A study by GIST scientists found that physical interaction between children with cerebral palsy and horses improves motor skills and balance. The research team recorded horse and child movements, tracking acceleration and angular velocity to quantify interactions, which were linked to improved outcomes.
A new study found that cardiopulmonary bypass can significantly impact the development of brain cells in neonates, potentially leading to long-term neurocognitive disabilities. The research used a pre-clinical model to investigate the effects of cardiopulmonary bypass on brain growth and development.
A new study by Kennedy Krieger Institute found that children with autism spectrum disorder are twice as likely to report suicidal thoughts during routine medical screenings. The study highlights the importance of implementing suicide risk screenings for all children, especially those with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Researchers found no difference between kids exposed to language at birth, regardless of sign or speech. Children with delayed language exposure tend to struggle with executive functioning. The study suggests that 'talking' doesn't just mean speech—sign language exposure is equally nourishing for baby brains.
A UBC study found that children living in areas with high greenspace exposure showed better overall development than peers with less access. Greenspaces reduce the negative impacts of air pollution and noise on children's health and development.
Researchers aim to understand language development in children with developmental language disorder (DLD) and Fragile X syndrome by examining grammar skills and executive functions. The study will gather data on a two-year developmental window, providing comprehensive insights for families and potential improvements in communication.
Researchers found that somatostatin interneurons can cause seizures when they go haywire, disrupting the brain's balance. The study identified a rare epilepsy syndrome and developed mouse models to understand the neurological dysfunction, paving the way for new treatments.
A new study found that changes in children's facial expressions of emotion after sleep restriction predict more social problems concurrently and over time. Emotional expression plays a crucial role in social communication, and poor sleep quality takes a toll on this aspect.
A UC Davis MIND Institute study suggests telehealth evaluation can help families access care and diagnose autism earlier. The research found that telehealth approaches in the first year of life improved access to care for infants with elevated autism risk, reducing waitlists and parental stress.
Research by Karolinska Institutet suggests that longer breastfeeding and later introduction to gluten may reduce the risk of developing type 1 diabetes. The study analyzed 5,935 articles and found a significant protective effect against the disease.
New research from WVU suggests that live music can reduce pain and anxiety in pediatric critical-care patients. In a study, babies who heard live music had lower heart rates and slower breathing rates compared to those who listened to recorded music.
Researchers at UC San Diego will document brain development from birth through early childhood, focusing on environmental factors and mental disorders. The HBCD study aims to optimize brain imaging technologies and predict future behavioral problems.
A study published in Royal Society Open Science found that 10-year-old children follow social norms and reciprocate consideration from adults. Children of this age tend to behave more like adults, giving weight to adults' opinions if they are credited, whereas younger children trust their own decisions independently of adult behavior.
New research from an international team of scientists found that poor timing of influenza vaccination campaigns in Brazil led to increased premature births, lower birth-weight babies, and the need for more cesarean sections. The study suggests that earlier flu vaccination campaigns could better protect pregnant women and their babies.
A new study reveals that childhood adversity is a major contributor to early and preventable causes of mortality and long-term physical and mental health issues. Childhood adversity was found to be associated with elevated risk for chronic diseases, including heart disease and cancer.
A CHOP-led study found that healthy full-term infants born during the COVID-19 pandemic had substantially shorter hospital stays, with a significant increase in early discharge rates. Despite shorter hospital stays, infant rehospitalizations within a week of discharge remained unchanged.
Researchers at Keck School of Medicine will collect and analyze imaging data from over 1,300 children nationwide to identify biological markers predicting recovery or persistent symptoms after concussion. The study aims to develop a diagnostic protocol for clinicians caring for pediatric patients with concussion.
A new smartphone-based app, iBehavior, will be tested to improve the accuracy of data in clinical trials involving individuals with intellectual disability. The app uses ecological momentary assessment to track symptoms related to executive function, often associated with ADHD.
A study by researchers at Wayne State University found a dose-response relationship between SARS-CoV-2 severity and the risk of preterm birth, with severely infected mothers more likely to experience early birth. The study also linked severe COVID-19 infection to an increased risk of preeclampsia.
A new study finds that air pollution is responsible for 1.1 million deaths across Africa in 2019, with household air pollution accounting for 700,000 fatalities. The study also reveals that air pollution is costing African countries billions in gross domestic product and hindering the intellectual development of children.
Researchers identified a pattern that links the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) proteins with a reduction of serotonin, which may help predict who will develop late-life depression. The study found that individuals expressing this pattern had more severe depressive symptoms.
A new study found that 31% of children with food allergies experience victimization behaviors, including verbal teasing and criticism, compared to 17% when asked a simple yes/no question. Only 12% of parents reported being aware of the issue.
The USC Environmental Health Sciences Research Center has received a five-year, $8 million NIH grant to continue its research on reducing diseases caused by environmental exposures. The center conducts research on various topics including air pollution, climate change, and health disparities.
Research finds that at-risk teen girls who have experienced sexual abuse are more likely to be cyberbullied and experience heightened offline sexual activities. Targeted intervention strategies using algorithm-based approaches could help these teens navigate the Internet safely.
The Charles Lazarus Children’s Abilities Center at Mount Sinai offers cutting-edge treatments for children with disabilities, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The center features state-of-the-art equipment and a multidisciplinary team of experts providing comprehensive care to children from birth to age 21.
A small study found that a wireless kit, comprising headphones and an app, may be a cheap alternative to traditional treatment of 'glue ear' in kids. The kit enables remote monitoring of hearing at home, reducing clinic visits and potentially avoiding surgery in many cases.
Researchers at UIC will evaluate the effectiveness of integrated behavioral health care coordination on mental health outcomes for teens with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The study aims to identify better care coordination models to reduce barriers to access to behavioral health care for this vulnerable population.
Researchers found that parental knowledge and beliefs differ across socioeconomic status, but these beliefs can be changed. Interventions aimed at shifting parental beliefs had measurable effects on child outcomes, particularly in more intensive home visiting programs.
A recent study found that pediatric patients with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) who received initial IVIG plus Infliximab had improved cardiac outcomes, reduced need for additional therapies, and faster resolution of inflammation. The updated care pathway recommends this intensified therapy for all MIS-C patients.
A massive review of nearly 300 studies found strong associations between greenspaces near homes and schools and improved physical activity and mental health outcomes in kids. Exposure to nature, particularly for disadvantaged populations, offers greater health benefits by counteracting poverty's toxic effects.
Researchers found that infants spend most of their time playing with household objects, suggesting that everyday learning and development occur through spontaneous object interactions. This challenges traditional views of infant behavior as flighty and distractible.
A new study from Anglia Ruskin University found that increasing space between letters can improve reading speed for both dyslexic and non-dyslexic children. Dyslexic children showed a 13% increase in reading speed, while non-dyslexic children saw a 5% improvement.
A Rutgers University study found that teenagers whose fathers are behind on paying child support suffer from more behavioral problems than those with other types of parental debt. Child support debt can lead to negative consequences for adolescent outcomes, including increased conflict and reduced physical and mental health.
A team of researchers at Kennedy Krieger Institute developed a new method to diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using a single 2D camera. The Computer Assessment of Motor Imitation (CAMI) method provides greater access to patients and shows accurate assessment with 2D technology.
A Canadian study found that children and youth are at low risk of severe acute COVID-19 during the first half of the pandemic. The study analyzed hospitalizations of 264 children and youth with SARS-CoV-2 infection and found that only half had severe disease, with underlying health conditions being a significant factor.
A new study published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics suggests that boys who participate in sports in early childhood are less likely to experience depressive and anxiety symptoms later. The study also found that boys who exhibit higher levels of depressive and anxious symptoms during middle childhood are subseq...
The number of autism diagnoses in England has skyrocketed by 787% over the past two decades, driven primarily by increased recognition and improved diagnosis for females. Researchers analyzed GP records and found that the greatest rises were among adults, with females making up most of the increase.
A study by Boston University researcher Jennifer Zuk found that the brain's organizational pathways, known as white matter, set a foundation for language learning abilities within the first year of life. This is reflected in children born with higher indications of white matter organization having better language skills five years later.
Researchers discovered that new mutations in the BRAF gene can lead to gliomas growing back after treatment, suggesting personalized approaches to therapy. The study also explored potential impacts of COVID-19 vaccines on menstruation.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine research team has provided a definitive view of the biological process leading to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a dangerous inflammatory disease that can destroy a premature infant's intestinal lining. The loss of enteric glia leads to intestinal dysmotility, which is a key factor in NEC's genesis.
Research by the University of Bristol found that children born to depressed mothers are more likely to develop depressive symptoms by age 24, with scores almost three points higher than offspring of non-depressed mothers. The study highlights the importance of antenatal and postnatal depression support.
A new study published in Current Biology reveals that visually impaired babies primarily use touch to respond to stimuli, while sighted babies rely more on auditory cues. The research suggests that both senses will be crucial in designing tools to aid their development.
A parent-led therapy for early signs of autism has significantly reduced the likelihood of an autism diagnosis at age three. The iBASIS-VIPP program uses video-feedback to support social development and unique abilities, resulting in increased parental sensitivity and language development.
A study found that oxcarbazepine, a commonly prescribed anti-seizure medication, is associated with a higher risk of fractures in children with epilepsy. The research team examined the effects of levetiracetam and oxcarbazepine on bone fragility in children between the ages of four and 13.
A new study by CSU social psychologist Jennifer Harman finds that parental alienating behaviors closely resemble coercively controlling violence, intimate terrorism, and battery. The research highlights power imbalances in families affected by parental alienation, emphasizing the need to treat it similarly to other forms of abuse.
A study published in Psychological Medicine confirms that childhood maltreatment disrupts HPA-axis activity, leading to altered stress regulation and increased risk of mental disorders. The study found a dose-response relationship between the severity of maltreatment experiences and HPA-axis dysfunction.
Researchers at Boston Medical Center have identified six stages of engagement in ADHD treatment, highlighting the importance of breaking down barriers for racial and ethnic minority families. The study provides a comprehensive framework that can help healthcare systems better match the needs of children with ADHD and their families.
A study published in SLEEP reveals an association between early lower respiratory tract infections and the development of obstructive sleep apnea in children. Children who had a history of severe RSV bronchiolitis during early infancy were found to have a higher risk of developing OSA.
A study found that parents prioritize atmosphere and teacher approach over academic standards when selecting a special school for their child. High-quality inclusive education provision means a sense of belonging, social acceptance, and individualized curriculum. Only a minority reported experiencing 'hard choice' due to limited options.
The university will support research on normal and abnormal brain development, including rare diseases that cause intellectual disabilities. Researchers aim to improve care and treatment for children with IDDs.
A pilot study at the University of Cincinnati found that young adults with ASD and ID can lose or maintain weight with a system of education and support in place. Participants and parents reported knowledge and behavior change, with two participants losing significant weight.
A new study found that psychological interventions can have a significant effect on the treatment of subthreshold depression in adolescents. The meta-analysis showed that approximately eight adolescents need to be treated to see one more positive outcome than no treatment, with moderate effects size.
SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 15, 2021
A new DNA-based test using whole genome sequencing can identify tumour-specific markers to measure cancer levels in children's bodies. This technology has the potential to detect minimal residual disease and change treatment outcomes.
A study found that gut microbiome profiles in children from the Democratic Republic of Congo reveal high glucosidase and low rhodanese microbes, which could increase susceptibility to konzo. The researchers plan to further investigate sibling pairs to confirm their findings.
Three Lehigh University faculty members received federal grants to study reading interventions, supports for students with disabilities, and teachers of students with autism. The projects aim to improve reading growth for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
A three-year clinical study found that students who received eyeglasses through a school-based program scored higher on reading and math tests. The students who struggled the most academically showed the greatest improvement, with gains equivalent to two to four months of additional education.
A study of nearly 12,000 kids found that screen time is only slightly linked to attention disorders, disturbed sleep, and lower grades. However, excessive screen time may have social benefits, with kids who spent more time with screens having more close friends.
A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that low-risk and high-risk neuroblastoma have distinct cell identities, which can affect survival rates. The researchers identified a progenitor cell type found in fetal adrenal tissue, which may contribute to the development of aggressive neuroblastoma in older children.
Research suggests that overweight and obese asthmatic children are less likely to respond to inhaled steroid medication, leading to more frequent asthma attacks. The study used genetic variants linked to BMI to investigate this link, finding a correlation between higher BMI z-scores and poor ICS response.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that contact with police is associated with negative health outcomes for Black youth, including poor mental health, substance use, and risky behaviors. The researchers also found that Black youth experience feelings of alienation and hopelessness due to lack of support from social institutions.