prenatal health 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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UCLA Launches Trial of Wearable ADHD Therapy for Children Exposed to Alcohol in the Womb

The AHA! Team — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 05:07:59 +0000

University of California – Los Angeles Health Sciences via News-Medical – Researchers at UCLA Health are launching the first clinical trial to test whether a wearable device that delivers gentle nerve stimulation during sleep could ease ADHD symptoms in children with prenatal alcohol exposure. Children exposed to alcohol in the womb have a heightened risk of developing ADHD-like symptoms including hyperactivity, impulsivity and executive function deficits such as difficulty paying attention, remembering, and organizing their behavior. Prenatal alcohol exposure affects about 5% of children in the U.S. with the majority developing these symptoms. These children are frequently less responsive to conventional pharmaceutical treatments for ADHD, such as psychostimulants, which can make the symptoms more disabling. The two-year clinical trial, led by UCLA adjunct professor of child psychiatry Joseph O’Neill, will study whether a neurostimulation therapy may be an effective, at-home treatment option for these children. Known as trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS), the noninvasive therapy uses electrode patches attached to a small device that delivers gentle electric stimulation of the trigeminal nerve while the child sleeps. Parents place the electrode patches on the child’s forehead before bed, with the device left on overnight. This stimulation activates brain regions associated with attention and executive function. TNS device in 2019 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the first external TNS device in 2019 after studies showed it safely improved ADHD symptoms in children ages seven to 12. However, its effectiveness for treating ADHD symptoms specifically for children with prenatal alcohol exposure has not been studied. ADHD symptoms are highly disabling for children with prenatal alcohol exposure and difficult to manage for families. And these symptoms often fail to respond to standard treatment, such as drugs like methylphenidate, in children exposed to alcohol in the womb. There is a pressing need for expanded therapeutic options for these children. So, we are looking forward to testing this very safe novel therapy that has been effective in unexposed children with ADHD.” – Joseph O’Neill, UCLA adjunct professor of child psychiatry $350,000 grant from the National Institutes of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Funded by a $350,000 grant from the National Institutes of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the pilot clinical trial will involve 30 children ages eight to 12 with exposure to alcohol during gestation. Parents will be provided a Monarch eTNS device developed by the Los Angeles-based company NeuroSigma, Inc. to be used nightly for four weeks. The parents will keep track of the child’s executive function, sleep habits, negative side effects and any adverse events. Both parents and children will rate tolerability as well as their satisfaction with treatment. If the treatment is determined to be feasible and effective, the study would proceed to a randomized crossover clinical trial. The NIAAA is set to provide up to $2.1 million for the three-year trial. “I am thrilled to be a part of this innovative study that I hope will provide relief for both children and their families who suffer from the negative consequences associated with prenatal alcohol exposure because these children have so much to offer to society,” said study co-lead Mary O’Connor, professor emerita of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. The recruitment period for the trial is currently open. Interested families may contact the study by emailing ChildBrainStudy@mednet.ucla.edu, calling (310) 267-2710, or taking the online screener at https://bit.ly/TNS-PAE Source: University of California – Los Angeles Health Sciences 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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How Prenatal Diet, Delivery Mode and Infant Feeding Relate to Pediatric Allergies

AHA Publisher — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 08:00:24 +0000

American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology via EurekAlert – Many pregnant women spend time before their baby arrives thinking about how they can prevent allergies in their child, especially if they themselves suffer from allergies or asthma. HOUSTON (Nov. 8, 2019) – Two new studies being presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Houston contain new information on how prenatal diet, the way the baby is delivered, and infant feeding practices can affect the risk of allergy. How a Baby is Delivered and How They Feed Can Affect Allergy Onset – The study examined medical charts of 158,422 children and identified children with 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 allergic conditions. The conditions identified were eczema, food allergy, asthma and hay fever. “We examined whether the children were delivered by vaginal delivery or C-section, and whether they were exclusively breastfed or had supplemental breastfeeding,” says allergist David Hill, MD, PhD, ACAAI member and lead author of the study. “We found vaginal delivery was associated with a reduced rate of development of allergic conditions. In addition, both exclusive breastfeeding and supplemental breastfeeding were associated with reduced development of allergies. While a mother can’t always control the way her baby is delivered, exclusive or supplemental breastfeeding may be helpful in reducing the rate of onset and overall burden of allergies in children.” Presentation Title: Delivery Mode and Feeding Practices Influence Allergic Disease Burden Presenter: David Hill, MD, PhD Mother’s Diet During Pregnancy and Allergy History Affect Offspring – This Healthy Start study in Denver examined whether an association existed between how the mother ate during pregnancy, the mother’s history of allergic disease and whether the child developed eczema and/or a food allergy. “We surveyed 1,315 pregnant women and recorded their diet during pregnancy, as well as their history of allergies,” says Carina Venter, PhD, RD, ACAAI member and lead author of the study. “We found that children of mothers with poor dietary diversity, along with a maternal history of allergic disease were more likely to develop eczema and/or food allergy. Of the mothers classified as having both poor dietary diversity and having a personal history of allergic disease, 33 percent of their children were diagnosed with eczema and/or food allergy by age 2 years. Of the remaining mothers who were classified as having either good dietary diversity, with or without a personal history of allergic disease, or as having poor dietary diversity with no personal history of allergic disease, 21 percent of their children were diagnosed with eczema and/or food allergy by age 2 years.” “Pregnant women – especially those with allergies – should be aware that their diet during pregnancy can affect their child’s chances of developing eczema and/or food allergies” says allergist David Fleischer, MD, ACAAI member and co-author of the study. To read the original article click here.

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