Research on the health and development of babies. Covers motor development, maternal-infant health, cochlear implants, and infant nutrition.
Researchers found that 3-year-olds and 8-year-olds don't plan for the future or live in the present, instead calling up past memories as needed. This challenges the long-held belief that children's brains operate similarly to those of adults.
Researchers discovered that premature newborns lack the ability to form a 'death NET', a crucial white blood cell trap that kills bacteria. This defect may contribute to severe infections like sepsis and pneumonia in preterm babies, highlighting the need for new treatments.
The medical cost of caring for one premature baby can reach nearly $50,000, exceeding the cost of caring for a dozen healthy full-term infants. This highlights the importance of preventing preterm birth and improving maternal healthcare to reduce healthcare costs and save lives.
A new study found direct correlations between variables and the severity of flat head syndrome in infants, identifying risk factors such as lower gestational age, male sex, and multiple-birth pregnancies. The study also questioned the effectiveness of non-helmet devices in treating or preventing the condition.
A study published in PLoS Medicine found that children of older fathers tend to perform poorly in intelligence tests during infancy and early childhood. In contrast, the same children who have older mothers exhibit better cognitive skills. The researchers suggest genetic and social factors as possible explanations for this association.
Researchers discover annual increase in anxiety and stress among male sifaka concurrent with birthing, suggesting complex social dynamics. The study found significant rise in stress-related hormones in male sifaka feces during the birth season.
A new study found that an educational program increasing knowledge of infant crying and its prevention increased mother's awareness and sharing of strategies for coping with frustrating infant cries. The PURPLE Crying Program showed a 6% increase in knowledge about crying and shaking among mothers.
Studies in Canada and US show that educational materials on infant crying increased mothers' knowledge of new triggers for shaking. The materials also influenced mothers to share information with caregivers about coping strategies and warned them about the dangers of shaking an infant.
Two studies published in CMAJ found that mothers who received educational materials on newborn care had increased knowledge and behaviors that prevented shaken baby syndrome. The materials, including a booklet and DVD, provided coping mechanisms for frustrated parents and emphasized the dangers of shaking infants.
A longitudinal study of infants found that TV viewing before age 2 does not improve language and visual motor skills. Maternal, child, and household characteristics are more influential in a child's cognitive development.
The project will investigate the genetic and environmental risk factors that contribute to autism, with a focus on prenatal development and early childhood. By analyzing brain development and behavior in infants at high genetic risk, researchers aim to identify potential indicators of autism and improve early diagnosis.
Nearly all US babies are now screened for 21+ life-threatening disorders, thanks to increased mandates and advocacy efforts. This expansion has significantly improved public health outcomes.
Anthropologist Karen Rosenberg sheds light on the evolutionary significance of childbirth, revealing that social assistance during labor is a distinctive human characteristic. Her research highlights the importance of cooperative childcare and social intelligence in reproductive success.
Researchers found that monkeys, babies, and college kids share a common pre-verbal number sense, which is essential for basic arithmetic. This cognitive skill is thought to be an abstract domain of cognition that develops early in life.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed miniature power chairs that infants can control, enabling children with cerebral palsy and spina bifida to explore their surroundings. This breakthrough technology has the potential to significantly impact brain development and learning abilities in these children.
A new study published in Epilepsia found that vigabatrin treatment in infancy may be effective in reducing infantile spasms with a lower risk of permanent visual field defects compared to adults. The study used kinetic perimetry to detect peripheral field defects and found normal visual fields in 15 out of 16 children.
Researchers found that 21% of preterm children screened positive for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with cognitive impairments increasing the likelihood. The study suggests a possible correlation between preterm birth and ASD, but further research is needed to confirm direct causality.
Researchers found that young infants (8-12 months) can tell the difference between an action's goal and its outcome. However, younger infants need explicit information about successful outcomes to infer goals. This study suggests that understanding internal causes of actions develops over time, enabling effective social navigation.
A new strategy developed at Nationwide Children's Hospital is helping premature infants and newborns with severe swallowing difficulties learn to feed on their own. The approach involves individualized, crib-side studies that use advanced sensors to capture the rhythm of muscular contractions throughout the aero-digestive tract.
Researchers found that 10-month-old infants can use prior information to understand novel actions, but not when performed in a different location. The study suggests that providing advance information about a person's goals helps infants learn from another person's actions.
A new three-year project aims to improve infant feeding practices and prevent childhood obesity by promoting responsive feeding styles and portion control. The study, funded by the US Department of Agriculture, will work with over 1,000 mothers of infants from birth to 4 months old.
Global epidemiological studies suggest one-third of chronic hepatitis B infections are acquired during infancy and early childhood. Universal infant immunization is offered in most countries (98%) and has reduced incidence rates in provinces that adopted the program.
A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that longer periods of breastfeeding were associated with lower BMI at one year of age and no significant difference by age 60. The research suggests that infant feeding may have a protective effect on obesity until around age 7.
A six-year study found that administering high doses of Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to pre-term infants through breast milk or formula reduces significantly delayed mental development. Premature girls showed better mental development than boys, but the exact reason for this difference remains unclear.
A randomized controlled trial found that high-DHA diet improved neurological outcomes in preterm infant girls, while no significant benefit was seen in boys. The study suggests that further studies are warranted to investigate the effectiveness of higher-dose DHA interventions.
A wide-ranging international review found that infant TV viewing can lead to cognitive delays, language issues, and attention problems. The study also highlighted the need for better regulation of claims made by manufacturers and more research on media's impact on young children.
Researchers studied stone-handling behavior in Japanese macaques, observing the transmission of traditions across generations. The study found that infant proximity to their mothers influenced development of stone-handling skills, with infants exposed to frequent maternal behavior acquiring the skill more quickly.
Women choosing repeat cesarean deliveries at term but before 39 weeks are up to two times more likely to have a baby with serious complications. Babies born before 39 weeks are at increased risk for respiratory distress and NICU admission, highlighting the importance of delaying elective delivery until 39 weeks gestation.
Recent research provides valuable guidance on storing wheat-based infant formulas safely. Infants can benefit from the prevention of Cronobacter species growth by using fruit juices instead of water or milk, with optimal temperatures at 4°C.
A groundbreaking study by the University of Illinois found that recovery coaches can significantly reduce substance-exposed births and help reunite substance-involved families. The coaches increased reunification rates by 6% and saved the state $5.5 million in foster-care costs.
Researchers found that extended nevirapine regimens in breast-fed babies prevent HIV infection, but lead to drug-resistant strains if infected. The study highlights the benefits of six-week nevirapine therapy in preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission, despite increased risk of resistance.
A study from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health found no significant link between human parechovirus infections and typical symptoms in infants. However, researchers noticed an increase in parechovirus infection between 6-18 months, which could be due to factors such as maternal antibody loss or nursery exposure.
A new study at Rush University Medical Center aims to investigate the relationship between human breast milk and improved health outcomes for very low birth weight infants. The five-year study will follow 600 infants born to racially and economically diverse mothers, with a focus on the amount and duration of human milk feedings.
Women experiencing intimate partner violence are more likely to prioritize their infant's health, highlighting the need for healthcare providers to screen for IPV. The study found that 60% of abused women sought health consultations for their infants, compared to 54% of non-abused women.
A study published in Breastfeeding Medicine found that the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the potential risks associated with infant exposure to environmental chemicals like dioxins. The authors advise healthcare providers to continue encouraging breastfeeding, despite some risks.
A growing trend of heavy toilet seats is linked to an increase in penis crush injuries among male toddlers. Urologists recommend fitting slow-falling toilets, leaving the seat up after use, and educating children on how to handle the seat.
A recent study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that babies born just a few weeks prematurely are three times as likely to have cerebral palsy and developmental delays. The research analyzed medical records of over 140,000 children born in California between 2000 and 2004.
The PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative has reported promising results from two studies on the efficacy of RTS,S/AS malaria vaccine candidate. The first study showed the vaccine's efficacy when co-administered with other childhood vaccines, while the second study demonstrated its effectiveness in children aged 5 to 17 months.
Research finds that progressive lung damage in CF patients can begin as early as infancy, even if lung function is normal shortly after diagnosis. Early intervention in the first six months of life may be key to slowing disease progression.
Researchers found that 3-month-old infants can share attention with two partners simultaneously, indicating advanced 'triangular capacities'. This ability is linked to better coparental coordination and adjustment within families.
Research reveals that babies born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy are more irritable and difficult to soothe. The study emphasizes the need for early detection and targeted interventions to prevent long-term adverse outcomes and disruptions in maternal-infant bonding.
A study found that high levels of prenatal smoking exposure strongly modify sleep patterns in preterm neonates, with disrupted sleep structure and fragmentation observed. This may have serious consequences for the development of the infant's brain and increase the risk of developmental difficulties throughout childhood.
The Infant Brain Imaging Study (IBIS) is expanding its research on infant brain development and autism symptoms. The study aims to identify changes in brain structure and behavior that may indicate the onset of autistic symptoms, with potential benefits including early screening measures and treatments.
Children born four months before the height of cold and flu season have a greater risk of developing childhood asthma than children born at any other time of year. The study found that birth timing is independently linked to asthma development, with autumn babies facing the highest risk.
A landmark study found that early HIV testing and treatment in infants significantly improves survival rates, reducing mortality by 75% and HIV-related disease by four times. The study's results led to the World Health Organization's new guidelines for treating HIV-infected infants under age 1 immediately after diagnosis.
New research reveals that commonly used drugs to treat chronic lung damage in premature infants can cause brain cell damage, potentially leading to cognitive and motor-control issues. Synthetic glucocorticoids like dexamethasone and betamethasone were found to be toxic to neural progenitor cells in mice.
New research from Washington University School of Medicine suggests that cooling the brain may prevent nerve cell death in infant mice exposed to anesthesia. The study found that hypothermia blocked neuroapoptosis and reduced low-level neuroapoptosis during brain development, potentially preventing cognitive and developmental delays.
A multi-project study will investigate how cocaine exposure during pregnancy affects maternal-infant interactions, brain development, and hormonal responses. Researchers hope to inform the development of innovative interventions for mothers struggling with substance use.
Researchers found that infants later diagnosed with autism displayed unusual exploration of objects, including spinning and repetitive visual examination, as early as 12 months. These behaviors could be added to parent check-lists or quickly assessed during pediatric visits, potentially improving early diagnosis and treatment.
A new study found that maternal smoke exposure during pregnancy increases the risk of oral clefts in babies. Another study revealed that infants exposed to cigarette smoke are more irritable and difficult to soothe than those not exposed. The findings emphasize the importance of smoking cessation programs for expectant mothers.
Two pacemakers in the brain regulate breathing by working together in harmony, with the preBotC taking control in adulthood and pFRG kicking in during respiratory stress. This fail-safe network is evolutionarily conserved and appears to be related to cases of crib death and central sleep apnea.
A GSU study confirms that administering morphine prior to a painful procedure in infancy blocks long-term negative consequences of pain in adult rodents. Infant rodents who did not receive preemptive pain medication were less sensitive to morphine in adulthood, highlighting the need for pain relief in newborns.
A study published in CMAJ found that longer wait times are associated with more emergency department visits and a greater risk of incarcerated hernia. The study suggests that all inguinal hernias in infants and young children should be repaired within 14 days after surgical consultation.
A new study finds that accelerating the pertussis vaccine schedule by two weeks could prevent at least 1,236 cases of the disease each year. This shift would also reduce hospitalizations and deaths attributed to pertussis, a disease that can be life-threatening in young infants.
Pregnant women who wait out stalled labor for an extra two hours can reduce health risks and eliminate over 130,000 C-section deliveries per year. A new study by researchers at UCSF found that one-third of women achieve a normal delivery without harm.
Research reveals that infants can differentiate between individual speech sounds and recognize the auditory forms of words from an early age. This knowledge helps them develop vocabulary and eventually grammar, even if they don't understand the word meanings yet.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that aggressive phototherapy reduced the risk of severe neurodevelopmental impairments in premature infants. The treatment, which involves starting phototherapy early and maintaining it until bilirubin levels are low, showed a 14% reduction in impaired outcomes.
A study found that low birth weight is a significant risk factor for infantile hemangiomas, with a nine-fold increase for every 1.1-pound decrease in birth weight. The number of low birth weight infants has increased significantly in the US, contributing to an estimated 40% rise in infantile hemangioma incidence over the last 20 years.
The March of Dimes has launched a national petition to reduce the rate of premature birth, which affects over 530,000 babies each year. The four-point petition calls for hospitals to review cesarean-section births and inductions before 39 weeks gestation to prevent early deliveries.
Scientists have identified potential biomarkers in plasma samples from premature infants to detect infection and type of microbe. Eight proteins associated with immune responses were found to be consistently over-expressed in infected neonates.