Room-Sharing: Good for the Baby, But What About the Mother?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now recommends that babies sleep in the same room as their mothers. "SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2016 Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment," was issued in 2016 and is based on new research on sudden unexpected infant death (SUID). With the goal of reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related infant deaths, the AAP recommends [...]
Weekly Roundup for February 23, 2018: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
Lupattelli and colleagues, analyzing data from the prospective Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study, look at the impact of prenatal SSRI exposure on children’s behavior. Another study documents the deleterious effects of valproic acid exposure on children’s cognitive development (Elkjær et al, 2018). And a handful of studies looking at screening for perinatal depression and how to improve delivery of care to this vulnerable population. Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD Effect of [...]
Neural Tube Defects and Low Carb Diets During Pregnancy
Because folate deficiency in pregnant women has been associated with an increased risk of neural tube defects, including anencephaly and spina bifida, it is recommended that all women take folic acid supplements during pregnancy. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required (since 1998) the addition of folic acid to many enriched breads and cereals in order to increase the amount of folic acid in our diets. Since [...]
Weekly Roundup for February 16, 2018: Recent Publications in Women’s Mental Health
In two studies, researchers demonstrated that maternal depression during pregnancy is associated with worse child outcomes: more health problems in infants (Coburn et al 2018) and increased anxiety and depressive symptoms in older children (Glynn et al 2018). Also of interest are the next two articles which indicate that depressive symptoms within the first day of delivery may be useful for predicting postpartum depressive symptoms later on (Marín-Morales et al 2018, [...]
How Can We Ensure that Women with Perinatal Depression Get Treatment?
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) now recommends screening for perinatal depression, stating that “clinicians screen patients at least once during the perinatal period for depression and anxiety symptoms using a standard, validated tool.” Having the backing of ACOG is certainly a big step in the right direction. But as we move toward universal screening, we must make sure that screening is seamless connected to follow-up and treatment. [...]
Transdermal Estradiol, But Not Oral Estrogens, Improves Sexual Function in Postmenopausal Women
Sexual dysfunction is common among peri- and postmenopausal women and include a spectrum of problems, including low (or hypoactive) sexual desire, decreased satisfaction, and discomfort. Reports indicate that the prevalence of hypoactive sexual desire ranges from 9% in naturally postmenopausal women up to 26% in younger surgically postmenopausal women. A recent study compares the impact of transdermal and oral estradiol on sexual function. This study was part of the Kronos [...]