Research on the health and development of babies. Covers motor development, maternal-infant health, cochlear implants, and infant nutrition.
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.
A new vibration-based prevention technology has been shown to reduce apneic events and improve critical clinical parameters in prematurely born infants. The technology, tested in a neonatal intensive care unit, demonstrated a 50% reduction in apnea incidence and ameliorated oxygen desaturation events.
A large study found that infants under 12 months are most at risk of serious physical abuse, with severe injuries leading to a threefold increase in mortality compared to other types of trauma. The majority (98%) of abused children were under 5 years old, and nearly all (76%) were less than 1 year old.
Researchers found that infants of blind parents paid less attention to adults' eye gaze compared to those with sighted parents. However, these infants developed advanced visual attention and memory skills, suggesting active learning from their blind caregivers.
Researchers develop simple raisin test to forecast a child's attention and learning capacity. The test shows that premature-born toddlers are more likely to struggle with attention regulation and academic achievement.
Research reveals that infants can make transitive inferences about social dominance by 10-13 months of age, demonstrating an ability to reason logically. The study's findings suggest that this skill is evolutionarily important and may be shared with other animals.
A study found that providing babies with up to 12 months of liquid formula HIV drugs while breastfeeding with their HIV-positive mothers is highly effective in protecting them from infection. The study showed that rates of HIV infection fell to 0.2% when the drug was taken, and that adherence remained a key factor for success.
A study found that coconut oil consumption reduced gastrointestinal colonization by C. albicans in mice, suggesting a potential way to prevent invasive infections. The researchers plan to launch a clinical trial testing coconut oil in hospitalized infants at high-risk for developing systemic candidiasis.
A cohort study investigated the association between growth parameters and early feeding mode with neurodevelopmental outcomes in newborns with CHD. The study found that poor growth and device-assisted feeding were linked to increased risks of cognitive and motor delays at six and twelve months.
A study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that feeding at-risk infants gluten until two years of age increases the risk of developing celiac disease. The research suggests that early gluten intake plays a role in disease course, particularly in children with genetic risk factors for celiac disease.
Researchers analyzed 2,176 children with cardiac arrest and found that just under half received bystander CPR, associated with an 11% likelihood of neurologically favorable survival. The majority of cardiac arrests occurred at home, but infants did not benefit from bystander CPR.
Chimpanzees orphaned before age 2 exhibit impaired social behavior as adults, including reduced grooming and partner activity. Decades after maternal deprivation, these individuals show deficits in social relationships within groups.
A Dartmouth College-led study finds that children born to mothers exposed to higher levels of arsenic during pregnancy are at a greater risk of infections and respiratory symptoms within their first year of life. This increased susceptibility may signal a greater risk of later-life allergic diseases or respiratory impairment.
A Canadian study found that black women are at a higher risk of preterm birth than white women, with rates mirroring those in the US. The study analyzed data from the Canadian Live Birth database and found that black women had an 8.9% preterm birth rate, compared to 5.9% for white women.
A study by NIH researchers found no increase in stillbirths after implementing a policy to delay elective deliveries before 39 weeks. The analysis of national infant birth and death statistics over several years showed that efforts to prevent elective deliveries were not linked to an increase in stillbirths on a national level.
A study found that adults who received kidneys from deceased pediatric donors aged 0 to 5 years experienced no surgical complications, organ failure, or rejection. The results showed excellent outcomes with no adverse effects from younger donor age or low weight.
Researchers found that infants can identify and link new sounds to meaning, indicating a social capacity for recognizing and learning from novel communicative signals. This ability broadens our understanding of infants' coordination of social, language, and cognitive development.
A new University of Michigan study found that low testosterone in fathers is associated with less sensitive parenting. Men who are more empathetic and have a loving relationship with their infant's mother exhibit nurturing fathering behavior. This can impact young children's social, emotional, and cognitive development positively.
A recent UTMB study found that severely obese pregnant women who maintained or lost weight during pregnancy had lower healthcare costs and healthier infant outcomes. The study compared 82 obese mothers with 85 healthy-weight mothers, finding that infants of obese mothers who lost weight were less likely to experience complications.
A new study suggests that variations in complex carbohydrates found in breast milk, called human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), are associated with variations in infant growth and obesity. Higher levels of certain HMOs at 6 months of age were linked to greater fat mass, while others were protective against obesity.
Researchers from the University of Montreal found that singing calmed infants twice as long as talking, with an average duration of 9 minutes for songs and 4.5 minutes for baby talk. The study suggests that singing has emotion-regulatory properties that can help parents soothe their children.
A new study examines the effectiveness of a shaken baby syndrome prevention program, Period of PURPLE Crying, which was implemented in North Carolina from 2009-2012. The program, teaching parents about normal infant crying, resulted in a decline of calls to nurse advice line but no significant change in AHT rates.