Pregnancy

January 16, 2025 5:20 PM

Study links maternal exposure to air pollution before pregnancy with childhood obesity risk

Maternal exposure to air pollution — specifically particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) — during the three months prior to conception may increase the risk of childhood obesity up to two years after birth, according to a study published on Thursday. Previous research has connected air pollution exposure during pregnancy to a range of health issues in children, such as respiratory problems and an elevated risk of chronic diseases like obesity and heart conditions. Howev...

November 30, 2024 12:14 PM

Maternal exposure to PM2.5 may lead to adverse birth outcomes: Study

Pregnant women’s exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) may alter immune responses, potentially leading to adverse birth outcomes, according to a new study. While previous research has linked PM2.5 exposure to maternal and child health complications, including preeclampsia, low birth weight, and developmental delays in early childhood, the new study, published in 'Science Advances', is the first to specifically examine the relationship between PM2.5 and maternal and fetal heal...

September 17, 2024 5:39 PM

Study shows how a woman’s brain reorganizes during pregnancy

Pregnancy triggers vast changes in a woman's body - hormonal, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary, and more. And, as a new study reveals, the brain undergoes major changes too, some fleeting and others more enduring. Researchers said on Monday they have for the first time mapped the changes that unfold as a woman's brain reorganizes in response to pregnancy, based on scans carried out 26 times starting three weeks before conception, through nine months of pregnancy, and then ...

April 8, 2024 11:45 AM

Study reveals impact of alcohol consumption during pregnancy on infant development

A recent study published in the journal "Alcohol Clinical and Experimental Research" has revealed that even low to moderate alcohol consumption by pregnant women can lead to subtle changes in the prenatal development of their babies. Lead researcher Bakhireva highlighted that while heavy alcohol use has been extensively studied, with defined thresholds such as 14 drinks per week or binge drinking of four or more drinks per occasion, their study focused on more common and moderate alcohol exposu...