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Human milk has several well-established benefits but does not adequately meet the increased nutritional demands of the growing preterm infant, necessitating additional nutrient supplementation in a process known as fortification. In U.S. neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), human milk is primarily supplemented using standardized fortification, in which a multicomponent fortifier is added to human milk to achieve assumed nutrient content based on standard milk reference values. However, this method does not account for the significant variability in human milk composition or in preterm infant metabolism, and up to half of all very premature infants experience poor growth and malnutrition using current nutritional practices. Poor postnatal growth has adverse implications for the developing preterm brain and long-term neurodevelopment. Recent advances allow for individualized methods of human milk fortification, including adjustable and targeted fortification. Adjustable fortification uses laboratory markers of protein metabolism (BUN level) to estimate an infant's protein requirements. In targeted fortification, a milk sample is analyzed to determine its specific macronutrient and energy content, with additional macronutrient supplementation provided as needed to achieve goal values. Emerging data suggest that both methods are safe and effective for improving growth, however information on their comparable efficacy and neurodevelopmental implications are lacking, particularly using advanced quantitative brain MRI (qMRI) techniques. Through this prospective, randomized-controlled trial, the investigators will compare the impact of individualized human milk fortification on somatic growth and neurodevelopment in preterm infants. Infants will be randomized to receive one of three nutritional interventions: standardized (control group), adjustable, or targeted human milk fortification. Infants will undergo their assigned nutritional intervention until term-equivalent age or discharge home, whichever is achieved first. Brain qMRI will be performed at term-corrected age, and neurodevelopmental follow-up will be performed through 5 years of age.
Early childhood detection of motor delays or impairments provides the opportunity for early treatment which improves health outcomes. This study will use state of the art sensors combined with machine learning algorithms to develop objective, accurate, easy-to-use tools for the early scoring of deficits and lays the foundation for the early prediction of physical disability.
The overall objective of this project is to understand how consuming a prescribed diet of different infant foods (which may contain cereals,fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy) during the time of early complementary feeding (\~5 to 12 months) in breastfed infants has on growth trajectories, neurodevelopment and sleep patterns in relation to gut microbiota, compared with a traditional diet that is usually provided in the home to infants. The three primary aims include: Aim 1: Identify the effects that the prescribed early complementary feeding specific study diet has on growth trajectories in breastfed infants. Aim 2: Identify whether the relationship between the prescribed early complementary feeding specific study diet and growth is mediated by gut microbiota. Aim 3: Characterize infant neurodevelopment and sleep patterns.
Background: People show changes in brain activity when they watch other people do actions. This may be part of early social and communication skills. Researchers want to understand the stages of normal development of motor observation and imitation in people and how it relates to social development in infants and toddlers. Objective: To study the nature of brain activity that underlies typical brain functioning in infants, toddlers, and adults. Eligibility: Infants ages 8 12 months Healthy adults ages 18 65 Design: Adult participants will have one visit. They will: Answer questions about their family, like its size and ethnicity. Answer questions about their own behavior and do a simple motor task. Have EEG/fNIRS. A damp elastic cap with small sensors will be placed on the head. Participants will observe stimuli, either on a video screen or of a live person. The sensors will be connected to a computer. That will record the participant s brain activity while watching pictures on a screen. Infant participants will have 2 visits. Their parents will answer questions about their family. The parents will fill out forms about their child s development. These will be mailed to them before each visit. Parents will stay with their infant while study staff does an assessment of the child s communication, motor, and thinking skills. Infants will have EEG/fNIRS. Infants who are at risk for developmental delays will come back for another visit when they are about 2 years old. This will repeat the infant visits but it will not include EEG/fNIRS. Some questionnaires and assessments will be videotaped.
The main goal of this research is to help mothers with depression and anxiety to cope and bond with their baby. The next goal is to provide resources to help with household needs like food, rent, or utility assistance, health insurance. Our theory is that helping with food insecurity, household needs, and emotional health will help children and families.
This study will include a comprehensive retrospective chart review and a longitudinal prospective observational natural history study to characterize the phenotypic spectrum of GEMIN5-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder. We aim to define the trajectory of this ultra-rare disease, core clinical features, characteristics at disease onset and diagnosis, neurological symptomatology, and neuroimaging findings over time. In this study, biological specimens (serum) will also be collected in a biorepository for translational research purposes.
The INTACT trial is a multisite pilot feasibility study aimed at testing the effectiveness of the INTACT Intervention program in improving neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants prenatally exposed to cannabinoids. The trial will enroll 20 birthing parent/infant dyads across three sites and will evaluate feasibility endpoints rather than clinical outcomes. The study duration is 22 months, including study start-up, enrollment and intervention, and data analysis and manuscript preparation.
The purpose of this study is to systematically evaluate the results of medical investigations to identify symptom and biological patterns and common etiologies of neurodevelopmental disorders.
The purpose of this pilot study is to assess the feasibility of longitudinal neurodevelopmental evaluation of fetuses and infants exposed to Lyme disease in utero. Participants with Lyme disease or Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) will be recruited during pregnancy. Pregnancies will be monitored and infant development will be assessed from birth until age 18 months.
The goal of this observational study is to learn about the impact of the diabetes drug glibenclamide (glyburide) on neurodevelopment in individuals with iDEND (developmental delay, epilepsy and neonatal diabetes) due to the V59M mutation in the KCNJ11 gene. The main question it aims to answer is whether initiating sulphonylurea (SU) therapy in the first year of life results in better neurodevelopmental outcomes in affected individuals, in comparison to starting therapy later than 12 months of age. Participants will undergo a neurodevelopmental assessment comprising parental and teacher completion of standardised questionnaires, and where possible face to face neuropsychological testing. Researchers will compare the outcomes of these standardised tests in the individuals who started SU therapy \<12 months of age in comparison to those who started \>12 months of age.