BACKGROUND:: The deleterious effects exerted by prenatal ethanol exposure include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities that are included in the term fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. The measurement of ethylglucuronide (EtG) in alternative biological matrices, including neonatal and maternal hair, neonatal meconium, and maternal nails, is receiving increasing interest for ...

BACKGROUND: Cases of ectopic pregnancy (EP) following levonorgestrel (LNG) emergency contraception (EC) failure were reported, however, the effects of LNG on tubal microenvironment or chorionic villi in EP have not yet been documented. METHODS: Fifty-five women with tubal pregnancy were divided into two groups according to whether LNG-EC was administrated ...

Mercury exposure during pregnancy can have serious health effects for a developing fetus including impacting the child's neurological and cognitive development. Through biomonitoring in a low-income Latina population, we identified a patient with high levels of mercury and traced the source to face creams purchased in a pharmacy in Mexico.

Tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors (anti-TNFs) are effective in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) recalcitrant to conventional medical therapy. As the peak incidence of IBD overlaps with the prime reproductive years, it is crucial to establish pharmacologic regimens for women of childbearing age that achieve effective disease control without ...

Introduction:Macrolide antibiotics are largely used in pregnancy for different bacterial infections. Their fetal safety has been studied by several groups, yielding opposing results. In particular, there have been studies claiming association between macrolides and cardiovascular malformations. Exposure in early infancy has been associated with pyloric stenosis and intussusception. This has ...

Fetal alcohol exposure is the leading preventable cause of birth and developmental defects in the United States. Despite a growing body of knowledge about the spectrum of disorders resulting from fetal alcohol exposure, 1 in 9 pregnant women continues to drink alcohol during pregnancy, and a small percentage of pregnant ...

OBJECTIVE: The continued development and use of engineered nanomaterials (ENM) has given rise to concerns over the potential for human health effects. While the understanding of cardiovascular ENM toxicity is improving, one of the most complex and acutely demanding "special" circulations is the enhanced maternal system to support fetal development. ...

During pregnancy, the fetus is exposed to contaminants from its mother's diet. This work provides an assessment of the dietary exposure of pregnant women to inorganic contaminants (aluminum, mercury, lead, inorganic arsenic, cobalt), polychlorodibenzodioxins, polychlorodibenzofurans, dioxin-like and non-dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls (DL-PCBs, NDL-PCBs), polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs), perfluoroalkyl acids, mycotoxins (zearalenone, patulin, trichothecenes), ...

Data on early human fetal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) is limited. However, early pregnancy, in particular the first trimester, is critical for fetal development. We investigated exposure to PBDEs and placental transfer during early pregnancy by analyzing PBDEs in paired aborted fetuses (n=65), placentas (n=65), and maternal blood ...

INTRODUCTION: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a class of biologically active, highly stable compounds. Exposure risks include consumption of fatty fish, meat, dairy products and human breast milk, as well as environmental and occupational settings. Numerous reports have described PCB-dependent adverse effects on human fetal growth, including increased risk for IUGR, ...

The role of stress in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia has only been investigated in a few studies, and the findings are not conclusive. We analyzed whether maternal bereavement shortly before or during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia. We conducted a cohort study of singleton births in ...

BACKGROUND: Methyl bromide, a fungicide often used in strawberry cultivation, is of concern for residents who live near agricultural applications because of its toxicity and potential for drift. Little is known about the effects of methyl bromide exposure during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the relationship between residential proximity to methyl ...

To estimate the fetal radiation exposure using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD's) in pregnant patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and assess its relevance. Data on thirty-five therapeutic ERCPs conducted in pregnant patients from 2001 to 2009 were retrieved from a prospective database. Techniques to minimize fluoroscopy time were implemented and the ...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pregnancy safety of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for rheumatologic diseases. DESIGN: Prospective comparative observational study done at the Israeli teratology information service between 1998 and 2006. RESULTS: 114 HCQ-exposed pregnancies (98.2% in the first trimester, T1) were followed-up and compared with 455 pregnancies of women counseled for non-teratogenic exposure. ...

BACKGROUND: One unique concern of vascular surgeons and trainees is radiation exposure associated with increased endovascular practice. The safety of childbearing is a particular worry for current and future women in vascular surgery. Little is known regarding actual fetal radiation exposure. This multi-institutional study aimed to evaluate the radiation dosages ...

PURPOSE: Previous research has suggested positive associations between parental or childhood exposure to pesticides and risk of childhood brain tumors (CBT). This Australian case-control study of CBT investigated whether exposures to pesticides before pregnancy, during pregnancy and during childhood, were associated with an increased risk. METHODS: Cases were recruited from ...

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease of the neuromuscular junction characterized by painless fluctuating skeletal muscle weakness. Disease exacerbations are more likely to occur in the first trimester or puerperium. A number of medications commonly used in obstetric practice can exacerbate the disease. The effect of pregnancy on myasthenia varies ...

We examined the relation between maternal smoking and adverse infant outcomes [low birth weight (LBW), and preterm birth (PTB)] during 2007-2008 in San Bernardino County, California-the largest county in the contiguous United States which has one of the highest rates of infant mortality in California. Using birth certificate data, we ...

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin, which are available as "over-the counter" medications in most countries, are widely used by both pregnant and lactating women. They are popular non-opioid analgesics for the treatment of pain after vaginal and operative delivery. In addition, NSAIDs are used for tocolysis in premature labor, ...

BACKGROUND: Fetal exposure to maternal diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with high birth weight, congenital heart malformations, childhood adiposity, DM, hypertension and dyslipidemia. The long term cardiovascular consequences of fetal exposure to maternal DM during pregnancy and high birth weight are not known. METHOD: All individuals born in Sweden 1973-1988 ...

Background  Considering the early onset of atopic dermatitis (AD), which most often arises in the first year of life, risk factors occurring very early in life must be considered. Little is known about the effects of maternal occupational exposure on the development of atopic disorders in children. Objectives  The aim ...

Exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and its effects at different frequencies on living beings has been investigated for decades. However, there are fewer studies that have been conducted on humans, thus this study aims to determine the effect of extremely low frequency (ELF) -EMFs on pregnancy, fetal growth and development ...

Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure during early life may have endocrine-disrupting effects, but the dietary and sociodemographic predictors of BPA exposure during pregnancy and childhood remain unclear. Our aim was to evaluate the correlations between, and sociodemographic and dietary predictors of, serial urinary BPA concentrations measured during pregnancy and childhood in ...

Ciclosporin (cyclosporine) is an immunosuppressive drug first approved for use in organ transplantation to prevent rejection. Ciclosporin is also known to be used for the treatment of psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and inflammatory bowel disease, among other indications. While it is recommended that all medications that are not ...

BACKGROUND: Exposure to ambient air pollution is linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Previous reports examining the relationship between ambient air pollution and Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy have been inconsistent. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the effects of ambient air pollution on the odds of Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy and whether these associations ...

Serotonin, a neurotransmitter found throughout the brain and body, has long been of interest in autism. Repeated findings of elevated platelet serotonin levels in approximately one third of children with autism has led some to believe that dysfunctional serotonin signaling may be a causal mechanism for the disorder. Because serotonin ...

A growing body of evidence suggests that maternal diet during pregnancy can lead to permanent alterations to the physiology of the fetus. It is unknown whether intermittent maternal fasting during Ramadan has long-term associations with the offspring's body composition. By using data from the third wave of the Indonesian Family ...

Based on fair quality Level 3 evidence, Lu et al. note that glatiramer acetate (GA) exposure was not associated with lower mean birthweight, lower mean gestational age, preterm birth (37 weeks), congenital anomaly, or spontaneous abortion. However, GA was given an indeterminate recommendation because further research is needed. The results ...

OBJECTIVE: To study associations between patterns of fetal malformation and individual antiepileptic drugs taken during pregnancy. METHODS: Multiple variable logistic regression and other statistical analyses of data relating to 1733 fetuses from 1703 pregnancies (147 of which were not exposed to antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy). RESULTS: There were statistically significant ...

BACKGROUND: The data in the literature suggests that Methimazole (MMI)/Carbimazole (CMZ) embryopathy is rare. This study examined the incidence of CMZ embryopathy in the Hong Kong Chinese population and the factors associated with its development. METHODS: Of the 145 pregnant women with hyperthyroidism managed from 2008 to 2010, 29 (20%) ...

IMPORTANCE Untreated depression during pregnancy has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality for both mother and child and, as such, optimal treatment strategies are required for this population. CONTEXT There are conflicting data regarding potential risks of prenatal antidepressant treatment. OBJECTIVE To determine whether prenatal antidepressant exposure is associated ...

BACKGROUND: Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) affects central nervous system development, growth, and morphology at higher exposure levels. Little is known about the effects of PAE at lower exposure levels or in young adults. Research on children with higher levels of PAE has shown that PAE predicts behavior problems. The question ...

Introduction: In all, 10% to 20% of all pregnant women smoke despite intentions to quit. Smoking cessation drugs such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and bupropion are recommended for pregnant women. Our observation that developmental exposure to nicotine adversely affects metabolic and reproductive outcomes in rats has raised concerns about ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Inconsistent data on the association between prenatal alcohol exposure and a range of pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth (PTB) and small for gestational age (SGA) raise new questions. This study aimed to assess whether the association between low-moderate prenatal alcohol exposure and PTB and SGA differs according ...

What is already known about this subject Maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with offspring overweight, but it is still unclear whether this association is due to confounding by parental lifestyle habits or caused by direct effects of intrauterine tobacco smoke exposure. What this study adds Maternal smoking during pregnancy ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Q fever caused by Coxiella burnetii is transmitted to humans by inhalation of aerosols from animal birth products. Q fever in pregnancy is suspected to be a potential cause of fetal and maternal morbidity and fetal mortality but the pathogenesis is poorly understood, and even in Q fever ...

OBJECTIVE: To analyze ovarian and uterine morphologic changes resulting from intrauterine and postnatal exposure to diesel exhaust. DESIGN: Crossover study. Experimental groups: intrauterine and postnatal clean air exposure; intrauterine exposure to diesel only; postnatal exposure to diesel only; and intrauterine and postnatal exposure to diesel. SETTING: Laboratory of Experimental Air ...

A growing literature suggests that stressful events in pregnancy can have negative effects on birth outcomes. Some of the estimates in this literature may be affected by small samples, omitted variables, endogenous mobility in response to disasters, and errors in the measurement of gestation, as well as by a mechanical ...

Congenital anomalies have been inconsistently associated with maternal crude estimated exposure to drinking water trihalomethane (THM). We investigated the relationship between individual THM uptake during the first trimester of pregnancy and congenital anomalies. We estimated maternal THM uptake for 3074 live births using residential tap water concentrations, drinking water ingestion, ...

The late-gestation surge in fetal plasma cortisol is critical for maturation of fetal organ systems. As a result, synthetic glucocorticoids (sGCs) are administered to pregnant women at risk of delivering preterm. However, animal studies have shown that fetal exposure to sGC results in increased risk of behavioral, endocrine, and metabolic ...

Women were given appetite suppressants during pregnancy.

This paper is concerned with whether mothers who are more adipose or have higher glucose levels during pregnancy may overfeed their developing infants in utero and in doing so may set them on a pathway to greater adiposity throughout their lives. If this is the case, then the more adipose ...

Histological evidence of in the placenta is indicative of placental malaria, a condition associated with severe outcomes for mother and child. Histological lesions found in placentas from -exposed women include syncytial knotting, syncytial rupture, thickening of the placental barrier, necrosis of villous tissue and intervillositis. These histological changes have been ...

: To estimate whether first-trimester exposure to nitrofurantoin is associated with increased malformation rates and, secondarily, to estimate whether exposure to nitrofurantoin is associated with increased rates of negative pregnancy outcomes and perinatal complications. : We conducted a population-based cohort study using the Norwegian Prescription Database linked to data on ...

Most pregnant women are exposed to some physical activity at work. This Concise Guidance is aimed at doctors advising healthy women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies about the risks arising from five common workplace exposures (prolonged working hours, shift work, lifting, standing and heavy physical workload). The adverse outcomes considered are: ...

OBJECTIVE The authors investigated whether in utero exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) increases the risk of stillbirth or neonatal mortality. METHOD The authors conducted a population-based cohort study using the Danish Fertility Database to identify every birth in Denmark between 1995 and 2008. Time of exposure to SSRIs ...

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the association between exposure to life-threatening rocket attacks and spontaneous abortions (SAs).Study DesignThis is a historical cohort study comparing 1345 pregnancies of female residents of a town exposed to rocket attacks with 2143 pregnancies of female residents of an unexposed town. Demographic ...

PURPOSE: Medication use during pregnancy is common and increasing. Women are also increasingly getting healthcare information from sources other than their physicians. METHODS: This report summarizes an environmental scan that identified 25 active Internet sites that list medications reported to be safe for use in pregnancy and highlights the inadequate ...

OBJECTIVE: To report the follow-up of continuing pregnancies after first-trimester exposure to mifepristone. DESIGN: Observational prospective study. SETTING: France. SAMPLE: Patients exposed to mifepristone during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. METHODS: Women were included in the study when they or their doctors asked a French pharmacovigilance centre or the Paris ...

BACKGROUND: A recent review found little evidence for substantial effects of modifiable maternal exposures on offspring blood pressure (BP), but this may have been because almost all the studies reported on BP in early and mid-childhood. METHODS: This study uses data on 4723 mother-child pairs, collected as part of the ...