News & Updates

NICHD issues Releases and Media Advisories to the news media. Science Updates and Spotlights explain NICHD research findings and public health issues to the general public. An Item of Interest is a short announcement such as an initiative launch or a notable staff change. Director’s Corner posts are monthly updates from the NICHD director.

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Item of Interest: NIH announces relaunch of DS-Connect®: The Down Syndrome Registry

A boy with Down syndrome gives his mother a high five. Text overlay: “Drive Down Syndrome Research With Your Unique Story”.

A new and improved version of NIH’s online Down syndrome registry promises to enhance the relationship between families and researchers and better address the health issues of people with Down syndrome.

Science Update: Certain medications linked to lower nutritional content in breast milk, small NIH-funded study suggests

Breastfeeding mothers taking a type of antidepressant or corticosteroids had lower levels of protein in their milk and those taking anti-inflammatory medications had milk with lower fat levels.

Item of Interest: NIH Baby Toolbox available for researchers as mobile app

A mom and baby are smiling while a health care provider with a white coat, stethoscope, and electronic tablet looks at them.

The NIH Baby Toolbox, previously called the NIH Infant and Toddler Toolbox, is now available for researchers and clinicians as an iPad app.

Spotlight: Scientific Advances from the Division of Intramural Research

Two blue and green whiplike structures against a black background. The one on the left is straight and has a network of red dots connected by pink lines running throughout. The one on the right is kinked and has fewer red dots that are not well-connected by pink lines.

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

Item of Interest: NIH announces finalists of endometriosis diagnostics competition

NIH has selected four finalists with innovative, non-invasive technologies that seek to improve diagnosis of endometriosis—a common and often debilitating gynecological disease.

Science Update: Receptor on liver cells helps control how the body processes and stores fats

A large round cell with a red background has two nuclei (blue) inside the center and multiple smaller circles of green and orange floating around.

A receptor on liver cells may play a key role in fat accumulation in the liver and obesity-related disorders.

Science Update: Low vitamin D levels in early pregnancy linked to preterm birth risk

A pregnant woman holding a glass of water and a tablet, presumably vitamin D.

Compared to pregnant women with higher vitamin D levels, pregnant women with low vitamin D levels had greater risk of preterm birth. Their infants were also of shorter length.

Science Update: Partial steroid course can enhance preterm infant lung development, NICHD-funded study suggests

Even a partial course of steroids for pregnant women at risk of early labor can help a preterm infant’s lungs mature and raise the odds of survival.

Media Advisory: Cold treatment does not appear to protect preterm infants from disability or death caused by oxygen loss, according to NIH-funded study

Technicians taking notes from screen monitor of a preterm infant in an isolette.

Lowering body temperature for preterm infants who experienced oxygen loss to the brain during birth does not benefit preterm infants. Numerous studies had found that the treatment may benefit term infants.

Science Update: Gene editing technique corrects glycogen storage disease type Ia in mouse model

Using a new gene editing technique, researchers corrected a rare hereditary disorder in a mouse model.

Director's Corner: Charting a Roadmap for the Next Five Years

Photo of young child smiling and writing with a pencil with circles surrounding the image.

Released in January, the NICHD Strategic Plan 2025 lays out updated priorities to guide the institute’s research over the next five years. While our five major research goals are unchanged, we made substantial updates to reflect shifts in public health priorities and the evolution of new technologies.

Science Update: NIH-funded study identifies potential biomarkers to predict sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) risk

Certain patterns of metabolites in the blood could one day prove useful for identifying infants at high risk for sudden infant death syndrome.

Media Advisory: Excess weight gain in first trimester associated with fetal fat accumulation

Technician passes scanner over abdomen of pregnant woman lying on examination table.

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

Item of Interest: NICHD publishes new strategic plan on research goals and strategies for advancing human health

A man kisses a woman on the forehead as she smiles down at the baby she holds in her arms.

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

Item of Interest: NIH selects first round of winners of the Community Champions for Disability Health Challenge

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.

Science Update: Healthy eating not common during and after pregnancy in the United States, NIH study suggests

Smiling pregnant woman eating a bowl of multicolored fruit.

Healthy eating during pregnancy may be uncommon in the United States. Pregnant women 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.

Director's Corner: Reflecting on a Productive 2024

2024. A patient and health care provider have a discussion. A young woman with Down syndrome smiles with her grandmother in an outdoor setting. A military member with a service dog.

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.

Science Update: Potential screening method for autism spectrum disorder analyzes movements, NICHD study suggests

Two children seated at table. One inserts a piece to a puzzle while the other watches.

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.

Science Update: Placental gene therapy corrects fetal growth complication in guinea pig model, according to NICHD-supported study

A black and white rendering of a placenta and cord against a black background.

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.

Spotlight: Selected NICHD Research Advances of 2024

A young woman with Down syndrome smiles with her grandmother. Both are standing outside in front of a tree.

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.

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News & Updates