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NICHD Spotlights

Carrying Pregnancy to 39 Weeks: Is It Worth It? Yes!

Carrying Pregnancy to 39 Weeks: Is It Worth It? Yes!

New videos from the NICHD’s National Child and Maternal Health Education Program explain why it’s important not to induce labor for nonmedical reasons before 39 weeks of pregnancy. Find out why it’s worth it for both mother and baby.
(Posted: 1/31/2013)
Birth Defects Prevention Month and NICHD Research Advances

Birth Defects Prevention Month and NICHD Research Advances

Understanding the causes of birth defects has been a primary goal of the NICHD since its establishment. During Birth Defects Prevention Month, the NICHD reflects on its research in structural birth defects as well as the significant advancements made to date in determining the causes, prevention, and treatments of birth defects.
(Posted: 1/29/2013)
A Promising New Therapy for a Childhood Coordination Disorder

A Promising New Therapy for a Childhood Coordination Disorder

​Developmental coordination disorder, a disorder that impairs the development of a child’s motor coordination, can cause some children to fall behind their peers in terms of motor and coordination skills. NICHD-supported researchers are exploring technologies to assist children with this sometimes debilitating neurological disorder. [Photo: Courtesy of Indiana University]
(Posted: 1/14/2013)
Celebrating 20 Years of Medical Rehabilitation Research

Celebrating 20 Years of Medical Rehabilitation Research

A new publication highlights the NICHD’s National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) 20th anniversary symposium, which commemorated the establishment of the NCMRR, described its activities, and featured the scientific advances in rehabilitation research that came from its support.
(Posted: 1/11/2013)
Scientific Vision: The Next Decade

Scientific Vision: The Next Decade

The NICHD embarked upon a collaborative process in 2011 to create a scientific Vision, identifying the most promising scientific opportunities for the Institute and its partners to pursue over the next decade. The newly published Scientific Vision statement presents the results of that process and outlines scientific goals for the coming decade.
(Posted: 12/21/2012)
Research for a Lifetime: Commemorating the NICHD’s 50th Anniversary

Research for a Lifetime: Commemorating the NICHD’s 50th Anniversary

On October 17, 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed into law the legislation establishing the NICHD to examine “the complex process of human development from conception to old age.” The Institute marks its golden anniversary with Research for a Lifetime, an all-day scientific colloquium to highlight the Institute’s mission, accomplishments, and future research directions.
(Posted: 12/4/2012)
World AIDS Day and NICHD HIV/AIDS Research

World AIDS Day and NICHD HIV/AIDS Research

​According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 34 million people around the world are living with HIV, and about 10% of them are children. On World AIDS Day, the NICHD reflects on its progress and its continuing efforts to keep these children healthy, to preserve the health of HIV-positive mothers, and to prevent new cases of HIV among children and adults.
(Posted: 11/30/2012)
Health Literacy and the NICHD

Health Literacy and the NICHD

​The ability to understand and use health information—called health literacy—is vital for staying healthy, but many Americans just don’t understand the information that health organizations produce, and many health organizations are not skilled at creating health information tailored to different publics. Research supported by the NICHD and other agencies and organizations is helping to identify ways to improve health literacy, which can help individuals and families make informed decisions about their health and help them to stay healthy.  
(Posted: 11/26/2012)
Evidence-based Methodology Workshop on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Evidence-based Methodology Workshop on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

​PCOS is a leading cause of infertility in women and is linked to a variety of health problems. The NICHD and the NIH Office of Disease Prevention are convening a workshop to evaluate the best evidence currently available on PCOS diagnosis criteria, causes, long-term health consequences, and management and prevention.
(Posted: 11/21/2012)
Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)—NIH Consensus Development Conference (Rescheduled)

Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)—NIH Consensus Development Conference (Rescheduled)

​GDM is common, affecting about 7% of pregnant women in the United States. There is current debate in the obstetrical community about the best method for diagnosing this condition, to optimize pregnancy and later health outcomes for mothers and their children. To address this issue, the NICHD and the NIH Office of Disease Prevention are sponsoring a consensus development conference to evaluate available scientific evidence on the benefits and risks of various screening and diagnostic approaches for GDM, an important first step toward delivering optimal care to pregnant women who might be at risk for GDM.
(Posted: 10/26/2012)
Preeclampsia Research at the NICHD

Preeclampsia Research at the NICHD

​Preeclampsia, characterized by a sudden spike in blood pressure after the 20th week of pregnancy, can affect the health of both mother and baby. Finding ways to detect, treat, and prevent preeclampsia and its negative health outcomes are priorities for the NICHD. This spotlight describes some of the Institute's current research activities and findings related to preeclampsia.
(Posted: 10/18/2012)
NICHD and Its Collaborators Launch Expanded Infant Mortality Awareness Campaign

NICHD and Its Collaborators Launch Expanded Infant Mortality Awareness Campaign

​​The NICHD and its collaborators launched the Safe to Sleep campaign to inform parents and caregivers about ways to reduce the risks of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related causes of infant death. Safe to Sleep builds on the successes of the Back to Sleep campaign, which began in 1994, and includes messages about safe sleep environment, breastfeeding, and infant health.
(Posted: 10/3/2012)
NIH Science Education Conversation Series

NIH Science Education Conversation Series

​The NIH kicks off a new seminar series on science education, during which speakers and attendees can interact and discuss worldwide research, policy, and science education practices. The inaugural seminar, Thinking Differently about How We Teach Science: Why Should NIH Care and What Can NIH Do?, will occur on September 27, 2012.
(Posted: 9/25/2012)
Understanding Typical & Atypical Development: Research at the Heart of the NICHD Mission

Understanding Typical & Atypical Development: Research at the Heart of the NICHD Mission

​Birth abnormalities, broadly defined to include structural, functional, and metabolic problems that are present at birth, are a major cause of death and disease. The NICHD's Developmental Biology, Genetics, and Teratology (DBGT) Branch supports efforts to increase our understanding of the biological processes and mechanisms controlling both typical and atypical development. Many of these research efforts are made possible through collaborations among scientists with diverse research backgrounds. This spotlight highlights the Branch's work through an example of one such collaboration.
(Posted: 9/17/2012)
Extra Zs Spell Better Health

Extra Zs Spell Better Health

​Between work/school, errands, and social activities, sleep is often the first thing we cut back on to make room in a busy schedule. Yet sleep is critical to overall health and to restoring health after an illness or injury. The NICHD pursues research on the mechanisms of sleep, its effects on body functions, and the impact of its absence. Back to school time often requires some adjustments to schedules, including sleep schedules. As families get back into the school mode, the Institute highlights its research on the many aspects of sleep and health.
(Posted: 9/5/2012)
Research on Breastfeeding & Breast Milk at the NICHD

Research on Breastfeeding & Breast Milk at the NICHD

​​Breastfeeding offers benefits to both mothers and babies. Not only does human milk provide essential calories, vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive components for optimal growth, health, and development, but the process of breastfeeding also helps mother-infant bonding. To mark World Breastfeeding Week, the NICHD describes some of its current research and research findings on breastfeeding and breast milk.
(Posted: 8/6/2012)
NICHD's Ongoing Research on HIV/AIDS

NICHD's Ongoing Research on HIV/AIDS

​​The NICHD joined the international community at AIDS 2012, a gathering of more than 20,000 leading HIV/AIDS researchers, public health experts, policy makers, individuals and members of communities affected by HIV/AIDS, and media representatives. A number of NICHD scientists participated in this important event. This spotlight highlights some recent NICHD-funded findings on HIV/AIDS.
(Posted: 7/30/2012)
Following the Footsteps of Our Nation's Future

Following the Footsteps of Our Nation's Future

The annual federal report card on the well-being of the nation's children and youth includes both good news and not-so-good news: the number of adolescent mothers and preterm births dropped while the number of children living in poverty increased. This year marks the 16th annual report in the America's Children series.
(Posted: 7/13/2012)
Alcohol & Drug-Related Birth Defects Research at the NICHD

Alcohol & Drug-Related Birth Defects Research at the NICHD

Birth defects are structural or functional abnormalities present at birth that can cause physical, intellectual, or emotional problems. Birth defects caused by alcohol or drug use during pregnancy are an important focus of the NICHD’s research agenda. This Spotlight describes some of the Institute’s current research on birth defects caused by these types of prenatal exposures.
(Posted: 6/27/2012)
Saving Lives in the Golden Minute

Saving Lives in the Golden Minute

Through its Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research, the NICHD has partnered with U.S. and international organizations and stakeholders to help reduce neonatal deaths in the developing world by training skilled birth attendants through the Helping Babies Breathe® (HBB) initiative. The HBB training program is now active in more than 30 countries and is earning recognition from the public health community for its effectiveness at addressing newborn resuscitation needs.
(Posted: 6/21/2012)
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