Articles tagged with Infants
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.
MedImmune has awarded five fellowships worth $175,000 to support research in follow-up care of premature infants. The grants will provide each recipient's institution with a $35,000 grant, aiming to improve the specialized health needs of premature infants.
MedImmune presents four abstracts on the burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease among preterm infants, highlighting increased medical costs and morbidity in late-preterm births. The company's research aims to identify new risk factors for RSV hospitalization and evaluate cost implications of expanded prophylaxis.
A multicenter study led by Johns Hopkins Children's Center found that hydrocortisone treatment in preemies has little to no benefit and may increase the risk of brain bleeding. Low cortisol levels in premature babies do not appear to be harmful, contrary to common belief.
A study found that using a fan during sleep significantly lowers the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), particularly in rooms with inadequate ventilation. The use of fans was associated with a 72% decrease in SIDS risk, especially in infants who slept on their sides or shared beds.
A new study by the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research found that using a fan to improve room ventilation reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by 72 percent. The study also found that opening a window in an infant's room reduces SIDS risk by 36 percent.
Two new studies by UCSF researchers found that infants born past 40 weeks of gestation are at higher risk for impaired health and death. The studies, which analyzed over 2.5 million births, confirmed the increased risk of cesarean deliveries and poor maternal or child outcomes as early as 40 weeks.
Researchers developed a new diagnostic marker called procalcitonin to identify infants at high risk for serious bacterial infections. The test showed high sensitivity and was able to establish a threshold value to identify low-risk infants.
A study found that households experiencing energy insecurity are more likely to face food insecurity, leading to negative health outcomes, hospitalizations, and developmental risks in infants and toddlers. Researchers also emphasized the need for healthcare providers to consider household energy security when making treatment decisions.
The study will enroll over 1,000 families from Bristol County and Providence County, following participants from birth to age 21. Researchers hope to identify root causes of diseases like asthma and autism, as well as gain insights into injuries, birth defects, and mental health disorders.
Researchers at the University of Washington found that 10-month-old infants who used a plastic cane to retrieve a toy were better able to understand another person's goal than those who only watched. The study suggests that active, hands-on experience is more effective for learning than observation.
A Yale University study found that two-year-olds with autism focus significantly more on mouths than eyes, predicting social disability levels. The researchers hope this biomarker can aid early detection and intervention for autism.
A new assessment tool, Conditioned Assessment of Speech Production (CASP), monitors early auditory-guided speech development in infants and toddlers with hearing impairments. The five-minute procedure evaluates how closely a child's attempts match increasingly complex vocalizations.
A new UNC study reveals that good parenting can counteract the effect of genes in babies' responses to stress, even at early ages. The research, published in Child Development, suggests a strong interplay between environmental experiences and genetics in shaping physiological responses to stress.
A study conducted in Bangladesh found that vaccinating mothers during pregnancy with the flu shot can greatly reduce a newborn's risk of infection, with a 63% reduction in proven influenza illness among infants. The study also showed a 36% decrease in serious respiratory illnesses for both mothers and infants.
New research by psychologists at the University of Washington indicates that 12- and 18-month-old babies are using their self-experience to judge what other people can see. This 'self-experience model' allows them to attribute internal thoughts and feelings to others, demonstrating an early form of role-taking.
A brief, tailored intervention program improved parenting and reduced problem behavior in toddlers of low-income families. The Family Check-Up program encouraged positive parenting practices and was effective in preventing adjustment problems.
Research shows that early parenting plays a key role in shaping infants' physiological responses to stress. At 6 months old, parenting affects the impact of genes on vagal tone, a cardiac response that helps regulate heart rate during challenging situations.
A cognitive behavioural therapy-based programme delivered by primary health workers significantly reduced maternal depression in resource-poor settings. The study also found improvements in infant health, including lower diarrheal episodes and increased vaccine completion.
A study of Danish mothers found that higher fish consumption during pregnancy and longer breastfeeding were associated with better physical and cognitive development in infants. Children whose mothers ate the most fish had better motor and cognitive skills, while those who breastfed for longer durations also showed improved development.
A groundbreaking study aims to determine the best cocktail of pre- and probiotic supplements for premature infants to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a deadly intestinal disease. Researchers will examine saliva and specimens to find the optimal dose, type, and combination of pre- and probiotics to grow healthy bacteria.
Low-birth-weight children may develop hypertension later in life, and measuring blood pressure is crucial to identify this condition early. Automated devices might overstate systolic blood pressure, so manual methods are recommended to confirm results.
Research from University of Michigan sleep experts reveals that babies born to moms with depression are more prone to having chaotic sleep patterns in the first half-year of life. The study found that infants born to depressed mothers nap more during the day, take longer to settle down at night, and wake up more often during the night.
Research found that babies born to smoking mothers had impaired respiratory function and took longer to recover from oxygen interruptions, increasing their SIDS risk. The study suggests that cigarette smoke exposure may affect brain development and lead to developmental disorders.
Researchers found that mothers who received magnesium sulfate during preterm labor had a lower risk of cerebral palsy in their infants. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggests that magnesium sulfate may protect against cerebral palsy by stabilizing blood vessels and reducing inflammation.
The study found that placental insufficiency leads to smaller brain volume in preterm infants, and degree of prematurity is the single most significant risk factor for brain injury. The research also suggests a link between genetic regulation of an inflammatory transmitter and brain growth.
A new test for perfect pitch reveals that many non-musicians have the ability to recognize pitches without musical training. The study found a surprising number of people who unconsciously identified notes even when transposed, indicating true perfect pitch.
Scientists have discovered that infants develop increased sensitivity to negative emotional expressions at around 6 months old. This change allows them to focus more intensely on fearful faces and take longer to shift their attention away from these stimuli.
A new national study found that only 36% of babies are breastfed through six months, well short of the federal government's goal. Breastfeeding promotion programs encourage women to start but often fail to provide support to continue.
The Lancet recommends allowing newborn infants to participate in multiple clinical studies with their parents' consent, provided it does not compromise care or safety. This would strengthen the evidence base for medical care of newborn infants and balance ethical concerns.
A new study suggests that childhood obesity begins as early as age two, with over half of children reaching the overweight category by this age. Researchers found that obese children started gaining weight in infancy at a rapid rate, highlighting the need for early interventions to prevent future obesity.
A new study found that pregnant women who binge drink early in pregnancy are more likely to have infants born with oral clefts. The researchers also found that the frequency and total amount of alcohol consumed during pregnancy matters most, not just the frequency or duration of drinking.
Researchers found that rats exposed to novelty during infancy had better social competitiveness and reduced stress responses compared to those with no novel experiences. Consistency of maternal care was also linked to offspring's adaptability. These findings suggest early life experience plays a crucial role in shaping human development.
A regimen of extended-dose nevirapine reduced the risk of infants contracting HIV via breastfeeding by 20% at six months of age. The study found a significant reduction in HIV transmission at six weeks of age, but access to safe replacement feeding remains crucial.
Researchers found that early cessation or continued breastfeeding by HIV-infected women in low-resource settings does not significantly affect child survival. Infants who were weaned abruptly had higher death rates than those whose mothers continued breast-feeding, while formula-fed infants missed out on protective antibodies.
A new study by University of Illinois and Harvard University researchers found that non-parental care of infants is associated with higher rates of overweight and unfavorable feeding practices. Infants in child-care settings were more likely to be overfed or underfed, leading to weight gain.
A study by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology found that IVF treatment does not lead to increased risk of cerebral palsy or other neurodevelopmental disorders in early infancy. However, sub-fertility itself may be associated with less-than-optimal neurological conditions.
A study published in Pediatrics found that a single dose of vitamin A given to newborns shortly after birth can reduce their risk of death by 15%. This low-cost intervention has the potential to save millions of lives, particularly in developing countries where childhood mortality is highest.
Infants cared for by others, especially those in full-time child care, tend to have unfavorable feeding practices and weigh more. Early introduction of solid foods is a risk factor for weight gain in these infants.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that mothers' brains respond uniquely to their own infants' faces, particularly when smiling. This finding could help scientists understand the neural basis of mother-infant attachment and how it sometimes goes wrong.