Research programs focused on child health and development. Covers pediatric research standards, infant nutrition and sleep, rare disorders, and childhood diabetes.
Researchers at the Bradley Hasbro Children’s Research Center presented on two studies at the 2008 National Conference on Child Health Psychology. The first study explored parent-teen communication in Latino families, finding that issues like religion and gender roles impact risky behaviors. Another study found that weight control treat...
A nationwide study published in Pediatrics reveals that over 600,000 American children participate in gymnastics each year, despite the high risk of injury. The study found nearly 27,000 injuries annually, with fractures and dislocations most common among younger children.
Overweight children ages 6-18 show a decreased risk of caries compared to their normal weight peers. The study suggests that diet and lifestyle factors may play a role in the unexpected finding, highlighting the need for further research to better understand the relationship between obesity and oral health.
The NIH has awarded grants to researchers studying early brain development, social interactions, rare genetic variants, and potential environmental risk factors for autism. Researchers at Yale and Wayne State University aim to identify novel treatments using buspirone and explore the relationship between genes and physical traits.
Studies find that rare genetic deletions and duplications in schizophrenia patients disrupt genes involved in brain development, potentially implicating hundreds of genes. The findings support a new approach for discovering genes associated with the disorder.
A study published in Child Development found that mother-child attachment security is linked to conflict resolution, while children's temperament affects the frequency and quality of conflict. Researchers observed 60 mothers and their 2-year-olds in lab visits and home visits, analyzing conflict patterns and outcomes.
A study of 871 students found that those who bullied others had difficulties in friendships and parent-child relationships, often displaying aggressive behavior. Interventions should focus on bullying children's social skills and relationship problems to prevent persistent bullying.
A new study found that family wealth is positively associated with parenting behavior, home environment, and children's self-esteem. Family wealth accumulated from different sources also has a distinct influence on children at different developmental stages.
A study from Tufts University reveals a digital skills divide among socio-economic groups, affecting parents' ability to access trustworthy child development information. Parents in higher SES groups outperform lower SES counterparts in evaluating search engines and building searches.
Children who gain weight rapidly after tonsil surgery may experience relapse or worsening of snoring, according to new research. African-American children are more likely to relapse, highlighting the need for long-term follow-up and monitoring of BMI gain.
Research on over 18,000 UK babies found that mothers who quit smoking during pregnancy had the most easy-going infants. The study suggests that quitting smoking may boost a child's temperament and reduce behavioral problems. Heavy smokers had more difficult children with lower scores for positive mood.
The University of Iowa has received a five-year, $2.1 million NIH grant to continue its mentorship project for junior faculty members in pediatrics. The program trains clinicians to study the underlying mechanisms of conditions such as prematurity and heritable disorders.
Research found that women consuming high amounts of meat and low amounts of fish have lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for brain and eye function. This may lead to developmental delays in infants, emphasizing the need for dietary recommendations that promote optimal health for mothers and babies.
A study found that premature children, born before 33 weeks gestation, are at a higher risk of developing severe disabilities. The number of children surviving very preterm birth has increased, but so have adverse developmental outcomes.
Girls show greater activation in language areas of the brain than boys during language tasks, indicating a more abstract approach to language processing. Boys, on the other hand, rely on different parts of the brain for visual and auditory inputs.
Children examined by the same doctor are more likely to receive proper preventive health screenings, including lead poisoning, anemia, and tuberculosis. Researchers found that continuity of care is crucial for vulnerable pediatric patients.
A new international study has found that increasing the intensity of chemotherapy can reduce mortality rates for children with severe Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) by up to 20 percent. The study, which involved 193 pre-identified patients, demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in prognosis and survival rates.
Researchers found that low blood oxygen saturation increases the risk of stroke in children with sickle cell disease. A commonly used predictive model was deemed inadequate, highlighting the need for better screening tools.
A recent study published in Archives of General Psychiatry found that genetic and environmental factors play a crucial role in shaping cortisol responses to stress in young children, with family context being a significant determining factor.
The $1 million grant will be used to review current literature and identify new areas of research to reduce prematurity and stillbirths globally. The study aims to develop an internationally focused research program to understand the causes of premature births and prevent them on a global level.
A University of Oregon research fellow reports significant educational benefits in preschool-aged children from low socioeconomic backgrounds after an eight-week parental intervention program. The program improved children's language-acquisition skills, memory, and cognitive abilities, while reducing family stress.
Using breast shields during pediatric chest MDCT reduces radiation dose and minimally increases image noise. The study found that shielding alone reduced the dose by 26%, while combining shielding with automatic tube current modulation (ATCM) reduced it by 52%.
A 20-year review of studies found that active fathers reduce behavior problems in boys and psychological issues in young women. Regular positive contact also enhances cognitive skills like intelligence and language development.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have identified interleukin 22 (IL-22) as a crucial factor in the immune response to bacterial pneumonia. The study, published in Nature Medicine, suggests that stimulating the Th17 arm of the immune system may lead to more efficient treatment and prevention of pneumonia.
A study found that children with close, positive relationships with their mothers showed better self-regulation skills at preschool age. Similarly, fathers' interactions with children in the first two years were also associated with improved outcomes.
The Global Network, funded by NIH and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, supports community-based health-care interventions to reduce maternal and infant mortality. The five-year grant will focus on protein supplementation and training of traditional birth attendants.
Researchers found that obese rats have abnormalities in brain regions critical for appetite control, including reduced responsiveness to the hunger-suppressing hormone leptin. This suggests that obesity may be wired into the brain from early life, making it challenging to reverse with exercise and diet alone.
Children with autism typically have normal-sized heads at birth but experience accelerated head growth between six and nine months of age, according to a new study. This aberrant growth is present in both early onset and regression types of the disorder, making it a potential biological marker for autism.
A new study highlights the link between depression and risky behavior among juvenile offenders. The research suggests that depression screenings should be included in the juvenile intake process to identify appropriate mental health interventions. This could lead to positive health outcomes for high-risk youth who have an arrest history.
A study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that dental amalgam fillings do not affect children's brain development or neurological status. The researchers studied 507 Portuguese children and found no differences between those who received amalgam and resin-based composite fillings.
Children as young as 4 years old can use explanation to help them learn and apply what they've learned to other tasks. Listening to an adult's response without providing answers helps children develop critical thinking skills.
Research shows that families from non-English speaking ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) grants than those from white, English-speaking backgrounds. Despite having similar needs, 69% of ethnic minority parents were granted DLA compared to 96% of white parents.
A sense of personal control over sexual behaviors significantly impacts Latina women's decisions on timing their first sexual intercourse. The study reveals a strong correlation between young Latina women's perceptions of family expectations and their own beliefs regarding the optimal age for sex initiation. This unique research contri...
Researchers found that children from food-insecure households are two-thirds more likely to experience developmental risks compared to those from food-secure households. The study suggests providing nutritional interventions to young children and their families can decrease the need for later interventions.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine developed genetically modified carrots that increase the transport of calcium across plant cell membranes. The modified carrots can provide up to 41% more bioavailable calcium than regular carrots, making them a promising source for improving bone mineral density and treating osteoporosis.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia developed a simple test to accurately predict risk of serious jaundice in newborns, combining bilirubin levels and gestational age. The study found that about 70% of babies were low-risk, while 13% were high-risk and 17% were in the middle category.
Researchers have validated the association between CNTNAP2 and autistic behaviors in the general population, validating an earlier finding. This discovery highlights the potential of small science approaches and may lead to early diagnostic tests for autism.
Adolescent girls who frequently eat with their families are less likely to engage in disordered eating behaviors. The study found that regular family meals reduced the risk of using diet pills or laxatives among teen girls. In contrast, adolescent boys did not show a similar protective effect.
Dr. Ian F. Pollack, a neurosurgeon at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, has received a $150,000 grant from the Children's Brain Tumor Foundation to study a category of brain tumors not well understood in children. His research aims to identify molecular features that will enable doctors to tailor specific treatments for patients.
The University of Washington is launching a groundbreaking study to prevent autism symptoms in high-risk infants. Led by Annette Estes, researchers will assess and intervene with 200 Seattle-area infants who have an older sibling diagnosed with autism, aiming to identify early risk factors and intervene before symptoms appear.
A Harvard University study found that living in a severely disadvantaged neighborhood decreases later verbal test scores by about four IQ points, equivalent to missing a year of school. This effect persists even after moving out of the neighborhood, highlighting the importance of addressing social factors beyond economic situation.
A national study suggests that infants with complex congenital heart defects have a lower risk of dying if treated at experienced hospitals. The study found significant differences in mortality rates depending on the number of procedures performed at each hospital, with centers treating more cases having lower mortality rates.
A new genetic variation has been identified that affects a child's risk of developing Kawasaki disease, an illness characterized by acute inflammation of the arteries. The variation influences immune activation and response to standard treatment, with implications for alternative therapies.
Research shows preemies' reduced lung function persists beyond infancy, contributing to increased risk of respiratory illnesses. Maternal tobacco smoking also linked to lower lung function in both full-term and preterm infants.
A UNC study found that childcare centers with portable play equipment and active play opportunities increase children's moderate to vigorous physical activity levels. Centers with more computer and TV equipment also scored better on activity levels, suggesting a positive correlation between media resources and physical activity.
Child mental health experts have developed guidelines for treating preschoolers with psychiatric medications, recommending family-focused psychotherapy as the first line of treatment. The guidelines emphasize careful assessment and monitoring to minimize medication risks in young children.
Research by Purdue University associate professor Karen Fingerman found that a majority of parents and children reported positive changes in their relationship as parents transitioned to old age. Despite declining health, many parents felt appreciated and nurtured, while children expressed gratitude for increased help from their parents.
A pre-school program has been shown to improve executive functions, such as resisting distraction and focusing attention, in children from low-income families. The program, Tools of the Mind, was found to be effective in closing the achievement gap between children from poor families and those from wealthier homes.
Researchers found increased brain activity in children with bipolar disorder when encoding happy faces and irritability when angry faces, suggesting a neural basis for mania. The study also revealed reduced memory for emotional faces in children with bipolar disorder compared to typically developing peers.
A study by researchers at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute found that exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) prior to pregnancy can reduce the number of eggs in a woman's ovaries, potentially limiting fertility. The compounds are widespread pollutants found in cigarette smoke, car exhaust, and charred foods.
A new Cornell University study found that even small amounts of lead in children's blood are associated with reduced IQ scores. The study examined the effect of lead exposure on cognitive function in children with BLLs below the CDC standard, and found an adverse effect on nonverbal IQ scores.
Researchers found that brief mock trauma drills and refreshers significantly improved ER staff's performance on crucial tasks for child resuscitation. Improvements were seen in weight estimation, head examinations, IV placement, antiseizure medication ordering, and preparation for transport.
A study by Cincinnati Children's reveals that fibrin plays a crucial role in the inflammatory response and development of rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers suggest that therapies targeting the interaction between fibrin and a specific integrin receptor may help treat arthritis patients.
A new study published in Child Development found that the living arrangements of low-income children do not significantly predict their well-being. The research suggests that policies and programs targeting changes to family structure may not be effective in improving the lives of these children. Instead, income support and other forms...
A new study found that environmental factors, such as family resources and parent-child interactions, have a significant impact on children's school readiness. Genetic factors also play a role, but the environment is the most important factor overall.
New research suggests that greater maternal and paternal support, as well as lower marital conflict and depression, can lead to later onset of puberty in girls. The study found that children from supportive families experienced the first hormonal changes of puberty later than those from less supportive families.
Children entering kindergarten with strong elementary math and reading skills are more likely to succeed in school, according to a recent study. Early attention-related skills also played a significant role in predicting later achievement.
A recent study found that early and routine testing for HIV is key to curbing the spread of the disease among teenagers. Teens who have previously been tested are more likely to get re-tested, highlighting the importance of making testing readily available.
A new study finds that high fructose and glucose intake can reduce SHBG protein levels, increasing testosterone and estrogen availability. This disruption is associated with acne, infertility, and cardiovascular disease risks.
A novel way to remove iron from ferritin has been discovered by scientists, which could lead to the development of new medications for patients with blood diseases. The study found that a small protein or heptapeptide can bind to ferritin and accelerate its iron removal rate.