Pregnancy risk Archives

Effects of a first miscarriage on future pregnancies

New research to be published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology examines the effects of a miscarriage on subsequent pregnancies. – Miscarriage (or spontaneous pregnancy loss) is defined as pregnancy loss before 24 completed weeks of gestation. There is a 20% (one in five) risk of pregnancies ending in a miscarriage in the first three months and one in 100 women have recurrent miscarriages (three or more successive miscarriages).

New prenatal test for Down syndrome less risky than amniocentesis

New prenatal test for Down syndrome less risky than amniocentesis, Stanford/Packard scientists say. – Pregnant women worried about their babies’ genetic health face a tough decision: get prenatal gene testing and risk miscarriage, or skip the tests and miss the chance to learn of genetic defects before birth.

Exercise guidelines urge physical activity during pregnancy

MSU researcher helps government adopt first-ever exercise guidelines. Guidelines urge physical activity during pregnancy. – Moderate physical activity during pregnancy does not contribute to low birth weight, premature birth or miscarriage and may actually reduce the risk of complications, according to a Michigan State University professor who contributed to the U.S. government’s first-ever guidelines on physical activity.

Nicotine gum for pregnant smokers

Use of nicotine gum increased birth weight and gestational age, two key parameters in predicting neonatal wellbeing. – Nicotine gum might help pregnant women to reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke, which could reduce their risk of having premature or low-birthweight infants.

Increased risk of pregnancy problems in Asian-white

Asian-white couples face distinct pregnancy risks, revealed by researchers at Stanford University Medical Center. – Pregnant women who are part of an Asian-white couple face an increased risk of gestational diabetes as compared with couples in which both partners are white, according to a new study from Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Miscarriage risk high in obese pregnant women

Obese pregnant women run a greater risk of miscarriage, and should be advised to lose weight. – Overweight women with a tendency towards obesity run a greater risk of repeat miscarriages and should be advised to lose weight before they try and become pregnant again, revealed by researchers at London’s St Mary’s Hospital.

Poor coordination in childhood linked to obesity in later life

Some aspects of poorer neurological function like physical control and coordination in childhood associated with adult obesity. – Poor physical control and coordination in childhood are linked to an increased risk of obesity in later life, suggests a study published on BMJ.com today.

International AIDS Society updates treatment guidelines for HIV infection

The availability of new antiretroviral drugs and formulations, including drugs in new classes, and recent data on treatment choices for antiretroviral-naive and -experienced patients warrant an update of the International AIDS Society?USA guidelines for the use of antiretroviral therapy in adult human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. – An evaluation of recent data has led to an update in the guidelines and recommendations for antiretroviral treatment of adult human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, according to an article in the August 6 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on HIV/AIDS.

Epilepsy drug topiramate during pregnancy raises birth defects risk

Pregnant women who take a common epilepsy drug topiramate (Topamax) may increase their risk of birth defects, revealed by researchers. – Taking the epilepsy drug topiramate alone or along with other epilepsy drugs during pregnancy may increase the risk of birth defects, according to a study published in the July 22, 2008, issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Nut products during pregnancy increases asthma risk in children

This study provides evidence on the relationship between maternal diet during pregnancy and longitudinal development of childhood asthma. Daily consumption of nut products increased the risk of asthma outcomes during the first 8 years of life. – Expectant mothers who eat nuts or nut products like peanut butter daily during pregnancy increase their children’s risk of developing asthma by more than 50 percent over women who rarely or never consume nut products during pregnancy, according to new research from the Netherlands.

Miscarriage risk in pregnant rises when man is over 35

Couples with fertility problems where the man is over 35 have increased difficulty in conceiving – Pregnancy rates decrease and miscarriages increase when a father is over 35 years of age, a scientist will tell the 24th annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology on Monday 7 July.

Low vitamin D level during pregnancy affects baby’s dental health

Mother’s vitamin D status during pregnancy will affect her baby’s dental health, leading to enamel defects, which are a risk factor for early-childhood tooth decay. – Low maternal vitamin D levels during pregnancy may affect primary tooth calcification, leading to enamel defects, which are a risk factor for early-childhood tooth decay.