Research on the health and development of babies. Covers motor development, maternal-infant health, cochlear implants, and infant nutrition.
A recent study by Northwestern University found that antidepressant exposure during pregnancy does not impact infant growth over the first year. Infants born to mothers who took selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) had similar weight, length, and head circumference as infants born to non-depressed women.
A new study found that 7-month-old infants who later develop autism show slower gaze shifting and attention reorientation compared to typically developing infants. The researchers suggest that atypical brain circuits, specifically the splenium of the corpus callosum, may contribute to this behavioral difference.
A study found that toddlers exposed to methamphetamine in the womb may have an abnormal stress response, which can increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. However, children with a stable home environment showed a normal stress response.
Infants with autism show subtle, measurable differences in attention as early as 7 months old. Researchers found a specific neural circuit causes the slower response, pointing to a problem with 'sticky attention'.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers found that hospital characteristics, not patient risk factors, influence c-section rates in Massachusetts. Hospital practices and culture play a significant role in determining c-section rates.
A new study reveals that critically ill very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are at high risk of hospital-acquired infections due to nurse understaffing. The research found that 13.9% of VLBW infants developed infections, resulting in increased mortality rates and long-term developmental issues.
A recent study found that preterm infants with low-grade brain bleeding have similar neurodevelopmental outcomes as those with no bleeding. The study analyzed 1472 extremely preterm infants and found that those with grade 1 or 2 PIVH did not have an increased incidence of poor outcomes compared to infants without PIVH.
A new non-invasive optical measurement system monitors neonatal brain activity via cerebral metabolism and blood flow. The system, developed by Dr. Maria Angela Franceschini, will allow clinicians to screen for brain injury and monitor injury progression.
A new study at the University of Vienna found that Goffin cockatoos wait up to 80 seconds for higher-quality food rewards, showing impressive self-control. The birds traded their initial items more often for their most preferred food and adjusted to differences in trade value, mirroring human economic decision-making.
A randomized controlled trial of over 14,000 infants found that improved breastfeeding duration and exclusivity had no impact on childhood obesity at age 11.5 years. The study suggests that socially patterned factors may explain observed associations between breastfeeding and growth.
A study published in Psychological Science found that infants prefer those who harm dissimilar individuals, indicating an early form of schaudenfreude or social alliances. By 9 months, babies assess their surroundings to determine friend or foe based on perceived differences and similarities.
A new study found that infants prefer individuals who are nice to people like them and mean to people who aren't like them. This preference is present in infancy and helps form social bonds but can also lead to mistreating others who are different.
A new study by researchers at Yale University found that infants as young as nine months old prefer individuals who punish those who are not like themselves. Babies tend to dislike those whose tastes differ from their own and want them to be treated badly, but also prefer someone who is nice to an individual similar to themselves.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that scoring methods for evaluating Newborn Intensive Care Units (NICU) are inconsistent, leading to unreliable comparisons. The research suggests that these scores may not level the playing field well enough and can be unfair to hospitals with high numbers of sick infants.
A Vanderbilt study found that maternal diets high in carbohydrates during pregnancy correlate with severe RSV cases in infants. The study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, suggests a dose-dependent relationship between carbohydrate intake and RSV severity.
A team of researchers describes the first case of a functional HIV cure in an infant, achieved through prompt antiviral therapy within 30 hours of birth. The infant remained virus-free for over a year without treatment.
A new study found that infants of African ancestry are more likely to be born prematurely and have low birth weights, compared to those with European-only ancestry. The researchers attribute these disparities to differences in geographic location and access to prenatal care.
Researchers found that prenatal DHA supplementation increased mean birth weight and gestational age, reducing the risk of very low birth weight and early preterm delivery. The study supports the use of dietary supplements during pregnancy to improve infant health outcomes.
High estrogen levels during IVF pregnancy increase the risk of small birth weight and preeclampsia. Freezing embryos for later transfer when hormone levels were lower reduced the incidence of these complications in a small study.
Research from the Children of the 90s study at the University of Bristol shows that most babies who are slow to put on weight in the first nine months of life have caught up to within the normal range by the age of 13. However, those who show slow weight gain later in infancy tend to remain lighter and shorter than their peers.
Research reveals that infants with high respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) are more vulnerable to poor caregiving and exhibit increased problem behaviors later in childhood. Conversely, those with low RSA fare better in nurturing environments.
A new study by Columbia University researchers found that the infant brain does not control its blood flow in the same way as the adult brain. With increasing age, the immature brain gradually developed its ability to increase local blood flow and generate a large blood-flow response.
Dr. John DeVincenzo's research at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital is advancing our understanding of RSV replication, mutation, and treatment options. His lab has developed new techniques to detect minute sub-populations of viruses and assessed the effectiveness of RNA interference-based antiviral therapies.
A new study found that chemicals secreted by good bacteria can reduce the frequency and severity of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants. The treatment, which uses purified secretions from probiotic bacteria, shows promise as a targeted preventive strategy without the broad effects of steroids.
A new study found that infants born by cesarean delivery and those strictly formula-fed have different gut bacteria than those delivered vaginally and breastfed. The researchers suggest that these early-life influences may impact the development of conditions like asthma, obesity, and type 1 diabetes.
A large cohort study found that women who had small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants in their first pregnancy have a strongly increased risk of SGA in their second pregnancy. The study analyzed data from the Netherlands Perinatal Registry and found that 23.2% of women with a previous SGA baby went on to have an SGA infant in their sub...
Yale researchers identified social attention deficits in six-month-old infants with autism spectrum disorders, suggesting an early warning sign. The study's findings may pave the way for earlier interventions and treatment strategies.
A new study by Brown University found that Samoan babies experience rapid weight gain in early infancy, which may foreshadow a future trend of obesity in developed nations. The researchers tracked the growth and weight gain of nearly 800 American Samoan babies born between 2001 and 2008.
A new TB vaccine, MVA85A, did not offer extra protection against TB in South African infants who had already received the BCG vaccine. The vaccine induced modest immune responses, but these were insufficient to protect against the disease. Further research is needed to understand why this was the case.
Researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy found that potty training from birth can improve bladder control and reduce the risk of urinary tract infections in Vietnamese babies. This technique involves a special whistling sound to remind the baby when it's time to urinate, allowing for early elimination of diapers.
A study published in Brain and Language found that the anatomy of certain brain areas in infants can predict their language abilities at 1 year old. Infants with greater gray and white matter in the cerebellum and hippocampus showed improved language skills.
Researchers at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital report that low blood flow to the premature brain does not cause irreversible loss of brain cells, but rather disrupts their ability to mature. This discovery opens up new avenues for potential therapies to promote regeneration and repair of the premature brain.
Preterm infants with slower growth have delayed cerebral cortex development, report Canadian researchers in a new study published in Science Translational Medicine. The cerebral cortex is involved in cognitive and motor processes, and the study's findings may lead to new discoveries on optimizing brain development.
Researchers found that choline supplementation during pregnancy and early infancy inhibited the response to repeated sounds, a trait commonly seen in schizophrenia patients. The study suggests choline may be a new approach to schizophrenia prevention.
Women who have undergone tubal ligation are more likely to go without regular Pap tests, increasing their risk of cervical cancer. The study found that women with tubal ligation were less frequent with Pap screenings in all age groups compared to those using other forms of contraception.
A study found that infants with more severe pertussis have higher white blood cell counts and are at higher risk of death. Infants with less severe disease had lower white blood cell counts and were less likely to experience complications.
Research from the University of Missouri found online discussion boards provide safe environments for mothers to anonymously express child-rearing concerns. Common topics include feeding, sleep, development, discipline, and mother-child relationships.
A recent study found that many teenagers who received a complete hepatitis B vaccine series as infants can still contract the virus, especially if they have high-risk mothers or weak immune systems. Researchers suggest that a booster shot at age 15 may be necessary to prevent reinfection.
Researchers found that post-operative intravenous paracetamol reduced cumulative morphine dose by 66% compared to continuous morphine infusion in infants undergoing major surgery. The study suggests that intravenous paracetamol may be an interesting alternative as primary analgesic in neonates and infants.
Researchers found that infant gerbils nursed by females given separate vaccines developed antibodies for both illnesses, demonstrating the potential purpose of allosuckling. The study provides a framework for further studying allosuckling in the wild using traceable antibodies.
A recent study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that mothers who were obese and had fussy babies spent more time watching TV with their infants. This finding highlights the growing concern of obesity and inactivity among US children, and suggests a potential solution for mothers to combat these effects
Autism Speaks funds 14 new research projects, including technology-based initiatives, environmental epidemiology studies, and basic clinical research to better understand autism causes, prevention, treatment, and cure. These grants aim to enhance early screening, diagnosis, and access to interventions.
A new study by University of Colorado researchers found significant differences in eligibility criteria for Part C early intervention services among US states. The study highlights the need for more uniform criteria to ensure that all eligible children receive necessary services.
A new study from Temple University psychology professor Marsha Weinraub found that most babies sleep through the night, waking up only about once per week, by six months. The research revealed two groups: sleepers and transitional sleepers, with 66% of babies not waking at all and a majority being boys.
A study published in Cerebral Cortex found that brain changes associated with common gene variants linked to disorders like Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia can be seen in newborns. These findings suggest that prenatal brain development may play a significant role in shaping psychiatric risk later in life.
Researchers discovered that babies differentiate between native and foreign languages just hours after birth, indicating they absorb language while still in the womb. The study shows fetuses learn prenatally about specific speech sounds of a mother's language.
A study published in Archives of General Psychiatry suggests that economic conditions during infancy may contribute to behavioral problems in adolescence. The research found a strong correlation between unemployment rates during infancy and increased odds of substance use, delinquent behaviors, and other issues.
A follow-up study by the National Institutes of Health found that very preterm infants who received higher oxygen levels continued to show cognitive and motor development benefits as toddlers. Continuous positive airway pressure therapy was also found to be an effective alternative to traditional respiratory therapy, without difference...
Children with better language skills as toddlers tend to express less anger in preschool. They use strategies like seeking support and distracting themselves to manage frustration. This study found that developing language skills predicts later anger regulation.
A randomized controlled trial found that iron supplements reduced behavioral problems like ADHD in low birth weight infants by 9.8 percentage points compared to those without supplementation. The study concluded that early iron supplementation has long-term health benefits for marginally low birth weight infants.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found that oxytocin administration to fathers increased their parental engagement, with parallel effects observed in their infants. Oxytocin levels were also found to increase in both parents and children, leading to improved social behavior and bonding.
A recent in vitro study discovered that formulas are toxic to cells due to free fatty acids, while breast milk protects against cell death. The researchers found that digestion of formula leads to cellular death in under 5 minutes, whereas breast milk does not.
Researchers at the University of Iowa documented infants' ability to create knowledge by looking at their surroundings, starting nearly from birth. Infants need to dwell on objects to learn about them, and a mathematical model validates this importance.
Researchers found that iron-deficient diets impaired piglets' ability to learn and remember in spatial navigation tasks. The study used a T-maze test, which showed that pigs with severely deficient iron levels struggled to adapt to changing rules.
A new study found that the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine is safe for seniors, with minor injection site reactions being the most common adverse event. The study's findings support the recommendation that older adults receive the vaccine to protect themselves and others from pertussis.
A study identified a single gene, ABCA3, associated with significant cases of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in full-term babies. The researchers found that mutations in this gene account for about 10% of RDS cases and can be treated with neonatal intensive care.
A recent study published in Autism Research found that six-month-old infants at risk for autism spectrum disorder produce cries with higher and more variable fundamental frequency than low-risk infants. The study suggests the potential of cry acoustics as an early screening method for autism.
Infants exhibit remarkable rapid growth in new skills every day, with research showing that early abilities can predict later developments. For example, studies found that processing speed in infancy significantly predicted working memory and shifting ability at age 11, while memory in infancy predicted shifting ability.
Researchers found that severe disease risk is mainly age-related, not due to lack of immunity. Vaccinating families or vaccinating pregnant women can extend protection to infants, reducing RSV infection. The study highlights the potential for alternative strategies to traditional baby vaccines.
A new pneumococcal vaccine has been shown to prevent 93% of cases of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in healthy infants who received at least one dose. The vaccine's effectiveness against IPD was confirmed by the Finnish Invasive Pneumococcal Disease Vaccine Trial, which tracked over 46,000 children under 19 months.