News and things to know

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) or pregnancy cholestasis is a liver disease that occurs in some women in late pregnancy. It manifests as severe itching, but without a visible rash. ICP can cause a temporary decrease in liver function in pregnant women,...

During the first three months of pregnancy, about 80% of women take at least one medication. Nearly 30% of expectant mothers consume four or more medications during this period, both prescription and over-the-counter (not including vitamins or iron)....

A healthy life already begins with development in the womb. In Switzerland, about 50 to 60 children or embryos suffer from a severe spinal cord malformation, known as "open back" or "spina bifida", in the first weeks of pregnancy every year. Folic acid, a...

Celiac disease is a form of gluten intolerance in which the small intestine is hypersensitive to gluten, a protein found in many grains. Gluten is found in most grains, but not in corn and rice. The intolerance leads to irritation and damage to the...

Congenital clotting disorders can be identified by changes in certain genes that affect blood clotting. These genetic mutations may increase the risk of thrombosis during pregnancy. The most common inherited thrombophilias are factor V Leiden and factor II (prothrombin),...

A possible cause of an unfulfilled desire to have children or complications during pregnancy can be genetic predispositions, for example for celiac disease, pregnancy cholestasis or a coagulation disorder with a tendency to thrombosis - even if you do not notice any of these, feel healthy and have no family history....