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fetal development

This shows a pregnant woman's body and a pair of blue baby booties

·April 26, 2022·7 min read

Boys Are More Demanding Than Girls Before They Are Born

Women expecting male babies often face more complications during pregnancy. Researchers found the sex of a baby affects how well the placenta functions, along with other factors including maternal stress and diet-induced maternal obesity. Designing individual plans and encouraging women to make lifestyle choices based on their child's sex could provide long-term health benefits and reduce complications during pregnancy.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos

·April 22, 2022·4 min read

For Neurons, Where They Begin Isn’t Necessarily Where They End

A new study sheds light on the movement of neurons throughout the brain during fetal development. Researchers also found the two hemispheres of the human cortex separated earlier in development than previously thought.

This shows perinatal brain scans with the ASD related areas highlighted

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·April 5, 2022·3 min read

Autism-Associated Brain Differences Can Be Observed in the Womb

A neuroimaging study of perinatal brains at 25 weeks of gestation reveals significant differences in brain structures in children who were later diagnosed with autism and those who were not. The findings add to the mounting evidence that ASD begins in early development.

This shows a drawing of a baby and a placenta

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·March 11, 2022·4 min read

Air Pollution Can Harm Pregnancy by Affecting Gene Expression in the Placenta

Study reveals significant changes in the expression of multiple genes in the placenta associated with exposure to UFP air pollution. Additionally, researchers reported noticeable reductions in fetal and placental length, and fetal weight in those with low dose UFP exposure.

This shows an ultrasound image of a fetus

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·December 30, 2021·5 min read

Battle of the Sexes Begins in Womb as Father and Mother’s Genes Tussle Over Nutrition

The father's genes drive a fetus' demand for larger blood vessels and more nutrients, while maternal genes in the placenta try to take control over how much nourishment the mother provides.

Autism Featured Neuroscience

·February 19, 2021·4 min read

Links Found Between Fetal Head Growth and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Measuring fetal head growth during pregnancy could help doctors identify which children are at risk of ASD. Researchers found fetuses with narrower heads during mid-gestation are more likely to be diagnosed with autism during childhood. The head development abnormalities appear to be sex-specific, with males and females showing different head shapes. Additionally, the head abnormalities appear to be related to the severity of ASD symptoms.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 9, 2021·5 min read

Nitrate in Maternal Drinking Water May Impair Fetal Growth

Pregnant women exposed to nitrates through household drinking water had, on average, babies that weighed ten grams less than women with no exposure to nitrates in drinking water. High levels of nitrate in tap water can cause infant methemoglobinemia, a fatal condition in newborns.

This shows a drawing of a fetus attached to a placenta

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·December 27, 2019·3 min read

Placental protein makes a critical contribution to healthy fetal development

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.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·October 23, 2019·3 min read

Even the fetus has gut bacteria

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.

Neuroscience

·October 15, 2019·5 min read

Stress during pregnancy may affect baby’s sex and risk of preterm birth

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.