Research on the health and development of babies. Covers motor development, maternal-infant health, cochlear implants, and infant nutrition.
Oxytocin increases facial gestures associated with social interactions in infant rhesus monkeys, promoting communication and social interest. The hormone also lowers cortisol levels, indicating a possible role in diminishing anxiety.
Researchers found that oxytocin increased two facial gestures associated with social interactions in infant rhesus monkeys. The hormone promoted more communicative behavior, including lip smacking and standing close to caregivers, in strong imitators, suggesting its potential as a treatment for autism spectrum disorders.
Researchers used functional near infra-red spectroscopy to track infant brain development and cognitive function in Africa. The study found similar responses in African and Western infants, enabling the use of a new technique to monitor brain activity from birth.
A recent study published in the British Medical Journal found that probiotic use for infant colic did not reduce crying or fussing. However, adding lactase to milk can help alleviate symptoms by breaking down lactose. This alternative approach has shown promise in reducing hours of crying.
A recent modeling study reveals that fish consumption advisories are ineffective in reducing infant exposure to long-lived pollutants like persistent organic pollutants (POPs), with estimates suggesting only a 10-15% reduction in child exposure even for mothers who stop eating fish before pregnancy.
A study from the University of Liverpool found that showing toddlers similar but distinct actions helped them understand what a verb refers to. This new insight sheds light on how children progress throughout preschool and school years.
Researchers found that holding babies on their mother's abdomen or chest immediately after birth does not compromise delayed cord clamping. This could lead to improved uptake and reduced risk of infant iron deficiency. The study suggests a more comfortable and bonding-friendly approach for hospitals.
A study using infant hair from rhesus monkeys found higher levels of cortisone and estrone in babies born to young mothers, suggesting a link between prenatal hormones and development. The findings raise questions about the impact on gender differences and chronic disease risk.
A novel screening process for early identification of infants at risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental learning delay (DLD) has been developed. The study uses biomarkers such as abrupt head circumference acceleration and absence of head tilt reflex to identify infants at risk by 9 months.
A study found that women with higher body mass index (BMI) before or in early pregnancy have an increased risk of fetal death, stillbirth, and infant death. Women who are severely obese face the greatest risk, with a two- to three-fold increase compared to those with a BMI of 20.
A study found that 15-month-old babies value fairness unless they see a person of the same race receiving an unfair benefit. In such cases, babies are more tolerant of unfairness. The researchers also discovered that infants integrate information about race and social history when choosing a playmate.
Infants who nap are better able to apply lessons learned, while preschoolers retain knowledge after napping. Sleep enables babies and young children to learn language over time by reactivating memories during sleep.
Researchers found that infants as young as a few months old can distinguish between word-like and non-word-like sounds, indicating a fundamental knowledge of language. This discovery challenges the traditional view that language is shaped by environment and experience.
A case report documents a 27-week-old premature infant's cardiopulmonary arrest after receiving Cyclomydril eyedrops during retinopathy of prematurity screening. Pediatric ophthalmologists should be equipped to handle such emergencies, as the eyedrops can cause serious side effects due to systemic absorption.
A new University of Illinois study found that nearly three in four low-income families have cut back on food to afford essential non-food items. Food pantry clients often make difficult choices between feeding their children and accessing basic household products.
Research published in Psychological Science found that infants' heart rate slows in response to medium-velocity touch, indicating sensitivity to pleasant touch. The findings suggest a link between caregiver sensitivity to touch and infant responses, potentially supporting both nurture and nature explanations.
Researchers discovered that new crib mattresses release four times more VOCs than old ones, with body heat increasing emissions. The study highlights the importance of understanding infant sleep environments to reduce exposure to indoor pollutants.
New study finds infant circumcision reduces risk of adverse medical conditions by over 100 to 1, with benefits including protection against urinary tract infections and foreskin-related diseases. The procedure is also shown to be cost-saving and promote access for poor families.
A new study suggests that infants who experience near-death events (ALTEs) have abnormal regulation of esophageal and airway function. The research found that these infants are more likely to have pauses in breathing, gasping breaths, and difficulty coordinating swallowing and respiratory interactions.
Researchers discovered a less invasive technique for treating vulvar cancer, removing only the sentinel lymph node to decrease complications while maintaining low recurrence rates. The study, published at the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists meeting, included 73 women and found a 5.2% recurrence rate.
A study of 300 children's gut microbiota found that breastfeeding impacts the composition of gut flora. The research suggests that the gut microbiota is not fully established until after 18 months, indicating a need for supplementation or probiotics to promote healthy gut health.
Researchers characterized the gut bacteria of premature infants who developed sepsis, suggesting a new approach to early detection and prevention. Genetic matches were found between bacteria in stool samples and those in blood samples, indicating that gut bacteria are responsible for these infections.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found three types of potentially harmful gut microbes in preterm babies who developed late-onset sepsis: E. coli, group B strep, and S. marcescens. These findings suggest new strategies to detect and prevent severe bloodstream infections in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
A new study found that many parents, regardless of their race or ethnicity, engage in
A recent NIH study found that contact lenses are safer and just as effective as permanent lenses for infants under seven months old after cataract surgery. The study showed more post-surgical complications and repeat surgeries in the IOL group compared to the contact lens group.
Group A streptococcus (GAS) infection can be life-threatening in pregnant women, with associated mortality rates of 30-50%. Dr. Brenna Anderson provides recommendations for rapid diagnosis and treatment of GAS infections in pregnant and postpartum women.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that infants can use known verbs to learn new nouns by paying attention to how words are used in sentences. This suggests that word learning occurs naturally and can be facilitated by everyday conversations.
A study reveals that military fathers returning from combat deployment struggle to reconnect with their young children, who may not remember them. The researchers emphasize the need for support and resources to help these families rebuild their relationships.
A recent study found that reproductive coercion and co-occurring intimate partner violence are prevalent among women in this demographic. The study's results suggest that healthcare providers should address reproductive coercion with their patients, tailoring family planning discussions and recommendations accordingly.
Researchers at NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development found no evidence that baby media products teach reading skills to infants. However, the study did reveal an undeniable effect on parents - their increased confidence in their children's vocabulary development
According to a national survey study, the US obesity prevalence has remained high, affecting approximately one-third of adults and 17% of children. The prevalence of obesity among youth and adults showed no significant change from 2003-2004 through 2011-2012.
A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that pregnant and postpartum women with bipolar disorder experience significant mental health problems, including self-harm, substance abuse, and complications during delivery. Researchers emphasize the importance of proper diagnosis and treatment to mitigate these risks.
Research published in Pediatrics shows that premature babies who hear more adult talk in the NICU have higher language and cognitive scores at 18 months. The study found that every increase in adult word count per hour during the recording period was associated with a two-point increase in the language score.
Researchers have developed a biologic drug that prevents the production of HE4 protein, allowing ovarian cancer cells to grow aggressively and resist chemotherapy. The novel biologic has shown promising results in cell and animal models, increasing the potential for improved treatment and survival rates for women with ovarian cancer.
Loyola researchers have identified a marker to predict necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening condition affecting up to 10% of extremely low birth weight infants. Simple changes to blood transfusion practices and feeding patterns may significantly reduce NEC incidence.
Studies reveal that infants with a heartier appetite grow more rapidly, potentially putting them at increased risk for obesity. Additionally, children with lower satiety responsiveness are more likely to have genetic predisposition to obesity, highlighting potential targets for pharmacological and behavioral interventions.
Research at The University of Manchester found that moderate to heavy alcohol consumption in early pregnancy can reduce cell growth in the placenta. Drinking levels equivalent to half or one standard drink did not have a harmful effect, but reduced taurine transport from mother to baby was observed.
Research by Anne Fernald shows a significant gap in language development between rich and poor children emerges during infancy, with child-directed speech playing a crucial role. Infants who hear more child-directed speech develop greater efficiency in language processing and learn new words faster.
A study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital identified an immune signature that predicts poor flu outcomes in patients, who are more likely to develop severe symptoms and suffer from complications. The findings also explain why infants and toddlers are at elevated risk for flu-related issues.
Researchers found that intratracheal transplantation of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells can prevent or treat bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very preterm infants. The treatment also showed a lower incidence of retinopathy of prematurity requiring surgery.
A study reveals that average US job tenure has been surprisingly stable over time, but there are divergent trends among men and women. Married mothers experienced a significant increase in job tenure due to changes in labor market expectations and workplace accommodations.
Researchers found that 6-month-old infants later diagnosed with autism diverted their gaze from facial features when a face was speaking. This suggests that these infants had difficulty maintaining attention to relevant social information from an early age, which could impact their social development and communication skills.
A new study explores contributors to excess infant mortality in the US South, finding prematurity and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death as top causes. The research also highlights racial disparities in infant mortality rates, with non-Hispanic black births facing higher mortality rates in certain states.
A study found that pre-term infants with severe retinopathy of prematurity are at a higher risk of developing non-visual disabilities, including motor impairment and cognitive impairment. These findings may help improve counseling for parents and selecting high-risk infants for long-term follow-up.
A new study by CU-Boulder researchers suggests that shy toddlers may not be delayed in language acquisition, contrary to common assumptions. The study found consistent evidence that shy toddlers understand what's being said, but are reticent to speak.
A study published in Psychological Science found that infants can pick up on their mother's stress and show corresponding physiological changes. Infants of mothers who received negative feedback during an evaluation session showed significant increases in heart rate relative to baseline.
Infants prefer fruits from plants over man-made objects after an adult demonstrates edibility. Younger infants also exhibit plant-based bias due to social learning mechanisms.
Researchers have developed a new methodology to measure brain activity in newborns and children, particularly those born prematurely. The technique uses Event-Related Potential (ERP) and is child-friendly, allowing for the investigation of cortical processing of touch and speech sounds.
Researchers developed a reliable 3-D MRI imaging technique to study premature brain development. This allows for early identification of delayed tracts and potential treatments, enabling proactive therapies within weeks of birth.
A study found that giving probiotics to infants during the first three months of life can prevent gastrointestinal disorders like colic, acid reflux, and constipation. This approach results in lower healthcare costs for families.
Nine-month-old infants can infer whether people are friends or not based on their reactions to shared evaluations, such as eating the same food. This suggests that infants track social relationships from an early age and make inferences about others' behavior.
A decade-long study shows that providing maternal-newborn skin-to-skin contact enhances child physiologic organization and cognitive control, leading to better neuroendocrine response to stress. The intervention, called Kangaroo Care, also improves children's functioning in systems sensitive to early maternal deprivation.
A new study by Michigan State University researchers found that the black-white infant mortality gap remained stable for two decades after accounting for observable factors, leaving 74% of the gap unexplained. The gap declined by 2.6 deaths per 100,000 live births between 1983 and 2004.
A new Duke study found that nurse home visiting programs can reduce healthcare costs by $3 for every $1 spent, while also improving health and parenting outcomes. Participating families had lower rates of maternal anxiety and safer home environments than non-participating families.
A 35-year study of ring-tailed lemurs at the Duke Lemur Center found that infants born to older mothers are less likely to get hurt than those born to younger mothers. The results suggest that older moms may be better at fending off attackers or protecting their infants during fights.
Researchers have identified two biomarkers, low N-acetylaspartate/choline and rising choline/creatine, that are significantly correlated with developmental delays in premature infants. These chemical ratios at birth can predict the likelihood of motor development problems one year later with 70 percent certainty.
A new CU-Boulder study found that toddlers who go to bed later than their melatonin increase have difficulty settling down at night. Toddlers with longer intervals between melatonin release and bedtime take longer to fall asleep and experience increased bedtime resistance.
Research reveals that African-American college students are aware of the benefits of breast-feeding for infants, yet many hesitate due to social stigma and discomfort in public. The study suggests that early education and exposure can encourage positive attitudes towards breast-feeding among young Black women.
A study found that toxigenic C. difficile bacteria persistently colonize infants' guts for more than six months, posing a risk of spreading to vulnerable adults. The bacteria can cause severe disease in elderly individuals and those undergoing broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Research published in Diabetologia shows that pre-existing diabetes in pregnant women significantly increases the risk of fetal and infant death. The study found a four-and-a-half times higher risk of fetal death and an almost doubling of infant mortality compared to women without diabetes.