Pregnancy News and Research

Latest Pregnancy News and Research

Pregnant women face worse care and coverage in abortion ban states

Pregnant women are more often uninsured and have worse access to routine medical care in states that ban (or restrict) abortion care, according to a new study appearing in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, published by Elsevier, from researchers at Harvard Medical School, the City University of New York's Hunter College, and other institutions.

5 Jun 2025

Early gut bacteria may help protect babies from respiratory infections

A baby's makeup of gut bacteria - their microbiome - which starts to form as soon as they are born, could help protect against viral infections later in childhood, a new study suggests.

5 Jun 2025

Wayne State researchers investigate effects of fentanyl use during pregnancy

A new National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant will aid Wayne State University researchers in measuring the effects of fentanyl during pregnancy on maternal behaviors and offspring at birth through early development.

5 Jun 2025

Common antibiotic shows promise in reducing preterm births

A study of almost 1000 pregnant women in Zimbabwe found that a daily dose of a commonly used, safe and inexpensive antibiotic may have led to fewer babies being born early.

5 Jun 2025

Household environments may affect the likelihood of children developing eczema

Household environments, including owning a dog, may affect the likelihood of children developing eczema, according to an analysis of almost 300,000 people from across Europe.

4 Jun 2025

Early contact with pet dogs protects genetically susceptible children from eczema

Having a dog at home could help to prevent eczema in children who are genetically prone to the condition, a study suggests.

4 Jun 2025

Does lithium offer hope for long COVID brain fog and fatigue? New trial gives mixed results

A randomized clinical trial found that low-dose lithium aspartate did not improve cognitive dysfunction or fatigue in long COVID patients. Higher doses showed possible benefits in a small exploratory substudy, but larger trials are needed.

4 Jun 2025

Maternal obesity linked to children's heightened risk of infection-related hospitalizations

Children born to mothers who are very obese with a BMI of 35 or higher are at heightened risk of being admitted to hospital for an infection, finds a long term study published in the open access journal BMJ Medicine.

3 Jun 2025

Japanese study shows c-sections do not raise allergy risk in children

A Japanese study reveals cesarean births do not increase childhood allergy risk, contradicting earlier findings and highlighting the need for further research.

3 Jun 2025

Fine particulate matter exposure may alter pregnancy outcomes

A new study by Emory University researchers, published Thursday in Environmental Science & Technology, found that exposure to the tiny particles in air pollution during pregnancy can disrupt maternal metabolisms, altering key biological pathways.

3 Jun 2025

Study: More expectant mothers begin pregnancy with autoimmune conditions

Thousands more UK women who are having children have been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition now compared to the beginning of the millennium.

2 Jun 2025

Can smoking while pregnant harm your child’s teeth? New research suggests yes

Maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with dental anomalies in children, including enamel defects and hypodontia, necessitating more rigorous studies.

2 Jun 2025

RFK Jr. says healthy pregnant women don’t need covid boosters. What the science says.

You're pregnant, healthy, and hearing mixed messages: Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is not a scientist or doctor, says you don't need the covid vaccine, but experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Protection still put you in a high-risk group of people who ought to receive boosters.

2 Jun 2025

WHO releases first-ever position paper on immunization products to protect infants against RSV

Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) published its first-ever position paper on immunization products to protect infants against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – the leading cause of acute lower respiratory infections in children globally.

30 May 2025

LUCAS technology revolutionizes rapid viral diagnostics

Mass General Brigham researchers are shining a powerful new light into the viral darkness with the development of Luminescence CAscade-based Sensor (LUCAS), a rapid, portable, highly-sensitive diagnostic tool for processing complex biological samples.

30 May 2025

Early allergen introduction reduces childhood food allergy risk

Investigating allergy prevention, this research highlights early intervention strategies and the promise of biologic treatments in managing allergic conditions.

29 May 2025

Monash-led research highlights urgent need to redefine PCOS

Most experts and those experiencing the potentially debilitating features of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which affects one in eight women, want greater awareness and a name change to improve care and outcomes.

29 May 2025

Higher BMI, not menopause age, increases hypothyroidism risk

Researchers analyzed over 15,000 postmenopausal Canadian women to investigate whether age at natural menopause influences the risk of developing overt hypothyroidism. The study found no association, but higher BMI was linked to increased hypothyroidism risk.

29 May 2025

Scientists identify early life opportunity for in vivo stem cell gene therapy

A team of scientists from the San Raffaele-Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget) in Milan, Italy, has identified a unique window shortly after birth in which circulating blood stem cells can be effectively targeted with gene therapy directly in the body.

28 May 2025

Fact: You could be inhaling nearly 70,000 plastic particles annually, here's what it means for your health

Airborne microplastics and nanoplastics are increasingly detected in urban environments, with evidence linking inhalation exposure to inflammation, cardiovascular risks, and other health concerns. Researchers highlight urgent needs for improved detection, targeted mitigation strategies, and coordinated global policies to address this emerging threat.

28 May 2025