Babies have a lot to say before they can talk. Discover the many ways young children communicate and why responding to those attempts matters.

(Beyond Pesticides, January 5, 2022) Household pesticide use is associated with harmful impacts to infant motor development, according to a study published late last year in the journal Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology. The research focused on primarily low-income Hispanic women located in Los Angeles, California, enrolled in an ongoing study referred to as Maternal and Developmental Risks from Environmental and Social Stressors (MADRES). As with other pollutants in society, low-income, people of color communities are disproportionately in contact with toxic pesticides, resulting in exposures that can start early, and affect health over the course of one’s lifetime. Women enrolled in the MADRES cohort are over the age of 18, and speak English or Spanish fluently. For the present study, roughly 300 MADRES participants met the criteria for enrollment, and completed household pesticide use questionnaires at a 3-month post-natal visit. The questionnaire generally inquired whether pesticides had been used in one’s home since their child was born. After another 3 months, researchers also tested infants’ motor development using an Ages and Stages-3 protocol screening tool, which evaluates a child’s ability to execute muscle movements. Overall, roughly 22% of mothers reported pesticide use in their home during the first months of their […]

Spina bifida remains one of the most common birth defects, shaped by genes, health, and environment. Here’s what new research reveals about its complex origins.

New findings suggest screen exposure in infancy may influence decision-making and anxiety later in childhood and adolescence.

A Finnish study published in The Lancet Planetary Health finds that prenatal exposure to PFAS - common “forever chemicals” found in water, food, and household items - may alter brain structure and fun...

Researchers show that even low PFAS levels found in first-trimester placentas can alter cell growth, hormones, and gene activity in early pregnancy.

A Finnish study published in The Lancet Planetary Health finds that prenatal exposure to PFAS - common “forever chemicals” found in water, food, and household items - may alter brain structure and fun...

A Finnish study published in The Lancet Planetary Health finds that prenatal exposure to PFAS - common “forever chemicals” found in water, food, and household items - may alter brain structure and fun...

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A new study finds that immediate skin-to-skin contact after very preterm birth doesn’t boost development scores—but it does support breastfeeding and bonding, and should be embraced in neonatal care.

New research reveals how common chemicals called phthalates—found in everyday products like plastics and shampoos—can disrupt a baby’s brain development during pregnancy. Learn what the study found, who’s most at risk, and how you can protect your family.

Fat Brain has recalled over 5,000 PlayTab Rollers Tile toys due to loose magnets that could pose serious health risks if swallowed.

In today’s world, synthetic chemicals have become an unavoidable part of daily life. From household products to food containers, these chemicals are present everywhere, and unfortunately, they’re not ...

A recent study highlights that higher levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during pregnancy may lead to increased weight gain and body fat by age 50, reinforcing the need to reduce exp...

Longer breastfeeding is linked to a lower risk of developmental delays in children, supporting language, social, and cognitive development, according to a new JAMA Network Open study.