All articles tagged with #infants
New interdisciplinary work argues that music is a hardwired biological trait, with newborns already detecting rhythm and pitch; brain imaging shows music and language rely on distinct neural circuits, while musicality is a mosaic of beat, pitch and emotion shaped by evolution and present across species, suggesting music predates language and can inform therapies and education.
A University of East Anglia study using brainwave monitoring shows eight- to eleven-month-old infants with high sensory sensitivity spend similar amounts of time in deep sleep as peers, but their deep sleep is shallower with weaker slow waves, making it less restorative; while noise worsens sleep disruption, these babies remain lighter sleepers even in quiet environments, suggesting an intrinsic sensory wiring difference that could relate to autism traits and early brain development.
DTU researchers identify 4-hydroxyphenyl lactate (4-OH-PLA), a metabolite produced by specific bifidobacteria in early-life guts, that dampens IgE production and lowers the risk of allergies and asthma. The study followed 147 children to age five across Sweden, Germany, and Australia, showing that early colonization with these bacteria correlates with reduced allergic sensitization; vaginal birth, exclusive breastfeeding, and contact with other infants increase these bacteria. The team suggests probiotic supplements or infant formula enriched with the bacteria or metabolite as preventive strategies, with a patent filed. Translation to preventive use could appear in a few years, while therapies for existing allergies may take up to a decade to develop and approve.
Utah health officials are recommending an early, extra dose of the MMR vaccine for infants aged 6-11 months in Washington County due to a measles outbreak, despite concerns that it may reduce long-term protection, as the benefits of early protection outweigh the risks in high transmission areas.
A recent study in Pediatrics found that introducing peanut products to infants can reduce the risk of developing peanut allergies by 43%, based on analysis of medical records of around 120,000 children under 3.,
Baltimore has seen a nearly fourfold increase in congenital syphilis cases among infants over the past decade, surpassing national rates, due to factors like inadequate screening, stigma, and rising infections among women of childbearing age, prompting city officials to enhance testing and treatment efforts.
In Utah, 11 infants exposed to measles at a clinic received timely post-exposure treatment to prevent infection, highlighting the importance of rapid response and vaccination, as the state faces ongoing measles cases and limited treatment supplies.
Four infants in Rambam Hospital's NICU in Haifa contracted a bacterial infection, resulting in one death, leading to a temporary halt in admissions and extensive investigations to identify the source, with no current risk to other patients.
A study suggests that feeding blueberries to infants between five and twelve months may reduce allergy symptoms, support immune balance, and promote beneficial gut bacteria, highlighting blueberries as a safe and potentially health-boosting first food for babies.
RSV season is approaching, and vaccination is recommended for high-risk groups including adults over 75 and pregnant women, to prevent severe illness and hospitalization. The CDC advises vaccination in late summer or early fall, with additional preventive measures like hand hygiene and surface disinfection. New vaccines and monoclonal antibodies offer increased protection, especially for infants and vulnerable populations, although access and awareness remain challenges.
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended Merck's RSV monoclonal antibody, Enflonsia, for infants, offering a new preventive option against RSV with safety and efficacy demonstrated, potentially impacting public health significantly.
RFK Jr’s vaccine advisory panel recommended the new monoclonal antibody treatment, clesrovimab, for infants to prevent RSV, despite controversy over panel composition and vaccine ingredients; the treatment aims to protect the most vulnerable infants during RSV season, with evidence showing it reduces hospitalizations.
The CDC's vaccine advisory panel recommended Merck's RSV shot, Enflonsia, for infants under 8 months, marking a significant step in RSV prevention despite some safety concerns from critics. The vaccine, approved by the FDA, aims to reduce RSV-related hospitalizations and will be included in recommended childhood immunizations, competing with Sanofi and AstraZeneca's Beyfortus.
The CDC's vaccine advisory panel recommended a new monoclonal antibody shot for infants under 8 months to protect against RSV, with final approval pending CDC director and HHS Secretary sign-off. The panel also discussed updates to childhood immunization schedules and reviewed COVID-19 vaccine data, emphasizing ongoing safety monitoring and the impact of vaccines on public health.
The FDA has approved Merck's new RSV vaccine, Enflonsia, for infants, providing a new preventative option ahead of the RSV season and competing with Sanofi and AstraZeneca's Beyfortus, amid ongoing supply and safety considerations in the market.