Research programs focused on child health and development. Covers pediatric research standards, infant nutrition and sleep, rare disorders, and childhood diabetes.
The AGA Research Foundation has awarded over $10 million in research grants to 22 young investigators pursuing careers in gastroenterology and related fields. The recipients will support promising research projects that aim to advance understanding of digestive diseases and improve patient care.
A recent study found that youth dance classes offer only limited amounts of physical activity, with an average of 17 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per class. The CDC's guidelines recommend at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily for kids aged 6-17, but most dance classes fall short of this target.
A nationwide study published in JAMA Pediatrics reveals a racial disparity in childhood suicide, with higher rates among black children. The study found that suicide rates have remained stable overall for the past 20 years, but increased significantly among black children between 1993-1997 and 2008-2012.
A research team at McGill University Health Centre has developed a potential vaccine that nudges the immune response away from developing allergies, offering hope for Canadians with seasonal allergies. The study uses a molecule called STAT6-IP to redirect the immune system's response, teaching it to tolerate allergens.
A survey of over 50,000 children aged 8-12 across 15 countries reveals that children's happiness differs significantly depending on their geographical location and lifestyle. In Northern European countries, children are dissatisfied with their appearance and self-confidence, while those in African countries tend to be happier with scho...
A new study led by researchers at the University of Minnesota has found a three-way link among infant antibiotic use, changes in gut bacteria, and disease later in life. The study developed a predictive model for measuring healthy development of bacteria in young children.
New research reveals differences in the brains of girls and boys with autism, particularly in the corpus callosum and social impairments. The study suggests that girls with autism have more severe social impairments than boys, highlighting the need for targeted research and interventions.
Researchers found that 6-month-old infants prefer listening to infant sounds over adult sounds, which could aid in learning how to talk. This preference may also help infants develop their own voice, a crucial step in speech production.
Researchers found that toddlers, especially those with siblings, understand the behavioral effects of different types of sound on others. Children made loud noises to wake up the doll and quieter noises to let it sleep, showing they understood how their sounds influenced social interactions.
Researchers provide guidelines to evaluate apps for real educational benefits, focusing on features that promote active participation, sustained engagement, and social interaction. They warn against apps with distracting 'bells and whistles' and those that present information in a vacuum.
Research suggests that children displaying increasing levels of inattention at age 7 are at risk of worse academic outcomes in their GCSE examinations. The study found a linear relationship between inattention symptoms and reduced GCSE scores, with every one-point increase in symptoms leading to a two-to-three point decrease in scores.
Researchers at the University of Montreal found a complex link between feelings of being unsafe, poverty, and childhood obesity. Youth who experienced chronic poverty were more likely to be overweight despite higher levels of physical activity, suggesting a key role for feeling unsafe in perpetuating obesity.
A recent study published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health found that children whose parents separate or divorce are more likely to experience psychosomatic problems. However, those living with both parents in a joint custody arrangement had fewer symptoms than peers living mostly or only with one parent.
A study of 35 parents/guardians reveals high tension regarding technology use, with many worried about their children's screen time affecting social skills. Parents also expressed concerns about addiction and the creative benefits of mobile media, highlighting the need for guidance from pediatric providers.
A new study by Duke University finds that orphaned boys experience similar rates of physical and sexual abuse as girls in low- and middle-income countries. The research suggests investing in support services for both genders to prevent long-term trauma and abuse, ultimately benefiting girls' safety.
Researchers discovered that parents of children at high risk for autism spectrum disorder reported more early concerns, particularly sensory and motor issues starting at six months. Early parental concerns can be predictive of autism diagnosis, highlighting the importance of talking to parents and taking their concerns seriously.
Researchers identified a genetic pathway linked to poor response to corticosteroid treatment in children with asthma. Targeting the VNN-1 pathway may offer new therapeutic strategies for difficult-to-treat patients.
A new study by Patricia Logan-Greene and Annette Semanchin Jones found that parents who chronically neglect their children are more likely to develop aggressive and delinquent tendencies in adolescence. The study suggests that improving social skills can help prevent these behaviors, particularly for boys.
A new study finds that healthcare providers' passive and reassuring responses to parental concerns about early development delays ASD diagnoses by up to 2 years. Early identification of ASD is crucial for improved long-term developmental outcomes.
Researchers found chimpanzees could plan route in computer mazes, while monkey species struggled with harder mazes requiring inhibition and anticipation. Human children also performed well, but showed variability in abilities across ages.
Research published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine found that children whose parents regularly used bleach to clean the home had higher rates of respiratory and other infections. The risk of flu, tonsillitis, and any infection was significantly higher among these children, with risks of 20% and 35% respectively.
Researchers detected antibodies to dopamine D2 receptor and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor among children experiencing their first episode of psychosis. The finding suggests a distinct subgroup where autoimmunity plays a role in their illness, paving the way for more specific diagnosis and effective interventions.
A study by Northwestern University found that children who received analogical comparison training grasped the Brace principle, a key elementary engineering concept. Children showed significant improvement in building tasks after receiving comparison training, with those receiving high-similarity pairs performing over 80% correctly.
Researchers found the genetic signature of enterovirus D68 in half of California and Colorado children diagnosed with acute flaccid myelitis, linking it to a new strain with potential for causing neurological symptoms. The study suggests that individual biology may also play a role in determining disease presentation.
Research found that parents are less likely to recognize their child's weight status accurately, especially if the child is from a deprived background or South Asian. The study highlights the need for measures to bridge the gap between parental perceptions and official guidelines.
Research shows that children as young as 5 years old exhibit the bystander effect when others are present and available to help, suggesting they take responsibility into account. The study's findings highlight the complexity of young children's helping behavior and indicate that interventions should address diffusion of responsibility.
Researchers found that certain red blood cell variants, such as HbAS, correlated with protection from malaria in early childhood. Additionally, a genetic condition known as homozygous X-linked G6PD deficiency reduced malaria risk in girls, while HbC-trait increased risk.
A pilot study in six primary schools in Panama City found a marked improvement in children's behavior after parents received a parenting intervention. The intervention, based on the Triple P method, addressed issues such as encouraging good behavior and reasons for disobedience, resulting in improved parent-child relationships.
Researchers found that infants' bodies play a role in connecting object names to objects, with consistent posture critical for successful mapping. The study's findings have implications for understanding cognition and memory in young children.
Pediatric dysphagia affects 35-80% of newborns with neurodevelopmental disorders, leading to malnutrition, choking, and infections. The GW researchers will develop fundamental understanding of the disorder through three projects, aiming to define pathology, developmental origins, and prevention strategies.
A new study found that only 57% of Washington parents knew the legal age for recreational marijuana use, while 49% knew how much marijuana can be legally possessed. The study also revealed that parents' conversations about marijuana laws with their children were infrequent.
A new study by NYU Langone Medical Center researchers found that locating full-service supermarkets in food deserts has no appreciable impact on household food availability or children's dietary intake. The introduction of a government-subsidized supermarket did not result in significant changes in dietary habits, despite the expectati...
A Dartmouth College study found that formula-fed infants have higher arsenic levels in their urine compared to breast-fed infants. Breast milk contains very low arsenic concentrations, highlighting the importance of breastfeeding as a way to reduce arsenic exposure.
Research from the University of Warwick suggests delaying school entry for pre-term and full-term children may lead to poorer academic performance as they get older. The study found that missing one year of learning opportunities was associated with poorer average performance in standardised tests at 8 years of age.
A study of children with DNA abnormalities on chromosome 16 found a significant delay in processing sound and language, linking the deletion to key biological pathways. The research may lead to future medical treatments for specific subtypes of autism and other neuro disorders.
A recent study by Queensland University of Technology found that daytime naps beyond the age of two are associated with poorer quality of night sleep among children. The research reviewed 26 international and Australian studies on children under five years old and showed overwhelming evidence of unnecessary napping.
Research finds that napping beyond 2 years of age is associated with reduced night-time sleep quality in young children. The study, published in Archives of Disease in Childhood, analyzed data from 26 studies and found that prolonged napping delays sleep onset and shortens overall night-time sleep duration.
Researchers at CWRU's Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences are studying how prenatal cocaine exposure affects young adults, with a focus on substance abuse and behavior issues. The four-year study will examine the effects of early cocaine exposure on cognitive development and adaptive functioning.
A recent study found that approximately 1 in 5,000 young boys in the US have either Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy. The disorders affect Hispanic boys more frequently than white or African-American boys. The research team's findings provide valuable information for healthcare professionals to better plan care for affected children.
A new study by University at Buffalo education professor Sam Abramovich investigates the use of school-based digital badges as a way to motivate students and measure learning. The research finds that successful educational badges must present enjoyment, recognize work beyond typical academic ability, and value for the student.
A new study led by Yale University found that middle-school children who consume heavily sweetened energy drinks are 66% more likely to experience hyperactivity and inattention symptoms. The researchers recommend limiting the consumption of sweetened beverages and avoiding energy drinks altogether.
A new study by Kevin Shafer and Garrett T. Pace found that having multiple parental roles is negatively associated with psychological well-being for both men and women. Childlessness is more negative for women, while specific role combinations affect mothers and fathers differently.
A Danish study found that children with higher BMI between 9-13 years old were more likely to develop oesophageal cancer later in life. The study suggests that childhood obesity may be directly linked to an increased risk of esophageal cancer as adults, and highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy weight in children.
A new study from the University of Michigan suggests that parents with traditional beliefs about masculinity and femininity are more likely to view pay-to-play sports fees as too high for their daughters. However, other studies have shown that parental support is influenced by a child's interest in an activity, not gender.
Researchers at the University of Iowa found that pigeons can categorize and name objects, similar to how children learn words. The study used a computerized task that allowed pigeons to learn 16 categories simultaneously, comparable to how humans learn categories.
Researchers found that a parent-coaching intervention called Adapted Responsive Teaching (ART) can significantly improve the outcomes of one-year-old children at risk for autism. The study, published in Autism Research and Treatment, compared ART to early intervention and monitoring, showing promising results.
Infants as young as 13 months old can comprehend complex social scenarios, taking into account who knows what about whom. They are able to make inferences about others' behavior based on the information they have learned, indicating that they are developing essential skills for assessing social situations and making relevant judgments.
Research suggests that interactive media can be useful for teaching vocabulary and reading comprehension in preschool-age children, but its impact on younger children is unclear. Heavy device use during early childhood may interfere with the development of empathy, social and problem-solving skills.
A 20-year study found that over one-third of children in England are overweight or obese. The prevalence of obesity among younger children appears to have stabilized, but this is not cause for complacency. The study's findings highlight the need for effective public health strategies and policies to address childhood obesity.
A large study shows that frequent play with puzzles, blocks, and board games is linked to better spatial reasoning skills in children. Children from lower-income households and girls tend to have lower scores.
Mothers who support their children's autonomy tend to be viewed more positively by their children, according to a study of over 2,000 mothers and their children. Mothers' controlling behaviors predicted the extent to which children viewed their mothers positively or negatively when they were in fifth grade.
A recent study published in PLOS Genetics reveals that lysosomal dysfunction may be the underlying cause of infant failure to thrive. This condition occurs when infants are unable to absorb essential nutrients, leading to delayed growth and weight gain issues.
Research suggests mothers speak slightly less clearly to infants than adults, contradicting the widespread view of hyperarticulation. This finding may explain why babies excel at learning their language's distinct sounds despite less clear input.
New research published in Psychological Science suggests that mothers may speak less clearly to their infants than they do to adults. The study found that mothers tend to use cutesy words and a sing-song voice when talking to babies, but still pronounce sounds slightly less distinctly than when addressing adults.
Babies as young as 15 months can learn communicative skills from commercial videos, recognizing and producing signs with similar accuracy to parents' instructions. The study contradicts previous research on limited learning potential in this age group.
New research from Duke University finds that low-income boys exhibit more antisocial behavior when living among affluent neighbors, while girls do not show a similar effect. The study suggests that neighborhood surroundings play a significant role in shaping the behavior of low-income children.
The study found that up to 1% of UK children have coeliac disease blood markers, with diagnoses rising by 39% in boys and doubling in girls between 1993 and 2012. Children from less well-off backgrounds are half as likely to be diagnosed with the condition.
Research finds children exceeding screen time limits, with girls more likely to exceed recommendations for social media use as they age. The study suggests re-evaluating guidelines due to the rise of mobile devices and their impact on health.
The study found a significant decrease in mortality rates among extremely premature infants between 2000 and 2011, with the largest declines observed in infants born at 23 or 24 weeks of gestation. Deaths attributed to respiratory distress syndrome and immaturity accounted for the majority of the reduction in mortality.
A new study reveals that ghrelin, a key regulator of appetite, plays an unexpected role in early brain development and influences long-term appetite regulation. The research suggests a link between gut-brain axis maturation and later susceptibility to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.