A recent study in Radiology shows that around 25% of babies born vaginally have a small amount of bleeding in their brains. Likely it is normal and has always happened but newer techniques using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging are now able to detect it. It is likely related to their heads being squeezed through the birth canal as it is not seen in babies delivered by Caesarean section.

According to recent research published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology using transdermal nitroglycerin in women who go into labor prematurely can prolong their pregnancy. It may also decrease the occurance of some illnesses associated with premature births such as chronic lung disease, inflammation of the intestines, intraventricular hemorrhage, and periventricular leukomalacia. The mechamism is not known but may involve the relaxation of the smooth muscles of the uterus.

Earlier this month in Obstetrics and Gynecology a paper was published which indicates that women who are taller and who do regular exercise while pregnant may have babies that weight less but are still in a weight range that is considered to be normal. A higher birth weight can sometimes be related to labor problems so being tall and sedentary while pregnant for taller women could negatively affect the health of the baby and mother. Of course any exercise routine should be discussed with a doctor first, especially if pregnant.

The CDC issued a report concerning birth defects and infant deaths a while back. About 3-4% of babies in the US are born with some type of birth defect such as common ones like hypospadias, Down syndrome, cleft lip, pulmonary valve stenosis and hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Birth defects are the main reason really young babies are hospitalized or die.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is the most common type of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is characterized by episodes of stopped breathing during sleep. Kids with OSAS tend to have more respiratory tract illnesses and have around 40% more hospital visits compared to other kids during their first of life, often before they are officially diagnosed with OSAS. Early diagnosis and intervention is recommended by researchers who published their findings about the costs of OSAS in children in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Still not done – but once again I’m out of time!

(Technorati Tags: pregnancy, exercise, apnea)