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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Extreme temperatures may increase risk for low birth weight at term, NIH study suggests

Extreme hot or cold temperatures during pregnancy may increase the risk that infants born at term will be of low birth weight, according to a study of U.S. women by researchers at the National Institutes of Health. The study was published in Environmental Research.

NICHD scientists decipher how group of proteins regulate immune cell development in mice

Immune system proteins called Themis are essential for helping two major types of infection-fighting immune cells mature, according to two studies led by researchers at NICHD.

NIH workshop identifies complex health problems among Zika-affected infants

Children exposed to Zika virus in the womb may face complex health and developmental problems as they grow older, according to discussions at an NIH workshop.

Survival rate may be improving for extremely preterm infants

Very early preterm infants are more likely to survive than in previous years, and the survivors are less likely to have neurological problems, according to an analysis of records from a National Institutes of Health research network.

Early brain changes may help predict autism among high-risk infants

Brain changes at age 6 or 12 months may help predict the development of autism spectrum disorder by age 2 years among infants with a high family risk, according to a study funded by NICHD.

Hair analysis may help diagnose Cushing Syndrome, NIH researchers report

Analyzing a hair sample may help with the diagnosis of Cushing Syndrome, a rare and potentially fatal disorder in which the body overproduces the stress hormone cortisol, according to researchers at the National Institutes of Health.

Aspirin may help increase pregnancy chances in women with high inflammation, NIH study finds

pregnant woman reviewing ultrasound scans

A daily low dose of aspirin may help a subgroup of women who have previously lost a pregnancy to successfully conceive and carry a pregnancy to term, according to an analysis by researchers at the National Institutes of Health.

NIH-funded project leads to FDA-approved newborn screening device

A newborn screening device, developed with funding from NICHD's Small Business Innovation Research program, received de novo clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the detection of lysosomal storage disorders, which injure the brain and nervous system.

Couples with obesity may take longer to achieve pregnancy, NIH study suggests

Couples in which both partners are obese may take from 55 to 59 percent longer to achieve pregnancy, compared to their non-obese counterparts, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health.

The Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program

NICHD participates in the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program to support pediatric research and understand the link between pediatric cancers and structural birth defects.

Focusing On Zika’s Threat To Child Development

For National Birth Defects Prevention Month, Dr. Catherine Spong calls attention to the ongoing needs of Zika-affected families and for the enhancement and expansion of research efforts to monitor the virus’s effects on childhood into young adulthood.

Biomarker in blood may help predict recovery time for sports concussions

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health found that the blood protein tau could be an important new clinical biomarker to better identify athletes who need more recovery time before safely returning to play after a sports-related concussion.

Parental obesity linked to delays in child development, NIH study suggests

Children of obese parents may be at risk for developmental delays, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health.

Home-visit program in child maltreatment cases strengthens parent-child interaction

Parents previously investigated for child abuse, showed more positive responses to their baby’s social and emotional needs after completing a home-visit program, according to a study supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Experimental therapy for Prader-Willi syndrome shows promise in mice

Drugs capable of activating silenced genes improve survival and growth outcomes in a mouse model of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a rare and incurable childhood disease that can lead to life-threatening obesity.

Cigarette smoking during pregnancy linked to changes in baby’s immune system

Infants whose mothers smoked cigarettes throughout pregnancy had higher levels of an inflammation marker called interleukin-8 at birth, according to an NICHD study.

Children’s high blood pressure underdiagnosed and undertreated in the United States

Hypertension and prehypertension may be undiagnosed and untreated among U.S. children and youth, despite repeated high blood pressure readings in doctor’s offices, according to an analysis of nearly 400,000 medical records.

Selected NICHD Research Advances of 2016

NICHD had a very productive year in 2016. Staff responded quickly to Zika virus and led the effort to develop the NIH Research Plan on Rehabilitation. The following snapshots are examples of the many advances made possible by NICHD this year.

Childhood brain injury linked to adult psychiatric illness, earlier death

Young people who sustain a traumatic brain injury before the age of 25 may be more likely experience a psychiatric illness and die earlier than those who have not had such an injury, according to an analysis funded by the National Institutes of Health. The researchers also found that those who had a head injury may complete fewer years of school and are more likely receive a disability pension.

Kids diagnosed, treated for depression should be monitored for weight gain, NIH-funded researchers suggest

Children and youth diagnosed with depression, and those taking antidepressants, should be monitored and potentially treated to prevent excess weight gain. This is the conclusion of researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health, who observed progressive weight gain among children and older teens diagnosed with depression and those taking antidepressants.

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News & Updates