Research on the health and development of babies. Covers motor development, maternal-infant health, cochlear implants, and infant nutrition.
Analysis of audio recordings from infants' homes reveals that certain types of vocal interactions are associated with larger infant vocabularies. Infants tend to have a greater vocabulary if they produce speech-like babbling sounds and receive adult responses incorporating similar sounds.
A novel drug target has been identified for neonatal and infant heart failure, a condition with no specific treatment. The target stimulates cardiac contractility in newborns and infants with minimal side effects, offering new possibilities for pediatric heart failure treatment.
A new study found that infant sleep patterns differ by race and socioeconomic status, with Hispanic and Black infants having shorter night sleep durations. The research, published in Sleep, suggests that these disparities begin early in life and may be linked to future health risks.
Girls born extremely preterm are three times more likely to be diagnosed with depression than their full-term peers. Poor fetal growth and increasing gestational age exacerbate this risk, according to a nationwide Finnish registry study.
A new Vanderbilt-designed prediction model can identify infants at high risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) after opioid exposure, allowing for early discharge and potentially reducing hospital costs. The tool uses several factors, including gestational age, type of opioids, and other drugs, to estimate the risk of NAS.
Researchers aim to boost protection against severe flu infection in babies under 6 months with a new vaccine approach.
A home-visiting program delivered by trained Native American family health coaches improved healthy growth and feeding practices in babies of mothers on the Navajo Nation. The intervention lowered infant weights and reduced sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, supporting a healthier growth trajectory.
A new study found that pregnant women with obesity can alter their children's DNA through diet and lifestyle modifications, reducing the risk of metabolic disease. The research suggests that a healthy diet and increased physical activity during pregnancy can have a positive impact on infant health.
A vast majority of doctors and parents believe genomic sequencing is beneficial for managing care in infants with diseases of unknown origin. The test reveals genetic variations responsible for the child's disease, even if results are negative.
The ACA's Medicaid expansion improved preconception health indicators for low-income women, including increased health counseling and daily folic acid intake. While no changes were found in chronic condition prevalence or health behaviors, the expansion may help address risk factors for maternal and child health.
Researchers found that infant gut microbial ecosystems develop unique patterns of stability, with changes influenced by diet and antibiotic exposure. The study used genomic tools to analyze massive amounts of genetic data and identified individual strains within single species of the gut microbiome.
A recent study provides genetic insights into Bifidobacterium infantis strains, revealing that strain EVC001 has a unique mechanism of action to optimize human milk metabolism and maximize health benefits in infants. The findings suggest that strain selection is crucial for maximizing impact on short- and long-term health outcomes.
Researchers argue music's primary function is to signal attention to infants, while also forming alliances with groups. This theory challenges existing music origin theories, including social bonding and auditory cheesecake hypotheses.
Two studies found that the prevalence of COVID-19 in NICU infants was low, yet many hospitals restricted parental visitations and scaled back lactation support and therapy. The researchers noted that these rapid policy changes may carry secondary unintended consequences.
A study found that premature infants who experienced fewer needle pokes had better thalamus growth, a structure involved in pain perception. Infants with longer use of central lines had larger thalamus volumes and improved cognitive and motor skills at age five.
Researchers discovered a novel cellular mechanism for disposing of misfolded proteins in a rare condition called alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, which can also affect neurological disorders like Alzheimer's. The study identified the human enzyme Man1b1 as key to degrading these proteins.
Researchers found distinct effects of adversity early in life on the genomes of extremely preterm-born individuals, particularly males. The study suggests that extreme perinatal adversity may elicit wide-ranging epigenetic changes that remain detectable years later.
A new study reveals high levels of microplastics are released from infant-feeding bottles when preparing formula, with warmer liquids leading to greater MP release. The researchers developed recommendations to minimize MP release, calling on policymakers to reassess current guidelines for safer bottle use.
A study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that American infants relaxed when played unfamiliar and foreign-language lullabies. The researchers discovered universal elements of songs that produced relaxation effects independently of experience, supporting the idea that there is something universal about lullabies.
Researchers found that increasing funding in public health, housing, parks, and recreation can reduce infant deaths. Modest increases in annual funding were associated with small improvements in infant mortality rates, especially for mothers under 20 years old.
A nearly 1.5-kilometer-long trackway of early-human footprints has been discovered at White Sands National Park, showing a woman or adolescent male carrying a toddler in their arms. The tracks, dating back over 11,500 years, suggest a perilous journey through mud and animal habitats.
Dr. Adebiyi's research investigates newborn kidney functions and their alterations in acute and long-term disease, with a focus on growth-restricted infants. The new $3 million grant will explore the cellular mechanisms underlying progressive kidney insufficiency in these babies.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that third-trimester ultrasound screening has limited effectiveness in predicting macrosomia and associated neonatal morbidity. The authors recommend caution before introducing universal third-trimester screening for macrosomia.
A NIH-funded mouse study reveals that parents have an innate capacity to respond to infant cries, which can adapt over time. The research found that experienced and novice babysitters showed improved responses to altered cries, suggesting a plastic mechanism in the auditory cortex.
A novel screening method could lead to earlier detection of life-threatening complications in babies born preterm and help reduce racial disparities in outcomes. The study identified a combination of six newborn characteristics and 19 metabolites that reliably predict preterm babies at increased risk for death and severe illness.
The US has seen a significant increase in catheter-associated bloodstream and urinary tract infections among critically ill infants and children. From 2013 to 2018, the rates of these infections rose sharply, highlighting a growing public health concern.
Researchers found caesarean section and prolonged labour influence infant gut microbiome, linked to childhood obesity and allergic sensitization. The study identified specific bacteria and metabolic pathways involved in these health outcomes.
Researchers found that babies as young as 10-20 months old exhibit a phenomenon where they prefer the unchosen option, indicating an unconscious bias. This bias disappears when the element of choice is removed, suggesting it may be linked to how adults make decisions.
Researchers found that postnatal fecal microbiota transplantation can restore normal gut microbiota development in C-section infants. The study showed that treatment had no negative effects and improved microbiota composition compared to untreated C-section born infants.
Researchers in Uganda have identified a new species of bacteria that may contribute to postinfectious hydrocephalus, a common cause of neurosurgery in children worldwide. The study found Paenibacillus frequently co-occurred with cytomegalovirus infections in affected infants.
A new software tool can accurately predict motor development disorders in preterm infants based on early MRI scan data. The tool quantifies diffuse white matter abnormality (DWMA) volume, which serves as a biomarker for brain developmental issues.
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that introducing high doses of gluten from four months of age may prevent coeliac disease in children. The Enquiring About Tolerance (EAT) Study showed no cases of coeliac disease among infants who introduced gluten early, but further studies are needed for confirmation.
A study published in Frontiers found that fathers who spend more time with their infants, have higher parenting self-efficacy, and provide greater material support experience lower rates of depressive symptoms. This early involvement is associated with increased feelings of competence and satisfaction as a parent.
According to a new study, infants born to mothers infected with COVID-19 generally do well six to eight weeks after birth. However, there was a higher rate of NICU admissions reported if the mothers had COVID-19 up to two weeks prior to delivery.
A 12-year study in Alabama found that rural counties with in-county obstetrical care had significantly better infant birth outcomes, including lower infant mortality rates and fewer underweight deliveries. The lack of access to obstetrical care was also associated with higher percentages of underrepresented minority residents.
A large Swedish-Norwegian study involving over two million pregnancies found no association between modafinil use and an increased risk of fetal malformations. The study, published in JAMA, compared exposure to modafinil during early pregnancy with non-exposure, finding a relative risk of 1.06, which was not statistically significant.
A new study published in Journal of Lipid Research reveals that the gut microbiomes of breastfed infants differ from those of formula-fed infants due to dietary sphinganine, a nutrient found in human milk. Researchers developed a technique to track specific nutrients as they interact with gut microbes, identifying two types of bacteria...
Infants exhibit increased brain activity and neural flexibility from birth, indicating early development of higher-level brain functions. This emerging flexibility is positively associated with reading ability, academic success, and creativity.
The discovery reveals alarmins play a crucial role in developing optimal intestinal bacteria diversity, protecting against diseases. Supplementing with these proteins could support newborns with low alarmin levels or limited breast milk exposure.
A new study found that infants from households with very low food security are more likely to have above-average body mass indices, higher fat levels, and other measures indicating greater obesity risk. This association suggests that household food insecurity may be especially hazardous for infants.
A study published in Pediatrics found that artificial intelligence models can accurately identify well-appearing infants with fever who are at low risk for a serious bacterial infection. This could lead to a significant reduction in unnecessary invasive procedures, antibiotics, and hospitalizations.
A new study found significant differences in how hospitals assess premature newborns' breathing safety in car seats, highlighting the need for clearer guidelines to ensure consistent safety practices. The research recommends improved education for parents and caregivers on proper car seat placement and post-discharge follow-up.
Research found toddlers with daily touchscreen use are faster to find targets during visual search, challenging concerns about negative impacts on development. High touchscreen users were quicker at finding red apples amongst varying numbers of blue apples.
Infants as young as 12 months old encode and remember objects differently depending on whether an object is named as a member of a category or as a unique individual. Research found that applying distinct names to each object enhances infants' encoding of distinctions among the individual objects, leading to better recognition memory.
A new study found that vitamin D supplementation is associated with a decrease in Megamonas bacteria and C. difficile colonization in infants, suggesting potential benefits for childhood health.
A study found that when Black physicians care for Black newborns, the mortality rate declines by 39-58%. This phenomenon suggests that Black physicians outperform their White colleagues in caring for Black newborns.
Researchers found that infants who heard different names for each animal successfully recognized most of the training animals. Infants who heard the same name for all animals had difficulty recognizing the training animals due to lack of individual differences recognition.
A study by University of California, Berkeley researchers found that past discriminatory housing practices may be impacting maternal and infant health today. Neighborhoods with worse HOLC ratings had significantly more adverse birth outcomes, including premature births and low birth weight babies.
Researchers adapted existing infrared technology to assess infant recognition memory and cognitive outcomes, finding that infants prefer novel stimuli and exhibit side preferences. The automated technique eliminated examiner bias and variation, enabling large-scale studies on infant development.
A new study found that infant mortality rates in California have increased among certain groups, including obese mothers, smokers, and African American women. The study analyzed data from over 4 million single births and found that children of African American women had nearly twice the risk of infant mortality compared to those of whi...
A home monitoring program improves infant survival rates and weight gain for babies with single ventricle heart defects. The program helps recognize potential complications early and provides caregiver training to improve outcomes.
Dr. Tomás Ryan has received a highly prestigious award from the Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine to pursue research into infantile amnesia and its effects on learning. The prize will support his work on understanding the neurobiology of memory loss in early childhood.
Researchers developed a sensitive and specific early warning system for predicting NEC using stool microbiome features combined with clinical and demographic information. The pilot study showed optimal performance from a gated attention-based multiple instance learning approach.
A new study reveals that 10-month-old babies' brain responses can predict their preference for fast-paced TV shows six months later. The research team found that infants who are driven to explore their surroundings and engage with new sights or sounds tend to enjoy watching fast-paced TV shows.
A new vaccine against RSV could protect infants under six months old against severe illness and death. Infants born to mothers from low- and middle-income countries were particularly well-protected by the vaccine, with hospitalization rates 53% lower for RSV LRTI.
A new grant will help Dr. John Franchak explore the impact of motor development on everyday learning experiences for infants. Using miniature sensors and audio recorders, his team will track infants' activities throughout a typical day to understand how their motor skills influence language and spatial abilities.
Drs. Sallie Permar and Stephen Patrick have been awarded the fifth annual Gale and Ira Drukier Prize in Children's Health Research for their groundbreaking research on neonatal viral infections and opioid epidemic's impact on pregnant women and infants. Their work has informed national policy and offers hope to untold expectant mothers.
Breastfeeding is now considered safe after anaesthesia, according to new guidelines published by the Association of Anaesthetists in the journal Anaesthesia. The guidelines state that breast milk remains safe even if mother has had anaesthetic or painkiller drugs.
A new study from Edith Cowan University found that allowing toddlers to explore their world while parents observe can reduce parental stress levels and improve mental health. Parents who participated in a 6-week Respectful Approach program reported lower stress and increased confidence in their children's capabilities.
Clinical studies in Kenya suggest that iron deficiency during infancy may reduce the protection provided by vaccinations. In one study, researchers found that anaemic infants had more than twice the risk of lacking protective antibodies against diphtheria and other pathogens.