http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/infant's_health/ Learn valuable parenting tips and information on babies. Read the latest medical research on infant health and development. en-us Sat, 26 May 2012 13:05:01 EDT Sat, 26 May 2012 13:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/infant's_health/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523200749.htm Caesarean section delivery may double the risk of subsequent childhood obesity, finds new research. Wed, 23 May 2012 20:07:07 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523200749.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523200255.htm A study to evaluate birth control methods has found dramatic differences in their effectiveness. Women who used birth control pills, the patch or vaginal ring were 20 times more likely to have an unintended pregnancy than those who used longer-acting forms such as an intrauterine device (IUD) or implant. Wed, 23 May 2012 20:02:02 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523200255.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523200252.htm Infants ignore information that is too simple or too complex, focusing instead on situations that are “just right,” according to a new study. Dubbed the “Goldilocks effect” by the people that discovered it, the attention pattern sheds light on how babies learn to make sense of a world full of complex sights, sounds, and movements. Wed, 23 May 2012 20:02:02 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523200252.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523133136.htm Children are more likely to have more body fat during childhood if their mother has low levels of Vitamin D during pregnancy, according to scientists. Low vitamin D status has been linked to obesity in adults and children, but little is known about how variation in a mother’s status affects the body composition of her child. Wed, 23 May 2012 13:31:31 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523133136.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523115053.htm Scientists are reporting development of a healthy "designer fat" that, when added to infant formula, provides a key nutrient that premature babies need in high quantities, but isn't available in large enough amounts in their mothers' milk. The new nutrient, based on hazelnut oil, also could boost nutrition for babies who are bottle-fed for other reasons. Wed, 23 May 2012 11:50:50 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523115053.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523102142.htm Phthalates from PVC flooring materials is taken up by our bodies, according to new research. Phthalates are substances suspected to cause asthma and allergies, as well as other chronic diseases in children. The study shows that children can ingest these softening agents with food but also by breathing and through the skin. Wed, 23 May 2012 10:21:21 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523102142.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522152653.htm Antibodies that help to stop the HIV virus have been found in breast milk. Researchers have isolated the antibodies from immune cells called B cells in the breast milk of infected mothers in Malawi, and showed that the B cells in breast milk can generate neutralizing antibodies that may inhibit the virus that causes AIDS. Tue, 22 May 2012 15:26:26 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522152653.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522135032.htm Excess weight in pregnant women, both before pregnancy and gained during pregnancy, is the main predictor of whether mothers will have larger than average babies, which can result in increased risk of cesarean section or trauma during delivery, states a new study. Tue, 22 May 2012 13:50:50 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522135032.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522134946.htm Getting a flu shot during pregnancy provides unanticipated benefits to the baby, according to the authors of a large population-based study examining the issue. Specifically, the study showed that H1N1 vaccination during the pandemic was associated with a significantly reduced risk of stillbirth, preterm birth and extremely small babies at birth. Tue, 22 May 2012 13:49:49 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522134946.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120521213514.htm The innovative PAL device uses musical lullabies to help infants quickly learn the muscle movements needed to suck, and ultimately feed. Mon, 21 May 2012 21:35:35 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120521213514.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120521164058.htm Researchers have uncovered new knowledge related to host-parasite interaction in severe malaria, concerning how malaria parasites are able to bind to cells in the brain and cause cerebral malaria -- the most lethal form of the disease. Mon, 21 May 2012 16:40:40 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120521164058.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120521104253.htm Folic acid fortification of foods may reduce the incidence of the most common type of kidney cancer and a type of brain tumors in children, finds a new study. Incidence reductions were found for Wilms' tumor, a type of kidney cancer, and primitive neuroectodermal tumors, a type of brain cancer. Mon, 21 May 2012 10:42:42 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120521104253.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120521103821.htm Small babies had significantly higher blood glucose and insulin levels and a higher risk of diabetes at the age of 75 and older. The risk of diabetes in old age was five-fold among those born small but who were obese in midlife compared to those with higher birth weight and low body mass index in adulthood. Mon, 21 May 2012 10:38:38 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120521103821.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120518132814.htm Pregnant women, including those who are obese or overweight, should be encouraged to minimize weight gain through diet, according to major new research. Fri, 18 May 2012 13:28:28 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120518132814.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120518132416.htm The quantities are very small, but in milk powder and in meat-based baby food, residues of drugs given to livestock were found. Researchers have now developed a system to analyze these substances quickly and precisely. Antibiotics, such as tilmicosine, or antiparasitic drugs, such as levamisole, are given to livestock in order to avoid illness, but they can remain later in food. Fri, 18 May 2012 13:24:24 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120518132416.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120518132250.htm Placental stem cells with important therapeutic properties can be harvested in large quantities from the fetal side of human term placentas (called the chorion). The chorion is a part of the afterbirth and is normally discarded after delivery, but it contains stem cells of fetal origin that appear to be pluripotent -- i.e., they can differentiate into different types of human cells, such as lung, liver, or brain cells. Since these functional placental stem cells can be isolated from either fresh or frozen term human placentas, this implies that if each individual’s placenta is stored at birth instead of thrown away, these cells can be harvested in the future if therapeutic need arises. This potential represents a major breakthrough in the stem cell field. Fri, 18 May 2012 13:22:22 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120518132250.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120517143508.htm Innate differences in immunity can be detected at birth, according to new research. And babies with a better innate response to viruses have fewer respiratory illnesses in the first year of life. Thu, 17 May 2012 14:35:35 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120517143508.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120515131317.htm Researchers have found new clues in the pathogenesis of skull and skin birth defects associated with a rare genetic disorder, Beare-Stevenson cutis gyrata syndrome (BSS). Tue, 15 May 2012 13:13:13 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120515131317.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120514144651.htm A new study examined pediatric injuries associated with baby bottles, pacifiers and sippy cups. Researchers found that from 1991 to 2010, an estimated 45,398 children younger than three years of age were treated in U.S. emergency departments for injuries related to the use of these products. This equates to an average of 2,270 injuries per year, or one child treated in a hospital emergency department every four hours for these injuries. Mon, 14 May 2012 14:46:46 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120514144651.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120514122836.htm A new study shows that human milk oligosaccharides, or HMO, produce short-chain fatty acids that feed a beneficial microbial population in the infant gut. Not only that, the bacterial composition adjusts as the baby grows older and its needs change. For the first time, scientists have shown that a complex mixture of HMO and a single HMO component produce patterns of short-chain fatty acids that change as the infant gets older. Mon, 14 May 2012 12:28:28 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120514122836.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120513144531.htm That overweight during pregnancy can lead to overweight children and adolescents has been known for some time, but new research indicates that excess weight before and during pregnancy can have long-lasting health consequences for the offspring of such mothers even later in life. Sun, 13 May 2012 14:45:45 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120513144531.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120511101242.htm Babies born to women with sensitivity to gluten appear to be at increased risk of developing schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders later in life, according to new findings from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and Johns Hopkins University, United States. Fri, 11 May 2012 10:12:12 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120511101242.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120511101138.htm The option of a vaginal birth after having a Caesarean delivery (VBAC) is difficult to find for women who want that procedure. More doctors and hospitals are not willing to perform the risky procedure. However, a VBAC advocate and practicing physician says provided the expectant mother meets certain guidelines and the delivery is performed in a fully-staffed and fully-equipped hospital, the VBAC can be performed safely. Fri, 11 May 2012 10:11:11 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120511101138.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120510224817.htm Induction of labor beyond 37 weeks of pregnancy can reduce perinatal mortality without increasing Cesarean section rates, finds a new study. Thu, 10 May 2012 22:48:48 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120510224817.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120510224440.htm Researchers examined the distribution of child deaths globally by cause and found that 64 percent were attributable to infectious causes and 40 percent occurred in neonates. Thu, 10 May 2012 22:44:44 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120510224440.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120510122711.htm A citywide ban on public smoking in Colorado led to significant decreases in maternal smoking and preterm births, providing the first evidence in the U.S. that such interventions can impact maternal and fetal health. Thu, 10 May 2012 12:27:27 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120510122711.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120510113526.htm A new report shows that 21.8 percent of pregnant white women aged 15 to 44 currently (within the past 30 days) smoked cigarettes. The study also showed that cigarette smoking levels among pregnant white women were significantly higher than the levels among pregnant black women (14.2 percent) and pregnant Hispanic women (6.5 percent) in the same 15 to 44 age range. Thu, 10 May 2012 11:35:35 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120510113526.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120510095936.htm By comparing the testosterone levels of five-month old pairs of twins, both identical and non-identical, researchers were able to establish that testosterone levels in infancy are not inherited genetically but rather determined by environmental factors. “Testosterone is a key hormone for the development of male reproductive organs, and it is also associated with behavioral traits, such as sexual behavior and aggression,” said the lead author. Thu, 10 May 2012 09:59:59 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120510095936.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120509123746.htm Researchers have discovered a way of identifying which women are most at risk of postnatal depression (PND) by checking for specific genetic variants. The findings could lead to the development of a simple, accurate blood test which checks for the likelihood of developing the condition. Wed, 09 May 2012 12:37:37 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120509123746.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120508142544.htm Women who are obese before they become pregnant are at higher risk of having children with lower cognitive function - as measured by math and reading tests taken between ages 5 to 7 years - than are mothers with a healthy prepregnancy weight, new research suggests. Tue, 08 May 2012 14:25:25 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120508142544.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120507141146.htm Infants whose gut is colonised by E. coli bacteria early in life have a higher number of memory B cells in their blood, reveals a new study of infants. Mon, 07 May 2012 14:11:11 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120507141146.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120505130923.htm A new study has identified the risk of major birth defects associated with different types of assisted reproductive technology. In the most comprehensive study of its kind in the world, researchers compared the risk of major birth defects for each of the reproductive therapies commonly available internationally, such as: IVF (in vitro fertilization), ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) and ovulation induction. They also compared the risk of birth defects after fresh and frozen embryo transfer. Sat, 05 May 2012 13:09:09 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120505130923.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120504171915.htm A new study suggests clinicians might be able to identify children at risk of later emotional or behavioral problems by paying attention to a few key signs during early well-child check-ups. Fri, 04 May 2012 17:19:19 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120504171915.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120503125806.htm Under some conditions, the brains of embryonic chicks appear to be awake well before those chicks are ready to hatch out of their eggs. That's according to an imaging study in which researchers woke chick embryos inside their eggs by playing loud, meaningful sounds to them. Playing meaningless sounds to the embryos wasn't enough to rouse their brains. Thu, 03 May 2012 12:58:58 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120503125806.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120502184853.htm The first-ever national, regional, and global estimates of preterm birth reveals that 15 million babies are born too soon every year. Wed, 02 May 2012 18:48:48 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120502184853.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120502184833.htm A new study suggests that exposure to estrogenic chemicals in the womb or during childhood could have a long-term effect on female fertility. Limiting such exposures, including minimizing use of soy-based baby formula, would be a step toward maintaining female reproductive health. Wed, 02 May 2012 18:48:48 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120502184833.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120502162523.htm A new animal model study has found that in low–birth-weight babies whose growth was restricted in the womb, the level of appetite-producing neuropeptides in the brain's hypothalamus — the central control of the appetite — is higher, resulting in a natural tendency among these children to consume more calories. Wed, 02 May 2012 16:25:25 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120502162523.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120501133501.htm A U.S. national study suggests that a significantly greater number of highly educated women in their late 30s and 40s are deciding to have children - a dramatic turnaround from recent history. Tue, 01 May 2012 13:35:35 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120501133501.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120430190537.htm About one baby is born every hour addicted to opiate drugs in the United States, according to new research. Physicians found that diagnosis of neonatal abstinence syndrome, a drug withdrawal syndrome among newborns, almost tripled between 2000 and 2009. Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:05:05 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120430190537.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120430100927.htm Binkies, corks, soothers. Whatever you call pacifiers, conventional wisdom holds that giving them to newborns can interfere with breastfeeding. New research, however, challenges that assertion. In fact, limiting the use of pacifiers in newborn nurseries may actually increase infants' consumption of formula during the birth hospitalization, according to a new study. Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:09:09 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120430100927.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120429234641.htm Early colonization of the gut by microbes in infants is critical for development of their intestinal tract and in immune development. A new study shows that differences in bacterial colonization of formula-fed and breast-fed babies leads to changes in the infant’s expression of genes involved in the immune system, and in defense against pathogens. Sun, 29 Apr 2012 23:46:46 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120429234641.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120429085406.htm Newborns whose mothers are under stress during the first trimester of pregnancy may be at risk for low iron status, which could lead to physical and mental delays down the road, according to a new study. Sun, 29 Apr 2012 08:54:54 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120429085406.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120429081136.htm Efforts to prevent obesity among low-income infants should focus not only on what babies are being fed but also the reasons behind unhealthy feeding practices, according to a new study. Sun, 29 Apr 2012 08:11:11 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120429081136.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120429081130.htm While eating too much food can cause obesity, the fear of not having enough food may lead to the same result, according to a new study. Sun, 29 Apr 2012 08:11:11 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120429081130.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120427142139.htm A new study found that the incidence of fetal growth restriction, or the poor growth of a baby while in the mother's womb, was lower in obese women when compared to non-obese women. Researchers conducted the study because a wealth of data shows that obese women are at greater risk of fetal death or stillbirth. They wanted to determine if fetal growth restriction – which increases the likelihood of stillbirth – might play a role. Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:21:21 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120427142139.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120426143808.htm Transplanting tissue from newborn fetal membranes prevents blindness in patients with a devastating disease called Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a new study has found. Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:38:38 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120426143808.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120426134924.htm Women who smoke in pregnancy may be more likely to have a child with high-functioning autism, such as Asperger’s Disorder, according to preliminary findings. Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:49:49 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120426134924.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120425155530.htm Choosing the right hospital may make the difference between life and death for very low birth weight infants, according to new research. Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:55:55 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120425155530.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120423153145.htm The benefits of breast milk are well known, but why breastfeeding protects against various forms of cancer remains a mystery. A new study found high levels of cancer-fighting TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) in human milk, which might be one source of breast milk's anticancer activity. Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:31:31 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120423153145.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120423131344.htm A vaccine expert, pediatrician refute three common myths about child vaccine safety. Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:13:13 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120423131344.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120420105730.htm Women with heart disease are more likely to give birth to female rather than male babies according to a new study. Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:57:57 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120420105730.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120419090719.htm Obese women run the risk of problems during pregnancy, labor and complications for the baby's health. A new study of more than 3000 expectant mothers confirms this, and also reveals that being underweight also has specific complications. Researchers have identified the risks in pregnancy related specifically to obesity and have compared them to underweight women to confirm that extreme slimness also carries a risk. Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:07:07 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120419090719.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120418143755.htm Researchers have demonstrated that a nanotechnology-based drug treatment in newborn rabbits with cerebral palsy enabled dramatic improvement of movement disorders and the inflammatory process of the brain that causes many cases of CP. The findings strongly suggest that there may be an opportunity immediately after birth for drug treatment that could minimize CP. Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:37:37 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120418143755.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120418131443.htm The perceived need to swab the noses of pregnant women and newborns for the presence of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) may be unfounded, according to a new study. It is often feared that mothers carrying MRSA may risk transmitting an infection to their newborn babies, but researchers found that babies rarely became ill from MRSA infections, despite frequently carrying the germ. Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:14:14 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120418131443.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120417101948.htm One out of every two women of reproductive age is overweight or obese. Overweight or obese women are more likely to give birth to above average weight babies, new research shows. Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:19:19 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120417101948.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120417101936.htm Unlike women, men don’t curb certain risk-taking behaviors when a baby is present, a new psychology study suggests. Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:19:19 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120417101936.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120417080539.htm Depressed mothers are more likely to needlessly wake up their infants at night than mothers who are not depressed, according to Penn State researchers. Tue, 17 Apr 2012 08:05:05 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120417080539.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120416125154.htm Startling new statistics paint a bleak future for the largest generation in history, the baby boomers, as they cross into old age. Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:51:51 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120416125154.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120413101119.htm The micro-nutrient content in commonly used ready-made baby meals contain less than a fifth of the recommended daily supply of calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and other minerals, new research suggests. Researchers took eight different sample jars produced by four popular brands from the shelves of leading supermarkets and investigated the micro-nutrient content. The research showed that infants given one meat jar and one vegetable jar on top of 600ml of formula milk would not be getting enough calcium, magnesium, copper and selenium. On average, the levels were below 20% of the recommended daily supply. Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:11:11 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120413101119.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120412182334.htm Scientists have identified which strains of the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, the cause of toxoplasmosis, are most strongly associated with premature births and severe birth defects in the United States. The researchers used a new blood test to pinpoint T. gondii strains that children acquire from their acutely infected mothers while in the womb. Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:23:23 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120412182334.htm