American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists

An important "first dive" into data from the 4-site Outcomes of Babies with Opioid Exposure (OBOE) study features a Cincinnati Children's expert as co-first author CINCINNATI, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- When pregnant women take opioids during pregnancy, even opioids such as buprenorphine or methadone to treat opioid use disorder, the developing brains of their children can be significantly affected, according to a study published April 7, 2025, in JAMA Pediatrics. Continue Reading Antenatal opioid exposure is associated with smaller neonatal brain volumes, with varying impact depending on the type and number of exposures, according to research published in JAMA Pediatrics. Stephanie Merhar, MD, MS, at Cincinnati Children's was first co-author. Total brain volume was nearly 5% smaller among 173 newborns with antenatal opioid exposure compared to 96 unexposed newborns, based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. More specifically, reduced volumes among opioid-exposed newborns occurred in cortical gray matter, deep gray matter, white matter, cerebellum, brainstem, and the right and left amygdala. There were notable differences in the location and scale of the effects, which varied depending on the type of opioid involved, and whether other drugs were also taken during pregnancy. "We have known for a while that children exposed to opioids during pregnancy are at risk of later developmental and behavioral problems, but it was hard to know whether that was due to the opioids themselves or other factors such as other exposures or lower birth weight," says co-first author Stephanie Merhar, MD, MS, a neonatologist at Cincinnati Children's. "This study was launched because we needed a large study where we were able to control for things like nicotine exposure and birth weight. Our next step is to follow the children in the study to see whether having smaller brain volumes in the newborn period affects later development and behavior." The double-threat opioids pose to mothers and children Nearly 1 in 12 newborns in the United States in 2020 – or about 300,000 infants – were exposed to alcohol, opioids, marijuana or cocaine before they were born, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Prenatal substance exposure in rural areas often exceeds overall national averages. Opioids include illegal drugs like heroin and fentanyl, prescription drugs like oxycodone and hydrocodone, and medications for opioid use disorder like buprenorphine and methadone. Opioid use often goes hand in hand with smoking and use of other substances such as alcohol and marijuana. This study compared newborns born to mothers who took opioids only and newborns born to mothers who used other substances as well as opioids. Newborns exposed to opioids plus other substances had smaller brain volumes in more regions compared to those exposed to opioids only. The most common opioids among participants in the new study were buprenorphine (68.8%) and methadone (26%). Both of these opioids are routinely used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) and are both recommended for treatment of OUD during pregnancy by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. "We know that buprenorphine and methadone are life-saving medications for women with OUD," Merhar says. "We don't want to imply that women with OUD should wean off these medications, but we agree with the ACOG recommendation for more research on medically supervised withdrawal in pregnant women." The study was praised in an accompanying editorial penned by Nethra Madurai, MD, and Lauren Jantzie, PhD, both of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Other small studies have shown fetal brain changes caused by opioids. But this multi-center study is the first to be large enough to convincingly distinguish effects linked to opioids versus confounding factors such as maternal smoking, birth weight, education levels. The study authors "present compelling evidence of the direct effects of opioids on the developing brain," the editorial states. "Given the prospective design of the trial, they account for other postnatal factors…allowing us to dispel previous uncertainty surrounding the direct impacts of opioids on the brain vs the confounding effects of other environmental factors." What's next? Having more precise information about the affected parts of the brain could allow scientists to focus on interventions to support healthy brain development for children born after opioid exposure. "Indeed, we must shift our focus beyond the initial withdrawal symptoms associated with POE [prenatal opioid exposure] if we are to improve the lifelong health and well-being of infants and children impacted by the opioid epidemic," the editorial states. Read more about Merhar's research related to opioid exposure: 'Eat, Sleep, Console' Approach Slashes ICU Stays for Opioid-Exposed Newborns In Utero Opioid Exposure Impacts Fetal Brain Size and Development $8M Grant Funds Long-Term Opioid Exposure Study SOURCE Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

DISPARITIES IN TESTING RATES AMONG OLDER WOMEN AND THOSE ON PUBLIC INSURANCE PERSIST NEW YORK, March 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly half of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are not receiving the genetic testing that could help guide treatment and improve outcomes, according to a new analysis from Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) and Komodo Health. The report highlights disparities, particularly among women over 65 and those reliant on public insurance. Genetic testing is crucial for identifying BRCA mutations and other markers that guide precision therapies like PARP inhibitors. OCRA's analysis found that only 52% of women diagnosed between 2016 and 2023 received genetic testing, despite universal recommendations. Women with commercial insurance were 37% more likely to be tested than those with public insurance. While 62% of commercially insured patients received testing, only 38% on Medicare FFS and 40% on Medicaid did. Younger patients were tested at significantly higher rates than older ones. "These findings underscore the urgent need to ensure that every woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer has access to genetic testing and the potentially life-saving treatment insights it can provide," said Audra Moran, President and CEO of OCRA. "The fact that nearly half of all ovarian cancer patients are not being tested is unacceptable, and it is particularly concerning that older women and those on public insurance face the greatest barriers. At OCRA, we're committed to addressing these disparities and advocating for policies that improve access to care for all women facing ovarian and gynecologic cancers." Since 2014, major health organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO), have recommended that all ovarian cancer patients receive genetic counseling and testing. However, systemic barriers—particularly among older patients and those on public insurance—continue to limit access. OCRA is working to close this gap by providing free genetic testing resources and advocating for increased funding for research, education, and expanded Medicare and Medicaid coverage for genetic testing and treatment. With no early detection test available—and research showing that early detection does not significantly impact mortality—genetic testing remains a critical tool for identifying inherited risk and enabling preventative measures like surgery. The study is based on data from Komodo Health's Healthcare Map™, the industry's most comprehensive de-identified patient database, which tracks over 330 million patient journeys. Komodo Health uses advanced analytics to uncover insights that drive improvements in healthcare access and outcomes. OCRA is the largest global organization dedicated to fighting ovarian and gynecologic cancers while supporting patients and families. Since 1994, OCRA has invested $128 million in research, helped secure $3.8 billion in federal research funding, and supports 95,000 individuals annually. Learn more at . SOURCE Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

iStock, beast01 A group of medical experts expressed concern about growing “disinformation” and “misinformation,” calling for adherence to recommended vaccine schedules. A collection of professional medical organizations ranging in specialization are reiterating their support of the use of vaccines amid growing public distrust and recent outbreaks of otherwise preventable diseases. In a joint statement on Thursday, more than 30 scientific and medical groups called vaccination a “cornerstone of public health” and “a vital tool in the fight against preventable diseases.” The experts encouraged everyone “to adhere to recommended vaccination schedules” to ensure that they and their families are protected against diseases. The coalition is led by the American Association of Immunologists and the American College of Physicians (ACP). Among the participating organizations are the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “Vaccines are safe, effective and vital to our ability to prevent diseases that threaten public health,” said ACP President Isaac Opole in the statement. “ACP remains concerned about the spread of disinformation and misinformation regarding vaccination and treatment and strongly supports evidence-based guidance. With the current measles outbreak and the threat of other preventable infectious diseases, we need to ensure that members of the public have reliable, accurate information to guide their choices.” Vaccine skepticism in the U.S. is on the rise. According to poll results from health policy organization KFF, 17% of parents have delayed or completely skipped immunizations, up from 10% in 2023. This pattern was more pronounced among Republicans, of whom 26% skipped or delayed shots, doubling the 13% figure in this group in 2023. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has a long and well-documented history of discrediting vaccines, was confirmed last month as the Secretary for Health and Human Services. Both the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which play crucial roles in determining vaccination policy and standards in the U.S., are now under Kennedy’s leadership. In the weeks since his confirmation, high-level vaccine advisory meetings for these agencies have been postponed or outright canceled . The Trump administration has also started rolling back federal support for vaccine research, including studies exploring vaccine hesitancy and strategies to boost immunization rates, according to an NPR report last week. Research on mRNA vaccines are likely next on the chopping block, according to NPR . Even individual states have been targeting mRNA shots. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, for instance, called earlier this month for the CDC to stop recommending mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for children. Iowa, meanwhile, is bringing forward a bill that would outright ban mRNA shots, with a $500 fine for violations, as per reporting from Axios earlier this month. Amid the growing wave of vaccine skepticism, the U.S. is now also facing a resurgence of measles , a disease that is completely preventable through immunization. Hundreds of people have already been infected, with two deaths reported so far —both in unvaccinated individuals. Before the current outbreak, the last measles mortality reported in the U.S. was in 2015.