Research programs focused on child health and development. Covers pediatric research standards, infant nutrition and sleep, rare disorders, and childhood diabetes.
A recent study by LSUHSC research team identified significant differences in metabolic markers between healthy and obese 7-to-9-year-old children. The findings suggest that obesity in this age group may disrupt normal metabolism, impairing glucose tolerance and increasing the risk for Type 2 diabetes later in life.
A new study by Nationwide Children's Hospital found that approximately 5,200 children were treated for window fall-related injuries each year, translating to 14 children per day. Children under 4 years old and those falling from heights over 3 stories or landing on hard surfaces are at increased risk.
A new collection of research articles focuses on physical activity and sport participation across the lifespan, exploring its benefits for mental, physical, emotional, and social health. The book features contributions from scholars in eight countries and four continents.
Researchers identify the need for a balance between structure and open-ended instruction, and introduce a method to clearly describe classroom instruction. They also advocate for increased use of intelligent tutors like TED to help children design experiments and train them on how to create solid ones.
A new rehabilitation approach for children with cerebral palsy, called 'context-focused intervention', has been shown to be equally beneficial as traditional child-focused therapy. The study found no significant differences in daily functioning between the two treatment groups.
A recent study published in Pediatrics found that 19% of younger siblings of children with autism developed autism, with males having a significantly higher risk than females. The study also showed an increased risk for male infants with two older siblings who have autism, at over 32%
Researchers found that mothers of young children experience 'nagging' from their kids due to commercial TV characters and advertisements. Mothers cited strategies like limiting exposure, explaining choices, and setting rules to deal with nagging, which can impact childhood obesity rates.
A study by researchers from the University of Montreal found that children of depressed mothers have an enlarged amygdala, which is linked to emotional responses. This change may be associated with increased reactivity to stress in these children.
Researchers identified new ADHD genes and showed a link between some of these genes and those found in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neuropsychiatric conditions. The study found that people carrying the same CNVs can have different symptoms, highlighting the complexity of ADHD.
Research suggests that predictive genetic testing in children may have benefits, including identifying individual's inherited vulnerabilities to diseases and enabling early health interventions. However, existing guidelines warn of potential psychological harm, which critics argue is often based on speculation rather than evidence.
Researchers found that marital conflict in adoptive parents can impact their infant's sleep patterns, which becomes regulated during infancy. The study, published in Child Development, suggests that marital instability may set a child up for problematic sleep patterns.
A formal model of counting has been developed, revealing that children's number sense can be improved through proper training. The study suggests that children struggle to map numbers to words due to competing information in their learning process.
A study found that only 47% of parents consulted their GPs about their child's weight, and even fewer were referred to weight-management services. The research highlights the need for healthcare professionals and families to work together to address childhood obesity.
A study by Penn State found that adding pureed vegetables to children's favorite foods increased their daily vegetable intake and reduced calorie consumption. Researchers served vegetable-enhanced meals to 39 preschoolers aged 3-6, who ate nearly twice as many veggies and 11% fewer calories.
Research published in the European Respiratory Journal found that children who were exclusively breastfed for 6 months had a reduced risk of developing asthma-related symptoms. The study also showed that the longer duration of breastfeeding was associated with fewer wheezing episodes.
A five-year NIH grant will fund research at the Emory Vaccine Center and Yerkes National Primate Research Center to develop a safe and effective HIV vaccine. The goal is to understand how to prevent early stages of mucosal infection from simian immunodeficiency virus, a key step in developing an effective HIV vaccine.
A study by UAB researchers reveals that adopted children who spend more time in a center are more likely to experience behavioral problems, depression, and weaker social skills. Resilience variables help counteract negative effects, but Eastern European children tend to have more difficulties adapting.
A study found that children's personalities are linked to their chemical response to stress, with different patterns of hormone production associated with advantages and disadvantages in navigating threatening environments. Doves were more vigilant but prone to anxiety, while hawks were bolder but riskier.
A Tel Aviv University researcher found that sports participation improves self-control, problem-solving skills, and delayed gratification in boys, leading to a decrease in aggression. Girls showed a weaker response to sports programming.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that infants develop the ability to transfer knowledge between 8-16 months. At 8 months, they struggle with new information, but by 16 months, they can apply learned knowledge to new situations.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles successfully created a tissue-engineered small intestine in mice that replicates the intestinal structures of natural intestine. The study paves the way for long-term, durable solutions for children with intestinal failure.
Researchers found that identical twins were more likely to both have autism than fraternal twins. The study suggests that shared environment accounts for about 55% of the risk, while genetic factors contribute less, around 40%. This finding may shift future research paradigms.
A new study reveals that urban children are more likely to walk or cycle to school than their rural counterparts. The research, published in Pediatrics, found that factors such as parental influence and social connections play a significant role in shaping children's transportation choices.
A study by MIT researchers found that explicit instruction makes children less likely to engage in spontaneous exploration, but acknowledging the unknown is crucial. Children taught one function played with the toy for less time and discovered fewer things than those in other conditions.
A new study published in Food & Nutrition Research found that children and adolescents who consume candy tend to weigh less than their non-consuming counterparts. The study suggests that candy consumption is associated with lower rates of overweight and obesity, but it's crucial to balance this with nutrient-dense foods.
Research funded by USDA suggests that blueberry polyphenols, found in blueberries' powerful antioxidant compounds, may aid in building strong bones. The investigation showed that animals fed rations containing 10% freeze-dried blueberry powder had significantly more bone mass than their counterparts.
A recent study published in the Journal of Labor Economics found that informal daycare can significantly reduce a child's test scores by up to 2.6 percent per year compared to staying with their mother. In contrast, formal preschool programs or licensed daycare centers have little to no negative effect on cognitive development.
A new study found that portable pools are more dangerous than parents realize, with most fatalities and near-drownings occurring among young children. The Centers for Injury Research and Policy recommend multiple layers of protection to prevent submersion events.
A longitudinal study found that children from low-income households who experienced consistently high-quality home learning environments were more ready for school. The quality of their environment over time predicted their readiness skills.
Research at the University of Chicago found that preschool children grasp counting only if they understand the value of groups greater than three. Children who are exposed to higher number words acquire an understanding of the cardinal principle before those with limited exposure.
Researchers emphasize the importance of educating the public about the value of research on newborn blood samples and obtaining parental consent for specimen use. The government guidelines published today fall short in addressing public concerns about privacy and misuse of samples.
A University of Missouri researcher found that TANF requirements create stress on families, negatively affecting three-year-old children's cognitive scores. In contrast, social programs based in the tax system show no such negative effects.
Research from the University of Minnesota's Chicago Longitudinal Study found that high-quality early education significantly impacts well-being, educational attainment, socioeconomic status, and crime rates. Participants who received extended preschool services had better outcomes in adulthood.
Researchers at Columbia University used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to document language impairment in autistic children. The study found that brain activity patterns were different between autistic and control patients, suggesting a possible early diagnosis method for autism.
Researchers have identified a master gene controlling lysosome and autophagosome function, shedding light on rare genetic diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. The discovery may lead to new therapeutic approaches for inherited conditions like Tay-Sachs and Alzheimer's disease.
A new study found that children with complex chronic conditions requiring long-term mechanical ventilation have higher mortality rates, longer hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs. Infants under one year old consume the majority of healthcare resources in this group.
A study of 508 children found a strong association between childhood excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and obesity, asthma, anxiety, and depression. Waist circumference was also significantly associated with EDS, suggesting metabolic factors play a role.
A comprehensive report found that fewer than half of US children receive comprehensive, quality health care, with significant variations across states. The study highlights the need for improvement in all states, particularly in accessing mental health and specialist care.
New research finds that teens use peers as a metric for autonomy, with younger girls wanting more freedom than older boys. Teens consistently overestimate their peers' levels of autonomy, assuming they have more freedoms than themselves.
A recent study of over 350 families found that marital instability when children are 9 months old can lead to sleep problems by 18 months. The research suggests that parents should be aware of the potential impact of marital stress on their child's well-being during the first year or two of life.
Researchers found that marital instability at 9 months old predicts child sleep problems at 18 months, including difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. This relationship persists even after controlling for factors such as birth order, parents' anxiety, and infant temperament.
A new study from the Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center suggests that teens who are offered free or low-cost rapid HIV testing are often willing to accept the test. The study found that 53% of teens in the age group accepted the test, with African-American teens more likely to agree.
A study found that celiac disease is more common among Massachusetts children born in the spring or summer, suggesting a link between gluten introduction timing and birth season. The study suggests rethinking gluten introduction for some children based on their birth season.
A study by researchers at UC San Diego finds that Filipino children are more likely to develop aneurysms and inflammation of the blood vessels of the heart compared to other Asian and non-Asian backgrounds. The research highlights the need for medical providers to be aware of Kawasaki disease in high-risk populations.
A new study led by Concordia University suggests that children of parents with bipolar disorder are more sensitive to stress due to elevated cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone produced in response to anxiety and was previously found to be higher in these children, but this study is the first to show its role in mood disorders.
The University of Illinois has established an innovative research-based program, the Illinois Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention Program (I-TOPP), to tackle child obesity prevention. I-TOPP combines a Ph.D. and master's in public health degree to develop novel hypotheses and approaches.
Researchers found that higher BPA concentrations at 16 weeks of pregnancy were associated with wheezing in children, while effects diminished as they aged. More research is needed to confirm the correlation between BPA and wheezing in children.
Stephen Maturo, MD, receives the Charles Ferguson Clinical Science Award for his research on intraoperative laryngeal electromyography (EMG) in children with vocal fold mobility. The study found that EMG can help predict vocal fold function return in certain scenarios.
UK researchers found that persistent poverty affects children's cognitive functioning at the age of five, while family instability does not have a significant impact. The study, based on data from 18,819 families in the UK, shows that children growing up in stable two-parent families have higher levels of cognitive ability than those i...
Research from Research Australia found a link between stressful events during pregnancy and increased risk of behavioral problems in children. The study analyzed the timing, amount, and types of stressors to determine their impact on child behavior outcomes.
A mother's nutrition during pregnancy can alter her child's DNA, leading to a higher risk of obesity later in life. The study found that epigenetic changes caused by the mother's diet at birth strongly predicted the degree of obesity at age six or nine.
Researchers used an alternative cell signaling pathway to improve immune function in a 13-year-old boy with mild Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome, a rare and deadly immunodeficiency disorder. The study achieved clinical laboratory benefits and represents a new treatment option for patients with WAS.
Nationwide Children's Hospital has been accepted into the Neonatal Research Network, a national organization dedicated to improving neonatal care. The center will contribute patient data to a registry of very low birth weight infants, providing valuable insights into premature infant health outcomes.
Researchers found that intensive or family-based HIV prevention interventions may be needed to encourage juvenile offenders to use condoms and stop engaging in risky sexual behavior. Despite interventions, one-third of teens continue to have unprotected sex.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have pioneered a needle-free test for medicines in premature babies, reducing trauma and improving accuracy. The new approach uses blood spots obtained from heel-pricks, allowing for more precise dosage calculations and better treatment outcomes.
A new national study found that an estimated 5.25 million football-related injuries were treated in U.S. emergency departments between 1990 and 2007. The annual number of injuries increased by 27 percent, with nearly 2,000 children treated daily during football season.
Researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital discovered two small molecule inhibitors that block STAT3, a protein linked to osteosarcoma. The study suggests these compounds may serve as a new, non-toxic treatment option.
Research from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study reveals that adults who survived childhood cancer are particularly vulnerable to impaired memory, emotional control, and related skills due to fatigue and sleep problems. The study suggests that periodic screenings for fatigue and sleep disturbances may be beneficial for helping adult c...
A multifaceted intervention improved clinical knowledge, skills, and practices in pediatric care among Kenyan hospital staff. The study found higher completion of admission tasks and guideline-recommended practices in intervention hospitals compared to control hospitals.
The symposium aims to address the effects of victimization on sexual-minority youths, including risks of being victimized at school and predictors of peer acceptance. Researchers will discuss findings on academic outcomes for sexual-minority adolescents and the impact of peer acceptance on their school experiences.