New research reveals how trace metals mothers are exposed to during pregnancy can shape their babies’ gut bacteria, metabolic pathways, and even antibiotic resistance, potentially influencing lifelong health. Study: Prenatal exposure to trace elements impacts mother-infant gut microbiome, metabolome and resistome during the first year of life. Image Credit: Anusorn Nakdee / Shutterstock In a recent study … Read more
Despite common beliefs, new research shows that how often and how long mothers breastfeed has almost no impact on milk microbiome diversity. Study: The human milk microbiome is minimally associated with breastfeeding practices. Image credit: comzeal images/Shutterstock.com A recent paper in the journal Scientific Reports explored associations between human milk bacteria and breastfeeding attributes. Introduction Breast milk is … Read more
Children born to mothers who are very obese with a BMI of 35 or higher are at heightened risk of being admitted to hospital for an infection, finds a long term study published in the open access journal BMJ Medicine. The findings highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight before and after the pregnancy, … Read more
As researchers uncover the complexities behind cow’s milk allergy in breastfed infants, new evidence suggests that strict maternal dairy avoidance may not always be necessary, paving the way for more personalized and evidence-based management. Study: Cow’s Milk Allergy in Breastfed Infants: What We Need to Know About Mechanisms, Management, and Maternal Role. Image Credit: Pixel-Shot / … Read more
Dupilumab (Dupixent) was deemed safe for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) in women during pregnancy or breastfeeding, according to data from a meta-analysis published in Acta Dermato-Venereologica.1 However, due to a lack of robust clinical studies included in the analysis, researchers suggested more research is necessary to understand the efficacy and safety of biologics … Read more
Many breastfeeding mothers experience menopause-like symptoms of the postpartum condition recently designated genitourinary syndrome of lactation (GSL) in a systematic review reported in Obstetrics & Gynecology. The term was proposed in 2024 after interdisciplinary discussions among obstetricians, gynecologists, and urologists and following recognition of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Though common, this lactation-associated syndrome … Read more
Women who choose to stop treatment during pregnancy and breastfeeding are putting their health at risk, and have to weigh their desire to have children and breastfeed against a risk that we know very little about. In two ongoing clinical trials, researchers establish a new standard for human lactation studies that includes sampling of breast … Read more
New research reveals that extended breastfeeding benefits infants and helps adolescents build stronger brains and sharper thinking, highlighting the long-term value of following global breastfeeding recommendations. Study: Sustained breastfeeding associations with brain structure and cognition from late childhood to early adolescence. Image Credit: Kittyfly / Shutterstock Breastfeeding’s neurocognitive benefits on infants and children are generally supported, although … Read more
A new scientific review uncovers how gut microbes passed from mother to child may hold the key to obesity’s genetic puzzle, offering fresh hope for more effective prevention strategies. Impact of the gut microbiota on BMI via hypothalamic control of appetite and metabolism, and mechanisms that underlie the transgenerational effects of the gut microbiota on … Read more
A major German study finds that early repeated antibiotic use in very low-birth-weight infants can have lasting effects on lung health, highlighting the importance of antibiotic stewardship and preventive care for preterm children. Study: Perinatal Antibiotic Exposure and Respiratory Outcomes in Children Born Preterm. Image Credit: mi_viri / Shutterstock In a recent study published in JAMA Network … Read more