Research on the health and development of babies. Covers motor development, maternal-infant health, cochlear implants, and infant nutrition.
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.
A 19-year study found that primate tourism practices can lead to adult aggression, disease transmission, and increased infant mortality. The study suggests that range restriction and provisioning for tourists contribute to the problem, making them an inappropriate management strategy.
The March of Dimes reports that nearly 90% of US babies are screened for life-threatening disorders, up from 38% in 2005. However, 500,000 babies remain uninsured, highlighting the need for federal guidelines and increased funding to support states' newborn screening programs.
Researchers tracked microbial ecosystems in 14 healthy infants using DNA microarray technology, finding wide variation in gut flora composition and dynamics. The study reveals that Bifidobacteria are scarce in breast-fed babies until several months after birth, contradicting previous studies.
Research suggests that higher doses of vitamin A do not improve health outcomes for mothers and children in areas with moderate deficiency. Lower doses, as recommended by the WHO, may be sufficient to prevent mortality. The findings urge caution against increasing standard dosing schedules without further investigation.
A newly discovered transmembrane protein called 'Wurst' appears to play a decisive role in breathing, ensuring proper lung maturation and gas exchange in both insects and mammals. The protein's defect is linked to respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants, and researchers aim to develop new treatments for this condition.
Research shows that premature infants and toddlers are more likely to develop a sleep-related breathing disorder earlier than expected, with higher rates than full-term infants. The study also found that these children tend to be underweight, which is consistent with the poor growth patterns seen in SRBD patients.
A new study shows that human infants are able to recognize abstract rules in language as early as seven months old, with a stronger drive to understand speech patterns. Infants can generalize learned rules from speech to non-linguistic stimuli, suggesting an innate ability to learn language.
A survey of European parents found that cows' milk allergy affects not only the child but also the entire family unit, causing stress, guilt, and sleep deprivation. The condition can lead to a range of symptoms, including skin rashes, gastrointestinal issues, and respiratory problems, making it challenging for families to cope.
A community intervention campaign in Herkimer County increased comfort with breastfeeding in public, from 54% to 69% among men and 35% to 46% among women. The project aims to reduce obesity risk in infants through improved cultural acceptance of breastfeeding.
A Vaxfectin-formulated measles DNA vaccine has elicited protective levels of neutralizing antibodies and sterilizing immunity in juvenile and infant nonhuman primates, offering proof of concept for the technology. The vaccine showed no vaccine-related adverse events and was well-tolerated.
Researchers found that young birds learned more than half of their songs by eavesdropping on adult tutors interacting with another bird. Direct interaction with a tutor accounted for only 19% of the songs, highlighting the role of eavesdropping in song learning.
A study by UBC researcher Whitney Weikum found that infants can distinguish between languages based on visual speech patterns. Babies from bilingual homes outperform those from monolingual environments in this skill at four and six months old, but this ability declines by eight months.
Researchers found that hospitals with lower-volume, lower-level NICUs had a significantly higher newborn death rate for very low birth weight infants. The study suggests increased regionalization of NICU births to high-level facilities may reduce infant mortality.
A Stanford University School of Medicine and VA Palo Alto Health Care System study found that tiny newborns who died in California between 1991-2000 might have lived if born at highly experienced regional medical centers. Consolidating risky deliveries at these centers could improve survival rates for very-low-birth-weight infants.
A study found that celecoxib can reduce the production of cells and molecules involved in building new blood vessels in premature infants, which may help prevent germinal matrix hemorrhages. Researchers believe this could lead to improved outcomes for babies born prematurely, reducing the risk of brain damage and related complications.
A double-blind randomized clinical trial found albuterol to have a clear advantage over epinephrine in successful discharges from the Emergency Department. The study involved over 700 infants and showed a surprising result of a small but real advantage in using albuterol.
Researchers report instances of three female-led infanticidal attacks in wild chimpanzee community, challenging the notion that infanticide is a male-dominated behavior. The findings suggest that deadly aggression may be part of the female behavior repertoire, possibly driven by demographic shifts and increased competition for resources.
A new study by the University of Washington found that 40% of 3-month-old infants and 90% of 2-year-olds regularly watch TV, DVDs, or videos. The researchers discovered that parents cite educational value and enjoyment as reasons for allowing media exposure, but only half of this time is in children's educational categories.
A large multiyear database analysis shows that Curosurf (poractant alfa) Intratracheal Suspension significantly improves neonatal survival in preterm infants with RDS. The study found nearly 20% lower death rates for babies treated with poractant alfa compared to beractant or calfactant.
Toddlers with ASD show unusual attention patterns when viewing faces, spending more time on eyes than other features. They have difficulty recognizing familiar faces, but exhibit improved performance when adopting typical facial scanning patterns.
Researchers discover that infants who died of mysterious illnesses had unique LMNA gene mutations, leading to increased production of the bad protein lamin A. Treating these cells with a drug meant for progeria patients showed promising signs of improvement.