Researchers have identified the location of structural proteins in a pig ovary, paving the way for 3D printing an artificial ovary that can support eggs and hormone-producing cells. The technology has huge potential for girls who undergo fertility-damaging cancer treatments.
Most NICUs lack fully automated clinical decision support tools to calculate nutrition for premature infants, leading to manual calculations and potential errors. The study's findings emphasize the importance of developing standardized computerized solutions to monitor and improve caloric intake delivery.
A new study links early preterm birth to dads' lifetime socioeconomic status, with fathers from lower-income neighborhoods facing three times higher rates of preterm birth. This finding highlights the importance of considering both parents' socioeconomic factors in reducing preterm birth rates.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Genetics confirms that CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology is highly accurate and minimizes off-target effects. The research, conducted on zebrafish, adds to a growing body of work suggesting that unintended mutations from gene editing are extremely rare.
Choking deaths in US children have decreased by 75% over the past 50 years, attributed to choking hazard regulations. Despite this progress, 184 child deaths occurred in 2017, highlighting the need for continued vigilance.
A recent study has confirmed that a fetus has its own microbiome, which is transmitted from the mother. This finding opens up potential interventions during pregnancy to stimulate the fetal microbiome and improve preemie growth and immune system.
Researchers used non-invasive tape strips to assess molecular signs of immune dysfunction and skin changes in young children with eczema. These biomarkers can predict response to medicine and development of associated conditions, paving the way for routine use in clinical trials.
A recent study found that African-American preterm births are associated with chronic inflammation of the placenta and underdeveloped vessels, leading to poor growth and increased risk of neurodevelopmental impairments. These abnormalities suggest that the fetus was not receiving enough oxygen and nutrients from the placenta.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that young adults with a history of parental incarceration and juvenile justice involvement are nearly three times more likely to have depression or PTSD compared to peers without any experience with the criminal justice system. Anxiety is also nearly twice as common in this population.
A review of 10-year experience at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago found that ketogenic diet was safe and effective in treating drug-resistant epilepsy in infants under 3 years old. Nearly half of children with genetic causes of epilepsy experienced significant seizure reduction after three months on the diet.
Researchers found that infants colonized with C. difficile developed antibodies in their blood that neutralized toxins, suggesting a natural immunization occurs. This immune response may provide protection against the infection later in childhood.
Researchers at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago discovered a previously unknown regulatory mechanism controlling stem cell differentiation into neurons in fragile X syndrome. This breakthrough offers novel targets for potential treatments for the condition.
Research reveals preterm infants with growth failure have altered gut bacteria and delayed metabolic development, which may be treated through individualized interventions. The study's findings offer new insights into predicting and preventing growth failure in premature infants.
A new study found that children are more likely to suffer injuries due to abuse when cared for by a male caregiver, especially if the male is the boyfriend of the mother or another caregiver. The odds of child physical abuse vs. accidental injury increased substantially in these situations.
A new study found a high incidence of headaches in pediatric stroke survivors, with over a third experiencing severe headache within one year. Children who developed post-stroke headache were more likely to suffer from another stroke, typically within the first six to 12 months after the initial stroke.
A study by Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago found that nearly 74% of preschool children with community-acquired pneumonia receive unnecessary antibiotics, while 43% undergo chest X-rays despite guidelines against routine use. This overuse contributes to antibiotic resistance and side effects.
According to a study published in JAMA, only half of children and adolescents in the US have ideal cholesterol levels, with 25% having clinically high levels. High cholesterol in childhood is a key risk factor for developing heart disease later in life.
Children with chronic constipation exhibit heightened sensory sensitivity, particularly in oral processing, leading to feeding problems and avoidance behaviors. This association could transform clinical practice by incorporating sensory considerations into treatment plans.
Researchers at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago have discovered a protein that causes intestinal permeability in NEC, which can lead to sepsis or death. Inhibiting a special molecule called ROCK may prevent this process, offering a new potential treatment strategy.
A recent study found that nearly half of children hospitalized for asthma demonstrate improper inhaler use, with adolescents being the most common offenders. The study highlights the importance of proper inhaler technique in managing asthma, particularly among older teens who may feel they no longer need a spacer device.
Pediatric patients in a hospital bed explore virtual environments through scuba diving, snowboarding, and safaris, reducing anxiety and improving outcomes. The study found that 80% of parents reported their child's virtual reality experience calmed them.
A new assessment tool predicts the risk of developing chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in college students six months after contracting infectious mononucleosis. The study found that those with more severe mononucleosis were over three times more likely to meet CFS diagnostic criteria.
Deaf children who received cochlear implants before 12 months of age learn spoken language more rapidly and are more likely to use it as their sole means of communication. This study suggests that early cochlear implantation can have a transformative impact on language development in deaf infants.
A study published in Nature Communications found that an inhibitor of ACVR1 slows tumor growth and increases survival in an animal model of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Researchers believe this enzyme mutation cooperates with a histone mutation to initiate tumor development.
A Phase 3 study found that lumacaftor/ivacaftor is safe and effective in treating cystic fibrosis in children aged 2-5 years. The treatment combination shows promise in arresting disease progression and improving long-term outcomes, including improved pancreatic function.
Researchers at Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago have discovered a promising direction towards understanding and preventing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants. Blocking NF-κB activity prevented recruitment of white blood cells into the intestine, leading to decreased development of NEC.
A study of over 40,000 adults found that one in 10 has a confirmed food allergy, while nearly half develop an allergy as an adult. Nearly 1 in 5 adults believe they have a food allergy despite inconsistent symptoms.
Researchers identified distinct molecular signatures in children with cystic fibrosis, which may help predict disease severity and treatment response. The findings pave the way for precision medicine, allowing for therapies tailored to each patient's unique biology.
A large randomized controlled trial found that probiotics do not improve outcomes for children with acute gastroenteritis. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggests that current recommendations to use probiotics for these patients may be outdated.
According to the latest national food allergy prevalence survey, nearly 8% of US children (about 5.6 million) have food allergies, with 42% reporting at least one lifetime ED visit for a life-threatening reaction. However, only 40% of these children have a current prescription for an epinephrine auto-injector.
Scientists have discovered new genetic pathways associated with severe lung disease in premature infants, including those related to gonadotropin releasing hormone and heart development. These findings offer promise for earlier risk detection and the development of more precise treatments for this life-threatening condition.
Researchers at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago report successful surgical techniques and outcomes for single ovary removal in girls as young as 5 months old. The procedure causes no complications and can be performed on an outpatient basis without delaying cancer or other therapies.
A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that changes in calorie and protein intake were estimated during five transition phases from full intravenous nutrition to full enteral nutrition. The researchers recommend specific approaches to maximize calorie and protein intake during various transition phases.
Researchers found that Evf2 RNA regulates key genes during embryonic brain development, affecting GABA neurotransmitters and leading to seizures or neurological disorders. The discovery could help identify therapeutic targets to prevent neurological diseases.
Researchers have made a major breakthrough in developing a new treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension, identifying a drug that inhibits HIF-2α and reverses established PAH, suppression of vascular remodeling and right heart failure, and increased survival.
Recurrent injury rates were six times higher in girls' soccer and nearly three times higher in girls' basketball without athletic trainers. Schools with athletic trainers better identified athletes with concussion and applied evidence-based injury prevention strategies.
A new study found that young adults with incarcerated parents are more likely to skip healthcare, engage in risky behaviors, and develop physical and mental health conditions. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to mitigate the effects of parental incarceration on youth behavior.
Researchers have identified FoxM1 as a potential target for treating pulmonary hypertension, a severe lung disease with a 50% five-year survival rate. Deleting the FoxM1 gene in mice resulted in thinner artery walls and improved right heart function.
A new gene therapy has successfully treated transfusion-dependent thalassemia, a blood disorder that requires frequent red blood cell transfusions. The treatment produced positive outcomes in an interim analysis of two international clinical trials, with most patients becoming transfusion-free.
A multicenter observational study has revealed that levetiracetam is more effective than phenobarbital in treating infants with nonsyndromic epilepsy. After six months of single-drug treatment, 40% of infants treated with levetiracetam achieved a successful outcome, compared to only 16% of those treated with phenobarbital.
A novel machine learning algorithm using brain scans predicts language ability in deaf children after cochlear implant surgery. This study has broad implications for children with developmental challenges, enabling clinicians and educators to intervene with therapy to maximize language learning.
A study found that 92% of pediatric oncology providers are willing to help children with cancer access medical marijuana, but lack of standards is a major barrier. Providers were more cautious about recommending it due to federal prohibition and institutional policies.
Researchers have identified a promising new target for treating highly aggressive brain tumors like atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor and medulloblastoma in children. The experimental PLK4 inhibitor was shown to shrink tumors and increase survival in an animal model, crossing the blood-brain barrier to target cancer cells.
A comprehensive genomic analysis of Wilms tumor identified genetic mutations involving a large number of genes, converging into two major pathways that lead to cancer. The study offers new opportunities for treatment by targeting these processes instead of individual genes.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that genetic testing is effective in diagnosing epilepsy in 40% of patients and 25% of those with unknown causes. Genetic sequencing tests have a higher diagnostic yield than chromosome microarray, allowing for more precise treatment options.
A study published in Molecular Cancer Research reveals that a histone mutation turns off the tumor suppressor gene p16 in up to 70% of childhood brain tumors called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Restoring p16 using a drug approved for adult leukemia treatment slows down tumor growth.
Children with DSD may be able to preserve fertility using experimental techniques, but this raises concerns about cost, insurance coverage, and transmission to offspring. The procedure also presents complex ethical dilemmas, particularly regarding gender dysphoria and autonomous decision-making.
A new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics suggests that both low and high birth weights are linked to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children. The study found that advanced scarring of the liver is associated with low birth weight, while more inflammation is linked to high birth weight.
Scientists at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago have discovered a promising target to treat AT/RT, a highly aggressive and therapy-resistant brain tumor, using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology. The PLK4 inhibitor has been shown to stop tumor growth while sparing normal cells.
A study found that up to 40% of consumers with food allergy concerns buy products with 'may contain' or 'manufactured on shared equipment' labels despite the risk. Food allergy affects approximately 8% of children and 2% of adults, with nearly 40% of children experiencing life-threatening reactions.