Umbilical cord could contain clues for child's future health, study says

Umbilical cord could contain clues for child's future health, study says

Doctors might be able to predict a newborn's long-term health outlook, by analyzing their umbilical cord blood, a new study says.

DNA changes in umbilical cord blood could provide clues to preventable health issues later in life

The umbilical cord may become a crystal ball of sorts, helping doctors predict the future of children at risk for long-term health problems, including diabetes, stroke, and liver disease.

Prenatal Stress Leaves Lasting Molecular Imprints on Babies

A new study reveals that stress during pregnancy can molecularly reprogram newborns' stress response systems, with significant differences between boys and girls. Researchers found that maternal stress altered entire families of tRNA fragments in umbilical cord blood, particularly those regulating acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter.