pregnancy

RSV vaccine in pregnancy lowers antibiotic use in babies

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Babies whose mothers were vaccinated against respiratory syncytial virus had less need for drugs against bacterial infections Health 14 March 2022 By Clare Wilson A mother and baby Prostock-studio / Alamy A vaccine against a virus that causes chest infections in young babies has an unexpected effect – it cuts the number of antibiotics given … Read more

Vaccinating Pregnant Women For COVID Seems to Give Future Protection to Their Babies

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If a pregnant woman catches COVID, it’s very rare for the virus to be passed through the placenta to the fetus. But it’s long been known that a mother’s antibodies can cross the placental barrier to the baby and can also be transferred via breast milk after the baby is born. This is why it’s … Read more

Omega-3 supplements could reduce the number of premature births

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South Australia has launched a world-first programme to reduce premature births by testing omega-3 levels during pregnancy and giving supplements when they are low Health 28 February 2022 By Alice Klein Omega-3 fish oil can be taken as daily supplements R_Szatkowski/Shutterstock Giving omega-3 supplements to pregnant women with low levels of this fatty acid could … Read more

Premature births: Chewing gum while pregnant linked to lower risk in Malawi

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Malawi has the highest rate of premature births in the world, but a study suggests a simple intervention with sugar-free chewing gum can reduce the problem Health 3 February 2022 By Clare Wilson Chewing gum Imaginechina Limited / Alamy Stock Photo Chewing sugar-free gum twice a day during pregnancy is linked with a lower rate … Read more

COVID-19 starkly increases pregnancy complications, including stillbirths, among the unvaccinated, Scottish study shows | Science

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Two studies released yesterday delivered dire news about the dangers of COVID-19 to unvaccinated pregnant women and their babies. Perhaps the most disturbing data came from a first-of-its-kind analysis that tracked the tens of thousands of pregnancies in Scotland since vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 became available. It found that unvaccinated, coronavirus-infected women were far more likely … Read more

Flu vaccines during pregnancy protect babies for 6 months after birth

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Evidence shows that getting a flu jab during pregnancy provides substantial protection to young babies, but uptake in many countries is still concerningly low Health 14 January 2022 By Alice Klein Pregnant women can pass on antibodies to their babies Shutterstock/Rido Babies are two-thirds less likely to get the flu in their first six months … Read more