Articles tagged with Infants
A well-designed NICU can conserve energy, improve environment management, and reduce respiratory support, lung disease, and length of stay. Modified environments can also reduce staff stress and improve patient and family experience.
A study conducted by George Hollich and colleagues found that moderate background noise can distract infants from learning language, emphasizing the need for visual cues. The research showed that when infants could see a speaker's face while hearing them speak, they focused longer on the spoken word.
Research suggests that drinking during pregnancy can increase the risk of infection in newborns, with excessive alcohol use increasing the risk by more than three times. Maternal smoking also increases the risk of infection, and concurrent abuse of both alcohol and smoking may have synergistic effects.
A recent study found that NICU infants are exposed to high levels of DEHP, a phthalate linked to reproductive issues and other health problems. The study showed a direct correlation between the use of DEHP-containing medical products and elevated MEHP levels in infants' urine.
A Swedish study found that mothers who did not room-in their babies at night rated closeness between mother and infant lower and were more worried about sleep and disturbing noises. The study suggests that negative staff attitudes towards night rooming-in may negatively impact breastfeeding rates.
Researchers at Duke University found that monkeys prefer to look at video images matching the number of sounds they heard, suggesting an innate ability to represent numbers across senses. This discovery resolves a longstanding debate on whether animals possess numerical abilities tied to specific senses.
A new combination vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis has been found to be effective in providing immunity against whooping cough, with minimal adverse reactions. The vaccine is composed of four protein fragments from the pertussis bacterium and is comparable to existing vaccines in terms of immune response and safety.
The study demonstrates that umbilical cord-blood transplant is a life-saving treatment for newborns with infantile Krabbe's disease. Most infants with the disease die before reaching age 2, but treated newborns showed continual improvement in developmental skills and had age-appropriate mental and language skills.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a life-saving treatment for newborns with Krabbe Disease using umbilical cord blood stem cells. The study shows that 11 asymptomatic newborns and 14 symptomatic infants were successfully treated, with all asymptomatic babies surviving and 43% of symptomatic babies surviving.
A study found that infants of obese mothers consumed more energy as carbohydrates and had less interaction time with their parents, leading to increased sleeping time. This excess calorie intake may set the stage for childhood obesity, suggesting maternal influences play a crucial role in infant body composition.
Research reveals that genetic variants can impact the amount of DHA in breast milk, essential for brain and eye development. Women with certain genetic variants produced higher levels of DHA in their breast milk, which may have implications for infant nutrition and development.
Infants at medical risk, such as premature babies or those exposed to lead or drugs, exhibit distinct cry patterns that may indicate neurological problems. Cry analysis, supported by previous studies, can help identify undetected damage in high-risk infants.
A Stanford study found that early treatment of asymptomatic HIV-infected infants can delay disease progression and enhance survival. The research, which followed nearly 200 children over 17 years, showed that treatment made a significant difference in preventing or delaying the progression of the disease.
A nutritional education intervention improved growth and reduced stunting in young children, a form of chronic malnutrition. The study found that caregivers in intervention areas received more frequent nutrition advice and fed their children nutrient-dense foods, leading to significant improvements in child health.
Researchers have identified behaviors in infants as young as six months that can predict autism. The Autism Observation Scale for Infants (AOSI) maps the development of infants against 16 risk markers for autism, including passivity and social interaction difficulties.
The study found that mixed breast feeding quadrupled HIV transmission, while predominant breastfeeding increased it by 2.6 times compared to exclusive breastfeeding. Early introduction of non-human milks and solid foods increases the risk of HIV infection for babies of HIV-positive women.
A four-year study published in the New England Journal of Medicine confirms RSV as a substantial burden of disease in adults, similar to influenza A. The study calls for the development of an RSV vaccine for elderly and high-risk adults.
A new study published in JAMA found that low-birthweight infants have elevated levels of apolipoprotein C-1, a biomarker associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Infants born at 28 weeks or earlier and weighing less than 3.4 pounds were more likely to have high apo C-1 levels.
A recent study published in Circulation found that rapid weight gain during the first week of life is significantly associated with being overweight two to three decades later. The research, led by Dr. Nicolas Stettler, suggests that this critical period may be crucial in programming lifelong physiology.
Researchers investigated neural activity associated with infant sleep states in rats using techniques such as neural recording and microlesioning. The study found striking parallels between the active sleep of week-old rats and conventional definitions of adult sleep, indicating a developmental continuity between infancy and adulthood.
A study published in Science found that infants as young as 15 months can reason about what others believe, challenging the long-held view of when children develop this cognitive skill. The research involved a non-verbal experiment where babies looked longer when they expected an actor to search for a toy in a different box.
A combination vaccine for pneumococcus and meningococcal conjugate showed reduced group C meningococcal immunogenicity compared to separate vaccines. The study, conducted from 2000-2002, found the combination vaccine was safe but not suitable as a replacement for individual vaccines.
A national trial has shown that treatment can improve vision in many older children with amblyopia, a condition affecting up to three percent of US children. The study found significant improvement in vision among children aged 7-17 who received glasses, patches, and near activities.
Research by Heather Bortfeld shows that babies can discern the beginnings and endings of words that follow their names, providing a foundation for learning language. By using familiar words like their names, babies can anchor their early learning of other word forms and tap into the process at an earliest stage possible.
A study found that 57% of end-of-life decisions in neonates and infants involve withdrawing or withholding treatment, with lethal doses administered in 9 cases. Doctors support legalizing termination in some cases due to the expected poor quality of life and lack of survival chances.
Dr. Sahin will investigate the role of SMN protein in motor axon growth and identify potential therapeutic targets for SMA. The award provides support for his research and that of his mentor, Dr. Greenberg.
A new study published in Nature Medicine shows that infants with Type O blood can accept hearts from donors with Type A blood due to their immature immune system. This breakthrough allows for greater donor compatibility and more successful transplants.
A new study by UMaine researchers found that consistency in sleeping arrangements is crucial for infants' nighttime sleep. The study suggests that changing sleeping arrangements can be disruptive to sleep and contribute to night-time anxiety in infants.
A new study finds that severe depressive symptoms in mothers are related to fussy infants, parenting stress, and family dysfunction. The study's authors hope it will prompt pediatricians to ask more questions about parental and family well-being during regular check-ups.
Research suggests that the quality of time spent by employed mothers with their infants is crucial for early development, rather than the amount of time spent. Mothers who prioritize spending time with their babies, regardless of employment status, are more likely to provide sensitive and high-quality parenting.
Researchers found that infant vernier acuity is comparable to that of adults, with infants able to see small differences in contrast almost as well. This similarity suggests that vernier testing could be a sensitive test for visual disorders and a potential substitute for eye chart testing.
Wendy Saltzman's study finds that subordinate female monkeys are infertile until they become dominant, potentially benefiting them by reducing resource investment in infant survival. Her research on marmoset social behavior has implications for understanding human fertility and reproductive functioning.
A Carnegie Mellon study reveals that infant-directed speech aids infants in learning words more quickly than normal adult speech. This research also sheds light on why adults struggle to learn a second language, as they can use their native tongue effortlessly.
A daily micronutrient supplement increased birthweight by an average of 77g, reducing the prevalence of low birthweight by 25% among 1200 Nepalese mothers. The supplement showed a more marked effect on female infants and those with higher body mass index.
A study found that preterm babies who received sunflower seed oil had a significantly lower risk of infection compared to those who did not receive the treatment. The effect was most pronounced when treatment was started within 24 hours of birth, with a 56% reduction in bloodstream infections.
Researchers have discovered clear personality traits in dogs, hyenas, and monkeys, which can be measured like human personalities. These findings have implications for animal welfare, matching animals with owners, and exploring the biological causes of temperament.
Three independent teams, including MIT, have developed walking robots that mimic human gait and control. The MIT robot, called Toddler, uses a learning program to adapt to terrain in under 20 minutes. The robots' efficiency and potential applications for robotic prostheses and understanding the human motor system are significant.
Research reveals that North American adults have difficulty perceiving rhythmic patterns in non-Western music, while infants can adapt to various rhythms. The study found that exposure to a single type of rhythm during childhood affects this ability.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center successfully implemented Universal Newborn Hearing Screening, reducing the number of false positives and increasing follow-up rates. Rescreening infants four hours after birth improved outcomes, while providing outpatient retesting encouraged parents to return for further evaluation.
Researchers found that increased contact with younger siblings reduced the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) by up to 88% in adults. This association was linked to a weaker immune response to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which has previously been shown to increase MS risk.
A study of 119 mothers in three age groups found that those who received consistent care during childhood displayed more affection towards their infants. In contrast, mothers raised by frequently changing caregivers exhibited less affection and more instrumental behavior.
Astronomers have uncovered a population of infant stars in the Milky Way satellite galaxy, the Small Magellanic Cloud, using NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope images. The youngest stars are half the mass of our Sun and still forming from gravitationally collapsing gas clouds.
A new British study found that 41 percent of extremely premature babies have severe or moderate mental impairment at six years old. Only 20 percent have no neuromotor or mental disability. The March of Dimes emphasizes the importance of preventing prematurity, with a focus on research, education, and support for families.
A recent study analyzed 6373 infants who completed a support program for parents experiencing SIDS. The findings suggest that most second and third unexpected infant deaths are due to natural causes. Eighty to ninety percent of cases were determined to be natural, with the remaining ten percent having unclear or suspicious circumstances.
A new gene therapy approach has successfully corrected immunodeficiencies in 17 of 18 patients with severe combined immunodeficiency disease. The treatment, which involves introducing a 'good' gene into stem cells, has shown clear and sustained clinical benefits.
Research found soy infant formula's high concentration of genistein may hinder intestinal cell proliferation, a critical organ system development phase. However, clinical data suggests soy formulas are safe but may have unseen effects.
Studies show infants and young children are drawn to sounds, while older children also prioritize sound, especially when familiar objects are present. Adults can process both sounds and visuals simultaneously but tend to favor visual information.
Researchers at Rockefeller University found that zebra finches use infant-like strategies to learn their song, with two distinct approaches: repetition and motif. These findings suggest a remarkable parallel between vocal learning in birds and human language acquisition.
Child survival must be UNICEF's priority to address the global plight of children and prevent unnecessary deaths. The agency needs a visionary leader with the skills and experiences to tackle institutional weaknesses and promote child health.
Infants who don't sleep on their tummies have a higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), according to a new study. Babies who experience sleeping prone are better able to avoid conditions that may trigger SIDS by learning how to breathe more efficiently.
Researchers Galit Yovel and Nancy Kanwisher found that the FFA extracts configural information about faces, not spatial information on face parts. Their studies also indicated that the FFA is exclusively involved in face recognition.
Professor Daphne Maurer's research found that infants perceive sounds as colors and associate certain feelings with tastes. As individuals develop, these connections are often inhibited, leading people with synesthesia to experience the world differently.
A recent study by Krakow compared infants and toddlers adopted from China, finding that the younger the child is when adopted, the sooner they are likely to become age-appropriate in English. The study highlights the importance of identifying factors leading to variation in language development among internationally adopted children.
ELBW preterm infants who develop infections are at risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, including cerebral palsy, low Bayley Scales scores, and vision impairment. Infections during the neonatal period also lead to impaired head growth, a known predictor of poor neurodevelopmental outcome.
A study of extremely low birth weight infants found that 65% developed at least one infection during hospitalization, leading to developmental delays or impairments in 47%. Infants with meningitis were more likely to have neurological impairments.
Research found that neonatal infections in low-birth-weight infants are associated with impaired neurodevelopmental outcomes, including cerebral palsy, vision impairment, and cognitive delays. Infected infants also had impaired head growth, a predictor of poor neurodevelopmental outcome.
Research found that triplet mothers exhibited lower sensitivity to their babies' communicative signals compared to singletons and twins. At 1 year, triplets showed poorer cognitive development and symbol usage skills. High parenting stress was linked to lower maternal sensitivity and child cognitive achievement.
Researchers discovered that three-quarters of premature infants with lung disease experience surfactant dysfunction, which worsens respiratory status. These episodes can benefit from replacement surfactant treatment or strategies to increase the infant's own production of surfactant.
Researchers found that infants can detect motion in partially occluded objects, but struggle to form coherent object representations. The study suggests that visual observation plays a key role in infants' learning and cognitive development.
A twenty-year prospective study of pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) found that mothers on maintenance therapy had fewer relapses and their babies were born with higher birth weights. The study also showed a lower rate of congenital anomalies in the IBD group compared to healthy pregnant women.