Obstetrics & gynaecology

Anemia during pregnancy is a common occurrence and often due to iron deficiency. It is a global public health problem, affecting an estimated 37% of pregnant individuals, according to the World Health Organization. Iron deficiency anemia is associated with increased rates of pregnancy-related problems, such as going into labor prematurely, hemorrhaging and, in some cases, even death. For the infant, maternal iron deficiency also can have long-term implications on their overall health and development.

Preterm birth―defined as delivery before the 37th week of pregnancy—is one of the leading causes of infant deaths in the United States. Babies born prematurely are also at an increased risk of having serious health problems. Yet despite advancements in many areas of obstetrics, little progress has been made to reduce the number of preterm births or improve neonatal outcomes. For the third consecutive year, the March of Dimes Annual Report Card has given the United States a D+ for the country’s persistently high preterm birth rate.

Preterm birth―defined as delivery before the 37th week of pregnancy—is one of the leading causes of infant deaths in the United States. Babies born prematurely are also at an increased risk of having serious health problems. Yet despite advancements in many areas of obstetrics, little progress has been made to reduce the number of preterm births or improve neonatal outcomes. For the third consecutive year, the March of Dimes Annual Report Card has given the United States a D+ for the country’s persistently high preterm birth rate.

Microplastics, which are less than 5 millimeters, and nanoplastics, which are invisible to the naked eye, are widespread throughout our environment. Research has shown that exposure to plastics in general is harmful to both the environment and humans.

With the start of the new year, prioritizing women’s oral health should become a key resolution. Women’s oral health is about more than just a beautiful smile—it is a critical aspect of overall well-being that is often overlooked. From puberty to menopause and every stage in between, hormonal changes can significantly impact oral health, affecting everything from gum disease risk to overall systemic health.

Preeclampsia, intrauterine fetal growth restriction, and other “great obstetrical syndromes” have been linked to disordered placenta development, so understanding the structure and function of this vital organ is critical to detecting pregnancy disorders.

Nurse home visiting programs have the potential to reduce intimate partner violence exposure and increase outcomes for young, first-time mothers and children experiencing disadvantages, a new Children’s Health Policy Centre study from Simon Fraser University finds.

The rate of opioid use disorder (OUD) is high in Medicaid-enrolled pregnant women, and they have a high rate of severe maternal morbidity (SMM), according to a study published in JAMA Network Open.