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News & Updates

NICHD issues Releases and Media Advisories to the news media. Science Updates and Spotlights explain NICHD research findings and public health issues to the general public. An Item of Interest is a short announcement such as an initiative launch or a notable staff change. Director’s Corner posts are monthly updates from the NICHD director.

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Release: Elevated blood pressure before pregnancy may increase chance of pregnancy loss

Pregnant woman sitting and having her blood pressure taken by a health care provider

Elevated blood pressure before conception may increase the chances for pregnancy loss, according to an analysis by researchers at the National Institutes of Health. The authors conclude that lifestyle changes to keep blood pressure under control could potentially reduce the risk of loss. The study appears in Hypertension.

Release: Antiviral drug not beneficial for reducing mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B when added to existing preventatives, study shows

Microscopy image of hepatitis B virus particles, which are colored orange against a blue background.

An antiviral drug commonly prescribed to treat hepatitis B infection does not significantly reduce mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus, according to a clinical trial funded by NIH.

News Release: NIH Begins Large HIV Treatment Study in Pregnant Women

Scanning electron micrograph of HIV particles infecting a human H9 T cell

The National Institutes of Health has launched a large international study to compare the safety and efficacy of three antiretroviral treatment regimens for pregnant women living with HIV and the safety of these regimens for their infants.

Spotlight: Zika Research after Hurricane Maria

Tents provided the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services help treat emergency overflow at the Puerto Rico Medical Center in San Juan.

Dr. Carmen Zorrilla, who leads NICHD’s Zika in Infants and Pregnancy (ZIP) study in Puerto Rico, reports on how Hurricane Maria affected the Island’s largest hospital in San Juan.

Media Advisory: Air pollution exposure in early pregnancy linked to miscarriage, NIH study suggests

Exposure to common air pollutants, such as ozone and fine particles, may increase the risk of early pregnancy loss, according to an NIH study.

Second trimester weight gain associated with fetal growth in twin pregnancies

A woman’s weight gain in the second trimester of a twin pregnancy is most closely associated with fetal growth and the size of the babies at the time of birth, according to a prospective study by researchers at the NICHD.

NICHD research links air pollution and extreme temperature to stillbirth risk

NICHD’s Pauline Mendola examines whether air pollution and extreme temperature increase the risk of stillbirth.

Malaria drug protects fetal mice from Zika virus, NIH-funded study finds

Hydroxychloroquine, a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat malaria and certain autoimmune diseases in pregnant women, appears to reduce transmission of Zika virus from pregnant mice to their fetuses, according to a study funded in part by the National Institutes of Health.

NIH launches prospective study of Zika and HIV co-infection during pregnancy

Representation of the Zika virus, NIH 3D Print Exchange.

The National Institutes of Health has launched a study to determine the potential risks that infection with the Zika virus might pose for pregnancies in which the mother is also infected with HIV.

NIH-led workshop addresses opioid misuse during pregnancy

Experts convened for an NICHD workshop identified research gaps and opportunities to improve outcomes for women affected by opioid use disorder, their newborn infants and their families.

News Release: NIH launches PregSource, a crowdsourcing project to better understand pregnancy

PregSource is a research project led by NICHD that aims to improve knowledge of pregnancy by collecting information directly from pregnant women.

NIH-led task force to address research needs of pregnant women and nursing mothers

A new task force created by the 21st Century Cures Act and led by NICHD will advise the Secretary of Health and Human Services on research needed to optimize therapies for pregnant women and nursing mothers. The first meeting will be held on August 21-22, 2017 at NIH.

All About Healthy Pregnancy

NICHD research aims to promote healthy pregnancies.

NIH workshop identifies complex health problems among Zika-affected infants

Children exposed to Zika virus in the womb may face complex health and developmental problems as they grow older, according to discussions at an NIH workshop.

Getting to Know the New NICHD Director

NICHD Director Dr. Diana Bianchi shares some thoughts about joining NICHD.

Even partial steroid treatment can benefit extremely preterm infants, NIH study suggests

Steroids improve survival and reduce the chances of certain complications for extremely premature infants, even if the treatment course is not finished before delivery, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Depression in early pregnancy linked to gestational diabetes, NIH study finds

nurse taking information from a pregnant woman

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have discovered a two-way link between depression and gestational diabetes. Women who reported feeling depressed during the first two trimesters of pregnancy were nearly twice as likely to develop gestational diabetes, according to an analysis of pregnancy records.

Extreme temperatures could increase preterm birth risk

Extreme hot or cold temperatures during pregnancy may increase the risk of preterm birth, according to study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health.

NIH to host scientific workshop on Zika virus and child development

NICHD will host a workshop on September 22-23, 2016 to identify the best approaches for treating and caring for children exposed to Zika virus in the womb. Participants from the United States, Brazil and Puerto Rico, who are experts in obstetrics, maternal and pediatric infectious diseases, child development, rehabilitation and vaccine research, will deliver lectures and lead panel discussions.

Proper maternal folate level may reduce child obesity risk

Mother and child with healthcare provider.

Proper maternal folate levels during pregnancy may protect children from a future risk of obesity, especially those born to obese mothers, according to a study funded by NICHD.

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News & Updates