A large-scale study of over 300,000 children in Australia found that those hospitalised with chronic illnesses were at a significantly higher risk of poor academic performance. The study, published in Archives of Disease in Childhood, highlights the need for additional support for these students.
A recent study of over 700 Peruvian adolescents during the COVID-19 lockdown found that teenagers who interacted positively online reported less loneliness and better well-being. The quality of their online interactions, such as chatting with friends and relatives, was a key factor in reducing loneliness.
A study of rural schoolchildren found that behaviors leading to obesity decreased on school days compared to non-school days, while activity levels increased. The researchers recommend structured programs or schedules for children on non-school days to combat obesogenic behaviors.
Researchers developed a customisable time tool, the Goldilocks Day calculator, to help parents allocate hours and activities for optimal health outcomes. The tool considers physical health, cognitive abilities, and mental wellbeing, allowing parents to adjust daily schedules based on their child's needs.
Researchers create strengths-based intervention to enhance daily interactions between caregivers and children exposed to IPV. The Mediational Intervention for Sensitizing Caregivers (MISC) project aims to reduce long-lasting effects of trauma on families.
A new study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia finds that bystander CPR using only chest compression has similar outcomes to not using CPR at all for infants experiencing cardiac arrest. In contrast, children who received CPR with rescue breathing had nearly 1.5 times better neurological outcomes.
Researchers from HSE Centre for Language and Brain compared expressive and receptive language abilities in Russian-speaking children with ASD. The study shows that there is no single expressive-receptive language pattern in children with ASD, but the difference depends on linguistic level.
A recent study found that 20% of children with cancer infected with SARS-CoV-2 developed severe infections, compared to 1-6% in general pediatric patients. The Global Registry of COVID-19 and Childhood Cancer also showed that cancer care was disrupted, with 56% of patients having modified treatment and 45% having chemotherapy withheld.
Research highlights six core pillars of learning: active, engaged, meaningful, socially interactive, iterative, and joyful. Experts offer practical advice on transforming everyday spaces into playful learning environments that support children's growth.
A new study finds that early-life exposure to tobacco smoke is associated with accelerated biological ageing in children. The analysis of over 1,000 children in six European countries revealed that maternal tobacco smoke during pregnancy and indoor exposure to black carbon are linked to an acceleration in epigenetic ageing.
A Mount Sinai study found significant inequalities among low-risk births, with Black and Hispanic infants experiencing higher rates of unexpected complications. Hospital quality was identified as a key contributor to these disparities, with lower-quality hospitals serving more Black and Hispanic women.
Researchers will track oral health behaviors and caries risk in low-income urban young children over five years, collecting data on caregiver-reported habits, dental plaque scores, and social risk factors. The study aims to understand the impact of community-level factors on individual behaviors.
Research suggests that healthcare musicians can help families cope with premature infants in intensive care by creating an intimate atmosphere and improving their relationship. Music practitioners work collaboratively with medical staff to provide emotional support and create a sense of calm during difficult times.
Research by Anglia Ruskin University suggests that empathy training programs can reduce antisocial behavior and crime. Programs targeting young people have been shown to increase empathy and decrease cyberbullying behavior, while pre-natal training for parents and social-emotional learning programs in schools may also be effective.
Obstructive sleep apnea is common in kids and adolescents, affecting 1-6% of all children and 30-60% of obese adolescents. It can raise blood pressure and link to insulin resistance, abnormal lipids, and cardiovascular health issues. The American Heart Association calls for further studies on the topic.
SourceNemours·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeNews article·DateAug 18, 2021
A new study found that limiting passive screen time and news consumption, having a structured daily schedule, and getting enough sleep can promote resilience against mental health problems in youth. The study also identified a strong association between pandemic-related stressors and psychopathology, but noted that children with lower ...
A study of over 11,000 elementary school students found Black children are 3.5 times more likely to receive detentions or suspensions than their white peers, even after controlling for socioeconomic factors. This disparity suggests individual biases and systemic racism may be contributing to the findings.
SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateAug 12, 2021
A 17-year study found that children who experienced poverty in preschool had smaller volumes of certain subcortical brain regions, including the hippocampus and thalamus. The researchers also found that these children showed slower growth in these regions over time, leading to poorer cognitive and behavioral outcomes in adulthood.
The article considers the ethical issues surrounding enrolling children with neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder and fragile X syndrome, in clinical trials. Parents may face difficult decisions about whether to enroll their children due to concerns about potential loss of positive aspects of their condition.
A study funded by Channel 7 Children's Research Foundation identifies social contexts, supports and systems that helped young adults reject domestic violence. Researchers aim to provide evidence-based information to inform initiatives to encourage healthy relationships.
A new study found that depression and anxiety symptoms have doubled in children and adolescents globally during the pandemic. The study recommends prioritizing recovery planning now to mitigate sustained mental health effects.
New research published in eNeuro found that premature babies' brain connections at birth can predict their future emotional and social development. The study discovered a link between the strength of the uncinate fasciculus, a white matter tract involved in emotional regulation, and emotion moderation skills in preschoolers.
A four-year cohort study identified a significant link between midazolam exposure and elevated posttraumatic stress symptoms in children. Symptoms were found to be persistent for up to 12 months, highlighting the need for early intervention and psychosocial support.
New research from the Universities of East Anglia and Birmingham reveals that job attributes matter for young people's wellbeing. In low- and middle-income countries, precarious jobs can limit potential and lead to worry, depression, and lower life-satisfaction.
A study found that learning foreign languages can enhance the processing of musically relevant sounds, particularly pitch processing, in Chinese elementary school pupils. The research suggests a close link between musical and linguistic brain functions in developing brains.
A Hong Kong study suggests a link between the COVID-19 pandemic and an increase in childhood short-sightedness, with children spending less time outdoors and more time on screens. The study found that around 1 in 5 children developed short-sightedness during the pandemic, compared to around 1 in 3 over three years.
Researchers investigated how to measure joint attention in young infants who cannot yet talk. The study revealed low agreement among raters in assigning looks from infants to their mothers, challenging the idea that quality of infant looks can be reliably distinguished as a marker of joint attention.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital report positive results with risplidam, a small-molecule drug that treats SMA by correcting the root cause: a mutated gene. Infants receiving risplidam showed improvements in motor function and lived longer than expected.
The study examines how the COVID-19 pandemic affected access to nutrition support for children in family child care settings, with a focus on rural-urban disparities. Researchers aim to understand the drivers of these inequities and inform policymaking in a post-pandemic world.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has awarded $254 million to fund 28 new research studies aimed at reducing health disparities in maternal morbidity, preventing youth suicide, and improving behavioral health outcomes. Four studies will assess interventions to improve prenatal care for Black women and their child...
New research at Penn State found that close, supportive relationships with parents, especially dads, can help stave off certain adjustment problems during adolescence. The study showed that father-adolescent intimacy was associated with fewer depressive symptoms and weight concerns across most of adolescence.
Researchers identified effective strategies for improving referral systems and accessing pediatric mental health care for low-income families. A key finding is that a warm handoff between primary care physicians and mental health providers can build trust and lead to successful outcomes.
A new study from the University of California, Berkeley suggests that parents may talk less to their kids when experiencing financial scarcity, contributing to the 'word gap' in vocabulary. Researchers found that parents who described recent experiences of resource insecurity spoke fewer words to their children during laboratory observ...
A study published in The BMJ Paediatrics Open found that the Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (Q-CHAT) can detect autism at 18-30 months, but not all children who will be diagnosed later. The Q-CHAT shows promise for early detection and diagnosis of autism.
A new study found that asking early adolescents to evaluate the healthiness of their peers' food choices leads to significantly healthier food selections. The stage of cognitive development also plays a role, with older students benefiting more from this approach.
In a proof-of-concept study, researchers used DNA base editing in a prenatal mouse model to correct the single base mutation responsible for Hurler syndrome. The treatment demonstrated increased survival and improvement of metabolic, skeletal, and cardiac disease in prenatally treated mice.
A new study by the University at Buffalo and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that children who eat faster are more likely to be impulsive and experience frustration. The research also suggests that kids who respond well to food cues exhibit more self-control and a lower risk of obesity.
The American Society of Nephrology and KidneyCure support a diverse group of researchers advancing kidney disease knowledge. Investigators funded by KidneyCure are making significant contributions in areas impacting millions of people living with kidney diseases.
Researchers developed a computational cognitive model to explain how children integrate information during word learning. The model simulates what should happen when different information sources are combined in a rational way, and its predictions align well with real-world data.
Researchers at the University of Basel found a strong correlation between early spatial skills and mathematical abilities in primary school. The study analyzed data from nearly 600 children and ruled out socio-economic status and language ability as factors affecting math performance.
A team of psychologists will study the relationship between children's appetite and parents' feeding practices to develop effective interventions for childhood obesity. The project aims to produce guidelines that can help support parents whose children have a strong motivation towards food.
Research highlights the need to reexamine assumptions about suicide in Black youth due to rising rates of suicidal behavior. The study calls for a 'ground zero' approach, focusing on theory development, understanding developmental trajectories, and engaging trusted community organizations.
Psycholinguists investigated how reading in Russian varies among different groups of readers. Adult native speakers exhibit a 'fluent' pattern, while second-graders show an 'intermediate' process due to local lexical difficulties. Bilingual heritage speakers also follow this pattern, despite having acquired Russian early.
Research found that school enjoyment at age six is strongly linked to GCSE achievement at age 16, even after considering socioeconomic background and cognitive ability. Pupils who reported enjoying school scored an average of 14.4 more points, equivalent to a three-grade increase across all GCSEs.
Research found that spending cuts to children's support centres in England resulted in 4575 more obese children and 9174 more overweight/obese children between 2010/11 and 2017/18. The effects were worst in deprived areas, widening the 'obesity gap' between rich and poor kids.
A study published in Cell revealed that activated Bifidobacterium infantis EVC001 programs immune cells to control inflammation and autoimmune disease risk. Breastfed infants fed this strain experienced reduced systemic inflammation and improved immune system development.
A study by University of Iowa researchers found that human infants exhibit increased twitching during quiet sleep, which is synchronized with brain oscillations called sleep spindles. This discovery suggests that babies are learning about their bodies through twitching during a previously thought to be inactive period.
Researchers from Michigan State University found that more than one in four people in Michigan identify as child-free, exceeding previous estimates. Child-free individuals showed limited differences in life satisfaction and personality traits compared to parents and others.
Contrary to previous beliefs, researchers found no association between bed sharing and positive outcomes related to infant attachment and maternal bonding. Bed sharing was associated with ease of breastfeeding and dealing with night waking in infants.
A new study has found a significant association between childhood consumption of ultra-processed foods and weight gain in early adulthood. The researchers examined data from over 1,000 children and found that those who consumed more ultra-processed foods were more likely to be overweight or obese in their early twenties.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that children aged 3-5 years old can only recognize happiness and sadness on 40% of occasions when wearing facemasks. This limitation highlights the challenges of social interaction for young children during the pandemic.
Research reveals brain changes in obese children, similar to those seen in OCD and Prader-Willi syndrome, causing obsession with food and anxiety. The study suggests a multidisciplinary approach is needed for treatment.
A breakthrough study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry shows that individual brain networks develop within the first month of life, predicting unique infant temperament traits. Researchers found greater connectivity between frontal and parietal regions linked to improved behavioral regulation in infants.
7.58% of children in Spain suffer from SLI, a disorder affecting language acquisition and social development. The new Spanish-speaking Association will lay foundations for research consensus and collaboration.
Roberta Golinkoff, a renowned University of Delaware professor, has been elected to the National Academy of Education for her groundbreaking contributions to language development and playful learning. Her research focuses on how children learn and grow, with a particular emphasis on the importance of play in early childhood education.
A study of US adults found that those who received more social support than they gave had a higher mortality risk. Individuals who gave excessive social support also exhibited a higher risk of death.
A new study from Michigan State University found that infants' gut microbiomes are associated with their fear responses, which can be indicators of future mental health. The researchers discovered that specific features of the gut microbiome, such as uneven balances of bacteria, were linked to stronger fear reactions.
Associate Professor Iva Obrusnikova at the University of Delaware has been selected as an IFAPA Fellow for her outstanding work in adapted physical activity. She is a leading researcher on technology-based behavioral strategies and their impact on functional performance and health outcomes in adults with developmental disabilities.
A new study by Concordia researchers found that children who share a bed with their pets have indistinguishable sleep quality compared to those who sleep alone. The study, which analyzed data from over 200 children, discovered that frequent pet-sharing was associated with higher perceived sleep quality, particularly among adolescents.
Researchers used structural brain imaging to detect developmental effects of linguistic and cognitive stimulation on infant brains. They found that high-quality educational experiences in early childhood were associated with increased brain size, particularly in males.