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Health News Results - 344

Loud Incubators Might Damage Preemie Babies' Hearing

While an incubator can save the life of a premature baby, it may be contributing to hearing loss in these vulnerable infants.

A new study published March 27 in Frontiers in Pediatrics assessed the sounds in the neonatal intensive care unit, evaluating the impact on newborns.

“The motivation of our multidisciplinary research team concerns the question: why many more premat...

Early Detection Is Key to Correcting Childhood Hearing Loss. Know the Signs

Early detection of childhood hearing loss is crucial but also challenging because babies can’t tell their parents or doctors exactly what’s wrong.

About 2 to 3 of every 1,000 kids is born with permanent hearing loss, so most health systems test newborns within a day or two after birth, according to Penn State Health in Hershey, Pa.

Hearing loss can be genetic, but a family may n...

Gerber Baby Formula Recalled Due to Bacteria Concerns

Perrigo Co., which makes Gerber Good Start SootheProTM Powdered Infant Formula, has recalled the product over concerns about contamination with a potentially dangerous bacteria.

Cronobacter sakazakii was possibly present between Jan. 2 and Jan. 18 at the company’s Gateway Eau Claire, Wisc., manufacturing facility.

No distributed products have tested positive for the bact...

When New Moms Are in Pain, Prescribing an Opioid Is Safe for Newborn: Study

Sometimes new moms receive opioid prescriptions for pain, particularly after a cesarean delivery. They needn't worry, researchers say.

Their newborns are at no greater risk of harm than those whose moms don’t get those prescriptions, according to a large new study in Canada.

The findings, published March 15 in the BMJ, should reassure parents and their doctors, the resea...

Pandemic May Have Caused U.S. Spike in SIDS Deaths in Black Families

During the first year of the pandemic, the United States saw a spike in the number of Black infants who died suddenly — worsening a longstanding disparity, a new government study finds.

The increase was seen in what's called sudden unexpected infant death, or SUID. It's a term used when a baby younger than 1 year dies from no immediately obvious cause, often during sleep. SUID includes ...

Do C-Section Babies Miss Out on Mom's Helpful Microbes? Maybe Not

New evidence finds that babies born by cesarean section may not miss out on essential microbes.

Though these newborns receive less of their mother’s gut microbiome during birth, they can obtain their mom’s microbes in breast milk and in other ways.

“We wanted to have a better idea of how the infant microbiome develops in different parts of their bodies and how it’s influen...

Fewer Tiny Newborns Are Dying of Intestinal Necrosis, But Many Tragedies Remain

Jennifer Canvasser had never heard of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) before she gave birth to twins three months prematurely in 2011, but she has since devoted her life to raising awareness about this potentially fatal intestinal disease.

Her son Micah developed NEC when he was 6 weeks old and died of complications in December 2012.

He got sick quickly, and there were many ups and ...

Opioids Cause Half of All Poisonings in U.S. Kids Age 5 and Younger

Opioids pose the greatest poison risk to children in the United States, accounting for more than half of poisoning deaths in infants and toddlers, a new study reports.

About 52% of poisoning deaths of children aged 5 and younger in 2018 involved the ingestion of an opioid, according to findings published online March 8 in the journal

  • Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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  • March 8, 2023
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  • Infant Death Linked to Contaminated Breast Pump: CDC

    Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria from a contaminated breast pump caused an infection that killed an infant last year, U.S. federal health officials said Thursday.

    The new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns parents of newborns about the need to sterilize equipment, whether it’s used for bottle feeding or as part of breastfeeding.

    “There ...

    COVID Lockdowns Linked to Decline in Premature Births

    Premature births dropped during lockdowns in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    A groundbreaking study, which included a group of mostly high-income countries — including the United States, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Denmark and Switzerland — found there were about 4% fewer preterm births than would...

    Aidan's Tough Journey: Now Breathing Easier With a Rewired Heart

    Ambar Marcus didn’t think anything of going to the follow-up ultrasound her doctor recommended around 22 weeks of pregnancy — until she noticed how long it was taking.

    “The technician was a lovely lady who chatted with me the whole time, but I noticed it felt like a very long appointment,” Marcus, who lives in Silver Spring, Md., recalled. “This is definitely the longest echo I...

    Another Infant Formula Recalled Over Bacterial Contamination Concerns

    Another brand of baby formula is a facing a recall.

    Formula manufacturer Reckitt recalled 145,000 cans of Enfamil ProSobee formula on Monday because of possible cross-contamination with Cronoba...

    Young Kids Eating Too Few Greens, Drinking Too Much Soda

    Young American children are not getting enough fruits and vegetables, but they are consuming too many sugary drinks, a new state-by-state government report shows.

    To come to that conclusion, the survey questioned the parents of more than 18,000 children between the ages of 1 and 5 about their kids' eating habits.

    “This is the first time we’ve had state-level estimates on these b...

    Delivering a Plus-Sized Baby Could Be Sign of Diabetes Risk

    Women who give birth to bigger-than-average babies are susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes later in life, a new study suggests.

    Large-for-gestational age infants are defined as those weighing 8 pounds or more, said lead study author Dr. Kartik Kailas Venkatesh, an assistant professor of epidemiology at...

    Toddlers' Attention to 'Motherese' Could Give Clues to Autism

    Some toddlers who don't interact with their parents may have early signs of autism, a new study suggests.

    Researchers showed kids between 12 and 48 months of age "split-screen" moving images, then used eye tracking to evaluate their attention. Some toddlers who paid closer attention to scenes without people rather than to someone saying playful phrases a mother might use were later diagno...

    How Are Toxins Like Lead, Arsenic Getting Into Baby Foods?

    Parents in the United States may assume baby food is free of impurities, but a recent research review highlights the much different reality: Most foods made for babies and toddlers have some amount of toxic heavy metals.

    The contaminants include metals, such as lead and arsenic, that can harm brain development, and contribute to learning and behavior problems in children. And they are fou...

    For Baby's Sake, Moms-to-Be Need the Whooping Cough Vaccine: CDC

    Pregnant women can help protect their newborns from whooping cough by getting a Tdap vaccine during the third trimester of pregnancy.

    The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracked cases of infant whooping cough between Jan. 1, 2000, and Dec. 31, 2019.

    The researchers found a link between reduced rates of whooping cough in newborns under 2 months of age and Tdap (tetanu...

    Not Just Brushing: 10 Ways to Start Caring for Baby Teeth

    Even the tiniest teeth can decay, which is why it’s important to take care of them.

    The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers some tips for caring for those little teeth, starting before the first one even arrives.

    "There are habits you can start now to keep your baby's teeth healthy,”

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • February 4, 2023
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  • Pregnant Women in Rural America Often Lack Health Insurance, Upping Risks

    New research suggests that pregnant women and new moms in rural U.S. areas are at greater risk of adverse outcomes, including death, because they are more likely to be uninsured.

    Women living in rural communities had lower rates of uninterrupted health insurance before, during and after pregnancy compared to those in urban areas, a University of Michigan study found.

    “Being uninsu...

    Smoking in Pregnancy Greatly Raises Odds for SIDS in Newborns

    Infants exposed to maternal smoking during pregnancy are more than five times more likely to die unexpectedly compared to babies of nonsmokers, a new study says.

    "The message is simple. Smoking greatly elevates the risk of sudden unexpected infant death," said lead study author

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • January 30, 2023
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  • Siblings of Babies Who Died of SIDS May Also Face Higher Risk

    Researchers have long struggled to figure out what causes a seemingly healthy baby to die suddenly in the first year of life, with an array of possible genetic and environmental factors to choose from.

    Now a large, Danish study has found that in families where one child has succumbed to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), a younger sibling’s risk appears to quadruple.

    “I am not...

    Top FDA Official Involved in Baby Formula Debacle Resigns

    A U.S. Food and Drug Administration official who has led the agency’s food policy efforts since 2018 announced his resignation on Wednesday.

    Frank Yiannas was also among the top officials leading the agency response to last year’s infant formula shortage.

    "Today, I informed [FDA] Commissio...

    FDA Wants to Lower Lead Levels in Baby Food

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has proposed stricter limits on levels of lead in infant food products.

    The agency announced draft guidance for manufacturers that would lower allowable lead levels in processed foods meant for infants and children 2 years and younger.

    The change could reduce dietary exposure to lead, which can cause neurological and developmental harm, the FDA ...

    Abbott Labs Confirms Justice Department Probe Following Infant Formula Crisis

    MONDAY, Jan. 23, 2023 (HealthDay News) – Trouble continues for Abbott Laboratories, which shut down an infant formula plant last year amid reported illnesses.

    The U.S. Department of Justice is now investigating the company, though Abbott did not say specifically what the investigation is covering, NBC News reported.

    “DOJ has informed us of its investigation and we’r...

    Penis Birth Defects Are on the Rise – Are Environmental Toxins to Blame?

    Doctors are seeing an alarming increase in cases of a specific genital malformation in male babies, and new research suggests environmental factors might be at play.

    The malformation is known as hypospadias, where the opening of the urethra is not at the tip of the penis, but on the underside of the organ.

    In the study, scientists identified a direct link between hypospadias tissue ...

    Preterm Birth Tied to Lower IQs, Poorer School Grades

    By the time they're teenagers, babies born prematurely may be getting poorer school grades than their non-preemie peers.

    Researchers found that babies born before 34 weeks of pregnancy had lower scores on math and language tests during their teen years compared to kids born at 40 weeks.

    However, the study did not find a significant difference in later brain function in babies born b...

    Kids' COVID More Dangerous When Co-Infected With RSV, Colds

    As colds, flu and COVID continue to circulate this winter, a new U.S. government study finds that young children infected with COVID plus a second virus tend to become sicker.

    While severe COVID is rare among children, kids can and do fall ill enough to end up in the hospital.

    During the pandemic's first two years, young U.S. children who were hospitalized with COVID tended to be mo...

    Young Americans Still Want Same Number of Kids, Just Not Right Now

    When birth rates fall in the United States, experts try to figure out what’s happening.

    The fertility rate is at its lowest since the 1970s -- 1.71 per woman, according to a new study.

    But it's not that young people today don't want children, new research suggests. In fac...

    Vaccinated Moms' Breast Milk Could Protect Baby From COVID

    Infants too young to be vaccinated for COVID-19 get some protection from their mothers’ breast milk, researchers say.

    The new study follows up on findings published in 2021 that showed the breast milk of vaccinated people contained antibodies against the COVID-19 virus.

    For the stu...

    5.4 Million Baby Sleepers Recalled After More Than 115 Infant Deaths

    Two companies are issuing new recalls on Monday for millions of previously recalled rocking sleepers for infants, with about 115 infant deaths possibly linked to use of the sleepers so far reported.

    With both products, the Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleepers and the Kids2 Rocking Sleepers, infants have rolled from their back to their stomach or side while unrestrained, in addition to pos...

    Almost 700,000 Rocking Sleepers Recalled After 15 Babies Die

    Following the deaths of 15 infants, families are advised to immediately stop using all models of Kids2 Rocking Sleepers, according to a second recall notice.

    Four of those 15 babies died after the first recall notice, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported.

    The company is recalling 694,000 Rocking Sleepers. Parents can contact the Kids2 company for a refund.

    Good Parental Leave Gives Big Boost to Moms' Mental Health

    Generous parental leave policies at work can do wonders for a new mom's mental health.

    This is among the key messages from a new review of 45 studies examining how parental leave policies affect mom and dad’s mental health and well-being.

    Mothers working for companies with generous parental leave policies were less likely to experience symptoms of depression, poor mental heal...

    Newborns' 'Random' Body Movements Are Helping Them Learn

    Those seemingly random kicks or wiggles a newborn baby makes have a purpose.

    With each movement, the baby is developing its sensorimotor system, which it will later use to perform sequential movements. The sensorimotor system lets a person control muscles, movement and coordination.

    Researchers studying these “spontaneous” newborn movements and comparing them to babies a few mon...

    Obesity Might Lower Milk Production in Breastfeeding Moms

    While 8 of 10 mothers breastfeed their newborns for a short time, the number plummets despite recommendations from experts, in part because milk production falls off.

    Researchers investigating why that happens found that in women who are obese, inflammation may be the culprit.

    Prior research has shown that when a person is obese, chronic inflammation starts in the fat and spreads to...

    Babies in Danger From Ingesting Opioids Laced With Animal Tranquilizer

    When a toddler or an infant accidentally ingests a prescription opioid medication, the immediate results can prove deadly, experts warn.

    But another new worrisome dynamic is afoot in the United States, a just-published study reveals: pediatric poisonings from a particularly lethal combo — a ...

    Formula Feeding Raises Odds for Anemia in Very 'Preemie' Babies

    Babies born prematurely who are fed formula may need iron supplementation like their breastfed counterparts, new research suggests.

    “Just because a baby is on iron-rich formula, we should not assume all of their iron needs are being met, since iron from the formula may not have the same absorption as iron from breast milk,” said researcher Grace Power. She is a third-year medical stu...

    Feds Urge Vaccination as 'Tripledemic' Hits More Americans

    Flu, RSV and COVID-19 are creating a perfect storm of respiratory disease that is overwhelming the nation's health care systems.

    Vaccination will be key to getting through the winter holidays with your health intact, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said during a m...

    Pfizer Asks FDA to Approve Tweaked COVID Booster as Third Shot for Kids Under 5

    Infants and young children could soon receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine as part of their three-dose series.

    Pfizer Inc. on Monday asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to have the vaccine that targets the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 replace the third dose in the series for children aged 6 months through 4 years old. Children in that age group would still receive two doses o...

    Girl Toddlers Have Bigger Vocabularies, and Researchers Now Know Why

    Young girls tend to babble their way to bigger vocabularies earlier than boys, and researchers now think they might know why.

    It has nothing to do with gender, and everything to do with parental interaction, researchers assert.

    Parents tend to talk more to young children who have started talking and can respond to them, regardless of gender, according to data derived from more than ...

    Paxlovid OK for Use in Pregnant Women Infected With COVID

    Moms-to-be can safely take Paxlovid to help keep their COVID infection from turning serious, a new study shows.

    Nearly everyone in a group of 47 pregnant women prescribed Paxlovid did well on the drug, which did not appear to interfere with their pregnancy in any significant way, researchers report in the Nov. 29 issue of the journal

  • Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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  • December 1, 2022
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  • Shortages of Antibiotics, Antivirals Are Making a Tough Illness Season Worse

    An early surge in cold and flu cases has created shortages in key antiviral and antibiotic drugs needed for the annual “sick season,” pharmacists report.

    The antiviral flu drug Tamiflu is in short supply for both adults and children, in both its brand name formulation as well as the generic version, said Mich...

    Exposure to Zika Virus in Womb Might Alter Kids' Development

    Children exposed to the Zika virus may need more support as they start school, even if they were not diagnosed with Zika-related birth defects and congenital Zika syndrome (CZS), a new study suggests.

    Children may still have differences in brain development, including those in thinking skills, mood and mobility, though researchers said some identified in the study may have been a measure ...

    Lead Toxin Concerns Spur Recall of Toddler Sippy Cups

    Parents whose toddlers use certain Green Sprouts bottles or cups need to discard them immediately because of a risk of lead exposure, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns.

    When the base of the cups come apart, it exposes a solder dot that contains lead, according to a

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • November 28, 2022
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  • COVID in Pregnancy Can Vary — Get Vaccinated to Stay Safe

    When pregnant women contract COVID-19, one in 10 will have moderate, severe or even critical symptoms, a new study finds.

    So it's important they get their COVID vaccines, experts say.

    “Given that patients in all trimesters of pregnancy are susceptible to infection and severe respiratory illness from COVID-19, these findings add urgency to the need for vaccination of all pregnant i...

    About 1 in 35 U.S. Pregnancies Exposed to Opioids

    Researchers have found that nearly 3% of pregnancies in the United States were exposed to addictive opioid drugs.

    The finding stems from an analysis of data from 21,905 pregnant women in what's dubbed the ECHO program (Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes), a federally funded effort to investigate the effects of early life exposures on several key areas of child health.

    Food Banks Save Needy Families Up to $1,000 Per Year

    Millions of Americans will enjoy a hot, nutritious Thanksgiving meal thanks to their local food pantry, often staffed by volunteers. Now, new research spotlights just how important these charities are.

    Families who rely on pantries for food assistance come away with $600 to $1,000 in free meals and produce every year, after taking into account time, transportation and other costs associ...

    Many U.S. Parents Avoid Vaccine Talks With Child's Doctor

    Vaccines have become a hot topic in the past few years, but a new survey finds many parents aren't discussing immunization with their child's doctor.

    Though a child's pediatrician has often been the go-to resource on vaccines, the University of Michigan Medicine poll found that 1 in 7 parents have not discussed vaccines with their child's doctor during the pandemic.

    While 80% of p...

    Time Spent in Day Care Won't Harm Child's Development

    Millions of parents drop their toddlers off at day care centers so they can go to work, but some are racked with guilt about it.

    One of their main concerns? Time spent in group day care could encourage their toddler to start acting out.

    Now, a large, new study suggests that parents can breathe a sigh of relief: Kids who spend long hours in day care centers aren't any more likel...

    U.S. Premature Births Hit Highs Not Seen in 15 Years

    More than 1 in every 10 births in the United States now occur prematurely, and the number of these more dangerous deliveries jumped by 4% during 2021, a new report from the March of Dimes shows.

    The premature birth rate has now reached 10.5% of all births — the highest level since 2007, according to the organization focused on maternal and infant health.

    In fact, rates of prematu...

    Kids Born by C-Section May Have Weaker Response to Vaccines

    Babies born via cesarean section may not mount as strong an immune response after some childhood vaccines compared to babies delivered vaginally, researchers suggest.

    Antibody levels can be checked in blood or saliva, and babies born vaginally had higher levels of antibodies in their saliva to pneumonia shots at one year and meningococcal shots at 18 months, a new study showed.

    But ...

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