Up to 1 Hour of General Anesthesia Safe for Infants: Study

FRIDAY, Feb. 15, 2019 -- Infants who are given general anesthesia for an hour are unlikely to suffer harm, but the safety of longer and repeated exposure remains unknown, a new study says.

Among more than 700 infants in seven countries, the researchers didn't find any measurable neurodevelopmental or behavioral problems up to the age of 5.

Someday, a Pig's Heart Might Save a Child's Life

MONDAY, Jan. 28, 2019 -- The supply of donor organs for infants needing a heart transplant is critically low, but researchers have taken a first step toward using pig hearts to fill the need.

The concept of using animal organs to save human lives has been around for years. With donor organs in short supply, the hope is that animal organs can keep patients alive while they await a human donor.

Delaying Baby's First Bath May Bring Benefits

THURSDAY, Jan. 24, 2019 -- If you want breastfeeding to go smoothly, you might want to ask the hospital to delay that first bath for your newborn, new research suggests.

For decades, it's been standard procedure to give newborns a bath within the first few hours after birth, but the new finding suggests that waiting 12 or more hours before doing so may promote breastfeeding.

Decoding Newborn's DNA Could Pinpoint Hidden Risks

FRIDAY, Jan. 4, 2019 -- A program that maps out the genes of newborns has allowed researchers to identify risks for some inherited childhood conditions, many of which can be prevented.

The so-called BabySeq Project discovered that slightly more than 9 percent of infants carry genes that put them at risk for medical conditions as they reach childhood.

Teething Jewelry Linked to at Least One Baby's Death: FDA

FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 -- Teething jewelry products, such as necklaces, pose significant safety risks and have been tied to at least one baby's death, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.

Potential threats include choking, strangulation, injury to the mouth and infection. These products should not be used to relieve teething pain in infants, the agency said.

Certain Birthmarks Warrant Quick Treatment, Pediatricians Say

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 -- For common birthmarks, doctors should abandon the traditional wait-and-see approach, a leading group of pediatricians says.

Instead, physicians should try to identify those that could cause scarring or medical problems and begin immediate treatment, according to a new American Academy of Pediatrics guideline.