Research on the health and development of babies. Covers motor development, maternal-infant health, cochlear implants, and infant nutrition.
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.
A study published in American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that infections occur around birth are associated with an increased risk of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), a condition causing brain tissue death. PVL is the most common form of brain injury in premature infants, resulting in cerebral palsy.
Research finds that mothers respond better to their own infant cries, exhibiting increased brain activity in various regions. Nurturing behaviors also improve social difficulties in offspring related to poor parenting.
A new technique improves survival rates and quality of life for the youngest heart patients by eliminating initial open-heart surgery. The hybrid procedure, pioneered by Dr. Bacha and Dr. Hijazi, reduces risk of neurological damage and enables children to grow before follow-up operations.
Researchers compared two animal-derived surfactants and found that Infasurf improved lung function with fewer doses required. The study suggests a cost savings, as Infasurf was more effective over time.
A new study suggests that using whole blood for priming in pediatric heart surgeries may not be the best option, as it can lead to increased hospital stays and costs. Reconstituted blood, which combines red blood cells and plasma, has been shown to be just as effective but with lower risks of bleeding and inflammation.
Researchers at the University of Michigan are collaborating on a three-year project to address racial disparities in pregnancy outcomes. The study aims to develop more comprehensive and coordinated prenatal care strategies, as well as evaluate the role of leadership, providers, and patients in improving health equity.
A new study suggests that providing air rather than 100% oxygen for newborn babies requiring ventilation after delivery can reduce infant mortality. The findings are based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of five trials, which found that 5% fewer babies given air died compared to those given 100% oxygen.
A Dutch study found over 5% of parents reported smothering, slapping, or shaking their baby due to crying. The risk was highest for parents from non-industrialized countries and those with limited work hours.
Infants with breathing pauses or slow heart rates during sleep scored lower on mental development tests at one year of age. Children with frequent snoring, loud breathing, or sleep apneas also performed worse on intelligence, memory, and behavior tests.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that episiotomies do not reduce the likelihood of shoulder injuries to infants stuck in the birth canal. Instead, rotating the infant may realign its shoulders to fit within the mother's pelvis.
A study by Penn State found that postnatal home nurse visits significantly reduce hospital readmissions and ED visits for jaundice and dehydration in newborns. The cost savings for insurance payers is estimated to be around $181.82 per child, making this a cost-effective alternative to traditional hospital care.
Researchers have identified Foxa2 as a master gene controlling lung development and function at birth. The absence of Foxa2 leads to respiratory distress syndrome and death, highlighting its crucial role in stabilizing surfactant production.
Researchers found that newborn babies' right ears are more responsive to speech-type stimuli, while their left ears are more responsive to tonal sounds. This suggests that the auditory system develops differently on each side of the brain from birth.
Researchers found that first-degree relatives of infants with severe heart abnormalities, including bicuspid aortic valve, have a fivefold increased risk of having the condition. The study suggests that these relatives should be screened by a cardiologist for progressive heart disease.
Pediatricians and family physicians surveyed by researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center support expanding flu vaccination to healthy infants and toddlers. The study found that 58% of doctors would favor this expansion, despite citing high costs and parental concerns about vaccine safety as major barriers.
A US study found a significant link between exposure to traffic pollutants and an increased risk of bronchitis or physician-diagnosed asthma in children. In contrast, directly observed therapy for tuberculosis patients showed a significantly higher cure rate compared to self-administered therapy.
A study of 137 newborns found significant brain damage in 36% of early-born and 61% of term-born babies, suggesting that birth-related injuries are often overlooked.
A new study has identified 11 genetic mutations in SIDS cases, with a significant association found in African American babies. The study suggests that these mutations may contribute to the increased risk of SIDS in this ethnic group.
A UK university study found significant brain damage in 36% of premature babies and 61% of full-term infants before labor began. This suggests that key signs were often overlooked during childbirth, leading to potential mismanagement of pregnancy and labor.
Researchers found that infant rats willingly ingest large amounts of highly concentrated alcohol during their first exposure, resulting in extremely high blood alcohol levels. This contrasts with adult rats and humans, who typically reject or require initiation procedures to consume alcohol.
Research found that infants' sighs play a significant role in helping their lungs mature and regulate breathing. The study revealed that sighs may 'reset' the breathing mechanism, improving lung function and gas exchange efficiency. This suggests a crucial link between breathing control and mechanical development.