Research on the health and development of babies. Covers motor development, maternal-infant health, cochlear implants, and infant nutrition.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital report positive results with risplidam, a small-molecule drug that treats SMA by correcting the root cause: a mutated gene. Infants receiving risplidam showed improvements in motor function and lived longer than expected.
A recent warning from the Canadian Medical Association Journal cautions that relaxed COVID-19 measures could lead to a surge in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases among young children. RSV can cause serious illness and death, affecting approximately 2.7 million children worldwide each year.
Ingegerd Johansson, a senior professor at Umeå University Medical School, was awarded the William H. Bowen Research in Dental Caries Award for her pioneering work on nutrition and dental caries. She has published over 300 scientific papers and mentored numerous students.
A study published in The BMJ Paediatrics Open found that the Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (Q-CHAT) can detect autism at 18-30 months, but not all children who will be diagnosed later. The Q-CHAT shows promise for early detection and diagnosis of autism.
A University of Alberta study found that infant boys with a high Bacteroidetes gut bacterial composition scored higher in cognition and language skills. The researchers believe this association may be due to the production of metabolites called sphingolipids, which are instrumental for neuron formation and structure.
A longitudinal study of infants found substantial microbial changes in the intestines months before celiac disease onset. The study's findings suggest that these preclinical alterations could inform novel strategies for diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease through microbiome manipulation.
A recent study suggests that newborns to three months old should be stimulated to hold and reach for objects. This stimulation helps their social, motor, and cognitive development. Researchers propose a novel approach to understanding imitation and manual activities, including exercises such as placing the baby's hands on different tex...
A decade's worth of data shows a significant decrease in mechanical ventilation use and an increase in non-invasive respiratory support, such as CPAP, for preterm infants. This shift is associated with improved health outcomes, including reduced lung injury and neurodevelopmental risks.
Researchers trained a blind individual to recognize objects using soundscapes, revealing novel topographic maps in the brain. This finding sheds light on the brain's ability for change and holds promise for helping people restore lost function after a stroke.
A new study found that COVID-19 infection rates among infants hospitalized for potential serious bacterial infections were higher during periods of high community transmission, but lower when transmission was low. The study also found a relatively low incidence of other respiratory viruses in this age group.
A first-of-its-kind study linked infant curiosity, measured by reactions to magic tricks, to later cognitive ability in toddlers. Researchers found that babies who showed interest in surprising events remained curious as preschoolers, suggesting a potential predictor of future learning and academic success.
A study of 65 infants reveals stable individual differences in their responses to impossible events, which predict explanation-based curiosity at 3 years of age. The research suggests that detecting prediction errors in infancy may be a crucial aspect of later cognitive development.
Infants younger than 7 months can perceive faces even when they are followed by a mask image, but this ability disappears in older infants. The study found that visual backward masking occurs due to interference with feedback processing, which develops in the second half of the first year of life.
Researchers estimated survival and outcomes of very preterm infants in China discharged from neonatal intensive care units compared to those receiving full treatment. Discharge against medical advice was associated with higher mortality rates among these vulnerable infants.
A new genetic cause, unrelated to OI, has been identified as causing infantile fractures in a child with EDS hypermobility type. The discovery may help prevent misdiagnosis of non-accidental trauma and improve treatment options for children with this condition.
A study published in Cell revealed that activated Bifidobacterium infantis EVC001 programs immune cells to control inflammation and autoimmune disease risk. Breastfed infants fed this strain experienced reduced systemic inflammation and improved immune system development.
A new study by Washington University School of Medicine identifies a protein called Interleukin-22 that may protect babies from necrotizing enterocolitis, a leading cause of death among premature infants. The findings suggest that low levels of IL-22 in the intestine lead to an exaggerated inflammatory response and tissue damage.
A study by University of Iowa researchers found that human infants exhibit increased twitching during quiet sleep, which is synchronized with brain oscillations called sleep spindles. This discovery suggests that babies are learning about their bodies through twitching during a previously thought to be inactive period.
Contrary to previous beliefs, researchers found no association between bed sharing and positive outcomes related to infant attachment and maternal bonding. Bed sharing was associated with ease of breastfeeding and dealing with night waking in infants.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital identified four biologically meaningful subtypes of RSV bronchiolitis, with one subtype linked to a 40% risk of developing asthma by age five. This study provides new insights into the complexity of bronchiolitis and may help improve care for affected children.
Researchers found that a mother's birth weight and litter size were associated with early neonatal death, but not adult maternal characteristics. The study suggests that current approaches to understanding perinatal mortality are incomplete and highlight the need for further research on structural and intergenerational factors.
A breakthrough study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry shows that individual brain networks develop within the first month of life, predicting unique infant temperament traits. Researchers found greater connectivity between frontal and parietal regions linked to improved behavioral regulation in infants.
A new study from Michigan State University found that infants' gut microbiomes are associated with their fear responses, which can be indicators of future mental health. The researchers discovered that specific features of the gut microbiome, such as uneven balances of bacteria, were linked to stronger fear reactions.
A new study by University of Rochester psychologists found that partners play a pivotal role in pregnant women's alcohol use and babies' development. Women who felt supported by their partners reported lower rates of depressive symptoms and were less likely to drink during pregnancy.
A study published in Evolution found that non-relatives can decipher facial expressions and be attuned to emotional states in infants across multiple primate species. Facial dexterity is positively correlated with the frequency of infant care by non-parents, suggesting a co-evolutionary relationship.
A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth significantly improves survival rates for pre-term babies with a very low birth weight. Continuous Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) reduced mortality by 25% and lowered the risk of low body temperature or bacterial blood poisoning.
The USPSTF recommends behavioral counseling interventions for promoting healthy weight gain and preventing excess gestational weight gain in pregnancy. Excess weight at the beginning of pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and infant health outcomes, including cesarean delivery or preterm birth.
Researchers at the University of Oxford discovered that infants aged 12-16 months exhibit a tendency to attribute social dominance to individuals with supernatural powers. In experiments, infants expected characters using counterintuitive methods to win rewards, suggesting they perceive these abilities as superior.
A NIH-funded study found that taking 1,000 mg of DHA daily in pregnancy was associated with a lower rate of early preterm birth. Women with low DHA levels at study entry showed the greatest reduction in early preterm birth rates.
A new brain imaging study reveals that infants use the hippocampus to recognize patterns, despite limited episodic memory, with the brain region doubling in size between 2-4 years old
Researchers found that infants aged 7 and 8 months could identify two faces when the temporal interval was 800ms, but overlooked the second face when separated by 200ms. This suggests that infants take less than a second to process visual information and have the same temporal limitation as adults.
Researchers and community members collaborate to develop a program promoting healthy eating habits in infants, addressing real barriers faced by families. The study aims to improve nutrition and behavior outcomes, with the goal of reducing obesity risk later in childhood and adulthood.
Research using electroencephalography found that exposure to maternal odors facilitates categorization of face-like objects in infants' brains. This study suggests that the right occipitotemporal cortex plays a key role in this process, potentially indicating an earlier emergence of hemisphere advantages for face recognition.
Researchers have found that the gut microbiome of babies is established during and after birth, not before. The study suggests a person's relationship with their own gut bacteria is most important in early life.
Researchers analyzed age-specific and sex-specific data to understand the life-expectancy gap between males and females. They found excess mortality among infant boys and men aged 60 years and older as primary causes of the gap.
The Dream Warmer, a low-cost, reusable non-electric infant warmer, reduces neonatal hypothermia rates by 11% and infant death rates by 70% in a new study. The warmer is effective, safe, and easy to use, making it a promising solution for optimizing the health of vulnerable infants in resource-limited settings.
The expert panel developed recommendations for mother's milk, donor human milk, and protein intake in very low birth weight infants. The existing literature is limited, and further investigation is needed to determine the optimal composition of preterm infant nutrition.
Researchers have created a new tool to evaluate infant brain health by assessing chemical markers in the brain. The tool uses standard values for several metabolites to provide a more reliable way to evaluate metabolite concentrations, allowing for early detection and intervention for potential brain development issues.
A new study has found that the composition of a baby's first poop is associated with whether or not they will develop allergies within their first year of life. Newborns with richer meconium have a lower risk of developing allergies, suggesting that early exposure to certain molecules in the womb may play a role in future health.
A recent study from the University of Virginia Health System found that more than a quarter of American infants in 2018 had not received all recommended childhood vaccines. Disparities were observed among African-American infants, low-income families, and those with lower education levels. The researchers warn that these gaps can lead ...
Researchers used machine learning to analyze data from preterm infants with BPD, identifying clusters that predicted comorbidities and rehospitalizations. This could lead to earlier and more precise diagnoses, enabling personalized treatments.
Researchers developed an eye-tracking app that can screen children at risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by tracking their gaze patterns while watching social videos. The study found that children with ASD were less likely to focus on social cues and visually track conversations in the videos.
Researchers at Duke University developed a digital app that assesses eye gaze patterns of young children to identify potential autism symptoms. The app uses computer vision and machine learning to track attention patterns, potentially providing an early screening tool for autism.
A new study highlights the importance of comprehensive NICU discharge planning in preparing parents to care for their medically needy infants at home. Families who were both satisfied and prepared had better outcomes than those who were not, with higher-risk groups benefiting from additional education and training.
A study found that babies born to mothers with cannabis use disorder were more likely to experience negative health outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight. Infants born to these mothers were also at a higher risk of infant mortality.
A study of nearly five million live births found that babies born to mothers diagnosed with cannabis use disorders at delivery were more likely to experience negative health outcomes. Infants born to women with cannabis use disorders were also less likely to be hospitalized within the same year.
A new study has found that female baboons with high levels of glucocorticoids, a hormone involved in the 'fight or flight' response, have a greater risk of dying. The research, which analyzed data from over 20 years, showed that females with higher levels of glucocorticoids tend to die younger than those with lower levels.
Researchers have found a causal link between caesarean section birth and peanut sensitivity in infants, with effects more pronounced in children of Asian descent. Infants born by C-section were eight times more likely to develop peanut allergy by age three compared to those born vaginally.
Researchers assessed the effectiveness of treating preterm infants with umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSCs) directly into their tracheas. Early results showed signs of improvement for the most immature infants included in the trial, but further study is needed to solidify therapeutic benefits.
A UBCO research team found that maternal fat intake affects infant gut microbial communities, immune development, and disease risk. The study suggests that milk fat may improve protection against intestinal infections when combined with n-3 PUFAs.
Researchers investigated prenatal opioid exposure and its impact on infant mortality, discovering a significant association between the two. Infants exposed to opioids in utero are at higher risk of death, with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome also increasing mortality rates.
A new study found that men with traditional masculine characteristics like competitiveness and adventurousness were linked to better parenting behaviors when combined with a nurturing father role belief. The researchers discovered that these stereotypically masculine traits tended to be engaged with their kids, suggesting that men are ...
Infants from deaf families exposed to American Sign Language at home looked primarily at the face while watching a signer, whereas those with hearing parents who spoke English barely looked at the hands. The study suggests that sign-language exposure impacts infant gaze patterns and may support later language learning.
A study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found evidence linking pregnant women's exposure to phthalates to slower information processing in their 7.5-month-old infants. Males were more likely to be affected, especially when exposed to certain chemicals and unfamiliar faces.
The study estimates the cumulative number of child deaths experienced by mothers between 20 and 49 years old in 170 countries. Mothers in select African countries are significantly more likely to have lost a child, with some experiencing up to 30 times more child deaths than those in high-income countries.
A study found that cesarean-born infants have less diverse gut microbiota at birth but catch up with their peers by age 3-5. The intestinal microbiota forms an ecosystem that takes years to mature, and its development can vary significantly among children.
Soft microfluidic 'sweat stickers' can easily gather and analyze sweat from infants and children, matching performance with cumbersome devices. The stickers' multilayered design avoids repeated tests and skin indentations, enabling early diagnosis critical for good treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that infants as young as 11-12 months can distinguish between frequently used and less common multiword sequences, suggesting they learn individual words and complex phrases simultaneously. This study challenges traditional views on how children acquire language.
The study found that states switching to electronic benefit cards saw a 7.8% increase in WIC participation, with significant gains among pregnant women and young children. This shift aims to make the program more accessible and less stigmatizing.
A new pediatric heart transplant procedure has been shown to be at least as effective as the traditional approach, with similar survival rates and fewer infections. The method, pioneered by Canadian doctors, has enabled twice as many organs to be available for type O infants born with heart defects.