Research programs focused on child health and development. Covers pediatric research standards, infant nutrition and sleep, rare disorders, and childhood diabetes.
A study examining age-specific suicide rates between black and white US youths from 2001 to 2015 reveals significant disparities. The findings highlight the need for targeted suicide prevention efforts for black children, suggesting a greater risk of suicide among younger black youth.
A University of Washington-led study reveals that children's language skills are the strongest predictor of their future academic success, including better performance in math, reading and social areas. The study found that language skills, such as vocabulary and grammar, can provide a foundation for social interaction, executive funct...
Research at Lund University reveals that attentive adults can increase children's ability to empathize by engaging in interactive storytelling. Children as young as 33 months old demonstrated an understanding of false beliefs when hearing stories together with engaged adults.
A new study by CU School of Medicine researchers found that dairy-based protein intake promoted greater weight gain while meat-based protein intake resulted in increased length gain. The study tested 64 formula-fed infants and found significant differences in growth patterns between the two groups.
Research reveals that six-year-old minority children show an implicit pro-White bias when exposed to images of both White and Black children. However, this bias decreases with age, suggesting that the social environment plays a crucial role in shaping racial attitudes.
A new study led by Dr. Olga Boukrina of Kessler Foundation investigates the neural mechanisms behind recovery of impaired reading after stroke. The research aims to predict reading recovery using neuroimaging and may lead to improved rehabilitation outcomes.
Research from UCSF found that living in better neighborhoods can reduce cortisol levels in low-income children, associated with improved physical and mental health. Access to green spaces, clean air, and quality grocery stores were key factors in this protective effect.
A study found that children hospitalized for unintentional injuries have a 63% increase in mental health diagnoses and a 155% increase in medications prescribed to treat mental illness. Children under four years old with burns and head injuries are at greatest risk.
Researchers found that children exposed to SSRIs before birth had better executive functions, even after controlling for mother's mood. The study suggests a potential developmental advantage but also raises concerns about increased anxiety.
Research suggests that the volume of carbohydrates, proteins, and calories consumed by very low birthweight preemies significantly contributes to increased brain volume and white matter development. However, specific nutritional approaches to support these infants' developing brains require further investigation.
A new pilot study suggests that treating adults as well as children can significantly reduce soil-transmitted helminth infections, which affect 1.5 billion people worldwide. The study found that community-wide interventions were more effective in reducing STH infections than school-based programs.
Children diagnosed with autism are able to create and play with imaginary companions, but at a later age than typically developing children. The quality of the play is similar, suggesting that imaginary companions could be used in future therapies for autistic youngsters.
A new study reveals that a family history of obesity is a significant risk factor for early onset and severity of childhood obesity. The research found that the youngest children were the most severely obese and showed signs of insulin resistance, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Thoughtfully designed content can facilitate parent-child interactions and promote beneficial play, while poorly designed apps can hinder development. Researchers recommend incorporating parental roles and decision-making options into app design.
The US autism prevalence has increased by an average of 15 percent, reaching a national rate of 1.7 percent among childhood population, while New Jersey remains the state with the highest autism rate at 2.9 percent, according to a report by Rutgers researchers.
A study found that curiosity is a small but significant contributor to academic achievement in kindergarten-age children. Children from lower socio-economic backgrounds may particularly benefit from fostering their curiosity as an alternative intervention strategy.
A new $1.9 million grant will help researchers discover ways to prevent Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants, a deadly disease affecting thousands annually. The study aims to create the first predictive test for NEC using fecal bile acid levels and intestinal microbiome analysis.
A large-scale study has revealed two gene variants linked to increased malaria risk and one variant that protects against other childhood diseases. The study found that the Sl2 mutation in the CR1 gene offers protection against cerebral malaria, but only if alpha-thalassaemia is not present.
Researchers from the University of Münster found that accuracy of children's self-perception of their motor competence is a key factor in future physical activity. The study shows that excessive over- or underestimation can have negative effects on physical activity in childhood and sports later on.
New research from Binghamton University finds that bringing black parents into schools helps shift cultural disconnects between black families and predominantly white teachers. The Parent Mentor Program empowers black parents to advocate for their children and improve schooling experiences.
A gene therapy treatment for cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a fatal degenerative brain disease, has been successfully tested in a clinical trial. The treatment halted the progression of the disease in 15 out of 17 boys who participated in the trial, leading to minimal or no symptoms and normal lives.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that teachers perceive playful boys as disruptive and rebellious, leading to negative classmate perceptions and self-esteem issues. In contrast, playful girls are not subject to such scrutiny, highlighting gender differences in teacher attitudes towards playfulness.
Research reveals a decline in blood levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in children following the phase-out of these toxic chemicals. However, PBDEs were still detected in nearly all child blood samples, suggesting ongoing exposure to flame retardants.
A study found that postnatal Zika virus infection in rhesus macaque infants resulted in persistent brain structure and function abnormalities, as well as behavioral and emotional changes. The researchers recommend long-term clinical monitoring for affected infants.
Researchers found that three-month-old infants can learn same and different relations in just six trials, with better performance when presented with fewer examples but more comparison opportunities. This finding suggests that humans' talent for relational learning is present from infancy and may even be a precursor to language learning.
New research shows that even low-level parental conflict can have lasting damage on children's emotional development. Shy children are particularly vulnerable, with shyness exacerbating the problem. Children from high-conflict homes struggle to accurately identify neutral interactions, leading to potential instability in adulthood.
Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism underlying severe childhood neurodegeneration, caused by gene mutations that disrupt mitochondrial energy production. The study found that these mutations interfere with the function of an enzyme involved in protein transport into mitochondria.
A new study reveals that children with physical disabilities are at a higher risk of poor mental health, especially girls from socio-economically vulnerable families. The research found that these children use medication for mental health issues more frequently and experience greater problems if they also come from low-income families.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that parents' engagement in mathematical activities with their children is linked to higher early numeracy skills. Activities such as counting, sorting, and simple sums were associated with better number processing and calculation skills.
Researchers analyzed preschool-age children's supragingival microbiomes to understand early childhood caries (ECC) development. Notable differences in bacterial species abundance were found among caries-free, restored disease, and untreated disease groups, suggesting that restorative care alone may not reverse ECC-associated dysbiosis.
Researchers discovered a 'missing mutation' in SCN3A gene that causes severe infantile epileptic encephalopathy. Early anti-seizure medications may prevent disabling brain injury by controlling epilepsy shortly after birth.
Researchers found that a combination of teaching parents how to manage behavior and relationship-building strategies was more effective than just behavior-management strategies for reducing severe disruptive behavior. For children who haven't developed severe behavioral issues, only behavior-management strategies were beneficial.
A team of researchers at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute improved the developmental skills of three girls with microcephaly, a genetic disorder affecting brain and body development. The girls made significant gains in skills and abilities after receiving intensive therapy for four hours a day for 10 days.
A new study aims to understand how poverty affects cognitive processes and learning in disadvantaged children between birth and age 2. The research seeks to identify experiences that may improve long-term outcomes for these children.
A new study analyzed 21,047 children and found no association between oseltamivir use and increased risk of suicide. The research used a novel study design to reduce statistical concerns and concluded that oseltamivir does not increase the risk of suicide in pediatric patients.
Researchers from CNRS and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified a gene cluster involved in medulloblastoma tumour development. They found that genes normally expressed only in the eye can be activated in brain tumors, promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting cell death.
The University of Plymouth will continue its neuro-tumour research with a £100,000 grant from Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity and Sparks. The project aims to investigate the causes of Neurofibromatosis 2, a hereditary condition that leads to tumours in the nervous system.
Research from Northwestern University found that supportive relationships in midlife can partially compensate for mortality risks linked to childhood abuse. Adult self-reported social support was associated with a lower mortality risk, with the strongest effects seen among those who experienced childhood abuse.
Infants who look like their father at birth tend to spend more time with their dads, leading to improved health outcomes. This is because fathers perceive the resemblance as proof of paternity, motivating them to engage in positive parenting practices.
Researchers found that short-term increases in inhaled steroid doses do not effectively prevent severe asthma flare-ups in children. Instead, they may be associated with a small decrease in growth rate, echoing previous studies on the topic.
Researchers found that prenatal exposure to androgens had no significant association with girls' time spent with either boys or girls. However, girls with classical CAH spent more time in male-typical activities and less time in female-typical activities. This study suggests that gender development is a complex process influenced by bo...
A new analysis from Duke University Medical Center reveals that childhood obesity rates have increased by 4.7% since 2014, affecting 35.1% of US children aged 2-19. The study also shows significant disparities in obesity rates among different ethnic groups.
Researchers found that disruption of ganglioside enzyme leads to cell overgrowth in Sandhoff disease organoids, mimicking large brains of patients. Gene therapy approach was successful in improving size and reducing ganglioside accumulation after treatment.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that infants as young as 3 months old can detect and generalize visual patterns, solving a puzzle about their cognitive abilities. The study demonstrates that infants are capable of learning abstract rules visually, indicating an early origin in infancy.
A new study found that C-section deliveries and changes in gut bacteria increase the risk of childhood obesity. Overweight mothers who gave birth via C-section had children who were three times more likely to be overweight or obese by age three.
A study of Norway's universal child care system found that offering high-quality child care beginning at age one reduces early achievement gaps in Norwegian communities. The study also reported significant narrowing of the language skill gap between rich and poor children.
Researchers emphasize that addressing obesity, mental health issues, poor nutrition, and substance abuse in adolescents before pregnancy is essential for a healthy start to life. The study highlights the importance of engaging health services with young adults and creating healthier environments to prevent intergenerational health risks.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a new test that can detect damage to proteins in blood plasma, which may indicate autism spectrum disorders. The test has shown promise in distinguishing between children with ASD and healthy controls.
Researchers found that back-and-forth conversations between adults and children significantly impact brain response to language and lead to better language skills. The study suggests that parents can influence their child's language development by engaging them in interactive dialogue, not just talking to them.
A new study in Ghana found that the timing of measles vaccination can significantly impact child survival rates. Measles vaccination after DTP3 increased child survival by 28% within the first year and 18% until age five. The vaccine also showed a stronger beneficial effect on boys compared to girls.
A multicenter observational study has revealed that levetiracetam is more effective than phenobarbital in treating infants with nonsyndromic epilepsy. After six months of single-drug treatment, 40% of infants treated with levetiracetam achieved a successful outcome, compared to only 16% of those treated with phenobarbital.
A new study by CIRES at the University of Colorado Boulder reveals that children who played with construction-based toys and video games had higher spatial skills compared to their peers. The research found that when childhood play patterns were controlled for, gender differences in spatial skills disappeared.
Children born prematurely make fewer friends and are less accepted by peers in early childhood, but improve as they enter school. Interventions can help social interaction skills before school age to prevent later problems.
A new supplement in Pediatrics synthesizes research on congenital Zika syndrome, exploring prevention, development profiles, and family support. It highlights the need for accurate information, active surveillance, and formal support services to address the ongoing health impact of Zika virus.
A new report commissioned by IICSA highlights the growing risk of online child sexual abuse and exploitation. Researchers found that vulnerability characteristics include adverse childhood experiences, disability, and above-average internet use, while digital skills and openness can protect children from unwanted experiences.
A new study found that young children do not endorse beliefs about race as natural determinants, but instead expect behavior to be shaped by the environment. The extent to which these beliefs develop varies depending on exposure to diversity in neighborhoods and child care.
Researchers found that most babies develop new skills in irregular bursts, while their brain activity grows steadily behind the scenes. This study supports long-standing theories about infant development and provides insight into what's happening beneath the surface.
Children's National Hospital researchers aim to develop a treatment using human stem cells to address hypoxia, which can severely impair brain development in infants born with CHD. The goal is to reverse or halt injury and promote neurogenesis in affected brains.
A new study published in Child Development suggests that bilingualism may increase cognitive flexibility in kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Bilingual children with ASD outperformed their monolingual peers in shifting tasks, indicating a potential benefit of language exposure on executive functions.
A novel machine learning algorithm using brain scans predicts language ability in deaf children after cochlear implant surgery. This study has broad implications for children with developmental challenges, enabling clinicians and educators to intervene with therapy to maximize language learning.