brain development

In most developed countries, iodine intake is sufficiently managed
with table salt intake. Researchers in
the United Kingdom recently addressed the possibility that iodine
deficiency could contribute to neurodevelopmental problems in offspring.

Researchers from the Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research were involved in a recent study published in the journal Neurotoxicology. The study focused on the impact of differing zinc and selenium levels on neonatal neurological development.

Does iron deficiency anemia (IDA) during pregnancy affect the mental
development of the fetus? Researchers from United Nations Children’s
Fund Office for China recently completed a study claims there is a
connection between the two.

Though you might notice your baby using one specific hand more as he nears his first birthday, there is no telling whether he is a lefty or a righty until he turns two or three.

Researchers recently
published a study in the journal Science Translational Medicine
regarding a possible link between brain development and slower growth in
preterm infants.

Today on the bus, I happened to be sitting next to someone studying
developmental psychology. Since this is clearly a topic of interest for
me, I was excited to learn about the research she was reading about.

The Infant Behavioral Assessment and Intervention Program (IBAIP)
supports cognitive and physical development of very low birth weight
(VLBW) infants.

Bacterial infections, typically associated with long labor and bacteria
that moves from the vagina to the uterus, can cause chorioamnionitis or
an inflammation of the fetal membranes.

Chlorpyrifos is an insecticide that used to be used in households in the US to kill insects in yards and gardens. When pregnant women are exposed to even the smallest amount of the chemical it can affect the fetus.

All you have to do is feed your child more fish and their IQ will go through the roof – well, not exactly.

While music is generally considered safe for the fetus, there are some
rules about playing music through your belly aimed at protecting baby
and preventing possible risk during development.

Fish is a food that many pregnant women avoid due to potential mercury content. Consumption of fish during pregnancy may positively impact cognitive development and social prowess.

WWS, also known as Walker Warburg Syndrome, is a genetic condition
passed on to children of parents with two recessive genes. Both parents
must have the recessive gene for children to be born with the condition.

Lipoamide Dehydrogenase Deficiency is an extremely rare disease often
referred to as E3. The condition is inherited. Due to the extreme rarity
of the condition, significant medical information and treatment options
are lacking.

Joubert Syndrome is a condition caused by a malformation of the brain.
The condition can be passed from parents to children. In order for the
condition to be inherited, parents must possess multiple recessive
mutated genes, including CEP290, AHI1 and NPHP1.

Two essential omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil, EPA
(eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexanoic acid) are extremely
important during pregnancy, but can extra supplementation beyond diet
increase a child’s intelligence?

The nutrients inside breast milk do wonders for the baby’s immune system
and brain. This is why it’s important for mothers to take Omega-3
vitamins during pregnancy and after.

Immediately after birth most infants are rushed off to the nursery or
placed in a bassinet beside mom. According to researchers, separating
infants from their mothers causes stress.

When clamping the umbilical cord, doctors should wait a full three
minutes after birth to reduce the risk of iron deficiency later in life.
A study published in BMJ supports waiting to clamp the umbilical cord.

Researchers at the University of California found excessive neuron
development in the prefrontal cortex in boys with autism. The neurons
affect the part of the brain responsible for social development.

As every mother knows, the fetus is constantly listening to the mother’s
heartbeat, the sounds of her digestive system and even the music she
plays outside the womb, but researchers believe the fetus hears more
than just physical sounds.

Recent studies have revealed that maternal stress, weight and eating
habits can affect infant health well into adulthood. A new study now
reports that life experiences of the mother during pregnancy may also
have an impact on health.

When researchers exposed rat fetuses to a serotonin-selective reuptake
inhibitor (SSRI) during the final fetal stages and immediately after
birth, they showed significant signs of slowed and impaired brain
development. Researchers found the behaviors similar to those presenting
in autism cases in humans.

During childbirth, the infant may spend a significant amount of time in
the birth canal. If too much time passes, the infant may suffer from
birth asphyxia. Birth asphyxia occurs when the brain does not get enough
oxygen during childbirth.

A team of researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center have identified an
enzyme that may increase the likelihood of birth defects in children
born to mothers with diabetes. The enzyme, known as AMPK, signals cells
to stop producing a specific gene, PAX3.

Using chemotherapy during pregnancy for the treatment of cancer comes
with great concern for the health of the fetus. Researchers have
recently completed a study involving a small number of children born
after in-utero exposure to chemotherapy.

Most mothers believe baby is immune to pain while in-utero, but new
research reveals the fetus can feel the difference between pain and
normal touch as early as 35 weeks gestation.

Exercise during pregnancy is a healthy option for most pregnant women
to improve sleep and maintain a healthy body. Today, doctors have
another reason to suggest an exercise program during pregnancy – reduced
risk of neurological disorders in offspring.

A new study was recently published in the Journal of the American
Medical Association (JAMA) revealing that folic acid intake during the
first eight weeks of pregnancy has a significant impact on language
development up to three years after birth.

When babies are deprived of oxygen in utero, brain damage can result. Researchers have found a connection between brain damage and a fatty acid molecule, which could spark new treatment protocols to reduce the risk of brain damage.