Birth Weight News and Research

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As world's first test tube baby turns 30 experts warn about dangers of 'reproductive tourism'

As the world's very first test tube baby celebrates her thirtieth birthday experts are warning that the growth of 'reproductive tourism' is becoming an increasing problem which is putting women and babies at risk.

28 Jul 2008

Link between small birth size and changes to the CV system that predispose to disease in later life

Researchers have found the first evidence that smaller size at birth is associated with specific alterations in the functioning of the heart and circulation in children and that these changes differ between boys and girls.

22 Jul 2008

Birth weight prediction method may lead to safer deliveries

Physicians at the University of Rochester Medical Center have identified a method that appears to reliably predict the birth weight of babies in obese pregnant women, a key factor in counseling patients and planning for safe delivery of their babies.

10 Jul 2008

GAP method very accurate in predicting birth-weight of babies born to obese mothers

Researchers have found what they believe to be the most accurate way of predicting the birth-weight of babies born to the growing number of obese mothers, according to a study in the UK-based journal Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

9 Jul 2008

Fish oil supplements taken in last trimester could reduce risk of child developing asthma

Mothers who take fish oil supplements during the last trimester of their pregnancy could be reducing the risk of their child going on to develop asthma, claims a study published today (9th July) in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Am J Clin Nutr 2008;88:167-175).

9 Jul 2008

Babies from frozen embryos less likely to be premature

A Danish study has found that IVF babies born from embryos that are frozen are less likely to be underweight or premature than those conceived during fresh treatment cycles.

9 Jul 2008

IVF babies at no greater risk of neurodevelopmental disorders

Scientists say contrary to popular belief, babies conceived through in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or test tubes are just as healthy as those conceived naturally.

9 Jul 2008

IVF does not lead to developmental problems in early infancy

Couples who need IVF in order to become pregnant can be reassured that this will not lead to developmental problems in early infancy, a Dutch researcher told the 24th annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.

8 Jul 2008

Children born from thawed frozen embryos have higher birth weight than those born where fresh embryos used

Children born after a frozen, thawed embryo has been replaced in the womb have higher birth weight than those born where fresh embryos were used, Danish scientists reported to the 24th annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology today (Tuesday 8 July).

8 Jul 2008

Being born over 10 pounds increases risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis

People who have a birthweight over 10 pounds are twice as likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis when they are adults compared to individuals born with an average birthweight, according to a study published by researchers from Hospital for Special Surgery online in advance of print in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. While the mechanism for this association is unclear, the study identifies a potentially modifiable risk factor and highlights a potential way to decrease the incidence of the disease.

30 Jun 2008

Treatment for cigarette, alcohol and drug use in pregnancy improves outcomes for mother and baby

Pregnant women who receive treatment for substance abuse early in their pregnancy can achieve the same health outcomes as pregnant women with no substance abuse, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published online in the Journal of Perinatology.

27 Jun 2008

Premature and low weight babies more likely to be autistic

According to new research children born prematurely and children born with a low-birth weight are more likely to develop autism.

3 Jun 2008

Smoking during pregnancy and SIDS

A new study provides the most direct evidence that there exists a causal link between smoking during pregnancy and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

1 Jun 2008

Smoke-free laws are protecting all workers according to new study

A new study published today by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention underscores the powerful momentum across the country to pass strong smoke-free workplace laws that protect all workers and the public from the serious health hazards of secondhand smoke.

22 May 2008

Too much or too little weight gain poses risks to pregnant mothers, babies

Women who gain more or less than recommended amounts of weight during pregnancy are likely to increase the risk of problems for both themselves and their child, according to a new report by the RTI International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-based Practice Center.

7 May 2008

Extra iron for infants who don't need it might delay development

A new study suggests that extra iron for infants who don't need it might delay development -- results that fuel the debate over optimal iron supplement levels and could have huge implications for the baby formula and food industry.

5 May 2008

Factors affecting survival, disability of extremely premature infants identified

Gestational age has long been the factor most commonly used to predict whether an extremely low-birth-weight infant survives and thrives, but four additional factors that can help predict a preemie's outcome have been identified by the National Institutes of Health Neonatal Research Network, of which Yale is a member.

29 Apr 2008

Social networking, malaria and philanthropy partnership

Philanthropy just got easier and a lot more accessible to the public thanks to the social networking power of the Internet and a ground-breaking partnership between a young British entrepreneur, a global health think tank and an African medical research institute.

20 Apr 2008

Study shows factors influencing premature infant survival, disability

Based on observations of more than 4,000 infants, researchers in an NIH newborn research network have identified several factors that influence an extremely low birth weight infant's chances for survival and disability. The findings offer new information to physicians and families considering the most appropriate treatment options for this category of infants.

17 Apr 2008

Low birth weight linked to heart disease

According to new research from Britain, being small at birth along with an excessive weight gain during adolescence and young adulthood are indicators for future heart disease risk.

14 Apr 2008