Research on the health and development of babies. Covers motor development, maternal-infant health, cochlear implants, and infant nutrition.
A new study finds that parents' use of language, tone, and non-verbal cues helps toddlers differentiate between joking and pretending. This interaction aids in the development of essential life skills such as creativity, problem-solving, and social skills.
A longitudinal study by researchers at the University of Minnesota found that negative parenting in early infancy predicts later conduct problems in children. Conflict between mothers and toddlers also plays a key role in the development of aggression.
A longitudinal study found that negative parenting in infancy is linked to increased aggression in toddlers, which can create a cycle of conflict between mothers and children. The researchers also discovered that this cycle can lead to conduct problems in school-age children.
Pediatricians are urged to explore nonpharmacological approaches to address infant symptoms. Acid-suppressing medications may have adverse effects on infants, including increased risk of infections and mineral/vitamin imbalances.
Dr. Eric Hassall cautions against over-diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in infants under one year old, as most symptoms can be attributed to physiological reflux or normal developmental phenomena. Non-pharmacological measures such as dietary changes and reassurance are often sufficient to resolve the issue.
A randomized clinical trial found that breastfeeding in mature feeders reduced behavioral pain scores in preterm neonates. However, the study did not show significant benefits for all breastfed infants and raised concerns about potential negative effects on developing brains.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has expanded its guidelines on safe sleep for babies, providing specific recommendations to create a safe environment for their infants to sleep. The new guidelines aim to eliminate all sleep-related infant deaths, including SIDS and suffocation deaths.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping children under 2 years old 'screen-free' to promote healthy brain development. The policy also calls for further research into the long-term effects of early media exposure on physical, mental and social health.
Research from Imperial College London found that premature babies show multiple biological signs of risks to future health, including higher blood pressure and excess fat tissue. Monitoring preterm babies into adulthood is crucial for early detection of disease.
A recent study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that breastfed babies initially experience more night wakings and disrupted sleep patterns. However, these differences typically stabilize within six months, with all sleep patterns becoming comparable to non-breastfed babies.
A new study in New Mexico found that 52% of infants who died from SUID/SIDS were placed to sleep in a non-supine position, while 71% were on an unsafe sleep surface. Continued public education programs are essential to prevent these infant deaths.
Scientists at Salk Institute discovered a new form of RDS in newborn mice and traced it to cellular receptor for thyroid hormone. Drugs used for treating overactive thyroid glands saved mice with deadly genetic alteration mimicking the lung problem, offering clues for new treatments.
A new study found that babies at 15 months old can distinguish between fair and unfair food distribution, with those showing a greater willingness to share displaying increased sensitivity to such violations. This suggests that early childhood is an essential period for nurturing human egalitarianism and cooperation.
A new study from Stanford University reveals that North American babies infected with toxoplasmosis in the womb are more likely to suffer severe complications, including brain calcifications, hydrocephalus, and eye disease. The study suggests that a lack of prenatal screening and treatment may be contributing to these outcomes.
Researchers found elevated levels of Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) in infant blood, associated with early insulin resistance and diabetes. Cutting back on processed foods can improve insulin levels and reduce disease risk in adults.
Medical benefits of infant male circumcision are clear, with substantial protection against certain STIs. Experts counter misinformation on circumcision's effects on sexual satisfaction and performance. They defend parental rights to make informed decisions about their children's health.
A study of preterm infants found that those exposed to stressors in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit had decreased brain size and functional connectivity, as well as abnormal motor behavior. The researchers suggest further research is needed to improve outcomes for premature infants.
Researchers discover that six-month-old babies recall the existence of objects even when hidden from view, but not their details. This discovery sheds light on how young brains process object information.
A new study will assess the effectiveness of Project REACH, a prenatal intervention designed to prevent postpartum depression in adolescent mothers. The program focuses on strengthening social relationships and encouraging support, with a goal of reducing symptoms before they occur.
Kansas researchers found that enriched infant formulas fortified with long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) are beneficial for developing brains and hearts. Infants fed these formulas showed improved cognitive advancement and lower heart rates compared to those without LCPUFA.
Infants use 'statistical learning' to predict future events and find boundaries between movements. This skill is crucial for learning words, and researchers believe it begins as early as 7-9 months old.
A new study found that providing infants with 'sticky mittens' enhances their interest in faces, indicating advanced social development. This suggests that early motor training can benefit infants at risk for autism spectrum disorders.
A new study reveals that infants' brain networks mature enough to identify pain distinct from touch around 35-37 weeks gestation. This finding may impact treatment and development of premature newborns, who can exhibit altered pain behavior due to excessive noxious input during neonatal care.
Research published in BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care found parents who lost a child during the first year of life are at significantly increased risk of an early death. Bereaved mothers are especially prone to an early death, with effects lasting up to 25 years.
A new study published in The Journal of Pediatrics found that oxycodone is not safer for breastfed infants than codeine, contradicting previous assumptions. The research surveyed 533 women who took codeine, oxycodone, or acetaminophen during breastfeeding and reported symptoms of central nervous system depression in their children.
A new feeding program at Nationwide Children's Hospital has improved oral feeding skills for premature infants, allowing them to be discharged earlier and without feeding tubes. The study found that 51% of infants were successfully feeding upon discharge and 84% at 1 year of age.
Researchers trained 11-month-old infants to improve their concentration skills, leading to enhanced cognitive abilities in unrelated tasks. This early training may have significant implications for improving academic success, particularly for children at risk of poor outcomes.
Research followed 84 infants from birth to age 2 and found that highly irritable children who have secure attachments to their mothers are more likely to get along well with others. The study suggests that interventions to help children become securely attached may be especially important for children who are highly irritable.
A study by the CDC found that rotavirus vaccination in infants reduces hospitalizations for severe diarrhea in older children and adults. The study, published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, shows that vaccinating infants can indirectly prevent serious disease in unvaccinated groups.
Analysis by Indiana University School of Medicine researchers resulted in changes to American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for diagnosing and treating initial urinary tract infections in infants and toddlers. The new guidelines argue against exposing young children to painful radiologic tests and prescribing prophylactic antibiotic...
A new study found that bilingual babies' brains remain flexible to languages for a longer period, possibly due to greater exposure to speech sounds at home. Bilingual infants also produced more words in the dominant language, while monolinguals lagged behind.
A multicenter study of over 3,000 preterm infants found that those monitored with the Heart Rate Observation System experienced a greater than 20 percent reduced mortality rate. The HeRO monitor detects early signs of distress and provides a new tool for clinical assessment.
A new report found that coronary stent implantation is a feasible and safe palliative option for children under 18 with blocked arteries, including those as young as 15 months. The study showed successful stent placement and excellent revascularization in all seven cases.
The new device, called Sea-PAP, is designed to be an affordable and simple Bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (B-CPAP) device that provides breathing support to premature infants. Sea-PAP has the potential to save thousands of infant lives worldwide by reducing respiratory distress.
Researchers found diverse bacterial communities in infant saliva associated with early childhood caries, supporting the need for proper oral hygiene practices and dietary habits from birth. The study identifies minimizing fermentable sugars and wiping gums without teeth as crucial preventive measures.
A large international multi-site study found the recurrence risk of autism in younger siblings to be substantially higher, with a combined estimated risk of nearly 19%. The risk is especially elevated among male infants, with over 32% diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder
A study by Henry Ford Hospital found that prenatal pet exposure is associated with lower IgE levels in infants, reducing the risk of allergies and asthma by age 2. The findings also suggest that delivery mode and race can influence allergy development.
Researchers found that marital conflict in adoptive parents can impact their infant's sleep patterns, which becomes regulated during infancy. The study, published in Child Development, suggests that marital instability may set a child up for problematic sleep patterns.
A large-scale study found that pregnant women taking DHA supplements had fewer colds and shorter illnesses in their infants. The study, published in Pediatrics, suggests that prenatal DHA supplementation may help deliver healthier babies.
A recent study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that 70% of 8-month-old babies have a high salt intake, exceeding the recommended UK maximum level. High salt consumption can damage developing kidneys and establish poor eating practices that continue into adulthood.
A study by the University of Liverpool found that babies from smoking households are more severely affected by bronchiolitis, requiring oxygen and mechanical ventilation. The research highlights the independent impact of tobacco smoke exposure on disease severity in infants.
A recent study found that infants can perceive flicker or movement but struggle to identify individual elements within a moving scene. This suggests that babies have a slower visual processing speed than adults, with a limit of around half a second.
A recent study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that using hypoallergenic baby formula does not decrease the risk of allergies in high-risk infants. The trial involved 620 infants and assessed whether hypoallergenic formula could prevent childhood eczema, asthma, or hay fever up to seven years of age.
A study found that consuming brown seaweed soup daily during the postpartum period can lead to excess iodine intake, potentially causing hypothyroidism and other health issues. The researchers recommend educating healthcare providers about Korean-American dietary habits to provide guidance on healthy eating.
A study found that invasive diagnostic procedures for infants with cystic fibrosis do not reduce lung-damaging infections or structural lung injury. The treatment, which involved culturing fluid samples from the lungs, did not demonstrate clinical benefits but led to increased risks of adverse events.
Researchers found that domestic chickens have a significant preference for consonant sounds, which may be an innate auditory preference. This finding challenges the notion that aesthetic tastes are solely learned behaviors and highlights the importance of distinguishing among sounds in the natural environment.
Researchers found that 4-month-old babies associated sounds with larger and smaller objects, indicating an early capacity for conceptual development. The study used nonsense syllables and visual stimuli to test the babies' perception of physical properties of speech.
A study found that premature infants treated with lopinavir-ritonavir were more likely to experience life-threatening adrenal insufficiency compared to standard zidovudine treatment. Asymptomatic cases were reported, but long-term effects are unclear.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that infants develop the ability to transfer knowledge between 8-16 months. At 8 months, they struggle with new information, but by 16 months, they can apply learned knowledge to new situations.
A study found that neonatal deaths in intensive care units increased when life-sustaining treatments were withheld, while CPR use decreased over time. The trend suggests improved recognition of medical futility and a desire for peaceful death among parents.
A new study reveals that young babies' brains show activation in a temporal lobe area when hearing emotionally neutral human sounds, such as coughing or yawning, than familiar toy sounds.
A research team has identified the disease-causing mutation in a newly characterized rare genetic disease using DNA from just a few individuals. The VAAST tool, developed by Mark Yandell and Martin G. Reese, uses rapid and accurate gene-sequencing techniques to pinpoint mutations in individual patients.
Researchers found a weakened ability to sync brain hemispheres in toddlers with autism, which could lead to earlier diagnoses and treatment. The study used fMRI scans on sleeping toddlers and identified language areas with reduced synchronization.
A new study finds neural synchronization abnormality in autistic toddlers' brains related to language and communication symptoms, indicating possible early diagnosis tool. This brain abnormality was present in 70% of autistic toddlers but rare in typically developing or language-delayed children.
A new vaccine to combat tuberculosis has been shown to be safe and effective, but its introduction into the childhood immunization schedule is complicated by concerns over immune response. The study's findings have important implications for designing the most effective immunisation schedules for children.
A meta-analysis of 41,000 women found that interventions like decentralised testing and treatment can reduce perinatal deaths by 54% and stillbirths by 58%. Implementing universal screening for syphilis in all pregnant women could lead to significant reductions in adverse pregnancy outcomes.
In a study of moustached tamarins, researchers found that 75% of infants survive with male help, but only 41.7% without. Female infanticide occurs when mothers kill their own offspring due to social competition and high levels of prenatal stress.
Research from the University of Utah Health identifies toddlers as early as 14 months at risk for autism syndrome disorder. A partnership between autism experts and pediatricians using widely accepted questionnaires leads to the identification of 10 toddlers with early signs of ASD, previously missed.
A new screening method using newborn saliva has been shown to effectively identify CMV infection in newborns. The test achieved a sensitivity of 97.4% when dry samples were used, making it a promising tool for widespread screening programs. Researchers are now exploring the contribution of congenital CMV infection to overall hearing loss.
Researchers discovered that babies as young as 12 months old can use their knowledge of basic rules to form expectations about new events. A computational model accurately predicts infants' surprise at unexpected events, suggesting they reason by mentally simulating possible scenarios.