Articles tagged with 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.
Researchers at Rice University have won a National Institutes of Health grant to develop new patches that encourage the growth of the child's own heart tissue. The new patches are designed to blend in with the surrounding tissue, reducing the risk of rejection and improving survival rates for infants born with congenital heart defects.
Researchers developed statistical methods to analyze HIV-infected infant data, showing early ART treatment preserves immune system function. The study suggests better treatment strategies can be initiated shortly after birth.
A study of over 6 million newborns found that pre-pregnancy obesity is strongly associated with increased infant mortality rates, particularly from preterm-related causes and congenital anomalies. The risk of infant death was 32% higher for obese mothers, even after controlling for demographic factors.
Researchers developed an infant-friendly flu vaccine using a natural protein that provides four to five times the protection against influenza compared to traditional adjuvants. This breakthrough could lead to safer and more effective vaccinations for premature infants.
A new Tel Aviv University study found that infants born past 42 weeks have twice the risk of contracting infections, experiencing respiratory difficulties, and being admitted to NICUs compared to those born at 39-40 weeks. This is the first time the isolated effect of post-term delivery on neonatal outcomes has been determined.
Researchers identified the NLRP3 inflammasome's role in activating Interleukin 1 beta, triggering inflammation and BPD development. Testing FDA-approved drugs showed promise in reducing lung damage.
A study of 102 infants found associations between the infant's gut microbiome composition and delivery method, as well as feeding practices. The research suggests that differences in the microbiome composition may be linked to short- and long-term health outcomes.
A study of 201 infants found that buprenorphine therapy was more effective than methadone in reducing the duration of treatment and length of hospital stay for newborns born in opioid withdrawal. Infants treated with buprenorphine had a shorter course of treatment, averaging 9.4 days, compared to 14 days on methadone.
Researchers at Cornell University discovered triggers that could reduce congenital heart defect risk in newborns by regulating embryonic heart and valve formation. They found cyclic stretches activate enzymes that coordinate biological responses, leading to proper valve maturation.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that electronic toys with lights, words, and songs decrease the quantity and quality of language compared to traditional toys and books. This is significant because limited parent-child playtime can be a challenge for many families, making optimizing this time crucial.
Two-year-olds demonstrate impressive touch-screen skills, able to swipe, unlock, and search for features. Researchers suggest this technology may aid in childhood development assessment and early intervention.
Turn-taking in human communication appears to have origins in primate gestural interactions, predating the development of language. This double-tasking of comprehension and production may motivate compact clause structures in all languages.
A new study found that 95% of families made at least one error in car seat use, and 91% made a serious error. The most common mistakes included loose harnesses, incorrect installations, and low chest clip positions.
New research suggests that low-dose aspirin should be given prophylactically to all women at high risk of preeclampsia, which affects 3-7% of births in the US. The approach could reduce morbidity, save lives and lower healthcare costs.
Research identifies abnormal cell cycle gene activity as a common underlying factor for brain overgrowth and undergrowth in autistic toddlers. The study found that disruptions in cell cycle networks, which control prenatal neuron production, contribute to abnormal early brain growth.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that antidepressants used during the final two trimesters of pregnancy were associated with an increased risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. The study, which analyzed data on over 145,000 pregnancies and infants, found a significant increase in ASD diagnoses among children exp...
A new article published in Acta Paediatrica stresses the importance of direct interactions with family members for infants' cognitive and language development. The research suggests that screen-based activities like iPads or DVDs may actually hinder language skills, leading to potential delays.
Scientists at Texas Biomed aim to develop a functional cure for babies born with HIV by testing a combination of antiviral drugs and vaccines in infant monkeys. The goal is to induce long-lasting protective immunity and eliminate the virus from tissue reservoirs.
A 30-year analysis suggests that safer sleep environments are one of several factors behind the decline in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) rates. Improved prenatal and neonatal care, reduced maternal smoking, increased breast feeding, and declines in teen pregnancy also contribute to the trend.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed two antibodies to potentially treat or prevent pertussis, a highly contagious respiratory tract infection that affects millions of infants worldwide. The antibodies potently neutralize pertussis toxin, bolstering immune function and rapidly reducing white blood cell counts.
Researchers at the University of Washington have created a new probabilistic model that allows robots to learn new skills by watching people and imitating them. The team combined child development research with machine learning approaches, inspired by infants' ability to infer adult intentions through self-exploration.
A new study found that higher cigarette taxes are strongly associated with lower infant mortality rates in the US. The association is stronger for African American infants than non-Hispanic white infants, which has implications for reducing disparities in infant mortality between the two groups.
A study of 1315 infants found no significant benefits from using probiotic Bifidobacterium breve to prevent late-onset sepsis, death, or necrotizing enterocolitis. The results contradict previous meta-analyses suggesting reduced mortality and complications associated with probiotic administration.
A recent study found that the chikungunya virus can lead to severe brain infections, including encephalitis, with a higher incidence rate than West Nile virus and similar infections in the US. The infection is particularly severe in infants and people over 65, with a high death rate of 17% and long-term disabilities reported.
A recent study found a significant increase in infant deaths and injuries caused by crib bumpers, with 48 deaths specifically attributed to the bedding accessory between 1985-2012. The researchers recommend a nationwide ban on crib bumpers due to their role in suffocation and strangulation incidents.
A new mattress device has been shown to reduce apneic events by 50% and improve breathing stability in preterm infants, with potential benefits for hospital stays and long-term cognitive development.
Researchers found that older toddlers as young as 32 months prefer looking at average-weight figures over obese ones, with maternal anti-fat prejudice strongly correlated. This suggests that children absorb and display societal attitudes early on, highlighting the need to address weight-based prejudice.