A large NIH study found no link between prenatal organophosphate pesticide exposure and autism-related traits in children. Despite earlier studies suggesting cognitive challenges and ADHD, the study's findings indicate these pesticides may not be associated with autism-related traits at relatively low exposure levels.
A new NIH-funded study found associations between higher fluoride levels in public drinking water during pregnancy and lower child cognition scores, particularly in fluid reasoning. The study, which included 2,514 children, suggests that higher fluoride levels may impact cognitive development.
A new study of nearly 1,500 pregnant participants found that following dietary guidelines may reduce exposure to many environmental chemicals from food and everyday products. However, the same dietary pattern does not lower exposure to all chemicals, with higher levels found in certain pesticides on fresh produce.
A new NIH study found associations between fertility history and children's development, including slightly higher behavior-problem scores and autism-like traits. Non-IVF fertility treatments were also linked to a higher risk of ADHD in children.
A large study funded by the National Institutes of Health's ECHO Program found that prenatal smoking is associated with behavioral and mental health challenges in children. The study examined thousands of children across the U.S., identifying periods when exposure may be most impactful.
A new NIH study links maternal smoking during pregnancy to increased risk of hypertension and high blood pressure in children. The ECHO Cohort study examined the relationship between prenatal smoking exposure and childhood blood pressure.
A new study found that children growing up in homes with water damage and exposed to high levels of outdoor air pollution have a greater risk of developing asthma. The study also revealed that having a dog during infancy can reduce the risk of asthma in children.
A new study from the ECHO Program found that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) before and after birth may influence childhood blood pressure patterns. High blood pressure in children is a growing concern worldwide, with nearly 80% increase over two decades.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that toddlers in the US experienced slightly fewer emotional and behavioral problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research, which analyzed data from over 3,000 children, suggests that some toddlers may have shown resilience during this time.
A new study by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort suggests that higher vitamin D levels during pregnancy may be associated with better cognitive test scores in children. Children of Black mothers, in particular, showed strongest association between vitamin D and cognitive development.
A new NIH study found that early childhood weight patterns may signal future obesity risk. The study tracked children's body mass index (BMI) from infancy through age 9 and identified two distinct growth patterns, with a smaller group following a trajectory marked by a sharp rise in BMI.
A new NIH study found that maternal cardiometabolic health before and during pregnancy is associated with higher blood pressure in children. The study analyzed data from 12,480 mother-child pairs and identified three key risk factors: pre-pregnancy obesity, gestational diabetes, and high blood pressure during pregnancy.
A new NIH study found that children born in lower-opportunity neighborhoods are more likely to experience repeated asthma flares requiring emergency care. Non-Hispanic Black children have the highest incidence rates of severe childhood asthma, also known as asthma with recurrent exacerbations (ARE).
A new NIH study funded by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program found that teens with strong, high-quality friendships tend to have better mental health. The study suggests that emphasizing ways to bolster the quality of their social relationships could help address the current youth mental health crisis.
A new NIH study has found that spending time in childcare does not significantly affect young children's mental health, even among those facing early adversity. The study followed over 2,000 parent-child pairs and found no link between hours spent in childcare and symptoms of anxiety, depression, or aggression.
A new study found that a prenatal diet meeting USDA guidelines is linked to healthy birthweights, steady growth patterns, and potentially lower childhood obesity. Researchers also discovered mixed effects of low-inflammatory diets on infant growth.
A new NIH study found exposure to organophosphate esters (OPEs) during pregnancy may affect childhood obesity risk. Children exposed to higher levels of certain OPEs had a greater or lower risk of obesity compared to those with lower exposure.
A new NIH-funded study found that children who experienced food insecurity during early childhood or whose mothers experienced it during pregnancy had a higher BMI and increased chance of developing obesity. Researchers explored how neighborhood food access affected child body mass index and obesity over time.
A new study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that consuming fish during pregnancy was associated with a lower likelihood of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis, particularly in females. The study also found no significant association between omega-3 supplements and autism diagnosis.
A new NIH-funded study found minor changes in youth mental health overall, but significant variations depending on age, race, gender, and pre-existing mental health. Children with clinically significant problems before the pandemic improved, while others experienced declines or no change.
A new ECHO study reveals that neighborhood characteristics played a lesser role in child well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic periods. The pandemic altered how people interacted with their neighborhoods, making factors like green spaces and recreation less important.
A study found that higher phthalate exposure is associated with increased risk of preeclampsia and eclampsia in pregnant women. Pregnancies involving female fetuses are more susceptible to these hypertensive disorders.
A large cohort study found no association between synthetic oxytocin exposure during childbirth and increased risk of ADHD or autism in offspring. Interestingly, sOT was linked to lower ADHD risk among children born to mothers with pre-pregnancy obesity.
A recent NIH study found that children living near natural spaces from birth experience fewer emotional issues between ages 2 and 5. Higher levels of green spaces were linked to lower anxiety and depression symptoms during this period.
A recent NIH study found that living in low-income neighborhoods with limited food access during pregnancy is associated with lower birthweight and higher odds of babies born small for gestational age. However, individual food insecurity was not linked to birth outcomes.
Children exposed to higher levels of airborne lead in their first five years showed slightly lower IQs and less self-control, with boys being more susceptible. The study's findings support the importance of reducing environmental pollution on child development.
A recent NIH study found that exposure to organophosphate ester flame retardants during pregnancy may increase the risk of preterm birth, particularly in female infants. Higher concentrations of certain OPE markers were also associated with higher birth weights, which can be a sign of potential complications.
A new NIH study finds that consistently breastfeeding infants in their first three months is associated with a lower risk of childhood obesity, regardless of the mother's pre-pregnancy BMI. The study suggests that health professionals can encourage and promote breastfeeding among all women, especially those who have obesity.
A NIH-funded study found associations between maternal prenatal inflammation and children's attention, anxiety, depression, and aggression. The research used the Child Behavior Checklist to measure aggressive behavior, anxiety/depression, and attention problems in 4,595 participants aged 6-18 years.
Researchers now have access to a large amount of diet information collected from over 33,000 pregnancies and 31,000 children. This de-identified data, available through the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development's DASH Hub, will help answer important questions about nutrition and child health.
The Pandemic-related Traumatic Stress Scale (PTSS) measures stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic and identifies those with higher levels of stress. The study found caregivers had the highest PTSS scores, followed by adolescents, pregnant or postpartum individuals, and children.
A new NIH study suggests that a common child behavior assessment tool may be skewed by factors such as caregiver demographics and language. Researchers have identified less biased questions that can reliably capture childhood behavior problems across diverse backgrounds.
Researchers found that no single food meets daily requirements for six essential nutrients during pregnancy, but some low-calorie options like raw seaweed and ready-to-drink nutritional shakes can help fill the gaps. The study highlights a variety of nutrient-rich foods and beverages that pregnant people can add to their diets.
A new NIH study found an association between higher prenatal phthalate levels and a slightly increased risk of postpartum depression. Exposure to chemicals like phenols, phthalates, and parabens during pregnancy may influence hormone levels and contribute to the development of postpartum depression symptoms.