Perinatal health Archives

Childhood adversity and low resilience may increase odds of depression, anxiety in pregnancy

February 29, 2024

In a new Kaiser Permanente study of pregnant patients, those with a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were more likely to develop a new diagnosis of depression or anxiety during pregnancy, as were those with low resilience.

Cannabis use in pregnancy may raise infant health risks

November 27, 2023

A large Kaiser Permanente study of more than 360,000 mothers and infants found increased likelihood of low birthweight and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit for babies whose mothers used cannabis during pregnancy.

Autism-related traits more likely in children of mothers with prenatal depression

August 1, 2023

A Kaiser Permanente analysis of parents and their children in communities across the country finds a greater likelihood of autism-related traits in children of mothers who experienced depression while they were pregnant.

Similar outcomes for pregnant patients who received prenatal care in-person or in a combination of telehealth and in-person visits

July 18, 2023

Pregnant patients who received some of their prenatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic in a combination of virtual and in-office visits had similar health outcomes as those who were seen mostly in person before the pandemic.

Blood pressure patterns in the first half of pregnancy improve early prediction of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension

July 12, 2023

Routine blood pressure readings recorded in the first half of pregnancy can be divided into 6 distinct patterns that can effectively stratify patients by their risk of developing preeclampsia and gestational hypertension later in pregnancy.

COVID-19 vaccination of mother during pregnancy protects infant, though protection wanes

February 28, 2023

Being vaccinated against COVID-19 during pregnancy provides protection for the baby through its first several months of life, a Kaiser Permanente analysis finds. Protection was stronger against the delta variant than the more recent omicron variant.

Study finds little evidence of link between autistic traits and PFAS environmental chemicals

January 12, 2023

A Kaiser Permanente analysis of prenatal exposure to the persistent environmental chemicals known as PFAS found suggestive evidence of an association with autism-related traits in children for just 1 of 8 PFAS chemicals studied.

Cannabis legalization may have made use easier in pregnancy

December 14, 2022

California’s legalization of cannabis for adult-use may have reduced the stigma of using cannabis products during pregnancy and made them easier to obtain, according to new research from Kaiser Permanente investigators.

American Heart Association honors Kaiser Permanente researcher with award for best publication

November 10, 2022

Research scientist Erica Gunderson received the Dr. Nanette K. Wenger Research Goes Red® Award for Best Scientific Publication on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke in Women.

Public health group honors Kaiser Permanente researcher with Young Professional Award

November 3, 2022

Kelly Young-Wolff, PhD, MPH, a clinical psychologist and Kaiser Permanente Division of Research investigator who studies substance use among vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, was awarded the 2022 Young Professional Award by the American Public Health Association (APHA) Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Section.

Link between commonly used chemicals, gestational diabetes

October 13, 2022

Pregnant people may have increased risk of gestational diabetes if they have higher exposure to phenols, common chemicals used in food packaging and many consumer products, according to Kaiser Permanente research.

Study offers reassurance to pregnant patients using biologic medications for autoimmune disorders

June 9, 2022

A new study led by Kaiser Permanente researchers provides reassurance about vaccinating infants whose mothers took biologic medications for an autoimmune disorder during pregnancy.

Pandemic stressors taking a toll on pregnant patients’ mental health

May 4, 2022

Pregnant patients surveyed by Kaiser Permanente researchers early in the COVID-19 pandemic reported more severe mental health symptoms when they were distressed about changes in prenatal care, childcare challenges, and food insecurity. A second study found disparities in how Black and Hispanic pregnant individuals experienced pandemic stressors compared with white patients.

No difference found in infant outcomes between glyburide and insulin for gestational diabetes

March 31, 2022

A study of 11,321 patients treated for gestational diabetes with insulin or the medication glyburide did not find a difference in cesarean section rates or outcomes for the patients’ infants, suggesting many people with gestational diabetes could forego insulin injections in favor of taking a pill.

Coronavirus may double severe complications in pregnancy

March 21, 2022

A Kaiser Permanente analysis of pregnant patients who tested positive for the coronavirus found more than double the risk of poor outcomes including preterm birth, venous thromboembolism (blood clot), and severe maternal morbidity, which includes conditions such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis.

Blood pressure patterns in early pregnancy tied to later risk of pregnancy-related hypertension complications

February 9, 2022

Kaiser Permanente research suggests blood pressure patterns seen during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy may offer critical clues to identify the patients most likely to develop high blood pressure complications later in their pregnancies.

Researchers seek answers for pregnant patients about cannabis

January 18, 2022

In a new KP Research Radio podcast, investigators studying use of cannabis during pregnancy discuss common misconceptions about prenatal cannabis use, their future research plans, and more.

Cannabis use by pregnant women increased during pandemic

September 27, 2021

A Kaiser Permanente analysis of more than 100,000 pregnancies in Northern California finds a 25% increase in the rate of cannabis use early in pregnancy after the pandemic began in spring 2020.

Raising awareness about early puberty

September 9, 2021

KP Research Radio talks to Ai Kubo, PhD, MPH, about her research into why girls are starting puberty earlier than they have in the past, risks associated with early puberty — and potential interventions.

Kaiser Permanente researchers study pandemic pregnancies

September 7, 2021

Kaiser Permanente researchers are surveying pregnant women during the pandemic and the first findings from the survey show a low percentage of COVID-19 infections, with higher prevalence among younger women, Hispanic women, and those living in neighborhoods with greater economic deprivation.

Study finds no link between autism and common antidepressant when used in pregnancy

June 8, 2021

Mothers with psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety were more likely to have a child with autism than mothers without such conditions, new research led by Kaiser Permanente investigators finds. But the analysis found no association between use of common antidepressants by pregnant women and likelihood of autism in their children.

Healthy lifestyle linked to lower risk of preterm birth

April 26, 2021

A combination of 3 healthy lifestyle factors is associated with a 70% lower risk of preterm birth, according to an analysis of data from a Kaiser Permanente study involving nearly 2,500 pregnant women in Northern California.

Exercising more in early pregnancy may reduce gestational diabetes risk

December 21, 2020

Pregnant women who exercised more during the first trimester of pregnancy had a lower risk of developing gestational diabetes, a new analysis of Kaiser Permanente data finds.

5 Questions for… Lyndsay Avalos

November 16, 2020

To help pregnant women make informed decisions, Division of Research (DOR) investigator Lyndsay Avalos, PhD, MPH is leading a study to shed light on the nuances of depression treatment during pregnancy. Avalos recently received a $3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the topic.

Study identifies geographic clusters of pregnant women who missed flu shots

September 8, 2020

A Kaiser Permanente analysis of women who did not get flu shots during their pregnancies found the women clustered in geographic “hot spots.” These women tended to have fewer prenatal medical visits and live in low-income neighborhoods.

Telephone coaching helped pregnant women with overweight or obesity manage gestational weight gain

May 20, 2020

Pregnant women with overweight or obesity better controlled their weight gain and improved health behaviors when they received a series of telephone sessions with a registered dietician, a new study from Kaiser Permanente finds.

Depressed pregnant women more likely to eat poorer diets, Kaiser Permanente analysis finds

February 12, 2020

Pregnant women with depression were more likely to eat poor diets with a higher intake of empty calories and lower intake of greens, beans, and fruit, according to an analysis of 1,160 adult pregnant women who were treated at Kaiser Permanente Northern California.

Study finds no evidence of harm to infant development after mothers get flu vaccine while pregnant

February 5, 2020

A Kaiser Permanente study of women who were given inactivated influenza vaccine while pregnant found no indication of developmental problems for their babies at 6 months old.

Study in pregnant women suggests maternal infection, not antibiotics, associated with childhood obesity

December 5, 2019

Women who had an untreated infection during pregnancy were more likely to have a child who later went on to be obese than pregnant women who never had an infection, new research from Kaiser Permanente finds.

Can a mobile app help women stay healthy during pregnancy?

October 24, 2019

Monique Hedderson is heading a five-year project to test whether a mobile phone app could help overweight and obese women avoid excess weight gain, and the accompanying health risks, while pregnant.

5 Questions for… Yeyi Zhu

September 19, 2019

Yeyi Zhu, PhD, wants to use big data analytics to improve women’s and children’s clinical care and health.

Use of CT scans during pregnancy increased in U.S. and Canada over 2 decades

July 24, 2019

A large, multicenter study of advanced medical imaging in pregnancy, published in JAMA Network Open and co-led by Marilyn Kwan, PhD, found that CT scans were performed in 0.8% of pregnancies in the United States and 0.4% in Ontario in 2016; these rates increased nearly fourfold in the United States and doubled in Ontario over the 21 years.

New Guidelines for Perinatal Depression are Important, but Barriers Remain

February 12, 2019

New recommendations suggest that clinicians should provide or refer pregnant and postpartum women who are at increased risk of perinatal depression to counseling interventions. These recommendations are “an important step forward” wrote research scientists and doctors at Kaiser Permanente, in a JAMA Pediatrics editorial.

New Kaiser Permanente Study Reveals an Increase in Marijuana Use During Pregnancy

December 26, 2017

A new study from the Division of Research, using data from almost 300,000 pregnant women treated at Kaiser Permanente Northern California, found that maternal prenatal marijuana use increased from 4 to 7 percent from 2009 to 2016.

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