Research on the health and development of babies. Covers motor development, maternal-infant health, cochlear implants, and infant nutrition.
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.
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.