Weight Gain During Pregnancy May Lead To Preterm Birth

Abnormalities in interval between pregnancies, mother’s body mass index (BMI) prior to pregnancy and the amount of weight gain in pregnancy can lead to preterm birth, a new study has found. The study, published in the journal Maternal and Child Health Journal, showed that if these factors were modified, it could reduce the risk of premature births. “The highest risks for premature birth were in women who were underweight, had poor weight gain during pregnancy, or short periods of time between pregnancies. Excessive weight gain in obese women also increased…

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Viral Infections More Dangerous During Morning: Study

Our body clock accelerates the ability of viruses to replicate and spread between cells ten times faster during the morning than by the end of the day, placing people at a higher risk of catching infection, a study involving an Indian-origin scientist has revealed. Disruptions in body clock lead to increased virus replication and dissemination, indicating that severity of acute infections is influenced by circadian time-keeping. “The time of day of infection can have a major influence on how susceptible we are to the disease, or at least on the…

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Fast Food During Pregnancy Could Increase ADHD Risk in Kids

A high-fat, high-sugar diet of processed food and confectionery during pregnancy may be linked to symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children who show conduct problems early in life, a study says. “These results suggest that promoting a healthy prenatal diet may ultimately lower ADHD symptoms and conduct problems in children,” said one of the researchers Edward Barker from King’s College London. Early onset conduct problems (for example, lying, fighting) and ADHD tend to occur in tandem and can also be traced back to very similar prenatal experiences such as…

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Viral infections more dangerous during morning: Study

Viral infections more dangerous during morning: Study (Getty Images) Our body clock accelerates the ability of viruses to replicate and spread between cells ten times faster during the morning than by the end of the day, placing people at a higher risk of catching infection, a study involving an Indian-origin scientist has revealed. Disruptions in body clock lead to increased virus replication and dissemination, indicating that severity of acute infections is influenced by circadian time-keeping. “The time of day of infection can have a major influence on how susceptible we…

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High-Fat Diet During Pregnancy May Impact Baby’s Gut, Immune System

Women consuming high-fat diet during pregnancy may increase the risk of affecting bacteria living in her baby’s gut thus impacting proper development of the immune system, says a study. The results showed that expecting mothers’ diets can lead to distinct changes in their babies’ microbiome, which could affect energy extraction from food as well as early immunity development. “Diet is very amenable to change and women are highly motivated to make healthy changes during pregnancy. Traditionally, dietary interventions during pregnancy have focused on micronutrients, such as iron and folic acid,”…

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Girls have huge sense of being ‘unclean’ during periods: Study

  In July last year, the state government launched a scheme to distribute free sanitary napkins. The distribution was done directly in schools and among slum populations by the manufacturer. It continued only for about three months, but it has led to changes in menstrual hygiene practices, researchers who questioned 270 of the over 20 lakh girls covered by it found. Over 73% of the girls said they had no notion what periods were about at the time they first got them. Many said they would not ask their mother…

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