Research on the health and development of babies. Covers motor development, maternal-infant health, cochlear implants, and infant nutrition.
Two infants buried in Alaska, 11,500 years ago, share genetic material with Native Americans in North and South America. The study supports the Beringian standstill model, suggesting that Native Americans descended from Asian migrants who spent time in Beringia before moving to the Americas.
Research shows that skin-to-skin snuggling between mothers and babies can decrease maternal stress levels, improving parent-child bonding and breastfeeding rates. The study found a significant reduction in maternal anxiety, feeling helpless, and stress related to NICU experience.
A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that nearly 1 in 6 advertisements for children's products in top parenting magazines conflicted with health and safety recommendations. In over half of these cases, ads promoted messages that could put a child's life at risk, such as unsafe sleep positions and choking hazards.
A new phage treatment has shown strong anti-microbial activity against Cronobacter sakazakii, a bacterium that can kill up to 40% of infected infants. The treatment, CR5, killed the bacteria quickly and effectively, without producing toxins or virulence factors.
A new study published in JAMA found that pregnant women with preeclampsia have a higher risk of delivering an infant with a congenital heart defect. The research examined hospital records of over 1.9 million mother and infant pairs, revealing significant association between the diseases.
Raising the smoking age to 21 would help curb early access to tobacco products, leading to reduced smoking rates. E-cigarettes are largely unproven as a smoking cessation tool with potential health risks unknown.
Researchers found that babies with profound hearing loss who received cochlear implants soon babbled as often as their hearing peers, allowing them to catch up developmentally. Infants are actively engaged in their own developmental process and motivated by hearing their own sounds.
A large analysis found that preeclampsia is associated with a higher risk of noncritical heart defects in infants. Infants born to mothers with early-onset preeclampsia before 34 weeks also showed an increased risk of critical heart defects. However, the absolute risk remains low.
Researchers found invasive methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) caused more infections and deaths in hospitalized infants than methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). The study suggests that measures to prevent MSSA infections should be included in addition to MRSA, alongside hand hygiene as a primary prevention strategy.
Researchers found that four-month-old infants can correctly identify the source of a tickle on their feet, but six-month-olds cannot. This suggests that human babies perceive touches solely on their bodies before developing a sense of touch in external space.
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that premature babies have weaker brain connections, particularly in networks linked to attention, communication, and emotions. Early intervention may improve outcomes for these children.
Researchers have found that treating hypoglycemia in newborns according to current recommendations is safe and appears to prevent brain damage. The study suggests that maintaining stable blood glucose levels without significant fluctuations may be crucial for preventing neurosensory impairments.
A new computer program analyzing functional brain MRIs of hearing-impaired children can predict effective language skills after cochlear implant surgery. The study identified two brain regions that effectively predict successful outcomes, providing potential biomarkers for clinicians.
Researchers with the University of British Columbia found that inhibiting infants' tongue movements impedes their ability to distinguish between speech sounds. The study suggests that babies' oral-motor movements play a crucial role in speech perception development.
Researchers found that infected cells in breast tissues could transmit the influenza virus from mothers to breast-feeding infants and vice versa using a ferret model. The study also showed that mammary glands can harbor live influenza virus and produce it in milk.
A Tel Aviv University study found that one-year-old infants with poor sleep quality, such as frequent night wakings and broken sleep patterns, are more likely to experience behavioral problems at the toddler stage. The research suggests that early intervention for infant sleep problems may improve later attention and behavior regulation.
Research found that infants taking inhaled corticosteroids during first 2 years of age are likely to be stunted, with budesonide use showing more pronounced effects. The study highlights the importance of using these medicines in infants appropriately and plans further investigation into their impact on growth.
Infants diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) are at increased risk for hospital readmission, particularly due to withdrawal symptoms. The study suggests that families of infants with NAS may benefit from additional post-discharge resources to mitigate this risk.
Researchers measured radioactivity in infant formulas worldwide and found higher doses than reported limits but lower than recommended levels. Factors such as soil and raw material radioactivity affected levels, highlighting the need for improved monitoring.
Infants under stress exhibit less flexible behavior when presented with new situations, unlike adults who also show reduced flexibility due to stress. This study suggests that repeated exposure to stress in infancy may hinder knowledge acquisition and have lasting effects on cognitive development.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered a strong link between elevated blood eosinophilia and late complications in preterm infants with necrotizing enterocolitis. High levels of eosinophils after NEC onset can predict life-threatening conditions like bowel rupture, fibrosis, and intestinal strictures.
A new study provides the first direct window into the maturation of vision-related areas in the infant brain, showing that major motion processing areas are operational by 7 weeks. The study found similarities between infants and adults in terms of brain activity patterns, but also notable differences, particularly in the development o...
Researchers at Kobe University have developed a painless dermal monitoring method to detect neonatal jaundice in preterm infants. The study identified the optimal skin area for monitoring, allowing for continuous long-term tracking of bilirubin levels and reducing cases of cerebral palsy and hearing loss.
Researchers found that shielding parenteral nutrition from light significantly decreases oxidative stress and cell damage in premature infants, improving their survival rates. The study's findings suggest a potential solution for reducing mortality rates in preterm infants born between 26-31 weeks of gestation.
Researchers found that infants infected with rhinovirus had lower respiratory microbiota diversity, while asymptomatic infections did not. Frequent early-life viral infections were also associated with reduced overall microbiota diversity.
Research from Nationwide Children's Hospital found that delayed umbilical cord clamping in extremely preterm infants led to higher blood pressure readings and reduced need for red blood cell transfusions. The study, which examined 40 infants between 22-27 weeks gestation, showed no immediate safety concerns.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) has found that clomiphene citrate is a more effective treatment option than ovarian stimulation with letrozole or gonadotropins for unexplained infertility, reducing multiple gestations without lowering pregnancy rates.
A study found that probiotic formula can reverse cow's milk allergies in infants by altering their gut bacteria. Infants who developed tolerance to cow's milk had higher levels of beneficial bacteria producing short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate, which help maintain gut homeostasis.
A new, rapid testing method could help diagnose febrile infants with accuracy and speed. The innovative approach aims to reduce invasive procedures like lumbar punctures and antibiotic overuse, saving lives and improving treatment outcomes for thousands of young patients worldwide.
The study aims to develop machine learning models that mimic the toddlers' ability to recognize objects, leveraging 500 hours of video and 54 million images from over 100 children. The research could lead to more sophisticated digital object-recognition technology.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that higher doses of hydrocortisone are not associated with brain injury or neurodevelopmental impairments in extremely low birthweight infants. However, the study suggests that lower doses of hydrocortisone may improve cognitive outcomes.
A study of extremely preterm infants found changes in maternal and infant care practices resulting in improved survival rates. Survival without major health problems increased significantly for infants born at 25-28 weeks.
Researchers discovered a new molecule, 101.10, that effectively prevents inflammation-induced uterine contractions and premature delivery without harming the fetus or mother. The study is a significant step towards preventing prematurity, the world's leading cause of infant death.
Researchers found that preverbal infants can learn basic rules through audio-visual pairs only when stimuli match each other's nature. The study suggests that unified sensory input is crucial for effective learning in infancy.
Survival rates for extremely preterm infants have increased significantly over the past 20 years, with improvements in maternal/neonatal care leading to reduced complications and mortality. The study found that survival without major complications increased approximately 2 percent per year for infants at 25 to 28 weeks' gestation.
Researchers at UW's I-LABS study body maps in infant brain, finding they develop early and relate to social connections and imitation. The findings shed light on how infants build sense of self and connect with others.
Scientists at Karolinska Institutet have discovered that mutations in the KCC2 gene cause severe early infant epilepsy by disrupting chloride ion regulation. This imbalance leads to uncontrolled brain signals, resulting in epilepsy symptoms.
Infants at 4 months old can associate words with objects, suggesting early knowledge of language's relation to the world. This ability is crucial for language acquisition and learning about surroundings.
A federally funded study led by Michigan State University researcher finds that teaching toddlers to understand emotion through 'emotion bridging' with their mothers can reduce behavioral problems. Mothers of higher-risk toddlers benefited most from this strategy, particularly those from disadvantaged families.
A new study from the University of Chicago shows that babies' neural responses to prosocial and antisocial behavior are influenced by their parents' attitudes toward justice. Children as young as 12-24 months old exhibit strong individual differences in moral development, which are predicted by parental sensitivity to justice.
Northwestern researchers identify infants' ability to group objects by name as predictor of later language development, highlighting importance of early talking to young children.
Breastfeeding from 0-5 months significantly reduces infant mortality risk, with exclusively breastfed infants having a lower risk of dying compared to those who were not breastfed. Continued breastfeeding up to 23 months also lowers the risk of infant mortality.
Researchers discovered that genetic variations in opioid receptors are associated with more severe neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in newborn babies. These variations can help identify infants at risk of requiring medication to curb NAS symptoms, enabling tailored treatment plans and improved outcomes.
Research detects RSV on personal clothing and high-touch areas of NICU, highlighting the need for frequent cleaning and visitor screening. Hand hygiene practices are crucial in mitigating transmission of respiratory viruses like RSV.
A large Canadian study found no significant difference in birth outcomes between low-risk pregnancies delivered by family physicians and obstetricians. The research analyzed over 799,000 births, concluding that specialized care may not be necessary for low-risk deliveries.
A new study has found that breast milk can build up toxic chemicals in infants by 20-30% each month, increasing their risk of immune system dysfunction and other health problems. The study followed 81 children born in the Faroe Islands between 1997-2000 and found higher levels of these chemicals in exclusively breastfed infants.
A new study reveals that infant marmosets develop vocalizations influenced by cues from caregivers, suggesting a potential key to understanding human-like vocal development in primates. The research found a strong correlation between parental responses and the timing of the cries-to-phees transition.
Researchers have found that the mortality rate for extremely preterm infants has not improved significantly since 2000, despite advancements in medical technology and treatment. Data from over 47,000 records shows a decline in mortality rates from 1990 to 2000, but no significant improvement from 2000 to 2010.
Research found that prolonged hypoxemia during the first 2-3 months after birth was associated with an increased risk of disability or death at 18 months in extremely preterm infants. The study also revealed that intermittent bradycardia did not significantly add to the risk of adverse outcomes.
A study by Scott Adler and Audrey Wong-Kee-You found that C-sections influence spatial attention in babies, slowing their ability to prioritize and focus on a particular area or object. In contrast, cognitive-driven attention remained unaffected.
Researchers found that wild bonobos use high-pitched 'peep' calls in various contexts, including positive and negative situations, echoing human infant vocalisations. The study suggests an evolutionary transition from functionally fixed animal vocalisations to human-like communication.
A Dartmouth study found that NICU admission rates are rising among normal birth weight and term infants, raising concerns about the necessity of such care. The study's findings suggest that increased admissions may be due to overuse of NICU services, potentially leading to increased costs, stress, and exposure to invasive medical tests.
A recent study found that US NICU admission rates have increased for newborns of all birth weights, including normal-weight and term infants. The researchers looked at data from nearly 18 million live births between 2007 and 2012 and found a significant increase in NICU admissions.
Researchers found that gaze shifting in 10-month-old babies is linked to improved brain responses to new language sounds. The study suggests that social engagement plays a crucial role in early language learning.
Researchers found a strong correlation between maternal mind-mindedness and child's ability to understand others' thoughts. The study showed that mothers who used more 'mind related comments' with their babies had children who performed better in social tasks at age 5.
A study funded by NIH found that many new mothers do not receive advice from physicians on infant care recommendations, including sleep position and breastfeeding. The survey showed that African American women and first-time mothers were more likely to receive advice than white women and mothers of two or more children.
Researchers at the International School of Advanced Studies (SISSA) found that newborn brains process language using cognitive mechanisms similar to those of adults. They demonstrated that babies are sensitive to the edges of words and can differentiate between sequences with or without edge changes.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has published new Choosing Wisely recommendations for reducing unnecessary tests and treatments in newborn care. The guidelines focus on avoiding routine use of antibiotics, anti-reflux medications, x-rays, MRIs, and overnight lung activity monitoring to improve health outcomes and reduce costs.
Researchers found that infants as young as 5-7 months can use their expectations to rapidly shape their developing brains. Brain activity was detected in visual areas even when the image didn't appear as expected, indicating the brain's ability to set up expectations about incoming events.
Researchers found that human screams occupy a reserved chunk of the auditory spectrum and activate a range of acoustic information. Screams have a property called roughness, which refers to how fast a sound changes in loudness, making them more terrifying.