Research on the health and development of babies. Covers motor development, maternal-infant health, cochlear implants, and infant nutrition.
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.
Research by Swedish and US researchers reveals that mothers who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of giving birth to babies with low Apgar scores, indicating an oxygen deficit at birth. The study suggests that preventing women from becoming overweight or obese during reproductive age could improve perinatal health.
A new UT Dallas study explores how infants process degraded speech with cochlear implants, revealing they need more complete speech information to maximize communication outcomes. Infants can distinguish between familiar and new sounds, but require less distortion and more frequency information than older children and adults.
A new study suggests that genes play a key role in the risk of brain injury for premature babies. Variation in genes associated with schizophrenia and fat metabolism has been linked to increased risk of brain injury on MRI scans.
A study published by JAMA found that vitamin C supplementation during pregnancy can improve measures of lung function for newborns and decrease the incidence of wheezing in infants up to 1 year. This intervention may help minimize the harmful effects of maternal smoking on respiratory health.
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that male circumcision is associated with a low rate of adverse events. The study suggests that male circumcision carries minimal risk and can be performed safely without compromising the child's long-term health outcomes.
Research at the University of Chicago found that community doulas significantly improved breastfeeding rates and infant development in young mothers from low-income African American families. The study showed that doulas who were similar to the mothers they supported had a more positive impact on their relationships with their babies.
A recent study found that low-income communities and WIC participants in Arizona face significant barriers when using cash value vouchers for purchasing nutrient-dense foods. These barriers include negative interactions with cashiers and lack of training, which can lead to frustration and decreased access to healthy food options.
A study found that pregnant women who watched TV during meals were five times more likely to expose their infants to TV during feeding. Younger mothers and those not exclusively breastfeeding also faced this increased risk. The study suggests that reducing mealtime TV viewing during pregnancy may help prevent childhood obesity.
A new study from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that nearly three-quarters of heavily breastfed infants in the US do not receive adequate dietary diversity until age 2. The researchers suggest that better education on introducing multiple food groups may be necessary to address this issue.
Despite recommendations for safer sleeping, infant deaths continue to occur due to bed sharing and prone sleeping. A study found that 18% of parents share a bed with their infants, with black families at higher risk.
A recent study found that supine sleeping, which reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), is less common among preterm infants than full-term babies. Only about two-thirds of term infants nationwide are placed on their backs to sleep, and this rate is even lower for preterm infants.
A recent study by pediatricians found that children who played non-educational games on touch-screen devices had lower verbal scores upon testing. In contrast, playing educational games showed no significant difference in developmental scores.
Infants with biliary atresia who received high-dose steroid therapy following surgery showed a small clinical benefit, while those without steroids experienced improved survival and reduced serious adverse events
A new study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that steroids after surgery do not improve bile flow in infants with biliary atresia, a rare liver disease. The study also revealed that survival rates were nearly the same for both groups, but infants on steroids experienced more serious adverse events.
A recent study published in JAMA found that the antifungal medication fluconazole did not significantly reduce the risk of death or invasive candidiasis in extremely low birth-weight infants. The study included 361 infants from 32 NICUs and randomly assigned them to receive either fluconazole or placebo for six weeks.
A study of over 1,000 mothers found that many families are not following recommended safe infant sleep practices, including high-risk behaviors like bed sharing and stomach sleeping. The rates were highest among black and Hispanic families, highlighting a need for targeted interventions to reduce infant mortality.
A study published in JAMA found that corticosteroids do not improve bile flow in infants with biliary atresia six months after surgery. Infants who received steroids experienced more surgical complications and infections than those receiving a placebo.
The study found no significant increase in adverse events for mothers or infants who received the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy. Infants born to vaccinated mothers had higher concentrations of pertussis antibodies, a key finding that could help prevent infant pertussis.
Researchers found that babies can learn about a toy from a photograph well before their first birthday. The study used high-quality images and showed that infants formed a mental idea of the object after a brief exposure to the picture, even when it was out of sight.
By 9 months, babies can recognize a picture of an object and act on it when presented with the actual object, suggesting they form mental images of objects through pictures. This ability strengthens their ideas of an object even after it disappears from view.
A recent NHANES analysis reveals that children aged 1-3 years do not consume adequate amounts of key nutrients. The study recommends increasing the intake of potatoes as a rich source of potassium and dietary fiber to address these nutrient gaps.