Research programs focused on child health and development. Covers pediatric research standards, infant nutrition and sleep, rare disorders, and childhood diabetes.
Researchers developed a composite metric of maternal-drinking measures that can predict prenatal neurobehavioral dysfunction and deficits in children, identifying over 62% of mothers as drinking at risk levels. The metric was more successful than individual measures in predicting poor child cognition and behavior problems.
A study found that African American parents are more likely to report distrust of medical research, which may present a barrier to enrolling their children in clinical trials. The authors suggest strategies such as culturally appropriate recruitment materials and community research advisory boards to overcome this distrust.
Researchers discovered a link between mutated genes and vascular development, which could lead to classification and therapy for congenital blood vessel malformations. The study identified two key genes, Snrk-1 and Dusp-5, as playing crucial roles in angioblast formation and differentiation.
Researchers found that young infants (8-12 months) can tell the difference between an action's goal and its outcome. However, younger infants need explicit information about successful outcomes to infer goals. This study suggests that understanding internal causes of actions develops over time, enabling effective social navigation.
One in eight physicians are inactive for at least a year and return to practice without competency testing. States lack regulation to assess clinicians' competence upon reactivation.
A recent study from the University of Michigan found that six million US children have unmet medical needs, with uninsured and underinsured children at highest risk. The study highlights the need for targeted initiatives to address both coverage and access to improve healthcare outcomes for vulnerable children.
Researchers developed a quality-of-life survey for children, allowing doctors to understand the results in the same way they understand blood pressure test results. The survey includes questions about children's daily lives, helping pediatricians identify potential health problems.
A University of Montreal study found that children from poor families are more likely to be shorter than their peers, regardless of genetic factors. The researchers concluded that economic policies should support parents with young children to ensure they have sufficient resources to cover basic needs and promote normal development.
A new study published in the Journal of Physiology found that an early childhood diet may have a profound influence on adult obesity and diabetes. The research, led by Dr. Raylene Reimer, suggests that the composition of an infant's diet can alter the expression of genes involved in metabolism and weight regulation.
A wide-ranging international review found that infant TV viewing can lead to cognitive delays, language issues, and attention problems. The study also highlighted the need for better regulation of claims made by manufacturers and more research on media's impact on young children.
Research from the University of Warwick and University of Hertfordshire found girls are two and a half times more likely to remain bullied at age ten than boys. The study also revealed that relational victimization increases as children grow older.
Women choosing repeat cesarean deliveries at term but before 39 weeks are up to two times more likely to have a baby with serious complications. Babies born before 39 weeks are at increased risk for respiratory distress and NICU admission, highlighting the importance of delaying elective delivery until 39 weeks gestation.
A recent study by Seattle Children's Research Institute found that 54% of adolescents frequently discuss high-risk activities on MySpace, including substance abuse, sexual behavior, and violence. Profiles with church or religious involvement, sports, or hobbies were associated with decreased displays of risky behaviors.
Researchers found that unmarried fathers involved during pregnancy are more likely to remain involved in raising their child at age three. The pre-natal months are critical for building a stable family life, according to the study.
UK researchers have identified a potential new avenue for improving lung development in premature babies, which could help alleviate respiratory problems. The study suggests that altering the function of a molecule called CaR could mature the lungs of very premature babies.
A recent study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that babies born just a few weeks prematurely are three times as likely to have cerebral palsy and developmental delays. The research analyzed medical records of over 140,000 children born in California between 2000 and 2004.
A study found that ultrasound screening with transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) significantly reduced stroke incidence among children with sickle cell disease. The technique, combined with regular transfusions for high-risk patients, lowered stroke rates to one-tenth of the pre-TCD era.
The Obesity Institute at Children's National Medical Center gathered experts to discuss translational, clinical and community research successes in childhood obesity prevention and treatment. Key findings include successful community interventions for inner-city youth, emerging genomic research on high LDLs and type 2 diabetes risk.
The study found that rare injuries accounted for 3.5 percent of high school athletes' injuries between 2005 and 2007, including eye injuries, neck and cervical injuries, dehydration, and heat illness. Football was the most common sport associated with these rare injuries.
Researchers at the Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center found that 16% of adolescents and young adults engaged in heterosexual anal intercourse within three months of having unprotected sex. The study highlights the need for better communication and protection around anal sex among young people, particularly females who are more l...
Research found that childhood experiences can lead to minor behavior problems, which grow into violent acts in teens. Successful interventions like parent training and social skills training can redirect these paths.
A new study found that children's stress hormone cortisol levels increase from morning to afternoon in full-day child care, depending on the quality of their relationship with caregivers. Children with more clingy or conflicted relationships with teachers showed greater rises in cortisol.
A study by Cornell researchers has identified a possible environmental trigger for autism in genetically vulnerable children, which could lead to preventable diagnoses. The study found that higher levels of precipitation are associated with increased autism prevalence rates in counties with more exposed children.
Babies placed in incubators have a lower risk of developing depression as adults, with a significant decrease in major depression rates. The study found that incubator care can trigger a complex chain of biological and emotional factors that help reduce depression.
A new study published in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that dose-dependent growth hormone treatment increased final height in children with short stature who are not GH deficient. Children from parents of normal height responded better to treatment than those from short parents.
Research found that mothers who smoked during pregnancy were more than twice as likely to have a baby with a cleft palate or lip. Nearly 7,000 babies are born annually with oral-facial clefts in the US, which can lead to feeding difficulties and other health issues.
Researchers from the Kennedy Krieger Institute found that girls with ADHD experience fewer motor skill difficulties compared to their male peers. The study suggests that sex-related differences in children with ADHD extend beyond symptom presentation, and that girls may outgrow ADHD-related motor skill deficits before age 7.
A four-year study of Baltimore inner-city teenage girls diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease reveals a high rate of subsequent sexually transmitted infections. Researchers emphasize the need for individually tailored counseling and strict follow-up care to prevent future infections.
A recent study published in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that children aged 3-5 whose parents were deployed to war zones exhibited more behavior problems than peers without deployed parents. The study analyzed data from 169 families with children age 1½ to 5 who had a parent deployed for an average of 3.9 months.
Research reveals that infants can differentiate between individual speech sounds and recognize the auditory forms of words from an early age. This knowledge helps them develop vocabulary and eventually grammar, even if they don't understand the word meanings yet.
Research at Mayo Clinic suggests that teaching children to face their fears can improve functioning and complete exercises exposing them to their fears earlier than recommended treatment manuals. In contrast, focusing solely on managing anxieties yields less improvement.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that aggressive phototherapy reduced the risk of severe neurodevelopmental impairments in premature infants. The treatment, which involves starting phototherapy early and maintaining it until bilirubin levels are low, showed a 14% reduction in impaired outcomes.
A recent study found that living in areas with more green space is associated with slower increases in children's body mass over time, regardless of residential density or age. This suggests a long-term positive impact on children's health and weight.
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that children living in inner city neighborhoods with higher green space experienced lower weight gains compared to those in areas with less greenery. The researchers followed over 3800 children and found no correlation between physical activity levels and BMI changes.
Researchers found BDNF-induced activation of JAK/STAT pathway is crucial for temporal lobe epilepsy development in adult rats. This pathway is also implicated in inflammatory diseases.
A study found that low birth weight is a significant risk factor for infantile hemangiomas, with a nine-fold increase for every 1.1-pound decrease in birth weight. The number of low birth weight infants has increased significantly in the US, contributing to an estimated 40% rise in infantile hemangioma incidence over the last 20 years.
NARSAD recognizes six scientists whose groundbreaking research has led to significant strides in understanding and treating mental illness. The 2008 prize winners include experts in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, childhood disorders, and cognitive neuroscience.
Convergence insufficiency affects children's ability to focus and align their eyes while viewing objects up close, impacting reading and concentration. Researchers discovered that structured therapy sessions in a doctor's office and reinforcement eye exercises at home improve vision faster than home-based therapies alone. The study, sp...
A study published in Archives of Diseases in Childhood found that only 42% of boys and 11% of girls met the recommended daily exercise level, suggesting a need for revised guidelines. Exercise improved metabolic health, but diet changes were deemed more effective at improving overall health and weight.
A study found that nearly half of children with cystic fibrosis were vitamin D deficient, despite receiving recommended doses. Increasing vitamin D intake is crucial to address deficiencies and prevent bone loss in this population.
Researchers found that family interventions, including parental supervision and open communication, significantly reduced risky sexual behaviors among teens with mental health issues. Family involvement also showed promise in reducing HIV risk among juvenile offenders.
A study published in Pediatrics found that microwave ovens pose a significant risk of scald injuries to young children due to their ability to open the oven. The researchers recommend locking mechanisms and increased warning campaigns to reduce accidental injuries.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin found that most elementary school children are aware of racial and gender biases in the US presidency. Children attribute the lack of diversity to discrimination, with some believing it's due to prejudice or skills gaps.
A study found that households experiencing energy insecurity are more likely to face food insecurity, leading to negative health outcomes, hospitalizations, and developmental risks in infants and toddlers. Researchers also emphasized the need for healthcare providers to consider household energy security when making treatment decisions.
The National Children's Study will follow 100,000 children across the US to identify genetic and environmental factors contributing to health disorders. The UT Health Science Center at Houston will participate in the study, assessing women and children in Harris County.
The study will enroll over 1,000 families from Bristol County and Providence County, following participants from birth to age 21. Researchers hope to identify root causes of diseases like asthma and autism, as well as gain insights into injuries, birth defects, and mental health disorders.
Researchers at Children's National Hospital have developed a novel anti-tumor vaccine that uses the tumor's own protein to induce an immune system response. The vaccine, known as ISAPs, was shown to block tumor growth in mice by activating immune cells that target specific tumor antigens.
Researchers at the University of Washington found that 10-month-old infants who used a plastic cane to retrieve a toy were better able to understand another person's goal than those who only watched. The study suggests that active, hands-on experience is more effective for learning than observation.
Parents of children with food allergies experience high levels of anxiety and daily challenges due to lack of understanding from the general public and physicians. The study aims to increase knowledge among key groups to improve health and lives of children and families affected by food allergies.
A new study by Lifespan researchers found that young children as young as four can develop full-blown obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and exhibit similar characteristics to older kids. The study, published in the Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, analyzed 58 children with OCD between the ages of four and eight.
Research by Daniel Ansari at the University of Western Ontario is exploring brain differences between children with math difficulties and those with both math and reading problems. Children with developmental dyscalculia show atypical activation patterns in the parietal cortex, which may lead to remediation tools to improve their lives.
A new study presented at the American Academy of Otolaryngology meeting found that 33% of children with recurrent croup had narrowing in their upper airways, which could indicate laryngopharyngeal reflux. Researchers believe that treating reflux may help prevent future episodes of croup.
New research by psychologists at the University of Washington indicates that 12- and 18-month-old babies are using their self-experience to judge what other people can see. This 'self-experience model' allows them to attribute internal thoughts and feelings to others, demonstrating an early form of role-taking.
A new study found that children concerned about their parents' arguing are more likely to have psychological problems in school due to difficulty paying attention. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Rochester and others, suggests that addressing attention difficulties may promote children's mental health.
A new study found that children who witness family violence have more symptoms of depression and anxiety, while those subjected to harsh physical discipline are more aggressive. Researchers call for targeted interventions to address the ongoing emotional and behavioral problems in these vulnerable youth.
A study published in Child Development found that girls from poor neighborhoods are more likely to initiate sex at an early age, especially those with conduct problems. Peer groups and deviant friends play a significant role in shaping their behavior and desirability of early sexual activity.
A new analysis of almost 150 studies found that both boys and girls engage in social aggression, including gossiping, spreading rumors, and excluding others. This challenges the popular notion that girls are more likely to be indirectly aggressive than boys.
Children born with a congenital heart malformation are at risk for developmental delays. The study found that these children have average or low IQs and experience behavior problems leading to challenges in social development.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh identified a genetic mutation associated with organ rejection in children. The study used a novel combination of genetic technologies to analyze DNA samples from 80 children who received liver transplants and their parents.
Researchers found that shorter preservice training can be just as effective as longer durations in improving child care quality. The study, published in The Lancet, suggests that deploying health workers with shorter training in underserved areas could aid the scale-up of child-survival interventions.