Research programs focused on child health and development. Covers pediatric research standards, infant nutrition and sleep, rare disorders, and childhood diabetes.
Researchers argue that development involves a complex system in which genes and environmental factors constantly interact. They support evolution but reject simplistic notions of innate traits and behaviors. Instead, they propose a developmental systems theory that acknowledges the interplay between genes and environment.
A 20-year study found that impulsive boys with inadequate supervision and poor families are more likely to commit criminal acts. The study also revealed that the juvenile justice system's help increased the risk of early adulthood crime, especially among those with similar histories without judicial involvement.
Researchers found that active video games can burn calories comparable to moderate-intensity walking, making them a safe and valuable means of promoting energy expenditure in children. The study, published in Pediatrics, suggests that substituting screen time with physically active games can help reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes.
Research reveals that childhood adversity is associated with diminished neural activity in brain regions involved in processing rewards. This finding suggests a potential link between childhood trauma and depression symptoms such as apathy and low motivation.
A University of Michigan survey reveals that most parents would allow researchers to use their children's newborn screening samples for research purposes if permission is obtained beforehand. However, over half of the parents surveyed said they would be very unwilling to permit use of their child's sample without granting or denying pe...
A Queen's University study reveals that preschoolers' brain development is linked to their social reasoning abilities. The research found that children with more mature brain activity patterns showed a better understanding of false beliefs.
Research from the University of Minnesota indicates that a baby born to an older mother may have a slightly increased risk for many childhood cancers. The study found that advancing maternal age may be a factor in why some children develop cancer, with risks increasing by 7-10 percent for every five-year increase in maternal age.
A nationwide study reveals that slips, trips, and falls are the leading cause of bathtub- and shower-related injuries in children. Most injuries occur to young children under 4 years old, with facial lacerations being the most common diagnosis.
A new chemotherapy regimen, ABVE-PC, has been identified as a successful treatment for pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma, reducing long-term risks and improving survival rates. The treatment delivers dose-dense drug delivery while minimizing cumulative doses, resulting in lower toxicity and improved outcomes.
Researchers found that children with autism rely heavily on proprioception to learn new actions, leading to greater impairment in social skills and motor skills. This understanding can inform targeted interventions to enhance visuo-motor associations in children with autism.
A large-scale, five-year research project will investigate how various factors affect the well-being and mental health of children who have experienced child maltreatment. The study aims to understand the complex interactions between genetics, family environment, hormonal regulation, personality traits, and brain activity.
Parents' attempts to soothe anxiety and assist with OCD behaviors can exacerbate the condition in children, according to a new study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Researchers found that accommodations like excessive bathing or checking rituals worsen symptoms, while therapy helps improve outcomes.
A new IUPUI study finds that living near a fast food outlet has little impact on childhood weight, contrary to traditional assumptions. Residing near recreational facilities, however, is associated with lower body mass indexes.
A study published by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center identified a critical gene, SHP2, essential for normal heart and skull formation. Neural crest cells' differentiation failure leads to severe anatomical and functional deficits.
A study published in Nature found that fat cells in bone marrow suppress blood production, making it harder for patients to recover from chemotherapy or radiation. Blocking this fatty infiltration could enhance blood recovery after transplant.
Researchers from USC's Keck School of Medicine have developed a Mobile Body Area Network that monitors obesity indicators in minority youth. The KNOWME device uses wearable wireless sensors to measure physical activity, stress, and body fat, providing immediate feedback for interventionists and health professionals.
Researchers found that a five-minute self-regulation game can predict end-of-year achievement in math, literacy and vocabulary. The game was associated with the equivalent of several months of additional learning in kindergarten.
A study of 62 children aged 4-5 found that non-napping children exhibited higher levels of hyperactivity, anxiety, and depression compared to napping children. The research highlights the potential importance of napping for optimal daytime functioning in young children.
A study funded by NIH found citalopram to be no more effective than a placebo in reducing repetitive behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders. The medication was associated with increased side effects, challenging its use as a treatment option.
Hyperactivity disorder as understood today is a relatively recent phenomenon, says researcher Matthew Smith. He argues that historical figures like Mozart were not necessarily considered hyperactive due to societal context.
Research finds most food adverts shown during children's TV are not targeting kids with unhealthy foods, contrary to common belief. Fewer than 5% of food adverts were found to be prohibited under new UK regulations aimed at limiting such ads.
Research published in Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health reveals that adults who witnessed interparental violence as children are more likely to experience depression, intimate partner violence, and alcohol dependence. The study highlights the importance of early prevention and screening for domestic violence.
A new study found that controlling maternal feeding practices are not directly linked to future child weight gain. Instead, they may be a response to concerns over the child's increasing weight. The researchers suggest that some degree of control may actually help certain children maintain their weight.
Researchers found that 'lead users' with strong social connections are key to developing innovative products, while 'opinion leaders' influence locally. The study analyzed data from 537 Dutch schoolchildren aged 9-11.
A new study suggests that frequent bursts of physical activity throughout the day can be just as beneficial to children's health as longer exercise sessions. The research found that short, moderate-intensity activities accumulated over a shorter period were associated with better health outcomes.
A Florida State University researcher has won a five-year federal grant to evaluate the effectiveness of an academically focused preschool curriculum for Spanish-speaking children. The study aims to provide evidence-based tools for enhancing school readiness and promoting academic success among this growing population.
Research at Boston University School of Medicine found that prenatal cocaine exposure may compromise selective areas of neurocognitive development during middle childhood. The study suggests the possibility of 'sleeper effects' of IUCE, which may become more apparent with greater cognitive demands.
The study found that children with autism rely on a region of the brain for conscious movement, while typically developing peers use a region for automating motor tasks. Decreased connectivity between brain regions involved in motor planning and execution was also observed.
A Florida State University researcher is exploring the effect of school-based screening on student fitness and parent behavior as part of a $2.2 million NIH grant. The study aims to track children's health changes and assess the impact of wellness programs on obesity rates in ethnic-minority students.
Research suggests that being firstborn, having a breech birth, or maternal age over 35 may increase autism risk. This study analyzed Utah children with ASD and found significant correlations between these factors.
The Millennium Development Goals are failing to address high under-five child mortality amongst the country's most vulnerable groups. The goal of reducing average under-5 mortality by two-thirds by 2015 may be achieved, but inequity will persist if resources are allocated solely based on averages
A Harvard study found an association between a mother's height and her child's risk of death, being underweight, and having anemia. Children born to mothers shorter than 4 foot 9 inches were 70% more likely to die than those whose mothers were at least 5 foot 3 inches tall.
A study found that even low levels of lead in children's blood can increase vascular resistance and decrease aldosterone levels, which may predispose them to hypertension. The researchers also discovered increased sympathetic nervous system activity during rest and a paradoxical depression of this response during stressful tasks.
A study by Queen's University researchers found that pelvic pain symptoms occur as frequently in adolescent boys as in adult men. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome has a significant negative impact on quality of life, including depression and social relationships.
Research found that children with sickle cell disease are less likely to receive transcranial Doppler ultrasound screenings due to limited lab access, despite increased overall screening rates.
A study by University of Denver researchers found that ninety percent of couples experience a decrease in marital satisfaction once the first child is born. Couples who had been married longer or had higher incomes tended to have fewer marital problems related to having a baby.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology found a classroom-based intervention reduced violent TV viewing among first- through fourth-grade children by 18%. The intervention, called The REViEW Project Curriculum, also decreased students' identification with violent superheroes.
Researchers at University of Edinburgh partner with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to develop low-cost strategies to combat childhood pneumonia. The three-year project aims to predict effective treatment solutions and prioritize investments that save most lives.
Researchers found that 3-year-olds and 8-year-olds don't plan for the future or live in the present, instead calling up past memories as needed. This challenges the long-held belief that children's brains operate similarly to those of adults.
A new study finds that black girls are 50% more likely to exhibit bulimic behavior, including binging and purging, compared to white girls. The study also reveals that girls from low-income families are significantly more likely to experience bulimia than their wealthier peers.
Researchers at Children's National Medical Center and colleagues in Tokyo have achieved the first successful application of exon-skipping to curb Duchenne muscular dystrophy in dogs. The treatment uses synthetic DNA-like molecules called morpholinos to skip over mutated gene parts, showing promise for humans with this genetic disorder.
A telephone consenting system piloted by specialist nurses improved parents' willingness to consent to post-mortem research on their children. The study found that most parents viewed the process positively and appreciated the opportunity to discuss post-mortem options with a bereavement nurse.
A new study found direct correlations between variables and the severity of flat head syndrome in infants, identifying risk factors such as lower gestational age, male sex, and multiple-birth pregnancies. The study also questioned the effectiveness of non-helmet devices in treating or preventing the condition.
Researchers found that controlling parents may inadvertently encourage their children to eat more, especially boys, as they seek larger portion sizes of sweetened cereal at daycare. Parents are advised to provide moderate portions and let children decide if they want additional servings.
A new study suggests that supportive co-parenting between mothers and fathers can help protect children from certain behavior problems. Researchers found that children with low effortful control showed increases in negative behaviors, but those with supportive co-parenting relationships did not experience the same growth.
Researchers analyzed medical examiner records and found that swimming lessons provided some protection against drowning for young children. However, lessons alone are not enough to prevent drowning, and parents should still exercise caution when children are near water.
Women with low vitamin B12 levels have a 5 times increased risk of having a child with a neural tube defect compared to those with high levels. Vegans and vegetarians are at higher risk due to limited food sources, while intestinal disorders can also lead to deficiencies.
A new study by physician researchers has identified an increased prevalence of left-handedness in children with hemifacial microsomia, a congenital disorder that affects the development of the lower half of the face. The study found 26% of patients were left-hand dominant compared to 11% in the control group.
A longitudinal study of infants found that TV viewing before age 2 does not improve language and visual motor skills. Maternal, child, and household characteristics are more influential in a child's cognitive development.
A Kansas State University researcher found that youths are more likely to imitate traits of positive adults outside their family, rather than positive family members. This is significant because positive parenting and maternal involvement can help youths incorporate positive role model behaviors into their self-concept.
Researchers found that children born in the fall and winter have a higher risk of developing early symptoms of asthma due to exposure to fungal spores and pollen. High concentrations of specific spore groups and total pollen concentration during the first three months of life were linked to an increased risk of early wheezing.
Researchers found that young children with multiple injury-related ED visits are more likely to be reported to Child Protective Services than those with only one visit. Physicians should consider inadequate supervision as a cause of multiple injuries and provide interventions to help parents reduce injuries.
Research at the University of Chicago found that children who convey more meanings with gestures at 14 months have larger vocabularies at 54 months, indicating better school preparedness. The study also showed differences in parent gesture use between high- and low-income families.
Research suggests girls are more resilient to adverse childhood experiences due to having criminal charges on their male counterparts. Children exposed to multiple traumatic events face significant challenges transitioning to adulthood.
Researchers at University of Toronto's Bloorview hospital use infrared light brain imaging to predict drink preferences with high accuracy. The technique could lead to portable devices for children with disabilities to control their environment.
A new pediatric study suggests that involving adolescents in end-of-life medical decisions can improve communication between children, families, and care providers. The study found that early planning and discussions can lead to increased agreement between parents and children on medical decisions, as well as better communication overall.
A study by researchers at the University of Rochester and others found that teenagers feel relatively obligated to help their parents, even when requests clash with personal desires. Parents tend to think it's more acceptable for teens to say no in such situations, suggesting a balance between family needs and individual preferences.
A new study found that children comprehend the link between feelings and performance, but only for negative emotions. Children of all ages understood how emotional states impact school performance, while younger children struggled to grasp the connection between positive emotions and improved performance.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed miniature power chairs that infants can control, enabling children with cerebral palsy and spina bifida to explore their surroundings. This breakthrough technology has the potential to significantly impact brain development and learning abilities in these children.
A recent study by Children's Hospital found that African-American parents are twice as likely to distrust medical research as white parents. This mistrust can lead to lower participation rates in clinical trials, exacerbating racial health disparities.