Articles tagged with Infants
A new Indiana University study found that preterm birth is strongly linked to infant and young adult mortality, autism, and ADHD. However, it also suggests that other associated issues, such as severe mental illness and economic woes, may be related to shared family factors rather than preterm birth itself.
A study found that frequent bedsharing between mothers and infants was associated with longer breastfeeding durations. However, researchers also warned about the increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) related to bedsharing.
A study of nearly 2500 US children under age 5 found high omega-6 to omega-3 PUFA ratio and low DHA intake, which could impact childhood development and disease risk. Fish was a rich source of PUFAs in their diets.
Researchers found that 8-month-old infants categorize objects as animals and assume they have insides, even when shown hollow ones. This suggests that babies possess a core understanding of biology in addition to physics and psychology.
A study found UK commercial baby foods lack essential nutrients, being predominantly sweet and similar in energy content to breast milk. They are often introduced too early, conflicting with government recommendations for exclusive breastfeeding until six months.
A recent study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that birth defects and poor fetal growth are the most common risk factors for cerebral palsy and infant death. The research suggests that these risk factors, rather than asphyxial birth events, may contribute to the development of cerebral palsy and infant mortality.
The NIH-funded program aims to expand and improve newborn healthcare through genomic sequencing. The four grantees will investigate the use of genome and exome sequencing to diagnose disorders and conditions at birth, as well as their clinical and ethical implications.
The study found that different PCV immunization schedules resulted in similar antibody levels in infants, with some schedules being superior for specific serotypes. The researchers conclude that optimal timing of the primary series is crucial to maintain optimal antibody levels during the period between the primary series and the boost...
A new study led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that a proven drug effective for adults and children with sickle cell anemia reduced hospitalizations and medical costs for young children by 21% annually.
Researchers found that non-human primate vocalizations promoted object categorization in 3- and 4-month-old infants, similar to the effects of human speech. By six months, however, this effect disappeared, suggesting a specific link to human language has been established.
A meta-analysis of nine studies found that extremely preterm infant survivors have a substantial likelihood of developing moderate to severe impairment. The study also showed a statistically significant absolute decrease in impairment between each week of gestation, suggesting improved outcomes as gestational age advances.
A new study found that early temporary ART for HIV-infected infants can delay the need for life-long treatment and prevent damage to their immune system. Infants who received short-term ART delayed the start of long-term treatment by 33 weeks, while those who received longer-term ART delayed it by 70 weeks.
New study published in Journal of Hospital Medicine outlines top recommendations for improving healthcare value, including reducing unnecessary tests and procedures. The recommendations aim to lower costs and lead to better care for patients, particularly children and adults hospitalized with respiratory illnesses.
A large new study found that current non-invasive techniques for respiratory support are less effective in reducing severe lung injury in very premature infants. The study refutes the common assumption that these therapies are reducing severe lung injury and BPD in tiny babies.
A study by Michigan State University found that participation in a Medicaid-eligible pregnant women's program leads to improved health care during pregnancy and after birth. Women in the program had 25% more postnatal visits than those not enrolled, promoting healthy pregnancies and infant outcomes.
Infants fed with DHA-enriched formula from birth to 12 months showed accelerated development and better performance on intelligence tests, including the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and Weschler Primary Preschool Scales of Intelligence.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry demonstrates support for the DSM-5 symptom structure for toddlers with autism spectrum disorder. The researchers found that the DSM-5 model was a better fit to the data than other models used during toddler assessment.
Research found that C-section infants had a narrower range of beneficial bacteria in their guts compared to vaginally delivered infants. This has implications for the development of their immune systems and risk of allergies. The study also found lower levels of Th1 chemical messengers, which can contribute to allergic diseases.
Research on Malagasy black-and-white ruffed lemurs found that communal nesting and creches significantly improve infant survival rates. Female lemurs can spend less time at their nests, increasing opportunities to feed elsewhere.
The American Thoracic Society has released new clinical practice guidelines for the classification, evaluation, and management of chILD in infants. The guidelines include recommendations for diagnosis, management, and research priorities.
The Saving Lives at Birth partnership has announced 22 Round 3 award nominees for innovative solutions to prevent infant and maternal deaths. These nominees present cutting-edge technologies and innovative approaches to delivering services, including family planning, nutrition, and HIV prevention.
The study reveals that male infanticide is the key driver of monogamy in humans and other primates. By caring for young, fathers can protect infants from rival males and share childcare burdens. This leads to a reduction in infant dependency and allows females to reproduce more quickly.
Researchers found that Goffin cockatoos solve spatial memory tasks comparable to those of great apes and four-year-old human toddlers. The birds' performance was surprising, given the complexity of these tasks and their potential ecological implications.
Infants develop wariness of heights after gaining locomotor experience, contradicting the idea that they follow a maturational script. The study suggests that exploration and movement strategies are crucial in developing skills and learning to adapt to terrain.
A new national study by University of Virginia researchers found that infants spending at least one night per week away from their mothers had more insecure attachments compared to those with fewer overnights or staying with fathers during the day. This raises concerns about the impact of parental separation on children's emotional con...
Research from the University of Warwick found that most very preterm and low birthweight infants were securely attached to their parents. However, they had a higher risk for disorganised attachment due to underlying neurological abnormalities. This contradicts the assumption that disorganised attachment is solely linked to parental sen...
Researchers developed a computer-based tool to analyze babies' cries for subtle acoustic features that can indicate neurological problems or developmental disorders. The new analyzer uses machine learning algorithms to evaluate over 80 parameters, offering non-invasive ways to measure disruptions in young babies' brains and behavior.
The University of North Carolina will assist the President's Maternal Health and Safe Motherhood Initiative by designing maternity homes, training healthcare providers, and establishing a residency program. The grant aims to reduce maternal and infant deaths in Malawi, which has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world.
Scientists have discovered oligosaccharides in breast milk that confer protection by feeding beneficial intestinal bacteria, crowding out harmful E. coli strains. This research aims to develop probiotics to prevent life-threatening intestinal diseases in premature babies.
Researchers found that infants with later-diagnosed autism had excessive cerebrospinal fluid and enlarged brains, raising the possibility of using these as potential biomarkers. These anomalies were detectable by MRI at 6-9 months and remained elevated between 18-24 months.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found both early and late first exposure to solid food is associated with an increased risk of developing Type 1 diabetes. Early introduction to fruit and late introduction to rice/oat were linked to higher risk, while breastfeeding during wheat/barley introduction may decrease the risk.
A 25-year follow-up study reveals chronic iron deficiency in infancy is associated with poorer cognitive, motor, and social-emotional outcomes, including reduced educational attainment and lower emotional health.
Researchers found that infants as young as 5 months can match positive and negative emotional cues, including facial expressions and vocalizations. This groundbreaking study sheds light on early infant development and suggests babies are more attuned to emotions than previously thought.
A large clinical trial shows that clopidogrel does not effectively reduce shunt-related blood flow issues in infants with congenital heart diseases. Aspirin alone may be effective in reducing the risk of clot formation, while switching to Plavix is not recommended.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that twice weekly iron supplementation is equally effective to daily supplementation in improving birth weight and infant growth outcomes. In contrast, it showed improved cognitive development in infants aged six months and higher adherence rates among pregnant women.
A new study found a link between fetal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and lower levels of insulin-like peptide 3, a key testicular hormone. This could be a co-factor in the development of cryptorchidism, a common birth defect in boys.
A new study has identified corticosterone as a potential biomarker of fetal stress during labor and delivery. Corticosterone concentrations increased by 148% compared to cortisol, suggesting that it may serve as an indicator of infant distress.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that healthy, full-term babies secrete higher levels of corticosterone during labor and delivery compared to their mothers. Corticosterone concentrations increased with fetal distress and were linked to the method of delivery, with vaginally delivered infants producing more cortisol.
Researchers found that 10-month-old infants preferentially reach for the victim rather than the aggressor in an animated sequence test. This suggests that infants may exhibit rudimentary sympathy toward others in distress based on their evaluation of roles in interactions.
A Swedish study found that maternal overweight and obesity during pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery, particularly extremely preterm deliveries. The study analyzed over 1.5 million deliveries and found that women with higher BMI were at a greater risk of preterm birth.
Researchers found that normal-weight babies plateaued at about two months and rarely deviated from their weight over height until age 5. In contrast, overweight or obese babies crossed the 17th percentile much later and continued an upward climb.
Women with obesity have a higher risk of giving birth to preterm infants, particularly those born extremely preterm. Obesity-related diseases and increased inflammation contribute to this increased risk.
Researchers found that partial livers from deceased adult and teen donors have become less risky for infants, saving their lives. The study's findings suggest that the use of partial grafts from deceased donors has increased significantly over time, accounting for up to 32% of liver transplants in children.
A new study found that formula-fed rhesus monkeys experienced metabolic stress, similar to those who were breastfed, which may explain the link between early feeding practices and chronic diseases. Reducing protein content in infant formula could be beneficial in reducing metabolic stress.
Astronomers studied young star TW Hydrae to understand the birth of our Sun, finding it was clumpy and episodic in accretion. The study revealed that accretion drove magnetic activity on TW Hydrae.
A new study by University of Alberta researcher Johanna Darrah found that babies' rolling abilities have not been impaired by the 'back to sleep' campaign. The study of 725 Canadian infants aged one week to eight months confirms that gross motor skills emerge in the same order and at the same ages as 20 years ago.
A new study from Brigham Young University suggests that infant feeding practices are a significant factor in childhood obesity. Babies predominantly fed formula were 2.5 times more likely to become obese toddlers than breastfed infants.
A new Kaiser Permanente study published in Pediatrics found that whole-cell pertussis vaccines were more effective at protecting against pertussis than acellular pertussis vaccines during a large recent outbreak in California. The study examined 138 individuals with confirmed pertussis and found that teenagers vaccinated with four dose...
A University of Michigan-led study challenges prevailing theories on whooping cough's resurgence by showing vaccines offer long-lived protection and reduced transmission. The study highlights the success of Thailand's childhood immunization program in reducing pertussis cases, especially among infants.
A study of 16 newborns with posterior fossa subdural hematoma (PFSDH) found that most infants survived and had relatively minor neurological abnormalities, even in severe cases. Surgery was successful in eliminating the hematoma and normalizing intracranial pressure.
Researchers used MRI to identify disrupted brain processes in premature infants, showing a link between preterm birth and impaired cognitive function. The study found that cortical development was reduced in premature infants, with the greatest effect in the most premature babies.
A large analysis published in BMJ Open found that bed sharing with parents increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by fivefold. The study advises against bed sharing for babies under three months old, citing a significant reduction in SIDS deaths when babies sleep on their backs in a cot.
A study published in Early Human Development found that massage therapy increased heart rate variability in male preterm infants, similar to term infants, suggesting improved stress response. However, female preterm infants did not show a significant increase in HRV after massage therapy.
Researchers at UC San Francisco found that giving small amounts of formula to infants experiencing high early weight loss can increase the length of time their mothers end up breastfeeding. This study provides evidence for the benefits of 'early limited formula' in some newborns.
A study published in PLOS Computational Biology found a link between the composition of an infant's gut microbiota and their growth rate. The researchers identified specific bacterial groups associated with expected or reduced growth rates, shedding light on the potential impact of early life gut microbiota on infant development.
A Swedish study found that children whose parents sucked on their pacifiers had a lower risk of eczema at 1.5 years old. The researchers believe that oral commensal microbes are transferred from parent to infant when they suck on the same pacifier, promoting healthy maturation of the immune system.
A new solid-state controllable light filter has been developed to shield preterm infants from most wavelengths of visible light, promoting better maturation. The device switches between blocking out all light and allowing red light through, enabling medical staff and parents to monitor the infants without disrupting their sleep.
A new study finds that preterm infants require a daily dose of 800 IU of vitamin D3 to reduce the risk of vitamin D insufficiency. Higher doses led to better bone mineralization, but excess levels caused no major effects.
A randomized trial found targeting oxygen saturations of 85-89% compared to 91-95% had no significant effect on death or disability in extremely preterm infants at 18 months. The study included 1,201 infants with gestational ages of 23-27 weeks and monitored them until postmenstrual age of 36-40 weeks.
Researchers from the University of Manchester have found that babies born with abnormal fetal growth are at a higher risk of developing Autism Spectrum Disorder. The study analyzed data from over 40,000 child health records in Sweden and found that larger or smaller babies were more susceptible to autism.