News & Updates

NICHD issues Releases and Media Advisories to the news media. Science Updates and Spotlights explain NICHD research findings and public health issues to the general public. An Item of Interest is a short announcement such as an initiative launch or a notable staff change. Director’s Corner posts are monthly updates from the NICHD director.

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Healthy lifestyle reduces heart attack, stroke risk after gestational diabetes, NIH study shows

Pregnant woman with health care provider

Women who have had gestational diabetes may be able to reduce or even eliminate their risk for cardiovascular disease by following a healthy lifestyle in the years after giving birth, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health.

NICHD research links air pollution and extreme temperature to stillbirth risk

NICHD’s Pauline Mendola examines whether air pollution and extreme temperature increase the risk of stillbirth.

NIH launches prospective study of Zika and HIV co-infection during pregnancy

Representation of the Zika virus, NIH 3D Print Exchange.

The National Institutes of Health has launched a study to determine the potential risks that infection with the Zika virus might pose for pregnancies in which the mother is also infected with HIV.

Socioeconomic disadvantage linked to immune activity during pregnancy

Infants born to mothers in poverty had a greater chance of developing neurological problems within the first year of life, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Harvard University.

NIH-led workshop addresses opioid misuse during pregnancy

Experts convened for an NICHD workshop identified research gaps and opportunities to improve outcomes for women affected by opioid use disorder, their newborn infants and their families.

News Release: NIH launches PregSource, a crowdsourcing project to better understand pregnancy

PregSource is a research project led by NICHD that aims to improve knowledge of pregnancy by collecting information directly from pregnant women.

Common tests for preterm birth not useful for routine screening of first-time pregnancies

Two methods thought to hold promise in predicting preterm delivery in first-time pregnancies identified only a small proportion of cases and do not appear suitable for widespread screening, according to a large study by a National Institutes of Health research network.

No benefit in treating mildly low thyroid function in pregnancy, NIH Network study finds

There appears to be no benefit to treating mildly low thyroid function during pregnancy, according to a study by a National Institutes of Health research network.

All About Healthy Pregnancy

NICHD research aims to promote healthy pregnancies.

Aspirin may help increase pregnancy chances in women with high inflammation, NIH study finds

pregnant woman reviewing ultrasound scans

A daily low dose of aspirin may help a subgroup of women who have previously lost a pregnancy to successfully conceive and carry a pregnancy to term, according to an analysis by researchers at the National Institutes of Health.

Cigarette smoking during pregnancy linked to changes in baby’s immune system

Infants whose mothers smoked cigarettes throughout pregnancy had higher levels of an inflammation marker called interleukin-8 at birth, according to an NICHD study.

Selected NICHD Research Advances of 2016

NICHD had a very productive year in 2016. Staff responded quickly to Zika virus and led the effort to develop the NIH Research Plan on Rehabilitation. The following snapshots are examples of the many advances made possible by NICHD this year.

Azithromycin pretreatment lowers infection rate after C-section, NIH-funded study finds

Treatment with the antibiotic azithromycin before an unplanned cesarean delivery reduces the post-operation infection rate by about 50 percent, compared to the standard treatment, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health. Results of the study appear in the September 29 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

NIH study links morning sickness to lower risk of pregnancy loss

A new analysis by researchers at the National Institutes of Health has provided the strongest evidence to date that nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is associated with a lower risk of miscarriage in pregnant women.

Depression in early pregnancy linked to gestational diabetes, NIH study finds

nurse taking information from a pregnant woman

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have discovered a two-way link between depression and gestational diabetes. Women who reported feeling depressed during the first two trimesters of pregnancy were nearly twice as likely to develop gestational diabetes, according to an analysis of pregnancy records.

Extreme temperatures could increase preterm birth risk

Extreme hot or cold temperatures during pregnancy may increase the risk of preterm birth, according to study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health.

HIV therapy for breastfeeding mothers can virtually eliminate transmission to babies

For HIV-infected mothers whose immune system is in good health, taking a three-drug antiretroviral regimen during breastfeeding essentially eliminates HIV transmission by breast milk to their infants, according to results from a large clinical trial conducted in sub-Saharan Africa and India.

NIH Launches Large Study of Pregnant Women in Areas Affected by Zika Virus

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz (Fiocruz) begin a multi-country study to evaluate the magnitude of health risks that Zika virus infection poses to pregnant women and their developing fetuses and infants.

What if It Isn’t the “Happiest Time of Your Life”?

Countering the stigma and isolation often felt with depression and anxiety disorders around pregnancy is central to a new initiative launched in May, Moms’ Mental Health Matters.

Healthy diet may reduce high blood pressure risk after gestational diabetes, NIH study suggests

Sticking to a healthy diet in the years after pregnancy may reduce the risk of high blood pressure among women who had pregnancy-related (gestational) diabetes, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and other institutions.

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News & Updates