News

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.

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.

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.

Eight winning teams developed home-based and point-of-care diagnostics, wearables and other accessible technologies to improve postpartum health outcomes in regions that have limited access to maternity care.

When playing together, children and their dogs have higher levels of oxytocin, a hormone involved in social bonding.

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.

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.