developing babies Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Babies at Risk: Glyphosate’s Shocking Toll on Birth Outcomes

The AHA! Team — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 05:23:40 +0000

Patrick Tims via NaturalHealth365 – We will examine this study, which observes the link between premature birth, low birth weight, and other peri/prenatal concerns associated with exposure to glyphosate and other environmental toxins. Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the world, accounting for massive spots of agricultural production and invading every part of our communities. While the link between glyphosate and certain types of cancers has already been established, there is emerging data that suggests that glyphosate impacts prenatal health and birth outcomes as well. We will examine this study, which observes the link between premature birth, low birth weight, and other peri/prenatal concerns associated with exposure to glyphosate and other environmental toxins. While environmental toxins like glyphosate are more pervasive than most people realize, we’ll provide actionable steps to help you reduce your exposure and safeguard the health of you and your family. Understanding glyphosate exposure risks to unborn babies Researchers were concerned about the potential harmful effects of glyphosate on fertility and birth outcomes, particularly for individuals living in agricultural areas where glyphosate is heavily used. They focused on communities with lower economic mobility, as these individuals often face the highest levels of exposure. To understand the issue, it’s important to know how glyphosate works. Glyphosate is a powerful herbicide that kills plants unless they are genetically modified (GMO) to resist it. The same company that produces glyphosate also sells GMO seeds designed to survive its application. As a result, glyphosate is often sprayed liberally on fields, eliminating weeds while saturating the soil, groundwater, and air with a highly toxic chemical. Researchers analyzed data from U.S. counties where glyphosate use was especially high, often in areas growing GMO crops like corn and soybeans, which were already well-suited to those regions. After 1996, glyphosate usage soared, and researchers reviewed over 9 million birth records spanning 1993 to 2021 to assess its impact. They compared birth outcomes – such as birth weight and gestational length – in counties with high glyphosate use to those with significantly less exposure. The findings were concerning. On average, babies born in areas with higher glyphosate exposure had gestational periods shortened by a full day and weighed an ounce less at birth. Alarmingly, the effects were even worse for babies who were already at risk of being premature or having low birth weight, although the study couldn’t pinpoint the exact reasons for this heightened vulnerability. Overall, the research demonstrated that glyphosate exposure negatively affects gestational time and birth weight for all babies, with the most severe outcomes seen in already vulnerable populations. Families with lower socioeconomic status, who are often more exposed and have fewer resources to reduce their risk, bear the greatest burden. Compounding risks of other environmental toxins Undoubtedly, the relentless presence of air pollution and the widespread use of plastics have caused significant genetic damage over generations. Heavy metals, air pollutants, BPAs from disposable plastics, pesticides, herbicides, and chemical runoff contaminate groundwater and poison agricultural communities daily. When you combine the impact of glyphosate on farmers and rural populations with these other environmental toxins, the effects on children’s gestational and birth health, as well as their long-term well-being, are deeply concerning. Glyphosate is particularly insidious. Rural communities are exposed not only when it is applied to crops but also through its residue, which remains on food long after harvest. Wheat and potatoes are especially problematic, as they are heavily treated with glyphosate, and traces persist when they reach the market. Despite the position of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that these levels pose ‘no safety concern,’ the continued presence of glyphosate in our food supply raises serious questions about its long-term impact on health. Solutions and preventative measures Unfortunately, those corporations with wealth and power often prioritize profit over public health, leaving vulnerable communities to bear the brunt of harmful practices. Companies like Monsanto (now owned by Bayer) have deep pockets to lobby politicians and keep glyphosate legal. The power to create change lies in grassroots, community-driven efforts where people unite to demand better from their representatives and protect their communities. Start by lobbying your congressional representatives, making it clear that their re-election depends on their support for your stance against glyphosate use. Building local community organizations to educate others about the dangers of glyphosate can also have a significant impact. At the very least, push for transparency by ensuring your community is informed when large-scale glyphosate applications are planned. Advocating for herbicide-free green spaces in your town is another proactive step. On a personal level, you can reduce your exposure to glyphosate by supporting small farms that produce organic crops. In many cases, buying your food from local sources can save you money and the long-term health benefits far outweigh the expense. Investing in a high-quality water filtration system is another critical measure, especially for those living in rural or agricultural areas where contamination risks are higher. While it’s uncertain whether glyphosate will ever be thoroughly scrutinized for its toxicity in the U.S., you can still take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. By wisely investing your time, energy, and resources – whether through advocacy, education, or personal choices – you can help secure a healthier future for your family and your communities. Sources for this article include: PNAS.org Medicalxpress.com To read the original article click here.

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Prenatal Stress Impacts Babies, Especially Girls, Later On

The AHA! Team — Fri, 30 May 2025 05:24:33 +0000

John Jeffay via Israel21c – Study finds that even before babies take their first breath, the stress their mothers experience can shape how their own bodies will manage stress. Experts believe mothers who report high stress levels during pregnancy are more likely to have babies who will suffer neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions in later life. A team at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem says perceived prenatal stress (PPS) actually reprograms key molecular pathways in the baby’s body – and has a far more significant effect on girls than boys. PPS alters the expression of RNA – the tiny molecules that helps make proteins — in the blood of newborn babies, especially girls. That, in turn, affects key enzymes in the brain’s stress-regulation system. “We found that even before babies take their first breath, the stress their mothers experience can shape how their bodies manage stress themselves,” said Prof. Hermona Soreq, who jointly led the study with PhD student Shani Vaknine Treidel at the university’s Edmond and Lily Safra Center of Brain Science. The research team says these changes may explain why some children are more vulnerable to developmental or psychiatric challenges – and point to new possibilities for early diagnosis and interventions targeting stress-related health risks. “This study provides a powerful glimpse into how the maternal environment can leave a lasting biological imprint on the next generation,” said Vaknine Treidel. “It also underscores the importance of recognizing and supporting mental health during pregnancy — not just for the mother, but for the lifelong health of the child.” The team used a standard questionnaire to measure perceived stress among women in their third trimester at Klinikum Rechts der Isar Hospital, part of the Technical University of Munich, Germany. They then analyzed blood from the umbilical of babies born to 120 mothers aged 28 to 45 who recorded some of the highest scores. The changes they detected in the RNA molecules were sex-specific, they said, and showed more dramatic shifts among newborn girls than boys — which could explain why children exposed to high maternal stress during pregnancy may be more vulnerable to neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions later in life. Using machine learning techniques, the researchers were also able to accurately determine whether or not newborn girls had been exposed to maternal stress based on profiles of small RNA molecules (or tRNA fragments) that govern a neurotransmitter essential for brain function. This opens the door to new diagnostic tools for detecting prenatal stress effects and possibly even early interventions, the team said. The research paper was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. To read the original article click here.

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IVF Pregnancies at Greater Risk of Exposure to Medicines That Can Harm the Baby

The AHA! Team — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 06:09:30 +0000

University of South Australia via Newswise – Pregnancies achieved through IVF and ICSI have the highest exposure to medicines that can harm the fetus, raising the chances of birth defects. A new Australian study has revealed a potential reason why some pregnancies achieved through assisted reproductive technology (ART) may result in birth defects in comparison to naturally conceived pregnancies. Researchers found that in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) pregnancies had the highest exposure to teratogenic medicines that potentially can harm the fetus during the first trimester of pregnancy. These are listed as Category D and X medicines by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The risk associated with the use of Category D medicines in pregnancy may be outweighed by the clinical benefit in individual cases such as management of mental health disorders or epilepsy. Category X medicines on the other hand are strongly discouraged during pregnancy due to the high risk of fetal harm. Researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA), The University of Western Australia (UWA) and The Kids Research Institute Australia analysed more than 57,000 pregnancies in four conception groups over a two-year period. The groups comprised women using ART (2041); those taking medication to induce ovulation (590); untreated sub-fertile women (2063); and naturally fertile pregnancies (52,987). ART pregnancies had the highest exposure to Category D medications taken in the first trimester. The study found that 4.9% of the ART pregnancies were exposed, compared to only 0.6% of naturally conceived pregnancies. In later trimesters, the trend persisted, with 3.4% of ART pregnancies exposed to Category D medications versus 0.6% of naturally conceived pregnancies. Exposure to Category X medications (causing the most harm during pregnancy) was low across all groups and trimesters, at less than 0.5% of pregnancies. “These differences in exposure are primarily linked to medications used as additional treatment following ART to prevent repeat miscarriages or failed implantation, rather than medications to treat underlying chronic conditions,” says UniSA researcher Dr Anna Kemp-Casey, who led the study. “For example, ART pregnancies, during the study period were more often exposed to progestogens like medroxyprogesterone acetate, which may have been used to treat threatened or recurrent miscarriages,” Dr Kemp says. The five most frequently used Category D/X medications across all pregnancies regardless of conception status were paroxetine, lamotrigine, valproic acid, carbamazepine, and nicotine dependence treatments. UWA co-researcher Professor Roger Hart, also a practising IVF clinician and the national medical director of City Fertility, says the higher exposure to Category D and X medicines in ART pregnancies during the first trimester may contribute to the higher rate of birth defects observed in ART babies. “Although ART pregnancies are carefully planned, medications taken during fertility treatments may inadvertently increase exposure to birth defect risks, particularly during critical periods of fetal development,” Prof Hart says. Researchers say the findings demonstrate that the vast majority of IVF babies are healthy, and do not suggest that ART pregnancies are unsafe, but they underscore the importance of personalised medical care for women undergoing ART treatment and close monitoring for women in early pregnancy. Prof Hart says more research is needed to examine Category D and X medicines exposure in pregnancy as well as underlying maternal medical conditions and their contribution to birth defect risk in ART babies. The study has been published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Notes for editors “Are assisted reproductive technology pregnancies more likely to be exposed to teratogenic medication? A whole-population study” is authored by researchers from the University of South Australia, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia and Curtin University. DOI: 10.1111/ajo.13911 According to the latest ANZARD report, in 2022 more than 20,000 children in Australia (17,963) and New Zealand (2095) were born using ART. Since IVF was introduced in 1978, 10 million children have been born using ART. A 2021 study by US researchers analyzing 1.2 million births found an 18% higher risk of birth defects among IVF babies and a 36% overall greater risk for ICSI births (42% increased risk where ICSI was used to treat male factor subfertility and 30% increased risk with ICSI use for non-male factor subfertility). In IVF pregnancies, sperm is added to a dish containing eggs, and fertilisation occurs naturally, compared to ICSI where a single sperm is injected directly into each egg. The latter procedure is normally used to treat male subfertility but is also an option for unexplained infertility. To read the original article click here.

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Newly Identified Lipid in Breast Milk Might Reduce Cerebral Palsy in Infants

The AHA! Team — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 08:15:57 +0000

Duke Health – In animal studies, the fat molecule encourages stem cells to generate new cells that produce the brain’s white matter About 60,000 babies are born before 32 weeks’ gestation in the United States every year, and 10% of them will develop cerebral palsy resulting from infections that damage nerve fibers deep in the brain called white matter. 60,000 babies are born before 32 weeks’ gestation in the United States every year While it’s known that the white matter loss will lead to neurological deficits, there is currently no treatment to help these infants avoid the outcome. In experiments using neonatal mice, researchers at Duke Health have identified a fatty molecule in breast milk that triggers a process in which stem cells in the brain produce cells that create new white matter, reversing the injury. The study appears Aug. 3 in the journal Cell Stem Cell. Eric Benner, M.D., Ph.D., is the study’s corresponding author and is a distinguished assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Duke University School of Medicine. Benner said further study in a clinical trial is needed, but the finding is promising. “Developing therapies for children — especially such medically fragile children — is very difficult to do because there are justifiably strict safety concerns,” Benner said. “The fact that this molecule is already found in something that is safe for premature babies – breast milk – is extremely encouraging. There are many types of fats in breast milk “It’s been known that fats in breast milk benefit a child’s brain development, but there are many types of fats in breast milk,” Benner said. “This work has identified a lipid molecule in breast milk that promotes white matter development. Now, we can begin to develop a therapy that isolates and delivers this lipid in a way that is safe for the unique challenges of these infants.” Benner is a neonatologist at Duke University and one of the co-founders of Tellus Therapeutics, a Duke spinout company developed with the help of the Duke University Office for Translation & Commercialization to bring this therapy from the bench into the neonatal intensive care unit. The fatty molecule identified in the study will be administered intravenously to patients in an upcoming clinical trial. This is significant because many of the infants who are part of this vulnerable population also have gastrointestinal issues and cannot safely be given milk or medication by mouth. The lipid molecule enters the brain and binds with stem cells there, encouraging the stem cells to become or produce a type of cell called oligodendrocytes. The oligodendrocytes are like a hub that allow for the production of white matter in the central nervous system. This newly produced white matter in pre-term infants prevents the neurological damage that would otherwise impact the child’s ability to move – the hallmarks of cerebral palsy. “The timing of brain injury is extremely difficult to predict, thus a treatment that could be safely given to all preterm babies at risk would be revolutionary,” said Agnes Chao, M.D., a former fellow in the Division of Neonatology and first author of the paper. The timing of brain injury is extremely difficult to predict “As a neonatologist, I’m so excited that I may be able to offer a treatment to families with babies that are affected by preterm brain injury who would otherwise have no other options,” Chao said. In addition to Benner and Chao, study authors include Pavle Matak, Kelly Pegram, James Powers, Collin Hutson, Rebecca Jo, Laura Dubois, J. Will Thompson, P. Brian Smith, Jason R. Gibson, Noelle E. Younge, Blaire Rikard, Simon G. Gregory, Ronald N. Goldberg, Mari L Shinohara, Estefany Y. Reyes, Chunlei Liu. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health (1R01NS114578, T32HD094671, K12HD043494, T32HD043728, R01AG070826, R01MH127104, P41EB015897, 1UL1-TR002553), Jean and George Brumley Jr. Neonatal Perinatal Research Institute, with additional support from the Duke Scholars Award from the School of Medicine, Duke University Center for In Vivo Microscopy, and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. To read the original article click here.

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Decades of Research Confirms: Popular OTC Drug Linked to Harm in Developing Babies

AHA Publisher — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 07:00:45 +0000

Karen Sanders via NaturalHealth365 – Is taking acetaminophen (brand name Tylenol®) during pregnancy harmful to developing babies? A growing scientific consensus says yes. Unfortunately, this growing consensus is not based on “new” data. In fact, the call for “precautionary action” is based on at least 25 years of scientific data involving thousands of mothers and children. Household Painkiller Taken During Pregnancy Harms Developing Fetus in MULTIPLE Ways, Growing Research Shows Acetaminophen (also called APAP, or paracetamol outside the United States) is in the spotlight thanks to a consensus statement published in Nature Reviews Endocrinology. The September 23, 2021, statement, endorsed by an international team of 91 scientists, public health experts, and medical doctors, states that pregnant women should “forego [acetaminophen] unless its use is medically indicated.” One possible medical indication would be fever reduction, as maternal fever is a known cause of neural tube defects. However, research indicates the majority of pregnant women who take acetaminophen are doing because of things like headaches and back pain – not fever. The question is: Do pregnant women (and their healthcare providers) truly understand the possible risks associated with this common over-the-counter drug? Just looking at the drug insert for acetaminophen should be a reason to pause, where it admits that it “is not known whether acetaminophen can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.” It’s known now, however. In a statement to CNN, Dr. Shanna Swan, co-author of the consensus paper and professor of environmental medicine and public health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, says there’s a “significant body of evidence that suggests that [acetaminophen] disrupts the reproductive development of animals and humans.” This includes evidence showing that acetaminophen use in pregnancy increases the risk of undescended testicles in male offspring, which is associated with decreased fertility and sperm count later in life. In their consensus statement, the global team of researchers points to years of concerning data, including 29 observational studies including more than 220,000 mother-child pairs showing adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. It’s not clear yet how acetaminophen can damage developing babies, but the drug is known as an endocrine disruptor. (Two other popular pain relievers, aspirin, and ibuprofen are already linked to birth defects.) Of course, acetaminophen is no stranger to adverse health effects. It remains the leading cause of drug-induced acute liver failure in the United States and is a leading cause of emergency department visits and hospitalizations. The negative impact of acetaminophen isn’t limited to fetuses only. Ten years ago, Reuters reported on a study from The Journal of Urology which found that men who regularly used over-the-counter painkillers like Tylenol were almost 40% more likely to suffer from impotence. Why Would Officials Rush to Expose Pregnant Women and Young Children to New Injections? You might wonder: why now? Why, after years of support from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and other organizations, is acetaminophen during pregnancy coming under fire? Dr. Swan puts it simply: the growing accumulation of data over time. “As time progresses,” she states, “stronger and stronger evidence suggests that we’ve only been underestimating risk [of maternal acetaminophen use.]” This is an important statement, especially in the context of brand-new mRNA injections currently being pushed on pregnant women and children – despite the complete lack of long-term safety data. Is the potential benefit of these drugs truly work the known and unknown risks? Should pregnant, nursing, and trying to conceive women truly have to choose between taking these drugs or else lose their jobs and lose access to public spaces? Is this ethical? Sources for this article include: CNN.com Nature.com NIH.gov Medlineplus.gov Statnews.com Reuters.com AAFP.org FDA.gov NIH.gov To read the original article click here.

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