{"title":"Infections during pregnancy: An ongoing threat","authors":"Claudia Fernandes Lorea , Katherine Pressman , Lavinia Schuler-Faccini","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152075","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152075","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Congenital infections are an ongoing relevant cause of congenital and perinatal abnormalities since effective vaccination is not available for many diseases. Moreover, climate change, mutational evolution of pathogens, or their vectors associated with intense human traveling predispose to outbreaks and modification of the geographic distribution of traditionally limited infectious diseases. Here, we review the so-called TORCH infections (toxoplasmosis, others, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes) with a special emphasis on the arboviral infections (zika, dengue, chikungunya, oropouche). Although respiratory viruses are rarely transmitted through the placenta, the maternal condition itself can cause adverse effects on the developing embryo/fetus (COVID-19, influenza). Some perinatal-acquired infections will also be briefly discussed due to their relevance in the child's development. The majority of teratogenic congenital and some perinatal-acquired infections have effects on the central nervous system or sensory organs with long-lasting disabilities. Vaccines are unavailable for several teratogenic or perinatal infections, and treatment options are still limited, particularly for arboviral and other emergent diseases. Social inequalities are associated with the prevalence, fetal outcomes and long-term disabilities of these diseases. The One Health approach could be an essential way to reduce the burden of these diseases in the population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":"49 4","pages":"Article 152075"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143796294","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Pain medication use during pregnancy","authors":"Rebecca A. Nunge , Anthony M. Kendle , Sura Alwan","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152074","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152074","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pain management during pregnancy is a frequently encountered issue in clinical practice. It is important to balance treatment of maternal pain with the potential risks of medication exposure on fetal development. This review examines the safety and risks associated with various pain medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, steroids, opioids, gabapentinoids, and muscle relaxants. While many analgesic medications have demonstrated benefits for treatment of acute or chronic pain in pregnancy, others carry risks such as congenital anomalies, neonatal withdrawal syndrome, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Data on long-term neurodevelopmental effects remain inconclusive for many medications. Given the limitations of available research, healthcare providers must weigh the benefits and risks of pain management strategies through informed, shared decision-making with patients. This review provides an evidence-based resource to guide clinicians in optimizing pain treatment during pregnancy while minimizing fetal and neonatal risks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":"49 4","pages":"Article 152074"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143773340","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Margarita A.P. Berwick , Anika J. Heuberger , Joimishael V. Martin , Thomas W. Hale , Adetola F. Louis-Jacques
{"title":"Drugs in Lactation","authors":"Margarita A.P. Berwick , Anika J. Heuberger , Joimishael V. Martin , Thomas W. Hale , Adetola F. Louis-Jacques","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152077","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152077","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Medication management in lactation is a challenging topic for healthcare practitioners around the world. In contrast to traditional advice, very few medications are now thought to be absolutely contraindicated in breastfeeding. As data from case reports, quantitative studies of medication transfer to milk, and lactation physiology accumulate, fact-based guidance for use of medications can be increasingly provided. This review presents the strengths and weaknesses of current scientific knowledge underlying recommendations for use of medications during breastfeeding, describes key pharmacokinetic factors influencing infant drug exposure in breastmilk, and provides a practical algorithm and case study on use of clinical resources as well as pharmacologic data to help in development of a management plan for lactating individuals with various medication needs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":"49 4","pages":"Article 152077"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143773335","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Review of pharmacology of medications during pregnancy","authors":"Christy L. Pratt , Nicole M. Hahn","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152073","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152073","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ninety percent of pregnant patients take at least one medication during pregnancy. Physiological changes during pregnancy can alter drug exposure. Understanding basic physiological principles including absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion can guide medication management during pregnancy. While physiologic changes related to medications used to treat hypothyroidism, depression and epilepsy are highlighted in this article, the principles of pharmacokinetic changes during pregnancy can be applied to other medical conditions where less data may exist. Given the complexity of pharmacology, physiological changes of pregnancy, and nuances of managing medical conditions, a team approach to managing medications in pregnancy is recommended. Comprehensive care including general and specialized physicians, pharmacists, genetic counselors and more can help provide the most appropriate care to this multifaceted patient population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":"49 4","pages":"Article 152073"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144007523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Thyroid disease as a teratogen","authors":"Devabhaktuni A, Han CS","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152083","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152083","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Maternal thyroid hormones are critical for normal fetal development, particularly brain development. The increase in metabolic demand of pregnancy results in critical physiologic thyroid changes which ultimately lead to an increase in thyroid hormone production. Placental iodothyronine deiodinases tightly regulate the transfer of thyroid hormone to the fetus. As such, too little or excess thyroid hormone can have a teratogenic effect. Therefore, diagnosis and management of thyroid disorders in pregnancy is necessary to prevent adverse maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes; however, it remains challenging, in part due to population-, laboratory-, and trimester-specific thyroid hormone reference ranges. Furthermore, certain areas of study remain controversial including whether treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism and isolated thyroid autoimmunity is warranted and consideration of the implementation of universal thyroid screening. This review summarizes the current literature on thyroid physiology and thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy including overt and subclinical hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid autoimmunity, thyroid storm, postpartum thyroiditis, and thyroid cancer.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":"49 4","pages":"Article 152083"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144046032","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The evolution of teratology: Historical perspectives and lessons learned","authors":"Sarah Običan, Nevena Krstić","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152025","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152025","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Teratology, the study of congenital anomalies caused by environmental, chemical, and biological factors, derives from the Greek \"teratos,\" meaning monster, reflecting historical intrigue with birth defects. While the field is relatively modern, curiosity about anomalies spans millennia, as seen in ancient art and mythology. Over time, societal views shifted from curiosity to fear, recognizing birth defects as potential social, economic, and spiritual burdens. The 20th century brought pivotal advances. Discoveries such as the rubella-birth defect link, ionizing radiation effects, and the thalidomide disaster reshaped understanding and regulations. Wilson's \"Six Principles of Teratology\" established guidelines for how teratogens impact development, focusing on timing, dose-response relationships, and genetic susceptibility. Despite progress, birth defects still affect millions worldwide, underscoring the importance of education and counseling on teratogenic risks. Resources like TERIS, Reprotox, and MotherToBaby now provide healthcare professionals with evidence-based guidance, aiding informed decision-making and improving pregnancy outcomes. The ever-evolving field of teratology emphasizes the need for ongoing research and effective communication to manage and prevent birth defects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":"49 4","pages":"Article 152025"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143468972","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"When pregnancy termination fails: A tale of two teratogens: methotrexate and misoprostol – A narrative mini-review","authors":"Orna Diav-Citrin , Corinna Weber-Schoendorfer","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152078","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152078","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Methotrexate, an anti-folate, and misoprostol, a prostaglandin E<sub>1</sub>-analog, are both used for disease treatment and prevention, and for ectopic or intrauterine pregnancy termination, respectively. Methotrexate is a potent teratogen after early pregnancy higher-dose administration. Methotrexate-embryopathy includes facial dysmorphism, craniosynostosis, heart defects and limb abnormalities, often accompanied by growth deficiency. Misoprostol, however, is associated with a smaller risk to the embryo, mainly for limb defects and for Mӧbius sequence. In this narrative review, the literature on the effect of early pregnancy exposure to these drugs on the embryo is discussed with critical evaluation of the evidence from the first signal to current knowledge, regarding the phenotype, dose, timing in pregnancy, biological plausibility, consistency between studies, and risk estimate. Some open questions and legal, social, and political aspects of their use are addressed. Despite the risk to the embryo, these medications have an important role in women's health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":"49 4","pages":"Article 152078"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143731530","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Teratogenic risks of treated and untreated maternal obesity","authors":"Robert E. Jones , Chloe A. Zera","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152081","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152081","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Untreated obesity in pregnancy is associated with adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes that influence the long-term offspring health trajectory, propagating obesity and cardiometabolic disease from one generation to the next. The current efforts to reduce the risk of these negative outcomes through preconception weight loss remain largely ineffective. Anti-obesity medications (AOMs) are an understudied option for this indication, likely due to the potential for teratogenicity with accidental exposure during pregnancy. However, the current recommendation to discontinue all AOMs prior to conception fails to frame obesity within the chronic disease paradigm typically used for preconception counseling. Evolving evidence suggests that glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), the newest and most effective AOM class, may be safe in early pregnancy. Although further research is needed, counseling about GLP-1 RAs during pregnancy should include the potential for both risk and benefit. This review summarizes the known risks that obesity in pregnancy poses to the offspring and discusses the benefits and limitations of current treatment strategies. While there remain several barriers to optimal preconception and prenatal care for people with obesity, this review aims to arm providers with the knowledge needed for patient-centered counseling prior to and during pregnancy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":"49 4","pages":"Article 152081"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144029335","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anne M. Nielsen , Catherine S. Stika , Katherine L. Wisner
{"title":"Perinatal psychiatry: balancing maternal-fetal exposures to mental disorders and drug treatments","authors":"Anne M. Nielsen , Catherine S. Stika , Katherine L. Wisner","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152076","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152076","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The potential effects of psychotropic medications during pregnancy must be balanced against those of untreated maternal mental illness, which has been under-appreciated as an exposure that impacts development.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This is an expert, non-systematic literature review of the effect of maternal stress and psychotropic medication on fetal development.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Studies on the outcomes of pregnancy and child development following exposures to stress, mental disorders and psychotropic medications during pregnancy are reviewed. Alterations in pharmacokinetics due to the physiology of pregnancy may change the efficacy of drug treatment. The impact of stress and mental health conditions in pregnancy is difficult to separate from other exposures; however, these exposures have adverse effects on fetal and child development independent from medication treatment. A focus on optimal treatment to reduce psychiatric symptoms, which is the justification for use of the drug, is critical. Building healthy fetal brains through adequate maternal essential nutrient intake holds promise to support reduction of the risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Untreated maternal mental illness is an exposure that impacts outcomes, the course of comorbid medical disorders, and offspring development. The current knowledge base dictates that treatment of psychiatric disorders be prioritized in the benefit-harm decision process.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":"49 4","pages":"Article 152076"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143743663","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yarden S. Fraiman , Alejandra Barrero-Castillero , Renee D. Boss
{"title":"The ethical imperative to pursue neonatal health equity and justice","authors":"Yarden S. Fraiman , Alejandra Barrero-Castillero , Renee D. Boss","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152096","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152096","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>There are significant racial and ethnic inequities in neonatal care<span>. These inequities are the result of the multiple levels of racism: structural, institutional, interpersonal, and internalized racism. Recently, there has been significantly increased attention to measuring and addressing inequities for minoritized infants and their families. One way to support these strategies is to clarify the bioethical justification for allocating clinical, research and educational resources to address inequity. In this narrative review, we describe two bioethical frameworks—the four pillars and the ethics of care—as a foundation to justify equity-focused research, investigation, and interventions. We focus on these two frameworks with specific attention to their application to micro- and macro-level racism. Finally, we conclude with a case example to illustrate how to employ bioethical frameworks in neonatal health equity efforts. Through this narrative review, we demonstrate that pursing neonatal health equity is, in fact, a bioethical imperative.</span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":"49 6","pages":"Article 152096"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144187877","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}