Research on the health and development of babies. Covers motor development, maternal-infant health, cochlear implants, and infant nutrition.
Karen Wynn, a Yale psychologist, has been awarded the Troland Research Award for her groundbreaking research on infants' numerical competence. Her studies have revealed that infants can distinguish between different quantities and even compute simple additions and subtractions.
A new study by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development found that early postnatal doses of dexamethasone may increase the risk of intestinal perforation in extremely low birth weight infants. The treatment was not shown to prevent chronic lung disease or improve survival rates.
The Early Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ETROP) study demonstrated that premature infants who receive early treatment have better vision outcomes compared to waiting until the traditional treatment threshold. The study also established a new risk assessment model to identify high-risk infants, reducing poor visual outcomes a...
A study found that a common newborn hearing test may give false positives in as many as 35% of cases, leading to unnecessary worry and costs for follow-up tests. In contrast, a more complex test gave normal-hearing babies a passing grade nearly all the time.
Eight-month-old babies demonstrate ability to bind attributes to form a whole object, as seen in the Kanizsa Square test. This skill, previously thought to develop later in childhood, reveals insights into early infant development and cognitive processing.
Research suggests a genetic link between dopamine D4 receptor gene polymorphism and attachment disorganization in infants, with extensive disorganized behavior observed in up to 80% of high-risk infants. The study's findings imply a genetic susceptibility to the collapse of organized attachment under stress.
A study by Drs. Rebecca Sue Broyles and Jon Tyson found that comprehensive care reduced life-threatening illnesses and intensive care days by 48% and 42%, respectively. Comprehensive care also saved an average of $6,265 per infant compared to routine care.
A comprehensive follow-up care program for high-risk infants resulted in significant reductions in life-threatening illnesses, intensive care admissions, and hospital stays. The study found that such a program can be effective in reducing overall costs while improving outcomes.
Researchers found that CPR training combined with social support significantly improved parental adjustment and reduced anxiety, compared to traditional instructor-led training. The study showed that parents who received CPR training felt more reassured and confident in caring for their high-risk newborns.
Research in the Archives of Disease in Childhood found that babies whose mothers smoked were twice as likely to experience colic. Breastfed infants were less prone to colic when their mothers smoked, highlighting a potential risk factor for smoking mothers.
The number of African-American babies diagnosed with rickets has increased by 4.4 times, while all babies have seen a three-fold increase due to low vitamin D levels in breast milk. The disease is caused by the body's inability to absorb calcium, leading to softening and weakening of bones.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill found that nutritional rickets is increasing in dark-skinned breastfed children due to lower vitamin D levels and reduced sunlight exposure. The condition can cause bowed legs, shorter stature, and even life-threatening complications if left untreated.
Preterm infants are at risk for subtle developmental delays in social, behavioral and cognitive aspects that can be detected only until school age. A new study found 61% of pre-term children experienced low achievement or special needs compared to 23% of full-term children.
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital found that inhaling nitric oxide gas can prevent the development of pulmonary vascular disease (PVD) in infant rats by reducing cell proliferation in lung arteries. The study suggests that this therapy may significantly improve the quality of life and save lives of infants at risk for PVD.
A randomized controlled study found a modest but significant reduction in asthma risk at 12 months in high-risk infants through a multifaceted intervention program. The program included avoidance of house dust mites, pet allergens, and tobacco smoke, as well as breastfeeding promotion and partially hydrolyzed formula supplementation.
Exclusive breast-feeding for four months may lead to a short-term lag in weight gain, but does not affect long-term growth patterns. Infants who were breast-fed exclusively for at least four months had improved growth status compared to those who were never breast-fed.
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found that shorter hospital stays may actually increase the likelihood of breastfeeding. The research suggests that giving clinicians and mothers more decision-making power over discharge timing can support breastfeeding, even in cases where risk factors suggest otherwise.
A new international study found that parents of premature infants expressed strong interest in being involved in treatment and resuscitation decision-making. The majority felt that discussion on therapy was adequate, but suggested improvements could be made through better communication and simpler terminology.
A new study by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers found that high-quality childcare improves intellectual and language skills in infants and toddlers, even in those from low-income families. The study followed 89 black children in 27 U.S. care centers between ages 6 months and four years.
A recent study found that physician recommendations and media messages significantly influenced caregivers' decisions to place infants on their backs for sleep. Between 1994 and 1998, the percentage of white infants sleeping on their backs increased from 27% to 58%, while black infant back sleep rates rose from 17% to 31%. The study su...
A multicenter clinical trial has found that premature infant formula containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) improves visual development in preterm infants. The study involved 470 premature infants who received either DHA- and AA- fortified formula or standard premature infant formula.
A study of 99 mothers found that those who smoked during pregnancy had toddlers with higher levels of impulsivity, risk-taking, and rebelliousness. The researchers speculate that reducing maternal smoking could lead to a decrease in childhood negativity.
Researchers found that 10 out of 20 bioflavonoids tested caused breaks in the MLL gene, which is a key player in about 80% of infant leukemias. The study suggests that high dietary intake of bioflavonoids could cause DNA damage and potentially trigger leukemia.
A study funded by the NIH found that adding DHA and AA to infant formula boosted average intelligence scores in 18-month-old children. The study showed significant differences in mental development indexes between groups receiving different formula types, with the highest scores seen in those receiving formula with both DHA and AA.
A recent NIH-funded study found that overweight breastfeeding mothers can safely lose weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise without harming their infants. The study showed an average weight loss of 5 kilograms in the intervention group, while the control group experienced variable results.
A study of 9-month-old Cree infants found that one-third were anemic, with breast-fed babies facing higher risk. The authors recommend supplementing breast milk with iron after 6 months to prevent severe neurologic and developmental effects.
Researchers found that controlled amounts of supplemental oxygen do not worsen retinopathy of prematurity in premature infants. However, the study suggests that it may help prevent the disease's progression to severe stages, potentially reducing the need for invasive surgery and long-term side effects.
A study published by the NIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development found a modest link between infant and toddler care hours and maternal sensitivity. The quality of child care was also linked to maternal sensitivity, with better care associated with higher levels of maternal sensitivity.
Research found that babies who used newer-style walkers with large trays took longer to sit upright, crawl, and walk compared to those who didn't use walkers. These delays were attributed to the restricted visual feedback from seeing their moving legs.
Research suggests that maternal depression may alter frontal brain activity associated with positive emotions in infants. The study found that infants of depressed mothers exhibited less left frontal EEG activity compared to right frontal EEG activity, indicating a potential impact on emotional processing.
UT Southwestern researchers have identified a severe enzyme deficiency responsible for some Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) cases. The SCHAD enzyme deficiency affects an infant's ability to break down fatty acids, leading to a brain energy crisis and potentially fatal coma.
Newborn infants who experience painful and stressful treatments exhibit long-term effects on their pain perception and stress response. These effects can be permanent, altering the infant's physiological and behavioral reactions to pain.
Researchers found that CMV infection accelerates the progression of HIV in infants, leading to motor problems, stunted brain growth, pneumonia, and other symptoms of AIDS. The study sheds light on how viruses interact to cause disease and may lead to further understanding of why some individuals have a faster progression of HIV.
Researchers found that premature infants respond to pain and can differentiate between more and less painful procedures. They recommend universal pain management in newborns to mitigate the effects of early procedural pain. Premature babies, even those born very prematurely, become more responsive to pain with age.
Research found depressed mothers' flat-pitched speech hampers infant learning, leading to delays in acquiring language and cognitive milestones. Infants who heard low- or moderate-depression voices spent more time observing a checkerboard pattern.
The study found that infants were more likely to die from injuries if their mothers were young, unmarried, or had lower levels of education. Infants who died from an injury were also more likely to be male, have low birth weight, and premature birth.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that babies weighing below 5 pounds 13 ounces are more likely to face mortality or disability compared to those weighing less. The study included approximately 127,000 newborns and showed that pre-term infants' risk of adverse outcomes increased with decreased growth.
Researchers found that WIC participants had lower infant death rates related to pregnancy and delivery. Additionally, Medicaid participation reduced the risk of infant mortality due to external causes like infectious diseases and accidents. The study also highlighted disparities in access to healthcare among low-income families.
A new study found that women with birth defects are less likely to survive and have fewer children than those without them. However, their children face a higher risk of developing similar birth defects.
Researchers found that maternal soothing was not effective in reducing infants' cortisol response or behavioral reaction to stress, but may influence the child's developing model of the world. Maternal behavior in general is crucial in affecting cortisol and behavioral stress responses.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered that infants as young as 6 months old begin to comprehend the sound patterns behind words like 'Mama' and 'Dada', forming a lexicon linked to socially significant people. This finding marks a significant milestone in understanding human language development.
Researchers found that 82% of mothers of full-term babies thought their child's temperament was easy, while only 34% of preterm baby mothers shared the same sentiment. This disparity may be attributed to prolonged hospital stays and limited social interaction with other mothers.
Researchers found that otitis media with effusion decreases steadily in children between ages 2 and 5, with only a small percentage continuing to experience persistent fluid buildup after age 2.
Researchers found that seven-month-old infants can recognize and generalize simple language-like rules, understanding the algebra of combining words into sentences. This discovery has implications for diagnosis and treatment of language disorders in children.
Mothers of premature infants tend to overestimate their babies' difficult temperament, leading to increased risk of behavior problems. The study highlights the importance of maternal perception and social support in caring for preterm infants.
Researchers at Cornell University found that infants' cycles of motor activity can help them 'visually forage' their environment. The study uses mathematical models to simulate infant behavior, revealing a pattern where motor activity peaks before visual attention disengages.
Research shows preterm babies may exhibit mild behavioral and sensory response problems, but most develop normal motor and mental function. The study suggests that these differences are not indicative of long-term developmental issues.
Researchers identified risk factors for infant homicide victims, including second or later birth order and mother's age, education level, and prenatal care. The study found that visiting nurse programs could reduce the infant homicide rate by helping teenage mothers gain behavioral skills and support.
A UNC-CH study reveals that premature infants are resuscitated primarily based on parents' preferences and medical uncertainty, rather than solely on the prognosis of survival. The study found that resuscitation generally postpones death by only a few days but does not contribute substantially to over-treatment.
A recent international study found that mothers with high lifetime lead exposure may transfer toxic levels of lead to their breastfed infants. The researchers discovered a strong correlation between the amount of lead in the mothers' milk and the corresponding blood lead levels of the infants.
A study by Adrian Raine found that three-year-olds who are half an inch taller than their peers tend to be more aggressive as 11-year-olds. The researchers also discovered that stimulation-seeking and fearless toddlers were at higher risk for aggression, regardless of gender.
University of Washington psychologists found a connection between mothers' morning sickness and infant salt preference. Babies whose mothers experienced moderate to severe nausea had a stronger preference for salty solutions, suggesting dehydration may imprint taste preferences during pregnancy.
A recent study found that the prevalence of U.S. infants being placed to sleep on their stomachs has dropped by 66% since 1992, resulting in a 38% decrease in SIDS deaths. Despite this progress, Black infants remain at higher risk for prone sleeping and associated SIDS deaths.
Infants of smoking mothers who breastfeed have higher urine levels of cotinine, a substance produced by nicotine breakdown, compared to bottle-fed children. The study highlights the importance of helping mothers quit smoking during pregnancy and nursing.
The article provides expert guidance on infant feeding, highlighting the importance of individualized recommendations based on nutritional needs and growth patterns. The authors suggest a tailored approach to feeding, considering factors such as breast milk supplementation and introduction of solid foods.
Breast-fed infants who received iron-fortified foods from 4 to 6 months had higher mean iron intake and hemoglobin, hematocrit, and ferritin values than exclusively breast-fed infants. However, the percentage of infants with low hemoglobin did not differ significantly between groups.
A new study found no benefit to earlier steroid treatment for premature infants, but raises concerns about potential harm. The study enrolled 371 very-low-birth-weight infants and found higher infection rates, slower growth, and smaller head size in those treated with dexamethasone.
Researchers confirm that premature and low-birth weight infants should receive their immunizations at the same ages recommended for healthy, full-term babies. The study found that even the least immunologically mature preterm infants had adequate immune responses that lasted until age three to four.
A recent study found that premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are at a higher risk of cognitive and motor development problems. By 3 years of age, about 21% of BPD patients showed signs of retardation compared to less than 10% without the condition.
Researchers attribute the increase in SIDS deaths to colder months and overbundling, while experts recommend placing babies on their backs to sleep, using firm mattresses and removing soft materials. Early prenatal care, breastfeeding, and smoke-free zones also reduce SIDS risk.