News

Weight gain in first trimester linked with fetal fat gain. Findings may have implications for preventing early life forerunner of later life obesity.

The NICHD strategic plan outlined updated strategies for achieving its research goals and objectives.

NICHD announced winners of the first phase of its Community Champions for Disability Health Challenge, a prize competition that encourages community-based organizations to develop and implement strategies to reduce health disparities experienced by people with disabilities.

Healthy eating during pregnancy may be uncommon in the United States. Pregnant people may not be making healthy food choices, swapping greens, legumes, and whole grains for fat and sugar. Overall, study participants scored a D on a scale ranging from A to F.

Each year, NICHD reflects on selected highlights from the past 12 months that demonstrate how public investment in research drives scientific progress and benefits human health. In 2024, NICHD research expanded knowledge of and enhanced care in women’s health, fetal and pediatric health, disabilities, rehabilitation, and more.

NICHD scientists have harnessed artificial intelligence to develop a prototype test to screen children for autism spectrum disorders on the basis of their arm movements.

Researchers tested gene therapy in a guinea pig model of fetal growth restriction caused by placental insufficiency, which occurs when the placenta fails to provide enough oxygen and nutrients to the developing fetus. Currently, there is no treatment for this complication.

Read about select research advances supported by NICHD in 2024, including work on women’s health, child and adolescent health, medical rehabilitation, health disparities, and more.

NIH researchers found previously undetected cancers in nearly half of pregnant people who had abnormal results for prenatal cell-free DNA testing used to screen for chromosomal disorders in the fetus.

Like many infectious diseases, COVID-19 can affect children differently than adults. To optimize treatment of pediatric COVID-19 and its long-term complications, we must first understand the unique needs of children.

Infants who were formula fed, introduced to solid food early, and fed by caregivers who watched television while feeding them were at risk for rapid weight gain in early life.

Failure of the microbiome to fully establish itself in a preterm infant’s digestive system precedes the development of a a life-threatening intestinal condition.

Adults who experienced adversity as children were more likely than those who didn’t to die by suicide or substance use by middle adulthood.

Understanding and addressing a wide range of women’s gynecological and reproductive health issues are priorities for NICHD. Through research, the institute seeks to support and optimize the health of women throughout their lives.

Adoption of standards for pediatric care in emergency rooms could save 2,000 lives each year, ranging from no cost to $11.84 per child.

NIH has announced winners of its competition to accelerate the development of diagnostic and monitoring technologies to improve fetal health outcomes.

The NIH INCLUDE Project launched a new long-term study, called the Down Syndrome Cohort Development Program, to observe and track health data of people with Down syndrome from birth to adulthood.

The Division of Intramural Research provides fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems through basic, clinical, and population-based research.

High androgen levels were linked with low pregnancy rates in polycystic ovary syndrome. The findings may provide information to improve infertility treatment in patients with the condition.

NIH researchers have upgraded a sensor that monitors placental oxygen levels, pairing it with sensors that monitor a pregnant person’s breathing, heart rate, and uterine contractions, along with fetal movements.