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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Year:

Science Update: Certain medications linked to lower nutritional content in breast milk, small NIH-funded study suggests

Breastfeeding mothers taking a type of antidepressant or corticosteroids had lower levels of protein in their milk and those taking anti-inflammatory medications had milk with lower fat levels.

Spotlight: Scientific Advances from the Division of Intramural Research

Two blue and green whiplike structures against a black background. The one on the left is straight and has a network of red dots connected by pink lines running throughout. The one on the right is kinked and has fewer red dots that are not well-connected by pink lines.

The Division of Intramural Research provides fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems through basic, clinical, and population-based research.

Item of Interest: NIH announces finalists of endometriosis diagnostics competition

NIH has selected four finalists with innovative, non-invasive technologies that seek to improve diagnosis of endometriosis—a common and often debilitating gynecological disease.

Science Update: Low vitamin D levels in early pregnancy linked to preterm birth risk

A pregnant woman holding a glass of water and a tablet, presumably vitamin D.

Compared to pregnant women with higher vitamin D levels, pregnant women with low vitamin D levels had greater risk of preterm birth. Their infants were also of shorter length.

Director's Corner: Charting a Roadmap for the Next Five Years

Photo of young child smiling and writing with a pencil with circles surrounding the image.

Released in January, the NICHD Strategic Plan 2025 lays out updated priorities to guide the institute’s research over the next five years. While our five major research goals are unchanged, we made substantial updates to reflect shifts in public health priorities and the evolution of new technologies.

Media Advisory: Excess weight gain in first trimester associated with fetal fat accumulation

Technician passes scanner over abdomen of pregnant woman lying on examination table.

Weight gain in first trimester linked with fetal fat gain. Findings may have implications for preventing early life forerunner of later life obesity.

Science Update: Healthy eating not common during and after pregnancy in the United States, NIH study suggests

Smiling pregnant woman eating a bowl of multicolored fruit.

Healthy eating during pregnancy may be uncommon in the United States. Pregnant women may not be making healthy food choices, swapping greens, legumes, and whole grains for fat and sugar. Overall, study participants scored a D on a scale ranging from A to F.

Director's Corner: Reflecting on a Productive 2024

2024. A patient and health care provider have a discussion. A young woman with Down syndrome smiles with her grandmother in an outdoor setting. A military member with a service dog.

Each year, NICHD reflects on selected highlights from the past 12 months that demonstrate how public investment in research drives scientific progress and benefits human health. In 2024, NICHD research expanded knowledge of and enhanced care in women’s health, fetal and pediatric health, disabilities, rehabilitation, and more.

Science Update: Placental gene therapy corrects fetal growth complication in guinea pig model, according to NICHD-supported study

A black and white rendering of a placenta and cord against a black background.

Researchers tested gene therapy in a guinea pig model of fetal growth restriction caused by placental insufficiency, which occurs when the placenta fails to provide enough oxygen and nutrients to the developing fetus. Currently, there is no treatment for this complication.

Spotlight: Selected NICHD Research Advances of 2024

A young woman with Down syndrome smiles with her grandmother. Both are standing outside in front of a tree.

Read about select research advances supported by NICHD in 2024, including work on women’s health, child and adolescent health, medical rehabilitation, health disparities, and more.

Media Advisory: Abnormal prenatal blood test results could indicate hidden maternal cancers

Health care professional with a stethoscope examining a pregnant woman.

NIH researchers found previously undetected cancers in nearly half of pregnant women who had abnormal results for prenatal cell-free DNA testing used to screen for chromosomal disorders in the fetus.

Science Update: Low-diversity gut microbiome precedes life-threatening intestinal condition affecting preterm infants, NICHD-funded study suggests

Artist’s rendering of microorganisms in the human intestinal tract.

Failure of the microbiome to fully establish itself in a preterm infant’s digestive system precedes the development of a a life-threatening intestinal condition.

Director's Corner: Enhancing Maternal and Women’s Health

Understanding and addressing a wide range of women’s gynecological and reproductive health issues are priorities for NICHD. Through research, the institute seeks to support and optimize the health of women throughout their lives.

Science Update: Evaluating androgen levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome helps inform infertility treatments

Patient, seated, listening to medical professional.

High androgen levels were linked with low pregnancy rates in polycystic ovary syndrome. The findings may provide information to improve infertility treatment in patients with the condition.

Science Update: NIH researchers upgrade wearable device for monitoring placental oxygen levels

A health care worker listens to a pregnant woman’s abdomen with a stethoscope.

NIH researchers have upgraded a sensor that monitors placental oxygen levels, pairing it with sensors that monitor a pregnant woman’s breathing, heart rate, and uterine contractions, along with fetal movements.

Release: NIH announces winners of prize competition to improve postpartum maternal health and health equity through innovative diagnostics

A mother holding an infant and looking at a smartphone.

Eight winning teams developed home-based and point-of-care diagnostics, wearables and other accessible technologies to improve postpartum health outcomes in regions that have limited access to maternity care.

Science Update: High levels of certain forever chemicals during pregnancy linked to mid-life obesity, NIH-funded study suggests

Pregnant woman behind a shopping cart reading a package label.

High levels of some forever chemicals in pregnancy could lead to midlife obesity, a study suggests.

News & Updates

Science Update: Certain medications linked to lower nutritional content in breast milk, small NIH-funded study suggests

Spotlight: Scientific Advances from the Division of Intramural Research

Item of Interest: NIH announces finalists of endometriosis diagnostics competition

Science Update: Low vitamin D levels in early pregnancy linked to preterm birth risk

Director's Corner: Charting a Roadmap for the Next Five Years

Media Advisory: Excess weight gain in first trimester associated with fetal fat accumulation

Science Update: Healthy eating not common during and after pregnancy in the United States, NIH study suggests

Director's Corner: Reflecting on a Productive 2024

Science Update: Placental gene therapy corrects fetal growth complication in guinea pig model, according to NICHD-supported study

Spotlight: Selected NICHD Research Advances of 2024

Media Advisory: Abnormal prenatal blood test results could indicate hidden maternal cancers

Science Update: Low-diversity gut microbiome precedes life-threatening intestinal condition affecting preterm infants, NICHD-funded study suggests

Director's Corner: Enhancing Maternal and Women’s Health

Science Update: Evaluating androgen levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome helps inform infertility treatments

Science Update: NIH researchers upgrade wearable device for monitoring placental oxygen levels

Release: NIH announces winners of prize competition to improve postpartum maternal health and health equity through innovative diagnostics

Science Update: High levels of certain forever chemicals during pregnancy linked to mid-life obesity, NIH-funded study suggests

Director's Corner: Optimizing Infant Health

Item of Interest: NIH report recommends strategies for advancing research on necrotizing enterocolitis

Item of Interest: NIH announces final winners of the Connecting the Community for Maternal Health Challenge

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News & Updates