Latest Articles

More research to improve maternal health outcomes is needed.
January 06, 2022

By the numbers: Health disparities in pregnancy

Approximately 700 women die each year in the U.S. as a result of pregnancy-related complications. American Indian/Alaska Native women...

Women's Health
Scientists found gene mutations in tumors from children with RMS, which may lead to new therapies for the disease.
January 04, 2022

New treatments possible for a rare childhood cancer

Thanks to new research, children with the rare childhood cancer rhabdomyosarcoma, or RMS, may be able to receive more targeted...

Cancer in Children
There are unique challenges in developing new cancer treatments for kids.
December 28, 2021

4 unique challenges of childhood cancer research

Treatments for several types of childhood cancer have improved over the past decades. For other types, progress has been limited....

Cancer in Children
Sleep apnea reduces the quality of sleep at night, causing daytime drowsiness.
December 23, 2021

Childhood sleep apnea linked to high blood pressure in teens

Children with sleep apnea have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure in their teens, a new study has...

Sleep Apnea
Survival rates for some types of childhood cancer have improved dramatically in recent decades.
December 21, 2021

Childhood cancer: By the numbers

Survival rates for most childhood cancers have improved in recent decades and improvement has been especially dramatic for a few...

Cancer in Children
Researchers are working to understand what causes preeclampsia, a condition whose symptoms include high blood pressure.
December 16, 2021

Preeclampsia: What you need to know

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related disorder in which the mother's high blood pressure reduces the blood supply to the fetus....

Women's Health
Mavis Stephens, who lost two babies to preeclampsia complications, speaks out about the condition to help other women.
December 16, 2021

Mother spreads awareness after multiple preeclampsia diagnoses

When Mavis Stephens became pregnant with her first child in 1995, she expected a healthy pregnancy. She was young and active...

Pregnancy
The Children's Inn at NIH provides comfort for children with rare diseases and their families.
December 09, 2021

The Children's Inn at NIH gives families hope for more than 30 years

For children and young adults with rare diseases, The Children's Inn on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) campus...

Cancer in Children
Alcohol, chocolate, cheese, and yeast can trigger migraines.
December 07, 2021

Migraines: What you need to know

Migraines are more than just a headache. They can sometimes cause vomiting, exhaustion, irritability, and intense pain that can make...

Migraine
Genetics Home Reference has info on 1,300-plus conditions.
December 02, 2021

Learn about your genes with MedlinePlus

Most of us know that traits like eye color, height, and even some of our behaviors are related to our...

Genetics
NIH-supported research looks at how disparities negatively impact maternal health and care.
November 30, 2021

Reducing health disparities around pregnancy

Despite many medical advances and improvements in maternal health care, significant health disparities in the care of pregnant people still...

Pregnancy
An NIH study showed that a diet high in fatty fish may lead to reductions in the number and severity of migraines.
November 25, 2021

Could eating fish help your migraines?

A diet high in fish fats and low in vegetable oils may help reduce the number and severity of migraines,...

Migraine
Education and communication can empower people with migraines.
November 23, 2021

Helping friends and family understand migraines

Many people with migraines experience stigma. For example, others may not believe their migraine pain is real or that bad,...

Migraine
Some types of childhood cancer are much more treatable today, while others are still a challenge for researchers.
November 18, 2021

The youngest patients, the toughest battles

The survival rate for children diagnosed with cancer has risen from just 10% in the 1950s to nearly 85% today. That's...

Cancer in Children
Gestational diabetes can have a lasting impact on a woman's health and the health of her offspring.
November 16, 2021

NIH research may help predict gestational diabetes earlier in pregnancy

Gestational diabetes is a disease that develops during pregnancy and affects how the body turns food into energy. In the...

Pregnancy
Over time, Brianna Shevlin (bottom right) has learned to treat her migraines more effectively.
November 11, 2021

Not all headaches are the same

Brianna Shevlin, a 34-year-old educational reading specialist, has had migraines since she was in high school. "I don't think...

Migraine
Women can reduce the risk of pregnancy complications by following a healthy diet.
November 09, 2021

How to stay healthy during pregnancy

A healthy pregnancy is one of the best ways to promote a healthy birth. Early and regular prenatal care can...

Pregnancy
Pregnant people may respond to vaccines differently at different points in pregnancy.
November 04, 2021

Updates on COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant people

Andrea Edlow, M.D., is a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital. When COVID-19 hit, her lab began researching...

Immunization, COVID-19
Practice makes perfect—along with the brief rests in between, according to new research.
November 02, 2021

Why short breaks help you learn

Taking short breaks can be just as important as practice in helping you master a new skill, according to a...

Learning
Clinical trials are critical to advancing cancer research.
October 28, 2021

The legacy of the National Cancer Act: 50 years later

In 1971, President Nixon signed the National Cancer Act as part of the War on Cancer. In honor of the act...

Cancer
In one migraine study, participants filled out a headache diary on their smartphone app.
October 26, 2021

Migraine studies look at impact of lifestyle changes

Women are three times more likely than men to experience migraines. Much of this can be attributed to hormonal changes...

Migraine
Terrence and Terran following her treatment at the National Institutes of Health.
October 21, 2021

A clinical trial and your caring heart mean everything to Terran and her family

When Terran, 14, passed out in school, an ambulance took her to the hospital. Scans revealed two large blood clots in...

Cancer in Children
Make sure to always check with your obstetrician or other health care provider to help you stay safe during your pregnancy.
October 19, 2021

Pregnant during COVID-19? Tips to stay safe

Pregnant people are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 compared with nonpregnant people. Andrea Edlow, M.D.,...

COVID-19
Diana W. Bianchi, M.D.
October 14, 2021

Promoting healthy pregnancies

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) is excited to work with the National Library of Medicine...

Pregnancy