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Health News Results - 34
Newer Epilepsy Meds Safe During Pregnancy, Won't Affect Kids' Neurodevelopment
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- December 2, 2024
- Full Page
For decades, it's been known that certain older medications women use to control epilepsy seizures can pose risks to a fetus.
However, data now suggests that no such risk exists for newer-generation anti-seizure meds.
“We need to balance making sure th...
Want to Lower Chemical Exposures in Pregnancy? Quit Nail Polish, Makeup and Hair Dye
- Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay Reporter
- November 19, 2024
- Full Page
Women who won't leave the house without makeup or a spritz of hairspray may want to think twice about those habits when they're pregnant or breastfeeding.
New research links these and other personal care products, including hair dyes, fragrances, lotions, moisturizers an...
Newborn Genome Analysis Spots More Health Issues Than Standard Screening
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- October 24, 2024
- Full Page
DNA analysis of newborns can detect many more preventable or treatable health problems than standard newborn screening does, a new study shows.
Genome sequencing identified 120 babies with serious and treatable health conditions out of 4,000 newborns, researchers reporte...
Dad's Use of Diabetes Med Metformin Won't Raise Birth Defect Risk
- October 17, 2024
- Full Page
A new, reassuring study finds that men can take the diabetes drug metformin without worrying that their offspring will suffer from birth defects.
Re...
Black Babies With Heart Abnormalities Face Higher Death Risk
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- September 30, 2024
- Full Page
Black American infants born with congenital heart disease are less likely to survive to the age of 1, compared to white babies with the condition, a new study finds.
The research suggests that Black infants aren't reaping the same benefit from recent advances against hea...
Could Fertility Treatments Raise Heart Defect Risks in Babies?
- Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay Reporter
- September 27, 2024
- Full Page
Babies conceived through assisted reproductive technology are more likely to be born with a major heart defect, new research shows.
That risk was 36% higher in babies conceived through techniques such as
Many Pregnant Medicaid Patients Miss Prenatal Ultrasounds, Upping Risks Around Birth Defects
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- September 24, 2024
- Full Page
Pregnant women covered by Medicaid are less likely to get an ultrasound exam that can diagnose heart defects in a fetus, a new study finds.
“The 20-week ultrasound is hugely important in detecting birth defects because it involves assessment of the baby’s maj...
Even 1 Cigarette a Day While Pregnant Can Harm Baby
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- August 21, 2024
- Full Page
Just a daily cigarette or two before or during pregnancy endangers the health of newborns, a new study warns.
Infants are 16% more likely to suffer major health issues following delivery if their mothers engaged in “light smoking” of one or two cigarettes a d...
EPA Bans Vegetable Pesticide That Can Harm Fetuses
- Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
- August 7, 2024
- Full Page
In an historic move, the Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday banned the use of a pesticide that can harm fetuses.
Known as dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA or Dacthal), the weedkiller is used on a variety of crops, including broccoli, onions, kale, Brussels...
Using Diabetes Drug Metformin Around Pregnancy Won't Raise Birth Defect Risk
- Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
- June 18, 2024
- Full Page
Two new studies offer reassurance that using the diabetes drug metformin before and during pregnancy is not linked to birth defects.
The latest findings, which apply to men planning to conceive with their partners or women in early pregnancy, contradict a 2022
No Sign that Ozempic, Wegovy Pose Threat to the Fetus: Study
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- December 12, 2023
- Full Page
The diabetes and weight-loss drug Ozempic does not appear to harm a developing fetus when taken by pregnant women, a new study reports.
Researchers found no elevated risk of birth defects among newborns of women who took medications to control their type 2 diabetes, comp...
New Syndrome May Be Affecting Babies Exposed to Fentanyl
- Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
- December 5, 2023
- Full Page
Doctors report they are seeing what they think is a new syndrome in babies who are exposed to fentanyl while in the womb.
All of the infants have cleft palates and unusually small heads, and all were born to mothers who said they'd used fentanyl and other drugs while pre...
Birth Defects More Common in Babies Born to Moms Who've Had Cancer
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- October 10, 2023
- Full Page
Teens and young adult women who survive cancer appear to have higher odds of delivering babies with birth defects, according to a new study.
Knowing this, young women making decisions about pregnancy and prenatal care should receive appropriate counseling and surveillanc...
FDA Will Begin to Regulate Thousands of Lab Tests
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- September 29, 2023
- Full Page
Faced with growing reports of inaccurate clinical lab tests, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday announced that it will for the first time regulate these vital diagnostic tools.
Many Americans might have assumed that the FDA already had oversight of all medic...
Spotting Heart Defects While Baby Still in Womb Is Crucial, Study Shows
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- August 7, 2023
- Full Page
Diagnosis of congenital heart defects while a baby is still in the womb offers opportunities for earlier corrective surgery. And that can mean better outcomes for an infant's neurodevelopmental and physical health,
Testing Entire Genome Twice as Good at Spotting Genetic Disorders as Targeted Tests Are
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- July 11, 2023
- Full Page
Identifying genetic disorders in newborns and infants can help them get the care they need, but one approach -- whole genome sequencing -- appears far superior to another.
In a new study, researchers compared whole genome sequencing with targeted gene-sequencing. Th...
Monkey Study Suggests Hazards of Marijuana Use During Pregnancy
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- July 11, 2023
- Full Page
Marijuana use during pregnancy may impact the baby's brain development and long-term health, according to new research with monkeys.
THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) -- the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis -- altered the placental an...
Aidan's Tough Journey: Now Breathing Easier With a Rewired Heart
- Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
- February 24, 2023
- Full Page
Ambar Marcus didn't think anything of going to the follow-up ultrasound her doctor recommended around 22 weeks of pregnancy -- until she noticed how long it was taking.
"The technician was a lovely lady who chatted with me the whole time, but I noticed it felt like a ver...
Smoking in Pregnancy Has Declined by a Third Since 2016
- Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
- January 31, 2023
- Full Page
There's good news for American mothers-to-be and their newborns: Rates of smoking during pregnancy have fallen by 36% since 2016, a new report finds.
The percentage of pregnant women who smoked was already low in 2016 compared to decades past: 7.2%. But by 2021, that rat...
Penis Birth Defects Are on the Rise -- Are Environmental Toxins to Blame?
- Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- January 20, 2023
- Full Page
Doctors are seeing an alarming increase in cases of a specific genital malformation in male babies, and new research suggests environmental factors might be at play.
The malformation is known as hypospadias, where the opening of the urethra is not at the tip of the penis...
Pandemic Silver Lining: Drop in Infections That Cause Birth Defects
- By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- September 12, 2022
- Full Page
The number of babies born with a virus that commonly causes birth defects may have dropped significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, new research suggests.
That was true in Minnesota, the first state to start screening all newborns for congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV)....
Pregnant Women Face Exposures to Dangerous Chemicals Daily
- By Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
- August 30, 2022
- Full Page
Pregnant women are exposed to toxic chemicals in dishware, hair coloring, plastics and pesticides that can heighten their risk of cancer and harm child development, a new study warns.
No Sign That COVID Vaccine in Pregnancy Raises Birth Defect Risk
- By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
- April 5, 2022
- Full Page
Public health experts have been telling pregnant women that it is safe -- and recommended -- to get a COVID-19 shot because they are at higher risk for poor outcomes and death from the virus.
New research now answers a key question about the vaccine's impact on their bab...
Rise in Birth Defects for Babies Whose Fathers Took Common Diabetes Drug
- Amy Norton
- March 29, 2022
- Full Page
Babies born to fathers who were taking the common diabetes drug metformin may have a slightly increased risk of certain birth defects, a large new study suggests.
Among over 1 million babies...
Heart Defects Could Raise Odds for Severe COVID-19
- March 7, 2022
- Full Page
People who were born with a heart defect have a nearly doubled risk for severe COVID-19 illness or death and need to get vaccinated, wear masks and take other steps to protect themselves, researchers report.
Those patients at the highest risk for severe COVID-19 were 50 ...
Smoking Around Time of Conception May Harm Embryo
- February 23, 2022
- Full Page
Smoking in the weeks before and after conception has a potentially unhealthy effect on an embryo, Dutch research shows.
"Smoking not only impacts an embryo's gr...
A Healthy Mouth Could Be a Lifesaver for Kids With Heart Conditions
- February 16, 2022
- Full Page
Kids with heart conditions are more likely than their peers to have frequent cavities, toothaches or bleeding gums, a new U.S. government study finds.
Researchers found that of U.S. children and teenagers with heart conditions, 10% had only "poor" to "fair" dental health...
Fertility Treatments Don't Raise Odds for Smaller, Preemie Babies
- Cara Murez
- January 12, 2022
- Full Page
Babies conceived through infertility treatment are more likely to be born early and small.
But there are reasons other than medically assisted reproduction to expla...
Family Factors Affect Child's Odds for Cleft Palate
- Cara Murez
- December 30, 2021
- Full Page
Economic status appears linked to increased risk of being born with a cleft palate or lip, new research suggests, building on past evidence that it can also result in delayed care and poorer outcomes.
Severe Illness in a Child Takes Big Toll on Parents, Siblings: Study
- Robert Preidt
- December 23, 2021
- Full Page
When a child has severe health problems, the suffering often extends to the entire family, new research finds.
Using data from a single health insurance provider, the study authors assessed nearly 7,000 children with life-threatening conditions and their families, and co...
Gene Therapy May Reverse Hurler Syndrome, a Rare and Severe Illness in Kids
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
- November 18, 2021
- Full Page
Gene therapy might soon offer a new option for children with a rare genetic disorder that damages tissues throughout the body, researchers are reporting.
In a study of eight children with the condition, called Hurler syndrome, researchers found that the gene therapy was ...
Pregnancy, Delivery Safe for Women Born With Heart Defects
- Robert Preidt
- October 18, 2021
- Full Page
Women who were born with heart defects may get some reassurance from a new study that finds they face no heightened risk to health during a pregnancy and delivery.
According to the researchers, doctors may often advise these women against getting pregnant due to the pote...
Why Are More U.S. Babies Being Born With Syphilis?
- Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
- September 16, 2021
- Full Page
The number of U.S. infants born with syphilis is climbing at an alarming pace, reaching a high not seen since the 1990s, according to new government figures.
Newborn syphilis, a potentially fatal condition, was at one time nearly eliminated in the United States. But the ...
Diabetes in Pregnancy Tied to Eye Issues in Kids
- Robert Preidt
- August 18, 2021
- Full Page
Children whose mothers had diabetes during pregnancy are at increased risk for severe forms of common eye problems such as far- and near-sightedness and astigmatism, a long-term study suggests.
Collectively, they're known as refractive errors, conditions in which the eye...