Research programs focused on child health and development. Covers pediatric research standards, infant nutrition and sleep, rare disorders, and childhood diabetes.
The Interactive Autism Network (IAN) is a national online autism registry launched by Kennedy Krieger Institute to accelerate autism research. IAN connects parents of children with autism to local and national research studies, collecting valuable data and facilitating the search for causes, treatments, and a cure.
New research from Johns Hopkins University suggests that children who experience frequent transitions in their living situation are more likely to act out and have behavioral problems. The study found a persistent association between family instability and white children's behavior problems, but no such link for black children.
A new study finds that autistic children can attribute a range of mental states to dynamic and static facial expressions, suggesting they make use of information from the eyes. The study challenges prior research findings on autism and social interactions.
A long-term study found that children with higher quality early child care had better vocabulary scores in 5th grade, while those with more time in center-based care were more likely to exhibit problem behaviors in 6th grade. Parenting quality was a stronger predictor of child development than type or quality of child care.
A new study finds that self-regulation abilities, particularly inhibitory control, are uniquely related to emerging math and literacy ability in kindergarten. Developing self-regulation skills is crucial for children's academic success, especially those from low-income homes.
A new study found that low-income children who experience chronic reading problems in fifth grade are more likely to develop depression, anxiety, and withdrawal. The research suggests that reading difficulties may have a significant emotional impact on preadolescent children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Researchers found that infants learned to avoid copying actions when an adult expressed anger towards them, but eagerly copied when the adult was neutral. Infants also adjusted their behavior based on whether they could see the angry adult after they left.
Researchers found that 18-month-old toddlers listen and watch emotional reactions directed by one adult to another, then use this emotional information to shape their own behavior. The study indicates infants understand other people's emotional states at a very young age.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found that mothers' knowledge of local plants is a key factor in determining their children's health, particularly in remote areas where globalization is threatening traditional folk knowledge.
A new study by Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center and Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University found that adolescents with psychiatric disorders were less likely to use condoms consistently if they felt stressed or anxious about it. Helping teens manage their emotions may be crucial in preventing HIV and other STIs.
Researchers found that infants looked significantly longer at impossible figures, indicating they can detect some three-dimensional features at a young age. This ability provides insights into the development of mechanisms for processing pictorial depth cues.
A British study of 5,500 children found that low physical activity levels are a significant contributor to the development of obesity. The researchers used advanced techniques to measure fat mass and activity, finding a strong statistical association between lower activity and higher fat mass.
Researchers will collect DNA samples from 3,000 autism patients to identify variants and develop treatments. The project will advance knowledge on subtypes of autism, promoting targeted therapies.
Inadequate intellectual stimulation and poor nutrition are likely causes of poor development in over 200 million children. The study found that stunting, malaria, maternal depression, and toxic substance exposure can also hinder child development.
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh has been selected by the NIH as a Center of Excellence for training future generations of scientists in pediatric research. The center, led by Dr. David Perlmutter, will provide mentorship and training to up to four junior scientists annually.
A study found a link between children's and parents' sleep problems, with mothers more susceptible to daytime sleepiness due to their greater responsibility for responding to child sleep issues at night. Parents need to recognize that their children's sleep disorders can take a toll on them, affecting quality of life.
Janet Werker's groundbreaking research on infant language development has earned her a fellowship in the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Her work demonstrates that infants can distinguish between sounds not present in their native language, suggesting they learn by recognizing patterns in speech.
A major new study finds that family income affects children's cognitive skills and social emotional competence when parents experience material hardship, not just their income level. Researchers used data from 21,255 American kindergartners to identify two ways family income impacts children, including the provision of enriching materi...
A new study suggests that a common yardstick of school readiness may obscure the toll that lower income takes on ethnic minority children. Despite this, researchers found similarities across racial and ethnic groups when looking at models of how low income affects parenting and children's readiness for school.
A study of 562 young students found that girls experienced more depressive symptoms and stressors than boys, particularly in their interpersonal world. The researchers discovered that exposure to stressors and the way girls reacted to these events contributed to their higher levels of depression.
A new study published in Child Development found that children who sleep more have lower BMI measures and are less likely to be overweight five years later. Sleeping an additional hour reduced young children's chance of being overweight from 36% to 30%, while it reduced older children's risk from 34% to 30%.
A study of twins and their children found that parents' genes, rather than parental arguing, influence the development of conduct problems. The research suggests that focusing on a child's parents in family therapy may not be as effective as targeting the child themselves.
Researchers found that children with severe mood dysregulation exhibited different brain mechanisms, suggesting they may have a distinct illness requiring different treatments. The study suggests that biological measurements could be used to improve psychiatric diagnoses in children with pediatric bipolar disorder.
Research in Clinical Pediatrics indicates that parents want pediatricians to work with them to develop effective and personally tailored discipline practices. The study found factors such as child's age, family's race and ethnicity, and parental upbringing influences the types of discipline used.
The RAND Corporation is conducting a $12 million study to improve understanding of the factors that influence children's educational and social development in Los Angeles County. The study, which has already yielded insights into neighborhood influences on children, aims to enroll 1,000 additional families across 60 neighborhoods.
Researchers at Bradley Hospital and Brown Medical School found that individuals with BDD who have weight concerns experience more overall areas of body image concern, poorer social functioning, and higher levels of comorbidity. Weight-related preoccupations in BDD sufferers are associated with even higher levels of distress and impairm...
A recent study found that children who watch more TV, eat fewer family meals, and live in less safe neighborhoods are more likely to become overweight from kindergarten on. Additionally, researchers discovered that under-reporting calorie intake can lead to inaccurate dietary patterns and weight issues among older adults.
Researchers focus on preventing psychopathological symptoms in pre-school children, with 99% of unaffected children not developing disorders later in life. The study aims to improve prevention and detection of emotional and behavioral disorders among this critical age group.
A University of Illinois study reveals materialistic values develop differently among children and adolescents, increasing between ages 8-13 before dropping at 16. Self-esteem plays a crucial role in materialism levels.
The UK has launched a £20 million project to develop medicines specifically for children, addressing the lack of proper testing on young patients. The Medicines for Children Research Network (MCRN) aims to improve treatment and care through new research and partnerships with healthcare professionals, parents, and pharmaceutical industry.
A recent Danish study highlights the risks of postpartum psychiatric episodes, emphasizing the need for effective screening, education, and treatment. The US has not prioritized postpartum illness as a major public health concern until recently, but efforts are underway to implement universal screening programs.
Researchers found that adolescents with a history of arrest were more likely to engage in unprotected sex acts and use substances during sex. This increased risk was attributed to higher rates of substance abuse, mental health issues, and unfavorable attitudes towards risky behavior.
Research by Jacqueline D. Woolley and colleagues reveals that young children (ages 3-6) use context to determine the truth of new information, not blindly accepting it as true. By age 4, children develop this skill significantly, distinguishing between factual and fantastical claims.
A new study by Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute shows that a pregnant mother's diet can affect the behavior of her pups and even their pups' coats, influencing offspring health for generations. The research uses mice with a unique gene linked to obesity and diabetes, suggesting similar human connections.
A new study by Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute shows that a mother's diet during pregnancy can affect the health of her grandchildren by changing the behavior of a specific gene. The research involved mice fed with or without nutritional supplements, which resulted in changes to their coat color and obesity levels.
Researchers at Temple University found that traditional books provide a more positive parent-child interaction than electronic books, promoting early literacy skills. In contrast, e-book reading tends to lead to behaviorally oriented and coercive parent-child interactions, lacking the depth of discussion and connection.
A nationwide study found that motor vehicle crashes and rider behavior are the leading causes of nonfatal school bus-related injuries in the US. Children aged 10-14 suffered the most injuries, accounting for 42% of total incidents.
Thirty-nine outstanding scientists from Latin America and Canada have been awarded a total of nearly $500,000 by HHMI for five-year international research scholar awards. This marks the fourth round of awards to Canadian and Latin American researchers, supporting their research capacity and linking them with global investigators.
Researchers created a new random-dot stereotest using a 3D display and infrared oculography to objectively assess stereopsis in children over three years old. The test's accuracy was found to be 95 percent, allowing for the study of stereovision development under natural conditions.
A new diagnostic device, BioMAP, can identify a third of children aged 8-12 with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities. Children identified through BioMAP receive auditory training that improves their academic learning skills.
A new program has been launched to make books and reading more enjoyable for Chinese children, building an intrinsic motivation for literacy. The shared book approach involves significant time spent reading stories with students, laying a foundation for reading and promoting oral language facility.
Young children with autism struggle to categorize objects into abstract groups, particularly living and nonliving things. They have difficulty recognizing goals and motivations of others due to a fundamental deficit in distinguishing between animate and inanimate objects.
A study at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh aims to predict transplant rejection using genetic factors. The goal is to tailor anti-rejection medications to individual patients, reducing rejection rates and drug-induced side effects.
Researchers identify crucial role of RhoH GTPase in development and activation of white blood cells, suggesting potential target for leukemia treatment. The study's findings may provide a novel approach to treating hematological malignancy.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that consuming 100 percent fruit juices is not associated with overweight status among preschool children. The analysis of the largest government database on food consumption suggests that preschoolers are consuming appropriate amounts of juice, averaging 4.7 ounces per day.
Researchers found that young children who receive musical training show distinct brain development and improved memory compared to untrained peers. After a year, musically trained children performed better in memory tests correlated with general intelligence skills.
Research found that immigrant children from different racial/ethnic groups have varying levels of verbal development, with some experiencing a significant disadvantage compared to non-immigrant peers. Despite this, most immigrant children make individual progress in their verbal ability over time.
A study found that African-American children who experienced racial discrimination were more likely to report symptoms of depression and engage in antisocial behavior. However, those with supportive homes, friends, and schools were less likely to develop problems. Positive relationships with parents, friends, and teachers also played a...
Researchers developed culturally sensitive cartoons to measure aggressive behavior in African American inner city schoolgirls. The cartoon versions were found to be as valid as written descriptions in measuring how these girls interpret social situations.
The partnership aims to address pediatric health concerns through groundbreaking scientific research and monitoring disease, with the goal of finding long-term solutions for childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes. The collaboration will also support increased awareness and education on these critical health issues.
A new study reveals that white children attending primarily white schools are more likely to attribute negative intentions to African-American children than those in diverse school settings. Children from diverse backgrounds were more optimistic about cross-race friendships.
A study published in Child Development found that children aged 5-11 who read stories about friendships between their group and a stigmatized group had more favorable views of the group. The stories emphasized the commonalities between the characters, leading to increased understanding and reduced prejudice.
Research from Oregon Health & Science University reveals that children born to overeating mothers are at risk for liver and pancreas damage, contributing to early-onset obesity and diabetes. Brain changes in the hypothalamus also occur, predisposing them to weight problems.
Researchers found that human infants and all great apes exhibit identical preferences for remembering where things are hidden. However, this preference shifts in 3-year-old human children, indicating a uniquely human developmental trajectory. The study provides insight into the evolution of human cognitive abilities and tendencies.
Children who were overweight as toddlers are 5 times more likely to be overweight at age 12. BMI measurements collected over an extended period show a strong correlation between childhood and adolescent obesity. The study suggests that early intervention is crucial in preventing the progression of abnormal weight gain.
A new study by University of Florida researchers links morbid obesity in toddlers to lower IQ scores and cognitive delays. The study found that children with early-onset morbid obesity had an average IQ score of 78, compared to a normal range of 106 for their siblings.
Researchers found neural changes in children with untreated sleep apnea, damaging critical brain structures tied to learning ability. Children with severe obstructive sleep apnea showed deficits in neuropsychological performance, including lower IQ test scores.
A recent study found that autism is a global disorder affecting how the brain processes information, particularly when it becomes complicated. The study discovered that individuals with autism perform well in basic functioning tasks but struggle with complex tasks involving sensory perception, movement, and memory.
Young children's future choices are influenced by their current desires, according to a new study. Researchers found that when given the option of pretzels or water now and tomorrow, three- to five-year-olds' preferences were shaped by their immediate needs, rather than their long-term goals.
Children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are three times more likely to be bullied than other children, according to a new study. Chronic bullying can exacerbate OCD symptoms, and kids with OCD often face social isolation and loneliness.