Smoking during pregnancy fosters aggression in children

Pregnant women who smoke are at a higher risk of delivering physically aggressive children. – Women who smoke during pregnancy risk delivering aggressive kids according to a new Canada-Netherlands study published in the journal Development and Psychopathology.

Free resources to help lead a healthier life

Department of Public Health Urges Residents to Consider Their Health When Choosing a New Year?s Resolution – The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging people to consider resolutions for a healthy lifestyle for the New Year. Whether your resolution is to take better care of your general health, lose weight, or quit using tobacco, the DPH offers tips and resources to help you succeed in leading a healthier lifestyle.

Weight loss pills may be risky for health

FDA warns consumers about tainted weight loss pills. US Health Agency seeks recall of products that pose serious health risks. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting consumers nationwide not to purchase or consume more than 25 different products marketed for weight loss because they contain undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients that may put consumers’ health at risk.

Second hand smoke raises fertility problems in women

If you need another reason to quit smoking, consider that it may diminish your chances of being a parent or grandparent. Women exposed to second hand smoke were more likely to face fertility problems. – Women exposed to second hand smoke, either as adults or children, were significantly more likely to face fertility problems and suffer miscarriages, revealed by researchers from University of Rochester Medical Center.

Routine HIV testing fails in US

Despite national guidelines, private insurers, ER, federal and state agencies fail to routinely test for HIV. New data at national summit show that routine testing would lower record numbers of ‘late testers,’ save lives and reduce transmission. – While the U.S. AIDS epidemic simmers largely unnoticed by most Americans, a failure to widely implement routine HIV testing continues to fuel its spread, HIV researchers and experts said.

Obese women may have safe pregnancy after weight loss surgery

Weight loss surgery – bariatric surgery – may help obese women avoid pregnancy related health complications. – Obese women who have weight loss surgery before becoming pregnant have a lower risk of pregnancy-related health problems and their children are less likely to be born with complications, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

Birth defects rate high in infants born with assisted reproductive technology

National Birth Defects Prevention Study Shows Assisted Reproductive Technology is Associated with an Increased Risk of Certain Birth Defects – Infants conceived with Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) are two to four times more likely to have certain types of birth defects than children conceived naturally, according to a study by the CDC.

Limit caffeine consumption during pregnancy

Everyone wants the best for their baby. Limiting daily caffeine intake is one way which you can ensure your baby has the best start in life. – The Food Standards Agency of UK has issued new advice on caffeine consumption during pregnancy. This follows the results of new FSA-funded research carried out by the Universities of Leeds and Leicester.

Depressed pregnant women may have preterm delivery

Depression during pregnancy can double risk of preterm delivery. Study of 791 women finds preterm delivery risk grows with severity of depression. – Depressed pregnant women have twice the risk of preterm delivery than pregnant women with no symptoms of depression, according to a new study by the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research.

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