Articles tagged with Infants
A Yale University study finds that caregiver attitudes and subjective norms significantly influence the use of safe sleep positions for infants. Only 44% of mothers practice the recommended back-to-birth position consistently, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
The study estimates that 23.3 million infants were born small for gestational age in 2012, with 606,500 newborn deaths attributed to this condition. Implementing proven interventions, such as continuous skin-to-skin contact and breast feeding support, can prevent approximately 250,000 newborn deaths annually
Researchers have successfully used an artificial womb to incubate healthy baby lambs for a week, paving the way for potential treatment of extremely premature infants. The technology, known as ex-vivo uterine environment (EVE) therapy, aims to improve lung development and reduce ventilation-derived injury.
A recent study found improved survival rates among premature babies, with increased rates of survival without neuromotor and sensory disabilities at 2 years of age. However, a significant risk of developmental delay remains for children born between 24-34 weeks' gestation, with language development delays being the most common concern.
Research reveals distinct molecular patterns in premature infants' cerebellum, indicating a cellular response to interrupted development. The findings may offer insights into long-term complications of pre-term birth and potential interventions to improve outcomes.
Dr. Dasgupta is recognized for his work improving public health globally, including a new method for measuring blood in dry blood spot analysis and an implantable shunt flow monitoring system for hydrocephalus patients. He has also made significant contributions to environmental and astrochemical research.
A new approach to assess renal function in term newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy identifies early stages of AKI. Approximately 69% of infants did not develop kidney failure, while 19% showed a slower serum creatinine decline rate matching those with established AKI.
A newly discovered infant ape skull from 13 million years ago provides insights into the evolution of human ancestors. The fossil, nicknamed Alesi, reveals a brain cavity, inner ears, and unerupted teeth that indicate it belonged to a new species, Nyanzapithecus alesi.
Scientists found that babies associate words with content between 6-8 months old during a midday nap, while awake they can't connect new objects to the corresponding name. This early word learning ability suggests that children hold real word meanings in their long-term memory much earlier than previously assumed.
Researchers found that bilingual infants can differentiate between words in different languages, even at a young age. The study suggests that bilinguals have an efficient processing strategy to prioritize the currently heard language when switching between languages.
A new mobile program significantly improved adherence to recommended safe sleep habits for infants, including back sleeping and room-sharing without bed-sharing. The program's rates were higher than those achieved by interventions tested in previous research.
A new study suggests that electrical grounding can moderate preterm infants' electromagnetic exposure in the NICU, improving their health outcomes. Vagal tone, measured by heart rate variability, increased by 67% after grounding, indicating improved autonomic nervous system function.
Researchers will analyze adaptive immune responses of infants with different HIV exposure in utero, comparing those exposed to low and high levels of HIV infection. The goal is to understand the mechanism of increased susceptibility to infections and develop strategies for improving infant health.
Babies born to kidnapped brides in Kyrgyzstan have lower birthweights due to maternal stress, according to a new study. Infants born to kidnapped brides weighed 80-190 grams less than those born in arranged marriages.
A study found that infants with inhibited temperaments are more likely to be hesitant when trying new foods, while those with exuberant temperaments tend to accept new foods. Researchers observed infant reactions to new toys and food throughout the first 18 months, finding a consistent relationship between temperament and eating behavior.
A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that infants with positional plagiocephaly who receive helmet therapy at a younger age have higher treatment success rates. The study analyzed the effects of age and severity on the duration and effectiveness of helmet therapy.
Researchers at the University of Washington found that toddlers as young as 17 months old can recognize dominant individuals and anticipate them receiving more rewards. The study used puppets to test toddlers' reactions to different social scenarios, revealing their expectation that dominant individuals receive more resources.
A new study suggests that infants are able to recognize patterns of behavior and make judgments about people's preferences as early as 8 months old. The research found that babies look for consistent patterns of behavior and adjust their expectations when they encounter inconsistent choices.
Research finds that breast-specific sensuality is better with lumpectomy, correlating with improved sexual function post-operatively. Women with breast cancer report decreased sensuality regardless of surgical modality, but lumpectomy has the best reported outcomes.
A mobile health intervention improved adherence to safe sleep practices among mothers of healthy term newborns, with higher rates of supine positioning and no soft-bedding use. The study found that 79% of mothers in the intervention group had placed their infants supine, compared to 80% in the control group.
A new study suggests that maternal postpartum depression is associated with difficult infant temperaments when maternal sensitivity is low, but not when it is high. Family functioning also plays a critical role in shaping an infant's behavioral style.
A review of studies suggests infants with autism siblings have less advanced linguistic and motor skills, detectable from 12 months. Differences in language skills were larger than those in motor skills until they were 3 years old.
Researchers found that babies as young as 7 months can learn a second language with just one hour of play-based exposure per day. The study used an English-language method and curriculum in Madrid's public infant-education centers, showing significant improvements in English comprehension and production.
A study found that 21.4% of infants born to mothers with confirmed Zika virus infection had sight-threatening eye abnormalities, including optic nerve and retinal issues. Screening eye exams are recommended regardless of CNS abnormalities or timing of maternal infection during pregnancy.
A new study has identified a tool to detect signs of autism in high-risk infants with TSC, a genetic disorder. The Autism Observation Scale for Infants (AOSI) was found to be a useful clinical tool in determining which infants are at increased risk of developing ASD.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that mountain gorillas harbor a strain of lymphocryptovirus 1, similar to the Epstein-Barr virus in humans. The virus is widespread among infant gorillas, infecting 52% of those studied, with no symptoms reported in live gorillas.
Researchers propose a potential connection between carnitine deficiency and mild forms of autism, which disproportionately affect males. They suggest that supplementing infants with carnitine could prevent up to 10-20% of cases of autism.
Researchers found that by one year old, infants prefer speakers of their native tongue but not unfamiliar languages. Infants also form positive biases toward prosocial behavior from familiar language speakers, suggesting an innate preference for similar groups.
A new study shows that preschool children learn fewer words from storybooks with double-page illustrations compared to single-spread books. The effect can be reversed if the reader gestures to the correct page while reading.
Researchers found that infants born with high birthweight were at risk of obesity from an early age, highlighting the importance of early attention and lifestyle changes. The study suggests that pediatricians may counsel parents of high birthweight babies to prevent weight gain and related health problems.
A recent study by University of Kent researchers has found that premature babies have longer telomeres than their term-born counterparts, contradicting the expectation. This finding suggests other factors may influence telomere length in premature infants and raises the possibility that prematurity affects aging rate.
A new study documents preeclampsia's alarming rise, with the condition costing $2.18 billion in healthcare expenditure in the first 12 months after birth. Mothers and infants affected by preeclampsia face increased risks of adverse health events, including cardiovascular disease and respiratory distress syndrome.
A randomized clinical trial investigated whether allowing infants to self-feed solid foods reduces the risk of overweight. The study found that a baby-led approach did not improve energy self-regulation or body weight but showed benefits in attitudes towards food.
Breastfeeding peer support services vary across UK regions, with only 56% of NHS areas offering them. Mothers from poorer areas often face challenges in accessing these services, exacerbating existing health inequalities.
A new study found that distractions occurred in almost half of feedings, with technology-based distractions being the most common. Mothers enrolled in WIC reported better feeding interactions, but frequent engagement in distractions was predicted by having more children or certain infant characteristics.
A Georgia State University study found that early-life inflammatory pain increases sucrose intake and decreases memory-related protein expression in adult rats, with female rats showing more pronounced effects. The study suggests that preventing pain in premature infants may reduce the risk of obesity.
A study funded by NIH found that 31% of SIDS infants had elevated serotonin levels in their blood, suggesting an underlying vulnerability to the condition. Researchers propose testing blood samples for serotonin to distinguish SIDS cases from other infant deaths, but caution that more research is needed.
The infant mortality rate for black infants decreased from 14.3 to 11.6 per 1,000 births from 2005 to 2012, then plateaued before increasing again from 2014 to 2015. In contrast, white infant mortality rates declined steadily over the same period. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions, particularly reducing preterm b...
A study published in PNAS found that early environmental exposures predict DNA methylation of inflammatory genes, leading to increased inflammation and disease risk in adulthood. Nutritional, microbial, and psychosocial factors in infancy are associated with epigenetic changes that shape inflammation and health.
A new study by UBC sleep expert Wendy Hall found a correlation between thoughts about infant sleep and parental depression. After a sleep intervention, parental depression lifted significantly, with a notable reduction in mothers' (30%) and fathers' (20%) high depression scores.
Rutgers researchers found premature infants between 24-27 weeks have a three times higher risk of dying before first birthday due to SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths. Safe sleep practices, such as putting infants on their back to sleep, can help compensate for this risk.
A new study found that electronic books captivated toddlers' attention, encouraging more engagement and participation during reading sessions. Compared to traditional print books, toddlers showed higher levels of attention, engagement, and correct animal identification when reading electronic books.
A recent study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that HIV-positive women with cytomegalovirus (CMV) are more likely to transmit the virus to their infants, increasing the risk of congenital CMV infection. The study also found a significant association between gonorrhea and CMV transmission.
Researchers are studying the clinical outcomes of children infected with Zika virus after birth to examine long-term brain development. Neurodevelopmental testing will be conducted to identify changes in children infected with Zika virus.
A new study reveals a significant increase in US hospital admissions for neonatal abstinence syndrome, caused by mothers using opioids during pregnancy. The condition carries a substantial burden on healthcare resources, resulting in nearly $316 million in costs and extended hospital stays.
A pharmacokinetic study found no significant placental transfer of certolizumab pegol (CZP) from mothers to infants during pregnancy. CZP levels in infant blood samples were below the lower limit of quantification, suggesting a safe treatment option for women with rheumatoid arthritis during pregnancy.
Research found that early-life exposure to severe famine as a fetus or infant significantly increases the chance of having dyslipidemia in adulthood. The association was true for women but not men, suggesting cultural differences may play a role. Severe maternal under-nutrition during pregnancy could also contribute to the increased risk.
A large-scale study found that premature babies born at 23-24 weeks were ready for kindergarten on time, while those born 25 weeks or later performed only slightly lower than full-term infants. Nearly 2% of extremely premature babies achieved gifted status in school.
A novel study found that short duration of breastfeeding and maternal obesity are associated with an increased risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adolescents. Breastfed infants who were fed infant formula milk before six months had a 40% increased likelihood of NAFLD.
Research from the University of Rochester Medical Center suggests that preterm infants may be more susceptible to lung diseases due to a lack of alveolar type II cells. These cells play a crucial role in rebuilding lung tissue after damage and producing pulmonary surfactant, a vital compound for healthy lungs.
Experts agree on routine screening, medication-assisted treatment, and addressing pain management for women with opioid use disorder. Research is needed to improve outcomes for affected women, newborns, and families.
A new study by McMaster University has found that delaying the introduction of potentially allergenic foods until after a baby's first year may increase the likelihood of a food allergy later on. Infants who avoided cow's milk products, egg, and peanut during their first year were more likely to be sensitized to these foods at age one.
A new study published in NEJM suggests a modest increased risk of cardiac defects with lithium use during the first trimester, approximately two cases per 100 live births. The dose-dependent association found supports a more nuanced understanding of lithium's effects on fetal development.
Researchers linked brain connectivity changes to ASD diagnosis in 11 of 59 high-risk infants, predicting symptoms up to two years old. Early detection could significantly improve quality of life for people with autism spectrum disorder.
Researchers used functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (fcMRI) to scan 59 high-risk, 6-month-old infants, finding that brain patterns preceded behavioral symptoms of autism. The technique accurately predicted diagnoses in 82% of cases, with 93% accuracy in smaller groups.
Researchers used MRIs to analyze infant brain connectivity and synchronize brain regions. The study found that differences in these connections at six months could predict autism diagnoses at two years old, with the machine learning classifier correctly identifying 81% of babies who developed autism.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that women who gained more than the recommended weight during pregnancy were at a higher risk of small for gestational age, preterm birth, and cesarean delivery. In contrast, those who gained less than the recommended weight had a lower risk of large for gestational age and macrosomia.
A Phase I clinical trial demonstrated the safety and tolerability of activated B. infantis EVC001 in breastfed infants. The study found no difference in adverse events between supplemented and unsupplemented groups, but significant colonization of the infant gastrointestinal tract was observed.
A new study from McMaster University found that ethnicity and breastfeeding practices independently affect the gut microbiota in infants as young as one year old. The research revealed a higher abundance of lactic acid bacteria in South Asians and Clostridia in white Caucasians, suggesting potential links to future health issues such a...
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that taking antidepressants during pregnancy is not associated with neonatal problems at two to four weeks after birth. Instead, preterm birth was the major factor linked to newborn signs of agitation and restlessness.