BACKGROUND The perinatal or early life environment may influence the development of mental illness in adulthood. It is not clear how, or when, any such influences might be mediated. Foetal exposure to maternal stress in the intrauterine environment has been suggested as a possible mediator of foetal origins of mental illness but the postnatal environment may also be of importance. This study ai...

Age at first birth has been shown to be correlated with melanoma risk, but the results were inconsistent. Thus, a meta-analysis was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between age at first birth and melanoma risk. Studies published up to September 6, 2014 were identified through searches of PubMed and EMBASE databases. Random-effect model was used to pool the study-specific risk estimates (...

To assess whether treatment with metronidazole during pregnancy is associated with preterm birth, low birth weight, or major congenital anomalies, we conducted chart reviews and an analysis of electronic data from a cohort of women delivering at an urban New York State hospital. Of 2,829 singleton/mother pairs, 922 (32.6%) mothers were treated with metronidazole for clinical indications, 348 (1...

The present study aimed to determine the patterns and factors associated with birth intervals in multiparous women in Babol, northern Iran. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 500 multiparous women at health centers and referred to the hospital for delivery in Babol, northern Iran in 2007. Data were collected using a questionnaire, including birth intervals, demographics, fertility variable...

BACKGROUND Limited epidemiologic studies have examined the association between maternal low-level lead exposure [blood lead (PbB) < 10 µg/dL] and fetal growth. OBJECTIVE We examined whether maternal low-level lead exposure is associated with decreased fetal growth. METHODS We linked New York State Heavy Metals Registry records of women who had PbB measurements with birth certificates to ide...

CONTEXT Substantial concern surrounds the potential health effects of the anthrax vaccine, particularly the potential adverse effects on reproductive processes. OBJECTIVE To determine whether receipt of anthrax vaccination by reproductive-aged women has an effect on pregnancy rates. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS Cohort study, based on information from a computer database, of women aged 17 t...

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of income inequality and parental socioeconomic status on several birth outcomes in Japan. Data were collected on birth outcomes and parental socioeconomic status by questionnaire from Japanese parents nationwide (n = 41,499) and then linked to Gini coefficients at the prefectural level in 2001. In multilevel analysis, z scores of birth we...

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether a short interpregnancy interval is a risk factor for preterm birth in Emirati women, where there is a wide range of interpregnancy intervals and uniformity in potentially confounding factors. METHODS A case-control design based on medical records was used. A case was defined as a healthy multiparous Emirati woman delivering a healthy singleton spontaneously be...

Background and Objectives: several investigations have been done to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on fetal and maternal health, which have all led to controversial results. The role of Ramadan fasting time in birth weight is still unclear. This study evaluated the effect of fasting at different periods of pregnancy on birth weight. Methods: 250 pregnant women fasting at least one day d...