Articles tagged with Infants
Infants' bodies expel thimerosal mercury much faster than originally believed, suggesting no toxic build-up occurs. Researchers found nearly undetectable levels in urine samples, with most elimination via stools.
A recent study found that multiple micronutrient supplementation reduced early infant mortality by 18% compared to iron and folic acid alone. The effect was greater in undernourished and anaemic women, with reductions of 25% and 38%, respectively.
A simple checklist of seven clinical signs and symptoms can identify sick newborns with life-threatening illnesses, reducing neonatal mortality. The algorithm has high sensitivity and specificity in both early and late infancy, improving the adaptation and implementation of IMCI guidelines.
A new meningitis vaccine has been shown to be well-tolerated and immunogenic in infants, providing protection against four strains of the disease. The vaccine, MenACWY, uses a natural mutant of the diphtheria toxin and has been found to induce protective antibody levels in over 90% of infants who received it.
The University of Washington is launching a groundbreaking study to prevent autism symptoms in high-risk infants. Led by Annette Estes, researchers will assess and intervene with 200 Seattle-area infants who have an older sibling diagnosed with autism, aiming to identify early risk factors and intervene before symptoms appear.
A national study suggests that infants with complex congenital heart defects have a lower risk of dying if treated at experienced hospitals. The study found significant differences in mortality rates depending on the number of procedures performed at each hospital, with centers treating more cases having lower mortality rates.
Research shows preemies' reduced lung function persists beyond infancy, contributing to increased risk of respiratory illnesses. Maternal tobacco smoking also linked to lower lung function in both full-term and preterm infants.
Researchers propose that carrying heavy infants safely on two legs may have driven the emergence of bipedalism. The study found a relationship between infant weight, hair friction and body angle that prevents safe carrying.
A team of researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh identified a molecular receptor known as Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) that, when blocked, may help reverse necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants. Blocking the TLR4 signal allowed enterocytes to heal damaged intestinal tissue.
Research from the Monell Center found that breast-feeding confers an advantage in acceptance of foods during weaning, especially if mothers regularly eat those foods. Repeated opportunities to taste fruits and vegetables enhance acceptance and intake, even for formula-fed infants.
A comprehensive review of evidence shows that pneumococcal conjugate vaccines can protect HIV-infected infants against pneumococcal disease. The vaccine can significantly improve the lives of HIV-infected children by reducing mortality rates.
Babies as young as six months old showed a preference for individuals who help others, while hindering was met with disdain. This early ability to evaluate people suggests that assessing interactions is central to processing the social world.
A new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics reveals that babies born just a few weeks premature are at increased risk of death during their first week of life. The study found that late preterm infants face a six-fold higher mortality rate compared to full-term infants.
Researchers found that caffeine reduced the rates of cerebral palsy and cognitive delay in preterm babies, with only 40% experiencing unfavorable outcomes by age two. The study involved over 2000 premature infants and showed significant long-term benefits of caffeine therapy.
A study found that the brains of term infants with congenital heart disease are more similar to those of premature newborns than normal term infants, indicating impaired brain development before birth. The research suggests abnormal fetal circulation and lower oxygen levels may contribute to these impairments.
Researchers found that ABO-incompatible infant heart transplantation is as safe as transplantation with compatible blood group types. The study suggests that this procedure could significantly reduce the number of infants who die while waiting for a donor heart, with mortality rates potentially decreasing by up to 20%.
The Lancet seminar highlights the need for a collaborative approach to prevent SIDS, emphasizing the importance of campaigns like placing infants on their backs during sleep. Other risk factors include maternal smoking, soft bedding, and bed sharing, while room-sharing without bed-sharing has been shown to reduce SIDS risk.
Synagis, a monoclonal antibody, is the standard of care for preventing severe RSV infections in high-risk infants. The new analysis found that preventing RSV early in life makes economic sense by reducing potential costs of future complications and improving quality of life.
MedImmune will present three abstracts at the AAP National Conference & Exhibition, including cost-effectiveness data for palivizumab prophylaxis among preterm infants. The company's surveillance program aims to track RSV activity nationwide and inform improved prevention guidelines.
Researchers have found an unusual cold spot in the cosmic microwave background that could be caused by a cosmic defect created just after the Big Bang. The discovery provides a potential window into understanding the fundamental nature of elementary particles and forces.
Researchers identified a link between impaired interferon-gamma and substance P levels and severe bronchiolitis in infants. This innate immune predisposition increases susceptibility to respiratory viruses, leading to frequent chest problems in childhood.
Researchers found that young toddlers automatically assume objects are talking about the whole object, rather than its parts. To improve understanding, parents should label specific parts and explain their function, reducing background noises and engaging with children while speaking.
A German study found that babies who didn't swim as infants had lower infection rates, especially with diarrhoea. However, no conclusive link was established between swimming pools and atopic diseases in early childhood.
The study aims to develop a model that combines audio, tactile, visual, and vestibular stimulation with teaching programs for mothers of premature infants, reducing behavioral problems and improving early infant health. By reducing hospital stays by three days, the grant hopes to save over $2 billion dollars annually.
MedImmune presents Phase 2 safety data for its anti-RSV antibody, motavizumab, in young children with a history of prematurity. The company also releases national RSV surveillance results showing regional variability of the virus in the southern United States.
A recent study published in The Journal of Pediatrics has found that administering a combination vaccine to infants does not compromise their immune response or safety. In fact, the study shows that combining three vaccines into one reduces the number of required vaccinations from five to three over six months.
Researchers found a common biochemical pathway disrupted in both premature lung disease and adult COPD, suggesting potential new treatments for BPD. The study's findings also validate the use of umbilical cord tissue as a proxy for studying fetal lung physiology.
Scientists have found distinct gene expression signatures in the umbilical cords of premature infants who developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a fatal lung disorder. These signatures were associated with chromatin remodelling and histone acetylation pathways, providing a potential proxy for predicting disease risk.
Toddlers learn language skills earlier than expected and recognize how speakers use sounds to convey meaning. They ignore sounds not significant in their native tongue.
Bilingual infants learn new words differently, following a pattern that involves paying less attention to detailed sound information. This adaptive approach may help bilinguals catch up with peers who learn one language.
The new guidelines offer clear recommendations on diagnosis and management of cows' milk allergy (CMA), recommending only extensively hydrolysed and amino acid-based formulas. Alternative milks such as soy, sheep, and goat are not recommended due to risk of cross-reactivity.
A study in primates suggests that infants and children carrying a specific gene variant may be more vulnerable to the effects of fetal alcohol exposure. The research identifies a potential genetic marker for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, which can help recognize susceptible individuals early on.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that multiple corticosteroid injections in pregnant women are linked to an increased rate of cerebral palsy among children. The study suggests that exposure to repeat courses should be limited to minimize this risk.
A new study finds that maternal depression and controlling behavior are linked to increased stress responses in infants, as measured by cortisol levels. Infants of depressed mothers had lower pre-stress cortisol levels and a correlation between mother and infant cortisol levels.
A new study found that infant crib bumper pads can cause suffocation, strangulation, and wedging, posing a risk of accidental death or injury to babies. The researchers recommend eliminating the use of bumper pads in cribs and bassinets due to their potential hazards.
A new review of medical literature reveals that breastfeeding provides numerous benefits, including lower risk of diabetes, lymphoma, and leukemia. However, the authors note that risks associated with formula feeding include growth failure and vitamin deficiencies, but these can be prevented or minimized with preventive measures.
Researchers discovered that soy isoflavone genistin significantly reduced rotavirus infectivity by 33-74%, with the active component being genistin alone. The study found an effective range of concentrations, and the results held up even in high levels of rotavirus exposure.
A study from the Monell Chemical Senses Center reports that nicotine in breast milk disrupts infants' sleep patterns. Infants spent less time sleeping overall and woke up from naps sooner when their mothers smoked prior to breastfeeding.
A recent study by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that overweight toddlers are at a higher risk of iron deficiency due to exclusive breastfeeding beyond six months without supplementation, early introduction of milk, and excessive cow's milk consumption. The study also highlights the importance of preventing iron deficiency in ear...
A study published in the SLEEP journal found that new mothers' dreams often depict their infant in perilous situations, accompanied by complex behaviors like motor activity and speaking. This phenomenon may provide insight into the earliest stages of mother-infant attachment.
As infants grow, their visual and auditory systems fine-tune to relevant distinctions, but also lose the ability to discriminate irrelevant stimuli. Environmental input helps refine these neural connections, enabling infants to better perceive salient inputs.
Researchers found that infants with poor lung function at birth continued to experience reduced lung function up to age 22. The study suggests that early prenatal intervention may be necessary to prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adulthood.
Researchers tested 19-month and 22-month-old infants on a wet toy to see if they could identify it based on verbal description. The study suggests that before age 2, infants can update their knowledge through verbal interaction, expanding their understanding of the world.
Researchers found that rhesus macaques increase grunts and girneys when interacting with babies, suggesting a way for females to elicit attention and encourage behavior in infants. These vocalizations may also facilitate interactions between females with babies, promoting social tolerance.
Researchers found that Shuar participants could distinguish infant-directed speech from adult-directed speech with 73% accuracy, indicating a universal understanding of vocal emotional communication. This study provides support for the notion that baby talk conveys similar intentions across cultures.
A new study published in the Journal of Human Lactation has found that exclusively breastfed newborns tend to lose less weight than formula-fed infants, which may be at risk of early overfeeding. Supplemented breastfed infants had similar weight loss patterns to exclusively breastfed newborns.
Researchers discovered a clear preference for pink or reddish hues among women, shifting their color preference towards red and away from blue. The study suggests that this difference may be driven by biological factors, potentially related to evolution and the importance of ripe fruit in hunter-gatherer societies.
Researchers have developed a new non-invasive brain scan method using light to monitor the development of infants' brains. The technique, called high-density diffuse optical tomography, allows for the mapping of the visual cortex with high accuracy.
Exposure to PFOS and PFOA in utero is statistically associated with lower head circumference and body weight at birth, according to a Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health analysis of nearly 300 umbilical cord blood samples. The study found no associations between these compounds and length or gestational age.
A study by researchers at the University of Washington found that excessive exposure to baby DVDs and videos can slow down infants' vocabulary acquisition. Infants who watched these productions for an hour a day understood an average of six to eight fewer words than those who did not watch them.
A nationwide study led by UCSF provides evidence that inhaled nitric oxide is safe and effective in preventing chronic lung disease in very premature infants. The study found no adverse effects of inhaled nitric oxide on surfactant production or function, suggesting a potential beneficial effect.
Researchers found that 13-month-old infants could attribute mental content and exhibit puzzlement when caterpillars didn't follow expected behavior in animations. This suggests the presence of mental structures for predicting others' behavior from a young age.
Infants born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy had substantially higher systolic blood pressures compared to those whose mothers didn't smoke and weren't exposed to smoke. The study, which controlled for various factors, found a direct association between maternal smoking and newborn systolic blood pressure.
A new study found that babies who died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) had a distinctive difference in their newborn hearing test results, specifically a four-point lower score in the right ear. This discovery opens up new avenues for research and may allow for early identification of infants at risk for SIDS.
A clinical trial by NIAID suggests that early antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected infants can significantly improve survival rates. The study found that children treated before three months of age had a better prognosis than those whose treatment was delayed, leading to a potential change in standard care worldwide.
A recent study found ethnic differences in neonatal mortality and morbidity rates, with South Asian infants facing significantly higher risks. Small for gestational age was a significant factor only among Caucasian infants, while premature birth was a risk across all ethnic groups.
A new treatment protocol has shown increased survival in very young infants with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The hybrid regimen, which incorporates elements of acute myeloid leukaemia treatment, resulted in improved event-free survival rates.
A study published in Archives of Disease in Childhood found that very young babies, particularly those under a month old, are vulnerable to sudden death when seated. The research analyzed data from 1991-2000 and found that the rate of deaths among seated babies is relatively small, but extra care should be taken for these infants.
Researchers warn of a rare but serious complication associated with eye tests in infants. Apraclonidine eyedrops used to diagnose Horner syndrome can lead to severe lethargy lasting up to 10 hours, requiring hospital admission and oxygen administration.
Research finds inadequate ventilation and overcrowding contribute to higher rates of lower respiratory tract lung infections in Inuit children. Carbon dioxide levels often exceed recommended concentrations in homes with poor ventilation.