Research on the health and development of babies. Covers motor development, maternal-infant health, cochlear implants, and infant nutrition.
A recent study by University of Cincinnati researchers suggests that early exposure to indoor fungal components can help build stronger immune systems and protect against future allergies. Infants exposed to high levels of fungal glucans were nearly three times less likely to wheeze compared to those with low levels.
A study found that drug-resistant HIV can quickly establish itself in infants' CD4+ T cells, making it difficult for future treatments to be effective. Protease inhibitors were still effective in controlling the virus, but resistance testing is crucial for choosing appropriate treatment.
Autopsies continue to reveal major pre-death diagnostic errors in around 30% of cases, highlighting their importance in improving national mortality data. The procedure also teaches valuable lessons about the inherent uncertainty in medical practice and is integral to training and development for doctors.
New research shows that dogs selectively imitate actions, adjusting to circumstances like human infants. The study found that dogs use their mouths instead of paws when the demonstrator's mouth is occupied.
Researchers detected PFOA and PFOS in nearly all newborn umbilical cord blood samples, with concentrations lower than those found in adults. The study suggests a strong association between the two compounds, despite their different industrial sources.
A new study from Ohio State University found that couples with a strong marital relationship tend to handle temperamental babies better than those without. The study, which involved 97 couples, showed that poor coparenting relationships can have long-term effects on children's behavior.
A study found vulnerabilities in premature infants' brains similar to those in mature brains, but also identified a significant difference that suggests different treatments are needed. Damage occurs mainly in white matter, which connects brain regions, and can lead to behavioral problems and developmental delay.
Recent studies have found that the antiretroviral drug AZT causes genetic damage that may increase future cancer risk. Animal studies demonstrated increased rates of tumors and gene changes associated with human cancer, while human studies observed mutations and chromosomal damage in newborns exposed to NRTIs in utero.
Researchers have identified a growth-factor antibody that may treat chronic lung disease affecting premature infants. The treatment, which inhibits transforming growth factor-beta activity, improved lung development and body growth in animal models of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Researchers found that babies who don't respond to their names by 12 months are more likely to have developmental problems. The study identified a link between failure to respond to name and autism spectrum disorder or other developmental delays.
Researchers assessed female participants carrying different types of loads, finding that evenly spread loads are more efficient than awkward ones. This study supports the theory that early hominins carried children to adapt to walking on two legs.
Researchers found that infants learned to avoid copying actions when an adult expressed anger towards them, but eagerly copied when the adult was neutral. Infants also adjusted their behavior based on whether they could see the angry adult after they left.
Researchers found that 18-month-old toddlers listen and watch emotional reactions directed by one adult to another, then use this emotional information to shape their own behavior. The study indicates infants understand other people's emotional states at a very young age.
Researchers examined long-term follow-up of stents placed in infants with congenital heart disease, finding sustained benefits and the ability to safely enlarge stents as children grow. Additionally, studies investigated percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation, analyzing its mid-term outcomes and impact on device removal.
Researchers found that infants looked significantly longer at impossible figures, indicating they can detect some three-dimensional features at a young age. This ability provides insights into the development of mechanisms for processing pictorial depth cues.
A recent study published in Pediatrics has found that repeated courses of steroids in preterm labor do not harm the babies' brains, contrary to previous concerns. The treatment may still hold promise for helping fragile babies breathe on their own and reducing the risk of respiratory complications.
A study published in Pediatrics confirms the effectiveness of MMR and chicken pox vaccines in extremely preterm infants, contradicting previous concerns about their immune systems. The study found that both term and preterm infants reached a level of immunity considered protective against these diseases.
Inadequate intellectual stimulation and poor nutrition are likely causes of poor development in over 200 million children. The study found that stunting, malaria, maternal depression, and toxic substance exposure can also hinder child development.
Research tracked over 3,000 participants from birth to age 53 and found that rapid height gain before 2 and after 15 lowered 'bad' cholesterol. Higher body fat and weight gain were associated with higher total cholesterol levels.
Researchers have developed a new diesel exposure model that improves accuracy in assessing air pollution risks, particularly for children. The model takes into account complex factors such as elevation and traffic volume to create 'buffers' around specific sample sites.
A child-parent psychotherapy treatment developed at UCSF improves normal development for small children traumatized by violence and abuse. The program helps parents recall childhood moments of unconditional love, breaking generations-long cycles of maltreatment.
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.