Articles tagged with Infants
A recent study found that over a quarter of new mothers have fallen asleep while feeding their babies, increasing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Researchers are urging care providers to inform new moms about the potential risks and provide guidance on safe feeding practices.
A longitudinal cohort study found no significant associations between prenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection and child neurodevelopment outcomes in the first two years of life. Follow-up research is needed to determine if these effects persist into later childhood.
A study of over 2.4 million individuals born in Canada found that preterm birth is associated with lower employment income, university enrollment, and educational attainment through age 28. The findings suggest that long-term supports are vital to mitigate the effects of preterm birth on socioeconomic outcomes.
A study reveals that infant gut microbiota succession is predictable and malleable, allowing for the shaping of gut health through birth mode and feeding practices. This research has significant implications for reducing childhood allergic diseases, overweight, and respiratory infections.
Research reveals that antenatal corticosteroids can lead to smaller volumes of key brain areas in preterm infants, affecting emotion processing and motor control. The study suggests a delicate balance between benefits for respiratory health and potential risks to neurological development.
Researchers at the University of Illinois are using a wearable device called LittleBeats to collect data on infant behavior in real-world settings. The first grant focuses on infant-parent interactions and emotional regulation, while the second grant explores infant sleep/wake patterns and health outcomes.
A UNC Greensboro study of 299 women and their infants found that obesogenic feeding practices, such as watching TV while feeding or formula-feeding, are strongly correlated with rapid infant weight gain. The researchers also found that mothers' prenatal psychological risk increases the likelihood they will engage in these unhealthy pra...
Researchers have successfully integrated genome sequencing into newborn screening to identify hundreds of rare genetic disorders. This approach allows for earlier diagnosis and treatment, promoting health equity and reducing time to diagnosis.
A randomized controlled trial found that removing toddler screen time in the hour before bed leads to better sleep quality and more efficient nighttime sleep. The study suggests that limiting screen time before bed may be a useful strategy for improving toddler sleep.
A cohort study found no association between maternal COVID-19 exposure and abnormal neurodevelopmental screening results in children aged 24 months. Continued research is needed due to the developing fetal brain's sensitivity to maternal immune activation.
A new study by Simon Fraser University researchers found that folic acid supplementation may weaken the link between blood-lead levels and autistic-like behaviors in children. The study suggests that adequate folic acid supplementation mitigates the neurotoxic effects of lead, reducing the risk of autism.
The Northwestern Mental Health, Earlier Center will address the youth mental health crisis by targeting early signs of vulnerability to mental health problems in toddlers through routine pediatric care. The center aims to foster self-regulation skills and reduce mental health risk by promoting developmental health promotion frameworks.
The NEC Society, Cincinnati Children's, and UNC Children's will host the world's largest conference focused on necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), bringing together key stakeholders to unite the global community for a world without NEC. The event will feature over 20 educational sessions and world-renowned faculty.
A study from the University of Kansas found that parents trust AI-generated text, like ChatGPT, more than healthcare professionals' content. Parents rated ChatGPT as more trustworthy, accurate, and reliable in many cases, even when there were significant differences in ratings.
A microscopic study of milk teeth reveals that newborn Iberian infants died mainly from natural causes like birth complications or premature births. Researchers applied innovative methodology to analyze the neonatal line in baby teeth, identifying moments of birth and death with precision.
A study of 668 infants found a small decrease in birth weight for gestational age with every 1°C increase in average daily heat stress during the first trimester. Infants up to two years old exposed to high heat may have lower weights and heights for their age.
A new study led by UCL researchers found that UK toddlers obtain nearly half of their calories from ultra-processed foods, with this ratio increasing to 59% by the age of seven. The most common ultra-processed foods consumed were flavoured yoghurts and wholegrain breakfast cereals.
A new study published in Scientific Reports reveals the importance of foot movement in early infant development and interaction. By using machine and deep learning techniques, researchers found that AI can accurately classify five-second clips of 3D infant movements, with foot movements showing the highest accuracy rates.
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine has released comprehensive guidelines for protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding in emergency situations. The recommendations aim to safeguard the health and well-being of infants in disasters and conflicts by ensuring safe nutrition and immune protection.
A cross-sectional study found significant increases in sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise in SUID rates was linked to off-season resurgences of infectious pathogens, with RSV rates closely approximating this shift.
UNCG researchers aim to reduce rapid weight gain and obesity risk among Latine infants by supporting mothers in breastfeeding. Breastfeeding without supplementation during infancy correlates with less excess weight gain for the baby and a healthier weight throughout childhood.
Research found a significant increase in sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) and SIDS rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in 2021. The study suggests a link between infection, particularly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SUID, highlighting the importance of safe sleep practices despite infections.
A recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that over 80% of women are iron deficient by the third trimester of pregnancy. Despite being considered a high-resource setting, the study revealed alarming rates of iron deficiency among healthy pregnant women. This finding emphasizes the importance of routin...
A recent cohort study found that prenatal exposure to COVID-19 during pregnancy did not increase the risk of autism screening in toddlers. The research suggests that maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection and pandemic-related exposure had no significant impact on autism positivity rates.
A new study analyzing 44 years of FBI data reveals that family members are the most common perpetrators of infant and child homicides in the US. The research found a sustained increase in firearm-related homicides among children and adolescents, with Black pediatric victims experiencing disproportionate burdens.
New research suggests that toddlers can track and prefer people with more resources, tracking this preference until around 13 months of age. This bias towards wealth is thought to be driven by negative assessments of those with less, rather than positive evaluations of the wealthy.
Researchers argue that placental pathology is underutilized clinically and deserves routine obstetric and neonatal care, as well as more research attention.
A new study found that neighborhoods with fewer opportunities are associated with a higher risk of preterm birth, particularly among Black and Hispanic infants. The study suggests that structural racism and discriminatory practices contribute to this racial gap in preterm birth outcomes.
Newborns with atypical metabolite patterns are 14 times more likely to die of SIDS, according to a recent NIH-funded study. The researchers believe that checking for this pattern could provide a way to estimate SIDS risk and inform efforts to reduce its risk.
New research reveals Scotland's care system is taking years to find permanent homes for over 1,800 vulnerable children, with 91% experiencing maltreatment before being taken into care. Many children have no contact with their siblings, and crucial information is often missing from administrative data.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that higher exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) during infancy is associated with lower economic earnings in adulthood. The association was strongest in the Midwest and South, where an increase in PM2.5 exposure by one microgram per cubic meter was linked t...
Researchers at UCSF identified signals in the metabolic system of infants who died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), finding associations between lower C-3 levels and elevated C-14OH. Elevated biomarkers also led to reduced risk of SIDS, but further research is needed to validate these findings.
A case-control study found an association between abnormal birth metabolic analytes and sudden infant death syndrome, suggesting potential early risk identification. The study's findings could inform future research and clinical efforts focused on monitoring and preventing SIDS.
Researchers developed an AI model to detect lung disease in premature babies by analyzing their breathing patterns while sleeping. The Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model achieved 96% accuracy in classifying flow values as belonging to a patient with BPD or not, enabling early diagnosis and treatment.
A new study has found a natural probiotic in the microbiomes of UK newborns, which could be used to develop personalized infant therapeutic probiotics. The researchers analyzed stool samples from 1,288 healthy infants and found that one of the pioneer bacteria was genetically adapted to utilize breast milk nutrients and block pathogens.
Researchers will analyze hMPV infection rates among infants and young children to understand its impact across different age groups. The study aims to provide critical insights into changing landscape of pediatric respiratory infections.
A recent Science study reveals that bat population decline led to a significant increase in pesticide use by farmers, resulting in more than 1,000 infant deaths. The study found a 31% rise in pesticide use and an 8% increase in infant mortality rate, highlighting the potential harm of pesticide misuse on human health.
A study found that children as young as six can contribute to group projects when there are clear and common goals. The researchers used a game where children worked together to fill a pool with water, with benefits for the whole group but individual costs. The results showed that most groups achieved their objectives and cooperated, e...
A study by Dr. Pumpki Lei Su and colleagues analyzed over 300 children's home recordings to find that infants form patterns in their sound clusters, producing three categories of sounds. The researchers found significant clustering patterns in typically developing children and those later diagnosed with autism, suggesting a more sponta...
A recent study found that 60 percent of infant and toddler foods sold in top US grocery chains fail to meet nutritional recommendations, while none meet World Health Organization guidelines. The study also exposed widespread misleading marketing practices, including prohibited claims on packaging.
Inhalation of live Lactobacilli bacteria attenuates pulmonary inflammation, improves lung function, and structure for COPD and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The treatment reduces neutrophilic inflammation, MMP-9, and pro-inflammatory markers.
A new study suggests treating all children under 5 with azithromycin in Africa can significantly reduce child mortality. Treating older kids protects younger children from respiratory and lethal infections.
A recent study published in Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology reveals that children born extremely preterm are at a higher risk of autism diagnosis. The screening test was effective in identifying autism in preterm children, with only a small percentage who screened positive later receiving no diagnosis.
The USPSTF finds that iron deficiency is the leading cause of anemia during pregnancy, affecting approximately 18% of pregnant individuals. Routine screening and supplementation are not recommended to prevent adverse maternal and infant health outcomes.
A recent review by Imperial College London suggests that Nigeria's high infant mortality rate could be addressed through the adoption of existing scientific breakthroughs and technological advancements. The review highlights several low-cost advances in neonatal care developed by Nigerian clinicians and researchers, including adaptive ...
A recent study found that C-section antibiotics have a subtle impact on the infant gut microbiome, whereas diet has a significant impact. The study analyzed data from 172 infant samples and found that feeding mode explained 12% of variation in overall infant gut microbiome composition.
Researchers found that babies form strong expectations for a robot's responses within 10 minutes of interaction. The study suggests that contingency, or caregivers' timely reactions, is key to foundational learning in early development.
A new study by top researchers reveals one in five children with an older sibling diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are likely to be diagnosed with the disorder as well. The rate of autism recurrence is seven times higher in families with an autistic child compared to the general population.
Researchers found that adults prioritize cognitive cues over vocal signals when evaluating a child's intelligence or negative emotions, while vocal cues dominate for assessing happiness or helplessness. This study provides insights into the complex dynamics of caregiver-child interactions and their evolutionary roots.
Infants born to mothers with obesity are at higher risk of SUID due to a dose-dependent association between increasing maternal BMI and SUID risk. Research suggests that maternal obesity should be added to the list of known risk factors for SUID.
Researchers present 'evolutionary-developmental model' explaining infant resilience to SIDS. The model suggests vulnerability lies in imbalance between risk factors and protective capabilities acquired during development.
A new study from the University of California, Berkeley reveals a significant increase in underweight and premature births among non-white women in the US after Trump's election. Black mothers had the largest increases, with about 3,783 fewer infants born underweight if Trump hadn't been elected.
Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have identified a key biological pathway, the JAK/STAT pathway, that RSV suppresses and prevents immune system igniters from activating. This discovery provides a promising new target for therapeutic immune restoration and could lead to significant impact in treating RSV infections.
A population-level study found no increase in neonatal and infant mortality rates during the initial COVID-19 pandemic period. However, social distancing measures were linked to higher preterm birth rates with a lag period.
A new study by researchers tracked how French infants aged four to 12 months use their mother's scent to perceive faces. The ability to perceive faces greatly improves between four and 12 months, with younger infants benefiting the most from the presence of their mother's odor.
A collaborative effort between The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine and Reaching our Sisters Everywhere identified key components of a successful breastfeeding journey as defined by parents and families. The findings aim to inform research priorities and promote patient-centered outcomes in infant and young-child feeding.
A large study confirms that siblings of autistic children have a 20% chance of autism, with factors such as sex and number of autistic siblings influencing likelihood. The study also found racial and maternal education level differences in recurrence rates.
Yanomami children face the most severe nutritional deficit in Indigenous communities in the Americas, with 52.2% undernourished and 570 starved to death in four years. Malnutrition during infancy can have lifelong effects on health, increasing disease risk and mortality rates.
A study published in PNAS found that infants less than a year old can combine novel words describing quantities with familiar words to understand phrases. This ability helps them interpret language input and learn about the world, laying the foundation for human creativity.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that toddlers who use touch-screen games may struggle with early social skills. The research suggests that excessive screen time during critical developmental periods can have long-lasting effects on communication and interaction.