Articles tagged with Infants
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.
Research finds that infants develop strong antibody responses to RSV F and G proteins after infection, while adult immunity weakens over time. The study suggests that future vaccines should include G proteins to boost anti-G responses.
A new study finds that toddlers who reach for sweet treats after a filling meal are at a greater risk of weight gain. Researchers from Michigan Medicine found that eating in the absence of hunger is associated with being overweight among young children.
A team of researchers has identified the compound in mothers' milk that supplies nourishment to infants' gut microbiota. This compound can be obtained from cow's milk and may be used as a prebiotic for infants, potentially improving their formula.
Collaborative research found that standardizing care policies for infants born with NAS reduced length of treatment by one day and length of hospitalization by two days. Simple strategies such as swaddling, soothing, and skin-to-skin contact were implemented to prevent escalation of withdrawal symptoms.
Research from Oregon State University shows that toddlers with mobility disabilities spend less time engaging in play and physical activity compared to their peers. Modified ride-on toy cars can help increase interaction with peers and objects, providing essential developmental benefits.
Researchers investigated how infants process others' actions and found that brain activity in the motor system predicts imitation of others' actions. The study provides evidence for intelligent social behavior in infants as young as 7 months old, shedding light on neural processes contributing to this complex behavior.
A new MRI scoring system revealed gyral maturational delay as a predictor of neurodevelopmental impairment in smaller premature babies. Gyral maturation delay also predicted cognitive delay and increased risk of death. The study suggests that therapies should begin at the earliest moment impairments become obvious.
A study of nearly 4,000 children found that infants with high BMI as young as 4-6 months are at risk of early-childhood obesity. Infants with BMI above the 85th percentile by 6, 12, or 18 months are strong predictors of severe obesity by age 6.
A new method has been proposed to detect bacterial infections in preterm infants by monitoring serum procalcitonin levels. The study found that PCT levels take longer to return to normal in preterm infants, providing a potential early detection criterion.
African-American infants who feed more vigorously at 1 month of age have higher weight at 4 months, a potential early indicator of obesity risk. Researchers found that stronger sucking skills were associated with greater weight gain from birth to 4 months.
A Kyoto University study found that premature infants, aged 6 and 12 months, showed reduced interest in social stimuli compared to full-term infants. This could be an early indicator of atypical social development, including autism. The research used eye-tracking technology to assess gaze patterns and social interaction skills.
A new study finds that paid maternity leave policies can reduce infant mortality by 13% in low- and middle-income countries. Researchers analyzed data from 20 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America and found that extending paid leave by one month prevents about 8 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation has been awarded the Saving Lives at Birth: A Grand Challenge for Development Award to scale up use of the Pratt Pouch in Uganda. The model aims to reach 40,000 infants in three years with the goal of significantly reducing HIV transmission rates.
A study by the University of Geneva found that excessive noise disrupts premature babies' tactile skills, hindering their ability to memorize shapes and distinguish between objects. The researchers suggest implementing environmental measures to reduce noise levels in neonatal units to support optimal brain development.
Research shows that 15-month-old babies generalize an adult's angry behavior even if the social context has changed. They make snap judgments and tend to assume a person with a history of anger will become angry again in similar situations. This study highlights the importance of parents being mindful of their emotions' impact on babies.
Scientists administered anti-HIV-1 human neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to infant rhesus macaques exposed to SHIV and found that the treatment completely cleared the virus within 14 days. This study shows that early administration of powerful antibodies can effectively clear a nonhuman primate virus similar to HIV.
A study by University of Toronto researchers found that baby monkeys in groups with higher risks of infanticide develop faster. This accelerated growth may be triggered by stress hormones in maternal milk, allowing mothers and infants to better survive.
Researchers identified uropathogenic E. coli as the E. coli type most strongly linked to pre-term infant mortality from necrotizing enterocolitis. The study suggests that early identification of this bacteria could help physicians make informed care decisions for vulnerable infants.
Researchers discovered a microbial biomarker that distinguishes premature infants at risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) from those who don't. Infants with NEC had higher Gammaproteobacteria and lower anaerobic bacteria in their guts compared to controls.
A large-scale study reveals that premature babies with necrotizing enterocolitis have a distinct mix of gut microbes compared to healthy infants. The researchers identified Gram-negative bacteria and anaerobic bacteria as potential contributors to the disease, and found that breast milk may offer some protection.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 37 intervention trials found no consistent evidence that partially or extensively hydrolysed milk formula prevents allergic or autoimmune diseases in infants. Current guidelines recommending these formulas may be misguided, experts say.
A clinical trial has found that regular peanut consumption begun in early infancy and continued until age 5 reduced the rate of peanut allergy in at-risk infants by 80% compared to non-peanut-consumers. After a one-year period of peanut avoidance, only 4.8% of original peanut consumers were found to be allergic.
A study by UCLA researchers found associations between Zika infection and grave outcomes, including fetal death, placental insufficiency, and central nervous system damage. The study suggests that Zika can cause a range of abnormalities in pregnant women, even if the fetus is not directly affected.
A study led by King's College London found that early introduction of peanut to infants at high-risk of developing peanut allergy significantly reduces the risk of peanut allergy until 6 years of age. The study, which followed on from the LEAP study, concluded that a 12-month period of peanut avoidance after initial consumption did not...
A recent study found that antenatal corticosteroids can significantly reduce the rate of neonatal respiratory complications in babies born between 34 and 36 weeks gestation. The research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, involved approximately 2,800 women who received either two injections of betamethasone or placebo. ...
A recent study found that severe anemia is a significant risk factor for necrotizing enterocolitis in VLBW infants, while red blood cell transfusion was not significantly related to the development of NEC. This suggests that preventing severe anemia may be more important than minimizing RBC transfusion exposure as a strategy to decreas...
A study published in JAMA found that severe anemia is associated with a significantly increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants. The researchers discovered this link after analyzing data from over 600 VLBW infants enrolled in the study.
A new study suggests that moderate fish consumption during pregnancy may have beneficial effects on infant neurobehavior and development. The research found that infants of mothers with higher mercury exposure and greater fish consumption showed improved attention and reduced special handling needs.
Systematic reviews identify early-life risk factors, including maternal smoking and high birth weight, that contribute to childhood obesity. Interventions such as prenatal dietary coaching and parenting practices also show promise in reducing the risk of overweight children.
A new study found that atazanavir-exposed infants have lower scores for language and social-emotional development compared to unexposed infants. However, the differences are small and may not have large clinical implications. Further studies are needed to assess the persistence of these effects beyond one year of age.
Researchers found that breast milk sugars containing sialic acid promote healthy infant growth by interacting with the gut microbiome. The study suggests that these sugars may be key components of breast milk necessary for infant health, and could lead to improved infant formulas and therapeutic foods.
Researchers found that a novel combination of prebiotics, milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) and lactoferrin added to a DHA- and ARA-containing formula advanced overall brain development in piglets. The study suggests that myelination occurred at a faster rate in piglets fed the supplemented diet.
A study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found significant disparities in scholarly productivity between male and female gynecologic oncologists. Female doctors were less productive in lower academic ranks, but more productive later in their careers.
Researchers at Women & Infants Hospital published a study linking anal cancer to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The study found that 40% of high-risk women and 21.7% of low-risk women had abnormal anal cytology, with high-risk HPV detected in 20.8% of the high-risk group
A special issue of Family Medicine and Community Health explores care, disease management and sociobehavioral interventions in China and Australia. The featured work includes an original research article on the critical importance of sense-making and values-congruent partnerships between GPs and patients following stroke.
A new study found that 24-month-old infants from the US and China share similar attention patterns for objects and events, but also show culturally specific differences. Infants in China preferred looking at scenes featuring a new action, while those in the US focused on new objects.
A new study reveals that the transition to family foods drives gut microbiota development in infants, rather than maternal obesity. The study found that breastfeeding duration and complementary diet composition played key roles in shaping the infant's gut microbiome.
A study by University of Utah researcher Elisabeth Conradt found that a mother's sensitivity can buffer her infant from the negative impacts of maternal depression. Infants whose mothers were sensitive had lower cortisol levels and less DNA methylation, indicating reduced exposure to maternal stress hormones.
Infants as young as a few months can understand the physical properties of liquids, including loose cohesiveness and changes in shape with movement. This 'naïve physics' knowledge is evident even when faced with unexpected behaviors, such as liquids getting trapped on grids or solids passing through them.
A new study reveals that prelinguistic infants (5-7 months) exhibit brain activity in response to color categories, indicating an innate ability to categorize colors. This finding suggests that color perception is independent of language and can develop independently of linguistic acquisition.
Research reveals that targeting lower oxygen saturation levels (85-89%) for extremely preterm infants increases the risk of death by up to 45% compared to higher targets (91-95%). This finding confirms previous studies and has significant implications for neonatal care.
A Yale University study found that infant girls at risk for autism exhibit better social attention and observational skills than boys, which may help prevent or mitigate the severity of autism symptoms in high-risk females.
A UK study found a link between reduced one-to-one nursing care for sick newborns and higher death rates in neonatal intensive care. The study suggests that improving staffing ratios could reduce neonatal deaths and is in line with guidelines from the British Association of Perinatal Medicine.
A Brazilian study found a link between Zika virus and eye abnormalities in infants with microcephaly. The study evaluated 29 infants with microcephaly and found ophthalmoscopic abnormalities in 34.5% of them, including focal pigment mottling of the retina and chorioretinal atrophy.
Research by the University of Warwick found a link between reduced one-to-one nursing care for premature new-borns and a higher death rate. The study, published in Archives of Disease in Childhood (Fetal & Neonatal Edition), showed a third decrease in this type of care between 2008 and 2012.
Researchers studying the Aka pygmies found that teaching is an innate aspect of human behavior, with adults giving infants sharp objects to learn a skill. The study's findings suggest that teaching occurs naturally in small-scale groups and may be essential for human learning.
Research from Concordia University reveals that bilingual children are better at certain types of mental control, with those who practice more language switching showing greater skills. This advantage is attributed to the cognitive benefits of bilingualism, including increased cognitive flexibility and selective attention abilities.
Researchers partially restored the mix of bacteria that coat a newborn's body when delivered vaginally in C-section infants. After exposure to maternal vaginal fluids, C-section infants' microbiomes showed higher numbers of beneficial bacteria similar to those in vaginally born babies.
Researchers demonstrate that C-section infants can be enriched with vaginal bacteria, improving their immune system development. The study's findings have significant implications for the health risks associated with C-section deliveries.
Boosting breastfeeding rates could save millions of lives, including those from child mortality and breast cancer. Global economic losses from not breastfeeding are estimated at US$302 billion annually.
A new US study reveals a persistent link between low birth weights and income levels, contrasting with other developed countries. The research found that disparities in birth weights were most pronounced in the US, where birth weights dropped consistently with income level.