A simple fiber supplement could reshape the gut microbiome, stabilize blood sugar spikes, and even prevent preterm births in high-risk pregnancies, offering a promising new path for precision prenatal care. Study: Dietary fiber supplementation mitigates gestational diabetes risk and preterm birth via gut microbiota modulation: a randomized controlled trial. Image credit: dilyaz/Shutterstock.com A new study … Read more
Babies born between 2003 and 2006 were exposed to many more “forever chemicals” before birth than scientists previously understood, according to new research published in Environmental Science & Technology. Thousands of these chemicals, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS, remain in use today, and their human health effects are poorly understood-making it crucial … Read more
A research team from the Department of Psychiatry at Tohoku University, led by Dr. Zhiqian Yu and Professor Hiroaki Tomita, has uncovered compelling evidence that maternal perinatal depression – psychological distress occurring during pregnancy or postpartum – elevates the risk of autistic-related traits in toddlers, with a particularly strong impact on girls. Their findings are … 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
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
Prenatal exposure to different microplastic particles may impact the neonatal gut microbiome in a manner that increases individuals’ risk of asthma, new findings suggest, and this impact is transmissible through live microbiota. These results were presented at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2025 International Conference, with the poster being titled ‘Urban Air, Diesel Exhaust and … 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
When Jessica Johnson, 36, began to experience labored breathing and heart palpitations, she quickly made an appointment to see a cardiologist. A CT scan showed she had two aortic aneurysms that could potentially require surgery. As a child, Jessica was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome – a rare genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue in … Read more
New research links maternal PCOS and testosterone to reduced weekend activity in boys and weaker grip strength in girls, highlighting the lasting impact of in-utero hormone exposure on children’s physical development. Image Credit: Marta Design / Shutterstock Boys born to mothers who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or who have higher levels of testosterone during the third … Read more