Newborns

A UCLA-led study finds that full-term infants born to mothers infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy are at a higher risk of respiratory distress, a condition significantly mitigated by maternal vaccination before infection. Credit: SciTechDaily.comInfants born to COVID-19 infected mothers face triple the risk of respiratory distress, according to UCLA research. Vaccinating mothers prior to infection significantly reduced the risk for full-term infants developing a breathing disorder that most often strikes premature…

When the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) changes its certificate for an old movie, it is generally to ease up a bit and concede, like strict parents letting their teens have a glass of wine at dinner, that all right, times have changed. The Alien movies were once rated 18; now they’re 15.However, the recent decision to upgrade the 1978 animated version of Watership Down – the much-loved wild rabbit adventure – from U to PG (Parental Guidance) is a remarkable example of the censoring authority becoming more…

A new study revealed that nurturing opioid-exposed newborns through the “Eat, Sleep, Console” method can decrease their hospitalization period by nearly a week and lessen their need for drug treatment by 63%. This family-centered care approach not only minimizes medical interventions but also fosters critical parent-infant bonding.A clinical trial conducted by UNM has identified the best care practices for newborns exposed to opioids.According to recent research by the University of New Mexico, hugging and swaddling…

Researchers have identified markers that may indicate early-life susceptibility to schizophrenia, potentially allowing for early detection and intervention. The international research team used blood samples drawn shortly after birth and analyzed 24 million methylation marks, validating their findings with transcriptional data from 595 postmortem brain samples. They concluded that certain differences in methylation in newborns indicate an increased risk of developing schizophrenia later in life.The ability to predict the…

The once-futuristic idea of sequencing every newborn child’s DNA to screen for genes that could shape their future health is being put to two major tests. The United Kingdom today announced plans to sequence the genomes of 100,000 newborns for about 200 rare genetic diseases starting next year. In New York City, a similar project already underway will screen for a slightly larger number of diseases in 100,000 babies from the city’s diverse population. The goal is…

Pfizer's vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is highly effective at protecting newborns when the shot is given to the mothers late in their pregnancy, according to clinical trial data published Tuesday.RSV is a common respiratory virus that generally causes mild cold-like symptoms, but it can be dangerous for infants younger than 6 months.Pfizer's data showed that in the first 90 days of the baby's life, the vaccine was 81% effective at preventing severe lower respiratory tract illnesses that require…

Aadhaar enrolment for newborns along with birth certificates is expected to be available in all states in the next few months, expanding beyond 16 states currently offering the facility, government sources said. At present, 16 states have Aadhaar Linked Birth Registration. The process began more than one year ago, with various states getting added over time.Work is on in remaining states and Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) — the government agency that issues Aadhaar numbers — expects that over the next…

Signage is seen outside of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters in White Oak, Maryland, August 29, 2020.Andrew Kelly | ReutersThe Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved a vaccine for use in the third trimester of pregnancy to prevent whooping cough in newborn infants.The vaccine, called Boostrix, is made by GlaxoSmithKline. It is the first vaccine the FDA has approved to prevent a disease in young infants by giving the shot to their mothers during pregnancy, said Dr. Peter Marks, the agency's chief…

The devastating loss of a pair of newborns has provided critical insights into a rare set of blood types spotted for the first time in humans 40 years ago.By unravelling the molecular identity of the relatively new blood type known as the Er system, a new study could hopefully prevent such tragedies in the future."This work demonstrates that even after all the research conducted to date, the simple red blood cell can still surprise us," says University of Bristol cell biologist Ash Toye.Blood typing describes the…

NEW DELHI : Newborn babies and young children will be issued their own Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) numbers, also known as health IDs, allowing parents to track their children’s health records. The National Health Authority is developing a mechanism under which parents can generate ABHA numbers for their newborns and young children. The ABHA number will enable parents to upload all personal health records from birth, as well as all healthcare benefits…