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Airway smooth muscle thickness and contraction are enhanced by intra-amniotic lipopolysaccharide in an ovine model of premature birthAbnormalities of the airway smooth muscle (ASM) layer in asthma may develop before birth. We hypothesize that antenatal inflammation causes physiological abnormalities of the ASM that predisposes asthma. This study determined the short-term effects of antenatal inflammation on the developing ASM.
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Multimodal brain features at 3 years of age and their relationship with pre-reading measures 1 year laterPre-reading language skills develop rapidly in early childhood and are related to brain structure and functional architecture in young children prior to formal education. However, the early neurobiological development that supports these skills is not well understood.
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Prevention of Mental Health Difficulties for Children Aged 0–3 Years: A ReviewThe period of infancy and early childhood is a critical time for interventions to prevent future mental health problems. The first signs of mental health difficulties can be manifest in infancy, emphasizing the importance of understanding and identifying both protective and risk factors in pregnancy and the early postnatal period.
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Use of parenteral nutrition in term and late preterm infants: An Australian and New Zealand SurveyThere is limited information regarding the use of parenteral nutrition (PN) in term and late preterm infants. We conducted a survey to study the current clinical practices within Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). A 15-question online-survey was distributed to 232 neonatologists and 55 paediatric intensivists across ANZ between September and November 2019.
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Epigenomic variability is associated with age-specific naïve CD4 T cell response to activation in infants and adolescentsChildhood is a critical period of immune development. During this time, naïve CD4 T cells undergo programmed cell differentiation, mediated by epigenetic changes, in response to external stimuli leading to a baseline homeostatic state that may determine lifelong disease risk. However, the ontogeny of epigenetic signatures associated with CD4 T cell activation during key developmental periods are yet to be described.
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Examining the relationship between maternal mental health-related hospital admissions and childhood developmental vulnerability at school entry in Canada and AustraliaIt is well established that maternal mental illness is associated with an increased risk of poor development for children. However, inconsistencies in findings regarding the nature of the difficulties children experience may be explained by methodological or geographical differences.
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The impact a Mediterranean Diet in the third trimester of pregnancy has on neonatal body fat percentageMaternal diet during pregnancy has long been recognised as an important determinant of neonatal outcomes and child development. Infant body composition is a potentially modifiable risk factor for predicting future health and metabolic disease.
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Objectively measured infant and toddler screen time: Findings from a prospective studyScreen time guidelines recommend no screens under two years due to the potential negative impacts on development. While current reports suggest many children exceed this, research relies on parent reports of their children's screen exposure. We objectively assess screen exposure during the first two years and how it differs by maternal education and gender.
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Long maternal working hours were linked to obesity, underweight and stunting in children under age 5 in ChinaThis study assessed the relationship between maternal working hours and stunting, underweight and obesity in children under age 5 in China, using data from the China Nutrition and Health Survey (CNHS) conducted in 2002 and multivariable logistic regression. We found that maternal work hours 25–40 or >40 h per week were associated with a higher risk for underweight and stunting (under growth) in children under age 5.
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Lao PDR early childhood education project : snapshot four - services and facilitiesThis snapshot highlights that early education services are related to better levels of early child development, but coverage and access is not sufficient