Research programs focused on child health and development. Covers pediatric research standards, infant nutrition and sleep, rare disorders, and childhood diabetes.
Research at Aston University found a significant link between childhood deprivation and impulsive behavior, leading to addictions and unhealthy choices later in life. The study showed that children from deprived areas had a higher discount rate, indicating a preference for immediate gratification.
Research from the University of Georgia reveals that LGB youth experience disproportionately high rates of suicidal thoughts, planning, and attempts. The study found that exposure to trauma, particularly sexual violence and dating violence, is significantly more predictive of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among LGB teens.
Research reveals significant regional disparities in parental incarceration rates, with children of color and those living in impoverished households more likely to experience it. The study also highlights the need for tailored strategies to address health inequities in remote or under-resourced communities.
A new study by CHOP researchers found that antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus enhances C. difficile virulence by modulating the gut environment, increasing toxin production and nutrient supply. This interaction supports increased colonization and persistence of C. difficile in the gut.
Children's brains exhibit rapid GABA boosts during learning sessions, allowing for efficient consolidation of new information. Adults' brains, on the other hand, struggle to stabilize learned knowledge due to reduced GABA levels, leading to slower learning rates.
A new study explores how corporal punishment impacts neural systems, linking it to increased anxiety, depression, and altered brain activity. The research found that adolescents who experienced physical punishments showed a larger neural response to error and a blunted response to reward.
Research finds that White children who believe racial inequalities are caused by intrinsic differences show more racial bias against Black children. In contrast, those who see external factors as causes of inequality are less likely to exhibit biases.
Pediatric sleep apnea can be detected with high precision using a unique gene signature that distinguishes children with OSA from healthy children. A recent study found that obstructive sleep apnea induces changes in immune cell diversity, leading to elevated levels of certain white blood cells.
A study by CHOP researchers found that financial stress during the pandemic contributed to depressive symptoms in adolescents across all income groups. The effect was most pronounced in low-income adolescents, but also affected those with lower pre-pandemic household income.
Researchers found that higher levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in pregnant women were associated with increased anxiety scores in their children at age 12. The study suggests that exposure to flame retardants during early brain development may be a risk factor for developing anxiety symptoms in early adolescence.
A large study found that children who experienced adversity, including serious family illness or death, poverty, neglect, or dysfunctional relationships, are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease in early adulthood. The study, published in the European Heart Journal, followed nearly 1.3 million children and found a 60%...
A live biotherapeutic product made from three Lactobacillus species has been shown to reduce lung damage in neonatal mice with chronic lung disease. The study found that the product can ameliorate redox imbalance and damages caused by experimental microbial dysbiosis, using a humanized mouse model of lung microbiome transplant.
A three-year research project led by Aston University aims to prevent epileptic seizures in children. The team will explore how epilepsy becomes established in the brain and test new drugs using living tissue samples.
A new UK study of over 3,000 adults found that childhood financial circumstances significantly impact wellbeing in middle age (41-65). Financial hardship in childhood is also a concern for mental health, particularly as child poverty levels increase.
Researchers at USC found significant differences in gray matter density between boys and girls with binge eating disorder, suggesting unique brain structures and potentially different treatments. The study underscores the need to include males in future research on eating disorders.
The West Texas Pharmacology Core laboratory at TTUHSC will focus on two primary areas: drug development and pediatric cancer. The core aims to address obstacles in drug development, including limited pharmacology expertise for small biotech companies and low profitability for pediatric cancer drugs.
A team of researchers from Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine, and Northern Illinois University are developing an open source system called FLASH to objectively measure children's screen-viewing behaviors. The five-year grant includes funding for three long-term studies on the impacts of screen use on young children.
A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that mothers are least likely to recall being told to limit meals in front of electronic devices. The study analyzed data from the National Survey of Family Growth and found that more than half of mothers recalled only two or three feeding topics, with offer...
A new study published in Molecular Psychiatry suggests that parental discord and divorce may be indicators of children's genetic risk for future alcohol misuse. Researchers found that exposure to parents' relationship discord or divorce is associated with increased risk of alcohol use disorder symptoms in adulthood.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that chronic pain at age 44 is associated with poor mental health outcomes, joblessness, and general health issues in later decades. The research also suggests a link between chronic pain and COVID-19 infection, highlighting the need for attention to chronic pain as a public health concern.
Research published in Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry found that obesity at MS diagnosis is associated with higher current and subsequent levels of disability. Reverting to a healthy weight may improve clinical outcomes for obese patients with MS, suggesting a modifiable risk factor.
A large study of over 5,800 tween children found that growing up in a socioeconomically disadvantaged household can have lasting effects on brain development, with different patterns of connections between brain regions observed. Parental education emerged as the most significant factor associated with variations in brain connections.
A new daily anti-clotting pill, edoxaban, shows promise in preventing bleeding and clotting instances rare in children with heart conditions. The study's findings indicate edoxaban is a viable alternative to current treatments, eliminating injections and reducing frequent blood tests.
A study found that just 9% of US-based pediatrics research included non-English-speaking children or families, leading to concerns about health equity. Researchers are calling for greater inclusion of diverse languages in studies to better represent the community.
Survival rates for in-hospital pediatric cardiac arrest events have increased significantly between 2000 and 2021. Children with a history of cardiovascular disease showed slower improvement in survival rates compared to those without a history of CVD.
A new study by Dr. Geva Shenkman Lachberg found that there are no differences between same-sex parents and heterosexual parents when it comes to their desire for more children. The ideal number of children in families surveyed was around three, similar to the national average.
Researchers analyzed S. lugdunensis isolates from pediatric patients and found that skin infections were a common source (68%), while CNS infections linked to VP shunts were also significant. Flucloxacillin was identified as effective against the bacterium.
A study of nearly 2,000 children found that those who played video games for three hours per day or more performed better on cognitive skills tests involving impulse control and working memory. The researchers observed higher brain activity in regions associated with attention and memory, suggesting that practicing tasks related to imp...
A new theory by UMass Amherst sleep scientist Rebecca Spencer suggests that young children's brain development, not age, determines when and why they stop napping. The hippocampus, a memory area of the brain, plays a critical role in nap transitions.
A University of Cincinnati study explores how anti-immigration policies affect Latinx mental health, finding increased depression, anxiety, and behavioral difficulties among affected communities. The research also identifies coping mechanisms that help individuals overcome these challenges.
A study found that students who moved to a new school location reported significantly less delinquency after the shift, with fewer delinquent friends and less unstructured socializing. The transition to a new academic setting might reduce levels of juvenile delinquency in the long run.
A study of over 700 children aged 8-16 with concussions found that engaging in moderate screen time was associated with faster symptom clearance. The researchers suggest using moderation as the approach to screen time, rather than complete bans, to support concussion recovery.
A recent study by the University of New Hampshire's Crimes against Children Research Center found that 16% of young adults in the US have experienced online sexual abuse before the age of 18. The study also revealed that 62% of perpetrators were acquaintances from their offline life, including current or former intimate partners.
Research shows that children learning to navigate complex social situations are often given mixed messages about honesty and dishonesty by their adult caregivers. The study found that adults judge blunt truth-tellers more harshly when they lie to be polite, but reward subtle truths that protect others.
Babies born during the pandemic were less likely to meet social communication developmental milestones, such as expressing a word or pointing, but more likely to crawl. Researchers suggest that lockdowns may have reduced language exposure and face-to-face interactions, leading to these delays.
A study published in the Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research found that children with dyslexia often perform well on simple phonological tests, but struggle with more complex tasks. The researchers suggest that these more complex tests better predict a child's risk of dyslexia.
A new study conducted by Swansea University explored 20,000 children's opinions on play pre and post-COVID-19 school closures. The research identified five themes, including the importance of having space to play, time with friends, and protected time to play in school and at home.
A study of 18 countries found that adults with good mental health reported more blue space experiences as children. This was associated with greater intrinsic value on natural settings and more frequent visits as adults, leading to better mental wellbeing.
A 20-year review of bicycle injuries found over 1 million US children fractured a bone while riding a bike, with most being boys between ages 10-15. The study also showed that nearly 87% of patients with skull fractures were not wearing helmets at the time of injury.
The study attributes the uptick in injuries to disruption of family routines and stay-at-home orders during pandemic, resulting in decreased helmet use and increased head injuries. The research found a 37% increase in pediatric injuries from 2018 to 2020, with most problematic for publicly insured patients.
Research found that pre-existing illnesses and residence in the South region were most often associated with severe outcomes in children. Vaccination was significantly protective across all age groups, with infants having more severe illness than older children. Persistent health disparities across racial and geographic lines were also...
A Texas study found that accidental firearm injuries in children most commonly occurred in their own homes or those of friends and family members. The majority of these accidents involved a child shooting themselves or another child. To prevent such incidents, researchers recommend safe gun storage and education for school-aged children.
A US study found that mothers' consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with an increased risk of overweight or obesity in their offspring. The study suggests refining dietary guidelines and removing financial and social barriers to improve nutrition for women of childbearing age.
A new study suggests that pretending to be a successful female scientist can increase young girls' persistence in science. Four- to seven-year-old girls who assumed the role of Marie Curie or another gender-matched scientist played longer and rated themselves higher than those in control groups.
A study by RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences found that babies with lower birth weights are more likely to experience mental health problems in childhood and adolescence. The research used data from the Growing Up in Ireland study, following the same children repeatedly throughout their childhood and adolescence.
A recent study published in Science Translational Medicine has found that supporting emotional connections between mothers and their premature infants can significantly improve brain development in these babies. The researchers measured the brain network functions of premature infants at term age after receiving either standard care or...
A study from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that nearly half of childhood cancer survivors experience multiple simultaneous symptoms of moderate to severe intensity. Health inequity issues, such as lack of education or insurance, were associated with a higher risk of experiencing severe symptom burden.
A study found an association between air pollution exposure during pregnancy and the first 5 years of life with altered white matter structural connectivity in children's brains. Exposure to fine particulate matter was also linked to changes in brain volume, particularly in preadolescents.
A Swansea University-led study found that parents with higher health literacy were more likely to get their children tested for COVID-19. The research also identified factors associated with increased likelihood of positive test results, including deprived areas and physical activity levels.
A new international study found that maternal education levels and household income at birth are significant predictors of childhood overweight and obesity. Social inequalities were evident across seven high-income countries, with lower maternal education associated with higher risk of overweight and obesity.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center used fMRI to study how the brain processes complex audiovisual speech. The study found that watching a narrator tell a story activates an extensive network of brain regions involved in sensory processing and cognitive functions associated with comprehension. This finding has pot...
Researchers have discovered that group 3 and group 4 medulloblastoma arise from the rhombic lip, a structure present in early cerebellum development. This finding helps better understand the biology of the disease and develops new research models to guide therapeutic targets.
A new biomarker called SPRIGHTLY could distinguish between two aggressive types of brain tumors in children: Group 3 and Group 4 medulloblastomas. The biomarker is highly expressed in Group 4 medulloblastomas, which have a poorer prognosis.
Numerous gaps between dietary intake and recommended guidelines are found, particularly among vulnerable families, with race and ethnicity disparities persisting. A unified plan can improve nutritional outcomes by strengthening federal policies and programs.
Research finds that short-term air pollution exposure increases risk of hospital admission for autistic children, with boys more at risk than girls. The study suggests that reducing air pollution could lower these risks and improve quality of life for affected individuals.
Researchers found that infants differentiate sounds based on neighboring sounds and vowel durations. Their study suggests that babies can learn the speech contrasts of their language through naturalistic speech data.
A recent study found that telemedicine is a viable option for many patients, especially those with epilepsy and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, barriers remain, including limited access for socially vulnerable families and racial/ethnic minorities.
Researchers found no significant difference in pain levels between children who received ibuprofen and those who received a placebo before stent removal. Only 7% of pediatric patients reported severe pain following the procedure, compared to 55% of adults.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that children who experience a mild traumatic brain injury are more likely to develop emotional and behavioral problems. The study, which analyzed data from thousands of children, revealed a 15-percent increased risk of these problems in kids with a mild TBI.
A new study finds that older children are more likely to effectively test surprising claims made by adults, suggesting an increase in skepticism and intentional exploration. As a result, their exploration becomes more targeted and efficient.