Analyzes the incidence of low birth weight in New York City using monthly time-series statistical data from 1968 through 1988. Finds that a downward trend before 1984 for both Blacks and Whites has reversed, with 3,110 additional low birth weight births to Blacks and 1,385 additional low birth weight births to Whites over the numbers expected.…

Compares the birth weight distributions of Black and White infants in South Carolina for the paired-year periods 1975-76 and 1985-86. Finds no changes in birth weight between the two periods among Black infants, but the White infants reflected an overall improvement. (FMW)

A review of the literature reporting effects on parents of universal neonatal hearing screening (UNHS) focuses on debates surrounding false positive identification, the evidence base for maternal/parental anxiety, consent, and family cultural/sociodemographic influences on the effective implementation of the UNHS programs, especially the pilot…

A study explored gender differences in neonatal transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) by comparing the reproducibility and amplitude of TEOAEs in 392 female and 435 male newborns. Results indicate female newborns had significantly higher response reproducibility and response amplitude. (Contains references.) (CR)

Through their marine-based diet, the Inuit of Nunavik (Quebec) are exposed to neurotoxic environmental contaminants that impact cognitive development. Mercury levels in Nunavik Inuit mothers and newborns were higher than in U.S. and Canadian populations but lower than in previous Arctic samples. Lead, polychlorinated biphenyls, chorinated…

Objectives:: This study examines an expanded version of Belsky's (1984) multi-dimensional process model of parenting to determine whether changes in stress and support influence maternal attitudes during the first year of a child's life. Method:: Data were collected from mothers of newborns eligible for Hawaii's Healthy Start program who had been…

We report the case of a neonate tested three weeks after a neonatal left sylvian infarct. We studied her perception of speech and non-speech stimuli with high-density event-related potentials. The results show that she was able to discriminate not only a change of timbre in tones but also a vowel change, and even a place of articulation contrast…

Levels of evidence differ according to the audience addressed. Implementation of universal newborn hearing screening requires responses to a complex myriad of diverse groups: the general public, families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing, the deaf and hard of hearing communities, hospital administrators, physicians (pediatricians,…

Links between neonatal biological rhythms and the emergence of interaction rhythms were examined in 3 groups (N=71): high-risk preterms (HR; birth weight less than 1,000 g), low-risk preterms (LR; birth weight=1,700-1,850 g), and full-term (FT) infants. Once a week for premature infants and on the 2nd day for FT infants, sleep-wake cyclicity was…

Twenty-five newborn infants were tested for auditory-oral matching behavior when presented with the consonant sound /m/ and the vowel sound /a/--a precursor behavior to vocal imitation. Auditory-oral matching behavior by the infant was operationally defined as showing the mouth movement appropriate for producing the model sound just heard (mouth…

Neonatal jaundice (NNJ) is a common disorder worldwide and many affected babies become brain-damaged due to delay in seeking medical consultation. In order to assess the awareness and knowledge of expectant mothers about NNJ, women who registered for antenatal care at a tertiary health facility in the South-western part of Nigeria were…

This latest annually produced Iowa Kids Count data book, "Iowa Kids Count 2009: Trends in the Well-Being of Iowa Children," provides data on 18 different indicators of child and family well-being at the United States, Iowa, substate and county-level. The 18 indicators presented in the data book contain an expanse of data from economic,…

Infants who are born prematurely may experience developmental delays and impairments during infancy and beyond. Those who are born at extremely low birthweight face the greatest challenges. Many families could benefit from early intervention services through their local Part C of Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) programs, but…

This issue of Zero to Three, the bulletin of the National Center for Clinical Infant Programs, focuses on changes occurring in neonatal intensive care to provide greater developmental nurturance to newborns and their parents. Articles include: (1) "Developmentally Supportive Care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit" (Heidelise Als and…

This study examined the degree to which mothers' perceptions of their marital relationships, the support provided to them by their mothers and others, and their adjustment to pregnancy and motherhood, were associated with success at initiating and maintaining lactation during the first year after their child's birth. The incidence and duration of…