Fathers influence child language development more than mothers
In families with two working parents, fathers had greater impact than mothers on their children's language development between ages 2 and 3, according to a study

Chromosomal Chaos In Early Embryonic Development Linked To Cell Division Abnormalities
Abnormalities in the spindles of human embryos before implantation may be the primary reason for many of the chromosome defects observed in early human development

Placental Signs May Augur Autism
Preserved placentas from children later diagnosed with autism were three times more likely to contain trophoblastic inclusions than are placentas from children with normal development.

One hit of crystal meth causes birth defects
A single prenatal dose of methamphetamine – commonly known as speed – may be enough to cause long-term neurodevelopmental problems in babies...

Prenatal nicotine exposure reduces breathing response of newborns
Exposure to nicotine the equivalent of smoking two packs of cigarets a day produced complicated, abnormal breathing development during the first 18 days of newborn rats, University of Arizona researchers report...

Antioxidants May Help Prevent Birth Defects Tied to Alcohol
Pregnant women who abuse alcohol may reduce the risk of birth defects in their babies by taking antioxidants during pregnancy...