Research on the health and development of babies. Covers motor development, maternal-infant health, cochlear implants, and infant nutrition.
A study by University of Cambridge researchers found that dissatisfied mothers speak more to infant sons than daughters. The quality of a couple's relationship is linked to parent-infant talk and affects child development.
Researchers analyzed fossilized teeth to discover that ancient humans significantly breastfed their infants for longer periods than contemporary relatives. Early Homo offspring was breastfed until around 3-4 years old.
A review of 10-year experience at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago found that ketogenic diet was safe and effective in treating drug-resistant epilepsy in infants under 3 years old. Nearly half of children with genetic causes of epilepsy experienced significant seizure reduction after three months on the diet.
A Rutgers-led study found that Head Start and Early Head Start programs alleviate the supply gap of center-based childcare in New Jersey, particularly in lower-income areas. The presence of these programs reduces the likelihood of a severe childcare supply gap by 14%.
B. infantis EVC001 demonstrates improved metabolism of protein-bound glycans from human milk, providing a basis for facilitating colonization in formula-fed infants. The study's findings suggest that N-glycans from milk glycoproteins contribute to B. infantis EVC001 colonization in the infant gut.
Babies shape their own learning environments through babbling, influencing parents' speech to use simpler words and shorter sentences. Infants who receive more learning opportunities from their mothers are faster learners of new speech sounds.
A new study found that predictable parent-child interaction has a positive impact on infant brain development, particularly in regulating emotions and actions. This predictability is linked to better self-control and emotional regulation in children.
Infants born to mothers taking naltrexone developed no signs of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, whereas those exposed to buprenorphine showed higher rates of NOWS. Naltrexone was also associated with shorter hospital stays and improved breastfeeding outcomes.
Researchers found that infants colonized with C. difficile developed antibodies in their blood that neutralized toxins, suggesting a natural immunization occurs. This immune response may provide protection against the infection later in childhood.
A study suggests that maternal sensitivity and early brain structure interact to influence attachment disorganization. High levels of maternal sensitivity in infants with larger left hippocampi were associated with lower attachment disorganization.
A study found that Zika-exposed infants had normal assessments at birth but 29% scored below average in neurological development, including cognitive performance and motor skills. Early pregnancy exposure increased the risk of developmental, hearing, and eye abnormalities.
A new vaccine candidate, DS-Cav1, has shown promising results in a Phase 1 human clinical trial, eliciting large increases in RSV-neutralizing antibodies that were sustained for several months. The vaccine's structure-based design approach aims to overcome the challenges of traditional methods in creating an RSV vaccine.
A recent study found that 71% of Brazilian infants exposed to the Zika virus in the womb experienced brain abnormalities, including calcifications and malformations. The study highlights the importance of early neuroimaging for Zika-exposed infants, even those without congenital Zika syndrome.
Researchers found that infants born via cesarean section had increased heart rate variability and lower relative gamma frequency EEG compared to those born through vaginal delivery. Autonomic tone appears to function well in both groups, but differences were observed after the first day of life.
Researchers Maayan Stavans and Renée Baillargeon found that infants as young as 17 months old expect leaders to rectify transgressions. The study suggests that abstract expectation of authority is part of the basic structure of human moral cognition.
A new study by University of Illinois psychology professor Renée Baillargeon and graduate student Maayan Stavans found that infants as young as 17 months old expect leaders to right wrongs in their social groups. In experiments with bear puppets, infants stared longer when a leader ignored wrongdoing than when she rectified it.
Mothers with pre-pregnancy diabetes are at a four to five times increased risk of stillbirth. High maternal blood sugar levels and BMI emerged as key risk factors for increased stillbirth risk, particularly in babies born small or large for gestational age.
Researchers found that babies as young as six months old show empathy towards a bullied victim, preferring to choose the distressed figure over the bully. This discovery debunks the theory that babies only develop empathy after one year of age.
A computer-simulated study suggests that standard solid food feeding guides from hospitals and baby-formula makers may not provide accurate recommendations for infants. Following these guidelines can lead to overweight infants as early as 9-11 months old, with the Similac guide producing the healthiest results.
A US study found that infant deaths from accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed more than tripled between 1999 and 2016. The racial disparity in these deaths widened significantly, with non-Hispanic black infants facing higher mortality rates.
A study has identified a specific bacterial lipid that promotes immune dysfunction associated with allergic asthma in newborn infants. The researchers plan to develop screening protocols to identify newborns at high risk for asthma and allergy based on the presence of this microbial molecule.
A new study from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation finds that only Guinea-Bissau, Rwanda, and São Tomé and Príncipe are on track to meet the WHO's exclusive breastfeeding goal by 2025. With optimal breastfeeding practices, over 800,000 child deaths could be averted annually.
Researchers studied cortical thickness in 43 infants over two years, finding it increases rapidly until 14 months. Each developmental region of thickness was functionally important, with some continuing to thicken beyond 2 years.
Introducing peanut protein regularly can lower a baby's risk of developing a peanut allergy. Canadian Medical Association Journal recommends introducing peanut butter or powdered puff at home between 4-6 months for most babies.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found a link between the 2016 US presidential election and an increase in preterm births among Latina mothers. The analysis revealed 2,337 excess preterm births, or 3.5%, more than expected following the election.
Infants born to mothers exposed to high levels of air pollution are more likely to be admitted to a newborn intensive care unit (NICU), with risks increasing from 4% to 147%. The study suggests that limiting pregnant women's exposure to high levels of air pollutants may help reduce NICU admissions.
A new study found mothers living near intense oil and gas development have a 40-70% higher chance of having children with congenital heart defects. The study analyzed 3,324 infants born in Colorado from 2005-2011, estimating monthly intensity of well activity to confirm positive associations between maternal exposure and CHDs.
Researchers analyzed fossilized teeth from an extinct human species and found evidence of barium accumulation suggesting breast feeding up to a year, helping overcome seasonal food shortages. This finding may inform strategies to improve modern breast-feeding practices.
Australopithecus africanus mothers breastfed their infants continuously from birth to about one year of age. The research team analyzed over two-million-year-old teeth and found that nursing appears to continue in a cyclical pattern, with the mother supplementing gathered foods with breastmilk during seasonal changes and food shortages.
Researchers found that infants as young as 10.5 months can recognize communication through variable sound sequences, leading to increased attention towards target shapes in interactions with agents. This ability may play a crucial role in language acquisition and social-cognitive development.
Researchers measured VOC emissions from polyurethane mattresses under simulated sleeping conditions, finding elevated levels of some compounds that could cause eye irritation, headaches, and even cancer. The study emphasizes the need for further research on possible health effects of chronic exposure to VOCs.
Researchers found toddlers who spent more time in groups with other children excelled at associating new words with objects. This skill is crucial for word learning and native language development.
A study at Boston Medical Center found that symptom-triggered medication dosing for neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome reduces hospital stay length and unnecessary medication exposure. Infants treated with this approach had a median stay of 10.5 days, compared to 17 days for fixed-schedule treatment.
Research reveals preterm infants with growth failure have altered gut bacteria and delayed metabolic development, which may be treated through individualized interventions. The study's findings offer new insights into predicting and preventing growth failure in premature infants.
Researchers at CRID found that infants produce 40% more NETs than adults, leading to more severe organ damage and higher mortality rates in sepsis cases. Breaking down NETs with a drug can improve survival rates for infant patients, highlighting new treatment strategies.
A two-decade study on identical twins and triplets adopted as infants sheds light on the balance between nature and nurture in child development. The research aims to clarify historical misconceptions about twin studies and offers lessons for contemporary scientific inquiry.
After WIC introduced better food options in 2009, researchers found improved health outcomes for mothers and babies. They were less likely to experience preeclampsia and more likely to gain recommended weight during pregnancy.
A study published in Hospital Pediatrics found that concurrent benzodiazepine exposure impacts the severity of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) more so than other substances. Infants exposed to both opioids and benzodiazepines were over 50% likelier to require medication treatment.
Research from Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital reveals that women with short-term education are more likely to have infants who die within the first year of life. Premature birth and low foetal weight account for 55-60% of cases.
A review paper highlights the importance of choline and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for infant brain and eye development, with inadequate intakes linked to visual and neurocognitive deficits. The study suggests that supplementation, particularly for vulnerable populations, may improve maternal and infant health.
A long-running study on premature infants found that stress from birth can lead to cognitive limitations, social struggles, and increased risk of health issues. Researchers will continue the 30-year study to understand how to limit NICU stress and mitigate its impact throughout life.
Eleven-month-old infants can associate languages with ethnicities based on individual encounters, the study found. The researchers played Cantonese and English to infants of Caucasian ancestry, showing them faces of Asian and Caucasian individuals.
Researchers have identified specific bacterial species in the human infant gut that protect against food allergies. Administering these microbes as a therapeutic can prevent food allergies from happening and even reverse existing ones in mice, offering a new approach to treating this common condition.
A new study published in Pediatrics shows that a state-wide quality improvement initiative improved hospital-based breastfeeding support practices and first milk expression among mothers of very low birth weight infants. However, disparities in mother's milk provision persisted after three weeks of hospitalization.
Researchers found a 14-gene signature that predicts two-year transplant-free survival in children with biliary atresia. The antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine reduced liver injury and fibrosis, increasing survival times in mouse models.
Researchers discovered that an antibody in breastmilk, IgA, is necessary to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants. The study found that more bacteria bound to IgA reduced the likelihood of NEC in formula-fed babies compared to those fed breastmilk.
Researchers found that adult males were responsible for most infanticides in a Ugandan chimpanzee community, with victims often under one week old. The study suggests that the sexual selection hypothesis is the key driver behind this high rate of infant killings.
A new study by LSU Health New Orleans researchers reveals that mothers' pre-pregnancy weight status impacts the composition of their breast milk, affecting infant growth. Infants born to overweight or obese mothers exhibit less responsive growth to breast milk.
Researchers identified factors contributing to placental transfer of antibodies, including a preference for NK-activating antibodies that activate natural killer cells. This knowledge can be used to develop more effective maternal vaccines and deliver them during pregnancy to protect newborns from serious diseases like polio.
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that using limited formula in the first days of life does not negatively impact breastfeeding at 6 months. However, it may alter maternal attitudes towards breastfeeding and lead to shorter breastfeeding duration. The study tracked 164 babies born at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals and P...
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine uses wearable motion-tracking devices to identify children with subtle motor impairments. The researchers found that typically developing children under age 3 use both arms equally, but in children with motor impairments, the ratio shifts significantly.
A new study found that child deaths fell by 5.2% and 3.4% after Brazil's 2014 comprehensive smoke-free legislation, reducing infant mortality rates and health inequalities. The research suggests strengthening smoke-free laws can help protect children's lives, particularly in middle-income countries.
Research in mice found that breastfeeding can transfer immunity beyond the period of breastfeeding, driven by immune cells rather than antibodies. This protection was transferred from mothers exposed to worm infections before pregnancy and provided lifelong benefits to their infants.
A multicenter research team will scan the brains of 250 infants in North America using MRI scans while they are sleeping, from 6 and 12 months old, to analyze brain structure and function. The goal is to identify differences in the brain that accurately predict which children are most likely to develop autism spectrum disorder.
A Rutgers-led study found that father-friendly cues in OBGYNS offices can boost men's involvement in prenatal care. Men who visited a waiting room with images of both men and babies reported higher expectations and confidence about parenting, leading to healthier behaviors and outcomes for women and infants.
A study published in PNAS finds that premature infants who listened to tailored music had improved brain network development and functional connectivity compared to those without music. The research suggests that music can be a valuable tool to support the development of fragile newborns.
Research using functional MRI found that music-based care plans enhanced brain circuit connectivity in preterm infants. This suggests music may improve future socio-cognitive function and prevent brain deficits.
A new study found that infants at high risk for autism were less able to distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar speech patterns. The researchers suggest that interventions should begin during infancy for those at high risk.
A new study found that infants who are later diagnosed with autism react adequately when others initiate joint attention, but seldom actively seek to establish such episodes themselves. This suggests that children with autism have reduced social motivation already as infants.
A NEOMED researcher has designed a therapeutic intervention to help preterm infants suck, swallow and breathe. The study uses an animal model to measure feeding and breathing coordination in newborns, with the goal of developing a rehabilitation strategy for preterm infants.