Birth Defects News and Research

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Leading hypothesis for miscarriages, birth defects ruled out by WSU reproductive biologists

Washington State University reproductive biologists have ruled out one of the leading thoughts on why older women have an increased risk of miscarriages and children with birth defects.

4 Jul 2014

CHOP launches Fetal Neuroprotection and Neuroplasticity Program

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia today launched the Fetal Neuroprotection and Neuroplasticity Program. Building on growing evidence of the interaction of heart disease and brain development in the fetus, this Program will systematically investigate innovative therapies to protect brain development and to prevent brain injury as early as possible before birth.

26 Jun 2014

Caffeine-containing energy drinks raise new concerns

Caffeine, which was extensively researched for possible links to birth defects in animals and cardiovascular disease in humans over 30 years ago and then exonerated, has become the focus of renewed concerns as caffeine-containing energy drinks have surged in popularity.

25 Jun 2014

Keratoprosthesis restores vision in patients blinded by corneal disease

A new review article in the June issue of Focal Points, a monthly publication of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, calls keratoprosthesis a viable alternative to standard corneal transplantation to help people suffering from corneal blindness.

20 Jun 2014

Parents who have child with ASD are 1/3 third less likely to have more children

Parents who have a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are about one third less likely to have more children than families without an affected child, according to a study led by a UC San Francisco researcher.

19 Jun 2014

Greenwood Genetic and Clemson receive first round of fund from SRHC

Seven research projects from Greenwood Genetic Center and Clemson University faculty were selected to receive the first round of funding provided by Self Regional Healthcare (SRHC).

16 Jun 2014

Hispanic women urged to be informed about pregnancy and baby health

Hispanic women are significantly more likely to have a baby with a neural tube birth defect, and nearly a quarter of all preterm births in the United States are Hispanic, according to a new report from the March of Dimes.

4 Jun 2014

Scientists define genetic cause for two types of birth defects in newborn boys

Baylor College of Medicine scientists defined a previously unrecognized genetic cause for two types of birth defects found in newborn boys, described in a report published today in the journal Nature Medicine.

2 Jun 2014

New insights into egg selection may have broad implications for women's health, fertility

A woman's supply of eggs is a precious commodity because only a few hundred mature eggs can be produced throughout her lifetime and each must be as free as possible from genetic damage.

30 May 2014

Birth defects do not appear to be associated with father's semen quality, says study

Birth defects do not appear to be associated with the father's semen quality, according to a new study at the 109th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA).

19 May 2014

Janssen submits sNDA to FDA for simeprevir in combination with sofosbuvir for treatment of HCV genotype 1 infection

Janssen Research & Development, LLC (Janssen) today announced it has submitted a Supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for simeprevir, an NS3/4A protease inhibitor marketed as OLYSIO™ in the United States, in combination with the nucleotide analog NS5B polymerase inhibitor sofosbuvir developed by Gilead Sciences, Inc.

8 May 2014

New e.p.t Preconception Health Test to be available for reducing risk of preterm labor

Today, e.p.t − creator of the original home pregnancy test − announced the introduction of the e.p.t Preconception Health Test, a revolutionary new product that once again puts women in control of their personal health.

7 May 2014

New approach to detect chromosomal abnormalities without harm to mother or fetus

Chromosomal abnormalities that result in birth defects and genetic disorders like Down syndrome remain a significant health burden in the United States and throughout the world, with some current prenatal screening procedures invasive and a potential risk to mother and unborn child.

7 May 2014

Vivere-Winter Park recognizes 25th Annual National Infertility Awareness Week

Infertility is a disease affecting more than 7 million people across the U.S., according to the National Survey of Family Growth. That number represents 12 percent of women of childbearing age or one in eight couples.

22 Apr 2014

Vanderbilt participates in national study to evaluate effectiveness of group prenatal care

Vanderbilt University hopes to enroll about 400 women in a national study to evaluate the effectiveness of a new model of group prenatal care designed to improve the health and well-being of mothers and babies during pregnancy, birth and infancy.

21 Apr 2014

Two pediatricians win March of Dimes/Col. Harland D. Sanders Lifetime Achievement Award in Genetics

Two pediatricians whose research led to the need for early identification of and treatment of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and its inclusion in newborn screening have received the March of Dimes/Col. Harland D. Sanders Lifetime Achievement Award in Genetics.

29 Mar 2014

Public smoking bans decrease rates of premature births, hospital visits for asthma

In the first comprehensive study to look at how anti-smoking laws are affecting the health of children, researchers from University of Edinburgh collaborated with researchers from Maastricht University, Hasselt University, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the effect of smoke-free legislation on child health.

28 Mar 2014

Researchers receive grants to advance work in prevention of premature birth

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center received grants totaling $600,000 from the March of Dimes Foundation to advance their work in the prevention of premature birth, which affects about one out of nine babies born annually in the U.S. and is the leading cause of newborn death.

25 Mar 2014

Researchers explore how genetics affects causes and prevalence of preterm birth

More than 450,000 babies are born too soon each year in the U.S. Preterm birth is a serious health problem that costs the nation more than $26 billion annually, according to the Institute of Medicine, and is the leading cause of newborn death.

12 Mar 2014

Antares Pharma announces launch of OTREXUP to Dermatologists

Antares Pharma, Inc. today announced LEO Pharma's launch of OTREXUP to Dermatologists, the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved subcutaneous (SC) methotrexate (MTX) product for once weekly self-administration with an easy-to-use, single dose, disposable auto injector.

10 Mar 2014