Researchers found that buprenorphine use was associated with better outcomes for the baby, including lower risk of preterm birth, small size for gestational age, and low birth weight. The study suggests increasing access to buprenorphine treatment among pregnant individuals with opioid-use disorder.
Early application of skin moisturizers is an effective strategy for preventing atopic dermatitis (AD) in high-risk infants. A systematic review and network meta-analysis found that three types of emollients, including cream, emulsion, and mixed types, are comparable in preventing AD; however, emollient emulsion may be the optimal option.
SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology·DateNov 23, 2022
A Canadian cross-jurisdictional population-based cohort study found that about 2% of pregnant individuals self-report cannabis use, associated with increased risk of preterm births and low birthweight newborns. The study also linked cannabis use to higher rates of congenital anomalies.
A study in Japan reveals that universal screening methods for biliary atresia, a rare and severe lung condition in infants, are cost-effective. The research found that stool color card screening and direct bilirubin testing gained significant clinical benefits and saved lives.
A new study found that stop-and-go traffic may be linked to reduced birthweight, with a nine-gram decrease in weight among infants born to parents who reside in areas with heavy traffic. This association was seen even after controlling for background air pollution levels and other environmental co-exposures.
A live biotherapeutic product made from three Lactobacillus species has been shown to reduce lung damage in neonatal mice with chronic lung disease. The study found that the product can ameliorate redox imbalance and damages caused by experimental microbial dysbiosis, using a humanized mouse model of lung microbiome transplant.
A recent study found that carnitine intake from breast milk promotes better growth and larger brain size at term equivalent age in very preterm infants. Carnitine levels were also associated with cerebellar size, suggesting a potential role in nervous system development.
A new study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting found that most infants with anaphylaxis were treated appropriately with a single dose of epinephrine. The study reviewed charts for 169 patients under 2 years old who presented with anaphylaxis symptoms in various systems.
Researchers found that efficient brain networks may contribute to healthy memory performance in older adults, while postnatal stress and early life adversity can affect brain development. Studies also showed persistent effects of early childhood neglect on brain white matter into young adulthood.
A recent study found that exposure to fine particulate matter during pregnancy is associated with delays in children's gross motor, fine motor, and personal-social development. The study of 17,683 infants in Taiwan suggests that protection from air pollution should start during pregnancy.
A new study found that children with four copies of the SMN2 gene who received pre-symptomatic treatment showed no symptoms, while untreated patients developed irreversible symptoms. The researchers recommend encouraging early intervention in childhood for these patients to avoid potential deficits.
Eczema affects 10-20% of Canadian infants, making it a common condition to manage. Optimally managing atopic dermatitis in infants is crucial, as it impacts the whole family.
Research suggests digital marketing of formula milk and commercial baby foods is linked to unhealthy parental feeding practices. Parents exposed to extensive digital marketing were less likely to exclusively breastfeed within the first 6 months and more likely to give their children processed foods and sugary drinks.
A large clinical trial found that administering steroids during infant heart surgery did not improve post-operative outcomes compared to placebo. However, secondary analysis revealed a small net benefit for some infants, with lower odds of bleeding requiring another operation.
A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that mothers are least likely to recall being told to limit meals in front of electronic devices. The study analyzed data from the National Survey of Family Growth and found that more than half of mothers recalled only two or three feeding topics, with offer...
Researchers found that the universal behavior of singing to infants synchronizes caregiver-infant social engagement, supporting social development. Infants as young as 2 months old show a synchronized eye-look to caregivers' eyes when singing is rhythmically predictable.
A study by researchers at the University of Washington found that infants are less likely to contract COVID-19 and develop severe symptoms if their mothers test positive for the virus. The study suggests that infant infection is mostly related to household transmission, not solely from maternal risk.
A Rutgers study found that infants who died unexpectedly in the first week of life had different risk factors compared to those who died later. The study analyzed data from 2000 to 2015 and found that mothers of infants dying in the first week showed less evidence of common risk factors such as smoking during pregnancy.
Most healthy infants can digest lactose as is, but excessive use of hypoallergenic and lactose-reduced formulas is noted. Analysis found 5.5% of formula purchased was hypoallergenic and 59% lactose-reduced, with lactose being only 47% of the carbohydrate source in formulas.
Researchers found evidence of a 10,000-year-old infant carrier at the Arma Veirana site in Liguria, Italy. The carrier was buried with the infant, nicknamed Neve, who wore over 70 pierced shell beads and pendants that were likely handed down as heirlooms.
Research finds that certain features of 'baby talk' such as pitch, melody, and articulation rates have consistent properties across most world languages. However, the exaggeration of vowel sound differences varies significantly between languages. As infants develop language skills, IDS gradually becomes more similar to adult speech style.
Researchers studied survivors of WWII's Dutch Hunger Winter to identify long-term consequences of famine on health and socioeconomic attainment. Malnutrition in utero caused severe physical consequences, while exposure during childhood and adolescence led to negative socioeconomic impacts, especially for males.
Researchers have developed a novel, non-invasive way to measure blood flow to the brains of newborn children at the bedside. This method uses real-time ultrasound color flow technique and 3D sampling to capture flow in a completely painless and safe manner.
A recent study published in Science Translational Medicine has found that supporting emotional connections between mothers and their premature infants can significantly improve brain development in these babies. The researchers measured the brain network functions of premature infants at term age after receiving either standard care or...
Researchers at UVA Health System have made a groundbreaking discovery that could boost platelet production on demand to alleviate blood shortages. The finding offers hope for patients with thrombocytopenia and those receiving cord-blood transplants.
Numerous gaps between dietary intake and recommended guidelines are found, particularly among vulnerable families, with race and ethnicity disparities persisting. A unified plan can improve nutritional outcomes by strengthening federal policies and programs.
Researchers found that infants differentiate sounds based on neighboring sounds and vowel durations. Their study suggests that babies can learn the speech contrasts of their language through naturalistic speech data.
A recent study led by Veronika Somoza found that egg powder is a valuable source of essential nutrients, including vitamins and indispensable amino acids. The researchers discovered that the drying process did not lead to contamination with heavy metals and that egg powder can provide up to 61% of a child's daily requirement for selenium.
A new biologic drug has been found to be highly effective in reducing the signs and symptoms of moderate-to-severe eczema in infants and young children. The study showed that more than half of treated children experienced a 75% reduction in eczema symptoms, leading to improved sleep and increased ability to lead normal lives.
A new study published in Current Biology found that carrying crying infants for 5 minutes can promote sleep and reduce crying. The technique, known as the Transport Response, involves steady walking followed by sitting before laying the baby down to sleep. This method offers an immediate solution for parents of newborns struggling with...
Researchers discovered that carrying and walking with crying infants for five minutes significantly reduces their distress and promotes sleep. The study suggests a new approach to soothing infant crying, which may improve long-term sleep outcomes.
A UConn study found that Connecticut's notification system for substance-ex exposed infants has connected over half of identified cases with community supports and services. The system, which uses de-identified data, has shown promise in reducing disparities in testing and reporting, but there is still room for improvement.
A new study found that tighter blood sugar control for women with gestational diabetes reduced infant death, trauma, and shoulder dystocia by half. However, it also increased the risk of serious health complications for the mother, such as major postpartum hemorrhage.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 8, 2022
A new Northwestern University study finds that pregnant women with fluctuating stress levels have infants who exhibit more fear, sadness, and distress at three months old. The researchers measured mothers' stress in real-time and found a link between lability and infant temperament.
Research found that air pollution exposure in the first six months of life impacts a child's inner world of gut bacteria, increasing risk of allergies, obesity, and diabetes. The study also suggests that exposure to pollutants can influence brain development.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that noninvasive ventilation in nano-preterm infants did not show an advantage in reducing bronchopulmonary dysplasia or death. In contrast, infants who received invasive respiratory support had lower rates of severe intraventricular hemorrhage and death.
Participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is associated with improved birth outcomes, including lower infant mortality. The review also found that WIC participants are more likely to receive child preventative services, such as vaccines.
A new EAT protocol increases the prevalence of direct breastfeeding in NICU babies without increasing hospital length of stay. The study found that a nurse-led, step-by-step approach and educational materials for parents can encourage more mothers to directly breastfeed their preterm infants.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in understanding the molecular mechanisms of supratentorial ependymoma, a rare and aggressive form of childhood brain cancer. By targeting the Hedgehog signaling pathway and primary cilia formation, scientists discovered new potential treatments that overcame resistance to existing drugs.
A recent study by pediatric cardiologists has found that certain maternal health conditions can partially explain the racial disparities in congenital heart disease outcomes. The research assessed over 8,000 infant and mother records from diverse populations and identified placental and metabolic syndromes as contributing factors.
A new study found patterns of fetal abdominal growth associated with maternal lipid metabolites that track newborn growth, adiposity, and development into childhood. The study monitored over 3,500 babies from birth to 2 years of age, providing insights into the complex interaction between maternal and fetal nutrition early in pregnancy.
Researchers at Temple University hospital found that maternal-fetal mortality can be reduced to zero through patient-tailored management of right heart function prior to delivery. Women with pulmonary hypertension who received specialized care had excellent outcomes, with 100% survival for mothers and infants.
Research on mice reveals that older fathers produce pups with reduced vocal complexity and lower body weights, similar to children with neurodevelopmental disorders. The study provides evidence for the risk factor of advanced paternal age on infant development.
A new study explores how active parent participation can improve neonatal health and reduce parental stress. The study found that cultural attitudes, collaboration between medical staff and parents, and availability of equipment are key factors in enabling parent-infant closeness.
A study published in Early Education and Development journal found that preschoolers with stronger vocabulary skills at the start of the year display more positive engagement with teachers and peers. The researchers also discovered that inhibitory control is crucial for classroom engagement and learning.
Researchers discovered that face centering, not saliency, plays a key role in guiding attention to faces in videos as people age. The findings have implications for children's television programming and the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that children conceived through IVF have small differences in growth and weight compared to naturally conceived peers. The study of over 6000 children showed that these differences were negligible by late adolescence and unlikely to have health implications.
Researchers found that 7-month-old infants quickly discriminate between symmetrical and asymmetrical mosaics, indicating a robust ability to detect structural symmetry. This skill coincides with those found in studies using other stimuli, suggesting babies are good at extracting structure and rules from various media.
A new study is providing training to mothers of infants at the Linda Ray Intervention Center, equipping them with a critical caregiving skill. The program focuses on infant-directed singing, which has been shown to help babies regulate their emotions and develop self-regulation skills.
The Le Bonheur Children's Heart Institute team will discuss the management of Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants at the 2022 PDA Symposium. The symposium aims to develop guidelines for managing PDA, with a focus on transcatheter closure in extremely low birth weight infants.
The new tuberculosis vaccine candidate VPM1002 shows its safety and efficacy in a study of HIV-exposed and non-HIV-exposed newborns. The vaccine has fewer side effects compared to the existing BCG vaccine, and elicits a similar immune response.
A new vaccine formulation has protected newborn mice against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and evoked strong responses in human immune cells. The vaccine uses an adjuvant combination that stimulates type 1 T-helper responses, which are hard to stimulate in newborns but are needed for a strong defense against viral pathogens.
A new study at the University of Missouri found that prenatal opioid exposure can trigger long-term neurological or behavioral effects in children. The research suggests that opioids impact the developing fetus' gut microbiome, leading to changes in metabolic pathways and potentially affecting overall health and wellness.
Infants from minoritized racial and ethnic backgrounds receive delayed diagnostic follow-up for cystic fibrosis, leading to worse nutritional outcomes and increased risk of severe complications. The study advocates for timely diagnosis and treatment to achieve equity in care and reduce childhood mortality.
A study of up to 158,000 infants found those conceived via assisted reproductive technology were shorter, lighter, and thinner from infancy to early adolescence. Differences decreased with age, but the findings suggest a long-term impact on growth and body composition.
A multicenter study found that preterm children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia who attend daycare are more likely to visit the emergency department, use systemic steroids, and experience chronic respiratory symptoms. The risk of these complications is highest in infants under 1 year old and may persist until 36 months of age.
A study of over 32,000 West African children found that extreme heat exposure increases the prevalence of stunted growth from chronic malnutrition by 12% and of low weight from acute malnutrition by 29%. The researchers estimate that rising temperatures could nearly double the effect of heat exposure on stunting.
Researchers at WVU are conducting a four-year study to investigate long COVID's impact on pediatric patients, exploring questions like prevalence, symptoms, and treatment options. The study will enroll children from infancy to 25 years old and analyze biomarkers for long COVID susceptibility.
Researchers at University of Zurich found that the presence of parents and caregivers mitigates pandemic's negative effects on social development in infants. Infants born during COVID-19 pandemic exhibit similar social behavior as same-aged infants before pandemic, with no significant behavioral differences detected.
Researchers found that breastfeeding provides an immune boost to infants, reducing the risk of respiratory infections such as pneumonia. However, milk also mounts responses to beneficial gut bacteria, which can be disruptive and increase the risk of gastrointestinal infections.