Research on the health and development of babies. Covers motor development, maternal-infant health, cochlear implants, and infant nutrition.
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.
A study in rural Nepal found that birth attendants' hand-washing before delivery reduced neonatal deaths by 25%. Mothers' hand-washing also significantly lowered neonatal mortality risk. Improved hand hygiene practices could reduce newborn deaths in developing countries.
A team of researchers has developed a new infant formula that captures the HIV virus, preventing its transmission through breastfeeding. The formula contains a special strain of probiotic lactobacilli that can survive in hot climates and provides long-lasting protection.
A new study reveals that perinatal death takes a significant emotional toll on obstetricians, with three-quarters reporting an emotional impact. Obstetricians often struggle with feelings of guilt and self-blame after a stillbirth or infant death, and worry about disciplinary action from no identified cause. Improved bereavement traini...
Two new studies evaluate bassinet use and bedsharing, finding that lack of oxygen is a common cause of death in bassinets. The researchers also identify risk factors for bassinet use, including blankets, pillows, and plastic bags.
A gene mutation and exposure to cats at birth may increase a child's risk of developing eczema during their first year. Children with filaggrin gene mutations were twice as likely to develop eczema, while cat ownership further increased the risk for those with the mutation.
Currently used pain assessment tools may not accurately reflect the pain experience in infants. A study published in PLOS Medicine found that changes in brain activity correlated with clinical pain scores, but were more strongly linked to behavioral components such as facial expression than physiological components like heart rate. The...
A new study on chimpanzees reveals that infant mortality rates cycle in phase with social play amongst infants, driven by the ontogeny of playfulness. This three-year cycle is self-organized and emerges naturally from the demography, developmental ontogeny, and social behavior of chimpanzees.
A study by Jodi Mindell found significant differences in sleep patterns among young children worldwide, with predominantly Caucasian countries exhibiting longer bedtimes and more sleep. In contrast, Asian countries saw shorter total sleep times, increased parental perception of sleep problems, and higher rates of room-sharing.
Researchers found that three-month-old infants are sensitive to emotional signals referring to objects in the world. Their brain activity shows heightened attention toward new objects when an adult expresses fear or neutral facial expressions towards them.
Postpartum mothers of twins suffer from severe sleep deprivation, averaging only 5.4 hours of sleep per day. Over 70% report less than six hours of sleep, with fragmented and short sleep episodes. Depressive symptoms are common, affecting almost half of the mothers, but improve over time as they develop a routine and find ways to rest.
A study found that bright light therapy improved mothers' nocturnal sleep time by 6.07 hours, decreased daytime sleepiness, and promoted overall well-being. The treatment group received 10,000 lux blue-green bright light therapy for four weeks, while the control group received a placebo dim red light therapy.
A study by Penn State University found that parents spending any part of the night with their infants experience poorer sleep adaptation, even when bedsharing is endorsed. In contrast, lenient attitudes toward co-sleeping are associated with more time spent with infants at night, but also with poorer adaptation scores.
Research findings show that maternal depression, breastfeeding, and a lower socioeconomic status are associated with less infant sleep duration in the first six months of life. Infants from lower-income households and those receiving breast milk slept fewer hours than their counterparts.
Two studies suggest breastfeeding can reduce infant mortality and HIV infection rates, particularly among infected infants. In resource-poor settings, abrupt cessation of breastfeeding after four months may be harmful, while extended anti-HIV treatment can greatly reduce the risk of infection.
A randomized trial found that extending antiretroviral regimens can significantly reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission. Infants receiving extended prophylaxis had lower rates of HIV infection compared to those receiving standard care.
Researchers aim to find out how effective early intervention is for children diagnosed with ASD by 18 months old. The study will examine the impact of parent-implemented intervention on toddlers with ASD and their families.
A study of 380 healthy children found that nearly half had low vitamin D levels, and about one-third showed reduced bone mineral content on X-rays. The researchers suggest that all young children should receive vitamin D supplements to prevent potential health issues.
A study found high levels of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria in infant deaths that couldn't be explained. The researchers suggest these infections may be associated with unexplained cases of SUDI.
A new analysis by the March of Dimes found that nearly all increases in singleton preterm births in the US are due to c-section deliveries. Late preterm babies account for most of this rise, with a greater risk of complications such as breathing problems and delayed brain development.
A recent analysis of US births reveals that babies born preterm are more than twice as likely to have major birth defects. The study found that very preterm babies were five times more likely to suffer from such defects, with central nervous system and cardiovascular issues being the most common.
A new analysis of nearly 7 million US live births found that babies born preterm were more than twice as likely to have major birth defects. The study also showed that very preterm babies, those born between 24-31 weeks gestation, were five times more likely to have a birth defect.