DHA Supplementation May Help with Prevent Premature Birth
Razi Berry Early preterm births may be dramatically decreased with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplements, with a dose of 1000 mg more effective for pregnant women with low DHA levels than the 200 mg found in some prenatal supplements, according to a study led by researchers from the University of Kansas and the University of Cincinnati […]
No Amount of Smoke is Safe During Pregnancy
Razi Berry Nearly a quarter of pregnant women say they’ve been around secondhand smoke — in their homes, at work, around a friend or relative — which, according to new research, is linked to epigenetic changes — meaning changes to how genes are regulated rather than changes to the genetic code itself — in babies […]
THC May Stay in Breast Milk Up to Six Weeks
Razi Berry In a new study published in JAMA Pediatrics, researchers at Children’s Hospital Colorado (Children’s Colorado) have found that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of marijuana, stays in breast milk for up to six weeks, further supporting the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the […]
Study Looks at Maternal Transmission of COVID-19 to Baby During Pregnancy
Razi Berry Transmission of COVID-19 from mother to baby during pregnancy is uncommon, and the rate of infection is no greater when the baby is born vaginally, breastfed or allowed contact with the mother, according to a new study. Transmission of COVID-19 from mother to baby during pregnancy is uncommon The research also found that […]
Exercising During Pregnancy Good for Children
Razi Berry When physically fit women exercise during pregnancy they could be setting their children up for better fitness too. Exercise during pregnancy stimulates production of brown adipose tissue That’s according to a study published today in Science Advances led by Min Du, professor of animal sciences at Washington State University, and his PhD student […]
Certain Antibiotics During First Trimester Linked to Birth Defects
Razi Berry Children of mothers prescribed macrolide antibiotics during the first trimester of pregnancy are at an increased risk of major birth defects when compared with penicillin, and the drugs should be used ‘with caution’ according to a new University College London (UCL) study. Increased risk of major birth defects for children of mothers prescribed […]
STDs in the U.S. Still on the Rise, Reports CDC
Razi Berry Combined cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia reached an all-time high in the United States in 2018, according to the annual Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance Report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can have severe health consequences. Among the most tragic are newborn deaths […]
Obese Women May Not Require Extra Calories During Pregnancy
Razi Berry The Institute of Medicine’s guidelines currently advise all pregnant women to increase calorie intake by 340-450 calories/day during their second and third trimesters, regardless of their body size at conception. Approximately 2/3 of women with obesity at the time of pregnancy will gain more weight than recommended, highlighting a need for evidence-based guidelines […]
Smoking During Pregnancy Could Increase Risk of ADHD
Razi Berry Despite its proven negative effects on fetal development, smoking during pregnancy remains a significant public health issue. During 2017, approximately 12.5% of all pregnant women in Finland smoked during pregnancy and 7% continued to smoke throughout their pregnancy. Association between maternal smoking and offspring ADHD Exposure to maternal smoking is associated with various […]
New Blood Test for Determining Genetic Disorders During Pregnancy
Razi Berry Tel Aviv University researchers have developed a new blood test for genetic disorders that may allow parents to learn about the health of their baby as early as 11 weeks into pregnancy. Simple blood test lets doctors diagnose genetic disorders in fetuses early in pregnancy The simple blood test lets doctors diagnose genetic […]