|
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
at the National Institutes of Health supports and conducts research related to
the health and development of women, children, and families. The majority of the
Nation's women's reproductive health-related research is conducted at the NICHD,
and the Institute is making critical contributions to women's health research.
Monumental Advances in Women's Health
NICHD has overseen tremendous advancements for women including improving
pregnancy and childbirth outcomes, and identifying cures for diseases and
conditions affecting women of all ages and at all stages in life. NICHD research
advancements include:
Improved prenatal diagnosis. NICHD studies demonstrated the safety and accuracy
of amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis, allowing women and their physicians to
make informed decisions about their pregnancy using these techniques. Improved
diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy and choriocarcinoma. NICHD research led
to faster diagnosis and monitoring of treatment for choriocarcinoma, a malignant
tumor of placenta tissue.
Improved Pregnancy Tests. Today's simple and quick home and office pregnancy
tests are the result of NICHD research.
Reduced Perinatal HIV Transmission. The NICHD has worked with other agencies to
reduce the transmission of HIV from infected mother to fetus and infant from 25
percent to less than 2 percent. [back to top]
Ongoing Research
The Pregnancy and Perinatalogy Branch of the NICHD conducts research that holds
great promise to improve maternal and fetal health and safety. With the support
of Congress, NICHD is:
Reducing High Risk Pregnancies. NICHD's Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit Network,
working at 14 sites across the US, will help reduce the risks of cerebral palsy,
caesarean deliveries, and gestational diabetes. Last year, this Network
identified for the first time a treatment for recurrent pre-term birth, which
has changed obstetrical practice.
Helping Postpartum Mothers and Babies. The consequences of
severe untreated postpartum depression and psychosis can be devastating to
mothers, babies, families and communities. NICHD research is working to address
pregnancy onset depression, postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.
Reducing the Prevalence of Premature Births. NICHD is helping
our Nation understand how adverse conditions and health disparities increase the
risks of premature birth in high-risk racial groups.
Effects of Environment on Health. The National Children's Study
(NCS), in which NICHD is participating, will measure the effect of maternal
stress exposure on fetuses.
More Work to Be Done
The NICHD has a long history of making critical advancements in
women's health research, yet it has been under funded. With a 5% increase over
FY06 levels, the Institute could work to reduce the rates of maternal mortality
and morbidity in the United States, conduct more research on pregnancy-related
issues (such as the impact of chronic conditions during pregnancy, post-partum
conditions, racial and ethnic disparities in maternal mortality and morbidity),
and explore drug safety with respect to pregnancy.
The Friends of NICHD is a coalition of over 100 organizations
that support the important role of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and
NICHD in particular. Our organizations represent scientists, physicians, health
care providers, patients, and parents concerned with the health and welfare of
women, children, families, and people with disabilities. For more information,
please contact Mary Ann McCabe at 202/336-5951 or mmccabe@srcd.org, or Krysta
Jones at 202/314-2322 at kjones@acog.org.
|
