Placenta's Role in Brain Development Linked to Child Cognition

A new study reveals the oxygenation levels in the placenta during the last trimester of pregnancy are a key predictor of the development of the cerebral cortex and likely childhood cognition and behavior. Utilizing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for a more accurate assessment of placental health, the study offers new insights into how the placenta mediates the impact of maternal health on fetal brain development.