fetal brain development

Prenatal Folate Increases Child Brain Volumes, Improves Cognitive Development 

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) unequivocally recommends that ALL WOMEN who are either planning or capable of pregnancy take a DAILY SUPPLEMENT containing 0.4 TO 0.8 mg (400-800 µg) OF FOLIC ACID.   [...]

By |2020-08-13T14:21:02-04:00February 26th, 2020|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off on Prenatal Folate Increases Child Brain Volumes, Improves Cognitive Development 

Iron-Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy Affects Child’s Brain Development

We often talk about the importance of planning for pregnancy.  In these discussions, we emphasize the importance of supplementation with folic acid as a means of decreasing risk for birth defects and improving neurodevelopmental [...]

By |2020-08-13T16:05:12-04:00October 4th, 2019|Child Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off on Iron-Deficiency Anemia During Pregnancy Affects Child’s Brain Development

New Studies: How Maternal Depression Affects the Developing Brain

When a woman comes in for a consultation regarding the use of medications during pregnancy, we spend most of our time reviewing the potential risks of exposure to medications during pregnancy.  However, we must also [...]

By |2024-03-25T08:29:54-04:00December 12th, 2016|Depressive Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off on New Studies: How Maternal Depression Affects the Developing Brain

How Does Mother’s Depression Affect the Fetal Brain? Look at the Amygdala

It is now widely accepted that there is an increased risk for depression among the children of mothers who suffer from depression.  Exactly how this vulnerability to depression is transmitted to the child is not precisely understood and is undoubtedly quite complicated.  Genetic factors clearly play an important role, but there are other important factors which contribute to the transgenerational transmission of depression.  For example, many studies have shown that maternal depression may contribute to parenting styles which increase a child’s likelihood of developing depression later on.

By |2015-07-08T13:43:56-04:00April 15th, 2015|Child Outcomes, Depressive Disorders, Outcomes, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off on How Does Mother’s Depression Affect the Fetal Brain? Look at the Amygdala
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