Shoulder dystocia is a term that describes a condition that occurs when the shoulders of a baby get stuck in their mother’s birth canal during vaginal delivery. The condition is common, with about one in 200 children experiencing some kind of shoulder difficulty upon delivery.  Shoulder dystocia can involve one or both shoulders.   While most … Continued

A Veterans Administration (VA) study found suffering traumatic events and moral injury in the past can increase pregnancy risk in the future. Researchers at the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at the VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University School of Medicine evaluated 318 women who became pregnant within three years of separating … Continued

A new study suggests a particular type of antibiotics prescribed to women during the first trimester of pregnancy could increase the risk of major birth defects. Macrolide antibiotics are prescribed for use against a variety of serious infections including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Chlamydia, and Legionella.  You might know these antibiotics better by names that … Continued

A new blood test may help identify a biomarker of a condition during pregnancy that can be a risk factor for cerebral palsy. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a condition during pregnancy where a baby does not grow as expected. IUGR may be suggested if a fetus is below the 10th percentile for its gestational … Continued

Recent research discusses that children with unilateral cerebral palsy may be able to use imagery techniques to assist or develop hand function. In a study published in Frontiers in Neurology, researchers from the Department of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Parma, Italy, wanted to better understand the relationship that could exist when children … Continued

Unmonitored kidney disease can worsen outcomes for pregnant women according to a new study. In November, researchers from the University of Cincinnati presented study results at the Kidney Week conference of the American Society of Nephrology in Washington, DC.  Researchers evaluated data from 42,190,790 women who were hospitalized during pregnancy between 2005 and 2015.  Data … Continued

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Botox for the treatment of upper limb spasticity in pediatric patients between 2-17 years old. The approval was fast-tracked by the FDA after Allergan, the producer of Botox, submitted two trials for review. Fast-tracked approvals are typically reserved for therapies that show promising improvements in safety and … Continued

If you are considering pregnancy, recent research suggests that vitamin D could play an important role in reducing your chance of miscarriage plus increase the odds of a healthy birth. Starting a family is a lifetime goal for many women and men.  While pregnancy and a growing family are a natural course for many couples, … Continued

The United States leads developed countries in the number of moms who die as a result of childbirth. As maternal mortality continues to decline in countries with similar high quality medical care, the US rate of maternal mortality has jumped. This discouraging news is not getting any better. In the US, the media reports that … Continued

For years, researchers have pondered the apparent rise in numbers of children diagnosed along the spectrum of autism disorders.  At the same time, the rate of diabetes among adults has risen.  A new study suggests an association between a pregnant woman with maternal diabetes and the risk of autism in her baby. The study, published … Continued