Articles tagged with Infants
Janet Werker's groundbreaking research on infant language development has earned her a fellowship in the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Her work demonstrates that infants can distinguish between sounds not present in their native language, suggesting they learn by recognizing patterns in speech.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have developed a non-invasive, real-time monitoring system to predict sepsis in neonates. This technology analyzes heartbeat signals to identify characteristic patterns that indicate an impending infection. By detecting these patterns early, clinicians can initiate treatment soone...
Researchers have discovered a protein, GAPDH, that allows group B streptococci to colonize and cause infection in newborns. The protein modulates the immune system, increasing the risk of invasive bacterial infection.
A recent study found that women conceiving in spring are most vulnerable to preterm birth, with rates increasing from summer (8.4%) to winter and fall. The research analyzed data from over 75,000 deliveries and suggests that seasonal variations in immune system exposure may play a role in preterm birth risk.
A study of internationally adopted children sheds new light on infant language development, showing that older children follow the same stages as infants when learning a new language. This challenges traditional theories and suggests that these stages are side effects of the processes children use to learn words and grammar.
Two studies reveal that nearly 10% of SIDS victims have mutations in genes associated with potentially lethal heart rhythms. Researchers identify several genetic contributors and propose strategies for identifying infant carriers before death.
A new study suggests that HIV-positive mothers who receive adequate support can safely breastfeed either formula or short-term breastfeeding without compromising their infant's chances for survival and health. The research highlights the importance of providing comprehensive care to these mothers, enabling them to make informed decisio...
A new study suggests that delaying the use of nevirapine-containing antiretroviral therapy (ART) for at least six months after labor can improve treatment outcomes among HIV-infected women. The study found that women who started ART within six months of giving birth had a higher rate of treatment failure compared to those who delayed t...
The prevalence of cerebral palsy in premature babies has decreased significantly since the 1980s, thanks to improved neonatal care. According to a study published in The Lancet, the incidence rate dropped from 60.6 per 1000 live births in 1980 to 39.5 in 1996.
The study reveals that Salmonella enterica serovar typhi is the most common cause of bacteraemia in children and adults, with almost half of all cases found in children. Local knowledge is crucial for developing effective public health interventions, particularly in a resource-constrained healthcare system.
Researchers found that personal relationships influence sellers' pricing strategies, even when unrelated to the transaction. This study has implications for marketing managers and consumers, suggesting that negotiating tactics can impact prices.
A new research effort harnesses in-depth understanding of genes and molecular pathways to develop highly specific drugs designed to kill leukemia cells while causing few or no toxic effects on normal cells. The goal is to streamline advances in molecular medicine to find new treatment options for infant leukemia.
A study by the University of Cincinnati has found that infants living in homes with high levels of endotoxins and multiple dogs were more than two times less likely to wheeze. The researchers suggest that pet ownership may offer a protective effect against development of lower respiratory symptoms in young children.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have found the mechanism by which folates in the diet are absorbed by the intestinal tract, solving a longstanding mystery. A genetic test can now detect hereditary folate malabsorption, a rare but potentially fatal disorder, allowing for early treatment and supplementation.
New research indicates that prenatal alcohol exposure may be associated with changes in stress-response systems among infants. The study found elevated cortisol levels and responses to social challenges in infants born to mothers who consumed alcohol during pregnancy.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine found that genetic factors contribute significantly to the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), with 70% of the contribution attributed to genetics. The study identified gestational age and supplemental oxygen as significant independent contributing factors for ROP.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have developed a new artificial cornea that improves vision in infants and children with cloudy or damaged corneas. The device shows promising results, restoring vision and eliminating the need for repeated surgeries and infections.
A study analyzing Saskatchewan's pertussis incidence between 1995-2005 found lower rates among children with whole-cell pertussis or a combination of whole-cell and acellular pertussis vaccines. The findings contradict recent reports, suggesting reconsidering the optimal immunization strategy against pertussis.
A long-term study of Costa Rican children found that iron deficiency in infancy was linked to lower cognitive test scores at age 19. The gap in cognitive scores between iron-deficient and non-iron deficient teens widened to 25 points by age 19, with a wider disparity in lower socioeconomic levels.
Researchers identified a previously unknown cause of severe kidney disease in children: recessive mutations in the PLCE1 gene. Early diagnosis and treatment may reverse some cases of nephrotic syndrome in infants. The study provides promising results, suggesting that some infants with PLCE1 mutations can respond to steroid treatment.
A new study published in Pediatrics shows that an educational-behavioral program called Creating Opportunities for Parent Empowerment (COPE) can improve the mental health of parents and decrease the length of stay in the NICU by four to eight days for premature infants. The potential healthcare savings could total $2.4 billion if imple...
A single dose of sildenafil prevented rebound pulmonary hypertension and reduced mechanical ventilation time in ICU infants undergoing nitric oxide withdrawal. The study found significant benefits for the sildenafil group, with a total ICU stay of 47.8 hours compared to 189 hours for placebo recipients.
Researchers found abnormalities in nerve cells that make and use serotonin in the brainstem of babies who died from SIDS, linking the condition to defects in the brainstem serotonin system. The study provides strong evidence for a biological basis of SIDS and potential diagnostic tests and treatments.
Researchers found extensive medullary serotonin pathway abnormalities in SIDS cases, involving multiple elements of serotonin function. These abnormalities may compromise protective reflexes, increasing the risk of SIDS, particularly in prone or face-down positions.
Researchers found that SIDS infants had more neurons manufacturing and using serotonin than control infants, but fewer serotonin receptors, suggesting an abnormal level of serotonin. This study provides the strongest evidence to date for a specific brain area controlling breathing and heart rate abnormalities in SIDS.
A recent discovery in Syria has uncovered an ancient mortuary complex containing human and animal remains, gold, and silver treasures. The site, dated to the third millennium B.C., suggests a royal cemetery with signs of ritual sacrifice, including infant and animal remains.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that preterm birth caused over one-third of infant deaths in the first year of life. The study used a new method to classify causes of infant death and found that premature birth was the leading cause, followed by birth defects.
Behavioral therapies produce reliable changes in bedtime problems and night wakings in infants and children, with 82% of children benefiting from treatment. For women with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), early diagnosis and treatment can reduce healthcare costs and improve sleep quality.
A nearly intact 3.3 million year-old juvenile Australopithecus afarensis skeleton has been discovered, providing insights into the growth and development cycle of the species. The skeleton's unique blend of ape-like features and adaptations for bipedal locomotion will help researchers better understand human evolution.
Preeclampsia's impact on fetal death has decreased over the last 35 years, largely due to reduced stillbirths and better clinical management. Modern medical management has effectively prevented fetal deaths without increasing infant or maternal risk.
Newborns exposed to methamphetamine in utero are 3.5 times more likely to be born underweight compared to those not exposed, with a risk of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome later in life.
Rhesus monkeys display neonatal imitation, reproducing human tongue protrusion and lip smacking after watching experimenters perform similar gestures. The study suggests that imitation may have evolved earlier in the primate tree than previously thought.
Researchers found that infant and neonatal mortality rates are higher among babies delivered by cesarean section than vaginal deliveries, even in low-risk women. The study analyzed over 5.7 million live births and nearly 12,000 infant deaths, revealing a significant increase in cesarean deliveries without medical indication.
Preterm infants with smaller occipital brain volumes are more likely to experience impaired visual function in early childhood. Thirty-five percent of the study infants had abnormal oculomotor control, including impaired saccades and binocular eye alignment, at two years of age.
Researchers have identified three genetic variants associated with an increased risk of cot death, also known as SIDS. The study found that babies born with these specific variants are up to 14 times more likely to die from the condition.
A new study suggests that constant lighting in NICUs can disrupt the development of premature babies' biological clocks. Researchers found that newborn mice exposed to constant light were unable to maintain coherent rhythms and had difficulty establishing a regular activity cycle.
Researchers used MRI scans to identify white matter and gray matter abnormalities in pre-term infants' brains, predicting risk of cognitive delays, cerebral palsy, and other neurodevelopmental challenges. The study found that nearly half of children born prematurely suffer some form of developmental delay.
A new, detailed view of a star-forming association in the Large Magellanic Cloud provides a rich sample of newly formed low-mass stars, allowing for accurate age and mass calculations. The image reveals small compact clusters hosting hundreds of infant low-mass stars, as well as distant galaxies decorating the background.
A new study found that frequent naps in infants improve their ability to learn abstract concepts and generalize knowledge to new phrases. The research, published in Psychological Science, suggests that sleep plays a crucial role in cognitive development.
A new screening program using digital cameras and the Internet effectively identifies early childhood dental caries (ECC) in 40% of toddlers. The program, developed by University of Rochester Medical Center researchers, uses photos taken by child care center health assistants to detect ECC before it becomes a painful problem.
Researchers have confirmed that infants can detect arithmetic errors, challenging the idea that executive attention systems develop later in childhood. The study used brain-monitoring technology to analyze infant responses to math problems, finding that they looked longer at screens with incorrect solutions.
A mother's attentiveness to her baby's distress is more important than positive feedback for secure attachment. Researcher Nancy McElwain found that sensitivity during times of distress, not nondistress, predicts attachment security at 15 months.
The study found that inhaled nitric oxide reduced the risk of chronic lung disease in premature infants by 7.1 percentage points at 36 weeks. Lung disease was also less severe in treated infants, with shorter hospitalizations and less need for mechanical ventilation or oxygen therapy.
Inhaled nitric oxide significantly reduces chronic lung disease and brain injury risk in very low birthweight premature infants. The therapy, given within the first few weeks of life or within 48 hours after birth, appears to protect against long-term breathing problems and brain damage.
Research finds that reducing child-to-caregiver ratios from five to three improves emotional support, structure, and instruction in childcare settings. This leads to better behavior and well-being in children, particularly infants.
Researchers at UIC University found a link between maternal smoking during pregnancy and behavior problems in toddlers. The study, published in Child Development, found that prenatally exposed children were nearly 12 times more likely to show clinical levels of behavior problems.
A study published in Neurology reports four cases of MECP2 gene mutations in infant males with progressive encephalopathy, challenging the assumption that these mutations are always lethal before birth. The researchers encourage neonatologists and pediatricians to consider MECP2 as a possible cause of severe neurological abnormalities.
A recent study found that toddlers exposed to cigarette smoke in utero show higher levels of behavior problems from 12 through 24 months. The research indicates an association between prenatal exposure and specific types of disruptive behavior, particularly social aspects such as aggression and refusal to follow directions.
A recent study published in the European Heart Journal found that routine ECG screening for newborns can identify life-threatening genetic conditions like long QT syndrome, which can be prevented with medication. The cost-effectiveness analysis suggests that this program could save up to 27 lives per year in Italy.
Researchers tracked brain activity in newborns, 6-month-olds, and one-year-olds using magnetic field technology. The study found that the areas responsible for listening and speaking in the brain are linked by age, indicating that infants form connections between perception and production of speech through experience.
A study found that diphenhydramine hydrochloride did not improve infant sleep or parents' happiness with their children's sleep. Parents who took the medication experienced no significant difference in nighttime awakenings or parental satisfaction with their child's sleep.
A new study shows that a single dose of an anti-malarial drug can significantly lower the risk of malaria in infants. Infants given this treatment had a one-fifth reduction in hospital admissions compared to those receiving a placebo.
A new study used 'diffusion tensor' MRI to track brain development in infants with and without perinatal hypoxic ischemia. The results showed distinct fiber patterns in the brains of affected infants, which often persisted into later childhood and correlated with motor problems.
Safe sleep practices, such as placing infants on their backs to sleep, can significantly reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. The study emphasizes the importance of ensuring a safe sleep environment, including avoiding soft bedding and overheating.
A study published in The Lancet found that delaying umbilical cord clamping for two minutes at birth significantly increases a child's iron status, particularly among those with low birth weights or iron-deficient mothers. This efficient and low-cost method can help prevent iron deficiency before 6 months of age.
Astronomers using gravitational lensing to study distant galaxies behind massive clusters, which act as giant cosmic telescopes. The ACS team has found three candidate galaxies that could provide the clearest view yet of the youngest galaxies ever seen.
Researchers found that developmental red flags, such as poor eye contact and language delay, can be identified at 14 months and worsen by 24 months. Early intervention could improve outcomes for children with autism.
Two surgical interventions, primary peritoneal drainage and laparotomy, were compared in a clinical trial involving 117 preterm infants with perforated NEC. The study found that the type of operation performed did not influence survival or other clinically important outcomes.
The study found that Aboriginal infants had more preventable deaths and higher disparities in death rates compared to non-Aboriginal peers. The researchers emphasize the need for effective maternal and infant services to address these disparities and promote long-term Aboriginal health and well-being.
A multicenter randomized controlled trial involving 117 premature infants found that laparotomy and bowel resection and peritoneal drainage surgical approaches have essentially the same major outcomes in terms of patient survival. The study ends three decades of speculation and debate over which approach is more effective.