News

High levels of some forever chemicals in pregnancy could lead to midlife obesity, a study suggests.

Newborns experiencing withdrawal symptoms after opioid exposure in the womb are more likely to be readmitted to the hospital 90 days after being discharged.

Our experiences during infancy and childhood affect our health across the lifespan. Through its infant health research, NICHD continues to promote healthy and optimal lives for all children and adolescents, including the tiniest babies.

NIH funded several studies to investigate how ableism—discrimination against people with disabilities—may influence health care of people with disabilities. Researchers will also investigate how to counter ableism’s negative effects.

NIH issued a new report identifying promising research areas to improve understanding of necrotizing enterocolitis, a gastrointenstinal disease affecting preterm infants that increases the risk for serious illness and death.

The NICHD-funded Limb Loss and Preservation Registry is the first database of its kind to standardize, collect, measure, and report outcomes of clinical data for those providing support to the more than 5.6 million people living with limb loss or limb difference in the United States. Now under new stewardship, the registry is looking toward a new phase of growth.

Certain chemicals identified at newborn screening exams may provide a way to tell if an infant is at high risk for sudden infant death syndrome.

As children head back to school, they must adapt to new routines and social situations. From expanding knowledge about sleep to assessing strategies to prevent school violence, NICHD research helps contribute to a safe and healthy learning environment.

NIH announced the final winners of a 2-year prize competition that encouraged community-based organizations to develop the infrastructure and capabilities to conduct maternal health research.

Skin-to-skin care, or placing an infant on a caregiver’s bare chest for feeding or bonding, appeared to boost very preterm infants' neurodevelopment. Newborns cared for with the method had better neurodevelopment test scores at 12 months.

NIH launched a new federal challenge to encourage community-based organizations to develop and implement strategies to reduce health disparities experienced by people with disabilities.

A life-threatening inflammatory condition affecting children that occurs after infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, may result from an immune system attack on one of the body’s own proteins—triggered by the immune systems recognition of a protein hidden inside SARS-CoV-2.

Pregnant people with a thyroid hormone imbalance have a higher risk for low thyroid hormone a year after they give birth.

Newborns managed with a new care approach for opioid withdrawal were more likely than those receiving traditional care to breastfeed. The findings provide evidence that the care approach may help increase breastfeeding among infants experiencing opioid withdrawal.

NIH launched a new federal challenge to seek new innovations in the diagnosis of endometriosis to broaden accessibility and improve women’s health. Submissions are due October 11, 2024.

A new study suggests that pet ownership may protect against symptoms of depression or anxiety.

Summer’s long days and warm weather allow for more time spent outdoors, benefiting physical and mental health. But heat also can have harmful health effects, and outdoor recreation carries the risk of injuries. NICHD research seeks to understand the impacts of climate change, prevent drownings, and help ensure safe participation in summer sports.

Adolescents with a concussion who exercised more than 150 minutes a week slept better than those who exercised less, a study found. Better sleep may promote faster recovery from concussion.

Compared to White women without disabilities and other women of their own racial or ethnic group, minority women have a higher risk for unintended pregnancy.

A new surgical procedure that connects opposing muscles in below-knee amputations allows greater control of a robotic prosthesis. The procedure restores connection of opposing muscles, lost by the amputation procedure.