News

NICHD issues News Releases and Media Advisories to the news media. Spotlight and Research Feature articles explain NICHD research findings and public health issues to the general public. An Item of Interest is a short announcement of relevant information, such as a notable staff change.

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NIH names Dr. Diana Bianchi director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

National Institutes of Health Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., announced today the selection of Diana W. Bianchi, M.D., as director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development NICHD. Dr.Bianchi is expected to join NIH on Oct. 31, 2016.

New strategy holds promise for detecting bacterial infections in newborns

Researchers supported by NICHD have shown that it's possible to diagnose a bacterial infection, in infants with fevers who are 2 months of age or younger, by detecting the immune system's response to the bacteria in a small sample of blood.

NIH to host scientific workshop on Zika virus and child development

NICHD will host a workshop on September 22-23, 2016 to identify the best approaches for treating and caring for children exposed to Zika virus in the womb. Participants from the United States, Brazil and Puerto Rico, who are experts in obstetrics, maternal and pediatric infectious diseases, child development, rehabilitation and vaccine research, will deliver lectures and lead panel discussions.

Cholesterol drug appears beneficial for Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome

Simvastatin, commonly prescribed for reducing cholesterol, may be effective for treating Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS), according to a new study from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), part of the National Institutes of Health. The study is the first randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of a statin drug for SLOS, a rare genetic disease that currently has no cure or approved treatment.

X-linked brittle bone disease discovered by NICHD, international, researchers

NICHD researchers, along with colleagues from Thailand and Switzerland, discovered a form of osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease, resulting from a gene defect on the X chromosome.

Zika from the Front Lines

NICHD's Nahida Chakhtoura, M.D., recently returned from Puerto Rico after visiting with NICHD-supported researchers who are studying Zika in pregnancy and fetal development. Read more about her trip, the research, and the women she met.

Research Roundup: Here’s How NICHD Research Is Improving Patients’ Lives

Betsy and Michael Pilon with their son, Max

Read a selection of past Spotlights featuring the stories of kids and adults whose lives have been enhanced by NICHD-supported research through new treatments, improved patient engagement, and new prevention and intervention campaigns.

HIV therapy for breastfeeding mothers can virtually eliminate transmission to babies

For HIV-infected mothers whose immune system is in good health, taking a three-drug antiretroviral regimen during breastfeeding essentially eliminates HIV transmission by breast milk to their infants, according to results from a large clinical trial conducted in sub-Saharan Africa and India.

High levels of urinary paracetamol may impair male fertility, NIH study suggests

Couples in which the male partner had high levels of paracetamol in his urine took longer to achieve pregnancy than couples in which the male had lower levels of the compound, according to a preliminary study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health.

Adolescent birth rate drops across all racial groups, annual report shows

According to the 2016 edition of America’s Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, in 2014, the adolescent birth rate was 11 births per 1,000 girls ages 15 to 17 years, down from 12 per 1,000 in 2013. Racial and ethnic disparities in adolescent birth rates also have declined, although substantial differences persist.

NIH funds Zika virus study involving U.S. Olympic team

women's track and field at the start line

Researchers supported by the National Institutes of Health will monitor potential Zika virus exposure among a subset of athletes, coaches and other U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) staff attending the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Brazil.

Video Series: Developing Lifelong Learners

Check out the new “Developing Lifelong Learners” animated videos, with tips for parents on how to build their child’s math, language, and reading skills. The series features advice from early learning experts at NICHD.

Breastfeeding Challenges: How to Find Support for Common Problems

Breastfeeding can help optimize your newborn’s health. But challenging circumstances can often bring breastfeeding to a halt. Achieving the recommended 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding for baby often requires a broad network of support from your partner, family, providers, community, and workplace. Read more about common challenges and resources that can help you overcome them.

Some women with PCOS may have adrenal disorder, NIH researchers suggest

A subgroup of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a leading cause of infertility, may produce excess adrenal hormones, according to an early study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and other institutions.

NIH Launches Large Study of Pregnant Women in Areas Affected by Zika Virus

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz (Fiocruz) begin a multi-country study to evaluate the magnitude of health risks that Zika virus infection poses to pregnant women and their developing fetuses and infants.

Proper maternal folate level may reduce child obesity risk

Mother and child with healthcare provider.

Proper maternal folate levels during pregnancy may protect children from a future risk of obesity, especially those born to obese mothers, according to a study funded by NICHD.

What if It Isn’t the “Happiest Time of Your Life”?

Countering the stigma and isolation often felt with depression and anxiety disorders around pregnancy is central to a new initiative launched in May, Moms’ Mental Health Matters.

Weight loss before fertility treatment may improve pregnancy odds for women with PCOS

Overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may have a greater chance of becoming pregnant if they lose weight before beginning fertility treatment, according to an analysis of two studies funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Rare cancers may masquerade as ADHD in children, NIH researchers suggest

Rare tumors called pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas may cause the same symptoms as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, leading to inappropriate treatment that could worsen their symptoms and potentially endanger their health. That’s the conclusion of a new study by National Institutes of Health researchers who evaluated a group of pediatric patients diagnosed with the tumors.

Zika virus damages placenta, kills fetal mice

Zika virus infects and crosses the placentas of pregnant mice and causes severe damage or death in fetal mice, report scientists funded by the National Institutes of Health.

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