Use of antibiotics in preemies has lasting, potentially harmful effects
Nearly all babies born prematurely receive antibiotics. A new study from the School of Medicine suggests that such early antibiotic treatment could have long-lasting and potentially harmful effects on the gut microbiome.
Preemies at high risk of autism don’t show typical signs of disorder in early infancy
Premature babies are at an increased risk for developing autism spectrum disorder. But a small study indicates that preemies who avoid eye contact are less likely to demonstrate symptoms of autism at age 2 than preemies who maintain eye contact during early interactions, according to new research at the School of Medicine.
Washington University, Children’s Hospital join national network to study causes of preterm birth
Washington University, St. Louis Children’s Hospital and the March of Dimes are launching the March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center at Washington University in St. Louis.
Study suggests private NICU rooms may influence preemies’ development
Premature babies often spend their first months of life in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) — environments that, in recent years, have seen transformations, with hospitals adding private rooms to NICUs in place of open wards. But research at the School of Medicine adds new information to the discussion over what is the optimal setting for infants in the NICU. Shown is the study’s first author, Bobbi Pineda, PhD, in the NICU at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.