Research programs focused on child health and development. Covers pediatric research standards, infant nutrition and sleep, rare disorders, and childhood diabetes.
A new treatment protocol has been shown to improve outcomes for infants born in withdrawal from drugs, resulting in shorter hospital stays and reduced opioid treatment durations. The protocol, developed by the Ohio Children's Hospital Neonatal Research Consortium, increased adherence rates and improved overall patient care.
A recent study by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that preschool-age children consume more calories and fewer fruits, vegetables, and milk outside of child-care centers. The study suggests excess calorie consumption away from the center is significantly associated with being overweight.
Researchers used Photovoice method to study food environments and eating habits of 9- to 13-year-old children eligible for SNAP. The method paired photographs with interviews, revealing food insecurity and the influence of family, peers, and parents on diet.
Research suggests that children who focus on their possible future selves and have strategies to attain these possibilities perform better academically and emotionally. In contrast, children who dwell on difficulties without planning for the future experience a negative impact on their optimism and fatalism.
Northwestern researchers identify infants' ability to group objects by name as predictor of later language development, highlighting importance of early talking to young children.
Researchers found that brief intervals of exercise during sedentary periods can lower children's blood glucose and insulin levels, and may protect against diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The study suggests that even short activity breaks can help overcome negative effects on the body.
A study found that two-year-old children with larger oral vocabularies enter kindergarten classrooms better at reading and mathematics, as well as exhibiting improved behavior. The research suggests that early vocabulary development is a crucial factor in children's academic and behavioral outcomes.
A Norwegian study of nearly 1,000 children found that time spent in daycare had little impact on aggressive behavior. The longer children stayed in non-parental care, the smaller the effects became.
A new study found that children with larger oral vocabularies at age 2 arrive at kindergarten with greater reading and math achievement, better behavioral self-regulation, and fewer acting out or anxiety-related problem behaviors. Early intervention efforts, such as home visitation programs, may help target these high-risk children.
New research finds mothers of seriously ill adult children give more instrumental and expressive support than expected, while their healthy children provide mostly comfort and encouragement. The study suggests that healthy children need to step up and provide more support to their elderly mothers during this challenging time.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Neurology found that poor sleep is a major factor in MS-related fatigue. The study, led by Dr. Lauren Strober, confirms that sleep disturbances account for up to 25% of the variance in fatigue among individuals with MS.
Research published in Archives of Disease in Childhood found the UK's child mortality rate is nearly double that of Sweden, with premature birth, congenital abnormalities, and infections being major causes. The study calls for a stronger focus on prevention to improve the UK's position on the European child mortality league table.
A recent study published in Pediatrics found that adult IQ of very premature babies can be predicted when they are just two years old. The research team led by Professor Dieter Wolke assessed 200 children born with low birth weight or very premature birth and compared their cognitive function to a control group of full-term babies.
Researchers investigating care structures for Kenyan orphans find institutionalized children are healthier than those living with family members. The new study will determine the causes of this disparity and assess cost-effectiveness of different care models.
A new study reveals that 9- and 10-year-old children who are aerobically fit tend to have significantly thinner gray matter than their peers, associated with better mathematics performance. The study suggests cardiorespiratory fitness contributes to gray matter thinning, a normal process of child brain development.
BioWardrobe, a user-friendly platform, enables researchers to analyze large transcriptomic and epigenomic datasets without programming expertise. The platform was developed to bridge the gap between data and knowledge, facilitating research on basic biology and disease.
PEDSnet, a national clinical research network co-led by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, combines big data with family engagement to address concerns important to families. The network aims to pool data and expertise from multiple centers to more quickly translate discoveries into better outcomes for children.
Researchers have discovered that cathelicidins, antimicrobial peptides produced by gut bacteria, play a crucial role in preventing the development of type 1 diabetes. By re-establishing a normal level of cathelicidin in diabetic mice, scientists were able to suppress autoimmune disease.
Early narrative skills are tied to kindergarten literacy among young African American children, suggesting that storytelling is crucial for their early reading development. The study found that preschool oral narrative skills predicted emergent literacy for poor and non-poor African American kindergartners, but not for the overall sample.
Researchers found that wild bonobos use high-pitched 'peep' calls in various contexts, including positive and negative situations, echoing human infant vocalisations. The study suggests an evolutionary transition from functionally fixed animal vocalisations to human-like communication.
A Canadian study found that 10% of children with cerebral palsy have copy number variations affecting genes deemed clinically relevant. This discovery could lead to the integration of genomic analyses into diagnostic assessments for cerebral palsy, providing new insights and treatment options.
Researchers developed a novel dimensional method to differentiate between expectable and problematic early childhood misbehavior. The study found that children with normal irritability levels had a high risk of clinical problems, highlighting the need for early identification and intervention.
The Interactive Autism Network (IAN) has been awarded $1.6 million by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to join PCORnet, a national health research resource. IAN will collaborate with researchers, patient communities, and clinicians to accelerate autism research and improve patient outcomes.
A breakthrough discovery has been made in developing a vaccine for middle ear infections by identifying the molecular switch that controls a 'chameleon' bacteria. Researchers have found that this switch allows Haemophilus influenzae to adapt and evade the immune system, making it difficult to develop an effective vaccine.
Research finds that kindergartners, but not preschoolers, perceive hard work as increasing the value of unappealing prizes. This suggests that children's cognitive strategies for handling disappointing rewards differ at different ages.
Researchers found that infants as young as 5-7 months can use their expectations to rapidly shape their developing brains. Brain activity was detected in visual areas even when the image didn't appear as expected, indicating the brain's ability to set up expectations about incoming events.
A study found that antibiotic exposure is associated with a higher risk of developing juvenile arthritis in children, particularly those with upper respiratory tract infections. Researchers suggest that antibiotics may be a marker for abnormal immunity rather than a direct cause of the disease.
A study published in PLOS ONE has identified a genetic mutation associated with premature aging and severe loss of body fat in children. The mutation was found in the CAV1 gene and is linked to a syndrome characterized by severe premature aging, lipodystrophy, and other serious medical problems.
Researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine have developed a safe and lower-cost way to diagnose and treat digestive tract problems in children, using unsedated transnasal endoscopy. The procedure has been shown to be effective in evaluating pediatric patients with potentially chronic problems in their esophagus, reduc...
Neurophysiologists David Hubel and Torsten Wiesel won the Golden Goose Award for their work on cat vision, leading to breakthroughs in brain research, childhood cataract treatment, and computer image processing. Their lab accident resulted in new discoveries about neuroplasticity and its impact on human health.
The American Society of Human Genetics has issued a position statement on the ethical, legal, and psychosocial implications of genetic testing in children and adolescents. The statement addresses various issues related to genetic testing, including predictive testing, whole-genome sequencing, and implementation challenges.
A technique called cord milking increases blood flow from the umbilical cord to the infant's circulatory system, improving blood pressure and red blood cell levels in preterm infants delivered by Cesarean section. This study found benefits only in Cesarean-delivered infants, while vaginal births showed no difference.
A new study finds that having a supportive best friend can positively contribute to resilience and self-reliance in young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. The research also reveals significant gender differences in how boys and girls cope with adversity through their friendships.
Research suggests minority children are less likely to receive help for disabilities than similarly placed white children, due to greater risk factor exposure. This disparity affects the odds of identification as learning disabled, intellectual impaired, or having emotional disturbances.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that primary school children preferred snacks with enticing packaging designs over those with health information or standard labels. The researchers used a handgrip dynamometer to measure the children's motivation and taste test to determine their preferences.
Children exposed to household smoke are more likely to have a wider waistline and higher BMI by age ten, according to researchers. This association is comparable in size to the impact of smoking during pregnancy.
Research found that children with strong verbal working memory skills can more effectively cover up lies, while those with weaker verbal memory struggle. This link suggests that verbal working memory plays a crucial role in lying.
Research with thieving puppets shows that three- and five-year-old children will return stolen cookies to victims, prioritizing the victim's welfare over punishing the thief. This early sense of justice highlights toddlers' ability to act out of concern for others.
Children and teens with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) face complex challenges and long-term complications if left untreated. ARFID is not just about picky eating, but a restrictive eating pattern associated with significant physiological and/or psychosocial distress.
A team of University of Iowa researchers analyzed over 200 YouTube videos to understand toddler tablet use. They found that by age two, most children can moderate their ability to use a tablet, while younger toddlers require more guidance.
A study from the University of Rochester found that stress in low-income families can affect children's learning. Children with family instability or harsh caregivers had elevated or low cortisol levels, leading to lower cognitive ability at age 4.
A new study identifies how specific patterns of cortisol activity may relate to the cognitive abilities of children in poverty. Children's cortisol levels remained relatively stable over three years, but exposure to family adversity predicted notable differences in cognitive functioning at age four.
A large study of over 5,000 extremely preterm infants found that those enrolled in randomized clinical trials had similar in-hospital outcomes to those who were not enrolled. The primary outcome of death, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and severe brain injury did not differ significantly between groups.
A UBC study published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that risky outdoor play promotes physical and social health in children. Play environments with natural elements like trees and plants encourage creativity, resilience, and social interactions.
Researchers at Concordia University found that 18-month-old toddlers can distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate emotional responses, demonstrating an understanding of stoicism and the importance of emotional expressions in building trust. Toddlers showed greater empathy towards individuals who expressed sadness after a negat...
A new study published in the British Medical Journal examines the evidence on whether newborns delivered by C-section are more likely to develop obesity, asthma, and diabetes later in life. The authors find that cesarean delivery may lead to worse long-term child health, warranting concerns for clinical guidelines.
A UCLA study finds that children with autism spectrum disorder who are overly sensitive to sensory stimuli have brains that react differently, leading to a condition called sensory over-responsivity. The research may lead to interventions that can help improve the lives of these children and their families.
A new study shows that early intensive autism intervention can lead to improved intellectual ability and reduced autism symptoms in young children. The therapy, known as the Early Start Denver Model, was found to be particularly effective in promoting social and communication skills.
Research suggests that general anesthesia before age 4 may lead to diminished language comprehension, lower IQ, and decreased gray matter density in the brain. The study highlights the potential need for mitigating strategies to improve child health outcomes.
Researchers have identified a validated tool to measure symptoms and impact in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a severe food allergy. The Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis Symptom Score (PEESS) v2.0 questionnaire corresponded with clinical and biologic features of EoE, suggesting that eosinophil activity and mast cells contribute to d...
Researchers developed a questionnaire to assess home affordances and found that toys, appliances, and even furniture can impact infant motor skills. The AHEMD-IS tool can help parents evaluate toys for motor skill development and improve their child's fine and gross motor skills.
New research found that children's altruistic behaviors are associated with better physiological regulation and lower family wealth. Children who donated tokens to help others showed greater vagal flexibility and higher vagal tone, indicating better health and well-being.
A recent study by University of Sussex researchers suggests that the impact of scary TV on children's internalizing emotions is smaller than previously thought. Overall, children show very little sign of increased anxiety or fear, but some may be more affected due to individual differences in anxiety levels.
A new study found an association between pyrethroid pesticide exposure and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and young teens, especially in terms of hyperactivity and impulsivity. Boys were three times more likely to have ADHD than girls with detectable urinary biomarkers.
A new scoring method for the Trauma Symptoms Checklist for Children (TSCC) has been developed to improve analysis of trauma results. The method groups six mental health factors into two areas, reducing labor intensity and increasing interpretability for social workers.
Research at the University of Montreal found that one night of poor sleep significantly decreases performance on intelligence tests in both autistic and neurotypical children. The study observed disruptions in protective brain waves during sleep, known as 'sleep spindles', which were associated with lower results on verbal IQ tests.
A new study by Nicole McNeil and Emily Fyfe found that using abstract labels to identify patterns improves preschoolers' problem-solving skills. The researchers compared concrete labels to abstract labels in a set of patterning problems, with children assigned to the abstract labels condition solving more problems correctly.
Research shows teenage girls value women in non-appearance focused careers, such as CEOs and military pilots, over those in appearance-focused jobs like modeling. Girls rate female CEOs and military pilots as more competent and likable than women in appearance-focused roles.
Researchers found that infants as young as 7 months old can understand the abstract relation of sameness and difference between two things. This ability is present from birth and does not require language skills. Infants exhibit similar patterns of learning as older children and adults, highlighting a fundamental human skill.
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics found higher suicide rates among black children compared to white and Hispanic children. The research highlights an emerging racial disparity in childhood suicide, with possible contributing factors including increased exposure to violence, early puberty, and lower help-seeking behavior.