Research programs focused on child health and development. Covers pediatric research standards, infant nutrition and sleep, rare disorders, and childhood diabetes.
A study published in Neural Computation found that the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) test has flaws, including non-normal scores and clinician influence on diagnoses. The researchers propose combining clinical observations with wearable technology to make data collection less invasive and improve diagnosis reliability
Children who underwent fetal surgery for spina bifida at a young age are more likely to walk independently and require fewer follow-up surgeries compared to those who had traditional corrective surgery after birth. The study found that these children also scored higher on motor skills and had lower rates of hydrocephalus.
Dr. Anna Penn, a leading researcher in preterm brain injury, receives the award for her outstanding work and commitment to training the next generation of translational researchers. She has conducted groundbreaking research on placental function and fetal brain development.
A new study shows that a Zika vaccine doesn't have to offer perfect protection to be valuable, with potential cost savings in certain situations.
A 15-year study found that dysfunctional pancreatic beta-cells, independent of body weight, are the earliest event leading to pre-diabetes in children. The study also linked this condition to genetic factors associated with type 2 diabetes in adults.
A study published in Advances in Neonatal Care found that continuous skin-to-skin contact does not lead to better interaction between mothers and preterm infants. Despite its potential benefits for infant development, the study discovered no clear results regarding the effect on mother-infant interaction.
A recent study published in Clinical Infectious Disease found that full influenza vaccination among children reduces the risk of hospitalization associated with influenza by 54%. The study, conducted in Israel, tested the effectiveness of childhood vaccination against influenza and risk of hospitalization due to complications.
Research finds that poor mental health can both cause and effect school exclusion, with early intervention crucial for preventing exclusion and improving outcomes. Children who were excluded from school often had poor mental health and faced family adversity.
A new study led by the University of Washington found improvement in trauma-related symptoms among Kenyan and Tanzanian children after receiving community-based mental health treatment. The approach, which trained laypeople as counselors, showed sustained benefits over a year after therapy.
Dr. Dani Dumitriu, a pediatrician and neuroscientist, has been honored with the SPR's New Member Outstanding Science Award for her high-quality scientific research and contributions to pediatric academia. She is recognized for developing innovative avenues for retaining physician-scientists in basic research.
Infants integrate both personal and observational learning to decide how and when to attempt tasks, rather than randomly mimicking others. They use a cost-benefit analysis approach, considering the potential risks and rewards of persistence.
A positive psychology program, Strengths for the Journey, was evaluated in Greek refugee camps and found to improve wellbeing and optimism in refugee children, while reducing depressive symptoms. The seven-day program doubled participants' ratings of wellbeing and optimism.
Detained adolescents experience high rates of mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and neurodevelopment disabilities. A whole-of-system approach is needed to address health and social inequalities in childhood and adolescence.
A large study of infant physical activity levels suggests that less active infants may accumulate more fat, which could predispose them to obesity later in life. Higher physical activity was associated with lower central adiposity, a measure of lower-torso fat accumulation.
Sallie Permar, a pediatric researcher focused on neonatal viral infections, has been recognized with the SPR Award in honor of E. Mead Johnson. Her research has led to significant breakthroughs in understanding neonatal viral infections, including the development of vaccines for prevention of vertical virus transmission.
A community-delivered curriculum, Parenting Journey, reduced perceived parenting stress and improved outcomes in low-income diverse populations. The program increased resilience, self-care, and social networks among participants.
Children are more likely to delay gratification when working together with a peer, according to new research. The study found that children from diverse cultural backgrounds showed improved self-control in cooperative conditions, suggesting an early development of social obligations.
A new study uses caffeine to explore active cognitive processing stages in adults using a Go/NoGo task. The researchers found qualitatively different effects of caffeine on adults compared to children, providing clues about adult cognitive strategies and their dependence on the adenosine system.
A study by Anglia Ruskin University found that the presence of a weapon and outdoor location significantly influenced jury verdicts in child stranger rape cases. Verdicts were predicted by two offense-related factors, increasing the odds of conviction by 412% and 360%, respectively.
A new study found that prenatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers, a type of flame retardant, may increase the risk of reading problems in children. The study suggests that these chemicals can alter brain processes involved in reading, leading to a less efficient reading network.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that children exposed to high levels of air pollution during childhood are at a higher risk of developing schizophrenia. The study showed an increased risk of approximately 20% for every 10 μg/m3 increase in daily average air pollution.
Children with public and private insurance are both likely to receive unnecessary medical services, highlighting the need for global efforts to reduce waste. Researchers estimate that up to 4% of publicly insured and 3% of privately insured children receive low-value care at least twice.
A study of 368 mothers and their children found that maternal obesity during pregnancy was strongly associated with lower motor skills in boys and scores 5 or more points lower on full-scale IQ tests at age 7. A nurturing home environment lessened these negative effects.
A recent study found that the proportion of high-strength painkiller poisonings among children resulting in emergency hospital admissions has increased. The opioid crisis is affecting young people, with suspected suicide cases among under-19s being a major factor.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University developed a new screener to quickly identify children exposed to violence and trauma. The 22-question tool is designed for minimally trained staff to refer children to necessary assessment and treatment services.
Researchers mapped circular DNA in childhood cancer for the first time, revealing its role in disrupting genetic information and contributing to cancer development. The study found that circular DNA was present in nearly all neuroblastoma tissue samples from children, with an average of 5,000 copies per sample.
A major study has identified seven key themes to inform strategies for supporting Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents in the first years of their children's lives. The research aims to break the cycle of intergenerational and complex trauma experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Researchers aim to determine if short bursts of vigorous-intensity locomotor treadmill training can optimize motor learning and improve walking capacity, mobility, and performance for children with cerebral palsy. The study will enroll 72 participants aged 6-10 and assess the immediate and retention effects of the intervention.
A global review of over 50 studies covering 22,000 children found that daily physical activity declined by 3-4 minutes per year, starting from ages 4 or 5. The study indicates that all age groups and genders face a high risk of declining physical activity, emphasizing the need for early promotion and parental involvement.
A large clinical trial has found that fresh red blood cell transfusions do not reduce the risk of organ failure or death in critically ill children. The study included 1,461 patients and showed similar outcomes between fresh and older red cells.
Intensive Crisis Intervention (ICI) has been shown to significantly reduce suicidal ideation in adolescents, with a three-month follow-up finding average SIQ-Jr scores decreased from 54.3 to 20.1. The model's family engagement component and focus on developing coping mechanisms are key to its success.
A Stanford-led study found that children with Type 1 diabetes exhibit abnormal brain-activity patterns during cognitive tasks, which worsen with age. The study's findings highlight the need for improved blood glucose control through treatment devices to mitigate potential learning and behavioral issues.
Clinical fellow Harry Lesmana at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has been selected for the 2019 ASH Research Training Award to advance his research training in hematology genetics. He will have protected time for hands-on research and gain expertise in the field.
A new study found that genetic testing in infant siblings of children with autism can predict future diagnoses, allowing for earlier interventions. The study identified copy number variations linked to ASD in 7% of the tested siblings.
A new study by Murdoch Childrens Research Institute found that children with food allergies are seen 10 months sooner and experience fewer allergic reactions when treated by a paediatrician in their own community. This community-based approach delivered similar quality of allergy care to specialist hospital-based clinics.
Children of mothers with diabetes have increased rates of early onset cardiovascular disease from childhood to age 40. The study suggests that preventing and treating diabetes in women of childbearing age could help reduce the risk of CVD in their offspring.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Genetics confirms that CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology is highly accurate and minimizes off-target effects. The research, conducted on zebrafish, adds to a growing body of work suggesting that unintended mutations from gene editing are extremely rare.
Researchers recreated the emergence of language in deaf communities by challenging children to communicate with each other without spoken language. They found that children invented signs for abstract concepts and gradually developed grammatical structures, demonstrating that communication cannot be reduced to words alone.
Researchers at MIT have developed a model called ADEPT that demonstrates an understanding of basic intuitive physics. The model observes objects moving in scenes and makes predictions based on their underlying physics, registering levels of surprise when they deviate from expectations.
This volume of Inter Faculty Journal examines the phenomena of migration, the complexity of Serbian and Croatian languages, and noun-concluding sentences in Japanese. The research highlights common threads among these studies, including socio-economic factors, governance, and cultural values.
Children's daily screen time increased significantly from age 12 months to 3 years, with an average of 150 minutes per day at 3 years. Higher levels of parental education and being born to first-time mothers were associated with higher screen time.
A new study found an increasing rate of eye injuries related to nonpowder firearms among children, with BB guns accounting for most of the injuries. The study highlights the need for protective eyewear and stricter safety legislation to prevent preventable and serious injuries.
A new Boston University School of Public Health study provides specific data on when young children reach different developmental milestones. The researchers found that a high percentage of children demonstrate behaviors by the ages specified in CDC guidelines, but only half meet certain milestones.
Researchers found that children with the lowest blood levels of EPA showed significant improvements in focused attention and vigilance after taking omega-3 supplements. However, for children with high pre-existing blood levels of EPA, omega-3 supplements had negative effects on impulsivity symptoms.
A study at Washington State University found that boredom is increasing year after year for teens in grades 8-12, with greater increases for girls. This rise is linked to growing depressive symptoms and decreased social interaction, highlighting the need for interventions to address adolescent dissatisfaction.
The survival rate for high-risk neuroblastoma has increased significantly, with 43% of children surviving five years after diagnosis. Improved treatment methods, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, have been responsible for the increased survival rate.
Researchers found that parents of children with CHD want individualized, formal psychosocial support to mitigate stress and improve long-term outcomes. The study outlines ways to optimize mental health for parents and supports positive child outcomes.
A study published in Development and Psychopathology reveals preterm birth and institutional deprivation have a comparable effect on child temperament, particularly self-control. This finding suggests that increasing self-control in these children may help prevent long-term developmental problems.
Researchers have identified a new target molecule for treating childhood cancer neuroblastoma, which may lead to more effective treatments. The study found that high levels of a long non-coding RNA called 'lncNB1' are associated with poor prognosis, and its inhibition can cause cancer cells to die.
Research suggests that heart health begins to deteriorate in adolescent girls, particularly black girls, with lower cardiovascular health scores. Factors such as obesity, lack of exercise, and depression contribute to the decline, emphasizing the need for early intervention and healthy lifestyle choices.
A study found that premature infants with abnormal gut microbiomes are more likely to experience stunted growth. Researchers tested stool samples weekly and discovered a significant association between dysbiosis and growth faltering, even after follow-up visits at ages 2 and 4.
Researchers found that children learn new words better when taught in the context of both well-known and unfamiliar objects, not just familiar ones. This suggests a new approach to boosting language development in young children.
The American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement examines the existing data on nonnutritive sweeteners in children, highlighting gaps in evidence and recommending further research. The AAP suggests listing nonnutritive sweetener content on product labels to better understand consumption and potential health effects.
A study of social workers found that leaving a child under 12 years old home alone for four hours is often considered neglect, regardless of injury. The research suggests the need for uniform guidelines and safety laws to protect children from harm.
Research found that only 48% of school-age US children get sufficient sleep, leading to improved learning outcomes and childhood flourishing. Children who get enough sleep show increased interest in learning, do required homework, and demonstrate positive behavioral traits.
A new study found that poverty worsened the working memory of refugee youth, while exposure to war-related trauma did not have lasting impacts on executive function. The researchers suggest that addressing ongoing poverty is crucial for improving learning outcomes and educational achievement in adolescents affected by war.
A recent study has confirmed that a fetus has its own microbiome, which is transmitted from the mother. This finding opens up potential interventions during pregnancy to stimulate the fetal microbiome and improve preemie growth and immune system.
The incidence rate of anorexia nervosa among 8-12 year olds in the UK and Ireland has increased significantly, with a doubling of the previous estimate. The new rate is around 3.2/100,000, according to research published in BMJ Open.
A recent study mapping child deaths over two decades finds that nearly half of the 5.4 million under-5 deaths in 2017 were due to differences between countries and districts. The research, conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, highlights health disparities within countries and regions.
Researchers from Germany analyzed data from over 500 people and found that both only children and those with siblings hold similar views on narcissism. The study's findings suggest that growing up without siblings is not associated with increased narcissism, challenging a common stereotype.