Pregnancy News and Research

Latest Pregnancy News and Research

Zika virus hijacks tunneling mechanism to infect placental cells

Infection with Zika virus in pregnancy can lead to neurological disorders, fetal abnormalities and fetal death. Until now, how the virus manages to cross the placenta, which nurtures the developing fetus and forms a strong barrier against microbes and chemicals that could harm the fetus, has not been clear.

22 Feb 2025

Longer paternity leave improves co-parenting dynamics between moms and dads

A longer paternity leave after the birth of a child can improve the co-parenting relationship between moms and dads in a key way, a new study finds.

21 Feb 2025

New guidelines allow select athletes with heart abnormalities to participate in competitive sports

Recent research suggests that select athletes with cardiovascular abnormalities may be able to safely participate in competitive sports after shared decision-making with their clinicians about potential risks, according to a joint scientific statement published today in the American Heart Association's flagship, peer-reviewed journal Circulation and simultaneously in JACC, the flagship journal of the American College of Cardiology.

21 Feb 2025

Study links fetal acetaminophen exposure to increased risk of ADHD

Fetal acetaminophen exposure increases the likelihood that a child will develop attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a study published Feb. 6 in Nature Mental Health.

21 Feb 2025

Boston University professor receives grant for preeclampsia drug discovery research

Wendy Kuohung, MD, associate professor of obstetrics & gynecology at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, has been awarded a two-year, Discovery Research Grant from March of Dimes.

21 Feb 2025

NIHR grant supports research into how musical practices can enhance perinatal mental health

The National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) has awarded a major grant of over £2.8 million to the University of Roehampton and Stellenbosch University for a four-year research project.

21 Feb 2025

Understanding the impact of weight loss medications on female reproductive health

In recent months, the efficacy of contraception for people taking weight loss medications has been questioned, as several women claim to have gotten pregnant despite using oral contraceptives.

21 Feb 2025

First prenatal treatment for spinal muscular atrophy shows promising results

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder set in motion before birth. Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital led the first in uterotreatment of SMA with the orally administered drug risdiplam.

20 Feb 2025

Do prenatal antibiotics weaken breast milk immunity? A new study aims to find out

A new study will investigate whether prenatal antibiotic use impairs breast milk immune function and disrupts neonatal gut microbiota, potentially affecting infant health. Researchers aim to assess how prolonged antibiotic exposure in late pregnancy alters breast milk IgA and neonatal immune development.

19 Feb 2025

Vitamin E supplementation may reduce food allergy development in newborns

New research found that supplementing maternal diet with α-tocopherol, a form of vitamin E, can reduce the development of food allergy and anaphylaxis in newborn mice.

19 Feb 2025

New review maps the impact of reproductive hormones on neurological health

A comprehensive review published today in Brain Medicine by leading neuroendocrinologist Professor Hyman M. Schipper from McGill University's Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery maps out the extensive influence of reproductive hormones on neurological health and disease.

18 Feb 2025

Air pollution in late pregnancy linked to higher NICU admissions for newborns

Exposure to traffic pollutants before birth is linked to increased NICU admissions, stressing the importance of addressing air quality for neonatal health.

18 Feb 2025

Fewer than 20% of women screened for cardiovascular risk after pregnancy complications

Less than one in five patients are tested for cardiovascular risk factors following pregnancy-related hypertension or diabetes, according to a new study published in the "Go Red for Women" issue of Circulation.

17 Feb 2025

AI predicts preterm birth risk with 82% accuracy

Researchers used machine learning models to predict preterm birth risk, identifying linear SVMs as the most accurate, with key predictors including inflammation and blood composition markers.

17 Feb 2025

Lack of regulation in sperm donation sparks concerns in Africa

Poor regulation and lack of transparency in Africa's fertility industry leave sperm donors and recipients vulnerable to exploitation and unethical practices, including relatives unwittingly having children together, fertility experts warn.

14 Feb 2025

Study highlights the need for more diversity in vaginal microbiome research

This study emphasizes the need for global equity in vaginal microbiome research, addressing health disparities and improving female health strategies worldwide.

14 Feb 2025

Air pollution exposure in late pregnancy linked to higher NICU admissions

Air pollution caused by auto emissions, wildfires and other sources is problematic for many people. It's of particular concern for pregnant people due to the impact pollutants can have on the fetus, especially in the final month before birth.

13 Feb 2025

Postpartum depression research could lead to blood test for at-risk women

New postpartum depression research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and Weill Cornell Medicine could lead to a blood test to identify women at risk and possibly even to a preventive treatment.

13 Feb 2025

Republican states claim zero abortions. A red-state doctor calls that ‘ludicrous.’

In Arkansas, state health officials announced a stunning statistic for 2023: The total number of abortions in the state, where some 1.5 million women live, was zero.

13 Feb 2025

Study suggests sun exposure during first year of life may reduce MS relapses

Getting at least 30 minutes of daily summer sun in the first year of life may mean a lower relapse risk for children who are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) later, according to a study published on February 12, 2025, online in Neurology® Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation, an official journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

13 Feb 2025