INFANT DEVELOPMENT

This study is testing whether a portable eye-tracking device can accurately screen 9-month-old infants for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Over 2,000 babies will watch short videos while cameras track their eye movements. Researchers will then compare these results with standard …

This study is testing a new way to detect motor delays in infants using a special play mat with sensors and a smart toy. Researchers will watch how babies move and interact with the toy, then use AI to spot early signs of disability. The goal is to create an easy, objective tool …

This study tests a new pillow-like device that helps babies with tracheostomies (breathing tubes) lie on their stomachs for tummy time. Researchers want to see if the device fits well, is comfortable, and allows the baby to breathe safely. Parents and healthcare providers will sh…

This study from Mayo Clinic looks at how one session of exercise changes breastmilk. Researchers will measure tiny particles called exosomes that carry messages between cells. They want to see if exercise boosts these particles in breastmilk, which might help prevent childhood ob…

This observational study at Johns Hopkins looks at microplastic exposure in 40 mother-infant pairs in Baltimore. Researchers will test breastmilk, maternal blood, and infant stool for tiny plastic particles. They also track infant weight, length, and growth to see if microplastic…

This study tests a program where parents get guidance on playful interactions with their babies (0-1 year old) during routine home visits. About 2,327 families will take part, with half receiving the program and half receiving usual care. The goal is to see if the program helps p…

This study looks at how 8-month-old babies' brains process speech sounds, using a non-invasive EEG cap. Researchers want to see if differences in brain activity can predict language skills at 18 months, especially in infants with a family history of language or learning disorders…

This study is looking at whether eating a Mediterranean-style diet during pregnancy can improve pregnancy outcomes and baby's growth and development. Researchers will follow 2000 mothers and their newborns, collecting blood samples and ultrasound measurements throughout pregnancy…

This study looks at whether playing music, with or without a parent's voice, can lower stress and help brain development in very premature babies. About 243 infants born between 24 and 30 weeks will be randomly assigned to hear music, music plus parent voice, or standard care. Re…

This study measures how much energy healthy infants use during their first 3 months of life. Researchers will track 70 babies using special chambers and water tests to understand metabolism and body fat. The goal is to learn more about infant development and overnutrition, not to…

This observational study aims to understand how infants and toddlers develop thinking, language, movement, and social skills in the first few years of life. Researchers will assess 1,200 children aged 16 days to 42 months using standardized tests and parent questionnaires. The go…

This study looks at whether giving moderate to late preterm babies skin-to-skin contact right after birth, instead of separating them, can change how their stress genes work and improve their development. About 60 babies born vaginally between 32 and 37 weeks will be randomly ass…

This study uses MRI scans of babies during natural sleep to understand how the brain develops in both healthy infants and those at risk for cerebral palsy. Researchers will follow about 200 infants from 3 months to 2 years old, using advanced imaging and motor skill tests. The go…

This study tests whether teaching parents of preterm infants to use finger puppets during play can improve their baby's development. 188 preterm babies born before 34 weeks will be split into two groups: one gets standard care plus finger puppet training, the other gets standard …

This study looks at whether two experimental partially hydrolyzed whey-based infant formulas are as good as a standard formula for healthy full-term babies. About 234 infants will be fed one of three formulas for the first 4 months. Researchers will track weight gain and use pare…

This study is working to create better methods for evaluating how children with and without stroke or cerebral palsy use their arms and hands. Researchers will observe 80 children, including those with perinatal stroke and typically developing infants, using video and play-based …

This study uses MRI to measure pancreas size in pregnant women and their babies, since smaller pancreases are linked to diabetes. Researchers will follow 87 women from early pregnancy to one year after birth. The goal is to see how pancreas changes relate to diabetes, which could…