Global Scans · Birth · Weekly Summary

• [New] The advent of IVF dramatically increased multiple birth rates in the USA, causing significant risk to mother and babies, and requiring ongoing expense and care, but also lighting up the news. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with increased risks of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, including preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, large for gestational age (LGA) infants, neonatal hypoglycaemia, and neonatal intensive care unit admission. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Wearable ultrasound technology has the potential to enable continuous prenatal monitoring and improve pregnancy outcomes in ways that were previously not possible. SciTechDaily
• [New] RESEARCH presented at WCO-IOF-ESCEO 2026 has shown that pregnancy may be associated with measurable declines in bone density and bone microarchitectural integrity, potentially increasing the risk of future fragility fractures. European Medical Journal
• [New] A pregnant woman in Maryland seeing an OB-GYN affiliated with a major academic medical center will likely receive flu and COVID-19 vaccine recommendations this fall. CIDRAP
• [New] The argument that America's falling birth rate will eventually relieve housing pressure collapses under even minimal scrutiny. Davis Vanguard
• Though rates of hepatitis B in the U.S. are now very low, cases could increase again if the current government succeeds in removing the CDC recommendation for universal at-birth vaccination, making a cure all the more important to have. Gizmodo
• Globally, micronutrient deficiencies affect two billion people and if left unaddressed, can contribute to an increased risk of birth defects, poor cognitive development, and reduced adult productivity, perpetuating the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition. PubMed Central (PMC)
• Girls and adolescents in Gaza face increased risk of child marriage and early pregnancy. NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security
• For the UK, the difference between female and male cohort life expectancy at birth has fallen from 4.4 years in 1981 to 3.3 years in 2024, and is projected to be 2.9 years in 2049. Office for National Statistics
• Many EU member states, particularly Germany, Italy, and Eastern European countries, will experience significant labour force declines over the next decade due to low birth rates and increasing retirement rates. PubMed Central (PMC)
• Overall life expectancy at birth in the UK is projected to reach 92.4 years for girls and 89.6 years for boys born in 2049, an increase of 2.2 years and 2.6 years, respectively from 2024. Investment International

Last updated: 21 June 2026