Research on the health and development of babies. Covers motor development, maternal-infant health, cochlear implants, and infant nutrition.
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.
Infants with birth defects delivered at night or over the weekend fared just as well as those delivered on a weekday, according to a new study. The finding is good news for all parties and suggests that delivery timing shouldn't be based on day of the week.
A new study identifies African-American background, longer NICU stay, and poor access to healthcare as increased risks of death in preterm infants after being discharged from the NICU. Maternal exposure to antibiotics during pregnancy decreases infant mortality risk.
A new study by researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that infants born via cesarean section had a higher risk of respiratory distress syndrome compared to those delivered vaginally. The study, which analyzed birth data from 1995-2003, challenged the long-held assumption that cesarean delivery is safer for high-risk pregnancies.
New research challenges conventional wisdom on C-sections for preterm babies, finding they may contribute to breathing problems. Small for gestational age babies delivered by c-section before 34 weeks had a 30 percent higher odds of developing respiratory distress syndrome than those born vaginally.
A new study on the administration of a multicomponent serogroup B meningococcal vaccine (4CMenB) with routine infant vaccines found it to be immunogenic and generally well-tolerated. The vaccine produced minimal interference with routine vaccines, allowing for potential inclusion in early infancy vaccination schedules.
A study found no association between the rotavirus vaccine and an increased risk of intussusception in US infants. Researchers analyzed almost 800,000 doses administered from 2006-2010 and found no statistically significant increase in risk for all doses combined or dose-specific analyses.
A new DNA-based prenatal blood test can identify pregnancies with Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18), and Patau syndrome (trisomy 13). The test was found to be highly effective in detecting these conditions, with a detection rate of 100% for trisomy 18 and 91.7% for trisomy 13.
A new study found that accelerated growth in the first three months of life increases the risk of asthma symptoms in preschool-age children. The study of over 5,125 children suggests that early infancy may be a critical period for the development of asthma.
Researchers at Queen's University found that toddlers do not monitor their own voice when speaking like adults do. Instead, they rely on interaction with the person they're talking to to judge accuracy of speech sounds. Future studies aim to determine the exact strategy used by children under two.
The new treatment section provides insight into different treatment options for children with autism, including behavioral interventions and clinical therapies. Families can view examples of treatment in action to help determine the best course of treatment for their child.
Researchers used eye-tracking technology to find that dogs are receptive to human communication in a manner similar to young children, responding more to verbal cues and intentions than just words. Dogs' brains show sensitivity to communicative intent through verbal addressing and eye contact.
A recent study published by the Technical University of Munich found no evidence to support the theory that fish oil consumption during pregnancy prevents excessive infant adipose tissue growth. The INFAT study, which monitored 208 expectant mothers and their children for over a year, showed no difference in infant adipose tissue growt...
A study by the University of Colorado Boulder found that nap-deprived toddlers show more anxiety, less joy and interest, and poorer problem-solving skills. Insufficient sleep alters their facial expressions, making them respond less positively to exciting events and more negatively to frustrating ones.
New research reveals that toddlers don't respond to their own voice in the same way as adults, requiring alternative strategies for controlling speech production. Four-year-olds are shown to monitor their speech similarly to adults, while two-year-olds do not, hinting at a possible reliance on caregivers' feedback.
Researchers from London-area hospitals and Oxford measure brain activity in infants to assess their pain response, providing a more reliable alternative to current methods.
Research from Concordia and McGill universities found that breastfeeding protected infants from contaminated food and water, while also postponing the arrival of siblings, leading to improved maternal and child health. French-Canadian children who were weaned earlier faced a disproportionate number of deaths.
Researchers found that infants who ate starchy table foods with added salt preferred salty taste at 6 months, consuming 55% more salt. At preschool age, these children were more likely to consume plain salt, demonstrating the enduring influence of early dietary exposure.
Researchers found that infants retain an 'inkling' of object existence without remembering its shape. The study's findings shed light on brain mechanisms supporting memory in infancy and beyond.
Fetal tracheal occlusion significantly improves infant survival in severe cases of CDH by enhancing pulmonary growth, increasing survival rates from less than 5% to about 50%. The study establishes FETO as standard care for severe forms of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
A new review of literature suggests that infants' early experiences with their caregivers predict their behavior in romantic relationships decades later. This
A new study by Michigan State University researcher Brooke Ingersoll found that teaching imitation skills to toddlers and preschoolers with autism improves key areas of deficit, such as eye contact and gestures. The findings come at a pivotal time in autism research, which is detecting behaviors and symptoms earlier than ever before.
A review of child maltreatment trends and policies across six countries found no clear evidence of a decrease in child maltreatment rates. Rates of violent deaths and injuries remained stable in most settings, but out-of-home placements increased, particularly in infants.
A new study finds that public health insurance is a better option for infants, providing more comprehensive benefits and improving their health despite being drawn from disadvantaged backgrounds. Private insurance, on the other hand, may be detrimental to child health due to negative selection.
Research found that antenatal corticosteroids reduced the risk of infant death or neurodevelopmental impairment in very preterm infants born between 23-25 weeks' gestation. The study included data from 10,541 infants and found significant improvements in outcomes for those exposed to antenatal corticosteroids.
Researchers from Concordia University found that infants can differentiate between trustworthy and untrustworthy sources. In a series of experiments, infants were shown to imitate actions from reliable adults more frequently than those from unreliable adults. This study contributes to the understanding of infant cognition and social le...
Research by Wally Carlo found that antenatal corticosteroids significantly reduce mortality and neurodevelopmental impairments in extremely preterm infants from 22 to 25 weeks gestation. The study showed a 33% decrease in mortality and a 20% decrease in neurodevelopmental impairments.
A team of Wayne State University researchers will investigate how fetal alcohol spectrum disorders affect infant numerical processing using event-related potentials. The study aims to improve diagnosis and treatment for children with FASDs, a condition with long-term effects on neurocognitive development.
Researchers found that infants' cortisol levels remain stable upon waking and after naps, unlike adults. This discovery may influence how infants handle stress and react to care from their mothers later in life.
A new study suggests that eight month-old infants support negative behavior towards those who act antisocially and dislike those who are nice to bad guys. This finding provides insights into the protective mechanisms humans use to choose social alliances, rooted in self-preservation.
Engineers at NC State designed a new handle that reduces ulnar deviation and minimizes the risk of dropping infant car seats. The angled design allows for better grip and lifts are easier to perform.
A recent study of young chimpanzees reveals that they engage in playful behavior during infancy and develop complex social play patterns, similar to those of human children. The research also found that both humans and chimps prefer peer play partners and use facial expressions to communicate and build social networks.
Infants born prematurely in Malawi are at a higher risk of death and developmental delays compared to term-born infants. The study found that premature babies were 1.79 times more likely to die than term babies, with increased rates of underweight and disability.
A large population-based study found that babies who rise two or more major percentiles in weight-for-length on growth charts before age 2 are more likely to be obese at age 5 and 10. The study suggests assessing weight gains during the first two years, especially in the first 6 months, to identify early risk factors for obesity.
The University of California, Santa Barbara has received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop an innovative global health research project, ImmuNet. The project aims to create a low-cost local cellular architecture to track vaccine status and disseminate vaccination-related information in rural regions.
A 10-year follow-up study found that infants with high hemoglobin levels who received iron-fortified infant formula had poorer long-term developmental outcomes. The study suggests that the optimal amount of iron in infant formula may need to be redefined.
A study found that northern muriqui monkey mothers play a key role in their sons' reproductive success, with no evidence of inbreeding. The research suggests that this egalitarian society may be the reason for the species' critical endangered status.
Separating newborns from their mothers stresses the baby, with heart rate variability increasing by 176% and quiet sleep decreasing by 86%. Skin-to-skin contact with mother reduces this stress, but further research is needed to understand its long-term effects.
Researchers at University of Copenhagen found that children born vaginally with diverse gut bacteria have lower risk of allergies. The study suggests that early exposure to a variety of bacteria is crucial for a healthy immune system, contradicting the long-held notion that bacteria are a threat to public health.
Researchers found that 10-month-old infants can understand another person's thought process, even if it diverges from their own knowledge. This discovery sheds light on how humans acquire knowledge and develop communication skills.