Research programs focused on child health and development. Covers pediatric research standards, infant nutrition and sleep, rare disorders, and childhood diabetes.
Researchers have identified metformin as a potential treatment for myofibrillar myopathies, a group of rare genetic disorders causing progressive muscle wasting. The study's findings, published in Autophagy, show that metformin can prevent muscle disintegration and restore swimming ability in zebrafish models.
Researchers trained kindergarten teachers to assess 185,000 kindergarteners' health and development, revealing 30% of poor children were vulnerable in one or more domains, with Black children at highest risk. The study highlights the value of micro-level understanding of child-developmental inequities to develop targeted supports.
A Duke University study found that automatic enrollment combined with an opt-out option significantly increased parent participation in early language and learning programs. The research showed that 88.7% of participants stayed in the program for the full 26 weeks, compared to just 1% in a control group.
A study of over 100 children in China found that playmates with bad tempers led to more aggressive pretend play. However, a child's own temperament did not predict this outcome, suggesting that make-believe aggression may actually help social and emotional development.
Research using objective measures found that boys and girls with earlier onset of puberty are at higher risk of self-harm. The study analyzed data from over 5,000 individuals and found a significant association between early peak height velocity and increased risk of self-harm.
A UCSF study found parents are more likely to know their child is using e-cigarettes if they're older and male, but less aware of vaping compared to smoking. Parents setting strict household rules can help prevent tobacco use in children.
A new study published in Child Development found that young children conceptualize leadership as a hierarchy based on voluntary deference and respect. Children expected a leader to contribute more to joint goals and withdraw an equal share from common prizes, but judged leaders harsher for not adhering to these behaviors.
Researchers found a connection between amino acid metabolism and joint hypermobility in autistic children, with increased levels of hydroxyproline linked to joint issues. The study suggests that amino acid balance may be an additional tool for ASD therapy.
A new study suggests that positive messages about being Black can decrease symptoms of depression in Black girls, while negative messages increase the risk. The research highlights the importance of avoiding negative stereotypes about Black women and incorporating gender-specific messages into mental health programs.
Researchers studied middle school girls in a coding camp to understand how nuanced interactions impact their views on themselves as coders. Positive praise, particularly from peers, strengthened coding identity, while lack of encouragement perpetuated gender stereotypes.
In a new study, researchers found that 3- to 4-year-old children waited nearly twice as long for a reward in conditions where they thought their teacher or peer would find out how long they waited. This suggests that young children are motivated by social rewards and can make inferences about what others value.
Children born to mothers with gestational diabetes in pregnancy are at increased risk for accelerated aging and poor health outcomes later in life. The study found a link between epigenetic age and higher weight, body mass index, blood pressure, and cardiovascular risks.
Researchers found no statistically significant differences in hospitalization, ICU admission, or mechanical ventilator use between the two groups. However, more patients with COVID-19 reported fever, cough, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, body ache, chest pain, sore throat, congestion, and shortness of breath at diagnosis.
A new study from Binghamton University found that children with social anxiety are more likely to develop depression, especially those whose mothers have a history of depression. The researchers suggest that the combination of these risk factors may be particularly insidious.
A study suggests that childhood obesity should be considered a child protection concern, but disagreements persist among professionals. The research highlights the need for professional guidelines to address the issue, as inconsistent threshold judgments and personal values influence decision-making.
Research from the University of Iowa reveals that parents who use road crossings as teachable moments can significantly improve their child's ability to cross streets safely. Children who received constructive advice, especially on identifying safe gaps in traffic ahead of time, showed improved skills and reduced risk of injury.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles are investigating cellular damage and repair in chronic kidney disease and Alport syndrome. Their studies aim to identify molecules that trigger injury in kidney cells, with potential applications for medications and treatments.
A study of 2,500 Finnish children aged 2-6 years found that negative experiences of early childhood education and care were mainly related to interaction with peers, play, rules, and restrictions. Children's positive experiences were associated with their own activities, such as play and excursions.
Research found toddlers with daily touchscreen use are faster to find targets during visual search, challenging concerns about negative impacts on development. High touchscreen users were quicker at finding red apples amongst varying numbers of blue apples.
Infants as young as 12 months old encode and remember objects differently depending on whether an object is named as a member of a category or as a unique individual. Research found that applying distinct names to each object enhances infants' encoding of distinctions among the individual objects, leading to better recognition memory.
Researchers adapted existing infrared technology to assess infant recognition memory and cognitive outcomes, finding that infants prefer novel stimuli and exhibit side preferences. The automated technique eliminated examiner bias and variation, enabling large-scale studies on infant development.
A recent study published in The Economic Journal found that child disability can have a significant impact on the educational outcomes of their older siblings. The researchers analyzed data from Florida and Denmark and found that the second-born child was more adversely affected cognitively than the first-born child when the third-born...
A study found that children think robots can assist with various tasks for older adults, such as Pepper and Tessa, but are more doubtful about helping their own grandparents. The Uncanny Valley phenomenon may contribute to this skepticism, where human-like robots become less intimidating when assigned a clear task.
A new study found an average of over 11,000 children and teens treated for nonfatal ATV-related head and neck injuries annually in U.S. emergency departments. Experts emphasize that most serious injuries can be prevented with proper safety measures.
A study by Brown University researchers found that inconsistent EPA regulations increase lead poisoning risk to over 35,000 US kids. The discrepancy puts children at nearly four times the risk of lead poisoning compared to homes with lower floor dust lead loadings.
A new scoring system developed by NIH-funded researchers standardizes patient data to compare rates of severe maternal morbidity between different hospitals and groups of patients. The study aims to aid maternal health research and efforts to improve maternal health across the country.
A new study found that solitary outdoor activities, such as fishing or hunting, are key to building a strong connection between children and nature. Social activities outdoors also help cement this bond. Children who engage in these activities enjoy being outside and feel comfortable, leading to mental and physical benefits.
A new study reveals that 10-month-old babies' brain responses can predict their preference for fast-paced TV shows six months later. The research team found that infants who are driven to explore their surroundings and engage with new sights or sounds tend to enjoy watching fast-paced TV shows.
A new pediatric study finds significantly higher COVID-19 infection rates among minority and socioeconomically disadvantaged children in the US. The study mirrors disparities found in adult populations across the country.
Drs. Sallie Permar and Stephen Patrick have been awarded the fifth annual Gale and Ira Drukier Prize in Children's Health Research for their groundbreaking research on neonatal viral infections and opioid epidemic's impact on pregnant women and infants. Their work has informed national policy and offers hope to untold expectant mothers.
A study of 289 Japanese children found that pre and postnatal lead exposure impacts boys' IQ and language skills, while girls show no significant association. The researchers suggest that genetics and environment also play a role in child development.
Researchers found that three-year-olds rely on trial and error, while four-year-olds use visual information to complete puzzles. Understanding pictures as representations is the foundation of drawing and painting, according to the study published in Child Development.
A new study published in PNAS found that simple environmental cues, such as a see-through partition or an imaginary barrier, can significantly reduce cheating in children. The researchers used four experiments with over 350 children aged 5-6 years old and demonstrated that just the idea of a barrier discouraged cheating.
A randomized controlled trial found that nutritional supplementation for 6 months improved cognitive function and brain health in young children living in low-income countries. The supplement high in antioxidants and essential nutrients had a substantial beneficial effect on working memory and cerebral blood flow.
Researchers found that being African American strongly associated with higher risk of postoperative complications and mortality among apparently healthy children. African American children had 27% greater odds of developing postoperative complications and 3.43 times higher odds of dying within 30 days after surgery compared to white peers
A UK study found that British boys' executive functions are heavily influenced by their socio-economic status, while those from wealthier families performed better in tests. In contrast, girls and children from Hong Kong and mainland China outperformed their peers despite lower socio-economic backgrounds.
New research reveals that children's paintings contain valuable insights into their cognitive development, spatial relationships, and artistic abilities. Digital image analysis technology helps identify areas of improvement in art education, such as focusing on object size, composition, and creative methods.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that only 30% of US pediatricians fully implement recommended practices for preventing peanut allergy, with common barriers including lack of clinic time and parental fear. The 2017 guidelines aim to introduce peanut-containing foods at 4-6 months to reduce prevalence.
Infants who are fed in the absence of hunger or beyond fullness may develop skewed perceptions of hunger and fullness, increasing their risk of obesity. Caregiver-infant interactions during feeding can shape infants' self-regulation of energy intake, with feeding responsiveness to cues being linked to obesity.
A recent Canadian study found that DHA supplements have no effect on bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants born before the 29th week of pregnancy. The study involved 461 breastfeeding mothers who received either a daily supplement or a placebo, and the results showed no improvement in respiratory conditions by 36 weeks.
Research published in the journal Heart found that adults who experienced childhood maltreatment are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, with women being particularly vulnerable. The study analyzed data from 157,311 participants and found associations between all types of maltreatment and increased risk of CVD in both sexes.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia and the University of Manitoba found that certain bacteria in breast milk co-occur with their infants' stool. Breastfeeding directly at the breast was strongly associated with a baby's overall gut microbiota composition.
A study of 608,540 South Australian children found that child abuse and neglect led to an average of 7.7 hospital admissions by age 16.5, with those in out-of-home care facing the highest risk. The long-term health consequences are evident even among children without elevated cases.
A new study found that living close to green space can mitigate changes in infant gut bacteria associated with formula feeding. Formula-fed babies living near natural environments had a gut microbiome more similar to breastfed babies, with increased presence of Proteobacteria.
A Rutgers study found that schools with healthier food options and more physical activity facilities had students with lower body mass indexes. The research, published in Preventive Medicine Reports, used professional measures of students' height and weight to examine the effects of school environments on childhood obesity.
Parents who perceive that early childhood education centers communicate well with them are more likely to engage in educational activities, such as reading and singing, both at the center and at home. The quality of these activities is a stronger predictor of school readiness than their quantity.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that toddlers who were obese or overweight showed signs of cardiovascular disease by age 11-12. The study, led by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, highlighted the need for early intervention to prevent obesity-related problems with heart health.
Researchers found that switching to 'as-needed' follow-up care can save families from unnecessary medical care and expense. Children with scheduled follow-up appointments were more likely to receive antibiotics, which are not a standard treatment for viral diseases like bronchiolitis.
Researchers tracked eye movements of children aged 5, 8 and 10, and adults, finding they looked longer at faces congruent with heard voices. The study suggests a spontaneous amodal coding of emotions, enabling children to make connections between vocal emotion and facial expression from age 8.
Research suggests that playtime with fathers from a young age can help children control their behavior and emotions. Fathers tend to engage in more physical play, which is well-suited for developing these skills. The study found a correlation between father-child play and children's ability to regulate their feelings and behaviors.
A new study by Boston Children's Hospital found that reducing resident physicians' work hours can worsen patient safety if caseloads are too high. The study discovered that residents who cared for more patients experienced a higher rate of medical errors, highlighting the need for better staffing standards.
A study from Arizona State University found that frequent media use before bed in children who struggle with self-regulation is associated with shorter sleep duration. Children with low effortful control, a personality characteristic, slept the least amount of time when consistently using media before bed.
A new study from the University of Turku found that prenatal stress is associated with changes in infant gut microbiota composition, specifically with increased abundances of Proteobacteria and decreased abundances of Akkermansia. The study also discovered a link between low cortisol concentrations and increased Lactobacillus bacteria ...
Dr. Gosain's lab aims to establish a causative relationship between dysbiosis and Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis, identifying key drivers of the disease and potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers mapped the stages of T-cell development in the human thymus, revealing a high-resolution picture of human T-cell development. This knowledge could lead to insights into diseases like immunodeficiency disorders and leukemia, as well as advancements in immunotherapies like CAR-T therapy.
A multicenter study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that 65% of critically ill pediatric ICU patients did not receive physical or occupational therapy while hospitalized. This lack of care can lead to long-term physical and psychological problems in children.
Research by Cornell University found that electronic food vouchers, provided to Rohingya families through the United Nations' World Food Programme, allow for a greater range of nutritious foods. This led to improved height and weight gains among young children, as they were able to access more calorically and nutrient-dense foods.
International adolescent brain development scientists have reached consensus on key elements of study design to measure neurodevelopmental impacts of pubertal suppression treatment in transgender youth. The experts identified three primary domains: mental health, executive function/cognitive control and social awareness/functioning.
A new study found that most cannabis poisoning incidents among children involved intentional use of cannabis combined with alcohol, illicit drugs, or medication. The majority of cases were reported on weekdays, with youth smoking cannabis and drinking alcohol in private residences.
Researchers at Staffordshire University have developed an orthotics breakthrough that fine-tunes splints for children with cerebral palsy, reducing their energy usage while increasing mobility and speed. The study found significant improvements in hip and pelvic function, knee extension, and overall quality of life.