Research on the health and development of babies. Covers motor development, maternal-infant health, cochlear implants, and infant nutrition.
A study by a University of Michigan researcher found that treadmill training can help infants at risk for neuromotor delays walk on the same trajectory as normal children. The intervention reduced toe-walking in affected infants and showed a critical window for improvement between 10-18 months.
Researchers found that daytime naps significantly aid infants' ability to generalize knowledge and recognize patterns in new information. The UA study revealed that napping within four hours after exposure to artificial language enhances abstract learning and sentence structure recognition in young children.
A Pitt-led study examining 348 burial urns reveals that around a fifth of the children were prenatal at death, contradicting claims of systematic infant sacrifice. The research suggests young Carthaginian children were cremated and interred in ceremonial urns regardless of cause of death.
A basic three-day newborn care training regimen reduced the rate of stillbirths by 23% to 15.9 per 1,000 deliveries, with improved outcomes among births attended by midwives and traditional birth attendants. The study, funded by NIH and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, tracked over 120,000 births in six developing countries.
A UAB-led study found that training birth attendants in essential newborn-care techniques reduced stillbirths by over 30% globally. The train-the-trainer program improved perinatal mortality rates, particularly among low-cost interventions such as neonatal resuscitation and kangaroo care.
A systematic review found that neonatal and infant circumcision by trained staff rarely results in problems, with relatively minor adverse events being low among infants under one year old. However, complications are more common when performed by inexperienced providers or with subpar equipment.
Infants born to bilingual mothers show different language preferences than monolingual infants. Bilingual babies exhibit equal interest in both languages, suggesting prenatal bilingual exposure prepares them for multilingualism. Discrimination between languages helps prevent confusion, enabling young bilinguals to navigate two languages.
A recent study found that infants with positional plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) had lower scores than typical infants in observational tests of cognitive and motor development. This suggests that babies with flat head syndrome should be screened early for possible motor and cognitive delays.
A systematic review found that neonatal and infant circumcision is relatively safe, with minor adverse events common but severe complications rare. The risk of complications increases with inexperienced providers or inadequate equipment, highlighting the need for improved training and safety measures.
Researchers study how parents use feeding to soothe infant distress, exploring its relation to rapid weight gain in infancy and subsequent childhood obesity. The study examines the role of genetics and dopamine in the brain's reward system, potentially linking parent feeding practices to increased energy intake.
Babies as young as six months old can comprehend adults' intentions, according to a York University study. Infants detected and accepted when an experimenter was unable to share for reasons beyond her control, but became agitated when it was clear she simply wouldn't share.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are developing a heart assist device called PediaFlow to support infants and small children with congenital or acquired heart disease. The device has already shown promise in preclinical research, pulling oxygenated blood from the left ventricle through its innovative mag-lev technology.
The NHLBI is awarding $23.6 million to develop preclinical testing of devices for pediatric circulatory support, expanding life-saving options for infants and children born with congenital heart defects or those who develop heart failure.
Researchers have identified DNA variants in mothers and fetuses that increase the risk for preterm labor and delivery. The variants were found in genes involved in inflammation and extracellular matrix regulation, suggesting a link between immune response and preterm birth.
Researchers found serotonin levels were 26% lower in SIDS infants' brain tissue, suggesting reduced capacity to respond to breathing challenges. The findings provide important clues to the biological basis of SIDS and may lead to ways to identify high-risk infants.
A study published in JAMA found lower levels of serotonin in brain tissue associated with an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The research suggests that abnormalities in the serotonin system may play a role in SIDS, particularly in the brainstem region.
The Virtual USA project aims to create a nationwide capability for sharing and standardizing life-saving emergency data in real-time. The platform, developed by the US Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate, enables seamless integration of disparate data sources, reducing communication barriers between age...
Researchers discovered that a commonly used antibiotic, kanamycin, protects mouse ears from noise-induced hearing loss when given in low doses. The finding has significant implications for the development of new treatments and could benefit groups such as premature babies, soldiers, and airline workers.
A study found that prenatal alcohol exposure can alter the brain's developing pain regulatory system, causing a blunted response to painful events in newborns. Infants exposed to heavy prenatal alcohol had decreased physiological responses and lower stress hormone cortisol levels compared to those with little or no exposure.
A study published by Dr. Stephanie Fuller at the Society of Thoracic Surgeons found that deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) does not impair language skills, attention, and other neurocognitive abilities in school-age children. The use of DHCA was not predictive of worse performance for any neurodevelopmental outcome.
Researchers found that infants as young as five months old engage in joint attention with adults, activating the left prefrontal cortex, a region involved in complex cognitive and social behaviors. This suggests that the human brain develops this important social skill surprisingly early in infancy.
The study found that Inuit-inhabited areas had a 2.7 times higher fetal and infant mortality rate, with higher rates of preterm birth and younger mothers, highlighting dire maternal and infant health situations.
A recent study found that fertility drugs contribute significantly to the growing problem of premature births in the US. The March of Dimes urges more research and leadership to develop specific guidelines for the proper use of these drugs.
The prevalence of high body mass index (BMI) among US children and teens has remained stable over the past decade, with no significant decline in obesity rates since 1999. High BMI is a public health concern, increasing the risk of chronic conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
A nurse home visitation program has been shown to reduce the likelihood of girls entering the criminal justice system by age 19, according to a recent study. The program, which focuses on promoting maternal health and caregiving skills during pregnancy and infancy, was found to have long-term benefits for these young women.
A UT Southwestern study found that physician advice is a key motivator in placing infants on their backs to sleep, reducing the risk of SIDS. The rate of SIDS has plummeted since the "Back to Sleep" campaign was launched in 1994.
A Wisconsin statewide blood screening program successfully identified newborns with T-cell lymphopenia, a severe immune disorder. The test, which analyzes DNA from dried blood spots, detected the condition in eight infants and showed promise as a cost-effective method for early diagnosis.
The rate of babies placed on their backs to sleep has plateaued since 2001, despite the Back to Sleep campaign's dramatic decrease in SIDS rates. Racial disparities persist in infant sleeping positions, with African American infants having more than twice the SIDS rate as white infants.
A study has identified three key factors linked to the choice of infant sleep position: physician recommendations, fear of choking, and comfort concerns. Back sleeping remains the most effective means to reduce SIDS risk, with a significant decrease in rates since the Back to Sleep campaign began.
A new newborn exam, the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS), has been developed to identify infants at risk of developmental problems. The exam identified five distinct neurobehavioral profiles, with poor performance linked to behavior problems, school readiness issues, and low IQ.
A Yale study found that while the 'Back to Sleep' campaign reduced SIDS incidence, it has leveled off since guidelines were released. The study identified key factors linked to infant sleep position, including fear of choking and comfort concerns.
Researchers have developed a new protocol to improve the survival of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia, particularly in developing countries. The study found a significant improvement in early mortality and long-term outcomes, with high rates of complete remission.
Researchers identified partner genes that fuse with MLL, driving fatal leukemia in infants. Accurate predictions and treatments are expected based on this knowledge.
A recent study defines feeding milestones for premature infants, helping to improve their quality of life. Infants born before 28 weeks gestational age faced significant feeding delays and prolonged hospital stays.
Research suggests that pushing toddlers to develop self-control too early may hinder brain development. Toddlers rely on brute-force competition to learn social conventions like language acquisition. Their immature brains are better equipped for learning through trial and error, allowing them to pick up skills effortlessly.
A unified approach to caring for extremely premature infants in the first week of life resulted in improved patient outcomes, including a decrease in hospital stay duration. Infants treated using small baby guidelines showed higher survival rates without complications like bronchopulmonary dysplasia and severe intraventricular hemorrhage.
A comprehensive new study has found that early intervention programs for very young children with autism are effective in improving IQ, language ability, and social interaction. The Early Start Denver Model, a novel approach combining ABA teaching methods with relationship-based approaches, was tested on 48 diverse toddlers with autism.
Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk of vascular damage, with obese toddlers facing a four-fold higher risk compared to adolescents. The study found significant links between secondhand smoke exposure and markers of vascular injury in both toddler and adolescent populations.
Research highlights from NHLBI-supported studies presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions include new education strategies for controlling hypertension and findings on a possible link between short-term and long-term exposure to air pollution and increased risk of constricted blood vessels. Two surgical approac...
Researchers compared two surgical strategies for treating infant heart defects and found that a new shunt procedure improved survival rates at 12 months, but had more complications. However, by two years, the difference in survival rates disappeared, leaving uncertainty about which procedure is safer long-term.
Researchers found that French infants produce rising crying tones and German babies cry with falling intonation, suggesting early exposure to language-specific intonation patterns. This study suggests that the sense of hearing develops before other senses and influences a child's ability to learn their mother tongue.
A new study found that air pollution increases the risk of bronchiolitis in infants, with higher exposure levels associated with a significant increase in risk. The research analyzed data from nearly 12,000 infant diagnoses and found that traffic-derived air pollutants were linked to an increased risk of bronchiolitis.
A new study published in The Lancet Neurology found that therapeutic hypothermia reduces lesions and improves outcomes for infants starved of oxygen at birth. MRI scans predict with 80% accuracy the likelihood of death or disability by 18 months.
A new study found that infants as young as three to five days old produce cry melodies consistent with their native language. Researchers analyzed the cries of 60 newborns and discovered differences in melody contour based on mother tongue, suggesting an early impact of native language on sound production.
The American Dietetic Association supports exclusive breastfeeding for optimal nutrition and health protection during the first six months of life. Breastfeeding also offers numerous benefits for mothers, including reduced risk of chronic diseases and improved bone density.
Infants born to vaccinated mothers had lower hospitalization rates for influenza, highlighting the effectiveness of flu vaccination during pregnancy. The study found that vaccinating pregnant women significantly reduced hospitalizations in infants under six months old.
A new study published in PLoS Medicine reexamines the development of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), contradicting the long-held antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) model. Researchers found that maternal antibodies protect infants from full-spectrum dengue disease, and a higher weight-for-age is associated with DHF risk.
A new scale, the Duke Abdominal Assessment Scale (DAAS), helps clinicians determine disease severity and need for surgery in infants with NEC. The DAAS provides a standardized 10-point radiographic scale that increases with disease severity, enabling earlier detection of patients at risk for developing severe NEC.
Researchers found that infants can match human speech to human faces and monkey calls to monkey faces. However, they struggled to match non-human vocalizations to their corresponding species. This ability may help infants identify conspecifics even when out of view.
MedImmune will present four abstracts on RSV and influenza, including research on the burden of RSV on pediatric health and innovative solutions to prevent illness. The presentations focus on high-risk populations, such as children with congenital heart disease and late-preterm infants.
A study found that highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) significantly reduces postnatal HIV-1 transmission in breastfeeding mothers. The protective effect was observed across all eligible women, with an 82% reduction in transmission.
Most SCID children treated with related donor bone marrow transplants can lead normal lives, says a new study. The research found that those who received transplants within the first 14 weeks of life were more likely to survive and have fewer problems over time.
A Swedish study found that more pre-term infants surviving in neonatal intensive care units are experiencing vision problems due to retinopathy of prematurity, a condition involving abnormal blood vessel development in the retina. The incidence of this condition is higher in extremely preterm infants born before 27 weeks' gestation.
A randomized trial found that milk protein lactoferrin supplementation alone or in combination with a probiotic reduced the incidence of late-onset sepsis in very low birth-weight infants. The supplement exhibited antimicrobial activity and was well-tolerated, making it a promising prevention strategy.
Researchers analyzed prenatal management and outcomes of infants born at 22-24 weeks' gestation in two time periods. They found that resuscitation efforts increased during the later period, but did not impact mortality rates. Instead, prolonged care contributed to a longer duration of death.
Childhood cancer survivors tend to have normal pregnancies and healthy babies, but may experience a higher risk of preterm births and low birth weights. Pregnancies among female partners of male cancer survivors also show an increased risk of preeclampsia associated with certain cancers.
The new White Paper reveals an estimated 13 million babies worldwide were born preterm in 2005, with one million deaths attributed to preterm birth. Premature births face serious lifelong health risks and contribute significantly to global healthcare costs.
A randomized controlled trial found that leg movement training in preterm infants improved coordination and strength of the legs, allowing them to make contact with toys using their feet. This innovative intervention strategy has the potential to encourage early object interaction and reduce long-term motor impairments.
Researchers at Georgia State University discovered that infant pain can lead to altered brain processing of pain in adulthood. Infants who spent time in the NICU show increased opioid levels and decreased mu and delta opioid receptors, affecting pain medication efficacy.
Two nurses, Motria A. Lonchyna and Taryn M. Edwards, are awarded Lundbeck Neonatal Nursing Career Path scholarships to advance their education and become neonatal nurse practitioners. The program supports clinical neonatal nurses who seek to improve the care of neonates, infants, and their families.