Research programs focused on child health and development. Covers pediatric research standards, infant nutrition and sleep, rare disorders, and childhood diabetes.
A new study by Columbia University found that teenage girls who engage in regular physical activity are at a lower risk of being involved in violence-related behaviors. The study analyzed data from 1,312 students and found that exercise was associated with decreased odds of being in a gang, carrying a weapon, or participating in fights.
A symposium at a pediatric meeting will address how to protect youths from violence, with speakers discussing screen violence and aggression, violent media, guns and suicide, and community efforts to prevent gun violence. The event aims to translate research findings into actionable public health strategies.
A study by Nationwide Children's Hospital found that 92,885 children under 18 were treated for amusement ride-related injuries from 1990 to 2010. The most common injury types were soft tissue injuries and head/neck region injuries, with nearly one-third occurring on fixed-site rides.
Researchers found that mothers use more complex language when reading wordless picture storybooks with their toddlers compared to vocabulary books. This exposure lays the foundation for later reading development and language skills.
Researchers found that infants who sweat less in response to scary situations at age 1 show more physical and verbal aggression at age 3. The study suggests a possible early indicator of aggressive behavior in children.
New research from the University of Notre Dame suggests that child learning and performance in counting tasks is affected by the type of object used. The study found that objects with high perceptual detail hindered performance when children already had established knowledge, but improved it when they didn't.
The symposium aims to explore how parents' deployment affects children's well-being, mental health, and ability to achieve developmental tasks. Researchers will examine the role of combat-related injuries and discuss effective ways to treat post-deployment family struggles.
A symposium hosted by the Society for Research in Child Development aims to investigate how educational media fosters early learning in young children. The event will focus on topics such as interactive media characters, touchscreens, and popular shows like Sesame Street.
A Concordia University study compares how early adolescents from Montreal and Barranquilla, Colombia, assess their self-worth. The researchers found significant commonalities but also differences in the factors considered most important by the children.
A study published in Microbiome identified two distinct microbial imbalances in the digestive tract that precede necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants. The findings suggest a predictive value of over 80% for NEC using a simple urine analysis.
A simple training program can improve early-childhood development in children of AIDS patients by teaching caregivers how to support their children's social skills and cognitive abilities. The study found that these children made significant gains in language learning, memory, and overall cognitive skills after receiving the training.
A $1.5 million clinical trial will test book reading as a potential treatment for Specific Language Impairment (SLI) in kindergarten children. The study, led by University of Kansas researcher Holly Storkel, aims to develop an effective treatment by optimizing interactive book reading.
A University of Missouri researcher found that couples who share household and child-rearing responsibilities are happier. Doing chores together and having mutual divisions of labor benefitted both spouses, while father-child bonds also contributed to better marital satisfaction.
Researchers have identified four genes newly associated with severe childhood obesity and found an increased burden of rare structural variations in severely obese children. These variations can delete sections of DNA that help maintain protein receptors involved in weight regulation, promising new drug targets against obesity.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia collaborates with Pfizer's Centers for Therapeutic Innovation (CTI) to advance pediatric research and development. The partnership aims to identify preclinical research with potential applications for innovative treatments, with a focus on translating scientific insights into bedside therapies.
The Boston Public Schools' prekindergarten program has significantly improved children's language, literacy, math, executive function, and emotional development skills. The study found that the program, which uses research-based curricula and coaching of teachers, was particularly beneficial for Latino children.
A new study found that 91% of Alberta child-care centres have provided inclusive care in the previous two years. However, many still face challenges, with 36% turning away children with special needs due to capacity issues or inadequate staff training.
A National Institutes of Health network study found that pregnant women who experienced financial, emotional, or other personal stress had an increased chance of having a stillbirth. The researchers asked over 2,000 women about stressful life events and found that most women reported at least one event in the previous year.
A recent study found that mothers tend to elaborate more and use more emotional terms when reminiscing with their children than fathers. This increased interaction helps mothers communicate the importance of their child's feelings and experiences, leading to better emotional well-being.
A new study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that genetics account for 30% of individual differences in childhood body weight. The research used Genome-wide Complex Trait Analysis to identify genetic variants associated with childhood obesity, providing insights into the 'missing heritability' problem.
New research from University of Pennsylvania psychologists suggests that changing one's mind about delaying gratification can be a rational decision when the timing of the payoff is uncertain. The study found that people tend to overestimate how long they will have to wait, leading to decreased self-control.
A new Northwestern University study reveals that infants acquire both nouns and verbs in a more nuanced way than previously thought. The research suggests that the ability to map nouns to objects is robust across languages, but verb mapping is more variable and influenced by linguistic context.
A study found that babies respond to angry tone of voice, even when asleep, and exhibit greater brain activity in stress-related areas. This suggests that exposure to parental conflicts may impact the way infants process emotions and stress.
A study found that infants with a higher risk of developing autism take longer to shift their gaze, indicating possible differences in brain structure and organization. The research suggests that this measurable delay could be a precursor to well-known symptoms of autism.
Researchers will study the effectiveness of a mobile phone app/game in improving antiretroviral treatment adherence among HIV-infected youth and young adults. The goal is to enhance CD4+ cell count, reduce HIV viral load, and decrease transmission risk.
A study found that toddlers exposed to methamphetamine in the womb may have an abnormal stress response, which can increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. However, children with a stable home environment showed a normal stress response.
A new study from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that inherited genetic variations in four genes increase the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children. The research also showed ethnic differences in the cancer's incidence, with higher rates among Hispanic and African American patients.
A compact wireless sensor recorded and transmitted brain activity data wirelessly for over a year in animal tests, representing a major step toward cord-free control of advanced prosthetics. The device has the potential to revolutionize rehabilitation options for people with physical disabilities.
A recent study found that preterm infants with low-grade brain bleeding have similar neurodevelopmental outcomes as those with no bleeding. The study analyzed 1472 extremely preterm infants and found that those with grade 1 or 2 PIVH did not have an increased incidence of poor outcomes compared to infants without PIVH.
A study published in Psychological Science found that infants prefer those who harm dissimilar individuals, indicating an early form of schaudenfreude or social alliances. By 9 months, babies assess their surroundings to determine friend or foe based on perceived differences and similarities.
A groundbreaking study explores the psychological impact of parental deportation on US-born children, who face separation from their families and uncertain futures. The research aims to understand what circumstances lead to better or worse outcomes for these children.
A new study by researchers at Yale University found that infants as young as nine months old prefer individuals who punish those who are not like themselves. Babies tend to dislike those whose tastes differ from their own and want them to be treated badly, but also prefer someone who is nice to an individual similar to themselves.
Researchers found that DNA methylation levels were higher in genes associated with disease in children conceived during periods of food scarcity in West Africa.
A recent study found that nearly 90% of preschoolers with ADHD continued to struggle with symptoms six years after diagnosis. Children taking ADHD medication had just as severe symptoms as those who were medication-free, suggesting a need for improved treatment strategies.
A new study reveals that small physician practices serving children are unprepared to become recognized as 'medical homes', which prioritize quality improvement and comprehensive care. This limitation may hinder efforts to improve healthcare for children, particularly those with higher medical needs.
Researchers discovered mutations in two genes, hnRNPA2B1 and hnRNPA1, that lead to the death of nerve cells in ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases. The study found these proteins play a crucial role in normal RNA functioning and have been linked to cancer.
A NIH-funded study identifies fundamental math skills needed for functioning in adult life, including number system knowledge. Children who failed to acquire these basic math skills by first grade scored far behind peers by seventh grade on a test of mathematical abilities.
A study found that even organic foods not stored, prepared, or cooked in plastic containers can contain phthalates and bisphenol A. High levels of these chemicals were detected in dairy products, spices, and children's bodies.
Researchers analyzed EEGs from autistic children and found a structural difference in brain connections, including increased short-range and decreased long-range connections. This pattern may underlie autism's classic cognitive profile of focused tasks but poor integration across brain areas.
Researchers found that prenatal DHA supplementation increased mean birth weight and gestational age, reducing the risk of very low birth weight and early preterm delivery. The study supports the use of dietary supplements during pregnancy to improve infant health outcomes.
A new study at Michigan State University finds that single workers face challenges maintaining friendships, taking care of their health, and finding leisure time beyond work demands. This negative impact on work-life balance is similar for both single and family-based workers.
Researchers found that children with brain lesions use gestures similar to typically developing children to convey simple sentences. They also discovered that producing complex sentences across gesture and speech is delayed in children with larger brain lesions.
A study by Duke University Medical Center found that bullied children are at higher risk for psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depressive disorders, as adults. The research used a large group of participants initially enrolled as adolescents and followed them into adulthood to assess the long-term effects of bullying.
A new study published in JAMA Dermatology has found that the common acne drug isotretinoin does not increase the risk of inflammatory bowel disease. The research, led by Dr. Mahyar Etminan, statistically adjusted for severe acne and found no association between the drug and IBD.
Researchers studied how couples cope with child loss and found that suppressing emotions can worsen grief. The study suggests that clinicians should guide clients away from 'staying strong' for partners to ease their suffering.
A consortium of top researchers has made significant progress in understanding and treating Rasmussen encephalitis, a rare neurological disease. The RE Children's Project has raised funds to study the disease tissue and search for genetic links.
Research reveals that infants with high respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) are more vulnerable to poor caregiving and exhibit increased problem behaviors later in childhood. Conversely, those with low RSA fare better in nurturing environments.
A collection of studies from Salud America! presents promising approaches to prevent Latino childhood obesity, including guided grocery store trips, community gardens, and video-game-based exercise programs. These culturally appropriate strategies aim to address the root causes of obesity among Latino children and families.
The Vanderbilt-led research found that human metapneumovirus is the second leading cause of severe bronchiolitis in young children, affecting more children over age 1 than RSV. The study provides a clearer picture of how this virus impacts children and highlights the need for vaccines to prevent it.
A new longitudinal study found that toddlers whose parents praised their efforts more than they praised them as individuals had a more positive approach to challenges five years later. Process praise was shown to improve children's persistence and performance on challenging tasks.
A systematic review of clinical interventions found only a few psychotherapeutic treatments showing promise for reducing symptoms in children exposed to trauma. School-based cognitive behavior therapy interventions were associated with changes in post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and anger.
A new study from Washington State University finds that mothers' eating habits at the dinner table can significantly impact their preschoolers' obesity risk. The researchers analyzed surveys of low-income African-American and Latino Head Start preschoolers and caregivers, discovering that moms who exhibit high levels of control while f...
A recent study found that water tubing-related injuries increased by 250% over a 19-year period, with 65+ injuries treated in U.S. emergency departments daily during summer. The most common types of injuries were sprains and strains, followed by soft tissue injuries.
A new study from the University of Michigan found that public awareness and matching research needs with participant characteristics are key barriers to participation. The study suggests that effective community engagement can help attract more participants to medical research.
Researchers found that daily antiseptic baths with diluted chlorhexidine gluconate significantly reduced the risk of bloodstream infections in critically ill children. The study involved over 4,000 children and showed a 36% lower risk of infections in those bathed with antiseptic solution.
Research shows that children's executive function and vocabulary development play a crucial role in the formation of complex thinking skills as young as age 4.5. High executive function skills at school entry are related to higher reasoning skills in adolescence.
A new software tool called ParseCNV detects copy number variation (CNV) associations with higher accuracy than existing software, enabling better identification of gene variants linked to genetic diseases. The algorithm automatically corrects for variations in DNA sequences, producing high-quality results.
A new study found that women become less interested in pursuing workplace power when they view themselves as being in control of decisions at home. This shift affects career choices without women even realizing it. Additionally, women experience conflict managing their identities as a parent and worker, which is more pronounced than men.
A new study of over 75,000 Norwegian children found little evidence that day care leads to behavioral problems. The research suggests that Norway's parental leave policies and national standards for child care may have contributed to the findings. The study contradicts earlier US studies on the topic.
A study of over 800 twins found that genetic factors account for 73% of relationship problems in kindergarten through Grade 4. Identifying children at risk early on can help intervene and prevent chronic rejection or victimization, which can lead to academic, health, and mental health issues.