Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) RADx® Tech ACT ENDO Challenge is here, seeking cutting-edge solutions to improve endometriosis diagnostics. 🔬 Innovators, let’s create tech that can diagnose the condition faster, more easily, and more affordably. Join the challenge! Learn more at https://bit.ly/3LDfjvJ.

Many people experience depression and anxiety during and after pregnancy. Do you know the signs? Learn more about prenatal and postpartum mental health at https://go.nih.gov/9EeAKdY.

Skin-to-skin care—placing an infant on a caregiver’s bare chest for feeding or bonding—may benefit very preterm infants’ neurodevelopment, suggests a study funded by NICHD. Researchers found that very preterm newborns who received more skin-to-skin care during their time in a newborn intensive care unit scored higher on a neurodevelopmental test at 12 months, compared to those who received less skin-to-skin time. Learn more: https://go.nih.gov/DFFBPWE

Science Update: Skin-to-skin care may boost preterm infant neurodevelopment Skin-toskin-care, or placing an infant on a caregiver’s bare chest for feeding or bonding, appeared to boost very preterm infant’s neurodevelopment. Newborns cared for with the method had better neurodevelopment test scores at 12 months.

People with disabilities often experience preventable health disparities. A new NIH prize competition invites nonprofit organizations to propose their ideas to promote healthy habits for people with disabilities, increase their access to health services and information, and reduce barriers to promoting health. Learn more at https://go.nih.gov/34Hxb0m.

Paralympic and adaptive athletes may experience unique patterns of injury and illness. Learn more about research to advance sports medicine for people with disabilities from NICHD Director Dr. Diana W. Bianchi: https://go.nih.gov/2pG2FaG

Livestream Event: Su***de Prevention in Health Care Settings In recognition of National Su***de Prevention Month in September, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) are hosting a livestream event on su***de prevention in health care settings.

Bringing baby into your bed for feeding or comfort? Remember to remove all bedding and soft items from the area. If you fall asleep, place baby back in a separate sleep area made for infants, like a crib or bassinet, as soon as you wake up. 🎥 Check out the full video for more safe sleep tips during : https://bit.ly/4dbjE5z

NICHD’s National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) sponsored one of the winners of the DEBUT Challenge, which called on teams of undergraduate students to identify healthcare problems and develop technological solutions. “Assistive and rehabilitative technologies such as the low-cost, adaptable, bionic knee developed by this year’s winning team can improve the quality of life for people with physical disabilities,” said Theresa Hayes Cruz, Ph.D., NCMRR Director. The University of Utah

Congrats to this year’s undergraduate winners! Design teams from universities across the U.S. are set to receive $160,000 in prizes, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and VentureWell, for their innovative solution to challenges in hearing loss detection, post-operative recovery, cesarean delivery, and more. Read about the award-winning designs: https://www.nibib.nih.gov/news-events/newsroom/nih-prize-challenge-recognizes-undergraduate-biomedical-engineers-innovative-medical-device-designs

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Cancer Institute, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Extremely preterm infants—those born at 28 weeks of pregnancy or earlier—are at high risk for malnutrition. In an NICHD-funded study, extremely preterm infants who received fortified human milk, which included concentrated human milk and additional vitamins and minerals, had faster and better growth outcomes than infants who got unfortified human milk. Learn more at https://go.nih.gov/dPCWMHV. NICHDimpact

Science Update: Fortified human milk may promote growth of preterm infants, according to NIH-funded study Extremely preterm infants fed fortified human milk grew longer and more rapidly and had larger head circumferences than infants fed unfortified human milk. The findings provide support for future studies on the potential benefits of human milk fortification in preventing malnutrition among infants b...

🗣 Attention new and soon-to-be parents!
Check out this valuable FREE resource from : the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. If you need support, just text 1-833-TLC-MAMA at any time to connect with a trained counselor. 💬
You’re not alone—help is just a text away. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3S69Hhk.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)—a rare, life-threatening condition linked to the virus that causes Covid-19—may result from an immune system attack on one of the body’s own proteins, suggests a study funded by NICHD. Learn more about the study at https://go.nih.gov/vhfH3PH.

COVID 19-linked inflammatory syndrome in kids may be triggered by a viral protein that resembles a human protein A life-threatening inflammatory condition affecting children that occurs after infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, may result from an immune system attack on one of the body's own proteins--triggered by the immune systems recognit...

NIH has designated people with disabilities a population with health disparities for research supported by NIH. A health disparity designation helps to encourage research specific to the health issues and unmet health needs of these populations. Read more about the impact on NIH research at https://go.nih.gov/XoJGMf0.

NIH designates people with disabilities as a population with health disparities Designation, new research program and update to NIH mission are actions to ensure inclusion of people with disabilities.

📅 Join us on August 28 from 11AM to 12PM ET for a webinar about the RADx® Tech ACT ENDO Challenge! Learn how you can submit your innovative endometriosis diagnostic tool or idea and compete for a share of $3M. 💰

In this webinar, you will:
✅ Learn about the challenge goals and eligibility
✅ Get tips on how to submit a successful proposal
✅ Participate in a Q&A session with experts

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to contribute to advancements in endometriosis care. Let’s make a difference in women’s health! More info at https://bit.ly/3LVUImE.

Register for the RADx Tech ACT ENDO Informational Webinar Register for the RADx Tech Fetal Monitoring Informational webinar on August 28, 2024.

Safe sleep and breastfeeding can be a team effort! 💤 If you are tired while breastfeeding, ask someone to stay with you to help you stay awake or to place the baby in a safe sleep space if you fall asleep. 🎥 Find out more: https://bit.ly/4dJjgv3

Pregnant people with a thyroid hormone imbalance in early pregnancy have a greater chance for thyroid disease a year after delivery, according to a study funded by NICHD. Learn more about the study at https://go.nih.gov/eZJUQJu.

Science Update: Thyroid hormone imbalance during early pregnancy may increase future risk of thyroid disease Pregnant people with a thyroid hormone imbalance have a higher risk for low thyroid hormone a year after they give birth.

Feeding babies human milk, like breastfeeding, can lower their risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome ( ). Discover how to combine safe sleep practices with breastfeeding to keep your baby safe with this video: https://bit.ly/46L8oud

Working with a trusted health care provider who treats you with respect and kindness is important for a healthy pregnancy. Learn more at https://bit.ly/2nHW38D.

Save the date for the next installment of the NIH Women’s Health Roundtable series on August 19 at 1 p.m. EDT! The event, titled Beyond the Lesion: Charting New Paths, will focus on endometriosis. Co-hosted by the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health and Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, this roundtable aims to bring together researchers, clinicians, and community members to discuss the latest developments in endometriosis research, diagnosis, and treatment. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3LP6W08

Newborns exposed to opioids in the womb managed with a new care approach for opioid withdrawal were more likely than those receiving traditional care to breastfeed. The findings provide evidence that the care approach may help increase breastfeeding among infants experiencing opioid withdrawal. Learn more at https://go.nih.gov/26lbym5.

Science Update: “Eat, Sleep, Console” care approach improves breastfeeding in opioid-exposed newborns, study suggests Newborns managed with a new care approach for opioid withdrawal were more likely than those receiving traditional care to breastfeed. The findings provide evidence that the care approach may help increase breastfeeding among infants experiencing opioid withdrawal.

Mark your calendars for August 19 at 1 p.m. EDT! The NIH Women’s Health Roundtable series presents Beyond the Lesion: Charting New Paths, which will focus on endometriosis. Co-hosted by the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health and Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, you can find more details here: https://bit.ly/3LP6W08

An NIH-funded study suggests that a tablet-based screening app for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may improve early detection, which is critical for access to early interventions that can have major long-term positive effects, first on symptoms and later on skills. By accurately identifying toddlers who may benefit from further testing for ASD, the new app may help health care providers ensure that children and families receive the support they need. Learn more at https://go.nih.gov/AEwVpvY.

Media Advisory: Digital autism screening tool shows promise in NIH-funded study A tablet-based screening app for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may improve early detection, suggests a study funded by NIH. By accurately identifying toddlers who warrant further investigation for ASD, the app may help health care providers ensure that children and families receive the support they...

Women who had a strong attachment to a dog or cat were less to report symptoms of depression or anxiety than those who did not. The study authors called for more research on pet attachment as a means to identify prevention and treatment strategies for depression and anxiety. Learn more: https://go.nih.gov/59f42NO

Science Update: Strong attachment to a pet may ease depression and anxiety in adults who experienced childhood abuse A new study suggests that pet ownership may protect against symptoms of depression or anxiety.

Announcing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) RADx® Tech ACT ENDO Challenge! With $3 million in prizes, this challenge is dedicated to speeding the development of innovative diagnostic tools for endometriosis. We need your innovative ideas to shorten diagnosis time, reduce invasiveness, and improve accessibility and costs. Join the conversation and help spread the word! Learn more at https://bit.ly/3LDfjvJ.

Niemann-Pick disease is a rare neurodegenerative disease that affects many systems in the body and has a wide range of symptoms. This image shows the brain of a mouse with Niemann-Pick type C1. Credit: NICHD/I. Williams

“Endometriosis is one of the most common gynecological diseases, but it can take up to 10 years to get a diagnosis,” said Diana W. Bianchi, M.D., NICHD Director. “The goal of this challenge is to make a meaningful impact for the millions—roughly 10 percent globally—of reproductive-age women and girls who have endometriosis.” Learn more about this new prize competition from the National Institutes of Health (NIH): https://go.nih.gov/MfXHfd3.

Item of Interest: NIH launches $3 million prize competition to modernize diagnosis of endometriosis NIH launched a new federal challenge to seek new innovations in the diagnosis of endometriosis to broaden accessibility and improve women’s health. Submissions are due October 11, 2024.

“At 32 weeks pregnant, I was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia.”
Learn how U.S. Olympian Allyson Felix survived a potentially life-threatening pregnancy-related complication with the help of her support system.
story at https://bit.ly/4byNKyo.

☀️ Summer’s long days and warm weather allow for more time spent outdoors, benefiting physical and mental health. But heat also can have harmful health effects, and outdoor recreation carries the risk of injuries. NICHD supports research that seeks to understand the impacts of climate change, prevent drownings, and help ensure safe participation in summer sports. Learn more at https://go.nih.gov/2pG2FaG.

Concussions may result in sleep problems, and poor sleep quality after concussion may worsen symptoms, such as dizziness, headache, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. A team of researchers at the University of Colorado found that adolescents with a concussion who exercised more than 150 minutes a week slept better than those who exercised less. Learn more about the study at https://go.nih.gov/8GQfOOO.

Science Update: Aerobic exercise may improve sleep for adolescent concussion patients, NICHD-funded study suggests Adolescents with a concussion who exercised more than 150 minutes a week slept better than those who exercised less, a study found. Better sleep may promote faster recovery from concussion.