Study reveals how a protein that transports essential amino acids across the placenta plays a role in fetal development. Deficiencies of the SNAT4 protein may result in developmental abnormalities and a higher risk of miscarriage. Read More
Both human and mouse fetuses have their own microbiome, which is transmitted from the mother. Findings provide new avenues for interventions during pregnancy to stimulate the fetal microbiome when the mother shows risk of premature birth. Read More
Stress and depression during pregnancy can affect the fetus' sex and increase the risk of preterm birth. Mothers who experienced physical and psychological stress during pregnancy were less likely to have a baby boy. During pregnancy, the fetuses of stressed mothers had reduced heart rate movement coupling, indicating slower central nervous system development. Read More
In utero exposure to anesthesia appears to disrupt the migration of neurons to developing brain areas critical to language and cognition in rats. Read More
A new study reveals a mechanistic link between zinc levels in fetal development, genes and abnormal neural connections associated with autism. Read More
According to researchers, the use of e-cigarettes during pregnancy may result in facial and oral cavity defects in offspring. Read More
Children whose mothers consumed large amounts of liquorice while pregnant performed worse than their peers in cognitive reasoning tests and expressed more ADHD-like symptoms. Additionally, females entered into puberty early than those who did not have fetal exposure to glycyrrhizin. Read More
Researchers report PCBs can interfere with thyroid hormone action in pregnant women and affect fetal brain development. Read More
Inflammation in the brain prevents cells from accessing the iron they need in order to perform a critical role in neurodevelopment. Read More
New research shows babies are able to anticipate touch while still in the womb. Read More
