Research on the health and development of babies. Covers motor development, maternal-infant health, cochlear implants, and infant nutrition.
Infants in participating families used significantly less medical services during the first year of life, with a one-third reduction in emergency room visits and fewer primary care doctor visits. The program also benefited low-risk families, suggesting its benefits extend beyond those at risk for problems.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that Zika-linked abnormalities in human fetuses are more common and severe than initially thought. Out of 125 pregnancies among Zika-infected women, 46% resulted in birth defects or fetal death, with microcephaly being only one of several complications.
Researchers found that both Hispanic and white infants looked longer at African-American faces than their own ethnicity, suggesting a level of ethnic awareness. The study advances understanding of social cognition and development, highlighting the importance of studying infant attention to faces.
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that rural communities have seen a dramatic increase in newborns diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome due to opioid exposure. The rate of diagnosis increased by nearly 80% between 2003 and 2013, compared to urban areas.
The proportion of rural infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome increased significantly between 2004 and 2013. This geographic disparity highlights the urgent need for policymakers to appropriate funding for clinicians and programs that could improve access to opioid prevention and treatment services for rural women and children.
Researchers found that liposomal lidocaine combined with parental video instruction and oral sucrose significantly reduces acute pain during vaccinations. The study involved 352 healthy infants who received scheduled vaccinations, with the best results seen for those using lidocaine cream consistently.
A study funded by Grand Challenges Canada reveals that premature babies who received Kangaroo Mother Care in infancy exhibit reduced aggressive behavior, higher brain size, and increased financial success as adults. These benefits persist even 20 years later.
A UBC study found that new moms transitioning to expressed breast milk typically stop breastfeeding earlier than peers, raising concerns about infant health. The research suggests inadequate lactation support may contribute to this trend.
A Stanford patient has become the first infant to receive an experimental drug that shows significant improvement in motor milestones and function. The drug, nusinersen, is being rapidly progressed through regulatory approval, with FDA approval expected within two months.
Researchers found that nusinersen treatment slowed disease progression, improved survival, and showed remarkable improvement in muscle function in infant-onset SMA patients. The study demonstrated safety and effectiveness of the treatment in infants as young as five weeks old.
A new theory of infant language learning suggests that visual experience plays a key role in early word acquisition, with common objects emerging as first words. The study's findings have implications for the treatment of children with language deficits and autism.
Researchers found that trichromat females have higher body mass indices and increased infant survival rates among their group members. This suggests a selective advantage for trichromatic females in providing nutrition and care to their offspring during times of food scarcity.
Mothers with repetitive and self-focused negative thoughts have poorer-quality relationships with their babies. Researchers found that rumination reduces maternal sensitivity to infants, regardless of depressive symptoms. This study suggests strategies can help manage rumination and improve parenting.
A novel diagnostic biomarker panel can identify necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants with high accuracy. The test, developed by LSU Health New Orleans researchers, has the potential to improve disease management and outcomes for thousands of preterm babies each year.
A new study has found a possible link between the Zika virus and glaucoma in infants exposed to the virus during gestation. Researchers identified a three-month-old boy with symptoms of glaucoma caused by Zika exposure, leading to successful treatment via trabeculectomy.
A new study by Renée Baillargeon and colleagues found that 2.5-year-old children can answer questions about people acting on false beliefs, a skill previously thought to develop until age 4. The researchers developed a modified version of the Sally-Anne test, which gave children a chance to prepare for the question and reduced processi...
Researchers at Kobe University developed a new method to predict congenital CMV infection in fetuses using non-invasive tests. The most effective methods are ultrasound and PCR tests for uterine cervical secretion, which can accurately identify affected infants and enable early antiviral treatment.
Liquid-based nutritional supplements, known as toddler milks, may fuel rapid and unhealthy weight gain in young children, warns Emory University researcher Michelle Lampl. The FDA lacks oversight of these products, which can have up to 240 calories per serving, threatening the health of a generation.
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from a bystander improved overall and neurologically favorable survival for children with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The study analyzed data from over 3,900 cases and showed that conventional CPR provided better outcomes than compr...
The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology recommends introducing peanut-containing foods as early as 4-6 months for high-risk infants with severe eczema and/or egg allergy. Early introduction has been shown to benefit infants who are sensitized to peanuts in studies like LEAP.
Researchers used OCT imaging to examine retinal layers in infants with congenital Zika syndrome. The study found severe neurosensory retinal thinning and visual impairment in newborns, highlighting the need for further studies on visual function correlation.
Researchers identified a blood test that predicts infant outcomes and classifies FASD subpopulations. The test uses biomarkers in maternal plasma miRNAs to predict infant health.
Researchers identified a blood test that may predict infant disability caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. The study found that moderate to high levels of alcohol exposure during early pregnancy resulted in differences in circulating microRNAs in maternal blood.
A study published in JAMA found that VLBW infants who received supplemental, nutrient-enriched donor milk did not exhibit improved neurodevelopment compared to those receiving preterm formula. However, the use of nutrient-fortified donor milk was shown to reduce the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis.
A University of Toronto study found that infant handling and natal attraction had a significant impact on the weaning process in female chimpanzees. Infants who were held and carried more by babysitters nursed less often and drank less milk, becoming nutritionally independent sooner.
A new study reveals that male chimpanzees prioritize their offspring over building relationships with females, contradicting the long-held assumption that they are solely focused on mating. The researchers found that males spend time with non-mating female chimpanzees caring for their offspring and exhibit paternal behavior towards them.
Researchers have successfully tested a drug that shows early promise in preventing pre-term birth, which is the major cause of death in children under five years old. The drug, (+)-naloxone, was found to provide complete protection against pre-term birth and lead to normal development in infants.
Despite extensive research supporting mother's own milk as most effective option for low birthweight infants, numerous barriers persist in NICUs. Common issues include ineffective breast pumps, inadequate freezer space, and lack of investment in evidence-based practices to optimize milk volume.
A study of 153,000 Australian children found that planned births before optimal time had poorer child development. Children born vaginally at full term had a lower risk of developmental issues compared to those born via planned birth or labor induction.
Researchers estimate that implementing pictorial warnings on cigarette packs could prevent 652,800 smoking attributable deaths and 46,600 low-birth weight cases by 2065. The study, published online Nov. 3 in the journal Tobacco Control, suggests a direct association between graphic pictures and increased smoking cessation.
A study of over 260,000 infants found that untreated infections during infancy increased the risk of childhood obesity by 25%. The research suggests that reducing infant infections may be a key strategy for preventing childhood obesity.
The new guidelines provide recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of positional plagiocephaly in infants, emphasizing the importance of physical therapy with helmet therapy. The guidelines are based on a comprehensive review of research and aim to provide a safe and effective approach for managing this common disorder.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends sharing a bedroom with parents but on separate surfaces, avoiding soft bedding and exposure to smoke, alcohol, and illicit drugs. The updated policy also emphasizes skin-to-skin care and breastfeeding for added protection against SIDS.
Early results from the BabySeq Project suggest some utility in genetically sequencing newborn infants and offer new insights into parental attitudes toward the procedure and results. The study identified potentially harmful variants in two healthy infants sequenced without a family history of genetic disease.
A study found that mothers who underwent bariatric surgery less than two years before childbirth had higher risks for prematurity, neonatal intensive care unit admission, and small for gestational age status compared to those with longer intervals. The optimal timing between bariatric surgery and conception is undefined.
Researchers found a link between necrotizing enterocolitis and mitochondrial metabolism, which generates energy for cells. The study suggests a genetic deficiency may trigger the disease, which affects up to 10% of premature infants and is fatal 25-35% of the time.
A nationwide study found that infants from families with no health insurance or low income have a higher risk of death from sepsis. Those with severe illness and low birth weight were at the highest risk, with odds ratios as high as 36.1 and 4.8, respectively.
Researchers have discovered that infant nose cells possess remarkably similar RNS patterns to those found in the lungs, enabling non-invasive diagnostic methods and potential therapeutics for pediatric lung diseases. This breakthrough could improve diagnosis and treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other infant lung disea...
Researchers at Women & Infants Hospital have received NIH grants to evaluate treatment strategies for perinatal brain injury. The studies aim to prevent or decrease brain damage in infants at risk for cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities.
Research shows that mothers respond strongly to moral faults in their infants, using high-intensity interventions like physical restraint and commands. In contrast, pragmatic and prudential transgressions are met with lower-intensity responses. Infants are more likely to comply with moral commands and less likely to protest verbally.
A new study by the NIH found that even partial steroid treatment can have significant benefits for extremely premature infants. The research showed that infants exposed to partial treatment in the womb had better outcomes than those not exposed, with lower rates of brain and nervous system impairment.
A newly released Pitt study finds that nurturing caregiving in early childhood institutions improves physical, cognitive, and social development. Infants and toddlers with responsive caregivers exhibit fewer aggressive behaviors and externalizing problems after transitioning to family care.
Researchers found great apes can predict false beliefs and actions, similar to human infants, indicating a shared cognitive skill that may be millions of years old. This challenges the notion of human exceptionalism and opens up new avenues for studying animal cognition.
Researchers found that lactoferrin, a protein in breast milk, reduced hospital-acquired infections by 50% among premature infants. The study also measured the safety of feeding lactoferrin to newborns, with no adverse effects identified.
UK toddlers show increased fine motor control when using touchscreens from a young age, with actively scrolling screens correlating to improved skill development. The study found no link between touchscreen use and language development or walking abilities.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that infants as young as 5 months old give more attention to objects presented by their native speaker. This preference for native language is thought to aid infants' quick acquisition of societal knowledge and cultural adaptation.
Researchers found that infants as young as 8 months use the same circuits as adults when learning simple hierarchical rules. Their brains are properly adapted to handle essential elements in their world, suggesting a more mature prefrontal cortex than previously thought.
A study by researchers at UC San Francisco found that a particular pattern of microbes in newborns' guts triples their risk of developing asthma by age four. The abnormal gut microbiome produces molecules that reduce the abundance of key immune cells, leading to a hyperactive immune system and chronic inflammation.
A study found that parents want to know if they're carriers of genetic diseases, despite international guidelines against identifying infant carriers through newborn screening. Many parents don't use the information or use it inappropriately, sharing news with extended family members without consent.
A new smartphone application was found to be an effective tool for teaching comprehensive sexual health to adolescent girls. The study, published in the Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, shows a significant increase in participants' knowledge and practical use of contraception after using the app.
A new study shows early infant circumcision can be safely performed by trained nurses with low rates of adverse events. The procedure resulted in high maternal satisfaction and healed wounds within four weeks.
A new study found that breastfeeding can decrease respiratory symptoms in infants with asthma-related genetic profiles by 27%. The study, which included 368 infants from Switzerland, sheds light on how gene-environment interaction can be modified by breastfeeding.
A randomized controlled trial tested the effectiveness of a teenage pregnancy prevention programme involving an infant simulator and found it did not reduce the risk of pregnancy. In fact, the study showed that teenage girls who took part were more likely to become pregnant compared to those who did not take part.
Two studies explore the use of genetic tests to identify bacterial infections in children with fever. Researchers identified specific host genes that distinguish bacterial from viral infections, and found that these signatures can be used to diagnose bacterial infections. The study has potential for a clinically applicable test using c...
A new diagnostic test analyzes ribonucleic acid (RNA) expression in the bloodstream to distinguish bacterial infections from other causes of fever in infants up to 2 months old. The test has shown high sensitivity and specificity, potentially reducing painful exams, unnecessary antibiotic treatments, and hospitalizations.
A University at Buffalo study finds that fussy infants who find food more rewarding are at a higher risk of obesity. The research assessed infant temperament through a questionnaire, measuring cuddliness and food reinforcement.
A new study found that infants expect people to share food preferences unless they belong to different social groups. However, disgust reactions are expected to transcend social boundaries. This early understanding has important implications for public health policies on obesity.
Researchers found that infants whose mothers speak tonal languages exhibit higher melodic variation in their cries, which sounds like chanting. This suggests that babies are learning language patterns from the womb and can mimic them in their early vocalizations.
A longitudinal study found that infants' spatial reasoning abilities measured as young as six months predict their math skills at four years of age. The researchers also discovered that individual differences in spatial aptitude are present earlier than previously thought, highlighting the potential for early intervention to improve ma...
A new study published in the Journal of AAPOS found a modest but significantly increased risk of retinopathy in very premature infants who received steroid treatment. The study analyzed data from 1,472 neonates and found that steroid-treated infants had a higher incidence of ROP than untreated infants.