Articles tagged with Infants
A new study from Duke University found that infants born to obese mothers were 8% larger during the first two years of life compared to those born to healthy-weight mothers. The study also showed a link between maternal weight gain during pregnancy and infant size.
UAB will receive $200,000 per year in base funds for the next five years through the NICHD Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network. The network focuses on addressing preterm birth through translational research, genetics, and new technologies.
Researchers will assess treatment of asymptomatic babies born with congenital CMV and investigate frequency of neonatal herpes infections in the US and Peru. Early detection and close follow-up can lessen the effects of congenital CMV in infants.
A new Northwestern University study shows that infants can discern between categories as early as 9 months old, depending on the names used to describe them. This finding highlights the impact of language on cognitive development, suggesting that naming influences the identification of discrete categories in infants.
A clinical trial found that HIV-infected mothers taking a three-drug antiretroviral regimen during breastfeeding can virtually eliminate HIV transmission to their infants. The study, which included over 2,400 pairs from sub-Saharan Africa and India, showed nearly all babies survived their first year of life.
By inducing autophagy, researchers at Drexel University and Yale University decreased lung injury in mice exposed to high oxygen levels, offering a potential solution for preventing chronic lung conditions like Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) in premature infants.
A new mouse model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia has been developed to study pulmonary hypertension, enabling the detection of the disease at an earlier time point through echocardiography tests. This breakthrough could lead to improved diagnoses and more effective treatments for premature infants.
Researchers at FAU found garlic aroma in breast milk due to AMS metabolite formation. Further research is needed to clarify potential impact on infants' eating habits and food preferences.
A study found that a twice daily program of assisted range-of-motion exercises significantly improves bone strength in very low birth weight pre-term infants. This could lead to a reduced risk of osteopenia and future fractures.
Researchers developed a fluorescent protein method to accurately detect unconjugated bilirubin in newborns, minimizing blood sample interference. The UnaG method offers a highly sensitive and accurate detection method for preterm infants, potentially reducing neurological handicaps.
A study published in The BMJ found that less than 60% of premature babies born in 11 European countries received a package of four simple, widely available care measures known to improve survival. Receiving full evidence-based care was associated with improved survival rates.
Infants born to vaccinated mothers show high protection against influenza illness at 8 weeks, but efficacy decreases with age. The duration of this protection is limited to the first 8 weeks of life.
The EPICE project highlights the underuse of effective medical practices, such as corticosteroid administration and surfactant therapy, in very premature infants. With improved care, mortality rates can be reduced by 18%, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based medicine for these high-risk babies.
A NIH-led team studied implementation science approaches to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission, identifying effective interventions such as baby showers and breastfeeding support. The study found that deploying point-of-care tests and administering pre-exposure prophylaxis were likely cost-effective and resulted in timely initiat...
Historical research reveals that foetus and infant cadavers were valued by anatomists for studying growth and development, often kept in museums. Researchers found that anatomists preserved the skulls of infants intact to use as teaching aids, differing from adult cadavers.
Researchers found that teaching parents bedtime techniques can improve infants' sleep-related behaviors, leading to longer sleep duration and reduced rapid weight gain. Establishing good sleep habits early in life is crucial for preventing obesity and promoting emotional health.
A new study found that infants produce broadly neutralizing antibodies within the first year of HIV infection, which could accelerate path to HIV vaccine. The novel antibodies, produced relatively quickly after infection, may improve HIV-vaccine design by mimicking infant immune response.
New studies show antibiotics can delay infant microbiome development, reduce bacterial diversity, and lead to temporary antibiotic resistance gene presence. The findings suggest a need for further research on long-term consequences of gut microbiome disturbances linked to obesity, diabetes, and allergies.
Researchers found that targeted intervention with WIC collaboration significantly improved follow-up rates and age at hearing diagnosis for low-income mothers' newborns. The study reduced loss to follow-up rates by 71% and diagnosed hearing issues earlier, leading to better speech, language, and reading outcomes.
A Swedish study found that mothers who gained 4 kg/m2 or more between pregnancies had a higher risk of low Apgar scores, neonatal seizures, and meconium aspiration. Preventing weight gain could reduce birth asphyxia and improve infant health.
Babies born at 41 weeks' gestation are more likely to score higher on standardized tests and be classified as gifted, while also facing a slightly higher risk of physical disabilities. This advantage is particularly pronounced in children born to mothers with low education levels.
Late-term infants born at 41 weeks showed improved cognitive performance, including higher test scores and a lower risk of poor cognitive outcomes. However, they also had a higher rate of physical disabilities compared to full-term infants.
Oxford University researchers found that infants' cuteness appeals to all senses, triggering caregiving behaviors vital for infant survival. This study reveals the complex choreography of slow, deliberate prosocial behaviors eliciting fundamental brain pleasure systems.
A UK survey found that overweight very young children consume larger meals than healthy weight children, consuming approximately 11 calories more per meal, but eating less frequently. This disparity in meal size, not frequency, appears to be a significant risk factor for childhood obesity.
A new study found that vaccinating mothers against flu can significantly reduce the risk of their infants getting flu during the first four months after birth by 70 percent. This breakthrough could help reduce flu-related deaths, particularly in poor developing countries where access to healthcare is limited.
A global increase in baby formula sales, especially in East Asia, raises concerns about the health of millions of mothers and their children. The study highlights the need for governments to regulate marketing and ensure supportive work policies for breastfeeding mothers.
Researchers found that infants are better at learning words with repetitive syllables than those without. This bias may help explain why many baby-talk words have repeated syllables, such as 'choo-choo' and 'night-night'. The study suggests that repetition plays a key role in word learning from an early age.
A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology identified risk factors for ophthalmoscopic findings in infants born with microcephaly and presumed Zika virus infection. Infants with smaller head diameters at birth and those whose mothers reported symptoms during the first trimester were more likely to have ocular involvement.
A recent study found that mothers who consumed more fruit during pregnancy gave birth to children with better cognitive development. The study, led by University of Alberta researcher Piush Mandhane, discovered that increased prenatal fruit intake was associated with higher IQ scores in one-year-old infants.
Researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital found that breastfeeding for six months reduces the risk of ear infections by 30% and diarrhea by 25%. However, pumping breast milk from a bottle also provides some protection against ear infections and may reduce diarrhea risk compared to formula feeding.
Research on great ape communication reveals cooperative turn-taking sequences in both bonobos and chimpanzees, differing in their styles of gaze-based and signal-pause response based interactions. These findings suggest that cooperative communication may have arisen to coordinate collaborative activities more efficiently.
A new study found that listening to human vocalizations helps infants form categories, while nonhuman primate vocalizations preserve their early link between signals and categorization. This research highlights the importance of language exposure in early development.
A study of adults born premature and low-birth-weight found they were less likely to be employed, have children, or earn higher incomes compared to their normal-birth-weight counterparts. Despite these differences, many of these individuals are living independently and contributing well to society.
A new study suggests that human intelligence developed in response to the demands of caring for infants, who are born prematurely and require intelligent parents. The research found a strong correlation between weaning time and general intelligence in primates.
A new study suggests that sharing risk factors for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) with bereaved parents does not increase self-blame and can help prevent future deaths. The research found that most parents who lost a child to SIDS did not blame themselves, but rather experienced overwhelming guilt.
A new University of Toronto study examines the effect of infant vocalizations on adult cognitive conflict processing and attention. The research found that infant cries reduce attention to tasks and trigger greater cognitive conflict than infant laughs.
Grand Challenges Canada funds nine creative ways to protect and nurture cognitive development of children in developing countries. Kangaroo Mother Care is expanded to improve lives of low birth weight infants in West Africa, while eight new innovations pursue approaches to help children reach their full potential.
A study of 1,421 Canadian children found that early introduction of allergenic foods decreases the risk of sensitization to these foods. Early introduction of eggs was especially beneficial, reducing the risk of sensitization to any of the three tested foods. The study suggests a shift in thinking from delayed food introduction to earl...
A recent study published in JAMA found that high-dose recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) did not improve cognitive development or reduce neurodevelopmental delay in very preterm infants at 2 years old. The study randomly assigned 448 preterm infants to receive rhEPO or placebo and followed their outcomes for over two years.
Infants following baby-led weaning tend to be exclusively breastfed longer and eat meals with their families, which is great for long-term health. However, they have higher fat intakes and lower nutrient levels compared to spoon-fed babies.
A new implantable VAD designed specifically for small children has shown encouraging results in a study using living sheep. The device, called the Infant Jarvik 2015, offers improved hemolysis profile and increased flow rate compared to its predecessor, paving the way for potential clinical trials.
A CDC study analyzed infant feeding practices with a 6-year follow-up to determine the risk of obesity in children. The results found that the timing of introducing solid foods had no effect on child obesity by 6 years of age, contrary to previous conflicting research.
Babies born with low birthweight are at a higher risk of death from infancy through to adolescence compared to those born at normal weight. The research found that death rates were 130 times more frequent in very low birthweight infants, highlighting the importance of targeting factors contributing to low birthweights.
A population study found that low birthweight babies had increased death rates from infancy to adolescence, with causes including perinatal events and congenital malformations. The study suggests focusing on upstream events to prevent low birthweight remains an important health goal.
A meta-analysis of four studies found an association between swaddling for sleep and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), particularly among infants placed on their sides or fronts. As babies get older, they may be more likely to move into unsafe positions while swaddled during sleep.
A study found that daily consumption of artificially sweetened beverages during pregnancy may increase infant body mass index (BMI) and the risk of being overweight in early childhood. The research, which analyzed data from over 3,000 mother-infant pairs, suggests a possible link between NNSs and obesity.
Researchers tested young infants' imitation of facial and hand gestures, finding no evidence of innate ability to copy adults. Babies may learn to imitate through observation of others mimicking them.
A new study found that two-minute warnings before ending screen time make transitions more unpleasant for young children. The study also found that parents often use screens as a last resort or to distract toddlers during unpleasant activities.
A CU Anschutz study finds that breast milk hormones impact the development of healthy bacteria in infants' guts, potentially protecting them from intestinal inflammation, obesity, and diseases. Researchers found a positive association between insulin, leptin, and microbial diversity in the infant's stool.
Researchers found that babies whose moms receive flu vaccinations while pregnant have a significantly reduced risk of acquiring influenza during their first six months of life. The study, published in Pediatrics, showed that infants born to vaccinated mothers had a 70 percent reduction in laboratory-confirmed flu cases and an 80 percen...
A new study reveals that newborns are likely being over-treated for reflux disease, with clinical symptoms only rarely confirmed by the gold-standard reflux test. The study suggests that doctors should use the MII-pH test to confirm diagnoses before treating infants with medications or surgery.
A randomized clinical trial found no significant effect of pasteurized donor milk on preventing serious infections, necrotizing enterocolitis, and all-cause mortality in premature neonates. The study suggests that providing raw mother's milk to premature infants is crucial for reducing the risk of these conditions.
A study published in Pediatric Obesity found that vitamin D supplementation during the first year of life is critical for muscle-mass development and less body fat in toddlers. Children who had sufficient vitamin D stores averaged around 450 grams less body fat at 3 years of age.
New research suggests that more time spent by parents with their newborns during treatment eases withdrawal symptoms and shortens hospital stays. The study found that skin-to-skin contact plays a role in reducing NAS symptoms, supporting the importance of parental engagement in care.
A study found that premature babies fed mostly breast milk had larger brains and more brain tissue than those given little or no breast milk. The researchers used MRI scans to measure brain volume and cortical surface area, and the results showed a significant correlation between breast milk consumption and brain development.
A global study found that gut microbiomes of infants in Finland and Estonia are dominated by Bacteroides species, while Russian Karelian infants have an overrepresentation of Bifidobacterium. This difference may contribute to the spike in immune disorders seen in western societies.
A new study by Indiana University psychologists suggests that caregiver focus during playtime significantly impacts infants' attention spans. Caregivers who let their children lead and sustain attention for longer periods see significant gains in infant attention, while distracted caregivers may raise children with shorter attention sp...
Infants' attention to objects is extended when parents play with them, and this effect can lead to stronger skills in sustained attention and concentration. Joint play between parents and children plays a crucial role in developing these skills.
A study of 759 infants found that eating rice and rice products increased their exposure to arsenic. The highest levels were detected in babies consuming baby rice cereal or rice snacks.
Research published in Pediatrics found that a high body mass index (BMI) at 2 months is a strong predictor of obesity at age 2. The study, which analyzed nearly 74,000 infants, showed that BMI outperformed weight-for-length measurements in predicting early childhood obesity.