Early human development最新文献

{"title":"Predicting neurodevelopment in very preterm infants using the Test of Infant Motor Performance","authors":"April E. Williamson ,&nbsp;Roslyn N. Boyd ,&nbsp;Robert S. Ware ,&nbsp;Mark D. Chatfield ,&nbsp;Judith L. Hough ,&nbsp;Paul B. Colditz ,&nbsp;Joanne M. George","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106271","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106271","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Infants born very preterm (VPT) are at increased risk of neurodevelopmental impairments. The Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) is an assessment used to evaluate an infant's gross motor skills, however, understanding of its predictive accuracy in VPT infants is limited.</div></div><div><h3>Aims</h3><div>To determine the accuracy of the TIMP assessed at term equivalent age (TEA), and 3 months corrected age (CA), to identify motor or cognitive impairment at 12 months CA in VPT infants.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>This prospective observational cohort study recruited 202 infants born at &lt;31wks gestational age (GA). At TEA and 3 months CA the TIMP was performed. At 12 months CA the following neurodevelopmental assessments were conducted; Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), Neurological Sensory Motor Development Assessment (NSMDA) and Bayley Scale of Infant and Toddler Development 3rd edition (Bayley III).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The TIMP had higher specificity than sensitivity across all four outcome measures. Using a cut off-of ≤ -0.5 at TEA, TIMP z-scores demonstrated low sensitivity and specificity for motor outcomes on the NSMDA (sensitivity 61 %, specificity 50 %), AIMS (sensitivity 59 %, specificity 50 %) and Bayley III (sensitivity 56 %, specificity 51 %). Area under the curve analyses showed that the TIMP assessed at 3 months had greater accuracy than at TEA in identifying neurodevelopmental impairments at 12 months CA.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The TIMP assessed at TEA and 3 months CA correctly identified the majority of VPT infants without motor and cognitive impairments. However, it missed VPT infants who developed adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes by 12 months CA.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"206 ","pages":"Article 106271"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143923676","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fetal heart rate variability in relation to maternal physical activity and metabolic health","authors":"Volha Auchynnikava ,&nbsp;Lorenzo Semeia ,&nbsp;Katrin Sippel ,&nbsp;Julia Sbierski-Kind ,&nbsp;Andreas Fritsche ,&nbsp;Andreas L. Birkenfeld ,&nbsp;Jan Paluscke-Fröhlich ,&nbsp;Anna-Karin Wikström ,&nbsp;Hubert Preissl ,&nbsp;the PREG study group","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106272","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106272","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Physical activity (PA) during pregnancy may have a positive effect on the fetal cardiac maturation which is reflected in a decreasing resting heart rate and increasing heart rate variability (HRV). Different types of PA, for example during leisure or work time, have differential effects on HRV; however, this relationship has not yet been investigated in pregnancy. In our work, we related different types of PA during pregnancy with maternal and fetal HRV. We assessed the levels of PA in 95 pregnant women between 28 and 32 weeks of gestational age using the Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire. Maternal and fetal heart rate and HRV were extracted from magnetocardiography recordings at rest, and maternal anthropometric and metabolic parameters were measured, such as fasting glucose and insulin levels, body mass index, and blood pressure. Pearson correlations were calculated between HRV, PA, and maternal parameters. Principal component analysis and generalized linear models were implemented to further investigate these relationships. Our findings indicate that habitual physical activity, whether during leisure or work, has no significant effect on maternal or fetal HRV at rest. However, leisure-time physical activity, unlike work-related activity, is associated with improved maternal insulin sensitivity. Additionally, our exploratory analyses revealed that lower HRV in both the mother and the fetus is associated with poorer maternal metabolic health quantified through higher fasting insulin levels, triglycerides, and adiposity. Finally, male fetuses showed higher HRV compared to females, highlighting the difference in cardiac development between the two biological sexes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"206 ","pages":"Article 106272"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143912966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"New evidence supporting female protective effect in patients with congenital anomalies and neurodevelopmental disorders","authors":"Nela Maksimovic ,&nbsp;Tatjana Damnjanovic ,&nbsp;Biljana Jekic ,&nbsp;Ivana Novakovic ,&nbsp;Aleksandra Djuric-Zdravkovic ,&nbsp;Marija Dusanovic-Pjevic ,&nbsp;Milka Grk ,&nbsp;Milica Pesic ,&nbsp;Ana Djuranovic Uklein ,&nbsp;Milica Rasic ,&nbsp;Natasa Stojanovski ,&nbsp;Dijana Perovic","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106269","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106269","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The influence of chromosomal sex on human diseases is recognized but underresearched, particularly in diseases with early developmental origins. Copy number variations (CNVs) from sex chromosomes or autosomes, which cause different gene expressions, may influence the disease preferences in females and males. Chromosomal microarray is a standard method for detecting CNVs, with a diagnostic yield of approximately 15 % among patients with congenital anomalies and neurodevelopmental disorders, the primary indications for the analysis. Here, we explore sex disparities in phenotype prevalence and CNV detection rates in patients referred for chromosomal microarray to identify sex-biased traits and CNVs. Our cohort comprises 1412 patients, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.6 to 1. Despite being outnumbered, females are significantly more likely to receive a genetic diagnosis through this type of molecular karyotyping. Most of the patients have neurodevelopmental disorders with other comorbidities. Females have a higher frequency of comorbidities, but the difference in diagnostic yield is significant only in the groups with simpler phenotypes (≤2 comorbidities). Higher diagnostic yield is revealed for congenital heart disease, urogenital anomalies, and the autism spectrum group. All three categories show populational preponderance in males, supporting a higher threshold liability model in females.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"205 ","pages":"Article 106269"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143883190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"High altitude exposure and the birth prevalence of congenital anomalies in newborns with Down syndrome","authors":"Daniel Linares ,&nbsp;Beatriz Luna ,&nbsp;Edson Loayza ,&nbsp;Angela del Callejo ,&nbsp;Maria Garcia-Sejas ,&nbsp;Carlos Erostegui ,&nbsp;Gonzalo Taboada","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106270","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106270","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Individuals with Down syndrome are inherently predisposed to congenital anomalies due to a susceptible genotype that may interact with environmental factors. High-altitude exposure, in particular, has been linked to an increased risk of congenital heart disease. However, few studies have explored environmental risk factors for congenital anomalies in this population, and the specific impact of high altitude remains under-investigated. This study aimed to evaluate maternal and environmental risk factors, including high-altitude residence, on the prevalence of congenital anomalies in newborns with Down syndrome.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a cross-sectional study at two specialized genetic centers in Bolivia, including patients referred from various regions of the country. Data on clinical history and habitual residence were extracted from medical records to identify potential risk factors. The primary outcome was the presence of major congenital anomalies. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between risk factors and congenital anomalies.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 301 Down syndrome cases were included, of which 182 (60.5 %) presented with major congenital anomalies, with congenital heart disease and gastrointestinal anomalies being the most prevalent. Maternal age, high-altitude exposure, preeclampsia, and consanguinity were significantly associated with an increased risk of congenital anomalies (all p &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, stratified analysis revealed that high altitude was a significant risk factor for specific anomalies: patent ductus arteriosus (OR: 5.82, 95 % CI: [1.68–36.65], p = 0.02) and anorectal anomalies (OR: 5.29, 95 % CI: [1.52–33.45], p = 0.03).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our findings indicate that both maternal and environmental factors, particularly high-altitude exposure, play a crucial role in the development of congenital anomalies in newborns with Down syndrome. These results underscore the need for enhanced surveillance and tailored clinical management in high-risk populations, as well as further research into preventive strategies to mitigate these risks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"205 ","pages":"Article 106270"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143867788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Perinatal asphyxia with no or mild hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy: Two-year neurodevelopmental outcome","authors":"Anna Tuiskula ,&nbsp;Susanna Stjerna ,&nbsp;Emma Saure ,&nbsp;Marjo Metsäranta ,&nbsp;Leena Haataja","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106266","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106266","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To characterize 2-year neurodevelopment of infants with perinatal asphyxia without hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) or with mild HIE (HIE1) and analyse possible correlations with sex, brain MRI findings or early neurological examination.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Term infants with perinatal asphyxia and a control group were prospectively recruited from the neonatal units of Helsinki University Hospital in 2016–2020. The study cohort included infants with no or minor neurological symptoms during first 6 h after birth. Neurodevelopment was assessed using Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) at three months and at two years, Griffiths Scales of Child Development, 3rd edition (GMDS-III) and Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd Edition (BSID-III) at two years.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Study included 89 infants: 32 study cohort infants and 57 healthy controls. In the study cohort 1/32 and in the control group 0/57 of the infants showed significantly below normative mean cognitive score in BSID-III. Respective frequency of significantly below normative mean receptive language score were 2/32 and 0/57 and expressive language score 4/32 and 8/57. Females with perinatal asphyxia performed better in the language scores of GMDS-III and BSID-III. Children with asphyxia-related findings in brain MRI had statistically significantly lower total score, language and communication and foundations of learning subscore of GMDS-III.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Most infants with perinatal asphyxia without HIE or with HIE1 performed typically at two years. However, infants with asphyxia-related MRI findings showed lower cognitive and language scores. Our results suggest that female sex may be associated with a lower risk of any subtle effects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"205 ","pages":"Article 106266"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143883192","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of muscle mass on neuropsychomotor development in newborns: A comparative analysis between preterm and full-term infants","authors":"Carolina Cristina dos Santos Camargo ,&nbsp;Débora Nunes Prata Anjos ,&nbsp;Etiene Farah Teixeira de Carvalho ,&nbsp;Eneida Yuri Suda ,&nbsp;Evelim Leal de Freitas Dantas Gomes","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106267","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106267","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Premature birth leads to structural and functional remodeling of multiple systems during a critical developmental period. There is an inversely proportional relationship between gestational age and the risk of neurodevelopmental impairment, as well as cardiovascular, metabolic, and respiratory diseases. Premature newborns exhibit delayed postnatal growth in the initial weeks of extrauterine life. Recent studies have shown that a period of rapid growth can significantly impact long-term health, with the disproportionate growth of lean mass being a contributing factor.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aims to correlate and assess the effect of skeletal muscle size and quality on motor performance in preterm newborns compared to full-term infants.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional study was conducted at the neonatal unit of a public hospital. Ninety-four newborns were evaluated and divided into two groups: preterm newborns (PTNB, <em>n</em> = 47) and full-term newborns (FTNB, n = 47). Skeletal muscle thickness, cross-sectional area, and pennation angle of the rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, and biceps brachii were assessed using kinesiological ultrasound. Neuropsychomotor performance was evaluated using the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) scale.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In the FTNB group, the size of the lower limb muscles was significantly correlated with the TIMP score. In contrast, in the PTNB group, the size of both lower and upper limb muscles influenced the TIMP score. The PTNB group exhibited lower anthropometric measurements and showed delayed neuropsychomotor development as indicated by lower TIMP scores and <em>Z</em>-scores.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>These findings demonstrate that, in addition to prematurity, skeletal muscle size plays a significant role in influencing motor performance in newborns.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"205 ","pages":"Article 106267"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143892239","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effect of heart rate on systolic and diastolic time intervals and cardiac function in stable and sick preterm infants","authors":"Koert de Waal,&nbsp;Enrico Petoello,&nbsp;Edward Crendal,&nbsp;Nilkant Phad","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106268","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106268","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Diastolic function includes relaxation and filling of the heart and is dependent on heart rate (HR) and time spent in either systole (St) or diastole (Dt). The St/Dt ratio increases as HR increased and is a marker of overall cardiac function in children with heart failure. The aim of this study is to describe cardiac cycle events in preterm infants.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Cardiac ultrasounds of preterm infants &lt;32 weeks were retrospectively reviewed for cardiac cycle events from Tissue Doppler images and grouped by clinical indication of the scan as stable or as clinical deterioration with significant illness.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>412 scans in 201 preterm infants were analyzed. St/Dt ratio increased with increasing HR. St increased from 50 to 54 % of the cardiac cycle length with shortened diastolic duration. Isovolumetric contraction and relaxation remained unchanged at 9 and 12 % of the cardiac cycle respectively. Mean St, Dt and St/Dt ratio in stable infants were 195(19) msec, Dt 175(24) msec and 1.13 (0.16) respectively. Sick infants without cardiovascular medications showed a significantly shorter St and lower St/Dt ratio. Cardiovascular medications increased isovolumetric times, Dt, and early diastolic duration.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Reference values for cardiac cycle durations and St/Dt ratio are presented. Preterm hearts adapt to higher HR by shifting towards systole and shortened early diastole by optimising its force frequency relationship and enhanced relaxation. The St/Dt ratio was altered in preterm infants with significant illness. This simple ultrasound marker could be tested in further studies that investigate cardiovascular medications in preterm infants</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"205 ","pages":"Article 106268"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143859875","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Contributions of music therapy and of prenatal singing to maternal mental health, maternal attachment, and neonatal behavior","authors":"E. Carvalho ,&nbsp;J. Justo ,&nbsp;F.M.B. Lã ,&nbsp;A. Queirós ,&nbsp;R. Panela ,&nbsp;M. Botelho ,&nbsp;M.S. Roberto","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106265","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106265","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Listening to music during pregnancy is associated with better neonatal behavior; however, contributions of prenatal singing to neonatal behavior are still unknown. Also, contributions of acoustic propagation of maternal humming inside the womb on fetal and neonatal behavior are still not understood.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Low obstetric risk pregnant women (<em>N</em> = 24) were sequentially allocated into three groups: 1) control group (CG) without prenatal singing; 2) music therapy group (MTG); and 3) vocal training group (VTG). Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS) and Antenatal Maternal Attachment Scales were applied at 32 GW and also at 37 GW. DASS, Postnatal Maternal Attachment Scales, and Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) were applied between one week and one month after birth.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>For MTG: prenatal attachment was improved at 37 GW; newborns range of state was higher when compared with CG newborns; lower scores of anxiety and of stress assessed at 37 GW were associated with higher neonatal autonomic regulation; after birth, lower maternal levels of depression were associated with newborns' higher social orientation. For VTG: anxiety assessed at 37 GW associated negatively with social orientation; after birth, DASS total score associated negatively with autonomic regulation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>MTG seems to favor prenatal attachment, and neonatal range of state. Apparently prenatal singing (present at both MTG and VTG) improves the association between maternal mental health and newborns' social and self-regulatory competencies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"205 ","pages":"Article 106265"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143879252","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Iron deficiency in pregnancy and its association with blood lead and manganese levels in offspring in Benin, Sub-Saharan Africa","authors":"Shukrullah Ahmadi ,&nbsp;Raymond Van Huizen ,&nbsp;Romeo Zoumenou ,&nbsp;Barbara Le Bot ,&nbsp;Pierre Ayotte ,&nbsp;Pierre Dumas ,&nbsp;Achille Massougbodji ,&nbsp;Philippe Glorennec ,&nbsp;Florence Bodeau-Livinec","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106255","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106255","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The impact of prenatal iron deficiency (ID) on offspring's blood lead level (BLL) and blood manganese level (BML) in infancy remains poorly understood. This study aimed to assess associations between prenatal ID and BLL/BML in offspring in Benin. We also investigated associations between infant ID and corresponding BLL and BML in infants.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>Data on hematological parameters, metal blood concentrations, and socioeconomic status were obtained from a prospective mother-child cohort study in Allada, Benin. Blood samples were collected during pregnancy (<em>n</em> = 501), at delivery (n = 501), and from 12-month-old infants (n = 501) to assess iron deficiency and haemoglobin concentration. Additionally, BML was analyzed for a subset of 12-month-old infants (<em>n</em> = 271), and BLL was determined for the full cohort of 12-month-old infants (n = 501). Associations between ID and metal concentrations were examined using logistic regressions.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Prenatal ID and IDA at the first and third antenatal care visit (ANC) were positively associated with infant BLL above 50 μg/L. Infants of mothers with prenatal ID and IDA had higher BLL. Moreover, prenatal ID and IDA at first and second ANC visits were positively associated with higher infant BML. In infancy, infants with ID and IDA had significantly higher BLL as compared to those without ID and IDA. Infant ID and IDA were positively associated with elevated BLL.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Elevated BLL and BML in infants were positively associated with ID and/or IDA prenatally during at least one ANC visit, while in infancy, infant ID and IDA were positively associated with elevated BLL only. Infants with ID and IDA showed higher BLL but not BML. This suggests that ID prenatally and during infancy may contribute to high blood lead concentrations in infants, which can lead to neurotoxicity. Treating ID and IDA is critical to prevent toxicity caused by high BLL in infants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"205 ","pages":"Article 106255"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143829117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A study of the infant's lived experience of neonatal intensive care","authors":"Natalie Duffy ,&nbsp;Leah Hickey ,&nbsp;Karli Treyvaud ,&nbsp;Clare Delany","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106254","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106254","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Neonatal care is essential for survival. However, advancements in medical care may come at a cost to the infant's experience of living. Research has traditionally focused on the effectiveness of the medical aspects of neonatal intensive care. Less attention has been paid to the subjective experience of infants hospitalised in NICU.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To provide an infant-centred, rich understanding and comprehensive analysis of the lived experience of infants hospitalised in NICU.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>To explore the infant experience, we designed a novel approach, termed 360-degree phenomenology. We utilised observational fieldnotes, bedside diaries, Newborn Behavioural Observation recording forms and verbatim transcripts from individual interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse these data sources.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>This paper uses the whole data set (comprising a series of 7 case studies) to describe 4 overarching themes: (1) scary and safe; (2) all these hard things; (3) an emotional challenge; and (4) moments of meeting.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Hospitalisation in the newborn period poses a significant challenge to the developing infant by virtue of the complex and confronting early life experiences they endure, both physically and emotionally. This research illuminates these challenges but also shows moments of powerful meeting and connection, that serve to protect and nurture the developing infant. By listening to and valuing the infant's unique perspective and placing the infant as a person central to their own care, our research highlights strategies for immediate actionable change and future areas of research to better their early life experiences and improve long-term health outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"205 ","pages":"Article 106254"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143783673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}