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premature birth

-title Staying in NICU Linked to Higher Blood Pressure Risk in Premature Infants

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor November 7, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

Summary of the Study on ⁢NICU ‌Stays and High Blood Pressure in⁤ Children

This study investigated⁢ the link⁤ between premature birth,NICU stays,complications during infancy,and the development of ‌high blood pressure (hypertension) in children. Here’s a breakdown of the key findings:

* Increasing⁢ Prevalence: ‍High blood pressure⁣ is becoming more common in children and adolescents, with ⁢estimates ranging from 2-5% having high blood pressure⁣ and 13-18% experiencing ⁢episodes of it.
* Study ⁤Population: Researchers analyzed data from ⁢2,459 children in the Boston Birth Cohort, a group⁤ largely from urban, low-income backgrounds, with nearly⁤ a‍ third born prematurely.
* Key Findings:

*‌ Prematurity & Hypertension: Children born prematurely were more⁣ likely to ⁣develop persistent hypertension (25.2%) than those‌ born at term (15.8%).
* NICU Admission‍ & Hypertension: Infants⁤ admitted to the NICU, nonetheless of gestational age, had a higher risk of developing persistent hypertension compared to those born⁤ at⁢ term without NICU admission.
* NICU Stay & Complications = Highest risk: ⁢The highest risk of persistent high ‍blood pressure was‌ found in premature babies who had a ‌stay in the NICU, weather ⁢or⁣ not they experienced complications. Those with complications had an adjusted risk ratio of 1.87,while those without complications had⁢ an adjusted ‍risk ratio of 1.62.
‌ * Specific Complications: Premature babies ⁤who developed intraventricular hemorrhage, sepsis, NEC, or chronic lung disease had an ⁢87% higher risk ‍of persistent high blood pressure.
* Recommendation: The ⁣researchers recommend early⁣ and ongoing blood⁣ pressure screening for children admitted to‌ the NICU, regardless of whether ⁣they experienced complications.
* limitations: The study didn’t account for lifestyle factors like diet, sodium intake, ‍weight,‍ and physical activity. Further research is needed to pinpoint specific NICU exposures that might contribute to⁣ hypertension.

In ⁣essence, the study⁢ highlights that a NICU stay, especially for premature infants, is associated with an ⁤increased risk of developing high blood pressure later in life, and emphasizes the importance of proactive monitoring.

November 7, 2025 0 comments

Health

Maternal T1D Raises Odds of Adverse Neonatal Outcomes

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor July 24, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

Maternal Type 1 Diabetes Elevates Neonatal Risks Significantly

Nationwide Study Reveals Stark Differences in Birth Outcomes

New research indicates that infants born to mothers with type 1 diabetes (T1D) face considerably higher risks of stillbirth, birth defects, premature birth, low blood sugar, and death shortly after birth.

Swedish Study Uncovers Adverse Neonatal Outcomes

A comprehensive nationwide study in Sweden tracked over 1.4 million singleton births, comparing outcomes for newborns of mothers with and without type 1 diabetes. The data, spanning from 2010 to 2022, focused on infants born at 22 weeks gestation or later, drawing information from national birth registers and antenatal records.

Key Findings Detail Increased Risks

The study found that 0.5% of mothers included in the analysis had a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. These neonates demonstrated significantly elevated odds of stillbirth (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.54) and congenital malformations (aOR, 1.66). Mothers with T1D and pre-pregnancy underweight or obesity experienced a higher frequency of birth defects compared to normal-weight mothers with T1D.

Severe Complications Highlighted for T1D Pregnancies

Infants born to mothers with T1D were substantially more likely to be born extremely preterm (before 34 weeks gestation), as indicated by an aOR of 3.80. Furthermore, these newborns had a staggering 22-fold increased likelihood of being large for their gestational age (aOR, 22.0), a 45-fold increased risk of developing hypoglycemia (aOR, 45.85), and a fourfold higher chance of neonatal mortality (aOR, 4.1).

Expert Commentary Emphasizes Need for Improved Care

“Neonates born to mothers with type 1 diabetes faced higher risks compared to neonates born to mothers without type 1 diabetes, highlighting the need for a better understanding of the causation and how care can be improved for their mothers,” the authors wrote.

—Alexandra Goldberg, Karolinska Institutet Soder Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

Study Limitations Acknowledge Data Gaps

The researchers noted limitations, including the inability to account for all diabetic complications or specific maternal glucose levels throughout pregnancy. The exclusion of pregnancies ending before 22 weeks might also have introduced selection bias, and the study could not control for elective or missed abortions linked to congenital abnormalities.

The findings underscore the critical importance of meticulous prenatal care and management for pregnant individuals with type 1 diabetes. For instance, in the United States, managing gestational diabetes, a condition with similarities in blood sugar control, involves careful monitoring and dietary adjustments to reduce risks, as highlighted by the CDC.

July 24, 2025 0 comments

Health

Systemic Sclerosis and Pregnancy Risks: Increased Risks for Adverse Outcomes

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor July 17, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

Systemic Sclerosis Increases Pregnancy Risks, Swedish Study Reveals

Stockholm, sweden – Women diagnosed with systemic sclerosis (SSc) face significantly elevated risks for adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preeclampsia adn preterm birth, according to a comprehensive Swedish cohort study. The findings underscore the critical need for enhanced maternal care and pre-pregnancy counseling for individuals with this autoimmune condition.

The population-based study, drawing on Swedish national health registers from 1987 to 2021, meticulously analyzed pregnancy outcomes in women with and without SSc. Researchers classified pregnancies based on thier timing relative to an SSc diagnosis, examining those occurring before and after the condition was identified.

The study identified 972 pregnancies in women with SSc, with 94 occurring after diagnosis and 878 before. These were carefully matched with comparator pregnancies in women without SSc.

key findings from the research indicate a heightened risk profile for pregnant women with SSc:

Post-diagnosis pregnancies were associated with substantially increased risks for preeclampsia (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 3.8), preterm birth (aRR 3.3), and cesarean delivery (aRR 2.5).
Primiparous women (those experiencing their first pregnancy) with SSc exhibited particularly alarming risks, with a 7.5-fold increase for preeclampsia and a 5.1-fold increase for preterm birth.
Pregnancies occurring within 0-3 years before an SSc diagnosis showed increased odds of preterm birth (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.6) and delivering babies small for their gestational age (aOR 4.1).
Even pregnancies occurring more than 3 years prior to an SSc diagnosis were linked to increased odds of preeclampsia (aOR 1.9) and preterm birth (aOR 1.6).

“Our observations highlight the need for multidisciplinary maternal care and pre-pregnancy counseling also for today’s women with SSc, with a special focus on primiparous women for whom the risks are the highest,” the study’s authors stated.

The research,led by Weng lan Che,PhD,from the Clinical Epidemiology Division at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm,was published online on July 8,2025,in Arthritis & Rheumatology.

While the study provides valuable insights,its limitations include a lack of detailed information on disease activity,specific serologic patterns,and treatment regimens.

The study received support from the Dr Margaretha Nilsson Foundation, the Swedish Research Council, and the Swedish Cancer Foundation. Disclosure statements from authors indicated affiliations with the Myositis Association and the Swedish Medical Products Agency.

This article was developed with the assistance of editorial tools, including AI, and underwent thorough review by human editors prior to publication.

July 17, 2025 0 comments

Health

Epilepsy Medications Drive Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor June 25, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

Epilepsy Drugs in Pregnancy Linked to Perinatal Risks

Study Reveals Antiseizure Medications, Not Epilepsy Itself, as Primary Culprit

A recent study highlights the increased odds of adverse perinatal outcomes linked to maternal epilepsy. However, the research pinpoints prenatal exposure to antiseizure medications (ASMs) as the main driver of these challenges, offering crucial insights for expectant mothers and healthcare professionals.

Study Methodology Unveiled

Researchers undertook a retrospective population-based cohort study. They examined national health data from Scotland spanning from 2009 to 2021. The study encompassed a total of 629,200 pregnancies. Of those, 2022 involved women with epilepsy, while the remaining 627,178 pregnancies were in women without the condition.

Maternal epilepsy was identified via International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes. These codes were pulled from pregnancy records or hospital admissions within two years before the estimated conception through the pregnancy. The analysis focused on exposure to ASMs.

Exposure to ASMs was defined as any medication dispensed 30 days before the estimated conception until the pregnancy’s end. The study’s primary aim was to assess the connection between maternal epilepsy and adverse perinatal outcomes. Additional focus was given to effect estimates for exposure to specific ASM monotherapies.

Key Findings and Outcomes

Compared to women without epilepsy, those with the condition displayed increased odds of induced labor (aOR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.02-1.34) even after adjustments for exposure to ASMs. Prenatal exposure to ASMs was linked with greater odds of preterm birth (aOR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.25-1.74), induced labor (aOR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.25-1.52), and NICU admission (aOR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.33-1.78).

Valproate monotherapy showed the strongest link with congenital conditions (aOR, 3.91; 95% CI, 2.36-6.49), with carbamazepine monotherapy following closely behind (aOR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.16-3.10).

“Maternal epilepsy is associated with many adverse perinatal outcomes, but most are driven by prenatal ASM exposure. We postulate that joint comprehensive care between obstetricians and epileptologists or other specialists who prescribe ASMs could improve perinatal outcomes,”

—The Study Authors

A 2023 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that about 3.4 million women aged 15–44 years in the United States reported having epilepsy or seizures. (CDC)

In-Depth Analysis and Implications

The study, led by Paolo Pieirino Mazzone of the Muir Maxwell Epilepsy Centre, University of Edinburgh, emphasizes the critical role of ASMs. This highlights the need for a combined approach in the management of pregnant women with epilepsy.

The study was published online on June 16, 2025, in Epilepsia.

Limitations and Disclosures

The study’s limitations include an inability to consider epilepsy specifics. These include the aetiology, type/syndrome, or seizure frequency/severity. It also did not cover the duration or trimester of ASM dispensation. The reasons for ASM use apart from epilepsy weren’t investigated.

The study did not receive external funding. One author reported receiving consultant, lecture, and/or conference-attendance fees. Another author reported external funding support unrelated to the study.

This study underscores the importance of carefully evaluating ASM use during pregnancy. The findings underscore the need for collaborative care between obstetricians and neurologists to safeguard both the mother and child’s health.

June 25, 2025 0 comments