Research on the health and development of babies. Covers motor development, maternal-infant health, cochlear implants, and infant nutrition.
A new study reveals that babies born at 39 weeks have a significantly lower risk of death compared to those born earlier, with mortality rates declining by up to 50% per week after 37 weeks. This research supports the importance of continuing pregnancy until 39 weeks for optimal baby health.
Scientists have detected potentially toxic flame retardants in 80% of baby products containing polyurethane foam. The study reveals compounds associated with pentaBDE, a substance banned in many countries due to health risks, as well as two potential carcinogens.
A study found that many GP prescriptions for paracetamol either under-dose older children or over-dose young children, highlighting the need for accurate dosing. The research suggests that health care workers must take care when calculating doses to avoid harm.
Carnegie Mellon University researchers used a video game to study adult language learning, discovering that listeners quickly recognize word-like units. With just two hours of play, participants could reliably extract sound categories and apply them to advance through the game.
The grant will help provide funding for the hospital's La Van program, which provides free transportation for low-income patients coming to routine prenatal appointments. This supports efforts to connect those in need of services to providers who participate in accountable community health care programs.
Researchers found that marital instability at 9 months old predicts child sleep problems at 18 months, including difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. This relationship persists even after controlling for factors such as birth order, parents' anxiety, and infant temperament.
A McGill research team identified two distinct disease-causing mutations in the IRF8 gene, which causes severe immunodeficiency and disseminated BCG infection. These findings led to a successful stem cell transplant that saved the life of a three-month-old baby girl.
A study analyzed cost-effectiveness of strategies to treat infant tear duct obstruction, finding that immediate office-based probing surgery is more expensive than waiting but slightly less effective. The optimal approach depends on the spontaneous resolution rate, with varying costs and outcomes depending on the setting of intervention.
Research at DDW 2011 highlights the need for improved screening and treatment of pediatric liver disease, as well as the benefits of smaller colonoscopies in young patients. Additionally, studies show that college athletes involved in high-intensity sports have a higher risk of functional gastrointestinal disorders.
The number of children dying a violent death has fallen by nearly 90% since 1974, according to analysis of national mortality data. The decline is attributed to improved child protection services, with reductions in family violence and neglect in infancy and early childhood.
A study found that early nutrition, specifically breast milk versus formula feeding, can impact a child's growth and metabolic profile. After four months, the protein content of infant formulas played a key role in inducing differences in blood insulin levels and growth patterns between groups.
Researchers at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island found that pregnant women infected with H1N1 influenza during the 2009 pandemic were more likely to give birth to lower-weight babies. The studies also tracked outcomes and determined the importance of timely antiviral treatment in pregnancy.
A new study published in the journal Sleep has found that infants who experience irregular bursts of sleep have significant growth spurts in their body length. The study suggests that longer sleep corresponds to greater growth, and that increased sleep episodes increase the probability of a growth spurt by up to 43%.
A new study confirms that infants wake up taller after sleep, with longer sleep bouts predicting increased weight and body-fat composition. The research also found sex differences in sleep patterns related to growth, with boys exhibiting more sleep bouts and shorter ones than girls.
Research suggests that screening very preterm infants for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at 18 months of age is often inaccurate and can lead to false positives. In contrast, waiting until 30 months of age may provide a more accurate assessment. A study found that only 3% of infants who screened positive on all three screens at 30 mont...
Research by Johns Hopkins Medicine and others reveals human donor milk may be safer for extremely premature babies than standard formula, with fewer cases of NEC and reduced need for surgery.
A study of 281 mother/newborn pairs found that maternal obesity is associated with impaired iron status in infants, which could affect brain development. The researchers are investigating why obesity during pregnancy increases the risk of poorer iron status at birth.
A new study shows that fetal exposure to a chemical found in crude oil is associated with an increased risk of congenital heart disease. Among white infants, but not black infants, exposure to ethyl benzene was linked to a four-fold increased risk of CHD.
Unintentional child injury deaths can be prevented through adequate supervision and protection from harm. Researchers emphasize the importance of addressing social norms around child safety, such as safe sleep environments and car seat use.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, developed a novel screening approach to detect Autism Syndrome Disorder (ASD) in babies at 1-year check-ups. The 'One-Year Well-Baby Check Up Approach' has shown a positive predictive value of 75% using a simple, five-minute screening technique.
A study published in Pediatric Pulmonology found that azithromycin can reduce the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants colonized or infected with Ureaplasma bacteria. The treatment showed a 21% reduction in BPD development and death rates in treated infants, compared to placebo.
The FDA approves Menactra vaccine for infants as young as 9 months of age, providing a new option to help protect against meningococcal disease. The vaccine has been shown to elicit a robust immune response and can be administered concurrently with other vaccines.
A nationwide study found that group B streptococci are the leading cause of early-onset sepsis in full-term infants, while Escherichia coli is a common pathogen in preterm infants. The study also highlights missed opportunities for prevention due to inadequate screening and electronic medical record linking.
A meta-analysis of 22 studies found that infants with regulatory problems are more likely to develop behavioral problems in childhood. The most common outcomes were externalizing problems and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
A study found airway abnormalities uncommon among infants hospitalized with apparent life-threatening events (ALTEs), and the need for pediatric otolaryngology evaluation is low in well-appearing babies. Despite this, some patients required surgical intervention to address underlying conditions.
Non-Hispanic black infants born with heart defects are more likely to die within the first five years of life compared to non-Hispanic white and Hispanic peers. The study found that minority children, particularly non-Hispanic blacks, face higher risks for certain types of congenital heart abnormalities.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have pioneered a needle-free test for medicines in premature babies, reducing trauma and improving accuracy. The new approach uses blood spots obtained from heel-pricks, allowing for more precise dosage calculations and better treatment outcomes.
A new vaccine approach using an adjuvant to stimulate the immune system shows promise in a study of Gambian infants, highlighting potential for single-shot protection at birth and reducing immunizations needed. The study's findings could have major wins for global health.
A NIH study found that progesterone reduced the rate of preterm birth before 33 weeks of pregnancy among women with a short cervix. Infants born to these women were also less likely to develop respiratory distress syndrome.
Infants exhibit stable patterns of attention during interaction, with gaze duration influenced by previous gazes. This finding suggests a building block of intentional action and may help understand human social interactions.
A study found that reported cases of plagiocephaly increased by over 9-fold from 1999 to 2007, with the largest increases observed in mothers with less education. The prevalence of plagiocephaly was highest in the Dallas/Fort Worth region and among infants born preterm.
A new internet-based intervention reduced infant and toddler sleep disturbances by 50%, while also improving maternal sleep and mood. The customized sleep profile provided individualized recommendations, leading to significant improvements in sleep quality and duration.
A recent publication in the American Journal of Reproductive Immunology highlights the need to establish guidelines for studying HIV's entry point: the female genital tract. Research attention has shifted from blood to this area, but proper sampling methods and assays are crucial for accurate results.
Research suggests that punishing boys for their negative emotions can lead to increased anxiety and behavior problems. Parents who punish toddlers for becoming angry or scared can hinder their child's ability to regulate and express emotions.
Researchers presented studies on preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV in infants and the strain characteristics of transmitted strains, with implications for future vaccine strategies. A study found that post-exposure prophylaxis with a two- or three-antiretroviral-drug regimen is more effective than zidovudine alone, while a...
Researchers link Henry VIII's reproductive issues, including multiple miscarriages, to Kell blood group incompatibility. The study also suggests McLeod syndrome as a possible cause for his dramatic physical transformation and mental instability.
Researchers found a significant decrease in cerebral palsy diagnoses among premature infants over the past 15 years. The rates dropped from 6.5% to 2.2%, indicating improved care before, during, and after birth.
A 6-month daily dose of the antiretroviral drug nevirapine significantly reduced HIV transmission through breast milk to infants of HIV-infected mothers. The extended regimen achieved a 54% reduction in HIV transmission risk compared to six-week treatment, while preserving health benefits of extended breastfeeding.
Researchers have discovered that adding one or two drugs to the standard ZDV treatment can significantly reduce the risk of HIV transmission from mother to infant. The study found that treatment with two and three drug regimens reduced HIV transmission by more than 50%.
Researchers at the University of Oregon used fMRI scans to study brain activity in depressed mothers responding to their infants' cries. The findings suggest that depression can blunt a mother's response to her infant's emotional cues, affecting their relationship.
Infants and toddlers can develop serious mental health disorders, but often go untreated due to a mistaken impression that they are resilient and 'grow out of' behavioral problems. Early childhood mental health has few practitioners, making it difficult for parents or children's programs to access help when needed.
Researchers link infant attachment quality to adult conflict recovery in romantic relationships. Couples who were securely attached as infants tend to recover from conflicts better than those with insecure attachments.
Infants raised in bilingual environments can discriminate between English and French just by watching people speak, according to UBC researcher Janet Werker. Exposure to two native languages contributes to the development of perceptual sensitivity that extends beyond their mother tongues.
Three Canadian researchers present innovative findings on the cognitive benefits of bilingualism, the early stages of language acquisition, and the neurological basis of stuttering. Their work has significant implications for our understanding of human brain function and development.
The use of electronic fetal heart rate monitors significantly lowers infant mortality, especially in high-risk pregnancies, according to a recent study. The findings show a 53% decrease in early neonatal mortality among infants with EFM.
Researchers found that preterm birth clinic attendance resulted in more full-term births and lower infant morbidity rates. The study showed a 28% reduction in recurrent spontaneous preterm birth risk and reductions in infant complications and short-term disabilities.
A recent study by the University of Minnesota found that recovering from conflict well predicts higher relationship satisfaction. A romantic partner who can effectively recover from conflicts benefits their partner's relationship satisfaction.
The $22.5 million study found that prenatal surgery greatly reduced the need to divert fluid away from the brain, increasing chances of children walking without crutches. Infants and mothers who underwent the procedure had better outcomes than those with post-birth surgery.
A study found that infants exposed to HIV at birth but not infected had lower antibody levels to diseases like pertussis, tetanus, and pneumococcus. This group is vulnerable to infections and has higher mortality rates compared to uninfected infants.
A case report published in Canadian Medical Association Journal details the probable transmission of a vaccine strain of yellow fever virus from an infected mother to her infant through breastfeeding. This supports current recommendations for lactating mothers to avoid vaccination with yellow fever vaccine.
New research from the University of Copenhagen and Harvard University found that infants as young as 8 months old can recognize and respond to social dominance, using size cues to predict outcomes. This potentially instinctive knowledge suggests we may be born with an understanding of social hierarchy.
A study by Dr. Ardythe Morrow at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that preterm infants with a specific genetic variant (FUT2) are more likely to experience bad outcomes, including death and sepsis. The researchers identified a link between low levels of 'H antigen' in saliva and increased risk of disease progression.
Research by Harvard University psychologists suggests that infants may be born with an understanding of social hierarchy based on physical size, which helps them navigate their social environment. Infants as young as 8-10 months old demonstrated surprise at depictions of a larger individual yielding to a smaller one.
A Norwegian study found that mothers' satisfaction with their relationship during pregnancy is a strong predictor of overall satisfaction, peaking at 6 months old. However, both forms of satisfaction decline over time during infancy and toddlerhood.
Infants as young as 7 months old show a preference for frightening stimuli when exposed to fearful voices. Three-year-olds rapidly identify snakes in photographs, indicating an early bias towards detecting threats. These findings suggest that fear of spiders and snakes is quickly learned during infancy.
Researchers created simulated and actual robots that evolve their body forms while learning to walk, resulting in faster adaptation and improved resilience. The evolving robots developed a more robust gait than fixed-body robots, enabling them to better deal with disruptions.
Bilingual toddlers as young as 24 months exhibit comparable vocabulary in both languages and show cognitive advantages over unilingual peers. This early bilingual advantage is likely due to infants' experience with two languages, providing a competitive edge in executive functioning.
A Canadian study found that high birth weight among First Nations babies is associated with a significantly higher risk of postneonatal death. The research, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, compared over 5,000 births to First Nations mothers to over 630,000 births to French-speaking women.
A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that intensive early education programs for low-income children can bring improved health and healthier behaviors in early adulthood. The randomized control trial, which enrolled 111 infants from the 1970s to age 21, showed significant benefits in health measure...
Researchers sequenced and reconstructed most microbes in premature newborn's gut, documenting changes over time. They aim to understand the causes of necrotizing enterocolitis by studying the colonization process under normal circumstances.