with adverse outcomes both during pregnancy and during the early weeks of their babies' lives.

16 Dec 2021