All articles tagged with #infant development
A decade-long study from Singapore links early screen exposure in infants to accelerated brain network development, which correlates with slower decision-making and higher anxiety in adolescence, emphasizing the importance of limiting screen time and promoting active parental engagement like reading.
A Singapore study links heavy screen time before age two to brain development changes associated with slower decision-making and increased anxiety in teenagers, highlighting concerns about early digital exposure and its long-term effects.
A new study suggests that the rapid brain growth in early infancy, particularly in social and vocal learning contexts, may explain how humans and marmosets develop language skills, highlighting the importance of social interactions during critical developmental periods.
Researchers have discovered a biomarker, F2-isoprostane, that can predict the impact of early toxic stress on infant cognitive development and health. This biomarker showed a strong correlation with cognitive development in infants as young as one year old, providing a critical tool for early intervention in at-risk infants. The study followed 116 pairs of mothers and their infants and found that higher levels of F2-isoprostane in infants correlated with lower cognitive development scores at one year old. This breakthrough offers new insights into child development and the potential for altering life trajectories.
A new study has found that breast milk proteins play a crucial role in building a healthy gut microbiome in newborns, which in turn supports their immune system. The research highlights the importance of breast milk nutrients in protecting infant immunity and suggests that understanding the protein composition of breast milk could inform the development of new infant formulas that mimic its properties. Breast milk contains essential nutrients, vitamins, and hormones that are vital for newborn development, and the study adds to the growing body of evidence linking breast milk to infant gut health and immune system development.
New research suggests that family income is linked to infant brain activity and development during the first two years of life. Infants from lower-income families showed lower brain activity at 2-3 months but experienced a faster increase in brain activity from 2-9 months. The study, which used EEG data to track changes in brain activity, highlights the importance of early experiences in shaping brain development and may inform interventions to support optimal growth in children from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and factors influencing these associations.
A new study published in Nutrients has found high concentrations of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) in human breast milk, suggesting it may be a crucial nutrient for infant growth and development. SAMe is required for most transmethylation reactions, including the biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine, an important metabolite in breast milk for neurodevelopment. The study also suggests the need to further investigate the role of SAMe in breast milk and opens opportunities to discuss a revision of milk formula compositions. Breastfeeding mothers may use oral SAMe supplementation to reduce the risk of post-partum depression.
A study presented at the 55th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition has found that a vegan diet does not impact the essential nutrients, vitamin B2, and carnitine, found in breast milk. The study challenges the notion that vegan diets may be nutritionally incomplete for breastfeeding mothers. The researchers found no difference in carnitine concentrations between breast milk from vegan and non-vegan mothers. The study provides reassurance for breastfeeding mothers and donor human milk banks, particularly those providing milk to premature infants who do not receive a sufficient amount of their mother’s own milk.