Exposure to a complex environment with new sights, sounds, and experiences can strengthen infants' developing brains, helping maintain a smooth neural network. Environmental enrichment also plays a crucial role in strengthening motor and cognitive function in both children and adults.
The new data resource center will accelerate novel treatments for childhood tumors by making genetic sequences available on the cloud. Researchers expect to identify beneficial mutations that allow some children to survive longer than others.
Research reveals distinct molecular patterns in premature infants' cerebellum, indicating a cellular response to interrupted development. The findings may offer insights into long-term complications of pre-term birth and potential interventions to improve outcomes.
A new approach to assess renal function in term newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy identifies early stages of AKI. Approximately 69% of infants did not develop kidney failure, while 19% showed a slower serum creatinine decline rate matching those with established AKI.
The lab, led by Zhe Han, Ph.D., aims to identify key histone-modifying genes involved in heart development and create personalized fly models for individual patients. By understanding the role of these genes, researchers hope to predict CHD risk and potentially cure the condition using gene-editing approaches.
Researchers developed a novel framework using 3D MRI to characterize the shape, volume, morphometry, and texture of placentas during pregnancy. The framework accurately predicted pregnancies complicated by FGR with 86% accuracy, and estimated birth weight reasonably well.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends focusing on clusters of cardiometabolic risk factors, such as high blood sugar, hypertension, and obesity, to identify overweight or obese children at highest risk for cardiovascular and metabolic complications. Pediatricians should target youth with multiple component risk factors for more...
A study by Children's National Hospital found that doctors in the US have reached an unexpected consensus on prescribing medications for pediatric epilepsy patients, with levetiracetam being the most frequently chosen. The study highlights a need for real data on efficacy for each medication to inform evidence-based decision-making.
Researchers investigate how genetic genes IRF6 and SPRY4 interact during fetal development to form the palate. Studies reveal that these two genes interact to reduce adhesion of the oral surface to the tongue, leading to cleft palate formation. The study aims to better understand this interaction to address defects in palate creation.
A recent survey found that adolescent girls seeking medical care in emergency departments are open to receiving information on preventing pregnancy. The study, which analyzed data from 219 non-pregnant females aged 14-21, revealed that 72% of participants wanted EDs to provide pregnancy prevention and contraception info.
A large study of executive function and adaptive behavior in females with autism spectrum disorders reveals unique challenges in diagnosis and intervention. The study found that girls with ASD struggle more with independence skills despite having better social and communication skills.
A school-based intervention that administers morning doses of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) to children with persistent asthma has shown improved adherence and quality-of-life outcomes. The study, published in the Journal of Asthma, found that 90% of participants received their prescribed morning doses through school administration.
Research found that children with early Lyme symptoms resolve rapidly, usually within one to three days, regardless of treatment timing. However, those with knee pain and swelling take longer to recover, typically between two to four weeks. The study suggests that patients with late symptoms should seek medical attention promptly for p...
Children as young as 8 years old can reliably assess experimental therapy effects on symptoms and quality of life. Self-reported patient outcomes could be a new endpoint in clinical trials, enabling clinicians to better manage side effects.
A review article highlights the prevalence of pediatric firearm-related injuries in the US, with approximately 20,000 children transported to Emergency Departments each year. Pediatricians can play a pivotal role in reducing these injuries by asking patients about access to firearms, encouraging safe storage, and supporting research in...
A new study found that stress-mitigation interventions for parents of children with asthma had no impact on reducing asthma symptoms in kids. However, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines provided significant improvements in symptom-free days and overall health outcomes.
A five-year national study found that regions with stronger gun laws had significantly fewer firearm-related pediatric emergency department visits. The study suggests an association between regional gun laws and firearm-related injuries in children, with stricter laws linked to lower incidence rates.
Children with MRSA bacteremia have a low mortality rate of 2%, but experience high complication rates that increase with each passing day. The risk of treatment failure is associated with infections in muscles, bones, or blood vessels, and concurrent critical illnesses, highlighting the need for optimized vancomycin dosing and monitoring.
Research suggests that exosomes derived from very obese patients' fat can accelerate biological processes leading to atherosclerosis. In contrast, those from lean patients promote cholesterol efflux and reduce 'bad' cholesterol buildup. This discovery holds promise for early detection of chronic diseases in children.
A study found that breast milk feeding in premature infants (weighing less than 1,500 grams) improves white matter microstructural organization, which may predict better neurologic outcomes. This increase suggests more robust fiber tracts and microarchitecture of the developing white matter.
Research on 48 fetuses exposed to Zika found that three had abnormal fetal MRIs, including heterotopia, parietal encephalocele, and thin corpus callosum. The vast majority of fetuses had normal MRI results, but long-term neurological outcomes remain uncertain.
Research suggests that excessive Hsf1 activation can lead to delayed neural migration in embryos, potentially increasing the risk of congenital brain disorders. This study's findings raise concerns about the safety of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
Disparities in pediatric readmission rates for chronic conditions such as asthma, depression, diabetes, migraines, and seizures have been found to vary by condition and race. The study highlights the need to personalize care and address socioeconomic factors to reduce these disparities.
A novel dietary supplement has been shown to reverse cellular damage caused by specific genetic mutations in the kidneys of transgenic fruit flies. The study provides a personalized model for testing novel therapies for rare diseases such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), which currently lack treatment options.
Scientists have discovered that specific cells in the brain's medial amygdala program innate reproductive and aggressive behaviors. The study found that male and female brains respond differently to mating cues, with distinct patterns of activation in neurons expressing different transcription factors.
Researchers found that 85% of human genes associated with nephrotic syndrome also play crucial roles in Drosophila renal function. Silencing a specific gene led to dramatic impairments in nephrocyte function, shortened life span, and reduced filtration capacity.
A systematic review of PDE-5 inhibitor use in pediatric patients with pulmonary hypertension found improvements in oxygenation, hemodynamics, and clinical outcomes. The evidence suggests that low- and moderate-dose sildenafil are safe regimens for children, outweighing the risks associated with long-term use.
A new biocompatible 3D tracking system has shown promising results in improving the accuracy of robot-assisted surgery. The system, which uses near-infrared fluorescent markers, enables accurate tracking of tissue and surgical tools with millimeter accuracy.
The Children's National Health System has received a prestigious Clinical and Translational Science Award, worth $24 million, to break down research barriers and foster innovative pediatric-focused translational research. The partnership enables the translation of research into real-life improvements in child health, addressing various...
Children's National urologist Michael Hsieh is awarded a $1 million grant to generate mutant forms of IPSE, a parasite-derived protein that may alleviate bladder pain. The goal is to develop IPSE as an alternative to opioids for treating pain in general.
Researchers validated 70 genes associated with congenital heart disease in fruit flies, including those modifying histone structure. This approach may enable precise gene-editing techniques for tailored treatments.
Researchers found that weight loss significantly reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes by resetting the chemical messages sent by fat cells. After gastric bypass surgery, volunteers showed improved insulin sensitivity and metabolic health, with reduced markers of disease risk.
A preclinical model reveals that congenital heart disease disrupts cerebral oxygen supply, leading to reduced cortical growth and abnormal neurogenesis in the subventricular zone. Restoring NSPCs' neurogenic potential may help lessen long-term neurological deficits in children with CHD.
A study by Children's National Hospital found that Sirt1 plays a crucial role in regenerating glial cells from endogenous progenitor cells after hypoxia-related brain injury. The protein's activity can be modulated by sirtinol, an off-the-shelf drug, and may help alleviate developmental delays in preterm infants.
Researchers discovered a process by which APOL1 contributes to renal disease, mimicking human kidney cell pathology in Drosophila. Cloning mutated APOL1 genes, they found increased cellular activity, cell size, abnormal function and accelerated cell death.
A recent study published in JAMA found that lorazepam, a commonly used but not yet FDA-approved drug for children, is no more effective than an approved benzodiazepine, diazepam, in treating pediatric status epilepticus. The study enrolled 310 children and found both medications successfully halted seizures in 70 percent of cases.
Researchers found that maternal trauma, illness, or substance abuse activates a single gene in brain cells, leading to structural abnormalities and neuropsychiatric disorders. The study suggests that even minor environmental insults can permanently change how brain cells respond.
Researchers have identified two biomarkers, head circumference and head tilting reflex, to screen for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) at 9 months old. The study found that these infants were at risk for ASD or developmental language delay if they had a head circumference above the 75th percentile or failed the head tilting reflex test.
The Children's National team, led by Drs Yang Liu and Reuven Schore, will investigate novel approaches to address unmet medical needs of relapsed pediatric AML patients. They aim to develop a therapy that can eliminate leukemia stem cells, which are highly resistant to conventional chemotherapy.
A study found that children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) exhibit more gender variance, a wish to be the other gender, than their typically developing peers. The study also revealed higher rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms among these children.
Researchers are exploring innovative approaches, including medication like Bevacizumab and handheld optical coherence tomography, to improve vision in young children with optic pathway gliomas. These treatments have shown promising results, offering improved visual acuity and stability.
A study published in Neuron has identified a small protein, Endothelin-1, that can be targeted to promote repair of damaged brain tissue in multiple sclerosis patients. The molecule inhibits myelin repair, and blocking it or using genetic approaches may help restore myelin in the brain.
Researchers at Children's National Hospital have discovered two distinct subtypes of pediatric diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs), a type of brain stem tumor that is almost always lethal. The study found that these subtypes are associated with poorer overall survival rates, particularly for patients with histone 3 mutations.
Javad Nazarian, a Children's Research Institute researcher, has received a $99,979 grant to study pediatric diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) using proteomics and RNA sequencing. The goal is to understand the molecular biology of this lethal childhood cancer.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that patients with cystic fibrosis experience no rapid decline in pulmonary function or other significant health-related changes when transitioning from pediatric to adult care. The study's results contradict previous reports on negative health outcomes after transition for other chronic childh...
Researchers at Children's National Medical Center have found that the new oral drug VBP15 decreases inflammation and protects muscles, potentially preventing or delaying the onset of symptoms in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients. Initial clinical trials are planned pending FDA review and approval.
Children's National Hospital has received a five-year NIH grant to identify reliable early signs of prenatal brain injury in congenital heart disease. The study aims to develop non-invasive methods to detect high-risk cases before birth, opening windows for new treatments to prevent impaired brain development.
Researchers at Children's National Hospital discovered that apoptosis activates an 'escape' replication process in human herpesviruses, potentially leading to disease reactivation. This process may be triggered by chemotherapy agents, suggesting the need for antiviral treatment during such procedures.
A large clinical trial shows that clopidogrel does not effectively reduce shunt-related blood flow issues in infants with congenital heart diseases. Aspirin alone may be effective in reducing the risk of clot formation, while switching to Plavix is not recommended.
A new international study found that prolonged, intense initial treatment in children with multi-system Langerhans cell histiocytosis (MS-LCH) can achieve survival rates as high as 84 percent. The study also showed a significant reduction in disease reactivation rate compared to shorter treatment periods.