Research on the health and development of babies. Covers motor development, maternal-infant health, cochlear implants, and infant nutrition.
New strategies targeting pregnancy, infancy, and toddlers are needed to combat rising childhood obesity rates. A community-wide approach that addresses behavioral and environmental factors is proposed to tackle the epidemic.
A follow-up NIH study confirms that hypothermia treatment increases infant survival, without increasing long-term disability risk. Children who received the cooling technique were more likely to survive to ages 6 and 7 compared to those who received routine care.
Researchers at UCLA have identified the genetic mutation responsible for IMAGe syndrome, a rare disorder that stunts infants' growth. The discovery could lead to new ways of blocking rapid cell division and offers a new tool for diagnosing children with IMAGe syndrome.
Researchers discover mutation on same gene responsible for Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, a disease characterized by rapid cell division and large size. The finding enables early diagnosis and treatment of IMAGe syndrome, a rare disorder stunting infants' growth.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed a new infant formula using hazelnut oil that better mimics the structure of human milk. This design improves the digestion and absorption of essential fatty acids, including DHA and ARA, which are crucial for infant development.
A new study from researchers in the Netherlands found no association between viral infections during infancy and later childhood wheezing symptoms. However, children with reduced neonatal lung function were more prone to experience wheezing during viral infections.
Researchers developed a new 'designer fat' from hazelnut oil that closely mimics the key fatty acids found in human milk. This innovation addresses concerns about digestibility of algae-derived ingredients used in infant formulas.
A new study at Karlstad University in Sweden shows that phthalates from PVC flooring materials are taken up by the bodies of infants, primarily through ingestion with food, breathing, and skin contact. The study's findings highlight the importance of considering non-food sources of exposure to banned chemicals like DEHP and BBzP.
Researchers found that babies seek out situations with just the right amount of surprise or complexity to capture their attention. The findings suggest that babies are active information seekers who can predict what happens next based on previous observations.
A Duke University study found that toddlers from lower socioeconomic backgrounds have higher levels of flame retardant chemicals in their blood, potentially due to hand-to-mouth activity. This highlights the need for better public access to information on household products and potential exposure routes.
A new study found that breast-fed babies have a more diverse bacterial colonization than formula-fed babies, leading to changes in the expression of genes involved in their immune system. The study also showed a link between the expression of genes in the bacteria and genes of the immune system in the baby.
A systems approach to preventing childhood obesity is proposed, beginning in pregnancy and continuing through early life. The strategy combines behavior change interventions with environmental changes to support healthy parents, infants, and toddlers.
Researchers at Kennedy Krieger Institute found that infants with weak head and neck control are more likely to develop language and social developmental delays, suggesting a potential early indicator of autism. The study adds motor skills evaluation to existing screenings, improving early detection of developmental delays.
A new University of Illinois study shows that human milk oligosaccharides produce short-chain fatty acids that feed a beneficial microbial population in the infant gut. The composition of bacteria changes over time, with different HMO components producing distinct patterns of short-chain fatty acids.
Selected acoustic research papers are now available in lay language summaries. The collection explores various topics including microorganism trapping for water purification and the development of speech perception in monolingual and bilingual infants. Researchers also investigate ways to improve orchestra pit acoustics for musicians.
Research at McMaster University found that interactive music classes with parents improve babies' communication skills, such as smiling and waving goodbye. The study also showed that infants' brains respond differently to musical tones in interactive versus passive listening conditions.
Research with twin infants suggests that environmental factors, including maternal diet and interactions, play a significant role in determining testosterone levels. The study found that genetic factors do not significantly contribute to testosterone levels in infancy.
Researchers found that parents with a firm but fair style tend to have children with positive behavior, while those with overly permissive or authoritarian styles are associated with negative behavior. Effective parenting involves providing structure and routines in a loving and clear way.
The hospital will expand its Transition Home Plus Program, training caregivers and reducing emergency room visits and hospital readmissions. The program is expected to save an estimated $3.7 million over three years.
A study of mothers and toddlers found that mothers of overweight children were more than 88% less likely to accurately assess their child's body size. This misperception can lead to inappropriate feeding behaviors, such as encouraging a healthy-weight child to eat more.
A study found that infants colonized by E. coli bacteria early in life have a higher number of memory B cells. Healthy gut bacteria play a crucial role in immune system development and preventing allergies.
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.