Research on the health and development of babies. Covers motor development, maternal-infant health, cochlear implants, and infant nutrition.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that infants exposed to antenatal corticosteroid therapy (ACT) are significantly smaller at birth. The research analyzed data from over 278,000 births and showed a reduction in birth weight of up to 222 grams for preterm babies.
Research led by Dr. Karen A. Robbins found that mothers whose infants had suspected food allergies reported breastfeeding them for significantly longer periods, with an average of 45.8 weeks compared to 32 weeks for those without concerns. This suggests a potential link between breastfeeding duration and the development of allergies.
Researchers found widespread allomaternal nursing behavior in golden snub-nosed monkeys, where most infants were nursed by one or two additional adult females. This behavior enhanced infant survivorship and supported kin selection and reciprocity hypotheses, expanding our understanding of allomaternal nursing in primates.
In a five-year study, over 87% of golden snub-nosed monkey infants were nursed by females other than their mothers, highlighting the behavior in Old World monkeys for the first time. This phenomenon, called allomaternal nursing, was found to be reciprocal and beneficial for infant survival.
Infants may be more adept at associating words with objects when exposed to Mandarin Chinese sound structures. Researchers studied how lexical tones impact an infant's ability to learn new language, revealing that babies can apply knowledge from their native language to learn words in a new tongue.
Research at Children's National Hospital created a novel preclinical model that mimics persistent interneuron loss in preterm human infants. The study identified specific interneuron subtypes as potential therapeutic targets to prevent or lessen neurodevelopmental risks.
Researchers developed a new protocol to identify febrile infants under 60 days old who are at low risk of serious bacterial infections. The study showed that using simple laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood cell count, can confidently exclude these cases, reducing unnecessary invasive procedures and hospitalizations.
Researchers developed a new protocol to rule out life-threatening bacterial infections in infants with fevers, avoiding spinal taps and antibiotics. The study found accuracy rates of 97% in ruling out serious bacterial infections.
New research from London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine shows that interventions in West Africa can significantly increase rates of exclusive breastfeeding. The study found that women who received support reported being 70% more likely to exclusively breastfeed than those who did not receive the intervention.
A large-scale analysis found that indirect breastfeeding via pumping is associated with a higher abundance of potential pathogens and lower oral bacteria compared to direct breastfeeding. This could increase the risk of respiratory infections in infants, particularly those fed pumped milk.
A study funded by NIH found that a daily nutritional supplement can improve fetal growth and reduce stunted infants. The inexpensive supplement increased infant birth size by 31% and reduced small-for-gestational-age births by 22%.
A new University of Rhode Island nursing study found that delayed cord clamping in healthy infants increases iron stores and brain myelin, leading to improved early-life functional development. The study, published in the Journal of Pediatrics, challenges the practice of immediate cord clamping.
A new study found that prenatal maternal depression affects infants' temperament, with those born to depressed mothers experiencing greater distress and lower emotional regulation. The negative impact was amplified when pregnant women lived through Superstorm Sandy.
Researchers compared visual processing skills in hearing and deaf infants aged 7-22 months and found that deaf infants took longer to habituate to new objects and looked away less often. This highlights a difference in how the infants process information, even when it's not auditory in nature.
A new study finds that climate change increases the risk of mental health problems in children born to mothers with prenatal depression who experience natural disaster-related stress. Infants of depressed mothers displayed greater distress and fear, less smiling and laughter, and lower soothability.
Infants exposed to two languages at home exhibit better attentional control and learning abilities than monolingual peers. This study suggests that bilingual environments can shape attentional systems from an early age, laying the groundwork for future cognitive advantages.
A study by UTHealth researchers identified three high-risk areas in Harris County where SUID cases are most likely to occur. Modifiable risk factors included unsafe co-sleeping, improper sleep position, and tobacco use. The study suggests that following the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations can reduce SUID incidence.
Researchers recommend human milk as the best diet for infants with CHD due to improved feeding tolerance, decreased risk of NEC, and better developmental outcomes. The journal advocates for prioritizing informed feeding decisions and supporting mothers' breastfeeding goals.
A study published in Developmental Science reveals that newborn babies are born with the ability to identify words in continuous speech. The researchers used Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to measure brain activity and discovered two mechanisms that enable infants to pick out individual words from a stream of sounds.
Researchers discovered two mechanisms in newborn infants that enable them to pick out individual words from speech. The study, published in Developmental Science, highlights the innate skills of humans at birth.
Researchers report on successful separation surgery using advanced technologies and multidisciplinary team, showcasing improved outcomes for infants with craniopagus conjoined twins. The Delaney twins are thriving two-year-olds, exceeding expectations with their development and growth after the 11-hour separation surgery.
Researchers found that healthy infant gut microbes protect against cow's milk allergy when transplanted into mice, while those from allergic infants caused an allergic reaction. A specific bacterial species, Anaerostipes caccae, was identified as the protector against allergic responses.
A new study suggests that gut microbes from healthy human infant donors can protect against the development of cow's milk allergy in mice. The research found that transplanting these microbes into mice exposed to milk prevented allergic reactions, while those with microbes from infants allergic to milk did not experience protection.
Research suggests that infant mice need a higher dose of bacterial LPS to prevent asthma, while adult mice can tolerate lower doses. This mechanism supports the hygiene hypothesis, which proposes that decreased exposure to microorganisms in childhood leads to increased allergies.
Women with severe influenza during pregnancy are more likely to have preterm birth and low birth weight infants. Pregnant women receiving the flu vaccine and those treated promptly with antiviral medications may reduce the risk of adverse infant outcomes.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that caring for preterm babies in single family rooms reduces the incidence of sepsis and improves exclusive breastfeeding rates compared to traditional open ward neonatal units. However, long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes were not significantly different between babies cared for in single...
A clinical trial tested the effectiveness of topical antibiotic mupirocin in eliminating Staphylococcus aureus colonization in hospitalized infants. The study found that mupirocin is safe and highly effective in reducing SA infection, with over 90% of treated infants testing negative for SA after treatment.
Researchers have created a soft, non-toxic wearable sensor that measures force and motion to diagnose developmental disabilities. The sensor is designed for small children and has the potential to provide advantages not currently available.
Chemists at McMaster University have identified new chemical signatures in a small amount of blood that could detect cystic fibrosis in infants earlier and more accurately. These biomarkers can be analyzed using mass spectrometry, reducing costs and anxiety for families.
Research reveals that low-income, rural kids are at higher risk of second- and third-hand smoke exposure, with as many as 63% of children having detectable levels of cotinine. The study found that frequent moves, lower income, and more adults in the home increase a child's exposure to smoke.
Research by Harvard University's Catherine Dulac reveals that male mice engage in infanticide due to a combination of sensory cues, including the shape of pups and specific pheromone signals. These signals allow males to identify newborn infants and recognize their need for nurturing versus protection from attack.
Researchers found that gently stroking newborns at a speed of approximately 3 centimeters per second can reduce pain-related brain activity. The study suggests that this technique could provide effective pain relief before clinically necessary medical procedures, and may also promote parent-infant bonding.
A study found that pregnant women who have a family history of food allergies are more likely to avoid certain foods, such as nuts and eggs. However, this avoidance does not necessarily prevent food allergies in their infants, but rather increases the risk of problems with food at 4 months old.
When parents play with infants, their brain activity mirrors the child's attention patterns, suggesting a neural echo effect. This phenomenon, observed in joint play sessions, highlights how adults respond to and influence their babies' behavior.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that the molecular underpinnings of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) lead to brain injury. They identified TLR4 as the cause and found that HMGB1 is generated in response to TLR4, leading to microglial activation and brain injury.
A new study led by UCalgary researcher finds that early caffeine treatment has no long-term negative effects on neurodevelopment, but is associated with better cognitive scores. The therapy also reduces the risk of cerebral palsy and hearing impairment in premature babies.
Researchers found significant problems in 7/112 children with eye abnormalities, 6/49 with hearing issues, and 11/94 with severe delays in language, motor skills, or cognitive function.
Targeted interventions improved mean delta weight Z-scores by 43% in very low birth weight infants. Micro-preemies who were born between 26-28 weeks gestation showed the greatest improvement, with a 64% increase in growth trends.
Researchers have developed wireless, battery-free sensors that monitor skin exposure to solar radiation in real-time, providing a flexible method to track UV light. The devices overcome existing drawbacks such as limited battery life, allowing for broader use in outdoor activities and optimizing light-based treatments for skin conditions.
Research found that increased brain activity in response to infants' facial cues from pregnancy to motherhood is associated with more positive relationships with the baby. Mothers who showed such increases reported stronger bonds with their infants after birth.
A recent study found that infants and toddlers in low-income, rural areas may be exposed to high levels of second- and third-hand smoke. The study suggests that frequent moves, lower education, and more adults in the home can increase a child's exposure to smoke.
Researchers at Harvard University suggest that inosine could have served as a surrogate for guanosine in the early emergence of life. Inosine enabled RNA to replicate with high speed and few errors, supporting its potential role as a backbone of the first cells.
A recent study from the University of Turku investigated brain structure in newborns, revealing asymmetry in lobar volumes between hemispheres. The findings suggest that environmental factors during pregnancy may have a lasting impact on infant brain development.
Babies who are less active tend to get less sleep overall, according to new Michigan State University research. Infants who slept more at night had better weight-for-length scores and were less active during the day. Parents can promote tummy time and physical activity to help their baby get more sleep.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics reveals that most Zika-exposed fetuses have normal brain development, contrary to initial fears. However, severe congenital brain abnormalities were detected in a small percentage of cases, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and research.
A new study from the University of Washington shows that parents who learn to speak parentese can improve their infants' language skills. Parents in the intervention group increased their use of parentese and directed more speech to their child, resulting in babies babbling more and producing more words by 14 months.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience found a large-scale association between molecular gene expression activity and neural responses to speech in toddlers with autism. The researchers identified widespread gene expression activity across the genome, which was linked to whole-brain neural response to speech.
A 15-year study of thousands of children reveals that core language skills are stable from infancy to adolescence, with early intervention recommended for lagging development. Individual differences in language competency persist over time, emphasizing the importance of timely interventions.
At 5 months, babies demonstrated the ability to recognize nested structures similar to human grammar. This basic understanding is thought to be part of what makes humans uniquely capable. The study used tone sequences and EEG measures to test infants' perception of embedded structures.
A new study reveals that over two percent of U.S. children under the age of 5 have a milk allergy, and 53% of food-allergic infants under age 1 have a cow's milk allergy. The number of children with milk allergies decreases as they grow older, with 41% of 1-2-year-olds, 34% of 3-5-year-olds, and 15% of 11-17-year-olds.
A new study aims to investigate the origins of asthma in Puerto Rico by following 4,000 children from birth through early childhood. The team plans to use genetic techniques to identify biological drivers of disease and biomarkers that may predict outcomes.
Researchers at CU Anschutz Medical Campus discover that infant gut microbes altered by maternal obesity increase the risk of obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease later in life. The study suggests that altering the microbiome through probiotics or supplements may help reduce this risk.
A large percentage of healthy babies don't sleep through the night by six months of age, but researchers found no correlation with developmental problems. Infants who didn't sleep for six or eight consecutive hours had a significantly higher rate of breastfeeding, which offers many benefits.
A new study found that pregnant women with opioid use disorder who experience food insecurity are more likely to have their infants treated for severe neonatal abstinence syndrome. The study suggests that screening for food insecurity could be a way to reduce NAS severity and improve infant and mother outcomes.
A new study found that hypertonic saline improved lung function and weight gain in infants with cystic fibrosis. The treatment, which was safe from diagnosis onwards, also showed promise for preventing the progression of lung disease.
New research suggests that infant girls fed soy formula are more likely to develop severe menstrual pain as young adults. Women who had ever been fed soy formula as babies were 50% more likely to have experienced moderate or severe menstrual discomfort between the ages of 18 and 22.
A study published in Human Reproduction found that women fed soy-based formula milk as babies are 40% more likely to have used hormonal contraception for menstrual pain relief. The research also showed a 50% increased risk of moderate or severe menstrual discomfort between ages 18-22.
Researchers analyzed laughter clips from 44 infants to children aged 3-18 months and found that youngest babies laughed on both inhalation and exhalation, similar to chimpanzees. Older babies primarily laughed on the exhale, as seen in older children and adults.
A study of 40 breastfed and 13 formula-fed infants found that breastfed babies had significantly more frequent stools and liquid stools during the first two months. The researchers are still unsure about the underlying mechanisms behind this phenomenon.
Researchers discovered that toddlers with autism spectrum disorder display enhanced anger and frustration but decreased fear in response to naturalistic situations. The capacity to experience joy appears intact in the early stages of the disorder, which may help harness emotional competence for therapeutic purposes.