During gestation, the placenta takes on the roles of many of the fetus’ developing organs and serves as a barrier between parent and child. Critical to this is the outermost layer of the organ, the ...

Researchers have discovered in a preclinical model that cytokines, proteins that control immune response, circulating in maternal blood during pregnancy may mitigate an offspring's risk for ...

Amniotic fluid helps the foetus move, grow its lungs, and stay at a comfortable temperature. Smoking while pregnant might lower the amount of amniotic fluid by changing how blood flows through the ...

PFAS are chemicals that are ubiquitously present in the environment due to their widespread application in various industries and consumer products. Humans are highly exposed to these chemicals ...

This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today. The placenta is what develops in the ...