Articles tagged with Infants
E-cigarette nicotine refill cartridges contain high levels of nicotine, posing a risk to young children who may accidentally ingest them. The US CDC reports a massive rise in accidental poison calls related to e-cigarette refills, with over half involving children under 5.
A new study found that caffeine therapy for apnea of prematurity does not have long-term harmful effects on sleep or control of breathing in children. The study, which assessed 201 preterm children at ages 5-12, showed no evidence of long-term detrimental effects of caffeine treatment on sleep duration or sleep apnea during childhood.
A recent study has shown that the addition of carboplatin and/or bevacizumab to standard chemotherapy regimens can significantly increase pathologic complete response rates in stage II-III triple-negative breast cancer patients. This may lead to improved outcomes and reduced risk of relapse.
A meta-analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials found that dexamethasone may impact preterm infant intelligence in early stages after birth, but lead to hearing impairment at later stages. The study provides evidence for clinical application of dexamethasone in treating respiratory distress syndrome and chronic lung diseases.
Research shows that mothers living in greener neighborhoods are more likely to deliver at full term and their babies are born at higher weights. The study controlled for factors such as air pollution and neighborhood walkability.
A Singaporean birth cohort study found that six-month-old bilingual infants outperformed monolingual peers in recognizing familiar images and paying attention to novelty. This suggests a generalized cognitive advantage that emerges early in bilingual children, which may have implications for their future pre-school developmental outcomes.
Historic HIV vaccine trials have triggered an antibody response that lasts for two years, according to researchers at Duke University Medical Center. This response may provide protection against HIV infection.
A recent University of Georgia research study reveals that peer groups and clinicians play a critical role in developing effective breastfeeding programs. Mothers who received support from peer counselors reported higher success rates with breastfeeding, attributed to the positive influence of role models.
Parents who engage with their infant's babbling can accelerate their child's vocalizing and language learning, according to a new University of Iowa study. Infants whose mothers responded to their babbling showed an increase in developmentally advanced vocalizations and began directing more of their babbling towards their mothers.
A study found that high-dose EPO administered within 42 hours of birth reduced brain injury and white matter damage in preterm infants. The treatment was associated with improved neurodevelopmental outcomes, including lower rates of encephalopathy of prematurity.
Researchers found that administering EPO immediately after birth significantly reduces brain damage in premature babies. This study builds on previous research showing EPO's neuroprotective effects and holds promise for preventing long-term consequences of preterm birth.
Researchers cast doubt on theories that Australopithecus africanus exhibits key cranial adaptations found in modern human infants and toddlers. The study used high-resolution CT scans of the Taung Child's skull and brain, revealing no evidence for infant brain development similar to that of modern humans.
Researchers found that couples who role-played interacting with a doll during pregnancy exhibited similar behaviors towards each other when playing with their real infant. Positive interactions predicted supportive co-parenting, while negative interactions foretold conflict.
The study reveals a higher incidence of SCID in newborns, with survival rates significantly improved through early detection and treatment. The expansion of newborn screening programs has led to better outcomes for affected infants.
A new study supports the use of newborn screening tests for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), a life-threatening condition affecting approximately 1 in 58,000 infants. The test identified 52 cases of SCID, with all patients receiving lifesaving treatments and 92% surviving.
A review of bronchiolitis treatment reveals a tendency to prioritize oxygen saturation levels over other clinical assessment tools. Clinicians are often less likely to admit patients with falsely high oxygen saturation levels, highlighting the importance of considering all available data.
A study published in JAMA found that artificially increasing pulse oximetry readings by a small amount can significantly reduce hospitalizations for infants with bronchiolitis. The findings suggest that oxygen saturation should not be the only factor in deciding to admit or discharge patients.
Researchers found that infants exposed to opioids in utero had more severe symptoms of neonatal abstinence syndrome, with higher DNA methylation levels. This study suggests a link between early exposure and lasting epigenetic changes, potentially affecting future sensitivity to addictive substances.
A new study by CU Denver researcher Zaneta Thayer found that poor women experience higher cortisol levels during pregnancy, giving birth to infants with elevated cortisol responses to stress. These early life disparities can lead to serious disease later in life and highlight the need for stress reduction and social support.
A study analyzing over 3 million infants screened for SCID found an incidence rate of 1 in 58,000 births. The survival rate for SCID-affected infants is high at 87%, with further improvements seen when transplantation, enzyme replacement, and gene therapy are used.
Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) affects 1 in 58,000 infants, but recent screenings have detected nearly double the previously estimated incidence. The study found that infant screening programs can detect SCID early, allowing for timely treatment and improved survival rates.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have successfully incorporated a cream supplement into premature infants' diets, improving their growth outcomes in the NICU. The study found that adding human milk fat to an exclusive human milk diet enhanced weight and length gain in premature babies, indicating improved lean mass growth.
A study found that preterm infants' ability to follow another's gaze emerges earlier than expected, implying the influence of early visual exposure. This challenges previous assumptions about cognitive development and suggests a potential link between visual experience and social cognition.
A new study from Concordia University reveals that infants can categorize objects as animate or inanimate even at 10 months old. The study used a visual habituation paradigm to measure how long babies look at different objects, finding that they can distinguish between natural paths of animals and moving cars.
A randomized clinical trial found that wearing nonsterile gloves after hand washing significantly reduced late-onset infections and gram-positive bloodstream infections in extremely premature babies. The study included 120 infants who weighed less than 1,000 grams and/or had a gestational age of less than 29 weeks.
A study published in PNAS reveals that premature infants' gut microbiota assemble in a predetermined order, with the pace of assembly slowing down as gestational age increases. The research found that environmental factors influenced the pace but not the order of bacterial colonization.
Researchers have developed a new approach to measuring early brain development of infants, resulting in more accurate whole brain growth charts. The study found that premature babies' brains grow faster, but may be smaller at 90 days post-delivery, highlighting the importance of inducing labor.
Critically ill infants in the NICU can greatly benefit from human milk, which offers essential immunological and anti-inflammatory properties. This is supported by research and best practices outlined in a special issue of Advances in Neonatal Care, led by CHOP nurse researcher Diane L. Spatz.
A new study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health found that promoting a healthy diet from infancy can prevent childhood obesity and chronic disease. The research described food preferences developed at 12-16 months, persisting into adulthood.
A study of 86 mother-infant pairs found that maternal singing during skin-to-skin contact improved preterm infant heart rate variability patterns. This combined effect also caused mothers to experience reduced anxiety levels.
A QUT study found that one in two new mothers experience excessive sleepiness four months after giving birth. Despite stable night sleep times, they reported being tired during the day. The study highlights the importance of preserving sleep quality for new mothers.
Infants born to HIV-infected mothers are at risk due to limited access to formula and breastfeeding challenges. Researchers advocate for immune-based interventions, including vaccines and nutritional supplements, to prevent postnatal HIV-1 transmission. The development of novel prophylaxis strategies is crucial to achieving an HIV-free...
Congenital heart disease specialists have developed a nonsurgical technique to repair patent ductus arteriosus, a common cardiac birth defect. The minimally invasive procedure employs fluoroscopy and echocardiography to guide closure without exposing fragile infants to open-heart surgery.
Researchers discovered that mother rats can transmit fears to their babies through odor, which could explain how traumatic experiences affect children long after birth. The study pinpointed the brain area responsible for learning these fears and suggests potential interventions to prevent irrational fear responses.
A literature review found that metzitzah b'peh, a Jewish circumcision procedure involving oral suction, is likely a source of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) transmissions in infants. The practice has been linked to severe morbidity and potentially death in newborns, highlighting the need for further research.
Dr. Surendra Sharma, a research scientist and professor at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, has received the Distinguished Service Award for advancing reproductive immunology research. His laboratory focuses on understanding premature birth and pregnancy complications.
Researchers found that maternal presence and social interactions directly mold infant brain activity and growth. The study showed that the mother's presence regulated and controlled electrical signaling in the infant pup's brain, leading to healthy brain development.
Research shows that infants' brains stimulate areas for motor movements of speech at 7-11 months, laying groundwork for word formation. This practice may contribute to the developmental transition to native language sensitivity.
A Dartmouth College study found that infant toenails are a reliable way to estimate arsenic exposure before birth. The researchers used plasma mass spectrometry to analyze infant toenails and found a significant correlation between maternal and infant toenail arsenic concentrations.
A landmark study by Oxford University researchers found that babies' bone growth in the womb and their length and head circumference at birth are strikingly similar globally when born to educated, healthy, and well-nourished mothers. The study involved almost 60,000 pregnancies across eight urban areas worldwide.
Daphne Maurer has spent decades studying human sensory development and brain plasticity. Her research on infants born with cataracts reveals that temporary blindness can lead to permanent visual deficits. Maurer also explores the potential of video games to improve eyesight in adults.
A NIH-funded study found that telemedicine screening for ROP in premature infants can correctly identify cases with 90% accuracy. The approach, which involves sending photos of baby eyes to a distant image reading center, could help ease strain on hospitals and improve care for underserved areas.
A new multicenter study validated a telemedicine approach to screening for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a leading cause of treatable blindness in preterm babies. Trained non-physician evaluators accurately identified high-risk eyes, suggesting this method could help prevent thousands of kids from going blind.
A large US study finds that nearly one in 25 babies are born too soon through elective cesarean sections and induced labor without medical indication. This increases the risk of respiratory distress, ventilation, and longer hospital stays for newborns.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a new stereoscopic measurement system using computer vision to accurately measure infant length. The technique allows infants to be measured while lying naturally on their backs, eliminating the need for physical restriction and reducing discomfort.
A major new Series in The Lancet emphasizes the critical role of midwifery in saving millions of women and children worldwide. Effective midwifery can prevent up to three-quarters of stillbirths and maternal deaths, and even modest improvements in coverage could halve current rates by 2030.
A new US study found that nearly 4% of babies born in the US are delivered early without a medical reason, with sociodemographic differences identified between women having early elective labor inductions and cesareans. Early elective deliveries are linked to increased health risks for mothers and babies.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) babies who undergo major surgery have an increased risk of death or subsequent neurodevelopmental impairment. The study included 12,111 infants and found a 50% increase in risk for VLBW infants who underwent major surgery compared to those who did not.
Research suggests that children of parents using subsidies for center-based care at age 2 are more likely to use Head Start or public prekindergarten two years later. This finding highlights the potential benefits of early subsidy programs in strengthening low-income children's development.
Researchers found that heart rate variability can predict the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants. The study showed that decreased high-frequency energy distribution was associated with increased risk, while higher values were linked to a lower risk. This discovery offers new hope for early detection and intervention.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that toddlers can successfully learn novel verbs after hearing them only twice, as long as the verb is 'packaged' in a complete sentence. The study showed that presenting verbs in sentences with familiar nouns supports toddlers' abilities to apply the new words in novel contexts.
A new Cornell University study reveals that infants' immune systems respond quickly to infection but struggle to create long-lasting immunity, leaving them vulnerable to illnesses. Researchers hope to design more effective vaccines and therapeutic interventions using this knowledge.
A new study published in Radiology found that moderate and late preterm birth is associated with smaller brain size and less developed myelination, suggesting a disruption in the expected trajectory of brain growth. The research provides insight into brain-behavior relationships in this group of children.
A study of 2,070 children found no association between hydrolyzed formulas and reduced risk of beta-cell autoimmunity in infancy. The use of hydrolyzed formulas during infancy did not reduce the incidence of diabetes-associated autoantibodies after 7 years.
A clinical review published in JAMA explores the diagnosis and management of mixed urinary incontinence in women, a condition affecting 20-36% of women. High-quality evidence supports treating stress and urge urinary incontinences with surgery and medications respectively.
A new study confirms that children who live in homes with high levels of roach and mouse allergens and pollutants have higher overall allergy and asthma rates. However, those who encounter such substances before their first birthdays seem to benefit rather than suffer from them.
A 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) effectively prevents community-acquired pneumonia in infants in Latin America, with a 22% reduction in new cases. The vaccine also leads to significant reductions in acute otitis media and invasive pneumococcal disease.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles found that infants treated with inhaled hypertonic saline had lower rates of hospital admission compared to those receiving normal saline for bronchiolitis. The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, suggests a promising and inexpensive treatment option to reduce healthcare costs.
Italian scientists developed a continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) machine to treat smallest babies and have successfully used it to treat a newborn with multiple organ failure. The CARPEDIEM device overcomes technical challenges of existing machines, allowing for accurate fluid management and treatment delivery.
Infant health has improved among US poor despite worsening economic conditions, thanks to programs like Medicaid, WIC, and SNAP. These policies have helped reduce low-birth-weight babies and improve maternal health.