Health News

Pregnant? Reach for Folic Acid
One of the most important nutrients for pregnant women to get while carrying a baby is folic acid. Health officials already knew it was good for babies' brains, but it may help their hearts too.
Arriving On Time Better Than Too Early
Medicine has advanced considerably in the care of babies born extremely early. However, these babies are still at high risk for long-term problems, and every extra week counts.
Reading the Future in Placenta Cells?
Autism runs in families, past research has shown. But even when a family risk is known, children are not usually diagnosed with autism until they are toddlers.
When Baby-Making Just Takes Longer
Having difficulty conceiving a baby over a long period of time may indicate a condition called subfertility. Subfertility carries its own slight risks if parents eventually do have a baby.
Should New Moms Take Anti-depressants?
Deciding whether to take medication while pregnant can be a tough decision. It becomes tougher when the risks and benefits are not always clear, such as with mental health medications.
What Difference Does Vitamin D Make?
Women might think that not having enough of certain vitamins during pregnancy can hurt their developing child. That may be true sometimes, but not always.
One Less Worry for Preterm Babies
Babies born before the 37th week of pregnancy are considered preterm babies. Being born early can put babies at a higher risk for a variety of medical conditions.
Better on Time than Extremely Early
Advances in prenatal medicine have meant doctors can save babies more often when they are born extremely early, such as halfway through a pregnancy. But medicine can only do so much.
Little Babies May Mean Little Siblings
A small percentage of babies are born very small for their age in pregnancy weeks. It may help doctors prepare for a birth if they know a woman is likely to have a very small baby.
The Little Kids Eventually Catch Up
Some babies don't grow as quickly as they should. This is called "failure to thrive." The important question is whether these babies ever catch up to other kids.