Articles tagged with Infants
A new study suggests that infants start learning about race from birth, but their ability to recognize faces and emotions from other races declines at around 9 months. This decline in ability is thought to be a result of the infant's brain processing more information from familiar groups, such as family members.
A new study from the University of California - Davis Health found that flash-heating breastmilk can reduce the risk of HIV transmission to infants in sub-Saharan Africa. The technique involves heating breastmilk to a high temperature without destroying its nutritional properties, making it safe for babies beyond six months.
A study of 2,000 U.S. infants born to HIV-positive mothers found that using the anti-HIV drug tenofovir during pregnancy did not result in smaller babies at birth, but those treated with the drug were slightly shorter and had smaller head circumference by age 1
A study by Oregon Health & Science University found that restricting pacifiers in a hospital setting decreased exclusive breastfeeding rates and increased formula consumption in breastfed infants. The researchers argue that the effect of pacifier use on breastfeeding has not been well-established, warranting further scientific inquiry.
A new study published in Genome Biology reveals that breastfeeding leads to a wider range of beneficial microbes in the infant's gut compared to formula feeding. The research also shows that breastfed infants' immune systems have developed to cope with the differences, promoting intestinal stability and defense against pathogens.
A study found that 24% of low-income mothers add cereal to bottles, increasing their children's risk of obesity. Mothers with depressive symptoms are more likely to engage in unhealthy feeding practices.
A study of low-income mothers with infants found a connection between food insecurity and restrictive feeding practices, which can disrupt hunger regulation and lead to obesity. Mothers experiencing food insecurity were more concerned about their child becoming overweight than those who weren't struggling with food access.
A large-scale randomized study found that daily antiretroviral drugs given to HIV-infected mothers or their breastfeeding babies for 28 weeks significantly reduced HIV transmission through breast milk. However, early weaning was found to be of little protective value against HIV transmission and may even increase infant mortality.
Longer breastfeeding with antiretroviral therapy (ART) can reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission and improve infant survival. The study found that continued breastfeeding with prophylaxis given for an extended period may be advantageous in improving infant survival.
Research found that babies born in Magnet-credentialed hospitals had lower odds of death within the first week of life, infection, and brain hemorrhage. These hospitals have been shown to provide higher quality care for very low birth weight infants, who account for more than half of all infant deaths.
A study of over 72,000 VLBW infants found better outcomes in hospitals with recognition for nursing excellence, including lower rates of hospital infection, death at 7-days, and severe intraventricular hemorrhage. The researchers suggest that higher-quality neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and obstetric care may contribute to these ...
A recent study found that infants in sub-Saharan Africa are at high risk of snail fever infection, which can cause impaired memory, thought, and internal organ damage. The study suggests that a common drug, praziquantel, can safely cure the infection in a single dose.
A University of Missouri researcher says safe, separate sleep environments are critical to preventing sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUIDs). More than 4,500 infants die unexpectedly during sleep each year in the US due to unsafe sleep environments.
A two-year study found that infants treated with an integrated care model had fewer contacts with medical providers and experienced a rapid decline in crying. The model treats the infant's symptoms as well as its impact on the family system.
A two-year study is underway to identify genetic biomarkers that can predict autism risk in infant siblings. Researchers are examining DNA samples from children with autism and their older siblings to determine if there are any genetic markers that could provide a more accurate estimate of the sibling's risk.
A new study found that mothers with higher symptoms of depression may disturb their infants' sleep by picking them up or moving them to alleviate their own anxieties. Researchers studied 45 mostly White moms and their infants, aged 1-24 months, over seven days.
A new study from Southern Methodist University finds that the US government nutritional program WIC has no significant positive or negative impact on infant health. The study accounted for underreporting of WIC benefits and poor participation, which can skew analysis results.
Research found that depressed mothers are more likely to excessively worry about their infants' nighttime behavior and spend more time with them, leading to increased night waking in the infants. Mothers with high depressive symptoms were also more likely to seek out their babies at night, despite the infant not appearing distressed.
A study published in Current Biology found that 2-year-olds and chimpanzees tend to copy actions when repeated by three peers, not just one, suggesting a shared strategy for social learning. This phenomenon also applies to orangutans, but to a lesser extent.
Rotavirus causes severe diarrhea in babies worldwide, resulting in over 450,000 deaths annually. Canada should ensure all infants are vaccinated and support GAVI funding to sustain the vaccine's sustainability.
A large multicenter trial found that surgical management had no significant impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes at 14 months of age for infants with single-ventricle heart defects. Instead, innate patient characteristics and general medical morbidity during the first year of life played a crucial role in shaping these outcomes.
A three-year clinical trial found that intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) reduced malaria infections among infants by up to 30%. The treatment regime protected against malaria for at least six weeks after treatment, showing an ongoing protective effect.
Researchers found that moderately regulated calorie intake during infancy reduced the likelihood of becoming obese, contrary to previous studies. Early dietary interventions may have long-lasting effects into childhood and adult life.
A prospective controlled study of 309 mother-infant pairs found that prenatal antipsychotic exposure was associated with significantly lower scores on a standardized neuromotor screening measure. Infants exposed to antidepressants also showed lower scores, while those with no psychotropic exposure scored highest. The study highlights t...
A University of Adelaide study reveals that unnecessary induction increases risk of cesarean sections and newborn treatments. Women with uncomplicated pregnancies are advised to wait for spontaneous labor between 38-39 weeks for lowest risk of adverse complications.
A randomized trial found IPTi to be an effective preventive measure against malaria episodes in infants exposed to both falciparum and vivax malaria. The study showed a significant reduction in malaria cases with regular IPTi treatment during infancy.
A recent study suggests that young infants' imitation is not driven by rational thinking, but rather by distractions. In a replication study, researchers found that infants imitated an unusual action only if it was not attributed to external constraints.
Researchers developed an analytical method that measures cardiorespiratory interaction using individual breaths and heartbeats, showing that postnatal age is an indicator of maturity in premature infants. The study found no correlation between cardiorespiratory interaction and birth weight or gestational age at birth.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that both human infants and baboons prefer using their right hand for gestural communication, supporting the idea of a common gestural system. This suggests that language development may be based on this shared communication system, which is localized in the left hemisphere of the brain.
A Concordia University study reveals that toddlers' high-quality attention-seeking behaviors are associated with increased motivation to collaborate and learn. Parents who respond favourably to their child's needs can encourage positive expectations, leading to improved conscience development in children.
A recent NIH brain imaging study found that viewing images of infant faces activates specific brain circuits associated with care giving behavior. These findings suggest a biological impulse governing adults' interactions with small children, which may have implications for preventing child neglect and abuse.
A study of over 6,600 US mothers found that giving birth to unusually small infants doubles the risk of ischemic heart disease. The correlation was independent of other factors, suggesting that such pregnancies may induce cardiovascular changes and be an early risk factor for heart disease.
A study published in PLOS One found that delivering a small full-term infant increases the mother's risk of ischemic heart disease by almost two-fold. The researchers suggest that this may be due to long-term cardiovascular changes triggered during pregnancy, which can lead to increased maternal risk for heart disease.
A study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that women who have a previous caesarean section may benefit from a planned repeat caesarean section in terms of reduced bleeding and infant mortality. The research found that elective repeat caesarean sections were associated with lower risks of severe bleeding and serious infant morbidity.
A Nationwide Children's Hospital study found that inhaled nitric oxide treatment varies greatly across US NICUs, with no standardization in its use. Despite the lack of evidence supporting its routine use, iNO treatment remains common among premature infants.
A new study by researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found that maternal obesity may contribute to cognitive impairment in extremely premature babies. The study assessed 921 infants born before 28 weeks of gestation and found associations between maternal obesity, lack of high school education, and pre-term thrombosis with ...
Researchers discovered that auditory stimulation of maternal sounds can lower incidence of cardiorespiratory events in preterm infants, suggesting a potential non-pharmalogical treatment. The study involved exposing fourteen extremely premature infants to personalized audio recordings of their own mothers' voices and heartbeats, leadin...
A new study reveals that induction of labor without maternal or fetal indications increases the risk of cesarean section, neonatal complications, and postpartum issues. Women with unnecessary inductions are more likely to need epidural anesthesia and experience severe perineal tears.
Two NIH-funded studies demonstrate the benefits of immediate antiretroviral treatment for HIV-infected infants, showing improved survival rates and healthier brain development. The studies found that treating infants with ART within the first year of life significantly reduced the risk of death and disease progression.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that Scotland's national smoke-free legislation led to a dramatic fall in preterm delivery rates, with a drop of over 10% in overall preterm births. The ban also reduced small for dates infants by almost 5%.
A new study suggests that adding prebiotic ingredients to infant formula can help colonize the newborn's gut with a stable population of beneficial bacteria, enhancing immunity in formula-fed infants. Researchers found that probiotics also significantly enhanced immunity in formula-fed babies, particularly those delivered by C-section.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that using clean delivery kits and practicing clean delivery techniques significantly reduces neonatal mortality rates. The use of these kits alone did not guarantee the adoption of life-saving practices, emphasizing the need for further research on locally appropriate promotion strategies.
A new study published in Neurotoxicology and Teratology found that prenatal exposure to ecstasy can lead to developmental delays, poorer motor skills, and increased social problems in infants. The study compared infants exposed to ecstasy with those not exposed and found significant differences in their growth and cognitive development.
Researchers have developed an early warning algorithm to detect children's early cardiac deterioration before inpatient arrest. Additionally, studies suggest that patients with conotruncal defects should be screened for chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, which can improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers propose a new 'theory of mind' approach: infants as young as 1 year old can distinguish their own beliefs from those of others. They develop this capacity through two interacting systems, including an association module and an operating system.
Researchers found that naked mole-rats retain a tolerance for oxygen deprivation into adulthood, similar to infant humans. This discovery could lead to better brain cell protection during heart attacks or strokes.
Researchers verified that WIC administrative records accurately reflect breastfeeding practices among over 2000 low-income mothers. The study's findings provide a critical resource for nationwide breastfeeding surveillance and monitoring systems.
A new study by neurologists at UCSF reveals that mothers who suffer from migraine headaches are more than twice as likely to have babies with colic. The research suggests a possible link between colic and childhood periodic syndromes, which may be precursors to migraine headaches later in life.
Researchers found that over-reactive parents are more likely to have toddlers who act out and become upset easily. Adoptive parents' tendency to over-react had a significant effect on their children's negative emotionality and problem behavior.
A recent study suggests that mothers who experience migraines may be more likely to have infants with colic. The research, presented at the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting, found that babies whose mothers had a history of migraine were two-and-a-half times more likely to have colic than those without.
A new study found significant brain differences in high-risk infants who later developed autism, starting as early as 6 months. Infants with autism had elevated white matter fiber tract development at birth, but slower growth over time, suggesting potential early interventions.
A study found differences in brain communication pathways as early as 6 months in infants who later received a diagnosis of autism. The researchers used magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate the brains of 92 infants, including those with older siblings on the autism spectrum. This study offers promise for identifying infants at risk f...
Researchers discovered significant brain differences in infants as young as six months old who later develop autism. Infants with autism showed changes in white matter pathways, which may be used to diagnose the disorder earlier.
Researchers discovered significant brain development differences in 6-month-old high-risk infants who later developed autism compared to those who did not. Infants with autism showed elevated white matter fiber tract development at 6 months, followed by slower changes over time.
A new study by University of British Columbia researchers found that maternal depression can affect infants' ability to attune to their native languages, while bilingual households may prolong the period of tuning. The preliminary findings provide important insights into early childhood development and mother's mental health.
Infants exhibit longer looking times when one giraffe gets both toys or the slacker gets a reward in both experiments, indicating an expectation of fairness. The study suggests that children are born with innate expectations about fairness, shaped by culture and environment.
Research found alarmingly high concentrations of arsenic in commercial infant formulas and cereal bars containing organic brown rice syrup. The study highlights the need for regulatory limits on arsenic in food products, particularly those with rice-based ingredients.
A Canadian study reveals that international rankings of infant mortality are misleading due to inconsistent birth registration practices. If corrected for biases, Canada and the US would rank among the top 12 countries in terms of infant mortality rates.
Researchers found that 6- to 9-month-old babies comprehend words for common objects like foods and body parts through daily language experience. They also found little improvement in word recognition until around 14 months.
Researchers report successful early transplantation of human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells into neonatal rats with birth-related brain damage, detecting neurologic improvement.