Even in the womb, where all oxygen is provided by the parental placenta, fetuses can-and do-yawn. More yawns during observation were associated with a lower weight at birth-potentially indicating mild fetal stress in the womb, according to a study published February 25, 2026 in the open-access journal PLOS One by Damiano Menin, of the Università … Read more
Using a standard dose of antidepressants during pregnancy appears to be safe for the baby, suggests new research from the University of Oslo and Akershus University Hospital. Persistently high doses, however, may be linked to changes in the placenta and a higher chance that the newborn needs intensive care. Many women who become pregnant while … Read more
Analyzing nearly 11.5 million births across four decades, researchers use rigorous methods to show that fluoridated drinking water is not linked to lower birth weight. Study: Community Water Fluoridation and Birth Outcomes. Image credit: Tatjana Meininger/Shutterstock.com While fluoridated water is widely considered a public health benefit, its potential association with reduced birth weight has often … Read more
A new study from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health finds that community water fluoridation (CWF) is not associated with significant changes in birth weight-a widely accepted indicator of infant health and a predictor of later-life outcomes. The findings provide reassurance about the safety of fluoridated drinking water during pregnancy. The results are published … Read more
A study of almost 1000 pregnant women in Zimbabwe found that a daily dose of a commonly used, safe and inexpensive antibiotic may have led to fewer babies being born early. Among women living with HIV, those who received the antibiotic had larger babies who were less likely to be preterm. One in four live-born … Read more
A systematic review uncovers links between maternal smoking and tooth defects in children, from missing teeth to enamel damage, while calling for stronger research to confirm the risks. Study: The association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and dental development in offspring: a systematic review. Image credit: HenadziPechan/Shutterstock.com A recent systematic review in the journal Evidence-Based Dentistry explored … Read more
With congenital syphilis at a 30-year high in the US, experts stress that early and universal syphilis screening in pregnancy is vital to protect both mothers and newborns from preventable harm. Study: Screening for Syphilis Infection During Pregnancy: US Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement. Image Credit: Summit Art Creations / Shutterstock.com In a recent … Read more
A major Australian study finds that a child’s long-term weight is closely tied to their parents’ BMI before birth, especially the mother’s, underscoring the urgent need to tackle obesity before pregnancy to break the cycle across generations. Image Credit: kwanchai.c / Shutterstock New research being presented at this year’s European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025) highlights the … Read more
An updated systematic review finds that consuming cannabis while pregnant appears to increase the odds of preterm birth, low birth weight and infant death. The study by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University published today in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. The lead author is a physician-scientist who provides prenatal care for high-risk pregnancies at … Read more
New study reveals low maternal vitamin D levels may ‘fast-forward’ fetal biological clocks, raising questions about long-term health risks and prenatal care strategies. Research: Maternal Vitamin D Deficiency Is a Risk Factor for Infants’ Epigenetic Gestational Age Acceleration at Birth in Japan: A Cohort Study. Image Credit: Fida Olga / Shutterstock In a recent study published in … Read more