When Do Babies Develop Consciousness?
Healthy Pregnancy
by Denise Abraham
55m ago
When do humans acquire consciousness in the course of their development? When French philosopher René Descartes was questioned by his critics in the 17th century about the consciousness of infants, he eventually suggested that infants could have thoughts, albeit simpler ones than those of adults. Hundreds of years later, the question of when humans gain consciousness remains a challenge for psychologists and philosophers alike. Scientists at the University of Birmingham are now proposing a new and improved method for researchers to find out when consciousness emerges in human infancy. Determin ..read more
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Intestinal Bacteria Produce Neurotransmitters that Influence the Baby’s Immune System
Healthy Pregnancy
by Denise Abraham
1w ago
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine discovered that unique bacteria colonize the gut shortly after birth and produce the neurotransmitter serotonin to train the gut’s immune cells. This prevents allergic reactions to food and the bacteria themselves during early development. The preclinical study, published in Science Immunology, shows that bacteria abundant in the gut of newborns produce serotonin, which promotes the development of immune cells called T-regulatory cells or Tregs. These cells suppress inappropriate immune responses, helping to prevent autoimmune diseases and dangerous allerg ..read more
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A Diet With Less Meat And Dairy Products Leads to Vitamin Deficiency Before and During Pregnancy
Healthy Pregnancy
by Denise Abraham
1w ago
A woman’s wellbeing before conception and during pregnancy has a direct impact on her child’s health, lifelong physical development and ability to learn. However, research has found that pregnant women who eat a modern diet are missing out on key nutrients that they and their babies need, and this could be exacerbated with the switch to plant-based foods. Scientists at the University of Southampton, working with experts from around the world, surveyed more than 1,700 women and found that most of them lacked vitamins normally found in meat and dairy products, including B12, B6 and D, folic acid ..read more
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Can Fertility Treatments Contribute to Low Birth Weight and an Increased Risk of Infant Mortality?
Healthy Pregnancy
by Denise Abraham
1M ago
More and more women are seeking help to get pregnant, and in recent years the number of pregnancies made possible with the help of assisted reproductive techniques has increased. In most cases, these pregnancies have a happy outcome with a healthy baby. However, previous studies show that IVF pregnancies are associated with an increased risk of low birth weight, premature birth and birth defects. VUB Professor Claudia Spits of the Reproduction and Genetics Research Group has identified a genetic cause for the increased risk of low birth weight in babies born after assisted reproductive technol ..read more
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How Stress Levels During Pregnancy and Birth Complications are Linked
Healthy Pregnancy
by Denise Abraham
1M ago
According to a study, a snippet of hair can reveal a pregnant person’s stress levels and warn of unexpected birth problems one day. Researchers measured the stress hormone cortisol in hair samples from 53 women in their third trimester. Of this group, 13 women whose cortisol levels were elevated later suffered unforeseen birth complications such as premature birth or bleeding. While further research is needed in larger groups, this preliminary finding could eventually lead to a non-invasive method of identifying those at risk of such complications. The researchers reported their findings in th ..read more
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Can The Mother Influence The Child’s Blood Pressure Later in Life?
Healthy Pregnancy
by Denise Abraham
2M ago
Hypertension disorders during pregnancy can be dangerous. Women who suffer from high blood pressure may develop preeclampsia or eclampsia. Too much protein is excreted through the kidneys. As a result, the placenta may detach and/or the child may be delivered prematurely. In severe cases, the mother may suffer a cerebral hemorrhage, kidney failure or a ruptured liver. Many factors can contribute to high blood pressure and even affect the child’s future health. New research has found that the humidity and temperature outdoors during pregnancy could affect the future blood pressure of the unborn ..read more
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Extreme Premature Babies: How Fortified Breast Milk and Probiotics Help
Healthy Pregnancy
by Denise Abraham
2M ago
Infants born extremely prematurely require fortification to supplement breast milk. But does it make a difference to the risk of serious complications in premature babies whether the fortification comes from breast milk or cow’s milk? This was investigated in a large clinical trial led in Linköping, Sweden. Fortified Breast Milk for Extremely Premature Births Babies born extremely prematurely between 22 and 27 weeks of pregnancy are among the most vulnerable healthcare patients. The risk of serious complications is very high. Almost one in four babies who are born significantly prematurely die ..read more
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Can a Certain Hormone Cause Severe Pregnancy Sickness?
Healthy Pregnancy
by Denise Abraham
3M ago
A new study has revealed why many women experience nausea and vomiting during pregnancy – and why some women, including the Duchess of Cambridge, become so sick that they even have to go to hospital. The culprit is a hormone produced by the fetus – a protein called GDF15. However, how sick the mother feels depends on how much of the hormone is produced by the fetus and how much exposure the woman was to this hormone before pregnancy. The discovery, published in Nature, suggests a way to prevent pregnancy sickness by exposing mothers to GDF15 before pregnancy to boost their resilience. Nausea D ..read more
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Fast Food Nutrition Can Affect Breast Milk and Put the Baby’s Health at Risk
Healthy Pregnancy
by Denise Abraham
3M ago
A poor diet can lead to numerous health problems, especially during pregnancy. Research shows that a diet high in sugar and fat, consisting of burgers, fries and soft drinks, can have a negative impact on a woman’s breast milk and the health of her baby even before conception. Eating Fast Food Before Pregnancy Poses Risks for Both Mother and Child A study of laboratory mice has found that even relatively short-term consumption of a fast-food diet has an impact on women’s health, reducing their ability to produce nutrient-rich breast milk after giving birth. This can affect the well-being of th ..read more
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Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Improve During Pregnancy?
Healthy Pregnancy
by Denise Abraham
4M ago
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease characterized by persistent inflammation of the joints. Joint pain, swelling and limited function of the affected joints are the most common symptoms. If left untreated, the joints can even become permanently deformed and cartilage and bone can be destroyed. Although rheumatoid arthritis can be stressful for everyone affected, this disease poses a particular challenge during pregnancy. Genetic Markers Help Determine Whether Rheumatoid Arthritis Worsens or Improves During Pregnancy When women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) plan to become pregnant, many wonder ..read more
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