Articles tagged with Infants
A new study evaluates the Early Feeding Skills (EFS) checklist as a valid and reliable tool for assessing the emergence of feeding skills in preterm infants. The EFS provides a comprehensive assessment of oral feeding skills, including respiratory regulation, swallowing coordination, and staying engaged with feeding.
A study published in Advances in Neonatal Care reports that managing neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) requires a cascade of care, emphasizing the need for improved coordination and resources. The researchers identified four essential areas to improve NAS care, including greater education and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
New research reveals infants can acquire object categories using just a few labeled examples, sparking the process of categorization. This 'semi-supervised learning' strategy efficiently integrates all subsequent objects into their evolving category representation.
A study found that premature baby boys' brains are affected more severely than girls', with significant sex differences in gray matter and white matter. The research used MRI scans to analyze the brains of 33 infants, showing that even at one year old, there are major sex differences.
New Zealand research found that infants on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are not at higher risk of pneumonia or lower respiratory tract infections. The study of over 21,000 infants dispensed PPIs between 2005 and 2012 revealed a relatively low number of serious lung infections among those using the medication.
A study found that infant walker-related injuries decreased dramatically between 1990 and 2014, largely due to improved safety standards. The number of injuries dropped by 90% during the study period, with falls down stairs being the leading cause.
Researchers found that hospitalized infants with both conditions were four times more likely to die than those with only congenital heart disease. Infants with central sleep apnea and a heart abnormality stayed twice as long and had double the hospital bills at discharge.
A Canadian study found that frequent use of household disinfectants alters the gut microbiota in infants, leading to higher body mass index scores and increased risk of childhood obesity. In contrast, eco-friendly cleaners may reduce this risk due to healthier maternal lifestyles and eating habits.
A study found that paracetamol use in infancy may increase the risk of asthma in adolescents, particularly those with certain genetic variations of the glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes. Children who took paracetamol more frequently had a higher risk of developing asthma, especially if they carried the GSTP1 Ile/Ile variant.
A study by Rush University Medical Center found that Chicago news media reported 59% of child traffic crash deaths and 38% of fire-related deaths, but not a single case of sudden unexpected infant death. This lack of reporting contributes to parents' unawareness of the risks involved, leading to unsafe sleep environments.
A US children's hospital implemented a first-of-its-kind project to eliminate or reduce pain from elective needle procedures, improving patient satisfaction and staff concerns. The 'Children's Comfort Promise' project introduced four research-proven strategies, which saved time and reduced staff turnover.
The University of Texas at San Antonio has received a grant to develop an innovative parent-assisted treatment program for infants as young as 6 months at risk for autism spectrum disorder. The project aims to identify biomarkers correlated with later autism diagnosis through electroencephalographic (EEG) technology.
Researchers identified a specific neural network that helps regulate babies' brain activity in response to pain, similar to adults. Greater functional connectivity within this network was found to lead to lower brain activity in response to painful stimuli.
Researchers found that toddlers aged 21-31 months prefer the high-status puppet in a conflict of interest scenario, but avoid the one that wins by force. This suggests that human nature is aware of social status and acknowledges it, unlike other primates.
A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that changes in calorie and protein intake were estimated during five transition phases from full intravenous nutrition to full enteral nutrition. The researchers recommend specific approaches to maximize calorie and protein intake during various transition phases.
Infants as young as 21 months old can distinguish between respectful leadership and bullying behavior. They expect protagonists to obey orders given by a leader, even when the leader is no longer present, but not when ordered by a bully.
A new study found that 21-month-old infants can recognize power differences between characters and expect those differences to endure over time. Infants understand that with leaders, they must obey even when the leader is not present, but with bullies, they only obey when the bully is around.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that armed conflicts across Africa may have resulted in the deaths of as many as 5 million children aged under 5 years between 1995 and 2015. Conflict increased mortality risk for infants and children, particularly those born near conflict zones or exposed to higher-intensity conflicts.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered that unconventional T cells play a crucial role in protecting infants from severe flu complications by promoting lung cell repair. This immune response differs from adults and may provide a new target for therapies to ease flu symptoms in infants.
The PLAY project aims to capture natural behavior of infants and mothers in their homes, providing a comprehensive dataset on infant development. The corpus will be shareable and searchable across domains, enabling researchers to address critical questions about behavioral cascades.
Researchers tested two commercially available baby monitors, finding that one detected low oxygen levels inconsistently while the other falsely displayed low pulse rates. These alarming results highlight the need for regulation of these products to prevent unnecessary anxiety and medical interventions in healthy infants.
Research by University of Notre Dame professors finds prenatal exposure to violence is associated with increased toddler aggression towards their mothers. The study also reveals that intervening early during pregnancy can significantly reduce the negative impact on children.
Research on false beliefs in young children reveals distinct patterns of understanding between infants and older children. Infants use social-cognitive abilities associated with great apes, whereas older children employ human social-cognitive abilities to coordinate mental states with cooperative partners.
A major new study shows that rotavirus vaccination reduces infant diarrhoea deaths by 34% in rural Malawi, adding weight to the World Health Organisation's recommendation for its inclusion in national immunisation programmes. The study also found a direct link between vaccine coverage and mortality reduction.
A quality-improvement project standardized feeding practices for micro preemies, leading to a significant increase in weight gain and improvements in nutritional status. The project also increased the frequency of lactation consultations by nearly fourfold.
A multicenter study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that inducing labor in healthy first-time mothers at 39 weeks reduced cesarean sections compared to waiting for labor naturally. Infants born to induced mothers did not experience more stillbirths or newborn deaths.
A responsive parenting intervention resulted in lower body mass indexes (BMIs) among toddlers when they were three years old. The program taught first-time moms how to respond appropriately to their babies' needs, leading to healthier weight development and reduced rates of overweight and obesity.
Researchers found that nine-month-old children who heard baby talk words such as 'bunny' and 'choo-choo' more frequently grasped new words faster between 9-21 months. This suggests that specific types of baby talk words, like those ending in 'y', can facilitate vocabulary development.
A study of serious case reviews of sudden unexpected infant deaths found that domestic violence, mental health problems, and substance misuse were common factors. Most cases occurred in hazardous sleep environments, with cosleeping and parental intoxication contributing to the risk.
A study on human brain tissue and preterm rabbits suggests that estrogen treatment can restore the balance of interneurons in the cerebral cortex, which is disrupted in premature birth. This finding implies that mimicking the in utero environment may have the potential to improve developmental outcomes for preterm infants.
Exposure to nicotine during pregnancy may impair a baby's cardiorespiratory responses, increasing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Nicotine replacement therapies may not protect infants from SIDS, and their use is not considered safe during pregnancy.
A survey of 6,641 people found that nearly 40% had a fictional first memory, with middle-aged and older adults more likely to claim such memories. Researchers suggest these may be based on remembered fragments of early experience and facts about infancy.
A study of US children suggests that high levels of toddler self-regulation are associated with lower obesity rates in boys but higher rates in girls. The findings may indicate different strategies for preventing childhood obesity based on sex.
Researchers at CHOP developed a new method to determine which premature infants should be screened for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), which leads to blindness in 400-600 US infants each year. The criteria were highly sensitive and accurate, reducing the number of premature infants who would require examinations by 30.3%.
Scientists have discovered a class of 'danger signals' that trigger an efficient immune response in newborns, potentially reducing vaccine administration age and booster injections. This breakthrough aims to improve pediatric vaccine efficacy and protect more infants and young children from infections.
A study by King's College London found that babies introduced to solid foods early slept longer and woke less frequently at night compared to those exclusively breastfed for six months. This research challenges current government advice, which states that starting solid foods won't make babies more likely to sleep through the night.
A randomized clinical trial found that early introduction of some solid foods, accompanied by continued breastfeeding, resulted in small but significant improvements in infant sleep. The study also showed that the timing of introducing solid foods may influence infant sleep patterns.
A new study by University of Washington researchers has found that infants as young as 2 months old display a well-formed body map with distinct neural signatures for different body parts, including the lips. The research uses infant brain imaging to gauge how the hand, foot, and lips are represented in the brains of 2-month-olds.
A study published in Microbiome found that maternal diet during pregnancy can influence the infant gut microbiome, with varying effects depending on delivery mode. Vaginal delivery was associated with a higher abundance of Bifidobacterium and Enterobactericeae, while caesarean section was linked to increased Streptococcus and Clostridium.
Researchers highlight tragic case of baby Noah's death due to vitamin D deficiency and advocate for simplified guidance, mandatory monitoring, and food fortification. Current UK recommendations are deemed outdated and overly complex, putting dark-skinned individuals at risk.
Researchers found that infants aged 4- to 8-months hold a primary cerebral representation of audiovisual integration in their right hemisphere, with the number of processed materials increasing with experience. This study sheds light on the trajectory of acquiring general knowledge about objects.
A study published in Acta Paediatrica found that non-dairy drinks can lead to malnutrition, height and weight impairment, anaemia, and other health problems in infants. The alternative beverages, commonly based on almonds, chestnuts, rice, and soya, were consumed by 34 children who suffered medical complications between 2005 and 2015.
A study of young bonobos in captivity reveals that immature females prepare for motherhood by helping mothers care for infants and forge alliances with them. This behavior is linked to increased oxytocin production, associated with complex social behaviors and maternal activities.
Scientists discovered genetic causes of a group of related infant cancers that are targetable by existing drugs used to treat lung cancer and melanoma. Researchers identified mutations in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and BRAF genes, which can be treated with afatinib and other targeted agents.
Male lemurs' hormone levels increase with child care behaviors, suggesting that elevated androgens may facilitate rather than inhibit infant care. This challenges the long-held assumption that high androgen levels impede paternal bonding.
Researchers found that a specific composition of human oligosaccharides in breast milk was associated with lower rates of food sensitization in one-year-old infants. The study's findings highlight the potential health benefits of human milk oligosaccharides and underscore their role in preventing future allergic disease.
A new study reveals that American toddlers aged 19-23 months consume an average of over 7 teaspoons of added sugar per day, with 60% consuming it before their first birthday. This excessive sugar intake is linked to various health risks and may influence food preferences later in life.
A recent study found that supplementing breastfed infants with Bifidobacterium infantis bacteria significantly improves gut microbiome health and prevents immune-related diseases like asthma and allergy. The beneficial effects of the supplement lasted for up to a year in primarily breastfed babies.
A recent study found that infants with diabetes can maintain excellent blood glucose control for up to ten years using sulfonylurea tablets, offering a promising alternative to insulin injections. The treatment has been shown to be safe and effective in children worldwide.
Infected mice developed seizures, motor function impairment, and memory issues as adults, with reduced muscle strength and increased inflammation. Targeting TNF-α inhibition may alleviate some long-term consequences of neonatal Zika infection.
A new study found that playing a recording of a mother reading stories can improve sleep in preterm newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit. The research involved 20 near-term and 27 premature infants born between 33-34 weeks, with results showing reduced likelihood of wakefulness during peak noise levels.
A recent study has revealed significant microbiome differences between infants born in rural and urban areas of Nigeria, which begin as early as infancy. The researchers found that rural infants had more diverse microbiomes and higher levels of beneficial bacterial species than their urban counterparts.
A quality improvement initiative at Boston Medical Center used non-pharmacologic approaches to care for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome, resulting in decreased medication use, length of stay, and health care costs. The new approach included skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding, and parental presence, leading to significant imp...
Scientists have discovered how brain regions activate during memory recall in two-year-olds using functional MRI. The hippocampus plays a key role in forming and recalling memories, especially episodic memory, which involves remembering events and contexts.
A study of 22 toddlers found that hippocampal activation was higher when they heard a previously learned song, regardless of playback direction. Correctly remembered locations associated with the song also showed stronger hippocampal responses.
A major international study has found that 1.5% of infants and 3.1% of children who were hospitalized for ischemic stroke died, with an overall mortality rate of 2.6%. Risk factors for dying included congenital heart disease, severe stroke type, and Hispanic ethnicity.
A new Portland State University study found that infant mortality rates are higher in counties with greater proportions of conservative Protestants, especially fundamentalists. The research suggests that the insular culture of fundamentalists can lead to poorer health outcomes.
Two studies investigate vitamin D supplementation's impact on infant development, with no significant difference found in bone strength or infection incidence at age 24 months. A systematic review and meta-analysis also explores the effects of prenatal vitamin D on several infant outcomes.
A recent study found that most premature infants continue to receive early antibiotics in the first few days of life, highlighting a need for improved neonatal antibiotic stewardship. The majority of very low-birth-weight infants received empirical antibiotic therapy, despite potential risks associated with its use.
Researchers found that more frequent MRSA surveillance in newborns can significantly reduce infections, with weekly checks lowering colonization rates by 80% and hospital stays by 61 hours. However, the study suggests that daily surveillance may be too costly and could disrupt care practices, highlighting the need for balanced infectio...