Articles tagged with Infants
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.
Researchers at UConn Health have developed a non-invasive biomarker panel for diagnosing and monitoring infant urinary tract obstruction. The panel of five proteins can detect UPJO in infants and toddlers, reducing the need for expensive and invasive tests.
A randomized trial found that IV indomethacin was more effective in successfully closing hemodynamically significant PDAs in very low birth weight infants. The study showed a success rate of 55% for IV indomethacin versus 6% for IV acetaminophen.
A new study from the University of California, Davis, shows that toddlers may experience and deal with uncertainty in decision making like older children and adults. Toddlers gather information before making decisions, taking extra time on difficult trials, and exhibiting behaviors that suggest they can respond to uncertain situations.
The range of commercial baby foods has grown rapidly in recent years, with 84% more brands and double the products compared to 2013. However, researchers found that many products are still high in sugar, with sweet snack foods showing a significant increase in sugar content.
Infants who are fed in the absence of hunger or beyond fullness may develop skewed perceptions of hunger and fullness, increasing their risk of obesity. Caregiver-infant interactions during feeding can shape infants' self-regulation of energy intake, with feeding responsiveness to cues being linked to obesity.
A recent Canadian study found that DHA supplements have no effect on bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants born before the 29th week of pregnancy. The study involved 461 breastfeeding mothers who received either a daily supplement or a placebo, and the results showed no improvement in respiratory conditions by 36 weeks.
A recent study reports evidence of intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mother to infant, highlighting the importance of protecting pregnant women from COVID-19. The findings suggest that infection can occur during pregnancy, and researchers emphasize the need for further research into mechanisms and risk factors.
A new study found that living close to green space can mitigate changes in infant gut bacteria associated with formula feeding. Formula-fed babies living near natural environments had a gut microbiome more similar to breastfed babies, with increased presence of Proteobacteria.
A recent study found that breast feeding during infancy reduces lower limb fracture risk, while maternal smoking increases upper limb fracture risk in young adulthood. Exposures during fetal development and early life have lasting effects on bone health.
A study of 212 newborns found that higher proportions of Bacteroidetes bacteria in meconium were associated with later obesity. The infant's microbiome before birth may play a role in their weight status.
A new NIH study found that infants exposed to iodine in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are at higher risk for developing congenital hypothyroidism. Infants with this condition often require thyroid hormone therapy within four weeks of birth, and permanent intellectual disability may result if treatment is delayed.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found the Apgar score effective in assessing health of preterm infants, with lower scores associated with increased mortality risk. A higher Apgar score significantly increases the chance of survival for premature babies, highlighting its importance regardless of gestational age.
A new study from the University of Turku found that prenatal stress is associated with changes in infant gut microbiota composition, specifically with increased abundances of Proteobacteria and decreased abundances of Akkermansia. The study also discovered a link between low cortisol concentrations and increased Lactobacillus bacteria ...
Infants under 90 days old who tested positive for COVID-19 mostly experience mild symptoms, with fever being the primary symptom. High viral loads were found in young infants despite mild clinical illness. The decision to admit to hospital is based on age, need for preemptive treatment and clinical assessment.
According to a new Stanford-led study, California's most vulnerable premature babies are now healthier when they go home from the hospital. The proportion of infants who survived without major complications increased from 62% to 67%, while those with major complications had fewer of them.
Researchers found that individuals born small for gestational age have a lower IQ throughout development, but differences can narrow by adulthood. Additional factors like socioeconomic status and parent-infant relationship also influence cognitive performance.
The study found that siblings of infants who died suddenly and unexpectedly are at a 10-fold increased risk of suffering a similar death, with rates nearly 4 times higher than the general population. Modifiable risk factors for SUDI include smoking, mental health issues, unsafe sleeping, and child abuse/neglect.
A study published in Cognition found that 14-month-old infants expect to communicate with others who speak the same language, and that their environment influences these expectations. Infants from bilingual environments were more likely to predict successful communication across languages.
Researchers found that six-month-old infants could discriminate between major and minor musical tones with eye movements and visual stimuli. This capacity is similar to adults, with approximately 30% of infants able to distinguish the difference and 70% unable to.
A new study suggests that taking extra choline supplements during pregnancy may mitigate the negative impact of viral respiratory infections, including COVID-19, on fetal brain development. Higher prenatal choline levels have been shown to protect the fetus's developing brain from the effects of virus infection.
Six-month-old infants recognized when adults imitated them and responded with longer gazes and approaches. The babies engaged in imitation games and showed testing behavior even when the researcher's emotions were neutral.
Very young children exposed to antibiotics from birth to 12 months are at higher risk of childhood obesity and increased adiposity. The study found that early life antibiotic exposure disrupts gut microbiota development, leading to weight gain and obesity.
Clinical trials of COVID-19 treatments have left pregnant and breastfeeding women without safety data, forcing a difficult decision between medication use and breastfeeding. The lack of research on drug transfer into breast milk poses a risk to infants.
Rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome have plateaued, with NAS per 1,000 live births stabilizing in 2016 after peaking in 2014. The study found significantly higher rates than 20 years ago, highlighting the need for continued action to improve outcomes.
A new study found that an individualized mosaic of microbial strains is transmitted from the maternal gut to the infant gut during birth, influencing the infant's metabolic disease susceptibility. Researchers used a 'fingerprint' method to track mothers' microbial strains inherited by infants.
New research suggests that sleep problems in babies may be associated with altered growth trajectory in the hippocampus, a key part of the brain involved in learning and memory. Infants who later develop autism were more likely to have difficulty falling asleep, which was linked to changes in the size of the hippocampus.
A world-first study led by Monash University demonstrates significant benefits to premature babies' heart and brain function when held by parents in skin-to-skin contact. One hour a day of kangaroo care significantly improved blood flow to the brain and cardiac function, compared to measurements done while in the incubator.
A new study of children under two found that parents who use an autonomy support approach can minimize behavioral problems during toddlerhood. The flexible method, which emphasizes the child taking the lead, was shown to be effective for easy babies who adapt easily to new experiences.
Marketing experts argue that current regulations do not effectively prevent potentially misleading claims about infant formula, which may carry health risks for vulnerable populations. The proposed solution includes premarket approval for changes to formula composition and higher scientific substantiation standards for claims.
A retrospective cohort study published in Pediatrics found that unplanned extubations in preterm infants were associated with worse in-patient outcomes, extended length of stay, and increased hospital costs. The study estimated direct hospital costs of about $60 million as a result of UEs in babies less than 28 weeks at birth.
Researchers at USF Health and Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a new treatment for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) by inhibiting the blood-clotting molecule thrombin with nanoparticles. The therapy, which was tested on newborn mice, showed promise in preventing NEC-like injury.
Experts at UTHealth report a breakthrough in treating severe COVID-19 cases in children, illustrating that the disease can be successfully managed despite its severity.
A study led by Stanford researchers found that low levels of the hormone vasopressin in infants' cerebrospinal fluid may predict an autism diagnosis. The findings suggest that early intervention could be beneficial for affected children.
Research identifies lower concentrations of neuropeptide arginine vasopressin in infant cerebrospinal fluid of those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. This finding suggests a potential biomarker for early detection and prediction of the disorder.
A new study found that very low doses of Avastin are effective in preventing blindness in preterm infants. The treatment was tested on 59 preterm infants with type 1 ROP and showed success in improving vision with minimal side effects.
Regular dietary counselling from infancy leads to improved cardiovascular health and reduced risk factors, such as lower serum cholesterol levels and better insulin sensitivity. The intervention group continued to have a heart-healthy diet even after the counselling ended.
A study by CHOP researchers found that continuous pulse oximetry monitoring is being used in infants with bronchiolitis who do not require supplemental oxygen. The use of this practice varies widely among hospitals, with some institutions using it as a safety net despite national recommendations against it.
A long-term study found that infant behavioral inhibition is linked to a more reserved personality and higher levels of internalizing psychopathology in adulthood. The research also identified a neurophysiological marker, error-related negativity, as a potential predictor of risk for developing anxiety disorders.
A 25-year study found that infants with high behavioral inhibition exhibited introverted adulthood and lower social interactions. Infants with high infant BI also showed heightened brain activity in response to errors during adolescence, associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms.