News

Among women who undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) to become pregnant, there is no difference in delivery rates among those implanted with one prescreened embryo compared to those implanted with two unscreened embryos, new study findings reveal.

Researchers say they finally know what causes babies to be born with port-wine stain birthmarks and a rarer but related condition that often leads to lifelong struggles with blindness, seizures and mental disabilities.

Women who use synthetic marijuana during pregnancy can develop symptoms similar to those associated with eclampsia and preeclampsia, according to a new study.

Exposure to flame-retardant chemicals in the womb is associated with hyperactivity and lower intelligence in children, a new study indicates.

A much larger or much smaller birth weight than average may be associated with an increased risk of autism, according to a large new study.

For the many pregnant women who are concerned about how beauty products, such as hair dyes and skin creams, will affect their developing baby, an expert offers some advice on what is safe.

Ideal amounts of vitamin D supplementation for breast-feeding infants are unclear, according to a new study.

Many children suffer allergies at this time of year as trees and other plants start releasing pollens into the air. So parents need to monitor their youngsters for symptoms, an expert says.

Autism risk may be spotted at birth by examining placentas for abnormalities, new research suggests.

Valproate -- an epilepsy drug already shown to increase the risk of birth defects and thinking problems in offspring whose mothers used the drug during pregnancy -- may also significantly increase the risk of having a child with autism or an autism spectrum disorder, according to new research.

After five years of leveling off, the U.S. infant mortality rate is finally on the decline again, a new government report shows.

Although colic has always been considered a gastrointestinal illness, new research suggests that migraines might be to blame.

Lullabies have been used to soothe babies since time immemorial. Now, scientists say that premature infants in particular can benefit from combining this tactic with other forms of music therapy, such as simulated womb sounds synchronized to preemies' vital signs.

Gene mutations associated with a deadly heart rhythm disorder were discovered in nearly 20 percent of stillbirth cases, a new study reveals.

Daughters born to women who had excess levels of estrogen during pregnancy may be at increased risk for breast cancer, a new study suggests.

Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and the first year of life might increase the likelihood of developing certain childhood cancers, California researchers say.

The chickenpox vaccine is very effective at preventing the disease, and its protection doesn't wane over time, new research finds.

Women exposed to traffic-related air pollution in early pregnancy are at increased risk of having babies with certain types of serious birth defects, a new study finds.

Low levels of vitamin D during pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of complications in mothers-to-be and low birth weight in their newborns, a new study finds.

Working during pregnancy does not increase a woman's risk of having a preterm or low birth-weight baby, a new study found.

Those convenient, prepackaged meals and snacks for toddlers may contain worrisome levels of salt, U.S. researchers report.

Women's vitamin D levels during pregnancy do not affect their children's bone health later in life, a new study shows.

Baby "wipes" and scented skin lotions can lead to diaper rash in infants, but new parents can soothe their baby's irritated skin and prevent a recurrence, says an expert from the Loyola University Health System.

Overweight and obese pregnant women are at increased risk for cesarean delivery, according to a new study.

New mothers have a much higher rate of obsessive-compulsive symptoms than other people and these symptoms center on their baby's well-being, a new study indicates.

Teaching children heart-healthy habits now can help protect them from heart disease when they're adults, an expert says.

Five tests and procedures that obstetricians/gynecologists and their patients should question the need for are outlined in a list released by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) as part of the Choosing Wisely campaign.

Infants born to obese women typically have a thickening of a key heart vessel that seems tied to their mom's excess weight, a new study shows.
 

Universal screening of newborns improves the detection of a deadly genetic disorder in both girls and boys, according to a new study.

Children of women who are diagnosed with an alcohol disorder during pregnancy or within a year after giving birth have a three-fold higher risk of dying from SIDS -- sudden infant death syndrome -- compared to babies whose mothers do not have alcohol issues, according to a new Australian study.

Most babies who are slow to put on weight in their first 9 months of life achieve a normal weight range by the time they're 13 years old, but tend to be lighter and shorter than many of their peers, according to a new study.

Food allergies appear to affect children's growth, a new study suggests. This could be due to the fact that the treatment for food allergies is strict avoidance of foods that trigger a reaction, the researchers said.

Children who are given codeine for pain relief after surgery to remove tonsils or adenoids are at risk for overdose and death, U.S. health officials said Thursday.

New guidelines on testing newborns and children for genetic diseases recommend screening for childhood diseases but note that testing for diseases that strike in adulthood may not be worthwhile.

Multiple tests are needed to detect bacterial infections in newborns with a low birth weight, a news study suggests.

Reduced lung function during infancy is linked to wheeze in adulthood, a new long-term study contends.

Smoke-free legislation, including bans on lighting up in public places and restaurants, reduces the risk of babies being born prematurely, according to a large new study from Belgium.

Opening the windows at home may help pregnant women reduce their risk for preterm birth or low birth weight, a new study indicates.

First-born children may be at greater risk for diabetes or high blood pressure, a new, small study contends.

Being born by cesarean section has been tied to higher risks for various health problems in children, and now a new study finds these babies also have fewer "good" bacteria in their digestive tract.

Every baby has a beautiful smile, and to keep it that way, parents should teach good dental habits at an early age, experts say.

Attention problems might be seen in 6-month-old infants who are later diagnosed with autism, a new study says.

Pregnant women exposed to particulate air pollution -- commonly known as smog -- have a significantly greater risk of having a baby with a low birth weight, according to a large new international study.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics have released new vaccine guidelines for 2013.
 

Finding private, quiet places to pump breast milk can be difficult for mothers with babies in neonatal intensive care units, a new study says.

Exposure to ice, snow and freezing temperatures can be dangerous for kids.

The standard vaccine schedule for young children in the United States is safe and effective, a new review says.

Women who became pregnant through in vitro fertilization (IVF) may have an increased risk of developing blood clots and potentially fatal artery blockage, Swedish investigators suggest.
 

Flu vaccination rates among U.S. children were lower than expected over a recent five-year period, a new study reports.

Giving the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine in the thigh rather than the arm reduces a toddler's risk of an injection-site reaction that requires medical attention, according to a new study.

Flu season is especially bad in the United States this year, and young children with the flu tend to suffer more than others because they can't take over-the-counter medications to help relieve their symptoms.

Language development begins in the womb, during the last 10 weeks of pregnancy, a small new study of U.S. and Swedish infants suggests.

Plenty of research has linked a mother's mental health during and after pregnancy with her child's well-being. Now, a new study suggests that an expectant father's psychological distress might influence his toddler's emotional and behavioral development.

Treating pregnant women with preeclampsia for mild breathing problems during sleep can benefit the growing fetus, a small new study suggests.

Chronic pain from childbirth is rare and biologic changes after a woman gives birth may prevent the development of pain after birth, according to two new studies.

Angela Morales-Patterson first knew something was wrong when she heard a nurse gasp just after delivery of her baby.

Treating very premature infants with high oxygen levels to improve their ability to breathe appears to boost their chances of surviving into toddlerhood, a new U.S. National Institutes of Health study found.

Children whose mothers were exposed to secondhand smoke while they were pregnant may be at greater risk for behavioral problems, according to a new study.

Drinking two cups of milk a day gives toddlers adequate amounts of vitamin D without lowering their iron levels, according to new research.

Children who were deprived of oxygen in the womb or during birth are more likely to develop attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a new study says.

Children born after in vitro fertilization are more likely to have asthma, according to a new British study.

A child with a fever is a major worry for many parents, but fever is just a natural part of many illnesses and can actually benefit your child, an expert says.

Single-child mothers who develop preeclampsia during their pregnancy are more likely to die from heart disease later in life than mothers with multiple children who developed the blood pressure condition during their first pregnancy, a large, new study suggests.

Toy cars with parts so small a child could choke on them, a plastic "robot" with excessive lead levels, and a play car horn that's so loud it could damage a child's hearing are just some of the dangerous playthings on this year's "Trouble in Toyland" report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG).

Pregnant women with higher levels of vitamin D circulating in their blood were significantly less likely to develop multiple sclerosis in the years after giving birth, a new Swedish study suggests.

A new study finds that women who have had one or more miscarriages are at increased risk for hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), which can lead to problems such as heart attack and stroke.

Women with treated and untreated bipolar disorder are more likely to give birth prematurely -- before 37 weeks -- and have other pregnancy and birth complications, according to a new study.

Even moderate alcohol consumption during pregnancy can harm a child's IQ, a new study warns.

Adding fish to babies' diets during the first year of life might reduce their risk of asthma later on, a study by Dutch researchers suggests.

A new study suggests that pregnant women with the autoimmune disease lupus may have a twofold increased risk of preeclampsia, a dangerous condition characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine.

Women who take a popular class of antidepressants during pregnancy may be risking the health of their developing fetus, and the risk may outweigh any benefit to the mother, a new review of data suggests.

Children whose mothers were overweight and smoked during pregnancy are at increased risk of being overweight, a new study has found.

Over-the-counter eye drops or nasal decongestant sprays can pose a serious health threat to children who swallow them and should be kept out of the reach of kids at all times, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.

All pregnant women should be vaccinated against whooping cough, preferably in their last trimester, a panel of U.S. advisers recommended Wednesday.

A new study finds that many grandparent caregivers don't know about newer safety guidelines for children, such as appropriate sleep position, crib safety and car seat use.

A leading group of U.S. fertility doctors says there is now enough evidence to support the freezing of a woman's eggs as a way to preserve fertility in young women.

Those bite-sized, brightly colored packets of concentrated liquid laundry detergent need to be kept out of the reach of small children, who often mistake them for candy, U.S. health officials warn.

When the introduction to solid foods is delayed and babies are fed formula for a prolonged period of time, it may place them at increased risk for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a new study suggests.

Smoking in cars produces levels of harmful particulate pollutants that are far above World Health Organization indoor air standards and likely pose a threat to children's health, a new study reveals.

Babies exposed to cigarette smoke are at increased risk for developing childhood respiratory diseases such as asthma, according to a new study.

A common class of antidepressants, when taken during pregnancy, can affect aspects of language ability in the baby's earliest stages of development, a small new study suggests.

The need for neonatal intensive care may not make a difference in long-term prospects for babies born late in the preterm period, according to new research.

Researchers who developed a mathematical model to help predict a couple's chances of becoming pregnant say the method may help determine how long couples should wait before seeking medical help to achieve pregnancy.

Researchers say they have developed a blood test that could potentially detect hundreds of genetic conditions in newborn babies in about two days. The test might allow physicians to quickly diagnose babies and treat them instead of waiting for lengthy tests or guessing without full information.

Measuring progesterone levels in women with pain or bleeding during early pregnancy may help determine whether or not the pregnancy is viable, a new study says.
 

The newborns of obese pregnant women with obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder that causes disrupted sleep and pauses in breathing during the night, are more likely to be admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit, according to new research.
 

Women who were born preterm may be more likely to have pregnancy complications than other women, a new study suggests.

The common chemical bisphenol A (BPA), found in the lining of many aluminum cans and a variety of food packaging, may be adding to the obesity epidemic among children and teens, according to a new study.

A new study found that despite AAP guidelines on car safety, few youngsters are placed in the proper safety seats after age 1, and that many over age 6 sit in the front passenger seat.

 Weight gain following a tonsillectomy is linked to children's age, not the underlying diagnosis, according to a new study.

Poor egg quality may explain why severely obese women have difficulty getting pregnant from in vitro fertilization (IVF), a new study indicates.

The leading pediatricians' group in the United States is again urging parents to get all children aged 6 months or over immunized in preparation for the coming flu season.

Nearly one in five young children with cancer suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a small new study.

A rise in the rate of pregnancy-associated cancers is only partially explained by the increasing number of older mothers, a new study contends.

Almost all toddlers in the United States are getting their recommended childhood vaccinations, despite some parents' concerns about giving so many shots to the very young in such a short period of time.

Colorful and tempting, those single-wash packets of laundry detergent can be poisonous for toddlers who mistake them for candy, researchers warn.

New research suggests how smoking during pregnancy may increase a child's risk of obesity during adolescence.

Dog bites are one of the risks faced by children playing outdoors, but some simple safety measures can help protect them.

As the use of small button batteries has become more widespread to power devices such as toys, watches and hearing aids, more young children have swallowed them, resulting in choking and even deaths, a new U.S. report says.

Kids who snore should be evaluated for sleep apnea. That's the main recommendation that comes from a set of updated guidelines released by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

 A leading organization of pediatricians says the medical benefits of male circumcision outweigh the risks, but they're not enough to recommend the controversial procedure be performed on all baby boys.

Men who have kids later in life may pass on more new genetic mutations to their offspring, possibly raising their child's risk of disorders such as autism and schizophrenia, new research suggests.

Babies born with congenital hypothyroidism -- a condition that causes low or no thyroid hormone production -- shouldn't be given soy formula, new research indicates.

A dramatic decline in the number of circumcisions of boys born in the United States may lead to a surge in the rate of sexually transmitted diseases, a new study contends.

Pregnant women are at higher risk of bleeding in the brain from vessel abnormalities known as arteriovenous malformations, a new study indicates.

Treatment for cervical disease does not necessarily increase a woman's risk for preterm delivery, according to a new study.

Women who give birth to large infants may be 2.5 times more likely to develop breast cancer than women who give birth to the smallest babies.

Toddlers who snore persistently are more likely to have behavior problems, such as hyperactivity, depression and attention issues, during the day than their non-snoring peers, new research indicates.

Infants exposed to certain types of mold are at greater risk for childhood asthma, according to a new study.

For babies who are born very prematurely, vaginal deliveries are as safe as C-sections as long as the infants are in the head-first position in the womb, a new study indicates.

Kids with a serious food allergy generally have to steer clear of the offending food, but methods now under development could change that common scenario.

A new gene associated with a rare form of blindness from birth has been identified by researchers.

Women who have their last child after age 30 have a reduced risk of endometrial cancer, according to a new study.

When Vanessa Hernandez's sixth child was born, she knew right away her daughter was different.

Healthy eating and low or moderate levels of exercise during pregnancy can help a woman avoid excessive weight gain and may reduce her infant's risk of being overweight or obese later in life, new research indicates.

The number of whooping cough cases in the United States may hit a record high this year, federal health officials reported.

Because pertussis vaccination starts after the age of 1 and infants are especially vulnerable to the disease, vaccination is especially important for pregnant women and others who come in contact with infants.

Men and women exposed to chemicals in the workplace may be increasing their odds of having an infant with a birth defect, two new studies suggest.

Marijuana use prior to her pregnancy greatly raises a woman's risk of premature birth, according to a study that identified the most common risk factors for preterm delivery.

Women who use birth control products that contain a combination of estrogen and progestin may double their risk for heart attack and stroke.

Infant mortality, preterm births and teen births have dropped across the United States as have violent crime and victimization among children, U.S. health officials reported.

Adding to the ongoing debate over what expectant mothers should eat and drink, new Dutch research finds no link between caffeine consumption during pregnancy and later behavioral problems in kids.

How many children a woman bears and whether or not she breast-feeds them may affect her weight decades later, according to new research.

Uncircumcised boys are at higher risk for urinary tract infections, common bacterial infections that can scar the kidneys if untreated, according to a new study.

When Hacah Boros gave birth to her daughter three years ago, giving her infant formula was "completely out of the question," said the 35-year-old nurse from central Connecticut. She was worried about bisphenol A (BPA), a common chemical in plastics and also a "hormone disruptor" associated with changes in child growth and development.

Drinking five or more cups of coffee a day may cut in half a woman's chance of successful in vitro fertilization treatment, a new study contends.

New research suggests pregnant mothers who take certain antipsychotic drugs may face a higher risk of gestational diabetes, which can appear during pregnancy.

Giving treats to others makes toddlers happier than receiving treats, researchers report. They also found that toddlers younger than 2 were happier when giving treats that belonged to them, rather than identical treats that didn't.

Fetuses at the extremes of weight -- either very small or very large -- have a greater risk of being stillborn than babies of more average weight, a new study indicates.

Babies born to women who were exposed to the common household chemical butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP) during pregnancy are at greater risk for childhood eczema, new research suggests.

With enough cycles and the right egg and age of a woman, the chances of in vitro fertilization resulting in a baby approaches that of natural conception, a large new study finds.

For those who need help getting pregnant, the thought of having a child who's a little shorter than other kids probably won't be much of a worry. But the question of whether infertility treatment causes unanticipated consequences remains fertile ground for researchers.

Breast-feeding mothers sometimes worry that exercise may affect their breast milk -- and ultimately their baby's growth. Now, researchers who re-evaluated the few published research studies that exist say it does not appear that mom's workout will affect her infant's growth.

Children just learning to walk (or run) can sustain an injury if they fall with a pacifier, bottle, or sippy cup in hand. According to a nationwide survey, most injuries are cuts to the mouth.

Mothers who smoke while pregnant may raise the risk that, if born prematurely, their babies will develop a serious and perhaps life-threatening bowel disease known as "necrotizing enterocolitis," a small new study has found.

Infants delivered by Cesarean section are three times more likely than babies delivered vaginally to fail their first hearing test, which is performed shortly after birth, new research from Israel finds.

 If you have children or pets, you've probably looked around your house to see what potential hazards you need to lock up or move, like the cleaning products under the sink. But it's easy to overlook something a child might find appealing.

The United States is among the 10 countries with the highest number of premature births, according to a new study.

Although most American women plan on breast-feeding their newborns, fewer than one-third of those who expected to exclusively breast-feed for three months or more met that goal, according to new research.

Children who suffered from a lack of oxygen during birth and who received whole-body cooling fared better than those who weren't given the treatment, a new study shows.

Women who develop fevers while pregnant may be more than twice as likely to have a child with autism spectrum disorder or another developmental delay, a new study suggests.

The immune response babies are born with affects their risk for colds in the first year of life, a new study finds.

U.S. health officials on Wednesday lowered the threshold for what's considered lead poisoning in young children.

If you've been to the dentist with your children recently, you may have noticed that things have changed since you were a kid.

Parents who smoke may put their children at greater risk for bladder irritation, according to a small new study.

One in three children with an older sibling who has an autism spectrum disorder, or problems with social interaction and communication, shows signs of developmental delay or autism-related behaviors by the age of 3 years, according to a new study.

Researchers report that a new DNA test may be able to spot an increased risk of autism in children as young as 6 months old.

 Inducing labor after a woman has been pregnant for more than 37 weeks can reduce an infant's risk of death before, during or shortly after birth without increasing the need for cesarean delivery, a new study says.

In an effort to make sure children are not exposed to any more radiation than necessary when they get X-rays or CT scans, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has asked the makers of these devices to factor in the safety of pediatric patients when using existing machines and designing new ones.

Sperm cells navigate the complex fluid-filled channels of the female reproductive tract by crawling along walls and swimming around corners, a new study reveals.

If a woman smokes during pregnancy, it may increase her child's risk of high-functioning autism, a new study suggests.

Children born after a longer-than-normal pregnancy are at increased risk for behavioral and emotional problems, a new study suggests.

Stress experienced by a mother during the first trimester of pregnancy can lead to iron deficiency in her newborn, putting the infant at risk for physical and mental development delays, a new study says.

The incidence of babies with irregular head shapes, such as a flattened section in the back of the skull, have increased in the United States since the Back to Sleep campaign was introduced in 1994 to prevent sudden infant death syndrome, an expert says.

Infants with very low birth weights -- less than 3.3 pounds -- do better if they're born at hospitals that have been officially recognized for nursing excellence, a new study finds.

A new survey finds that most Americans remember to seal laundry detergent containers immediately after use, an important part of safe laundry practices.

American children are being exposed to background TV for nearly four hours every day, new research finds.

Mothers with depression may behave in ways that disturb their infants' sleep, according to a new study.

More unmarried women who live with their partners are having babies than ever before, a new government report shows.

Caffeine consumption among expectant or new mothers does not appear to affect the nighttime sleeping habits of their newborns, new Brazilian research indicates.

Exposure to a type of pesticide commonly used on crops eaten by U.S. consumers is linked to shorter pregnancies and smaller babies, new research says.

Women who'd like to become pregnant -- especially those who are taking medications for chronic conditions -- may need to add something to their to-do list: Plan, plan, plan.

A new online procedure could cut from hours to minutes the amount of time it takes to accurately diagnose autism in young children, resulting in earlier treatment, a new report by Harvard Medical School researchers says.

Women exposed to higher levels of certain air pollutants while pregnant are more likely to have children with anxiety, depression and attention problems by ages 6 and 7, new research suggests.

Exercise is a plus for women trying to become pregnant, but overdoing workouts might make it harder to conceive -- unless you're overweight, researchers report.

Certain complications during pregnancy appear to raise the mother's risk of cardiovascular disease during middle age, a new study has found.

Teens whose mothers drank alcohol regularly throughout the first trimester of pregnancy have a threefold increased risk of developing severe behavior problems, a new study warns.

Longer periods of pregnancy and breast-feeding in mammals are associated with larger brain growth in offspring, which explains why human babies remain dependent on their mother for so long, say researchers.

Pregnant women taking certain antidepressants may be more likely to deliver infants with reduced head growth, a new study suggests.

Two antibiotics that were linked to birth defects may be safe to take during pregnancy after all, an obsetricians/gynecologists group says.

Babies can understand many words sooner than they can actually say them, a new study indicates.

Infants born to mothers who use inhaled glucocorticoids -- a class of steroids -- to treat asthma during pregnancy may be at risk for endocrine and metabolic disorders, a new study indicates.

Use of the Menactra vaccine has been expanded by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prevent meningitis and other forms of meningococcal disease in children as young as 9 months, the agency said in a news release.

Complication rates for women older than 50 who become pregnant through egg donation are similar to those of younger women, according to a new study.

When a couple is trying to have a baby and can't, it can be emotionally and financially draining. But help may be available in an unexpected form: acupuncture.