NICHDevelopments – October 2024

News

NIH report recommends strategies for advancing research on necrotizing enterocolitis
A report issued by NIH provides 17 recommendations improving the scientific evidence around necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a gastrointestinal disease that is one of the leading causes of illness and death in preterm infants. The report identifies significant limitations in the understanding of NEC and discusses the relationship between feeding practices for preterm infants and development of the disease.

Newborns with opioid withdrawal more likely to be readmitted after hospital discharge
Newborns undergoing withdrawal after opioid exposure in the womb were more likely than non-opioid-exposed infants to be readmitted to the hospital within 90 days of discharge, according to a study funded in part by NICHD. Opioid-exposed infants were more likely to be readmitted for all causes evaluated in the study, including trauma and maltreatment. The findings underscore the need for substance abuse treatment and support for parents.

Children and their dogs have high oxytocin levels when interacting with each other
When playing with the family dog, children had higher levels of oxytocin compared to when they played alone with toys, according to a study funded by NICHD. The findings may inform therapeutic approaches involving animals to promote physical, mental, and emotional health in children.

NIH funds effort to reduce health disparities for people with disabilities
A new NIH program will support studies to understand and address how ableism—discrimination and social prejudice against people with disabilities—contributes to health disparities.

High levels of certain forever chemicals during pregnancy linked to mid-life obesity
People with high blood levels of two forever chemicals during pregnancy weighed more and had higher body fat concentrations in mid-life than those with lower levels of the chemicals, according to a study funded by NICHD. Forever chemicals, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), have long been used in consumer products and can persist in the environment and accumulate in tissues.

Limb Loss and Preservation Registry Advances Toward Improving Patient Outcomes
In 2022, NICHD helped launch the Limb Loss and Preservation Registry, the first national registry of in the United States to standardize, collect, measure, and report patient outcomes relative to limb loss or preservation surgery and post-surgical care and rehabilitation. Learn about the registry’s advances and next steps.

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